Rebecka Lovisone
Candidate for Arvada City Council – District 3

2025 – Answered the following questions from APA:

Learn more about Rebecka Lovisone at rebeckaforarvada.com

What is your plan to help the city reach 100% renewable energy use by 2035? What are some other initiatives you would champion to help Arvada become more sustainable?

Lovisone: As of now, Arvada has not formally adopted a commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2035. However, the Arvada Sustainability Advisory Committee (ASAC) has laid important groundwork through the 2024 Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (CASP), which provides a strong framework for moving our city in that direction. My plan centers on two key areas: community engagement and city infrastructure efficiency.

Community Engagement: One initiative I envision is a collaborative pilot project involving the Arvada Community Garden, ASAC, and nearby residents to reduce and divert organic waste. The garden needs compost, residents produce compostable material, and ASAC has the capacity to develop an educational structure to facilitate this process. By expanding community gardens and introducing a complementary waste reduction and composting program, we can empower residents to take an active role in sustainability while building scalable models for broader implementation.

City Infrastructure Efficiency: To support renewable energy goals, we must begin by upgrading outdated municipal equipment with high-efficiency alternatives. This includes incorporating technologies such as variable frequency drives (VFDs) where appropriate. While these upgrades may require a larger initial investment, they will reduce overall energy consumption and better position the city to integrate renewable energy systems in the future.

What does the city need to do to address the 24/7 year-round shelter needs of the homeless in Arvada, without putting the burden only on Mission Arvada?

Lovisone: Arvada has taken a meaningful first step by drafting a Homeless Action Strategy, which includes the establishment of a comprehensive support system and a navigation center within our community. However, one critical lesson from similar efforts is that community engagement and awareness must come first, not fourth as currently prioritized in the plan.

My approach draws inspiration from the Tri Cities Navigation Center model developed by Littleton, Englewood, and Sheridan. If Jefferson County is truly committed to launching a regional navigation center, we must foster collaboration through weekly stakeholder meetings. These meetings would serve as a platform for resource coordination, community education, and open dialogue to ensure that expectations, programming, and roles are clearly defined and supported. Key stakeholders should include a lived experience advisory board, nonprofit service providers, affordable housing partners, the City of Arvada, Jefferson County leadership, first responders, mental health professionals, and engaged community members. The success of this initiative depends on a united, cross-sector effort, grounded in shared goals, transparent leadership, and mutual accountability. To move forward, we must build trust, communicate openly, and stay focused on long-term, collaborative solutions that serve both our unhoused neighbors and the broader Arvada community.

Walk-ability and bike paths are increasingly popular. What are your ideas to increase the walk-ability of neighborhoods and assist the ease and safety of bicycle riders?

Lovisone: To support walkability and cycling in Arvada, I would begin by recommending a comprehensive audit of our progress on the 2017 Arvada Bicycle Master Plan, which outlines a 271-mile system designed to connect existing and planned trails. This review should include an assessment of infrastructure maintenance and our ability to keep bike lanes free of debris, which is critical for rider safety. Following this audit, the next step is to prioritize updates to existing bike lanes and add new marked lanes where gaps exist, especially in areas that connect neighborhoods to schools, parks, and public transportation. Improved signage and clearer route markings will also enhance both safety and usability. I see great value in programming that encourages biking and walking such as educational campaigns, community events that promote active transportation, and tools that allow residents to easily share feedback and help shape future design decisions. If elected, I would actively seek input from Public Works staff and city planners, encouraging innovative solutions such as road diet strategies which reallocate street space to improve safety for all users. Their expertise, combined with resident input, will ensure we build a more connected, accessible, and sustainable transportation network across Arvada.

How will you promote fair and equitable treatment of diverse and marginalized communities in terms of fair policing, economic advantages, and employment?

Lovisone: The first step in addressing inequity is acknowledging its existence. In Arvada, we have not fully confronted parts of our history that still shape the experiences of many today. For example, there was once a public acknowledgment in Olde Town recognizing the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in Arvada’s past. That acknowledgement was later removed because some found it offensive, yet removing it does not erase the reality. As a member of the Arvada Historical Society, I have learned a great deal about our community’s legacy in agriculture, mining, and the railroad. However, we have yet to meaningfully confront how policies like the Homestead Act of 1862 contributed to systemic displacement and discrimination.

Author Ibram X. Kendi reminds us that racial inequity is both visible and hidden. To move forward, we must be willing to sit with the discomfort of our past because that is how we gain the perspective necessary to recognize and address inequities in the present. Promoting fairness in policing, economic opportunity, and employment starts with centering the voices of those with lived experience. I believe in a collaborative approach that brings together local partners such as Arvadans for Social Justice, the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce, and members of historically marginalized communities to work directly with the city and the Arvada Police Department.

What is your opinion about citizen-initiated resolutions presented to the council for adoption?

