Quality of Life in an Inclusive City

With a firm commitment to ensuring those who are impacted are at the table shaping the solutions to improve their lives, and securing long-term seats at those tables, Robin strengthened independent oversight of public safety, passed immigrant protections and ensured they were not left behind during the pandemic, modernized non-discrimination policies and gender neutral restrooms in cooperation with the LGBTQIA community, and opened up budgeting to direct popular vote through Denver’s first public Participatory Budgeting program.

2017

Participatory Budgeting

First City Program launched in 2021 with residents democratically guiding the investment of $2 million, with projects awarded in 2023. The next PB process will invest funds in the West Area after the completion of a community-led area plan. Robin advocated for funding for another major PB round in the 2024 budget that will be decided by the next Mayor and City Council. in 2023

Robin Kniech secured initial capital funding in 2017 to spearhead Denver’s first Participatory Budgeting (PB) Program, where residents develop project ideas, govern the process for selection, and then vote on how to allocate public funds for neighborhood-level capital investments.

Learn More

2020

Left Behind Workers Fund

Provided cash assistance to 3,960 immigrant workers and their families during the pandemic. in 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Robin Kniech spearheaded Denver’s investment and tailoring of the Left Behind Worker Fund to step into the gap for vulnerable immigrant and refugee workers and their families who did not qualify for unemployment insurance or federal stimulus payments.

Learn More

2016

Gender-neutral Signage on Single-occupant Restrooms

Building code amendment passed in 2016. in 2016

Robin Kniech co-sponsored legislation to ensure that gender neutral signage was used on all single-stall bathrooms in the city, expanding inclusivity for those who may have different-gender caregivers and those who are transgender or gender non-conforming.

Learn More

2023

Establishing a More Modern and Equitable Zoning Code

Ordinance legalizing roommates and modernizing residential care zoning passed in 2021. Ballot measure and ordinance modernizing zoning variances for homeowners passed in 2023.

At more than 100 years old, Denver's zoning code had provisions that failed to keep up with modern living, resulting in inequitable land use patterns throughout the city, and other provisions that made it difficult for homeowners who needed to make common sense changes to their properties. Robin Kniech updated the zoning code to better reflect our city's adopted plans and values, including better promoting affordable housing, aligning with sustainability, accommodating older buildings and ensuring that different neighborhoods more equitably participate in providing affordable housing. For example, prior to the 2021 ordinance change, it was illegal for more than two roommates to live together in a single-family home, regardless of its size.

Learn More

2019

Updating and Reinforcing Oversight of Public Safety in Denver by the Independent Monitor

Strengthening ordinance passed in 2019. Charter amendment changing appointment of the Monitor and providing for independent legal counsel passed in 2021.

Robin Kniech co-led ordinances to improve oversight of public safety leaders and provide better access to policy documents. The changes also expanded the Citizen Oversight Board's role in hiring the Monitor and providing independent legal advice. Overall, they improved public trust in the oversight and analysis of safety investigations and disciplinary processes.

Learn More

2018

Prohibiting Conversion Therapy for Minors

City ordinance passed in 2018, state law followed in 2019.

Robin Kniech co-sponsored the bill to outlaw the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy for minors in Denver to protect LGBTQ+ youth.

Learn More

2017

Immigrant Protection – Public Safety Enforcement Priorities Act & Legal Defense

Ordinance passed in 2017. Immigrant Legal Defense Fund expanded several times since creation.

Robin Kniech co-led Denver’s Public Safety Enforcement Priorities Act to codify and clarify limitations on sharing information or cooperating with federal immigration enforcement except where required by law, to ensure that immigrant members of our community trust, cooperate with and utilize the City’s public safety and other agencies. She also helped support the creation and on-going funding of Denver’s Immigrant Legal Defense Fund.

Learn More

2017

Updating Denver Police’s Use of Force Policy

Policy in effect, entire force retrained.

From 2017-2018 Councilwoman Kniech advocated for and then participated in a robust community process driven by leaders of color to make recommendations on how the Denver Police Department could significantly improve its use of force policies to foster more trust between the community and police, ensuring that force will only be used when necessary. The policy that resulted is one of the most progressive in the country.

Learn More

2016

Public Restrooms

First permanent restroom established, other previously closed restrooms opened in Skyline and McNichols Parks.

Robin Kniech helped launch Denver’s first mobile public restrooms to address gaps in access and promote increased inclusivity and sanitation in our increasingly active public spaces. She successfully championed the creation of the first new permanent restroom on the 16th Street mall in decades and advocated to expand restroom access for residents of all backgrounds in parks and other projects.

Learn More