WSCONA COUNCIL FORUM 2025 Responses by Candidates District 1 & 5

WSCONA has included all candidate submitted written responses

Housing

ABQ is frequently described as experiencing a “housing crisis” particularly as a prelude to proposing IDO amendments or separate Council actions to amend the IDO. Please discuss in detail your view of housing needs in ABQ including all of the following points:

• Describe the resources you use to define current housing needs and project future needs. Explain any differences across data sources and why you accept the projections you determine to be accurate. Please provide citations for all data. Some examples include: Roots Policy Research, US Census Data and NHILC Annual Gap Report.

  
  

• What has been the rate of new housing construction in ABQ during the past 5 years, particularly on the NW and West mesa. Please include all housing types.

  
  

• Multiple factors contribute to the availability and cost of housing, land and construction costs, the availability of skilled laborers, institutional investors and short-term rentals although ABQ focuses on zoning. Discuss all of those factors which apply to housing in ABQ and strategies you will take to address those.

Growth and Economic Development

Another City and development mantra states that ABQ must grow or die. Some development interests push for growth at all costs. City tax dollars are used to support and underwrite projects defined as supporting economic development. Please summarize your attitude toward growth including all of the following issues:

• Discuss your view of sustainable growth, potential limits on growth in the City and the region and measures to ensure any growth is acceptable and can be maintained. Include population estimates for sustainable growth for the City of Albuquerque and Albuquerque MSA by 2035 and 2050.

  
  

• Discuss your priorities for economic development initiatives including defining the expected outcomes for the City of economic investment including IRBs, LEDA funds and tax incentives. What returns should the City require of the recipient of economic development assistance? What steps should the City take to ensure that economic development projects are viable? When public dollars are invested in private developments, there should be a clear and meaningful public benefit to the people of Albuquerque. How will you ensure investments made with public dollars have a public benefit?

  
  

• Some pro-growth advocates call for eviscerating zoning regulations. Please describe a Western city of roughly ABQ’s size or larger that you think has handled growth and community planning effectively and how their policies and practices should be applied to ABQ.

Public Lands

• Public lands and open space represent a significant asset for the City and ABQ residents. The west side is surrounded by stunning views and sacred lands. How will you ensure quality of life is protected as we seek to grow economically?

  
  

Transparency and Accountability

Multiple polls and sources document a decline in trust in institutions, including the government at all levels. It is not sufficient to claim to be transparent and accountable, one must also be seen that way. Please discuss the ABQ public’s view of transparency and accountability in City government including the following issues:

• Discuss ABQ City policies, practices and resources to ensure transparent government decision making. To what extent do they align with best practices and what changes would you propose and support to strengthen those.

  
  

• In an opinion piece in the NYT, Robert Gordon and Jennifer Pahlka state this about our current political landscape, “Anti-government cynicism helped create this mess in the first place. The best way to fight back is to deliver results.” Discuss your priorities for delivering results for the people of ABQ. Describe the process you consider necessary to deliver results. Discuss how you will handle apparent obstacles to achieving your desired results including public opposition, existing City laws and codes.

  
  

• Discuss the role of public engagement in city governance, especially in ensuring transparency and accountability and crafting proposals which yield results.

Social Challenges

ABQ residents face multiple social challenges and issues; homelessness remains one of the most stubborn and visible. Opioid addiction takes lives and shatters families. Although data show falling crime rates in virtually every category, ABQ residents perceive crime as an issue. West side residents have been particularly vocal about traffic crime including speeding, noisy street racing and red light running. Please discuss in detail the policies, proposals and programs you will support and endorse to address each of these issues including the following:

• Describe the scope of the issue, causes and contributing factors.

  
  

• Support your responses with recent data from recognized and authoritative sources.

  
  

• Cite evidence-based strategies and best practices to support your proposed solutions.

  
  

• Discuss all reasonably anticipated costs and mechanisms to pay for those.

  
  

• Explain how you will ensure accountability for timely completion of projects and provide ongoing and objective evaluation of all programs.

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District 1 City Council Candidate's Answers

Ahren Griego (District 1)

Question 1.

Albuquerque is experiencing a housing shortage, especially on the Westside, which has

absorbed the majority of the city’s growth over the past decade (Roots Policy Research, 2024). I reviewed data from Roots, HUD’s 2023 Housing Market Analysis, U.S. Census ACS, and the NLIHC Gap Report to assess current and future needs. HUD projects a need for 7,375 new homes over the next three years, but only 630 units are currently under construction.

Between 2018 and 2023, the city added thousands of units through 31 housing projects. On the NW and West Mesa, key developments include Generations at West Mesa, Nuevo Atrisco, and Luminaria, providing a mix of affordable rentals, senior housing, and multifamily units. However, single-family and transitional housing remain underbuilt, and the city must expand housing types to meet diverse needs.

Multifamily housing near public transit routes such as Central Avenue, Coors, and Unser

Boulevard offers a smart opportunity to increase density, affordability, and access to jobs and services. Transit-oriented development should be prioritized in future IDO amendments. I also support expanding casita-style housing (accessory dwelling units) as a flexible and affordable option for multigenerational families and seniors. These small backyard homes allow young families to live near relatives or give aging parents independent living options, all while increasing supply without altering neighborhood character.

Several factors are driving up housing costs, limiting availability and pricing many families out of the market. Low levels of inventory, land, and construction costs continue to rise, while regulatory burdens such as parking minimums and height restrictions add to per-unit expenses. Builders face a shortage of skilled labor, which delays projects and increases costs. Zoning restrictions, particularly the dominance of single-family zoning, limit housing diversity and density across the city.

