challenges

The City of Englewood was established in 1903.  Although Englewood is a small community of 6.5 square miles,  we have been a force to be reckoned with in Colorado since our inception.  Independent and strong-willed we have kept our Home Rule Authority, twice stopped Denver annexation and maintained a rich history of innovation.  Englewood has always been a diverse and sustainable community.

Public Safety
Public safety has always been one of the priorities we care about most in Englewood.  So, when we see a significant increase in crime it becomes very concerning.  Not only is crime increasing in our neighborhoods, it is also increasing in our business districts.  This is not unique to Englewood, but it is something City Council must address.

• Strengthen community relations between the residents and the police.
• More openness and transparency when police are interacting with the public.
• Increased consistency of patrols.
• Code Enforcement officers need to be more observant and attentive to code violations when traversing the city.
• The revitalization of our business districts must include consistent efforts to not only clean up public areas of trash but to cooperate with business owners to clean up the crime.
• We must address design standards in the Muni code that effect lighting, parking and security.
• Reassess efforts of the Tri-City Homelessness Coalition—have the budgetary expenses truly achieved their goals or have those dollars been stuck in the bureaucracy of assessment?

Over-Densification in Englewood
As a result of the Governor’s ultimatums the current council agreed to increase density even beyond the State’s requirements.  Changes were made to our zoning laws that will increase density in Englewood dramatically.  Bottom line:  We need to restore our Home Rule Authority and take back our right to make land use decisions at the local level.

• Prior to these zoning changes Englewood was already the densest municipality along the front range. 
• A city of 6.5 square miles with a population of 33,659 = 5178 ppl/sq. mi.
• Meeting the demands of the current State government has pushed against responsible growth.
• We need to decide if this is really what we want our city to become.
• Has capitulating to developers actually maintained the environment that make Englewood so unique and desirable or are they making promises that have not played out as intended?
• Will these decisions protect that small-town feel that we value most?
• Have we reached a clarion moment yet?  A wake-up call if you wish – to take a hard look at these changes instituted by the recent council decisions?
• Is it time to reassess these decisions before it is too late?

The decision is up to you.

Infrastructure

Increased density will have a detrimental effect on our aging infrastructure.  There should be no debate that we need to address our aging infrastructure prior to increasing any more density.

• While we have been working to upgrade the Water and Storm water systems, there are still areas in the Storm water drainage system that are inadequate to handle a substantial rain event.
• The sewer system is at capacity and not adequate to handle the increased density that has already been approved.
• City Council has been told that we cannot charge impact fees for infrastructure that has been neglected. I would suggest that upsizing the system for increased density is not the responsibility of the current Englewood residents but of the developers that are increasing density in Englewood.
• Our Road system needs to be addressed to handle the increased traffic that the increased density will bring.
• We may want to explore the possibility of a moratorium on building until the infrastructure is in compliance.

Budget

When things get tight for you and I, we reevaluate our priorities and maximize our resources.  In the current economic climate, I do not think it is unreasonable for you to expect your City Government to do the same!  What citizens expect is a place to live where residents and businesses feel safe and can depend on their elected officials to live within their means.

• The 2026 Budget is very tight.
• Over the past two years, City Council has appropriated significant dollars from the unassigned fund balance for needed Capital Projects, leaving that fund balance very low.
• The Reserve Policy has been 16.7% of the General Fund balance since 2016, which is sufficient funding to provide for two months of expenses.
• Currently the budget is projecting our reserve fund balance will fall to 14.4% in 2026, leaving very little cushion.
• Bottom line:  We need to balance the budget and stick to the spending plan!

“I have lived here most of my life and never expected Englewood to stay the same.  At this point we have an opportunity to engage in a thoughtful process to create a vision for our future – the future of Englewood.

Will we choose to create a quality of life where people want to be?  I believe you, the citizens of Englewood have the power to determine where we will go!  Together we can make a difference!”

Rita Russell – Council Member at Large

We can bring Common Sense Leadership to Englewood!
Rita Russell