Co-Presidents Update
April proved to be very productive for Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods from both organizational and community gathering perspectives.
For starters, Govnr's Park Tavern held their 8th annual Beer Fest benefiting our beloved organization, Beer lovers from all over Capitol Hill and beyond enjoyed a wide variety of craft beers in an afternoon filled with making new friends, laughter, music, and good eats. Thank you to Mike Plancarte and his amazing team who took great pains to ensure everyone had a terrific time. And thank you to all of the volunteers who made this years event a wild success! A week later, neighbors and their little ones came out en masse to partake in the 25th annual Easter Egg Hunt. Children and their parents scurried around the Tears McFarlane house and Cheesman park hunting for hundreds of eggs expertly hidden by our dedicated team of volunteers. Refreshments, prizes galore and a variety of games kept the crowds entertained for hours. We are very grateful to all of the local businesses who helped to make this 'all volunteer' signature event a success. Please read on for a comprehensive list of our volunteer and local business heroes. And finally the Tears McFarlane house, which was listed as one of the top 10 picks for the Doors Open Denver Architectural tour, welcomed over 350 visitors and residents during the two day event. Continuing reading below to learn more about the exciting projects and events we have planned for the coming months. Each of which you'll find are focused on providing neighbors with useful resources and community engagement. As always, we want to hear your thoughts! Travis Leiker & Mark Cossin Co-Presidents, Board of Delegates Who Will Speak for You?
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Check Out this Cool Video!
Thanks to Eric Frickey for this YouTube video. The first property shown is Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' Tears-McFarlane House, a Denver landmark at the north end of Cheesman Park. We are a community center and also rent out public spaces for events, parties, weddings and meetings. View our venue options and pricing. |
Thanks to Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' Partners
Enstrom's Candies - Thanks for providing 18 lbs. of taffy to put in the eggs for our 25th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Tears-McFarlane House on April 15.
King Soopers-Capitol Hill - Thanks for the gift card, used to provide cookies at the Easter Egg Hunt
Liks - Thanks for the gift card, which will be used at a future fundraising event.
Warren Village teens - Thanks for stuffing the plastic eggs with taffy.
Kathleen Reilly & Annette Woodward - Thanks to these two CHUN Board members who provided the prizes for the Easter Egg Hunt.
The Goldman Family - Thanks for donating and dyeing 10 dozen eggs!
Karen Pellegrin - Thanks for being our Easter Bunny!
Richard Landrum - Thanks for donating the decorations and flowers!
Board and Community Volunteers - Thanks for showing up and helping at the Easter Egg Hunt!
King Soopers-Capitol Hill - Thanks for the gift card, used to provide cookies at the Easter Egg Hunt
Liks - Thanks for the gift card, which will be used at a future fundraising event.
Warren Village teens - Thanks for stuffing the plastic eggs with taffy.
Kathleen Reilly & Annette Woodward - Thanks to these two CHUN Board members who provided the prizes for the Easter Egg Hunt.
The Goldman Family - Thanks for donating and dyeing 10 dozen eggs!
Karen Pellegrin - Thanks for being our Easter Bunny!
Richard Landrum - Thanks for donating the decorations and flowers!
Board and Community Volunteers - Thanks for showing up and helping at the Easter Egg Hunt!
Upcoming Events & Social Gatherings
May 13, 9:30am - 1:30pm - CHUN Paint & Fix the Patio Day - Volunteers are welcome to help us do some sanding and painting on the outdoor patio at the Tears-McFarlane House, 1290 Williams. Bring your gloves and your energy to help make the grand old lady shine! Register here,
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May 13, 10am-2pm - South City Park Climate Action Forum - Discuss specific neighborhood sustainability concerns and build action plans specific to SCP. Free with lunch provided by Colfax businesses, 2nd floor Club Room, Venue on 16, 2900 E. 16th Ave. Register: [email protected] or [email protected]
May 20, 9-11am - Mayor Hancock's Cabinet in the Community - Interactive City Fair Town Hall. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Free continental breakfast.
May 20, 2pm-6pm - Manny's Summerfest - A Benefit for Homeless Seniors - Sample great beer and wine, enjoy free BBQ thanks to the Knights of Columbus, and listen to live music by Musicians in Action. This fun event will also feature a wine grab, and silent auction items from the Denver Broncos, Rockies, tickets to Paul Simon at Red Rocks and so much more!
Tears-McFarlane House, 1290 N Williams St, Denver, Tickets $40 By Clicking Here or $45 at the door.