To address these challenges, I support updating the IDO to allow more housing types, including casitas and transit-accessible multifamily units, while reducing regulatory barriers like parking minimums. I also advocate for incentivizing affordable housing through tax credits, land donations, and expedited permitting. We must invest in workforce development to train and retain skilled labor in the construction trades, and leverage public-private partnerships to expand mixed-income housing across Albuquerque.

Question 2.

Albuquerque must pursue sustainable, community-centered growth not growth at all costs. Population projections estimate Bernalillo County will peak around 684,000 residents by 2035, with the Albuquerque statistical area stabilizing near 1.1 million by 2050. These figures call for moderate, well-planned development that aligns with infrastructure capacity, environmental protection, and neighborhood needs. 

Economic development should deliver measurable public benefit. My priorities include

supporting small local businesses and entrepreneurs, especially on the Westside. By working with state elected officials, we can explore expanding access to capital, streamlining local zoning and permitting process, and investing in mentorship programs. 

We must bring opportunity to the Westside by creating jobs close to where people live, reducing commute burdens, and strengthening neighborhood economies.

Albuquerque should focus on high-potential industries like clean energy, film and television productions, aerospace, technology, hospitality, and tourism. We must also maximize the use of our upgraded public sports facilities by investing in sports tourism, bringing regional tournaments, youth leagues, and events that generate revenue and create jobs in hospitality, retail, and recreation.

To help more residents enter the middle class, there is a need for a responsible investment in trades and workforce development. That includes training programs, apprenticeships, and partnerships with local building trades, unions, and local employers to build career pathways in construction, electrical, plumbing, and other skilled professions.

Public investments through IRBs, LEDA funds, and tax incentives must yield clear returns: living-wage jobs, local hiring, infrastructure improvements, and transparency. The City should require feasibility studies, clawback provisions, and community benefit agreements to ensure accountability.

Growth must also be balanced with the city’s limited resources, including public safety,

emergency response, and essential services. We cannot expand without ensuring our

departments are staffed, trained, and equipped to meet increased demand. Responsible water usage must also be central to our planning. Albuquerque must invest in conservation, reuse strategies, and infrastructure upgrades to protect our long-term water supply.

Zoning reform should be thoughtful, not reckless. Cities like Portland, Oregon offer strong models for growth through transit-oriented development, inclusionary zoning, and green space preservation. Albuquerque can apply similar principles to balance housing, mobility, and livability.

Finally, protecting quality of life means safeguarding open space, sacred lands, and natural views, especially on the Westside. Growth must respect cultural heritage and environmental limits while improving access to trails, parks, and green infrastructure.

Albuquerque doesn’t need to grow at any cost it needs to grow with purpose.

Question 3.

Transparency and accountability are essential components of public trust. Many people feel that government institutions should not only operate openly but also be perceived as accessible andresponsive. While there are systems and practices in place that aim to support open decision-making, there is ongoing interest in improving how information is shared and how the public can engage with city processes.

Albuquerque follows the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, provides live-streamed Council meetings, offers a Transparency Portal with budget and performance data, and responds to public records requests through IPRA. These measures reflect national best practices, but many remain difficult for residents to navigate. Records requests can be slow, budget documents are often technical, and performance dashboards lack real-time updates. We could strengthen these systems by simplifying public documents into plain language, expanding real-time project dashboards, implementing AI-powered tools to improve navigation and provide easy-to-understand summaries, and deploying new technology to automate and track public requests so residents can submit and receive records more efficiently.

A recent New York Times opinion piece highlighted how federal budget cuts demand that governments “get smarter with limited resources” rather than preserve the status quo. Albuquerque should continue to use technology not only to save money but also to improve the services people rely on. Examples include computer-aided emergency dispatch that can be used to dispatch the closest unit to an emergency, technology and AI-assisted tools in permitting can reduce wait times, predictive maintenance tools to cut infrastructure costs, and online self-service portals that free up staff for higher-value work. The goal is to maximize limited resources and improve services at the same time, proving that innovation can strengthen, not weaken, public services.

Delivering meaningful results is often viewed as a way to rebuild trust. This may involve setting clear goals, working collaboratively, and navigating challenges such as limited resources, public concerns, or existing regulations. Being open to feedback and adapting to changing circumstances can be part of that process.

In addition, recognizing the importance of fair labor practices and honoring collective bargaining processes can help maintain a stable and professional workforce by demonstrating that our employees are supported and valued. This approach has been part of city operations for many years and contributes to consistent service delivery and improved employee morale.

Albuquerque can restore trust and deliver better outcomes by combining transparency with smart resource management. By leveraging technology to realize savings, improve services, and keep the public engaged, we can maximize our resources and prove that government can be both efficient and accountable.

Question 4.

I spent nearly 24 years as a firefighter and EMT in the Albuquerque Fire Department, and the problems we’re dealing with today, homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health challenges, are the same ones I saw on calls every day. I’ve been retired for about ten years, and those problems haven’t gone away. In fact, they’ve gotten worse.

A major part of the issue is that much of New Mexico is rural and lacks homeless crisis services. People come to Albuquerque because we have shelters, treatment centers, and emergency response. Until the state’s Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act is fully operational, which will eventually divide New Mexico into regions for behavioral health care, substance use disorder treatment, and housing, Albuquerque will continue to be overwhelmed.

Albuquerque is also facing rising rents and a serious shortage of affordable housing. People are living in tents, cars, and on sidewalks. Add fentanyl and other dangerous drugs to the problem, and we are facing a crisis. Mental health, addiction, poverty, and housing are intertwined, and we must treat them that way.

Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are receiving more than $80 million in state funds for housing and homelessness projects for 2025–2026. The City Council has approved over $7.5 million for targeted projects, and the City’s $23 million Housing Forward Fund supports affordable housing initiatives.

