Aaron Brockett: The Clear Choice for Boulder’s Future
Boulder stands at a crucial crossroads, grappling with multiple challenging issues. To chart a path forward, we must choose the right leader.
In the mayoral race, the focus has shifted towards addressing homelessness, with Bob Yates offering an 8-point solution. While most of his ideas align with those of other candidates, the final two points are different (and a reason for him to gain some of his supporters). These points include more severe penalties and the diversion of unhoused individuals by sending them back to their original locations. Arresting people for violating camping bans raise ethical concerns. Bussing unhoused individuals back to where they are from is at-best a bandaid solution that may not even provide temporary relief, should other cities decide to reciprocate. A formerly unhoused Denver journalist wrote about why sending people back may be a bad idea. Both solutions sidestep the root cause of homelessness. Instead of diverting resources to these costly, heavy-handed, and ineffective measures, we must prioritize addressing the issue itself.
Recent studies, including one in California — the largest homelessness survey in the US in decades, consistently highlight the economic roots of homelessness. Building more affordable housing and paying a living wage are key components of the solution. When millions of Americans cannot afford homes, equity and justice issues come to the forefront, with younger and disadvantaged communities bearing the brunt. Bob Yates’s opposition to raising the minimum wage in 2024, rent stabilization, and expansion of occupancy limits will only exacerbate this crisis. In contrast, Aaron Brockett recognizes the pressing need for all of the above, demonstrating a genuine commitment to equitably addressing the root causes of homelessness.
To build more affordable housing, Aaron Brockett’s proposal centers on creating 15-minute neighborhoods through in-fill developments, zoning reforms to allow smaller affordable homes, reduced parking requirements, improved public transit, and streamlined construction permits. These practical, sustainable solutions align with the scale of the crisis we face.
When it comes to climate change, Aaron Brockett’s vision is aligned with the urgency of our times. His proposals include a commitment to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030, building electrification, enhancing public transit, and expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Bob Yates, on the other hand, presents a car-centric approach for transportation that falls short of Boulder’s true needs. As part of the solution to effectively address the climate crisis, we must prioritize a human-centered city, emphasizing moving people over cars, with a focus on multimodal transit.
It’s alarming that Bob Yates, a top mayoral candidate in a city known for its climate scientists and climate research, fails to mention climate or the environment in his 5-point campaign platform. At a time when global emissions are at record highs, the West Antarctic ice sheet faces irreversible meltdown, and extreme weather events become the new norm, we ignore climate change at our own peril. Even with many other tough local challenges to deal with, Boulder can’t afford to relinquish its leadership in combating climate change.
Addressing homelessness cannot be isolated from broader issues. Homelessness and housing affordability are directly linked to land use and zoning policies, which will also significantly impact our carbon footprint. By reforming exclusive zoning policies, Boulder can simultaneously tackle climate change and homelessness, creating more affordable housing and reducing carbon emissions. In the face of a severe housing shortage, Aaron Brockett’s support for SB23-213, a groundbreaking statewide zoning reform and affordable housing bill, reflects his dedication to addressing climate, affordable housing, and equity in tandem. This approach recognizes the intertwining nature of climate and housing issues, where addressing one should not come at the expense of the other.
The choice for Boulder Mayor goes beyond selecting a leader; it defines the city’s future and its role in the world. We need a visionary leader who can connect the dots between homelessness, housing affordability, and climate change, and support effective solutions that will address these issues. Aaron Brockett embodies that leadership. He offers a comprehensive, compassionate, and sustainable vision that aligns with Boulder’s values and the pressing challenges of our time. It’s time to choose the future we want, and that future is with Aaron Brockett as our Mayor.