May 20, 9am-2pm - Great Denver Cleanup - A chance to clean up, clean out and get rid of stuff, from yardwaste to recyclables. Sponsored by Keep Denver Beautiful. Full info, including drop-off sites available here.
May 21, 10:30am - Who Speaks for You?
Free workshop on Advance Directives & Medical Power of Attorney for parents of children still at home. Co-sponsored by CHUN and Centura Health. (see more info above)
May 23, 5-7:30 pm - CHUN Friendly Neighborhood Social Gathering at Walter's 303 Pizzeria & Publik House - Uptown. Come and meet your neighbors - make new friends - get to know more about your registered neighborhood organization.
June 3 & 4 Capitol Hill People's Fair - Call for Volunteers!
The new and improved People's Fair will take over Civic Center for the weekend. CHUN is looking for about 50 fun-loving and beer-loving adults to help us pour some cold wet brews at our booth throughout the weekend. We'll be earning $$ based on tips, so bring your energy, your smile and best customer service attitude. Register here.
June 6 Premier Ventures Golf Tournament Benefiting Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods - Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the Broken Tee Golf Course, 2101 W. Oxford Ave. Englewood, CO. 80110. Grab a foursome and join us under the sun at the Broken Tee Golf Course for a day of fun. Scramble format golf tournament. Special contests include longest drive and closest to the pin. An awards luncheon will immediately follow. Reservations must be received by May 26, 2017. For further information call Jessica Mayle at 303-893-1236 Register Here
May 20, 9-11am - Mayor Hancock's Cabinet in the Community - Interactive City Fair Town Hall. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Free continental breakfast.
May 20, 2pm-6pm - Manny's Summerfest - A Benefit for Homeless Seniors - Sample great beer and wine, enjoy free BBQ thanks to the Knights of Columbus, and listen to live music by Musicians in Action. This fun event will also feature a wine grab, and silent auction items from the Denver Broncos, Rockies, tickets to Paul Simon at Red Rocks and so much more!
Tears-McFarlane House, 1290 N Williams St, Denver, Tickets $40 By Clicking Here or $45 at the door.
May 20, 9am-2pm - Great Denver Cleanup - A chance to clean up, clean out and get rid of stuff, from yardwaste to recyclables. Sponsored by Keep Denver Beautiful. Full info, including drop-off sites available here.
May 21, 10:30am - Who Speaks for You?
Free workshop on Advance Directives & Medical Power of Attorney for parents of children still at home. Co-sponsored by CHUN and Centura Health. (see more info above)
May 23, 5-7:30 pm - CHUN Friendly Neighborhood Social Gathering at Walter's 303 Pizzeria & Publik House - Uptown. Come and meet your neighbors - make new friends - get to know more about your registered neighborhood organization.
June 3 & 4 Capitol Hill People's Fair - Call for Volunteers!
The new and improved People's Fair will take over Civic Center for the weekend. CHUN is looking for about 50 fun-loving and beer-loving adults to help us pour some cold wet brews at our booth throughout the weekend. We'll be earning $$ based on tips, so bring your energy, your smile and best customer service attitude. Register here.
June 6 Premier Ventures Golf Tournament Benefiting Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods - Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the Broken Tee Golf Course, 2101 W. Oxford Ave. Englewood, CO. 80110. Grab a foursome and join us under the sun at the Broken Tee Golf Course for a day of fun. Scramble format golf tournament. Special contests include longest drive and closest to the pin. An awards luncheon will immediately follow. Reservations must be received by May 26, 2017. For further information call Jessica Mayle at 303-893-1236 Register Here
Update: Historic Preservation Committee - April 24th
Beth Glandon of Historic Denver updated the committee on the Discover Denver project, the goal of which is to inventory every building in Denver within 10 years and to photograph every building that is 30 years old or more. A new interactive website – www.discoverdenver.co is up and running (Yes, that is the right address). The project is finishing its work in the Virginia Village neighborhood in southeast Denver. It will begin to work in the West Cheesman neighborhood this fall (bounded by Franklin, Colfax, Pennsylvania and East 8th Avenue). Following that, the project will turn attention to the East 17th Avenue Commercial Corridor (bounded by East 18th Avenue, East 16th Avenue, Grant, Downing and Park Avenue, excluding the Swallow Hill Historic District). The project needs volunteers to help with surveying (with hand-held tablets) and/or historic research. Training will be provided. Volunteer through the website.