To address these challenges, we should keep investing in solutions that work, such as building more affordable housing, converting empty hotels and vacant buildings into shelter and transitional housing. Support non-police response programs that include drug counseling, crisis intervention, homeless resource navigation, and peer support. Lastly, equip our first responders and city staff with training and the tools to handle these situations safely and with compassion.

Governmental partnerships matter. The city, working with the state and with Bernalillo County, has set clear goals to address affordable housing and includes methods to track progress, benchmarks, and reports back to the public. We can’t ignore what’s happening on the Westside. Residents are fed up with speeding, loud

street racing, and red-light running. It’s dangerous and disrupts families throughout the night. Solutions that I believe are effective are adding speed cameras to slow drivers and reducing engine noise (a new camera will soon be installed near Coors and St. Joseph’s). Expansion of mini police stations, there will soon be one opening near Coors and Quail, in the shopping center. This will address a need for a more visible public safety presence. An increase in police presence means they can respond into westside neighborhoods and businesses more rapidly, while providing a much-needed crime deterrent. Having officers work directly in the community will further build public trust.

We must keep investing in the services that keep this city running, especially public safety. That means meeting recruitment and retention goals, ensuring adequate staffing, training, and equipment, and partnering with organizations that specialize in homelessness, addiction recovery, and compassionate mental-health crisis response. City workers and first responders on the front lines responding to encampments and high-need areas need real support, not just words.

Let’s support the people doing the work to keep Albuquerque safe.

Daniel Leiva (District 1)

Housing

As a lifelong West Side resident, I see housing as keeping our families together and our communities strong. To understand our current and future needs, I rely on several well-respected sources. The 2024 Albuquerque Region Housing Needs Assessment from Roots Policy Research shows that the greater metropolitan area has experienced a significant affordability decline, with a shortage of more than 2,600 units for households earning less than 30% of area median income since 2010. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) forecasts demand for nearly 3,000 new rental units between 2023 and 2026.  However, more than 3,600 units are already under construction. Additionally, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Gap Report it is clear that for every 100 extremely low-income renter households in New Mexico, there are only 41 affordable and available units. Taken together, these reports show both a supply shortage and a deep affordability gap. While the numbers differ slightly, the message is consistent: we need more housing of all types, especially affordable options, and we need it urgently.

Over the past five years, Albuquerque has seen steady construction activity, including the Housing Forward ABQ initiative, which set a goal of creating 5,000 new units by 2025. Much of that development has occurred on the West Side, where most vacant residential land is located. That growth brings opportunities but also raises challenges, putting pressure on infrastructure, schools, and traffic if it is not paired with smart planning. We must ensure that new construction includes not only single-family homes, but also apartments, duplexes, and accessory dwelling units that give families, seniors, and young professionals more options. It’s important to acknowledge that zoning is just one piece of the puzzle. Rising construction costs, the shortage of skilled labor, the role of institutional investors, and the growth of short-term rentals all affect affordability and availability. 

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach. We must diversify housing types by expanding zoning to allow duplexes, triplexes, and dorm-style apartments in more neighborhoods. We need to streamline permitting and reduce unnecessary barriers, like outdated parking requirements, that add cost without adding value. We must invest in workforce training in the skilled trades, so that more local workers can help build the housing we need. We need reasonable regulation of short-term rentals, so they don’t reduce the supply of long-term housing for families. And finally, we should take advantage of vacant commercial spaces, such as empty downtown office buildings, that can be converted into affordable apartments, adding housing without new sprawl. Most importantly, public dollars must be used to ensure a clear public benefit. That means prioritizing housing that is affordable to working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and young people starting out. By pairing smart zoning with targeted investments and workforce development, Albuquerque can grow responsibly and keep our city affordable for the people who call it home.

Growth & Economic Development

Albuquerque shouldn’t chase “growth at all costs.” We should pursue sustainable, opportunity-creating growth that protects our water, open space, and Westside quality of life while delivering good jobs and vibrant neighborhood centers. That means aligning land use, infrastructure, and workforce so that every public dollar produces a measurable public benefit. Regional forecasters now show slower long-term growth than a decade ago. Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) notes that the metro’s 20-year population increase once projected at +300,000 has been revised to roughly +31,000 given recent trends. UNM’s Geospatial & Population Studies finds New Mexico statewide will peak around 2035 (~2.16M) and then gradually decline toward 2050, driven by aging and weak net migration. Using those agencies’ trends as guardrails, I propose planning ranges rather than single-point predictions. For the City of Albuquerque, this means roughly 540,000–575,000 residents by 2035 and 520,000–560,000 by 2050, reflecting the city’s slight 2020–2024 dip and flat trajectory. For the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area, projections range from 0.98M–1.05M by 2035 and 0.95M–1.05M by 2050, flat to modest growth consistent with revised MRCOG assumptions and recent metro estimates. The policy implication is clear: plan infrastructure, housing, and water for modest growth with tight resource constraints, not boom-era assumptions.

Public incentives must buy tangible returns and include clawbacks if promises aren’t met. We can help ensure these standards are met by including program evaluation from the onset. My standards for City participation in LEDA, IRBs, and tax abatements include clear job metrics (number, wage floors, benefits) with local-hire goals, private leverage ratios that show taxpayers aren’t the primary funder, performance-based disbursement and security interests so the City can recover funds if benchmarks fail, transparency through published term sheets, cost-benefit models, and annual compliance reports, and public-benefit add-ons aligned to neighborhood needs, such as on-site childcare, affordable commercial space for local businesses, first-source hiring, transit passes, or infrastructure that residents can use. To ensure viability, the City should require third-party market analysis, audited financial capacity, infrastructure capacity (water/traffic), and a realistic construction-labor plan. The State and City already include many of these in LEDA/IRB reviews, I will make them baseline, public, and enforceable.