Lovisone: Citizen-initiated resolutions are a valuable tool for civic engagement and can play an important role in elevating community voices. I support processes that promote informed public participation and foster constructive dialogue between residents and elected officials. These resolutions can empower communities by bringing attention to local concerns and encouraging grassroots involvement. However, they also warrant careful consideration. Potential challenges include the risk of poorly crafted policy language, disproportionate influence from special interest groups, and the possibility of majority rule marginalizing minority voices. It is the responsibility of City Council to both thoughtfully consider and critically assess each resolution. This includes analyzing proposals from multiple perspectives to ensure that outcomes are equitable, practical, and aligned with the long-term interests of the community.

What should be done about short-term/vacation rentals in Arvada?

Lovisone: Arvada currently defines short-term rentals as a dwelling, a portion of a dwelling, or an accessory dwelling unit rented to guests for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Property owners, or long-term renters with the owner’s consent, are required to obtain both a short-term rental license and a business license. The city also provides a Required In-Unit Brochure, which outlines occupancy limits and includes helpful resources for hosts. To improve oversight and maintain neighborhood quality of life, the first step should be establishing a clear and accessible compliance process. This includes creating a dedicated section on the city’s short-term rental webpage that outlines specific steps for neighbors to report concerns or violations. Transparency, consistency in enforcement, and community education will be key to balancing the benefits of short-term rentals with the interests of long-term residents.

What would you do to improve the physical and mental health of Arvada residents?

Lovisone: I strongly support the development of free and accessible support groups as a foundational step toward improving mental health services in Arvada. Peer-led group support has proven to be one of the most effective tools in addressing challenges such as addiction and recovery, yet it remains underutilized. By establishing publicly supported programs that offer a range of adult support systems, we not only provide essential resources for those in need but also set a positive example for younger generations. This approach is especially important as we address growing concerns related to substance use in schools, including marijuana and vape products, as well as the increasing impact of screen addiction and social media on both adult and youth mental health.

Neighborhood schools strengthen communities. How would you work with Jeffco School District to ensure equitable access to neighborhood K-12 schools, preschools, and other educational opportunities in all areas of the city?

Lovisone: I am actively cultivating partnerships with educators at Arvada West High School and the Apex Youth Advisory Board to develop a proposal that engages students in meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the community. I have initiated conversations with the Arvada Chamber of Commerce that will explore ways we can connect students with local leaders and guest speakers by enriching their educational experiences with civic connections.My goal is to build on this work by establishing a city-sponsored Youth Advisory Commission, where students can engage directly in civic processes and take on school-based projects that have a tangible impact on their community. By creating structured pathways for civic participation, we help students develop a sense of ownership and agency while reinforcing the role of neighborhood schools as centers of community life. Equitable access to educational opportunities begins with inclusion. We must ensure that youth voices are not only heard but valued in the decisions shaping their future.

The recent announcement of numerous new business enterprises (Quantum Commons, Electra Steel, an aerospace industry, a massive AI data center at NREL Flatirons campus, etc.) will cause an influx of population and traffic. What specific steps should the City of Arvada take to update policies to meet the rental and ownership housing needs (both affordable and market driven), transportation, and infrastructure needs of west Arvada/Jeffco’s current and future workforce?

Lovisone: In light of the significant economic development anticipated in and around Arvada, it is critical that the city take a proactive and integrated approach to housing, transportation, and infrastructure planning. During a recent conversation with a city planner and fellow Arvada resident, I was introduced to a number of innovative strategies, including the road diet approach and policies outlined in the Arvada Sustainability Action Plan. They also mentioned these strategies emphasize environmental resilience and should guide our land use and transportation decisions moving forward. Residents in west Arvada are deeply invested in preserving their sense of community and the “small town feel” that defines the area. To maintain public trust and ensure thoughtful development, city leaders must prioritize meaningful public engagement, by attending neighborhood meetings and creating a transparent planning process. A “think small, act big” approach can help ensure that development aligns with community values and quality of life. To prepare for the anticipated population and traffic increases, Arvada should promote diverse housing options near employment centers that include a balanced mix of affordable and market-rate rentals and ownership opportunities. Invest in multi-modal transportation infrastructure designed to connect home, work, and recreation through walkable, bikeable, and transit-accessible routes. Incorporate traffic calming measures and smart growth principles to enhance safety and sustainability. Additionally, strengthen partnerships with regional entities such as Jefferson County and RTD to coordinate planning efforts and leverage shared resources effectively.

Parking is an issue in Olde Town, there is ample parking in the RTD garage, how can the city make parking in the garage more attractive and useful? What is your position on parking fees for the close in lots and spaces in Olde Town?

Lovisone: I support implementing parking fees in close-in lots and spaces in Olde Town provided certain conditions are met. Fees should be introduced as part of a comprehensive program that encourages alternative transportation options such as biking and walking. Accessible parking spaces should be exempt from fees to ensure accessibility. The RTD garage should remain free to use, with improved signage and easier access to encourage its utilization. Additionally, the city should conduct a thorough study to assess the potential impacts of parking fees on surrounding neighborhoods and residents, ensuring that any changes support both local businesses and community livability.