Hannah Gay Keao is a mother, former teacher, small business owner, and community leader creating safe, welcoming, and vibrant neighborhoods for us all.
Hannah Gay Keao es una madre, ex profesora, propietaria de una pequeña empresa y líder comunitaria que crea barrios seguros, acogedores y vibrantes para todos nosotros.
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Serving on City Council since April 2021
I’m Hannah Gay Keao. I was appointed to Edgewater, Colorado’s City Council in April 2021, and am thrilled for the opportunity to continue serving my neighbors. In late 2020, my husband Brandon and I welcomed our first child, a beautiful daughter named Skyler. We all live with our rescue pup Fletcher in the Rose Acres neighborhood on the west side of town.
Starting as a middle school teacher on the Navajo Reservation, I have spent my career changing outcomes for marginalized communities and opening gates wider for those who don’t have access.
I previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Edgewater Collective and served on our city’s Sustainability Board. Brandon and I are so grateful we chose Edgewater as our home, and it is my job as a Councilwoman to ensure that all my neighbors of varying incomes, backgrounds, and identities feel just as welcome and supported by our special community.
My Record
As a Councilwoman I have voted to approve…
A ban on the open carry of firearms, legislation I led
The hiring of the city’s first ever Sustainability Coordinator
Approval of our ADA Transition Plan
Municipal purchase and control of now publicly owned affordable rental units
Funding for Filipino-American Community of Colorado, Edgewater Collective, The Action Center, and other organizions housed in and serving our community
The Sheridan Cooridor Master Plan, which will beautify Sheridan Blvd and introduce multiple sfety measures
A city grant relief program to keep economically vulnerable tenants housed during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic
Investment in an internal assessment of diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion in Edgewater
Partnership with CDPHE on Edgewater’s inaugural Green Business Program, which I spearheaded as a member of Edgewater’s Sustainability Board before serving on Council
Investment in Phase 1 of Edgewater’s Mobility Plan & traffic calming measures at the 25th & Gray intersection, 26th & Kendall intersection, along Pierce St, and along 20th Ave
Funds subsidizing residential energy efficiency audits
A contract for the instillation of solar panels on the Edgewater Civic Center rooftop
A resolution addressing motor vehicle theft in Edgewater
Investment in Sheridan Boulevard Multimodal Corridor Planning
A ban on the sale of flavored tobacco and removal of penalties for our region’s young people in tobacco sales
A resolution allowing the 25th Avenue Streetscape Project
Building code updates focused on energy conservation, safety, and sustainability
Conservation and climate-change focused landscaping code
I have additionally…
Pushed for more community input and calrity in street sweeping scheduling in the Summer of 2023
Testified in a state legislative committee in favor of local control of rent stabilization and supported just cause eviction legislation
Supported statewide gun violence prevention legislation, including the introduction of a waiting period for purchasing firearms as well as the removal of special civil liability immunity for the firearm industry
Adamantly supported having having both a Homeless Navigator and Housing Navigator working within our community
Spoken repeatedly as a Councilwoman against bigoted, transphobic and anti LGBTQ+ language
Influenced a fair and comprehensive paid leave policy for city staff
Supported commitment to a city and community Mental Health Plan
Introduced gun violence prevention discussions and legislation in Edgewater
Represented Edgewater City Council on Jeffco Public Schools’ Jeffco Thrives Strategic Planning Alliance
Supported local small businesses in ensuring equitable and clear processes and access to city resources
Facilitated connections between our Sustainabilty Board and the Sloans Lake Park Foundation around a shared commitment toward the protection of Sloans Lake
Pushed on behalf of residents for community code enforcement forum
Worked with City Manager and Edgewater Police Department to secure and distribute free gun safety locks for community members
Encouraged a shift to employing non-armed Community Service Officers and a mental health Co-Responder in Edgewater’s law enforcement
Advocated with residents of Depew street for mitigation of Depew’s traffic hazards
Continuously pushed to make participation in city government, decision making, and events accessible and inclusive
Three main values lead my work in Edgewater:
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Supporting working families
I’m a working mom, and like many in our community, I struggle to navigate the often conflicting pulls of parenthood, doing what I love, and supporting my family. Earlier in my career, I taught middle school nearby, and have a strong connection to local and immigrant families. I also started my Council tenure building relationships with Jeffco Public Schools and local school leaders, teachers, and fellow parents. In addition, I believe that housing is a human right, and that children deserve to grow up with stability and security as much as seniors deserve to age in place with dignity. We need to stay committed to creating current opportunities and a more equitable future for every member of our community, housed and unhoused, young and old.
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Helping local businesses
I am a small business owner and strategic advisor and consultant to nonprofits and businesses of all sizes. I will continue to help our local businesses thrive as they continue to come out of the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and ensure that new businesses are integrated into our community fabric while continuing the work I led on our Sustainability Board reducing negative climate impacts within our business community. Countywide and regional organizations also provide great support for our small businesses, and I hope to further strengthen the existing partnerships between those organizations, our community, our businesses, and our city government.
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Safety and sustainability
Edgewater is on such a great trajectory of having sustainable and safe spaces for all. But there’s more we can do. That means pushing our Mobility Plan forward to make our city and region more accommodating to pedestrians and cyclists. It means mitigating pollution and climate change for our health today as well as that of young Edgewaterians of tomorrow. It means connecting to mental health and other wraparound services for those in town who are unhoused and otherwise in need of support, and ensuring city staff and law enforcement are equipped to keep our community safe and welcoming for everybody.
I am proud to have been supported by the following community leaders and organizations in my 2021 campaign
Endorsements
Pauline York
Edgewater Councilmember Cory Reid-Vanas
Edgewater Councilmember Caleb Rountree
Edgewater Councilmember & Mayoral Candidate John Beltrone
Representative Monica Duran
Congressman Ed Perlmutter
County Commissioner Andy Kerr
County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper
Jefferson County Latino Democratic Initiative
Support Jeffco Kids
Vote Prochoice
Run for Something
Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund (I am also a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate)
Vote Mama
Colorado BlueFlower Fund
From our Edgewater Neighbors
Neighbors, please join me in support of Hannah in the Edgewater 2021 City Council Election. I have the utmost of confidence in her continued service and thoughtful consideration of the needs of our entire community. – David Fleck, Lamar Street resident & dad of Annabelle, 10
While I’ve lived in Edgewater for 28 years, Hannah has only been my neighbor for a few. But I have seen her jump into not only getting to know us all on our street but also serving our bigger community and helping us out at any opportunity. She listens, is responsive, and gets things done. – Louise DeBell, Otis Court
Hannah has been accessible to us since before we opened our doors, has connected us with the right people in the city, and is a great advocate for our local small businesses, especially those like ours that are women and minority owned. - Lexi Healy & Veronica Ramos, owners of The Electric Cure