I look to Tucson, Arizona, a desert city with similar constraints, for best practices that translate to Albuquerque. Tucson recently adopted stronger scrutiny and transparency requirements for large water users, ensuring major projects disclose conservation plans and reclaimed-water options before connecting. That’s the kind of guardrail Albuquerque should emulate in incentive deals. Tucson’s Infill Incentive District approach also uses area-specific standards and incentives to concentrate growth downtown and along corridors, reducing sprawl and infrastructure strain. Albuquerque can adapt this to our key nodes (Coors, Central, Unser, Westside town centers) with clear design and mobility standards. For balance, Portland’s urban growth boundary shows how strong land conservation tools protect open space, but also how growth boundaries alone cannot guarantee affordability without concurrent housing and permitting reform. The Westside’s identity, Petroglyph National Monument, the volcanic escarpment, and City-managed open space, requires non-negotiable protection. The Monument is jointly managed by NPS and the City’s Open Space Division (about 7,200+ acres, with thousands of petroglyphs), adjacent West Mesa Open Space adds ~4,200 acres the City manages. Any new development must respect these resources through setbacks, view-shed protection, dark-sky lighting, and trail connectivity. To operationalize this, I will advance an infill-first policy, focusing incentives inside existing service areas and along transit corridors while avoiding leap-frog sprawl that burdens roads, schools, and water. I will also uphold Westside sector plan standards to protect sensitive lands, views, drainage, and cultural resources as growth occurs, and ensure that approvals are tied to funded improvements, like intersections, transit frequency, safe crossings, and parks, so growth pays its way and neighborhoods gain amenities.

Transparency & Accountability

Trust isn’t restored by slogans; it’s earned by habits the public can see. Albuquerque already has useful building blocks, an open-data portal, a city transparency hub, detailed budget and performance plans, and a modern campaign-finance filing system, but we need to use them in ways residents actually feel in their daily lives. The City publishes datasets and GIS layers the public can analyze, and its budget pairs dollars with goals and program measures. In 2025 the City launched a new online campaign-finance filing system to make disclosures easier to file and for voters to view. New Mexico’s Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) set baseline transparency standards, with compliance guides and AG oversight. These are important tools, but we can go further.

My priorities are to make proactive disclosure the default by posting contracts, incentive agreements, and performance reports before Council votes, with plain-language summaries and machine-readable files. I want to expand performance reporting into delivery dashboards for street repairs, permit timelines, housing approvals, and 311 response, with simple goals and live progress updates. I support better meeting access by publishing agendas, slide decks, and staff reports at least 72 hours in advance, while also ensuring hybrid participation, language access, and child-friendly meeting times. Finally, I believe open data should come with feedback loops. When a dataset goes up, whether code enforcement or permits, it should include an explainer and a feedback form so residents can flag gaps or errors, and staff should be required to respond on a timeline.

I believe that the solution to cynicism is visible delivery, the government proving it can work. I believe each city council initiative should have a concise public outcome, milestone dates, and progress tracking. We should publish plain-language one-pagers and monthly progress updates on the City’s website and link datasets and budget lines so residents can trace dollars to results. I support piloting solutions on a small scale, then measuring, and then expanding what works. When facing obstacles, whether public opposition or restrictive laws, I will prioritize co-design processes where

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District 5 City Council Candidate's Answers

WSCONA/Athenea Allen

Candidate Questions

Housing

ABQ is frequently described as experiencing a “housing crisis” particularly as a prelude to proposing IDO amendments or separate Council actions to amend the IDO. Please discuss in detail your view of housing needs in ABQ including all of the following points:

• Describe the resources you use to define current housing needs and project future needs. Explain any differences across data sources and why you accept the projections you determine to be accurate. Please provide citations for all data. Some examples include: Roots Policy Research, US Census Data and NHILC Annual Gap Report.

Albuquerque is facing a real housing shortage that impacts families, seniors, and working people across our city. I rely on data from the City’s Housing Forward ABQ plan, the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, and UNM’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research — all of which show we need roughly 15,000 additional housing units to meet current demand. While estimates vary slightly, every credible source agrees we’ve underbuilt for nearly a decade, driving up rents and home prices.

On the Westside, these challenges are intensified by years of growth without the necessary investment in roads, transit, and local jobs. Thousands of residents face long commutes across the river, worsening traffic and straining families. As a City Councilor, I’ll champion balanced, data-driven growth — housing tied to transportation improvements and job creation west of the river.

I’ll also support diverse housing options that protect neighborhood character, including mixed-income housing near jobs and transit, using city-owned land for affordable development, and ensuring transparency and community input when zoning or IDO changes are proposed. Solving Albuquerque’s housing crisis requires sustained partnerships and planning that put people — not politics or special interests — first.

What has been the rate of new housing construction in ABQ during the past 5 years, particularly on the NW and West mesa. Please include all housing types.

• Multiple factors contribute to the availability and cost of housing, land and construction costs, the availability of skilled laborers, institutional investors and short-term rentals although ABQ focuses on zoning. Discuss all of those factors which apply to housing in ABQ and strategies you will take to address those.

Over the past five years, Albuquerque has added about 2,000 to 2,500 housing units per year, mostly single-family homes on the Northwest and West Mesa. While this growth has expanded our footprint, it hasn’t kept pace with demand or included enough diverse, affordable options. Rising land and construction costs, a shortage of skilled labor, and institutional investors buying up homes have all driven prices higher.