Longtime real estate agent Mary Rae, who has specialized in historic properties in Capitol Hill for many years, discussed the recent sale of the historic landmark Zang Mansion at 709 Clarkson Street. The former owner died recently and Mary said “we could not have found a better buyer.” The planned renovation will take approximately 1 ½ years. The mansion will continue to be used as offices.
Attorney Jeffrey Ruebel discussed the Brind Mansion at 825 Logan Street, which was built in 1895 and is architecturally very significant, designed by the firm of Varian and Sterner. It is not landmark-designated. He and his law partner have owned and officed in the mansion for a few years. They are preparing to sell it to a buyer who would like to use the mansion as a bed-and-breakfast, a use not allowed by the current zoning (R-4 with waivers). Apparently the buyer is willing to apply for landmark designation for the building. The committee voted unanimously to recommend support of the rezoning to the CHUN board, if the owner does file for landmark designation.
Designers Adrian Weatherby and Becky Aldaco and their client, Ira Wertenteil, discussed the landmark-designated Whitehead-Peabody Mansion at 1128 Grant Street, which Mr. Wertenteil purchased in 2013, when it was used as offices. They plan to convert it to luxury rental apartments. Built in 1889, the building’s architect was Frank Edbrooke. They expect to get their final permits soon and anticipate a 15 – 18 month construction period. Mr. Wertenteil said that he has never observed the rumored ghosts in the building.
Committee Chair Michael Henry encouraged committee members to participate in public meetings that will begin this summer for the city’s Neighborhood Planning Initiative for east-central Denver and to advocate for protection of historic structures and districts in the Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, South City Park, West City Park and Uptown neighborhoods.
The next committee meeting will be on Monday June 5th at 7pm at the Castle Marne Bed and Breakfast at 1572 Race Street. On the agenda will be to 1) organize ideas that we will use during Neighborhood Planning Initiative meetings; 2) preview book in progress by Jim Peiker concerning the Castle Marne; 3) preview book in progress by Mike McPhee concerning his grandfather, prominent Denver architect Jacques Benedict.
Longtime real estate agent Mary Rae, who has specialized in historic properties in Capitol Hill for many years, discussed the recent sale of the historic landmark Zang Mansion at 709 Clarkson Street. The former owner died recently and Mary said “we could not have found a better buyer.” The planned renovation will take approximately 1 ½ years. The mansion will continue to be used as offices.
Attorney Jeffrey Ruebel discussed the Brind Mansion at 825 Logan Street, which was built in 1895 and is architecturally very significant, designed by the firm of Varian and Sterner. It is not landmark-designated. He and his law partner have owned and officed in the mansion for a few years. They are preparing to sell it to a buyer who would like to use the mansion as a bed-and-breakfast, a use not allowed by the current zoning (R-4 with waivers). Apparently the buyer is willing to apply for landmark designation for the building. The committee voted unanimously to recommend support of the rezoning to the CHUN board, if the owner does file for landmark designation.
Designers Adrian Weatherby and Becky Aldaco and their client, Ira Wertenteil, discussed the landmark-designated Whitehead-Peabody Mansion at 1128 Grant Street, which Mr. Wertenteil purchased in 2013, when it was used as offices. They plan to convert it to luxury rental apartments. Built in 1889, the building’s architect was Frank Edbrooke. They expect to get their final permits soon and anticipate a 15 – 18 month construction period. Mr. Wertenteil said that he has never observed the rumored ghosts in the building.
Committee Chair Michael Henry encouraged committee members to participate in public meetings that will begin this summer for the city’s Neighborhood Planning Initiative for east-central Denver and to advocate for protection of historic structures and districts in the Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, South City Park, West City Park and Uptown neighborhoods.
The next committee meeting will be on Monday June 5th at 7pm at the Castle Marne Bed and Breakfast at 1572 Race Street. On the agenda will be to 1) organize ideas that we will use during Neighborhood Planning Initiative meetings; 2) preview book in progress by Jim Peiker concerning the Castle Marne; 3) preview book in progress by Mike McPhee concerning his grandfather, prominent Denver architect Jacques Benedict.
Update: Denveright - Game on!
By Shayne Brady, CHUN Zoning, Transportation, Land Use & Licensing Committee
Denver’s Planning Department held a Denveright - Blueprint Denver Community Workshop at the end of April, the latest in a series an effort to gather community input about how Denver should grow. More than 125 people attended to listen to city growth projections and offer recommendations about the shape they want growth to take. They also played an informative game.
