Neighborhood Stars have made a difference in their neighborhoods. They have made Denver a better place to live by working on a cause or project to improve the appearance or quality of life in their neighborhoods.

Mona Ahmed

West Washington Park

The West Washington Park Neighborhood Association proudly nominated Mona Ahmed for a ‘Neighborhood Star Award’ as a result of her extraordinary efforts in leading her neighbors to oppose a proposed medical marijuana license located less than the required distance of 1000 feet from the DPS Byers School of Science and Technology.

When the issue arose, a working group of 16 neighbors organized and Mona took a leadership position, in spite of having no previous experience with this type of issue.  Seeking advice from experienced RNO members, she educated herself on process and initiated a strategic plan.

Mona spent many hours searching state and city laws, regulations and relevant case law. The working group gathered over 750 signatures of opposition. They researched the accuracy of those signatures as well as 417 signatures submitted in favor.  Mona personally rode her bike around to double-check suspicious signatures.  She prepared positions, relevant to the hearing, to submit, and prepared witnesses who protested at the hearing.  The hearing officer recommended that the license be denied, although the Director of Excise and Licenses has not yet made a final decision.

For her overall extraordinary commitment and neighborhood leadership, educating herself, successfully engaging and involving concerned neighbors- Mona has exemplified that she is truly a neighborhood star.