Land Matters In Denver, Mike Johnston Confronts Success
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Jul 9, 2025 
Mayor Mike Johnston of Denver, who has a background in education and politics, discusses pressing urban issues as his city grows. He details innovative strategies for tackling housing affordability, including reducing construction costs and increasing public investment. The conversation also covers the vital connection between housing and homelessness, as well as ambitious climate action initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. Furthermore, Johnston emphasizes the importance of transit-oriented development in optimizing the city's extensive light rail network.
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Denver's Housing Affordability Strategy
- Denver faces high housing demand as the number two destination for people under 30 in the US.
- To improve affordability, the city focuses on speeding permits, cutting building costs, and investing in affordable housing.
Solve Homelessness with Transitional Housing
- Rapidly add dignified transitional housing units with wraparound services near encampments.
- Close encampments entirely by moving residents to these units and prevent future camping areas.
Transit Needs Transit-Oriented Development
- Transit success requires deliberate housing density near stations to create vibrant nodes.
- Denver's big investments focus on creating transit-oriented housing, parks, and amenities around light rail stops.