Neighbors for Mares — Denver 2003
Denver City Auditor Don Mares formally announces his candidacy for Mayor of Denver, pledging to bring fiscal accountability and neighborhood-first leadership to City Hall. "The Experience to do it Well and the Integrity to do it Right."
Don Mares announces a comprehensive five-point policy for criminal investigation files, proposing the establishment of a Civil Rights and Protections Commission within the Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations. "As a member of a minority community, I'm particularly concerned about the impact unwarranted surveillance can have on the free exercise of rights that we hold dear in this country."
Don Mares leads a neighborhood cleanup effort, demonstrating his commitment to hands-on, street-level service. The campaign rallies volunteers for a day of trash removal, graffiti abatement, and community improvement in Denver neighborhoods that City Hall has overlooked.
The Mares campaign reports growing grassroots momentum across Denver, with yard signs appearing in neighborhoods citywide and endorsements continuing to build. The campaign highlights Don's broadening base of support from community leaders, labor organizations, and neighborhood activists.
Don Mares addresses the growing crisis of construction defects in Denver's housing market, calling for stronger protections for homeowners who purchase newly built homes only to discover serious structural problems. The Auditor cites his experience uncovering lax oversight in city permitting and inspection processes.
Neighbors for Mares delivers 1,700 petitions to qualify Don Mares for the mayoral ballot, demonstrating broad grassroots support. The petitions were gathered by hundreds of volunteers across every Denver neighborhood, far exceeding the minimum required signatures.
With the primary approaching, the Mares campaign intensifies its schedule with daily neighborhood walks, union hall rallies, and meet-and-greet events across Denver. Don commits to walking every neighborhood in the city before election day.
Don Mares receives additional endorsements from organized labor, including the Ironworkers Union and Pipe Fitters Local. Don highlights his record as a state legislator fighting for workers' rights and his commitment to fair wages and safe workplaces.
Don Mares releases his Good Government platform, including Whistleblower Protection Policy, Open Door Saturdays, and Performance Audit Powers for the Denver Auditor. "I believe in transparency in government."
Don Mares outlines his vision for Denver's transportation future, pledging to fight for federal and state transit dollars and work with RTD to ensure FasTracks serves every corner of the metro region. "We can't let the evolution stop at T-REX."
Don Mares unveils his health care plan, including the creation of a small-business insurance purchasing pool and full support for the $148 million Denver Health bond. "Healthcare should not be a luxury. It's a necessity for every family in this city."
Don Mares proposes a new partnership with Denver Public Schools based on trust and cooperation, pledging to use the mayor's bully pulpit to fight for state and federal dollars for DPS and to strengthen arts education across the district.
Archive Note: This collection preserves press releases issued by the Neighbors for Mares campaign during the 2003 Denver mayoral race. Don Mares, then serving as Denver City Auditor, ran on a platform of fiscal accountability, neighborhood investment, and good government reform. Press releases numbered through press17 were issued during the campaign period.
