Dear Neighbors and Friends,

What an amazing first week on the campaign trail! Even though I've volunteered for many candidates across Colorado before, It's an incredible honor to be able to talk to Edgewater residents as the candidate for the first time. Thank you so much to friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, and Edgewater voters who have reached out with donations, endorsements, volunteer time, and support. I'm humbled to be in this position and deeply grateful to all of you. And guess what - we made the ballot! Tonight I am heading to the city clerk's office to find out in what order the five city council candidates will be on the ballot.

What we are hearing on the doors:
This week while knocking doors and talking to voters I heard one thing over and over again - Edgewater residents are worried about growth. The whole Front Range is facing tremendous growth as businesses and people flock to the Denver metro area. While this has helped turn Colorado into a hub of tech activity, entrepreneurship, and economic development, with it we are also dealing with increased housing and rent prices, traffic, air pollution and pressure on our public schools. When I bought my first home in Edgewater just a few years ago, I put in offers on three houses in town sight unseen before I was able to go under contract, and even then I was outbid on many more by all-cash offers. The growth the metro area is facing, along with TABOR, or super-restrictive state taxation limitations, mean that Colorado has the worst teacher pay in the country in comparison to cost of living, and communities that have been living in this area for decades are being forced to leaving because of rising rents. 

But unlike Lakewood and Boulder, which have dealt with growth by passing antiquated and problematic anti-growth initiatives that can actually make the negative impacts worse, Edgewater has the opportunity to face growth strategically, and plan for it. Some potential solutions include more multi-use zoning to allow for a limited number of apartments to be built above local businesses. Giving homeowners the opportunity to increase the amount of residents on their property so they can house a nanny or an aging parent is another. We can and should also work with RTD to increase public transportation options while lowering fares. 

Rather than resist growth, we should plan for it. With forward-looking policies and strong community engagement, we can maintain Edgewater's unique charm and character while ensuring our neighbors can remain here, happy and thriving, for generations to come. 

Thank you again for welcoming me as your city council candidate. I look forward to continuing to talk to voters and hearing what is on your mind. 

With Gratitude,
​Micha Rosenoer