Denver’s current population hovers around 683,000. Over the next 20 years between 120,000 to 254,000 more people are anticipated to move and live here, eventually contributing 19% of the region’s expected population increase to four million, all wanting the quality of life we admire about Denver and Colorado.
Denver expects to add 156,000 jobs over the next 25 years. People will need places to live; currently there is a housing shortage for average-income people. Just within Denver’s boundaries, 74,000 to 128,000 more housing properties will be needed. The impact on our environment could be significant. How will we use land, water and energy efficiently and protect our urban natural resources like air, trees, natural places and quality of life? These are issues that need to be addressed in an orderly approach.
Brad Buchanan, director of Denver’s Planning Department discussed growth patterns. “Do we like Vancouver BC’s intense urban center? How about what Los Angeles is doing and building ‘town centers’. Chicago has lots of transportation choices and builds around neighborhood centers. Is this a best practice? Portland is noted for developing mixed land uses along its transportation corridors. What are the plus and minuses if Denver takes this development approach?”
The game was constructed so that participants could help decide where residential, transportation and parks should occur. After briefing by the city about six development patterns that could be appropriate for Denver’s growth, participants gathered around tables and were given the task of identifying where high rise and other housing development should take place, which travel corridors should be developed for public transportation and where parks should be developed. It wasn’t easy to determine where at least 74,000 units of housing should be built within and other close-in suburbs.
Denveright will be hosting more neighborhood meetings and CHUN will have members at those meetings supporting our neighborhoods. If you would like to participate in surveys about Denver’s planning initiative, Denveright, go to denvergov.org/denveright,
Denver’s Planning Department held a Denveright - Blueprint Denver Community Workshop at the end of April, the latest in a series an effort to gather community input about how Denver should grow. More than 125 people attended to listen to city growth projections and offer recommendations about the shape they want growth to take. They also played an informative game.
Denver’s current population hovers around 683,000. Over the next 20 years between 120,000 to 254,000 more people are anticipated to move and live here, eventually contributing 19% of the region’s expected population increase to four million, all wanting the quality of life we admire about Denver and Colorado.
Denver expects to add 156,000 jobs over the next 25 years. People will need places to live; currently there is a housing shortage for average-income people. Just within Denver’s boundaries, 74,000 to 128,000 more housing properties will be needed. The impact on our environment could be significant. How will we use land, water and energy efficiently and protect our urban natural resources like air, trees, natural places and quality of life? These are issues that need to be addressed in an orderly approach.
Brad Buchanan, director of Denver’s Planning Department discussed growth patterns. “Do we like Vancouver BC’s intense urban center? How about what Los Angeles is doing and building ‘town centers’. Chicago has lots of transportation choices and builds around neighborhood centers. Is this a best practice? Portland is noted for developing mixed land uses along its transportation corridors. What are the plus and minuses if Denver takes this development approach?”
The game was constructed so that participants could help decide where residential, transportation and parks should occur. After briefing by the city about six development patterns that could be appropriate for Denver’s growth, participants gathered around tables and were given the task of identifying where high rise and other housing development should take place, which travel corridors should be developed for public transportation and where parks should be developed. It wasn’t easy to determine where at least 74,000 units of housing should be built within and other close-in suburbs.
Denveright will be hosting more neighborhood meetings and CHUN will have members at those meetings supporting our neighborhoods. If you would like to participate in surveys about Denver’s planning initiative, Denveright, go to denvergov.org/denveright,
Got Ideas & Opinions about Parks? Check These out!
City Park Master Plan Open House
Join Denver Parks & Recreation and Historic Denver at the City Park Pavilion on Tuesday, May 30th from 5-7pm to learn about the master plan update, discuss what makes City Park “the people’s park” and share your ideas for this planning process! Get more information here or contact Kelly Ream | Project Manager 720.913.0671 |.
Take the Parks & Rec Survey
The Denver Parks and Recreation Game Plan survey is now open! Your voice and input is invaluable. This survey will be open through May 31, 2017. It is available in English and Spanish. Click here to access the survey. At the end of the survey, you will have a chance to win $50 to Target as a thank you for your time. Help us spread the word to your neighbors!
The Game Plan is Denveright’s community planning effort that creates a prioritized roadmap for adapting our parks system and recreational programming and amenities to meet the growing and changing needs of our city over the next 20 years
Join Denver Parks & Recreation and Historic Denver at the City Park Pavilion on Tuesday, May 30th from 5-7pm to learn about the master plan update, discuss what makes City Park “the people’s park” and share your ideas for this planning process! Get more information here or contact Kelly Ream | Project Manager 720.913.0671 |.
