DISQUS

DearDenver · 2 years ago

Student away at school at the time? Mark, you make is sound as if Lopez attended an out-of-state school. Lopez attended CU Denver, located at roughly 1250 14th St., Denver 80217 -- that's the address for the office of admissions.

Lopez told The Denver Post that he moved to his District 2 address (3400 S. Lowell 80236) to be closer to school. Do a little MapQuesting: Lopez's District 2 address is 9.64 miles from his school. But if he had lived at the address in District 3 that he claims as his "permanent residence," he'd be only 4.19 miles from school.

He says that he moved to be closer to school, but obviously he moved farther away.

Regardless of whether Phillips files suit, Lopez has an enormous credibility problem with people who know the facts (many of whom are inside city hall.) Lopez may keep his council seat, but this is a terrible way to begin a political career. I don't think it bodes well for the revitalization of District 3.

greenchiledem · 2 years ago

Get over it. These claims have been the only issue that a losing campaign could grasp in attempt to get more than the 15% of the votes received in the general election.  Paul Lopez' challenger lost and lost big time, twice. It doesn't sound like there will be a lawsuit. It doesn't sound like the case has merit if it does go to court. West Denver voted for their favorite candidate even though the challenger put forth these alleged residency claims during the run-off. The challenger has attempted to claim that Paul Lopez has little experience, yet he is a leader for the union and a community organizer and leader. I have yet to hear any substantive reason why Mr. Lopez should not represent West Denver. He is liked in his district. His family is from the district. He is from the district.  He has a new family and child he will raise in the district. He will represent a multi-cultural and diverse community well. He is young and full of energy.

Talk that these residency claims have become an 'enormous credibility' problem in the city hall is very sad and unsubstantiated. Where, who are these people DearDenver says are making these claims?  There are many community leaders who came out in support of Paul Lopez including current electeds from Denver. Dear Denver has done their reporting of facts, mostly, but until and unless there is any further action, get over it DD. 

I wonder if DD is becoming the 'pain' in their spare time as they state in their story online today. If it's ok say that a citizen questioning the timing of the election in court is a pain, shouldn't DD make the same claim for the Paul Lopez challenger? There appears a double standard here. Get over it DD.

I can't help but wonder if the fact that a councilman submitted a voter reg form in Spanish has something to do with this.  If ever there was a true representative of a neighborhood, it is Paul Lopez of West Denver and for West Denver. Congratulations Paul Lopez!

DearDenver · 2 years ago

Race card, new from Hallmark Lopez lied. He's your friend -- I understand your need to defend him -- he lied and you're willing to forgive him. Others are not so kindly disposed. We can all shrug and drop it now, sure, and welcome him on council. But the facts aren't going to magically disappear.

I was rooting for Kathy Sandoval in District 3. FYI. I think Phillips was a better choice than Lopez, but I don't have much regard for Phillips either. District 3 needs a strong voice and political capital (power of popularity and purpose) if circumstances are going to improve. The people in that district need all the help they can get.

What this situation shows me is that District 3 is starved for political capital. Phillips has none, obviously; if she did, Lopez would not have made it as far as he has. Lopez has reduced his own capital with his pointless, fibbing insistence that he has NEVER lived outside the district, among other things. He signed sworn statements about his residency, then denied them with other sworn statements -- I mean, WTF? Sorry, that's not a way to build credibility and capital.

I stand by my statement that Lopez holding a council seat does not bode well for the future of District 3. He may be the nicest guy ever, but if he continues to be a shady fibber, he's in for a very rude awakening on council.

Cuervo · 2 years ago

Does anyone care about this except the "Dear Denver" blogger? Using perjoratives like "shady fibber" doesn't insire confidence that Dear Denver has anything but a personal axe to grind agains Lopez.  For one thing, the "fibber" insult assumes that Lopez lied about his residency, which further assumes that the law clearly defines residency.  As the CC post (and countless other sources) have pointed out, the law is not clear at all. 

In case you're wondering, Lopez is not my friend.  I have never met him.  I don't live in District 3.  And I couldn't care less who won this race.  But, now that Lopez has won, perhaps Dear Denver should pick another windmill to charge.