I love Denver. Aside from my military service in the US Marine Corps, I have lived here. I was born and raised here, married here, raised my family here, and built my professional career here. I’m as Denver as it gets! 

Because of those deep roots, I come to this City Council race with a heart full of gratitude for how good this city has been to me and my family. I’m also coming with a passion to meet Denver’s challenges by bringing bold ideas, thoughtful and creative solutions, and the courage to tackle difficult problems rather than simply manage them.

I bring the skills to do the job. With 27 years of experience in Denver’s law enforcement, my professional background includes: 

• Collaborating with all City departments

• Coordinating with legislative and administrative bodies and with metro area and national organizations

• Managing large annual budgets 

• Overseeing organizational structures and personnel

• Working across all City neighborhoods. 

That means there’s no delay in advocating for District 2 residents. I’m ready to begin!

This valuable experience will help me realize my vision for upward mobility, ensuring that every person in Denver — regardless of where they start — has a clear pathway to build a better life for themselves and their families. Denver’s leadership must remove obstacles and create that path.

My career in community-based policing has shown me that the frustration and despair caused by insurmountable barriers can lead to increased crime. To build a strong city, we must address these barriers, and I am prepared to do so.

To my District 2 friends and neighbors, I am committed to working tirelessly to represent you on the Denver City Council and to developing policies that:

• Expand opportunity in practical and measurable ways, 

• Strengthen our neighborhoods, and 

• Ensure Denver remains a city where the next generation can succeed and stay.

You have my word.

Sincerely,

Paul Pazen

Priorities

Public Safety

Having spent most of his professional career in public safety, Paul knows that when people don’t feel safe, nothing else matters. He strongly believes that safety must be a top priority for City leaders. Every resident deserves to feel safe while walking, working, and raising a family in their neighborhood.

• Support community-based policing that builds trust between residents and officers and proactively addresses crime. 

• Paul led the creation of: 

• Denver’s STAR program (sending mental health professionals and paramedics to calls involving individuals in crisis), 

• Denver’s Outreach Case Coordinator Program (case managers who address long-term challenges for individuals in crisis) and the

• Expansion of Denver’s Co-Responder program to cover the entire City 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

• He is committed to developing and expanding programs that address the root causes of crime and promote safety without compromising rights.

Attainable Housing

Creating attainable housing is central to Paul’s vision for residents’ upward mobility. He will support policies that expand the workforce, increase attainable housing, promote responsible development, and help first-time homebuyers stay in Denver communities.

• Use the “Southwest Area Plan” to protect longtime residents from displacement by advancing responsible development and housing policies that preserve a neighborhood's character. 

• Promote and encourage affordable housing in our Downtown by strategically redeveloping vacant office space.  

• Incentivize urban infill in our City Center before advancing “Unlocking Housing Choices,” which could add up to 5 units to a single residential lot.   

• Develop ‘Starter Homes’ and expand affordable housing options so that working families and young first-time homebuyers can continue to live in Denver.

• Encourage mixed-income housing near transit, jobs, and schools to foster balanced, thriving communities. 

• Invest in clean, well-maintained neighborhoods — safer lighting, well-maintained parks, graffiti removal, and safer streets. 

City Services

City government should serve residents — not the other way around. For Paul, Denver’s residents deserve timely, reliable responses when they seek help or report issues. 

• Improve response times for basic services, including pothole repair, graffiti removal, trash collection, snow removal, code enforcement, and emergency police and fire services.

• Insist on equitable service delivery so that every neighborhood receives the same level of attention and resources — regardless of ZIP code.

• Streamline building permitting by appointing a single point of contact to expedite processing.

• Strengthen accountability across City departments by setting clear performance standards and publicly tracking service outcomes.

• Prioritize proactive maintenance rather than waiting for problems to escalate into costly emergencies.

  
  

Parks and Open Spaces

Paul views the City’s vast network of parks and open spaces as essential to Denver’s quality of life, supporting health, recreation, and community connection. He is committed to protecting them.

• Preserve green space through thoughtful planning as Denver grows, and prevent overdevelopment of public lands.

• Maintain parks as welcoming spaces for families, seniors, and youth by balancing recreation, safety, and responsible-use policies.

• Expand access to parks and trails so every neighborhood — regardless of income or location — has safe, walkable outdoor spaces.

• Plan for future generations by investing in resilient infrastructure that protects green spaces from overuse and development.

  
  

Seniors and Veterans

Our seniors have built our communities, passed down knowledge, and supported previous generations; our veterans have risked their lives to protect our country. Paul believes Denver has a responsibility to provide seniors and veterans with proper care and community programs that preserve their health, dignity, and independence. 

• Provide housing stability by prioritizing senior and veteran housing units in affordable developments, with a focus on keeping longtime residents in their communities.

• Support neighborhood shuttle or ride programs to improve independence, reduce isolation, and ensure access to consistent medical care.

• Expand fraud-prevention education for seniors.

• Create a city-supported Veterans Resource Navigation Program to serve as a central hub for residents seeking federal benefits, housing assistance, and employment programs.

• Encourage part-time City employment or mentorship programs that draw on the expertise of seniors and veterans.

Economic Growth

Paul sees small businesses as the critical engine of growth, job creation, and the character of Denver’s neighborhoods. Supporting business growth and preparing a skilled workforce for job opportunities are fundamental to the City’s future.

• Reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers that impede business stability and expansion. 

• Revitalize neighborhood business corridors so entrepreneurs can start and grow businesses in their communities. 

• Strengthen partnerships among the City, local businesses, trade unions, and community colleges to expand apprenticeships, vocational training, and career pathways.