“I am running for City Council because I believe in Brighton, and the best way to make a difference for my community is to be involved in the decision-making process at the City Council level.” – Laurie Lozano Maier
Meet Laurie
- Lifelong resident of Brighton
- Consensus builder
- Business proponent
- Pragmatic
- Respectful
- Bilingual – Spanish/English
Why We Endorse Laurie
In deciding who to endorse for the November 2021 election, we spoke with candidates to see who has the values we know every good leader needs and who has the track record to deliver results for our community. We specifically looked for those characteristics that we believe are lacking in current Brighton leadership.
Through our conversations with Laurie, we are confident she is the best choice for the next mayor of Brighton. We proudly endorse Laurie Lozano Maier’s candidacy.
Candidate Highlights
- Laurie’s extensive record of public service
- Laurie’s deep roots in the community
- Laurie’s emphasis on the importance of collaboration and respect in local governance
- Laurie’s knowledge of water supply issues
Experience
Years of service, Brighton Police Dept.
Years of service, Brighton Public Works
Years of Small Business ownership
Years as Lifespark Cancer volunteer
Years as Therapeutic Healthcare provider
Years, 27J school board member
CAREER
- Over 20 years of service to the Public Works Department in Administrative Support
- Knowledge base: Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Streets and Capital improvements.
- Over 20 years of service to the Brighton Police Department in various roles
- Over 20 years part-time experience as a business owner – Wholesale
- Over 10 years part-time experience as a business owner/operator – Health related business
LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
- Brighton Chamber of Commerce – Director
- Brighton Chamber of Commerce – Education Committee
- School District 27J Board of Directors – 8 year term, 2 year term as President
- Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry, Colorado Business Week – UNC, USC
- Brighton Softball Association – Director
- Lifespark Cancer Resources – Volunteer provider
“WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE CHANGE IN BRIGHTON?”
“The atmosphere of we (Council) vs them (employees). We all work for the community, under a Home Rule organizational form of government. The community deserves a safe home to come home to, with running water, nice parks and playgrounds, safe roadways and employees who answer questions and deliver service to the community they serve without fear of reprisal.”
Candidate Q&A:
Why do you want to serve on City Council?
I am running for City Council because I believe in Brighton, and the best way to make a difference for my community is to be involved in the decision making process at the City Council level.
Brighton is my hometown. Born and raised in Brighton, I have seen the dramatic changes that have occurred throughout the years. I attended and support our Brighton schools, support local business, the Brighton Arts community and do my part to support local events and local individuals because they are the lifeblood of this community.
What are some of the issues that you want to campaign on?
The importance and urgency of preparing our community for the future should be one of Brighton’s top priorities. Prevailing Issues of our ability to provide potable water, State regulations impacting our wastewater and stormwater. Eastern Brighton developments have created bottleneck areas and congestion of traffic approaches to and from our Highway entrance and egress creating daily transportation issues and are at the top of my priority list. Promoting a healthy thriving business community in all quadrants of the community to serve all quadrants of Brighton.
What are your thoughts on Brighton's growth? How do we ensure housing that meets all levels of income?
The difficulties for affordable housing forces families to share large homes creating parking lots on the streets in front of homes and neighborhoods once called affordable.
I have seen too many instances where new zoning in original R-1 Brighton footprint creating issues for parking and privacy when empty lots are being rezoned to Multifamily R-2 or R-3. These older neighborhoods house many older families who are impacted.
I understand the difficulties faced by affordable housing. I see affordable housing being approved for areas that should be retail or business/government office zoning and instead they are working to place lower income families in the pathway for new releases from the jail facility.
What are your thoughts on allowing medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries to open in Brighton? If allowed by voters this November, how should the tax revenue be spent to benefit all residents?
I believe in holistic health. Which includes CBD oils, balms, lotions, edibles and other non-smoking use of marijuana. Already approved at the State level and being reexamined by local ballot, I believe it will be approved locally. When it is approved, the city should be ready to determine regulations for zoning for business locations within the city for retail outlets, as well as grow warehouses to capture tax revenue and examine safety issues of large cash businesses.
Recreational use should be limited to the privacy of a users home. I do not support recreational use in public places or within any local business in which smoke or smells may affect other surrounding businesses. (via smoke contamination to non-smoking individuals.)
Should Brighton remain a farming community? How should the City address the water resource issue?
Yes, I would like to preserve our farming community. However without the capability of purchasing the available farming properties, the property owners retain the rights for use. Without strict zoning to remain A/R Agricultural/Residential, where access to city services is limited. Development citywide brings those services closer to the probability of development swallowing our available farming areas. Since any development requires bringing their own water rights for development.
What should Brighton do to stimulate economic development?
I would like to enrich our business community to provide our citizens with many options for retail, grocery and restaurant storefronts. Seeking various opportunities with incentives for business to locate within the city retail zones. I am concerned over Zoning changes which include Retail zoned areas being changed to Residential.
Connect with Laurie
Want to learn more about where Laurie stands on the issues?
Want to ask Laurie about her vision for Brighton’s future?