WWPNA 2026 Board Candidates
Candidate Statements are in Alphabetical Order by last name. Submitting a photo was optional.
Chelsea Barker
Hello neighbors, I'm Chelsea Barker, and I am running for a seat on the WWPNA board. My dream is to make West Wash Park the best neighborhood in Denver to live in and to visit. My second goal is to contribute to a RNO that supports and is a leader/model for other RNOs across Denver! My husband and I are homeowners at Downing and Virginia, where we live with our dogs and cat and various foster animals. We've lived in beautiful West Wash Park since 2020, and we love where we live! I work for a local non-profit, and have experience as a volunteer coordinator, community organizer, and even as a florist and farmer! My priorities are safe streets for all (pedestrians, school children, bicyclists, and visitors), supporting increased opportunities for renting and buying, and creating opportunities for community, gathering, and supporting one another. I believe in the adage that "all politics are local", and that the best way to create the Denver we want is to work together to create it ourselves.
Lee Blake
As a young renter, I hope to see WWPNA lead the charge in making Denver's neighborhoods more accessible and comfortable for young professionals and growing families. To accomplish this, WWPNA should focus on Land Use & Transportation, Zoning, and community building to communicate that everyone belongs in this neighborhood if they choose to live here. As someone who is already deeply involved in local advocacy via YIMBY Denver and personal volunteer commitments, I have been involved in the push for Denver's future over the entire four years that I have lived here. I'm hoping for many more and for the chance to have your help along the way!
Jeffrey Gifford
I dream of a neighborhood that is well connected physically and socially within itself and the wider city. Socially, the connections span generations and socioeconomic statuses to foster support and joy amongst neighbors; real support through community fridges and routine gathering events such as bike buses or book clubs. Physically, moving through our neighborhood should be safe for all modes, ages, and abilities while inspiring adventure and curiosity to explore more and linger longer. West Wash Park is so well connected to amazing neighborhoods and broader, I would like to see one that is even better connect to help residents go further and for more people to visit and frequent our amazing businesses; better bike lanes, bus frequencies, and heavy involvement in city wide projects such as the new Women’s Soccer Stadium District.
My visions for an improved WWP inform the priorities for WWPNA: (1) creating opportunities for social connection across generations, (2) advocating for and grassroots implementation of safer and better streets for all modes of transportation, and (3) continue building advocacy for better city-level projects (eg Women’s Soccer Stadium, RTD improvements).
Lastly, I do have the time, energy, and passion to dedicate myself fully to this endeavor. A year and half ago, my husband and I moved to West Wash Park after living in other parts of Denver and have fallen in love with this neighbor and want to contribute its vibrancy.
William Thomas Fenton
William Thomas Fenton- Will or WTF!- loves West Wash Park. He grew up here. He serves his neighbors on the West Wash Park Board. He serves his city as a 16-year employee of the City and County of Denver across multiple departments. Will knows that the best form of government is at the local level, and the most effective way to engage with the city is as part of a registered neighborhood organization. Will's priorities as a WWPNA board member will be: community, pedestrian and traffic safety, and supporting small businesses in the neighborhood. Vote for WTF!
Kathryn Fontaine
My Name is Kathryn Fontaine. I am seeking reelection to a second term as a WWPNA Board Member. My husband and I moved to West Washington Park (WWP) over 26 years ago. Our children have lived their entire lives in our current home and attended our neighborhood schools: Steele Elementary, Grant and Merill Middle Schools, and Denver South High School.
As a resident of WWP for nearly thirty years, dating back to before the RTD light rail line was constructed, I am deeply grateful to the many knowledgeable and dedicated WWPNA Board Members who have advocated for our neighborhood over the years. Now that my children are grown, and I have more free time, I’m honored to be able to return the favor.
For the past three years, I have served as a board member and as the WWPNA Zoning Committee chair. In that capacity, I have worked collaboratively with zoning committee members, real estate developers, and liquor license applicants to negotiate and implement several Community Benefit Agreements and Good Neighbor Agreements on behalf of WWP and Spear neighborhood residents.
I am passionate about planning and zoning, and due to a day-job that requires me to research zoning codes on a daily basis, I have a solid level of expertise. As a board member, I will continue to advocate for planning and zoning that complements and is consistent with the character and scale of the WWP and Spear neighborhoods.
Finally, I believe that safety and community are important to the WWP and Speer neighborhood residents. As such, I will continue to support WWPNA’s advocacy efforts towards safe streets and a strong and inclusive sense of community.
Thank you for allowing me to represent you for the past three years. I hope you will allow me to continue to do so for another term.
Sam Mortellaro
Growing up in the metro area, I always dreamed of living in one of the beautiful Victorian houses off south Broadway. I still can’t believe I am actually living that dream after moving here in 2024. I think what makes this neighborhood great is mixed income housing, access to transit, and the nightlife on Broadway. I think the biggest issues we face are homelessness and prolonged vacancies in some of the retail space on Broadway.
Preston Ritter
I’m a team leader within Cisco's marketing organization, where I focus on bringing people together and building strong communities, which is something I’d love to do right here in West Washington Park. I’m excited about helping WWPNA better connect with neighbors through things like the website, social media, and more consistent communication. I’d also love to grow membership and increase our monthly meeting attendance, along with hosting fun, low/no-cost events like neighborhood bar crawls or local restaurant tastings to get neighbors better acquainted. I’m equally interested in supporting fundraising by partnering with local businesses and helping bring more energy and resources into our community. I look forward to hopefully being a board member - thanks for your consideration!
Robert (Bobby) Sells
When WWPNA was created, our neighborhood was one. Then, at some point in the past, we were split into two neighborhoods by the city, Speer and West Washington Park. This has led to a loss of identity for a lot of the Speer neighborhood. Many people don't know what the northern part of WWPNA has to offer due to this. My main priorities would be:
1) Working with the city to better plan events and access to Hungarian Freedom Park. This park is fairly large but has some of the least city programming and worst usage rates in the city.
2) Doing what I can to ensure the city listens to the voices of our residents, as much as an uphill battle that seems to be.
3) Expanding organic neighborhood events. The Speer part of our neighborhood often hosts community block parties where the street is shutdown and neighbors from all over come to enjoy each others company. We should be helping plan these and work to host them more regularly.
I currently work full time for the federal government at the Denver Federal Center and I'm working on finishing two master's programs at CU Denver, one in Public Administration and Urban Planning. Once I graduate on May 16th, I'll have much more time to participate with WWPNA!