Success is achievable …together

Guest Column

Last month we celebrated Black History Month and as the rst African American commissioner in Arapahoe County, it is important to me to take stock of not only the achievements and progress we’ve made in becoming a more inclusive and diverse community, but also the myriad of work that lies ahead.

e same goes for the work of my fellow county commissioners and me. Our goal is for Arapahoe County to be the best place in Colorado to live, work and raise a family. And while it’s valuable to re ect on our accomplishments in achieving this goal, it’s imperative that we also identify the challenges and barriers we face in reaching this goal. But make no mistake, it is achievable.

First, let’s focus on why Arapahoe County is so special and the successes we’ve had. We can con dently boast a unique diversity of landscapes, industries, recreation and business opportunities, exceptional schools, strong economic growth and thriving communities. More than 655,000 residents call Arapahoe County home, making it the third largest County in Colorado. By 2030, the County will be home to 800,000 residents, surpassing the population of Denver and El Paso.

As my fellow commissioners and I noted on our Telephone Town Hall in January, our County has done an extraordinary job of managing our funds and using them wisely and e ciently. However, despite a long