Northwest Denver, encompassed in District 1, is one of the most treasured and fastest-changing parts of the city, consisting of the Berkeley, Chaffee Park, Highland, Jefferson Park, Regis, Sloan’s Lake, Sunnyside, West Highland and West Colfax neighborhoods.

While the district boasts many of Denver’s attractions – including the Downtown Aquarium, Children’s Museum, Regis University and Berkeley, Rocky Mountain and Sloan’s Lakes – its representative, Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval, loves it for much more.

Sandoval was born and raised in District 1, graduating from North High School and working at her family’s restaurant La Casa de Tamales in Berkeley. Even after attending Metro State University and going to Washington, D.C., on fellowship, she returned to the district where she now raises a family of her own.

Sandoval was elected to the Denver City Council to represent District 1 in 2019. Now, nearly two years into her term, she talked about her home district and her time as a City Council member.

What made you want to become your district’s city council representative?

I started in a council office in 2012. I worked for former (District 9) Councilwoman Judy Montero and then for my predecessor Councilman Rafael Espinoza. When he decided not to run for re-election, he asked if I would run because I had helped run his office for 3½ years. It was really the love of my neighborhood and the love of serving the people of northwest Denver.

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I wanted to work on land use issues, which I am currently doing. I’ve been really successful in bringing forward new tools in the tool box for land use and making sure that the people in northwest Denver who felt like they hadn’t had representation for a long time had a voice in the process.

How have you seen District 1 change over the years?

It’s changed a lot. The built environment has changed, we’ve lost a lot of the Latino population, displacement and gentrification have taken place. And at the same time, a lot of good things have taken place.

People have a real passion for their parks and open space. Lots of new, smaller restaurants have popped up. As property rates have gone up, people who have invested in their property for a long time are able to hopefully have leverage against their house and access to other types of capital. But at the same time, the high costs of living in northwest Denver have also made it unattainable for a lot of people who grew up in northwest Denver.

Northwest Denver plays a vital role in all of Denver. What’s good for northwest Denver is good for Denver and what’s good for other districts is also good for northwest Denver. It just makes Denver an even better place to live.

How has your experience as a council member been so far?

Very unique. I have served in the council under a pandemic for longer than I served in person. We’ve had to pivot and learn how to do all of our work virtually, which I think is very challenging when you’re supposed to be representing the people and have direct access to the people you represent. It has its really good moments and it has its really challenging moments.

One of the most rewarding things that I’ve been doing is working on equity vaccine clinics with four other Latinas. That’s been so rewarding – offering people appointments when it’s been so challenging to find access to the vaccine, especially in the minority community. My next favorite thing is changing the name of Columbus Park. Since the ’60s, the park had been referred to as La Raza Park and I was able to lead that change. It passed in December, so now I never have to write the name “Columbus” for anything in my council district again.

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A challenge is not being able to develop relationships with some of my colleagues and constituents. Every Friday, I used to host office hours at a coffee shop and have people drop in to talk directly. I’m not able to do that, everything has to be via computer which I don’t feel is equitable for people who don’t have access to technology. I’m missing out on meeting with my community authentically and where they are, which I believe leaders are supposed to do.

At the same time, I love the opportunity. I’m very blessed to be serving in this capacity, especially right now. It’s an honor to be here.

As a council member, what are your priorities for the future?

I’m adding zoning to allow accessory dwelling units in areas of northwest Denver. I’m working on inequities with the vaccine, so making vaccines accessible to the minority population. I’m working on supporting our small, local businesses who were impacted so greatly by COVID. And making sure that our children who have been working and going to school remotely for so long thrive in this upcoming year.

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The biggest legacy I could leave is making sure whoever comes after me is prepared and has a good infrastructure and resources to navigate democracy. And that, though we may not always agree on everything and my constituents may not always agree on how I vote or what I do, hopefully I’ve approached things in a thoughtful, meticulous manner that got good, lasting results.

A lot of the policies that I develop and land use tools that I develop will impact the future generations of Denverites and that’s what I’d like my legacy to be. Making a difference for the next generations.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.