{"id":317,"date":"2023-02-13T14:20:19","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T15:20:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/macroron.com\/?p=317"},"modified":"2024-09-04T17:10:13","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T17:10:13","slug":"endorsement-paul-lopez-for-denver-clerk-and-recorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/macroron.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/13\/endorsement-paul-lopez-for-denver-clerk-and-recorder\/","title":{"rendered":"Endorsement: Paul L\u00f3pez for Denver clerk and recorder"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor’s note:<\/strong> This represents the opinion of The Denver Post editorial board<\/a>, which is separate from the paper’s news operation.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Ironically Denver\u2019s champion of election participation and civic engagement is the only city-wide candidate running unopposed in the 2023 City of Denver election.<\/p>\n

Clerk and Recorder Paul L\u00f3pez has spearheaded outreach efforts across the city to ensure every eligible voter knows how to participate in the city\u2019s elections, and he has stretched those efforts into immigrant communities to ensure those who aren\u2019t eligible to vote know how they can become participants in America\u2019s governance through means other than voting.<\/p>\n

L\u00f3pez has also fought hard<\/a> to implement the Fair Election Fund, which for the first time ever is providing funding to candidates in the city election on April 4 who commit to not accepting money from corporations, dark money groups or other entities other than individuals. When the city wanted to dip into the fund to help finance other priorities during a budget shortfall, L\u00f3pez said no. Now the program has the funds it needs to support the dozens of candidates running for city office this year.<\/p>\n

We are particularly impressed with L\u00f3pez\u2019s commitment to transparency.<\/p>\n

The overhaul of the records department was long overdue.<\/p>\n

Searchlight Denver<\/a> \u2013 the new program for campaign finance, lobbyist activity, and gift reporting is shedding new light for Denver residents on who is moving and shaking this city with their activism and their dollars. L\u00f3pez did an excellent job rolling out the new system which has moved Denver from the dark days of hidden Superbowl trips and backroom dealings with shadow lobbyists into the bright light of transparency.<\/p>\n

We hope with this election the system ushers in a new day of transparency for Denver. Voters should spend time on Searchlight before casting their ballots this election, researching candidates and incumbents.<\/p>\n

L\u00f3pez\u2019s dream is to bring that same transparency to city contracts. The city doles out millions every year via contracts and L\u00f3pez says those are in need of additional scrutiny. Getting those documents on Searchlight would be groundbreaking. We wish the clerk luck in his endeavor.<\/p>\n

“I do see a lot of undo influence in the city,” L\u00f3pez said, noting he signs every contract the city issues.<\/p>\n

The other critical part of L\u00f3pez\u2019s work is administering the foreclosure process. As we saw with the HOA foreclosures in Green Valley Ranch<\/a>, Denverites more than ever need to know their rights when it comes to facing off against overly aggressive lien holders whose intent is not to protect the neighborhood but something else entirely.<\/p>\n

L\u00f3pez said there is work he would still like to do in terms of making certain Denverites know their rights, understand the process, and have equal access to foreclosure proceedings<\/a>.<\/p>\n