John Scarffe, Central City. Former Central City Planner Robert Fejeran has announced he is running for Central City Mayor. Fejeran served as Central City Planner from April 2013 to May 2014.

Fejeran would like to balance the needs of residents, gaming, and new businesses in order to give the City an economic boost. “I had an overwhelming request from businesses and the community to really change leadership,” Fejeran said, “so I decided to run for mayor.

“I never had any intention of being in politics,” he said, “but I’d be remiss if I didn’t do something about this.” After conducting three different surveys, Fejeran said residents want more amenities and more development.

Running against incumbent Mayor Ron Engels, Fejeran is the only candidate who has worked with planning and economic strategies, and has the experience to facilitate multiple issues that could be detrimentally irreversible. “The residents want a vibrant, prosperous city, and that’s something I’ve been doing for 20 years.”

Fejeran has been involved in city planning for 20 years. He graduated from Regis University in Denver and received a master’s degree from California Polytechnic State University.

After graduation he worked in planning for Los Angeles for a few years. Wanting to come back to Colorado, he worked for the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) before starting his urban planning firm, when the L.A. Metro called him back as a consultant.

He worked in L.A. until 2008, when he merged with a Philadelphia firm, and then started a new design and development firm, Urban Collaborative Studios.     He also wanted to continue his business in Colorado so now has branches of his business in Southern California, Evergreen and on the East Coast.

When he first started as city planner for Central City, he was flabbergasted as to how the city had deteriorated since he had seen it last. “Over fifty percent of the buildings are empty,” he said.

The City’s comprehensive plan, although last updated in 2003, has not changed contextually since 1998, he said. Community development was not a priority and he had no budget to update the comprehensive plan.

Fejeran reached out to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) for funding. He discovered the city had no economic development, so he started a nonprofit organization, Cultural Economic Development Association (CEDA).

He formed CEDA using models of other sustainable non-governmental organizations he worked with, including Colorado State University’s Village Earth program, although Village Earth operates on an international level. CEDA works with the major venues in Central City such as the Opera House and Arts Association to bring arts-related economic activities to Central City

Fejeran said it’s important to bring another industry to Central City, especially one that compliments gaming, like entertainment production. A production company could help with theater, opera and music productions.

“We don’t want to lose gaming,” he said. “The more demographics that go through the city, the more people will step in the casino doors.

“We want to get people to a place where they can see Central City that way. It’s marketing Central City in a little different way.

“We need to place a higher priority on families,” Fejeran said. “We need to recognize the city’s residents ‘is’ the city, but the businesses help sustain the city. A city that works is a city that cares, so let’s show that the city cares, and do more for our families.”

Fejeran can be reached at me@robertfejeran.com or 720-722-0063.