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Transparency Matters: Jamie Giellis’ Response to CCN Residents
When residents of Cherry Creek North raised serious questions about the GID, Paid City Consultant Jaime Giellis — hired with City funds to lead this process — responded. Her answers reveal the mindset behind this initiative, the dismissal of majority opposition, and the true priorities driving the process.
We encourage every neighbor to read the full exchange. It’s important that you see exactly how our concerns are being addressed — and why it’s critical that we stand together to demand accountability.
👉 Read the Full Letter and Jamie’s Responses in RED Below
Evaluation of Jamie’s Response
Tone and Strategy of Jamie’s Reply
- Defensive and Dismissive
- Jamie frames the meeting as not a “Stop the GID” meeting, which instantly creates an “us vs. them” atmosphere. This dismisses the legitimacy of the opposition and implies that residents with concerns are unwelcome unless they conform to the premise of the GID exploration.
- Reframes Opposition as “Misinformation”
- She repeatedly uses the term “misinformation” without substantiating what is inaccurate. This is a classic rhetorical move to undermine critics rather than engage with their substantive points.
- Shifts Responsibility
- Jamie insists Amanda “is not leading this process” while admitting Amanda greenlit the next phase and “seed-funded” the feasibility study. This contradictory framing attempts to absolve Amanda of responsibility while simultaneously confirming her active role.
- Minimizes Majority Opposition
- Jamie downplays the 65% opposition revealed in the survey by reinterpreting the numbers to highlight the 35% “interest,” inflating it to “close to 40% with margin of error” — a stretch designed to justify continuation despite clear majority opposition.
Key Weaknesses in Jamie’s Response
- Conflict with Statute Intent
- Colorado GID statute (CRS 31-25-601–633) emphasizes grassroots initiation by property owners with strong desire/need. Jamie openly admits this was seeded by a council office and moved forward despite most residents opposing. This directly undercuts the legitimacy of the process.
- Transparency Gaps
- She admits no notes were taken from private meetings with developers.
- She acknowledges proposals/contracts exist but does not provide detailed financials beyond her own fees.
- She confirms city officials and developers were engaged before residents — a major optics and trust issue.
- Survey Manipulation
- Admits the interest question was buried at the end of the survey.
- Justifies this by saying costs/impacts are “unknown,” which reinforces the criticism that residents are being asked to sign off on a blank check.
- Cost Acknowledgements
- Admits GID formation costs typically run $75K–$125K, excluding ongoing admin and consulting.
- Admits Centro could continue management for months after formation — contradicting her downplay of her future role.
- Confirms residents are funding exploratory phases without a clear ceiling on costs.
Conclusions
- Financial Burden Confirmed: Her own admission that costs could run well into six figures — before any improvements — reinforces neighbors’ concerns about financial waste.
- Process Legitimacy Questionable: Jamie’s responses confirm that the GID effort is not truly grassroots but instead city-seeded, developer-informed, and consultant-driven.
- Majority Opposition Ignored: Her defense rests on stretching minority support numbers rather than respecting the 65% opposition expressed in the survey.
- Transparency Still Lacking: She admits private developer meetings, admits no notes were taken, and deflects requests for comprehensive records.
👉 Bottom Line for Residents:
Jamie’s reply demonstrates the very problem residents are raising — this process is being pushed forward without grassroots support, transparency, or clear financial accountability. Her dismissive tone and refusal to address the majority’s opposition only strengthen the case that the GID is being imposed despite the will of the neighborhood.
If This Concerns You, TAKE ACTION!
✓ Fill Out Our Contact Form
✓ Send a Letter to Our Officials
✓ Share with Your Neighbors