unmet needs that affect road safety, quality and congestion if unaddressed. Some specific examples: Community safety net programs • The Human Services, Public Health and Community Resources departments could see $4.7 million in combined reductions, affecting vulnerable populations and our entire community. This translates to: • Homeless prevention and response programs would be eliminated. • Support to keep older adults in their homes would be cut. • Funding to support affordable housing construction and services would be severely limited. • Up to 60 positions in human services would be eliminated, impacting child and adult abuse and neglect investigations and safety net services such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and food insecurity. • Three environmental health positions, focused on inspecting the safety of our restaurants, childcare centers and pools, would be cut. Safety and law enforcement A budget reduction would also force cuts to the Sheriff’s Office, which could lose up to $12 million in funding, affecting crime prevention and response. The Sheriff’s investigative team would lose eight full-time staff, leading to fewer arrests. Some neighborhoods and patrol areas would
Soil movement. (Photo: Arapahoe County)
no longer have 24/7 coverage and response times would increase in unincorporated areas of the County. Our co-responder program, which helps people in a mental health crisis, would be eliminated, putting strain on the jail and legal system. Children would also be affected as full- time school resource officers would be reduced by five positions. Transportation Our ability to easily travel within and throughout the County would be negatively impacted by a $3.7 million cut to the Public Works department, not to mention the $316 million of deferred maintenance and transportation projects that would remain unaddressed. Budget cuts would further deteriorate roadways at a time when 40 percent are already rated as “poor” or “very poor” condition. New bike and pedestrian projects would cut entirely, jeopardizing resident safety. Further, snow removal and street sweeping routes would be reduced and pothole repair would become a lower priority.
Curb repairs. (Photo: Arapahoe County)
33 The Acumen
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