Candidate: Silas Atkins
Office: Boulder City Council
Website: https://silasforboulder.com/
QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES:
Yes/No Questions – Please answer only with yes/no.
Are you a homeowner? No
Do you think your City should add more beds to the homeless shelter? Yes
If the City police force was fully staffed, would you advocate for adding more officers? No
Do you believe there’s a need for more housing? Yes
Do you believe the City should spend more money on homelessness services? Yes
Longform Questions – Please limit responses to 300 words or less.
Why do you want to be a council member?
“I want to represent and elevate the voices of those of us who historically have not been listened to. I have spoken with those of us earning low wages to learn about what we need, which spoiler alert, is to have our basic needs met. We must look at regional/state solutions that are holistic as there is no one solution to what we are experiencing daily.”
When was the last time you paid rent, and where was that?
“September 1st, 2023, here in Boulder.”
Boulder County has experienced extreme natural disasters over the last decade, including flooding and wildfire. How do you plan to address these challenges?
“The current wildfire mitigation the City of Boulder is doing has been credited with keeping the NCAR fire of 2022 from spreading rapidly. Pair this with the new initiative’s being added with the 2022 approved Climate Tax for hardening city structures and increasing mitigation are a great start. We need to fund these further through other revenue than sales tax, which is regressive and impacts those of us earning the least the most.”
How do you think you stand out from other candidates?
“I wear a kilt and a Free Hugs t-shirt. I earn under 30% Area Median Income. I work in a school.”
What question would you ask a fellow candidate on the ballot?
“I’d ask all candidates how they think their priorities benefit everyone in Boulder.”
What are your solutions for the growing population of people experiencing homelessness?
“Those of us experiencing housing instability and housing loss need to be supported with raising the Minimum Wage, moving the Elevate Boulder Direct cash Assistance pilot to a full program, and quick turn housing solutions, such as Safe Outdoor spaces to help us all feel safe. For those of us this does not help, additional supportive services to be part of the community and asking us what we need.”
What’s your plan for creating more affordable housing in Boulder?
“We need to simplify permitting to get more housing built to increase supply and reduce costs. We need to build more affordable housing on site with new market rate construction. We need to look at regional cooperation to increase housing stock in underutilized spaces across the region/state.”
How will you address climate change? How do you plan to meet some of the City’s climate goals, like reducing emissions by 70% by 2030, becoming a net-zero City by 2035, and becoming a carbon-positive City by 2040?
“Infill housing in underutilized spaces built to sustainable standards including electrification, combined with building better and safer car, bus, bike, and walking infrastructure (Thanks Ryan Schuchard) to reduce in-commuting by cars. Couple this with regenerative agriculture (thanks Aaron Neyer) and increased biodiversity (Thanks Taishya Adams) to reduce heat effects. Keeping those of us that are housing unstable in homes.”
What are your goals for transportation and how will you achieve them?
“We must decenter car infrastructure and increase bike, bus, and walking options to make all modes of travel safer. Protected bike lanes, separated sidewalks, road diets and bus rapid transit as outlined in the Core Arterial Network plan to start. Removing slip lanes as well.”
How do you plan to engage with non-English speaking constituents?
“The City of Boulder Community Connectors-in-Residence was pivotal to ensuring every voice was heard in the budget process and is made up of those of us that have been historically marginalized, including non-English speakers. Continuing to offer city information in non-English languages.”
How does diversity factor into your policy making?
“A diversity of us, diversity of housing, diversity of transportation, diversity of habitat, and diversity of solutions will be what moves us forward.”
How will you reach residents who have different lived experiences than you?
“I share lived experience with many in Boulder and would again turn to the City of Boulder Community Connectors-in-Residence for experiences I have not lived, combined with connecting with people in the community directly to ask what they need.”
Rank your top 5 issues in priority.
“I do not assign a priority as we need holistic approaches that support everyone of us with housing, wages/direct cash assistance/unionization, transportation, Arts and Culture spaces, and gun safety.”
