Let local governments rule on rent control

I’m writing this letter to urge our candidates for governor to take a stand to repeal the 1981 law prohibiting local control of rents. Local communities are the best locus to determine affordability for their residents. The conditions in Denver are different from places such as Fruita, Aspen, Durango or Lamar. Stripping municipal and county governments of the ability to assess the needs of their communities is fundamentally anti-democratic.

I have lived in Denver for 30 years and have always been a renter. I retired as a state employee over eight years ago. Currently, I pay approximately 45% of my net income for my housing. Recently, my rent was increased 17%, where I have resided for 10 years. Inflation at that time was 3%. I believe that with reasonable rent control by the city of Denver, such an increase would never have been allowed. At this rate, I will soon be forced to leave the city I love.

Increasing the housing stock is one step, but it is not a solution, especially if new rental units are unaffordable. There needs to be a limit on the amount a landlord can increase the rent, and a fair and easy mechanism for enforcement. We need our elected officials, and our candidates running for governor and other offices, to commit to working with us to overturn this unjust law that favors corporate landlords over residents.

Jeff Schweinfest, Denver

What is causing overpayments in the first place?

Re: “Unemployment: Overpayment appeals, probes under scrutiny,” May 31 news story

The Sunday article on people’s inability to challenge claw-backs of their unemployment benefits was very interesting! Thanks for doing it.

But I was left totally confused by the whole process. The reason money is clawed back presumably is because the agency determined that they had been given too much money. But that is the same agency that determined how much to give them in the first place.

So why didn’t they use the proper process (that determined how much they got in excess) right off? This is crazy! Something is really wrong here.

Steve Pomerance, Boulder

Details, please, candidates

Re: “So you’ll fight Trump; what else?” May 30 letter to the editor

Responding to the letter about the Democratic candidates for governor and running their campaigns on fighting Trump, I can only say, “Here! Here!” I am also independent and am no fan of President Donald Trump.

But it should just be assumed that any Democrat running for any office is planning to fight Trump (I wish the same could be said for the other side, but that’s an argument for another time). You would better serve your constituents by telling us how you’re going to make life better for us in this state. What is your plan? Fighting Trump should be a given. Stop wasting most of your 30-second ads on Trump and what the other candidate did or did not do. Tell us your plan. And that goes for you as well, Congressional District 8 Democratic candidates!

Andrea Llamzon, Thornton

Marx sounds a lot like Santos

Re: “Marx draws rivals’ criticism,” May 26 commentary

The achievements Victor Marx highlights as a self-proclaimed minister, such as having traveled the globe to help thousands of people victimized by trafficking and persecution . . . as well as ministries in Haiti and the Middle East where he personally battled with ISIS, sound awfully outlandish and familiar.

I’m thinking of the former Republican from New York, George Santos, who made up all kinds of wild stories about his past, which eventually got exposed — but, of course, the GOP didn’t care.  Just needed his seat in Congress despite his lying and cheating, kind of like the guy sitting in the White House.

Yet, Marx is the frontrunner in the primary campaign for governor against two far more qualified candidates with genuine experience in government, whom he declines to debate. Can’t see him winning in blue state Colorado. I guess they’re more concerned about MAGA bona fides than winning.

Jeannie Dunham, Denver

Amanda Gonzalez for Secretary of State

Re: “State Sen. Jessie Danielson for secretary of state,” May 31 endorsement editorial

I was disappointed to read of your endorsement of state Sen. Jessie Danielson for Colorado Secretary of State. While she has been active in election law, she has not, as you pointed out, ever run an election.

Amanda Gonzalez has extensive election experience in Jefferson County, one of the largest counties in Colorado. In these troubled times, we need someone with nuts and bolts experience of the process, not just the laws. I hope the people of Colorado will think seriously about the qualifications of the two and vote for Amanda Gonzalez.

Kathleen N. Jones, Centennial

Michael Dougherty for Attorney General

When my husband, Kevin Mahoney, and nine other victims were killed at King Soopers in 2021, District Attorney Michael Dougherty showed up tirelessly for all of us from day one. His empathy, integrity, and years of legal expertise mattered.

It’s no surprise a guilty verdict was reached.

Now Michael is running for attorney general where he would take on the role as top lawyer for our state — a role he would excel at. I’m confident Michael will work hard for all of us in Colorado to protect our communities and natural resources. With nearly 30 years as a prosecutor, Michael knows how to tackle the toughest legal battles. He has prosecuted violent crimes, protected consumers, and defended civil rights. He continually fights for the rights and safety of our families, our children, and grandchildren. It’s a powerful fight for justice because he truly cares about people. This is a time in our country when our very democracy is at stake.

We need an experienced, hardworking, and courageous individual like Michael to take on the relentless chaos and corruption through our legal system. This is the exact expertise he brings to the table. Colorado primary day is Tuesday, June 30. Let’s elect Michael Dougherty as Colorado’s next attorney general.

Ellen Mahoney, Boulder

Sue Flageolle for Jefferson County Assessor

When it comes to the Jefferson County assessor’s race, the choice is straightforward: experience, integrity, and a genuine commitment to this community. Sue Flageolle is that choice, and she has earned my enthusiastic support.

Sue is not a political newcomer looking to use the assessor’s office as a stepping stone. She is the current deputy assessor for Jefferson County, with more than 28 years of service in our own office. Her career in real estate appraisal spans over four decades, and she has held a Certified General Appraiser License since 1989. This is not a résumé built for a campaign — it’s a career built in service to Colorado property owners.

What sets Sue apart is her understanding that the assessor’s office must work for everyone. Property owners — homeowners, small business owners and renters — all feel the downstream effects of how assessments are conducted. When valuations are inaccurate or inconsistent, the consequences ripple through our entire community: inflated tax bills, strained household budgets, and inequitable burdens on those least able to absorb them.

Sue’s commitment to fair, transparent, and market-reflective property values is not a talking point; it’s the philosophy she has practiced throughout her entire career.

Sue is also leading Jefferson County’s transition to a modern, cloud-based mass appraisal platform launching this year. We need someone at the helm who understands both the technology and the appraisal principles behind it. Sue does.

Jefferson County deserves an assessor who walks in on day one knowing exactly what the job requires. That person is Sue Flageolle.

Jamie Eickhoff, Littleton

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