🚨TAKE ACTION NOW: Email Mayor Johnston your concerns about his new $5 parking scheme that incentivizes drinking and driving downtown, in shocking disregard for rising traffic violence and the recent drunk-driving tragedy downtown. Then, consider donating $5 or more to one of the victim’s GoFundMe.
You probably know that more people are dying on Denver’s streets every year, with 93 people killed in 2025 alone. You probably didn’t know that at least 298 additional people were seriously injured. And I bet you didn’t know that 30%—nearly one third—of fatal incidents involve a drunk driver, like an incident just two weeks ago, when three people walking in a crosswalk in downtown Denver were hit by a drunk driver who ran a red light. Izabella Gomez was dragged half a block, while her girlfriend and a friend were thrown in the air from the impact. Izabella is now hospitalized in critical condition.
But this still is not a priority for our Mayor. Instead, through his new $5 parking scheme, he is advocating for folks to drive to go drinking downtown. And how does he see us—people who want better transportation options and safe streets? He says, “So there are some small number of activists who believe the purpose in urban design is to make it miserable to drive a car. That is not our strategy.” No, Mayor Johnston, your strategy is to encourage people to drink and drive. What is wrong with you?
If this makes you feel your feelings, please do two things:
Email the Mayor and unleash your fury
This new idea is a slap in the face to anyone who cares about street safety, urban design, the climate, equity, or simply better transportation options. And on top of that, to mischaracterize our concerns as petty? The Mayor needs to hear from you on this one. Use our email form to tell him what’s up.
Donate $5 or more to Izabella’s GoFundMe campaign to support her family and recovery
Instead of supporting the mayor’s new thoughtless idea, give $5 (or more!) to the victim of the drunk driving crash to help support her and her family’s recovery during this difficult time. Incidents like these are common and catastrophic, predictable and preventable. I know for many in our community, they are not merely theoretical possibilities.
Don’t get us wrong: there are some great restaurants and bars downtown, and we want to see people enjoying this part of our city. We want Denver to prioritize biking, walking, and taking transit so people can enjoy themselves and then get home safely. Incentivizing people to drink and drive with cheap parking is not only NOT the solution, but will actively become part of the problem.
The next tragic incident will be on you, Mayor Johnston.
Let’s show the Mayor just how many of us care about safe streets, and what compassion and respect for this issue looks like.