Last year was the deadliest year on record for Denver’s streets, with 93 people killed. Just a few weeks ago, a drunk driver ran a red light downtown and critically injured a pedestrian. Now, the Mayor is promoting a $5 parking scheme that encourages people to drive downtown to go drinking instead of prioritizing providing more safe and convenient options like transit. This is dangerous and unacceptable. Send a message now demanding real leadership on safe streets.&nbsp;
We encourage you to personalize your message using any of these questions to guide you:
<ul>
<li>How have traffic crashes, reckless driving, or unsafe streets impacted you or someone you know?</li>
<li>Have you ever experienced a close call while walking, biking, or driving in Denver?</li>
</ul>

Tell Mayor Johnston: promote real solutions for revitalizing downtown Denver, not incentives to drink and drive

I am writing to express my outrage and deep concern about your decision to promote $5 parking downtown, a policy that encourages people to drive to go drinking.

This comes at a time when Denver just experienced the deadliest year on record for traffic violence, with 93 people killed in 2025 and hundreds more seriously injured. Nearly one-third of fatal crashes involve a drunk driver. 

Just last week, a drunk driver ran a red light downtown and hit three people in a crosswalk. One victim, Izabella Gomez, was dragged half a block and is now in critical condition. This is the real and devastating impact of unsafe street policies. All of this has happened under your watch, and instead of prioritizing safety on our streets, you have spent money to remove vital safety measures like protected bike lanes and mocked community members who are concerned about the very real and inequitable danger on our streets.

Your decision to incentivize driving to bars and restaurants is reckless. It puts lives at risk and directly contradicts the urgent need to make our streets safe.

Denver should be making it easier and safer for people to take transit, walk, or bike, especially when going out to drink. Instead, your policy encourages behavior that we know leads to preventable tragedies.

I urge you to immediately reconsider this approach and:
* Invest in safe, reliable transportation options
* Prioritize human lives over cheap parking

We all want a vibrant downtown where people can enjoy themselves and get home safely. Your leadership should reflect that.

Lives depend on it.

Date=2026 June 30 | Topic=Mayor's $5 Parking Program | Target=Denver Mayor

Denver Streets Partnership may send you occasional emails about advocacy. You can opt-out at any time. You are not opting in to receive texts.