COLORADO CONVERSATIONS 2002

Citizens

1. How would you describe the quality of civic participation and community decision-making in the Denver Metro area?

Not certain the political process is conducive to civic involvement (e.g. debates done during the workday).
Different quality and type of participation opportunities to dialogue are weak due to structure.
Issue oriented involvement. (e.g. Children's Ballot Initiative).
Expertise is necessary to deal with complex issues.
Same citizens are participating.
Quality is a sustained effort.
Good information, control and access to make good decisions and recommendations.
Government organizations can outnumber the regular citizens.

2. Are citizens engaged?

Civic involvement in neighborhoods through neighborhood groups is spotty in Denver.
As a whole some neighborhoods have active groups, but still is a disjunctive with making things happen to change policies.
Civic involvement is mostly reactionary.
Ways people get involved are different. Lots of volunteering, but the bridge to the political realm is rare.
SW Latino parent involvement is phenomenal.
Engaged where they can make a difference.
Process is critical, how support is garnered is key (e.g. a flyer doesn't cut it).
Engaged where they can make a difference.
Quantity vs. quality (e.g. high quality - neighborhood watch)
Adverse to more meetings - training, meetings and facilitators have been poor stewards of our time.
Disappointing voting turnout - highly polarized.
Need for mobilization - proactive vs. reactive

3. Do citizens think their opinions matter? Why or why not?

Civic context vs. political context - citizens do not feel they can make an impact.
Yes, citizens feel they can make a difference (e.g. volunteering).
When politicians can arbitrarily make decisions for me - my opinion does not matter.

Governments

1. What is the relationship between government officials (both elected and non-elected) and citizens in the Denver metro area?

2. Is there trust?

Not total distrust, but not a blanket of trust (e.g. Community Block Grant Funds being used for Elitch Gardens).
To regain trust, government must be responsive, accountable and an open process (e.g. take government to the people, political people present community meetings).
Challenge - how do you engage new folks in the process?

3. Do citizens feel that government acts in the best interest of citizens?

Politics have become privatized.
Issues vs. partisanship
Government response, if any, is patronizing - challenging questions are not addressed and outcomes do not change.
The stakes are low - Denver is a very young city.
Groups of individuals are not investing in state infrastructure.

4. In the Denver metro area how do we view elected officials?

Media

1. Does the media in the Denver metro area provide information in a way that is constructive to solving problems? Why or why not?

Lack of balance in covering the positive as well as the negative - DIA and city books stories.
Professional associations and private funding - using the media to keep stories honest.
The media is the only source of information for citizens.
The media provides sensationalized information.
The media is a business driven by deadlines and economics, yet there is a desire for balance and is responsive.
Civic journalism vs. reactive reporting

Examples

1. Considering the tools presented by Chris (representative, citizen, direct, and direct action) what tools does Denver uses the most frequently?

Representative
- Removed; requires investment; operational
- Growth initiative - reactive
- Jail - proactive
- Non-profit property tax - broad based support
Citizen
- Habitat for Humanity
- Acquisition of open land in Jefferson County
- CO Children's Campaign
- CO Lawyer's Committee
- Citizen initiatives have been successful, but they do require time and money.
Direct
- Most frequently used models
- Independent collaborations
- Education Funding
- Ballot
Social Capitol
- Dual language Montessori in NW Denver

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