By Chanel Ward
Former mayoral candidate, Lisa Calderón may have placed third in this year’s running behind Kelly Brough and newly elected mayor, Mike Johnston. However, her placing first with Latino voters speaks volumes on her importance as the voice of the second largest demographic in Denver.
Latinos make up over 31 percent of Denver’s population, according to the latest Census report, following white residents make up the majority at 54 percent. Her decision to endorse Mayor Johnston was not taken lightly, as she stated in an interview with El Semanario; “when I endorsed him, it was with a lot of trepidation, because I did not see a Latino agenda when he was running for office.”
Sentiments that not only Calderón felt were concerning, but as well as the Latino community alike. “I’m also leading the effort of LUNA [Latinos United Neighborhoods Association],” an 18-panel grassroots community organization committee of Latino leaders who are committed to hold Mayor Johnston accountable.
He can help us build institutional power by appointing a representative of population appointees that then will carry over into subsequent generations of power brokers.”
Lisa Calderón
Calderón explained that the committee was, “very concerned in the runoff where we had two white people for the first time in a long time in the mayor’s office,” adding, “they said, you know, we’re concerned that our voices aren’t being heard and so, is there anything that you can do?”
In addition to winning the Latino votes, Calderón won in the inverted L neighborhoods, which refers to the Globeville, Elyria-Swansea and Villa Park neighborhoods. “People came together to say, ‘hey Lisa, you are our voice’ and that’s how LUNA was created and so we started meeting and created a scorecard, in which we interviewed both runoff candidates; Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough.” The seasoned community leader added, “we had almost 70 questions – or, really, demands – and asked which ones that they would agree to do and a lot of those were around Latino self-determination, economic development, education, etc.”
LUNA began meeting weekly before Mayor Johnston was inaugurated, “to assess where Johnston is and to see who’s gotten interviews or not,” Calderón said, while explaining that the first three weekly meetings were not only met to cover the transition committees, but went well, proving Mayor Johnston is committed to beginning a relationship with the Latino community.
Whether he intends to continue expanding on that relationship depends on, “how many of us will be appointed to his administration, if any,” Calderón bluntly stated. Since his inauguration, LUNA meets periodically with its original 18 members and only time will prove the mayors’ level of commitment to Latino issues.
Calderón pointed out, “we’ve only had one Latino mayor, Federico Peña, and a long time ago. That same kind of power structure didn’t carry over into other administrations, so our power building – even though we have greater numbers – didn’t carry over to institutional power for a long time in the mayor’s Administration.” She further explained, “that’s why we’re fighting really hard, even though we have once again a white man as mayor, he can help us build institutional power by appointing a representative of population appointees that then will carry over into subsequent generations of power brokers.”
Calderón believes in the power of representation. “The fact that we have a majority woman and Latina city council can also build for that power,” she said, while furthering hopes that they will continue to keep progressive politics front and center.
Although Calderón doesn’t know what the future holds for her politically, she said: “I do know that I will be involved in some way, shape or form in politics in Denver, because it affects everything that we do, it’s not separate and that’s what I want people to understand.” Calderón expressed, while assuring that LUNA, “will hold Mike Johnston accountable for the promises that he made and we will see how he does.”
Former mayor, Michael Hancock served his allotted term limit and after 12 years under his leadership, Denver is preparing for changes to come under Mayor Johnston, hopefully with participation from LUNA.
El Semanario will continue to follow Mayor Johnston and the efforts of LUNA to ensure that our communities’ issues are being addressed, while keeping our readers informed on all issues.
LUNA is actively pursuing input from the Latino community, those interested send an email to lisa@lisafordenver.com.
Chanel Ward is an Independent Reporter for The Weekly Issue/El Semanario.
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