Long‑time Denver nonprofit leader Monica Martinez has entered the race for the at‑large B seat on Denver City Council. At 52, Martinez brings more than a decade of experience fighting displacement on East Colfax Avenue and a track record of working alongside city leaders, including former Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Professional background
Martinez moved to Denver in 2003 to join Hickenlooper’s policy team when he was mayor. She later served as development manager for Zocalo Community Development and, since 2015, has been the executive director of the development nonprofit Fax Partnership. In that role she has advocated for low‑income residents and small business owners, a focus she says will guide her work on council.
Campaign priorities
Martinez says Denver’s biggest challenges are housing affordability and transportation costs. She supports the “Unlocking Housing Choices” proposal, which would allow denser housing on many single‑family lots, arguing that without more homes young families are forced to leave the city. “When young people can’t afford a place to raise a family, the city loses its future,” she explained.
On transportation, Martinez wants to lower costs and improve service by strengthening the city’s partnership with the Regional Transportation District (RTD). She proposes aligning dense development with transit resources so ridership can grow where it’s needed most.
Public safety and technology
Martinez emphasizes community policing as the cornerstone of safety. While she acknowledges the usefulness of tools like ShotSpotter, she cautions against technology that could erode trust between officers and neighborhoods. She would review the city’s contract with Axon for automated license‑plate readers, seeking stronger data‑privacy safeguards before renewal.
Fiscal responsibility
Criticizing the current administration’s handling of the budget, Martinez points to Denver’s reliance on federal pandemic aid and the 2025 layoffs that saw 171 city jobs eliminated. She argues that better collaboration between the mayor’s office and council could have mitigated the deficit.
Martinez is hesitant to raise sales taxes or create new programs until the affordable‑housing crisis is addressed. She specifically questioned Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposed universal childcare program, saying any new initiative must be fiscally sound.
Endorsements and outlook
Her campaign website lists endorsements from Councilmember Jamie Torres and former state Sen. Irene Aguilar. Martinez says she did not initially plan to run, but the sudden vacancy after Sarah Parady’s departure motivated her to step forward. If elected, she intends to run for a full term in April.
“I’ve spent 11 years on East Colfax fighting displacement and helping low‑income residents stay in Denver,” Martinez said. “It’s getting increasingly hard, and I’m driven to keep our neighborhoods strong for families.”
Personal story
Martinez recalls purchasing a condo for under $300,000 while earning $60,000 a year in the early 2000s – an opportunity she says is now rare for young professionals. She hopes to restore such pathways to homeownership for Denver’s next generation.
Voters who value faith‑centered families, responsible budgeting and community‑first policies may find a champion in Martinez as she seeks to connect city resources with the everyday needs of Denverites.
Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.
