Candidate Profile: Sophia Mayott-Guerreo, Lakewood City Council

LAKEWOOD, CO — Twelve City Council candidates are running for Lakewood's Nov. 2 municipal election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Sophia Mayott-Guerrero is running for Lakewood City Council - Ward 2.

Age: 29

Family

I live with my husband, Curtis, three dogs, Zuko, Annika, and Xix, and my chickens, Rosemary, Cthulhu, Darth Vader, Ru Paul, and Athena

Education

I have a bachelors degree from Colorado State University

Occupation

Environmental justice, 7 years

Campaign website: sophiaforcolorado.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to be a community advocate at the city level. I will work to bring community concerns and priorities as a key component of setting the overall agenda and vision of the city. I have a background in policy, and I will bring that technical expertise to help generate real solutions based on need. I want to help to create a more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable city, and with my background and experience, I know I can help lead the way.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My opponent and I fundamentally disagree on where the best ideas come from. I value and respond to diversity of thought, culture, and input from Lakewood’s community. I also have more policy experience. My last 7 years of experience have included community organizing in Lakewood, and crafting and analyzing state and local policies in the environmental field. This foundation will allow me to quickly grasp the layers of city code and provide true leadership in murky waters.

I believe people know what the most important problems are in their neighborhoods. I know that more people don’t attend regular city and community meetings because they are busy, even though they care. I will remain easily accessible to listen to and help all Lakewood residents.

How do you think local officials are performing in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Most local elected officials did not run for office thinking they would have to respond to a global pandemic. I feel incredibly lucky to have the leaders we have who believe in science and trust medical experts. However, as we recover from the pandemic, we must prioritize those who need it most. We have an opportunity to invest in local businesses, the arts, and families to ensure we all build back together.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I want to help create an inclusive, affordable, and sustainable Lakewood with vibrant business, arts, and recreation opportunities. If the right people are elected, Lakewood can become a leader in the area. We are the largest city in the county and can lead the way on sustainability initiatives, collaboration on regional issues such as housing and transportation, and support for local business and the arts. There is so much potential in new ownership of Belmar, the White Swan, Casa Bonita and other businesses, and an expanding art scene- we have a moment to capitalize on this momentum. I want to see old and new local businesses thrive, especially on the whole Colfax corridor.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

While on the Government Affairs team at Conservation Colorado, I was able to learn a lot about how policy is made. I helped to craft several policies on recycling and waste, air pollution, and public lands access. I worked with large and varied coalitions to get these initiatives passed. That experience gave me technical experience, an ability to collaborate with all types of stakeholders and communities, and experience working long nights. I have experience with several aspects of Colorado and local tax law, community organizing, and the democratic process. One of the most important things I have in my experience is hard work. I know what it is like to work many jobs, or even just one that takes up most of my time. I know I can still function well on a lack of sleep, and I can balance competing prioritize to get the most done for our city.

In addition to that position, I have worked as a community organizer, as an arts educator, served on the board of the Colorado Women's Lobby,

The best advice ever shared with me was:

This quote from Cesar Chavez really inspired me as a community organizer, I used to have it framed on my desk.

“The name of the game is to talk to people. If you don’t talk to people, you can’t get started…You knock on twenty doors or so, and twenty guys tell you . . . that they haven’t got time. But maybe at the fortieth or sixtieth house you find the one guy who is all you need. You’re not going to organize everything; you’re just going to get it started.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have lived in this area since 2014, and though I was recently able to buy my forever home here, I have perspectives as a past renter and a Latina that are largely missing from city council. I know what it feels like to be hesitant to put roots down in a community because you might be priced out. I also have professional expertise in climate and transportation policy and working successfully across multiple stakeholders. My personal experience combined with my technical expertise allow me to understand what many in the community are going through and to bring innovative problem solving to address our everyday, shared issues. Promise to work hard and put you at the center of every decision.