Ayah Maldonado for Denver City Council
A City That Works for All of Us
“Let’s Build Together”
Denver is at a crossroads. Too many working families are being priced out, too many communities are left out of decision-making, and too many people are struggling while powerful interests shape the future of our city behind closed doors.
I’m running for Denver City Council because I believe our city should prioritize people over profit. Denver should be a place where families can afford to stay in their neighborhoods, workers are respected, immigrants feel safe and welcome, and everyday residents have real power in shaping the future of their communities.
This campaign is rooted in the belief that the people closest to the challenges are closest to the solutions.
Housing Justice
Housing is a human right, yet for too many in Denver, it has become a luxury they can no longer afford. Our city is facing an affordability crisis that is tearing apart the fabric of our neighborhoods, displacing long-time residents, and leaving working families with impossible choices. We need a housing policy that treats homes as places for people to live, not as speculative assets for global investors.
My platform for Housing Justice includes:
- Expanding deeply affordable housing options and social housing models that remain affordable for generations.
- Implementing robust tenant protections to prevent unjust evictions and predatory rent hikes.
- Prioritizing community-centered development that includes residents in decision-making and prevents displacement.
- Investing in permanent supportive housing and comprehensive services to address homelessness with compassion and dignity.
Denver should invest in homes for people, not profits for corporations.
Community-Led Public Safety
A Holistic View of Safety
Safety is about more than just policing—it’s about ensuring everyone has what they need to thrive. We need to invest in community-based mental health services, drug treatment, and violence prevention programs that address the root causes of harm.
My platform for Community-Led Public Safety includes:
- Invest in community-based violence prevention and crisis response
- Expand mental health services and non-police emergency response programs
- Support restorative justice initiatives that build healing and accountability
- Invest in youth programs, recreation, and community resources
- Shift resources toward solutions that prevent harm before it happens
Accountability and Respect
We must hold the police accountable to the communities they serve and shift resources toward responders who are better equipped to handle non-violent calls. Every person deserves to feel safe, supported, and treated with dignity.
Immigrant and Racial Justice
Denver’s strength lies in its diversity, but for too long, many of our neighbors have lived in fear or been denied the resources they need to thrive. I am is committed to making Denver a true sanctuary city—not just in name, but in practice. This means ensuring that immigrant families have access to legal resources, protecting residents from unjust deportation, and dismantling the systemic barriers that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. A stronger Denver is one where everyone belongs and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
My platform for Immigrant and Racial Justice includes:
- Fight for policies that protect immigrant families and expand access to city resources
- Challenge systems that exclude marginalized communities from opportunity and decision-making
- Ensure language access and culturally responsive city services
- Build power with communities that have historically been ignored or silenced
Everyone Belongs
Grassroots Governance
Too many people feel disconnected from local government because decisions are often made without meaningful community input. I believe democracy works best when everyday people have a direct voice in shaping their neighborhoods and city policies.
Workers’ Rights and Economic Justice
Working people keep Denver running and deserve dignity, stability, and respect.
As costs rise across the city, too many workers are struggling to make ends meet while corporations continue to profit. Denver must be a city where workers can afford to live, raise families, and build a future.
Economic stability should be a right, not a privilege.
Support policies that empower workers and small businesses over large corporations.
Push for policies that keep working families in Denver, not force them out.
Our Vision for Denver
Together, we can build a Denver that is more just, more compassionate, and more accountable to the people who call it home.