René Bullock

Why are you running for council?

I ran for Mayor 4 years ago and I lost, and I have remained invested and dedicated to Commerce City. I have not quit working for the community. My passion for Commerce City has never gone away since this is my home and my community. Within the last 4 years I was elected to the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, Senior Hub board, and appointed as the Director of the Commerce City Chamber of Commerce.

Unlike many current council members, I don’t have a personal agenda or an ax to grin. I am only interested in getting the city business done for the residents.

This election is shaping up to be the difference between a narrowly-focused no-growth and anti-development agenda as opposed to a forward-thinking agenda of cooperation and collaboration that seeks to meet the diverse needs of all city residents and businesses.

Due to many of the current council members and their personal agendas, the city council is dysfunctional and has led to a massive staff turnover at all levels. There is a significant loss of institutional knowledge within city (brain drain). This has cost the city millions of dollars and ultimately diminishes the quantity and quality of services provided to the residents.

In addition, we have a mayoral candidate that wishes to be on the same council as his spouse, and another mayoral candidate that significantly lacks the practical knowledge and experience to effectively execute the duties of the mayor’s position.

During my many years of community engagement, City Council experience and serving as Mayor Pro Tem, I have developed many positive relationships with local, state and federal leaders that can be leveraged to positively benefit Commerce City residents and businesses.

This city needs a leader who will look at all the issues, to make good decisions, and that does not have special interests.

I want to be the Mayor of Commerce City and work with a council that will have the courage to do what is right for our community.

Lastly, I have been actively involved for many years with several city organizations, including the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge, Sand Creek Regional Greenway, Commerce City Rotary, Commerce City Chamber of Commerce, The Commerce City Youth Commission, the Commerce City Housing Authority, Senior Hub, the Commerce City Historical Society and the South Adams County Water & Sanitation District.

As Mayor, I believe the City Council should:

Support and be present at local businesses and non-profit organizations.
Protect our citizens and our environment to the greatest extent that the law will allow.
Responsibly maximize and shape conscientious growth plans for all opportunities to increase retail, housing, and commercial development throughout the city and enhance city services.
As the Executive Director of the Commerce City Chamber of Commerce, I am pro business and I will work to drive business and economic development in ways to benefit Commerce City residents.
Preserve our resources and infrastructure while creating and supporting vibrant and safe neighborhoods.
Improve and expand our transportation system, including bicycle and pedestrian walkways and investing in traffic and transportation solutions to increase mobility for our citizens.
Strengthen our sense of community through increased events, activities, and programs that brings all our citizens together to eliminate our seemingly divided city.
Support a robust Police, Fire and EMS System.
Support our schools, water and fire districts in our community.
Balance the needs of the citizens and developers within the metro districts.
Support and work cooperatively with the professional and experienced city staff.
Ensure that the city is fiscally responsible and prepared in case of uncertainties in the future.

What do you see as the three biggest opportunities for Commerce City?

(A). The associated potential for growth and business development related to the proximity to DIA, Tower Road, Aerotropolis and the E-470 corridor.

(B). Future growth, additional investment and redevelopment/infill opportunities in the historic part of the city such as the dog track, Derby District, Irondale neighborhood and Victory Crossing.

(C). Preserving the diversity, cultural richness, and historical heritage of the city to benefit the residents, businesses, and community at large.

What do you see as the three biggest challenges facing the city?

A). Additional attainable housing, retail, commercial and industrial development to
ensure a robust tax base to fund all the important services the city provides to our
citizens.

The city can best address this by keeping development fees and charges reasonable and competitive with surrounding communities.
In addition, the city should continue to collaborate with potential retailers or developers and ensure timely and thorough development review and approvals.
We have an unhoused population that is growing in our city. We need to collaborate with other organizations to find solutions to this population.

(B) Protecting citizens and the environment to the greatest extent the law will allow.

The city can best address this by working collaboratively with our citizens, State and Federal regulators, and the oil and gas industry to find solutions that work for everyone. This will take time and a commitment from all parties to find common ground.

(C) Maximizing the overall transportation network throughout the entire city, including non-motorized transportation networks for bicycles and pedestrians.

The City can best address this through proper planning and by leveraging intergovernmental relationships to secure any and all possible funding sources for transportation projects i.e. - State, Federal, County and City funding sources.

What does a “Quality Community for a Lifetime” mean to you?

Quality Community for a Lifetime means to me that it is a community where people want to live, recreate, educate, work, play and pray. It is a community where businesses want to locate, and developers want to build. A qualified and dedicated mayor working cooperatively with a collaborative city council and staff will make this a reality.

What is your favorite aspect of the city?

My favorite aspect of Commerce City is the people, the relationships, and the many friendships that I have developed throughout the community. I also love the proximity and relationship that we have with the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge and the Sand Creek Regional Greenway. These are hidden gems in Commerce City. The other favorite aspect that I love is the Commerce City Historical Society and the museum, because they are preserving the rich history of Commerce City which is what every city should want to do and should partner in preserving for the citizens.