Take the Parks & Rec Survey
The Denver Parks and Recreation Game Plan survey is now open! Your voice and input is invaluable. This survey will be open through May 31, 2017. It is available in English and Spanish. Click here to access the survey. At the end of the survey, you will have a chance to win $50 to Target as a thank you for your time. Help us spread the word to your neighbors!
The Game Plan is Denveright’s community planning effort that creates a prioritized roadmap for adapting our parks system and recreational programming and amenities to meet the growing and changing needs of our city over the next 20 years
Green News
Congress Park Celebrates Earth Day
By Catherine Welch
Photos courtesy of Sven Ceelen and Congress Park Green Team
Good energy, fun, and lots of important information about how we can better care for our planet were all part of the Congress Park Green Team's Earth Day Festival at the Capitol Heights Interfaith Community facility at 11th and Fillmore St.
Approximately 300 people from around the metro area attended the event. More than 20 display booths featured a broad array of practical and accessible sustainability actions Among the exhibitors were Citizens Climate Lobby, Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action, EPA, Denver Bicycle Café, Denver Food Rescue, City and County of Denver’s Energy Challenge, Engines Off, and Grant’s Farm Organic Foods.
There were people promoting a bee-friendly environment, others demonstrating proper sorting of recyclables, and others that demonstrated the energy difference between LED and incandescent light bulbs . Participants had the opportunity to expend some alternative energy pedaling stationary bikes that powered amplifiers while listening to some fun live music. Kids (all ages) were invited to make kites out of re-purposed plastic bags.
Kudos to all the event sponsors, too numerous to list here; but take a look at the Congress Park Neighbors website to learn more. The Earth Day Festival was a great demonstration of a neighborhood pulling together to make something wonderful happen!
Photos courtesy of Sven Ceelen and Congress Park Green Team
Good energy, fun, and lots of important information about how we can better care for our planet were all part of the Congress Park Green Team's Earth Day Festival at the Capitol Heights Interfaith Community facility at 11th and Fillmore St.
Approximately 300 people from around the metro area attended the event. More than 20 display booths featured a broad array of practical and accessible sustainability actions Among the exhibitors were Citizens Climate Lobby, Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action, EPA, Denver Bicycle Café, Denver Food Rescue, City and County of Denver’s Energy Challenge, Engines Off, and Grant’s Farm Organic Foods.
There were people promoting a bee-friendly environment, others demonstrating proper sorting of recyclables, and others that demonstrated the energy difference between LED and incandescent light bulbs . Participants had the opportunity to expend some alternative energy pedaling stationary bikes that powered amplifiers while listening to some fun live music. Kids (all ages) were invited to make kites out of re-purposed plastic bags.
Kudos to all the event sponsors, too numerous to list here; but take a look at the Congress Park Neighbors website to learn more. The Earth Day Festival was a great demonstration of a neighborhood pulling together to make something wonderful happen!
Learn to Compost
Denver Urban Gardens and Denver Recycles are offering free Learn to Compost classes throughout the summer. Each compost class is a two-hour, hands-on workshop in the basics of backyard composting. There are also a few Worm Composting and Build a Pile classes available. Get more info and register here or call 303-292-9900.
Know the Water Rules!
Summer is coming to kill your grass. If you’re not ready to give up and zero-scape (as opposed to xeriscape!) that stuff, you’ll need to obey Denver Water's rules on lawn watering, now in effect.
These rules apply across Denver Water’s service area.
“We consider that a good thing,” wrote Denver Water spokesman Travis Thompson, “because our goal is to educate customers about our watering rules.”
These rules apply across Denver Water’s service area.
- Water during cooler times of the day — lawn watering is not allowed between 10am and 6pm
- Water no more than three days per week.
- Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
- Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
- Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
- Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
- Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.
- You can water as needed for 21 days after laying new seed or sod.
“We consider that a good thing,” wrote Denver Water spokesman Travis Thompson, “because our goal is to educate customers about our watering rules.”
Public Meetings
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May 23, 9am. Wellington Webb Bldg., 201 W. Colfax, Room 2.H.14 - Appeal of a denial of a permit to erect a two and a half story duplex at 317-319 and 323-325 Garfield St. that will encroach 6 feet into the 15 foot upper story side interior setback, in a G-RH-3 zone.
May 25, 9am Wellington Webb Bldg., 201 W. Colfax, Dept. of Excise & Licenses - Hearing on a Tavern Liquor License & Standard Cabaret License for "Middleman" at 3401 E. Colfax Ave. |
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