As a City Councilor, I’ll focus on balanced, affordable growth that meets our housing needs without worsening traffic or straining infrastructure. That means encouraging mixed-income and multi-family housing, supporting workforce development to expand our construction trades, and ensuring zoning and permitting processes are efficient but transparent. I’ll also back measures to limit speculative ownership and strengthen housing options for local families.

On the Westside, housing policy must go hand in hand with job creation and transit improvements, so residents can live and work closer to home.

Growth and Economic Development

Another City and development mantra states that ABQ must grow or die. Some development interests push for growth at all costs. City tax dollars are used to support and underwrite projects defined as supporting economic development. Please summarize your attitude toward growth including all of the following issues:

• Discuss your view of sustainable growth, potential limits on growth in the City and the region and measures to ensure any growth is acceptable and can be maintained.  Include population estimates for sustainable growth for the City of Albuquerque and Albuquerque MSA by 2035 and 2050.

Sustainable growth means growing responsibly — matching housing, jobs, water, and infrastructure so quality of life improves, not declines. I’ll prioritize infill and transit-oriented development, protect open space, and ensure new projects don’t outpace roads, schools, and public safety.

I’ll push for green building standards, expand our tree canopy, and strengthen water conservation. Growth must pay for itself through stronger impact fees and infrastructure planning tied to capacity and safety.

By 2035, Albuquerque’s population may reach 630,000 and 690,000 by 2050 — growth we can manage responsibly if we stay focused on balance, sustainability, and livable neighborhoods.

• Discuss your priorities for economic development initiatives including defining the expected outcomes for the City of economic investment including IRBs, LEDA funds and tax incentives. What returns should the City require of the recipient of economic development assistance? What steps should the City take to ensure that economic development projects are viable? When public dollars are invested in private developments, there should be a clear and meaningful public benefit to the people of Albuquerque. How will you ensure investments made with public dollars have a public benefit?

Economic development should create real, measurable value for Albuquerque residents — not just private profit. When the city invests public dollars through IRBs, LEDA funds, or tax incentives, there must be a clear public return: good-paying local jobs, workforce training, use of local small businesses, and long-term community benefit.

As a national security professional, I understand accountability and results. Before approving incentives, I’d require transparent cost–benefit analyses and strong clawback provisions if companies fail to meet commitments. We should also prioritize projects that strengthen our local economy — especially small and mid-sized businesses, manufacturers, and employers who hire locally and invest in our people.

Finally, I’ll support closer monitoring of economic development agreements and public reporting on outcomes, so residents can see where their money goes and what it delivers. Public investment must serve the public good — that’s how we build a stronger, more resilient Albuquerque economy.

• Some pro-growth advocates call for eviscerating zoning regulations. Please describe a Western city of roughly ABQ’s size or larger that you think has handled growth and community planning effectively and how their policies and practices should be applied to ABQ.

Growth has to work with our communities, not against them. Neighborhood associations and local residents — the people who volunteer their time and expertise without pay — are critical partners in shaping Albuquerque’s future. I believe we need to respect and strengthen those voices, not silence them in the name of “streamlining” or deregulation. Zoning exists to ensure balance — between housing and infrastructure, development and livability — and it should be improved thoughtfully, not eviscerated.

Cities like Denver and Portland offer good lessons. Both have grown rapidly but have made serious efforts to combine higher-density housing with strong community engagement, transit-oriented development, and clear design standards that protect neighborhood character. Albuquerque can do the same: promote infill housing near transit, preserve open space, and ensure residents have real input before decisions are made. Sustainable, equitable growth only happens when the public is heard and the benefits are shared.

• Public lands and open space represent a significant asset for the City and ABQ residents. The west side is surrounded by stunning views and sacred lands.  How will you ensure quality of life is protected as we seek to grow economically?

Public lands and open space are part of what makes Albuquerque so special — especially on the Westside, where families move for the mesas, the views, and the proximity to Petroglyph National Monument. These sacred and scenic areas define our city’s identity and quality of life. As we grow, we have to protect what makes this place worth calling home.

As a City Councilor, I’ll insist that economic growth and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. That means enforcing responsible zoning and view protection, ensuring development near open space is compatible with conservation goals, and expanding the city’s open space system by purchasing more land for preservation and recreation. I’ll also work to invest in parks and trail infrastructure and strengthen collaboration with tribal governments and community groups to preserve cultural and natural resources.

Protecting the Westside’s beauty and history isn’t anti-growth — it’s smart, sustainable growth that balances opportunity with respect for our land, our people, and our future.

Transparency and Accountability

Multiple polls and sources document a decline in trust in institutions, including the government at all levels. It is not sufficient to claim to be transparent and accountable, one must also be seen that way. Please discuss the ABQ public’s view of transparency and accountability in City government including the following issues:

• Discuss ABQ City policies, practices and resources to ensure transparent government decision making. To what extent do they align with best practices and what changes would you propose and support to strengthen those.

Albuquerque has solid transparency tools on paper — public meeting notices, an IPRA records portal, an Open Data site, televised Council meetings, and independent watchdogs like the Inspector General and Board of Ethics. But residents still feel decisions are opaque, records are slow, and follow-through on audits is unclear. In short: we claim transparency, but people don’t always see it.

That distrust grows when key decisions are made in the dark — literally in the middle of the night — or when legislation is crammed through over the holidays with little public notice. Our Council meetings should be accessible and accountable, not rushed or hidden from the people we serve.

As a City Councilor, I’ll strengthen Lobbying and Conflict Disclosure requirements, expand registration to include consultants and subcontractors, require real-time recusal logs, and establish a 12-month cooling-off period before former officials can lobby the City.

Transparency isn’t a slogan — it’s a system you can verify.

