Kendra Black

Denver City Council is the legislative body of our city government. Council’s duties and powers include policymaking and legislation, approving changes to the Denver Zoning Code, approving the budget and large contracts, representing our constituents, and advocating for our council districts. Individual council members can pursue policies as can the entire council. 

Councilwoman Black’s legislative priorities include sustainability and waste reduction, addressing homelessness and increasing housing options, improving safety and mobility options for all residents, increasing our green spaces and improving parks and trails, supporting local businesses, and working toward a more inclusive and equitable city.

Some examples of Councilwoman Black’s recent efforts include: 

• Good Governance:
  • Councilwoman Black and Clerk Paul Lopez co-chair the Ballot Measure Modernization Work Group which will make recommendations to improve Denver’s ballot measure processes, access and transparency. The group will meet from January through April 2022.
  • Councilwoman Black continues to work with council members to update internal rules and processes to improve council’s effectiveness, transparency and engagement.

• Sustainability:
  • Councilwoman Black sponsored the Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance which reduces the use of single-use shopping bags. Passed in 2020, this law went into effect in 2021. Early feedback shows that it is effectively reducing the use of single-use bags.
  • Councilwoman Black sponsored the Opt-in for Cutlery & Condiments Ordinance which reduces single-use plastic waste by requiring restaurants to ask customers if they want cutlery, straws, and condiments before providing them. This law went into effect in December 2021.
  • Councilwoman Black continues to explore ways to reduce the use of single-use plastics and packaging.
  • Because landfills are a huge source of methane, a very dangerous greenhouse gas, Councilwoman Black works with other council members and the Climate Office to reduce waste going to the landfill.
  • Councilwoman Black has served on the Regional Air Quality Council and works closely with the organization as well as with Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency and Denver’s Department of Public Health & Environment to improve air quality including addressing ozone and emissions. She is exploring ways to reduce emissions from small non-road engines like lawn equipment.

• Flavored Tobacco Ban:
  • In late 2021, a bill was proposed to ban flavored tobacco products to prevent children from using these products. While Councilwoman Black agrees that we must keep tobacco products from children, she voted against the ban. The ban would have resulted in 21 small, law-abiding, tax-paying businesses that do not sell to children, having to close their doors. Councilwoman Black is working with other council members and city agencies to explore other ways to prevent children from accessing tobacco products.

City Council’s 2022 Budget priorities include:

• Improve community engagement and customer service to support residents navigating city services, resources and accessibility including language access.
• Increase affordable housing options and support for those experiencing homelessness throughout our city. Mitigate and reduce involuntary displacement of community members and businesses.
• Reframe safety in a public health, evidence-based and anti-racist approach with community investment to ensure safe and healthy neighborhoods.
• Encourage innovation and prioritize the recovery and sustainability of local businesses, our workforce and community organizations.
• Protect our natural environment through policy and invest in communities to combat climate change.
• Increase complete multimodal transportation connections throughout the city.

REGISTER FOR REVERSE 911 AND SMART911 TO GET NOTIFIED WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY 

• Reverse 911: The City & County of Denver has released a new 911 alert system to notify residents when there is an emergency. The system will send alerts based on the location information you provided. You must register your cell phone to receive the alerts.
•  Smart911 is a private, secure service that allows you to create a safety profile that provides emergency responders with important information you want them to know about yourself, your family members and pets, your home, and your vehicles in any kind of emergency. These details can save seconds or even minutes during an emergency. Learn more and sign up here

Note: Reverse 911 and Smart911 are separate from one another so to participate in both you must register with each tool individually.

SINGLE-USE CONDIMENTS AND SERVICE WARE - ONLY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST 

#SkipTheStuff ordinance reduces the amount of waste generated by single-use items. Effective immediately, all retail food establishments are to provide single-use condiments and single-use service ware only upon request by a customer. Help reduce waste by using your silverware at home. Learn more here.