• In an opinion piece in the NYT, Robert Gordon and Jennifer Pahlka state this about our current political landscape, “Anti-government cynicism helped create this mess in the first place. The best way to fight back is to deliver results.” Discuss your priorities for delivering results for the people of ABQ. Describe the process you consider necessary to deliver results. Discuss how you will handle apparent obstacles to achieving your desired results including public opposition, existing City laws and codes.

I agree completely — people lose faith in government when it doesn’t deliver. The best way to rebuild that trust is through results people can see and feel in their daily lives: safer neighborhoods, more housing options, cleaner streets, and faster responses when they call for help.

Delivering results starts with leadership that listens, sets clear goals, and holds everyone accountable — including myself. My approach is to bring people together early in the process: city departments, community leaders, and residents who live with the outcomes of our decisions. That collaboration not only improves results, it reduces opposition because people feel heard and respected.

When obstacles arise — whether it’s bureaucracy, outdated ordinances, or political gridlock — I’ll focus on problem-solving, not finger-pointing. If a law or policy stands in the way of progress, I’ll work across the aisle to fix it. If a program isn’t working, I’ll demand transparency and change course.

I’ve spent my career solving complex problems with integrity and persistence. As a City Councilor, my priority is to turn that same focus toward restoring confidence in city government — by delivering the results Albuquerque families deserve.

Discuss the role of public engagement in city governance, especially in ensuring transparency and accountability and crafting proposals which yield results.

Public engagement isn’t a box to check — it’s the foundation of good governance. When residents are part of the conversation early, we make better decisions and build more trust. I believe in open dialogue, not backroom deals or last-minute legislation.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen too much of the opposite from our current councilor. Dan Lewis often pushes major proposals with little notice or community input, creating division and distrust. That’s not how you build a city that works for everyone.

As a City Councilor, I’ll ensure real public engagement through transparent processes, clear communication, and consistent accountability. That means holding open community meetings before major votes, publishing plain-language summaries of proposals, and working directly with neighborhood associations to identify solutions that fit their needs.

My leadership style is grounded in collaboration — listening first, acting with integrity, and keeping residents informed every step of the way. That’s how we’ll restore trust at City Hall and get real results for Albuquerque.

Social Challenges

ABQ residents face multiple social challenges and issues; homelessness remains one of the most stubborn and visible. Opioid addiction takes lives and shatters families. Although data show falling crime rates in virtually every category, ABQ residents perceive crime as an issue. West side residents have been particularly vocal about traffic crime including speeding, noisy street racing and red light running. Please discuss in detail the policies, proposals and programs you will support and endorse to address each of these issues including the following:

• Describe the scope of the issue, causes and contributing factors. Support your responses with recent data from recognized and authoritative sources.

• Cite evidence-based strategies and best practices to support your proposed solutions.

• Discuss all reasonably anticipated costs and mechanisms to pay for those.

• Explain how you will ensure accountability for timely completion of projects and provide ongoing and objective evaluation of all programs.

Homelessness, addiction, and crime are connected challenges that require compassion, accountability, and coordination between the City, County, and State.

On homelessness, I’ll support expanding the Gateway system and creating more transitional and supportive housing tied to behavioral health and recovery services, so people don’t fall through the cracks.

On addiction, I’ll push for more treatment and recovery options on the Westside while holding dealers accountable. Addiction is a public health issue, and we need both prevention and enforcement.

On public safety, Westside families deserve quicker police response and safer streets. I’ll support more officers in our area, expand automated speed enforcement, and invest in traffic-calming measures.

My goal is to strengthen city-county partnerships so we can deliver real results—safer neighborhoods, more stability, and a stronger community for everyone.

Dan Lewis (District 5)

Housing ABQ is frequently described as experiencing a “housing crisis” particularly as a prelude to proposing IDO amendments or separate Council actions to amend the IDO. Please discuss in detail your view of housing needs in ABQ including all of the following points:• Describe the resources you use to define current housing needs and project future needs.Explain any differences across data sources and why you accept the projections you determine to be accurate. Please provide citations for all data. Some examples include: Roots Policy Research, US Census Data and NHILC Annual Gap Report.Housing needs are measured most accurately through supply and demand fundamentals—tracking building permits, housing starts, rental and sales prices, vacancy rates, and regulatory guidelines such as zoning or permitting procedures. The MRCOG and CABQ ABQ Data Portal compiles market data from sources like MLS, CoStar, or Zillow which can give a clearer picture of where supply is constrained and how private investment is responding. To define housing needs, the City uses a mix of sources like U.S. Census (ACS), HUD CHAS data, Roots Policy Research, and the National Low-Income Housing Coalition’s Annual Gap Report. Census data provides the most reliable long-term baseline. Using all of these resources helps balance long-term projections with short-term realities. Subsidy-driven reports emphasize affordability gaps, while market-driven analysis highlights supply constraints and consumer preferences. Using both helps create a more accurate understanding of current and future housing needs.

• What has been the rate of new housing construction in ABQ during the past 5 years, particularly on the NW and West mesa. Please include all housing types.Housing construction in Albuquerque has averaged around 2,000 new units a year over the past five years, with a peak of more than 2,500 permits in 2021 before falling back under 1,800 by 2023. Much of this activity has been concentrated on the West Side through master-planned community growth. Apartment construction in Albuquerque has accelerated in recent years, with citywide permits peaking at around 1,750 new rental units in 2021 and about 1,125 in 2022. On the West Side, growth has been especially strong—RealPage data projects roughly 400 new apartment units delivered in 2023 in the Westside/Rio Rancho submarket alone. With historically low vacancy rates, the West Side is now one of the city’s key areas for multifamily development. The most reliable data comes from the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG), which tracks housing supply and forecasts at the neighborhood level, and the City of Albuquerque’s ABQ Data Portal, which provides detailed building permit records going back to 1990.

• Multiple factors contribute to the availability and cost of housing, land and construction costs, the availability of skilled laborers, institutional investors and short-term rentals although ABQ focuses on zoning. Discuss all of those factors which apply to housing in ABQ and strategies you will take to address those.

Smart growth means balancing new housing with neighborhood preservation and sustainable infrastructure. Reducing regulatory barriers and opening land for development can help meet demand, but growth should be directed to corridors and areas where it enhances existing communities rather than overwhelms them. Mixed-use zoning and thoughtful density, along with strong design standards, allow the area to grow while still protecting the character of established neighborhoods. An important strategy is planning and investing in infrastructure first—roads, utilities, schools, and parks—so housing is supported by the services residents need. When the city leads with infrastructure, it lowers costs for homeowners and ensures that growth translates into livable, connected neighborhoods.

Growth and Economic DevelopmentAnother City and development mantra states that ABQ must grow or die. Some development interests push for growth at all costs. City tax dollars are used to support and underwrite projects defined as supporting economic development. Please summarize your attitude toward growth including all of the following issues: Albuquerque’s West Side has long been one of the city’s fastest-growing areas, and it will continue to grow. The question is how it will happen. The best strategy is building infrastructure and supporting balanced, mixed-use development with housing, jobs, services, and amenities like grocery stores and retail. This approach strengthens neighborhoods, improves quality of life, and provides economic opportunities close to home. While some small organizations have focused on legal battles, others—like Strong Towns Albuquerque—have constructively engaged in shaping policy. Their work helped pass O-25- 69, a measure that spurs housing and economic development while giving neighborhood associations a stronger, more legitimate voice in the process. Sustainable growth means building a mix of residential and commercial projects supported by investments in roads, utilities, parks, and schools—so new housing and jobs enhance our neighborhoods rather than strain them. It also means protecting historic areas and established neighborhoods from disruptive zoning changes, such as up zoning and duplex allowances, which I have consistently opposed when they threaten community character.

• Discuss your view of sustainable growth, potential limits on growth in the City and the region and measures to ensure any growth is acceptable and can be maintained. Include population estimates for sustainable growth for the City of Albuquerque and Albuquerque MSA by 2035 and 2050.

The right path forward is not “no growth” but managed, sustainable growth—growth that expands housing choices, attracts jobs, and provides amenities close to home while ensuring the city can maintain and support it long-term. That’s how we preserve the quality of life on the West Side and build a stronger Albuquerque for the future. The MRCOG regional growth plans as well as City documents all recognize and plan needed infrastructure for expected growth on the West Side.

• Discuss your priorities for economic development initiatives including defining the expected outcomes for the City of economic investment including IRBs, LEDA funds and tax incentives. What returns should the City require of the recipient of economic development assistance? What steps should the City take to ensure that economic development projects are viable? When public dollars are invested in private developments, there should be a clear and meaningful public benefit to the people of Albuquerque. How will you ensure investments made with public dollars have a public benefit?

Economic development tools like Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs), Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funds, and targeted tax incentives can play an important role in growing Albuquerque’s economy, but they must be used wisely. The city should focus these investments on projects that bring measurable returns—good jobs, expanded tax base, and long-term private investment that far exceeds the public contribution. I believe these tools should be applied with clear accountability. Every project receiving public dollars should meet strict performance benchmarks—such as job creation, wage standards, and capital investment levels—and if those commitments aren’t met, the city should have strong claw back provisions in place. This ensures taxpayer dollars are protected and only go to projects that deliver real value to our community. The city’s priority should be to use IRBs, LEDA, and tax incentives to strengthen the fundamentals of growth: attracting private employers, supporting industries that expand opportunity for our residents, and building a stronger tax base that funds infrastructure and essential services. When used transparently and strategically, these tools don’t just subsidize development—they help create the conditions for long-term prosperity and a stronger Albuquerque.

The most important government investment is Infrastructure – roadways and utility that lead to better transit, jobs, and services.

• Some pro-growth advocates call for eviscerating zoning regulations. Please describe a Western city of roughly ABQ’s size or larger that you think has handled growth and community planning eJectively and how their policies and practices should be applied to ABQ.

Cities across the Southwest have shown that growth and strong community planning can go hand in hand. Phoenix and Buckeye adopted balanced growth plans that pair new housing with roads, utilities, and services. El Paso implemented a strategic smart growth plan to guide suburban expansion while protecting established neighborhoods. Tucson developed a smart suburban water and infill strategy, ensuring that growth didn’t outpace its limited resources.

These examples prove that smart, pro-growth policies don’t require dismantling zoning. Instead, they show how zoning, master planning, and infrastructure investment can work together to expand suburbs, strengthen neighborhoods, and protect quality of life. Albuquerque should follow this model— encouraging growth while ensuring it is sustainable, conservation-friendly, and supported by the infrastructure residents need.

• Public lands and open space represent a significant asset for the City and ABQ residents. The west side is surrounded by stunning views and sacred lands. How will you ensure quality of life is protected as we seek to grow economically?

Zoning and planning changes over the years have provided strong protections for the Petroglyph National Monument. I have sponsored and supported those protections and I will build on that progress. As the largest urban national park in the country, it’s a treasure that borders District 5 and must remain clean, protected, and accessible. I will continue leading efforts to clean up the park, create responsible access for residents, and expand buffers that shield it from development pressures. At the same time, I will sponsor measures for the City to acquire additional open space and preserve natural habitats. Protecting these lands not only safeguards native wildlife but also ensures that residents enjoy the beauty, recreation, and cultural heritage that make the West Side unique—all while balancing economic growth with long-term quality of life.

Transparency and AccountabilityMultiple polls and sources document a decline in trust in institutions, including the government at all levels. It is not sufficient to claim to be transparent and accountable, one must also be seen that way. Please discuss the ABQ public’s view of transparency and accountability in City government including the following issues:• Discuss ABQ City policies, practices and resources to ensure transparent government decision making. To what extent do they align with best practices and what changes would you propose and support to strengthen those.Building and maintaining public trust starts with action, not words. That’s why I created, sponsored, and implemented the first-ever mandatory ethics training for all City elected officials and appointees— ensuring every decision-maker understands their responsibility to the public. I also supported adding new transparency and disclosure rules into the City Charter (Article XII, Section 5), which are among the strongest and most comprehensive in the nation. These reforms brought Albuquerque far beyond best practices by requiring clear disclosure of financial interests, conflicts, and campaign contributions, while creating enforceable standards of conduct. But there’s still more to do.I support strengthening transparency by improving public access to information. Budget, contract, and land-use data should be easier for residents to find, track, and understand. When government information is open and accessible, trust is built, and citizens are better equipped to hold their leaders accountable.

Transparency also requires greater accountability in public meetings. This means ensuring timely notice, providing materials in accessible formats, and creating real opportunities for residents to share input before decisions are made. Meaningful engagement strengthens outcomes and reinforces confidence in city government.

I believe in the importance of independent oversight. Expanding the authority of ethics and inspector general offices ensures that violations are investigated quickly and impartially. Strong oversight protects the integrity of city government and reassures residents that their leaders are acting with honesty and accountability.

Albuquerque’s residents deserve a City government that is not only transparent, but also actively earns their trust. By setting high standards, enforcing them, and continuing to improve access and accountability, we can strengthen confidence in City Hall and make sure government works for the people it serves.

• In an opinion piece in the NYT, Robert Gordon and Jennifer Pahlka state this about our current political landscape, “Anti-government cynicism helped create this mess in the first place. The best way to fight back is to deliver results.” Discuss your priorities for delivering results for the people of ABQ. Describe the process you consider necessary to deliver results. Discuss how you will handle apparent obstacles to achieving your desired results including public opposition, existing City laws and codes.

Success is measured by results: completed roads, parks, and facilities that improve daily life in Northwest Albuquerque. My office is recognized as the most responsive at City Hall, turning constituent concerns into action. Effective leadership means listening, delivering, and ensuring visible progress that residents notice and appreciate every day. Over four years, District 5 has seen $150 million in infrastructure investment—roads, parks, medians, and the historic $64 million Unser & Paseo widening that starts this Fall. The new $15 million Northwest Multigenerational Center is underway, with a city pool and city library to be funded in the next CIP.

• Discuss the role of public engagement in city governance, especially in ensuringtransparency and accountability and crafting proposals which yield results.Delivering results requires a clear process: listening to residents, turning concerns into actionable priorities, and working every day in Council and committees to secure funding and approvals. Obstacles must be met with persistence, transparency, and coalition-building. I have shown that by engaging directly, negotiating where needed, and never losing sight of the end goal, we can overcome roadblocks and deliver visible progress. That is how we restore trust in government: by producing results that improve quality of life, not just promises.

Social ChallengesABQ residents face multiple social challenges and issues; homelessness remains one of the most stubborn and visible. Opioid addiction takes lives and shatters families. Although data show falling crime rates in virtually every category, ABQ residents perceive crime as an issue. Westside residents have been particularly vocal about traffic crime including speeding, noisy street racing and red light running. Please discuss in detail the policies, proposals and programs you will support and endorse to address each of these issues including the following:• Describe the scope of the issue, causes and contributing factors.• Support your responses with recent data from recognized and authoritative sources.• Cite evidence-based strategies and best practices to support your proposed solutions.• Discuss all reasonably anticipated costs and mechanisms to pay for those.• Explain how you will ensure accountability for timely completion of projects and provide ongoing and objective evaluation of all programs.

Albuquerque residents face real challenges—homelessness, addiction, crime, and traffic safety. While some official crime categories may be trending downward across the city according to internal APD data, perception remains a powerful factor in how safe people feel in their neighborhoods. According to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and APD’s internal data, crime rates fluctuate across categories. APD has recently reported some falling crime rates, but the Albuquerque and national standard is NIBRS, which has not yet reported results for 2025.

Traffic crime continues to be fueled by population growth, inadequate roadway capacity, and a culture of reckless driving that strains police enforcement. Property crimes, such as break-ins and thefts, are often linked to drug abuse, with oVenders seeking quick cash. To address these issues, I work closely with the Northwest Area Command to ensure our district is fully covered, with stepped-up patrols targeting problem streets, traffic crimes, red-light running, and illegal street racing.

I have consistently supported staffing APD at levels that guarantee enough marked units are patrolling every neighborhood. I also partner directly with the command to expand neighborhood watch programs and to strengthen prevention and enforcement efforts in response to break-ins, robberies, and thefts. Using council set-aside funds, I purchased new electric patrol bikes to increase officer visibility and response in the Cottonwood Mall area, parks, and commercial corridors. I also sponsored and secured funding for fuel cards, which keep patrol cars in District 5 longer by eliminating unnecessary trips across town to refuel. These are practical, cost-effective solutions that give officers the tools and resources they need to do their jobs well and keep our communities safe.

For traffic crime, I support the continued use of speed vans, drag racing task forces, and traffic engineering solutions such as improved signal timing, roundabouts, and lane design. My office also keeps residents informed on these initiatives and updates from the Northwest Area Command. I am proud that my oVice is recognized as one of the most responsive at City Hall, consistently answering calls and emails quickly with solutions, updates, and continual follow-up.