June 2024

A Message from our Executive Director

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CHUN Community Member of the Month

The Empowerment Program

The Empowerment Program's mission is to holistically help individuals build healthier lives from the inside out.  Their vison is to empower participants to make healthy and safe decisions through trauma, gender, and culturally responsive holistic behavioral health services.

The Empowerment Program believes that lasting change is the result of incremental action. They work with participants on their journey to living a healthier life. Through their programming, they help remove barriers to health, housing, employment and education, so that their participants can take the steps they need to achieve their goals.

Each year, the Empowerment Program supports 1,500 people through their health program, 250 participants with housing support, 350 participants with treatment and education and 150 individuals with employment education.

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CHUN News and Events

June 12: Next CHUN Happy Hour at the Historic Charlie Brown's Bar & Grill

​Charlie Brown's Bar & Grill, located in the historic Colburn Hotel, was frequented by Jack Kerouac, Tony Bennett and Bill Murray in its early days.  You can read more about the history of the bar and the hotel here.

Please join CHUN members and neighbors at Charlie Brown's for our next CHUN Happy Hour.  Charlie Brown's will offer Buy One Get One Free (BOGO) on your first drink.  Light snacks will be provided.

Wednesday, June 12
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
980 Grant Street, Denver

CHUN Hosts May Cheesman Park Clean Up

Thank you to everyone who supported the third annual city-wide park cleanup day, Parks, Rivers, Trails & Trees!

On Saturday, May 11th, 474 volunteers spread out across 17 parks throughout the city to ensure our parks remain vibrant, sustainable, and accessible to all. Together, they collected 233 bags of trash, planted 1,200 perennials and 15 trees, and completed other activities like weeding, preparing garden beds, and sidewalk cleaning.

Denver Parks and Recreation, hosted by a local partner organization, help recruit volunteers and lead the cleanup.  CHUN hosted and supported the Cheesman Park clean up again this year.

Thank You to our VP of Engagement and our History Matter Committee Leads

At the May Board Meeting, the CHUN Board accepted the resignation of 3 leaders and voted to approve 2 new leaders. A big thanks goes out to 3 outstanding CHUN leaders - Bruce Mann, VP of Engagement, and Bruce Caughey and Peggy Randall, Chair and Vice-Chair of our History Matters Committee.

Through his leadership as the VP of Engagement, Bruce organized and supported CHUN and city-sponsored events to help raise the awareness of CHUN and bring our community together to volunteer.  He also spearheaded our yearly CHUN SEED and Community Awards.

Through their leadership, dedication and commitment in their roles in the History Matters Committee, Bruce and Peggy supported the historic preservation of our neighborhoods and educated the community about our strong history.

Matt Stolwyk was approved as the new VP of Engagement, and Archer Squire was approved to chair the History Matters committee.

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CHUN History Matters Moments

East High School

East High hasn’t always been East High. As you look at its magnificent architectural features and Esplanade, you can feel the history. But you might be curious to know more.

For example, the school began, according to East High’s own website, as a “leaky, mud-roofed, one-room log cabin schoolhouse” that sat on 12th Street near Market Street in 1859 — so far back that Market was still named McGaa Street. (William McGaa was a founder of Denver, but also a bad dude who’d sullied his name so that in 1866 the city changed the street's name.) “The Union School,” enrolled thirteen children in its first year.

In 1861, the new territorial government established the office of Superintendent of Schools that oversaw two Denver districts: East and West, with Cherry Creek dividing them. In 1882 the East student body moved to a new home at 19th and Stout streets, which doubled as the Denver Public Library.

“New East,” as pictured above, was ready for use in 1925. East graduate George Herbard Williamson designed the building at 1600 City Park Esplanade. He chose to pattern the school after elements of both Independence Hall in Philadelphia and Old Hall at the University of Oxford in England. It is one of four original high schools in Denver. The other three are West, North, and South. Williamson also helped design the Daniels & Fisher Tower.

A few famous East High students and graduates:

• Philip Bailey and Larry Dunn, members of Earth Wind and Fire, inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Don Cheadle, actor and Academy Award Winner.
• Mamie Eisenhower, wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower; First Lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961.
• Judy Collins, folk and standards singer and songwriter.
• Pam Grier, who performed in school drama productions before becoming a famous and prolific actress with Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
• Jack Swigert, NASA astronaut and member of the Apollo 13 mission.
• Douglas Fairbanks was expelled from East High School, but went on to become one of the most famous silent movie stars of all time.

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Denver and Colorado News and Events

June 1, 15 and 29: Cherry Creek North Concert Series

​The Cherry Creek North Concert Series is a three-part music event coming to Fillmore Plaza in June. Talented musicians and artists will gather to showcase their skills while guests enjoy acoustic melodies and immerse themselves in a vibrant atmosphere and beautiful outdoor setting in the heart of Cherry Creek. 

Saturdays, June 1, June 15, + June 29 | 2pm - 7pm
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Find event details and updates at www.cherrycreeknorth.com.

June 8: Jodi's Race for Gynecologic Cancer Awareness 5K at City Park

Jodi's Race for Awareness welcomes all gynecologic cancer survivors, their caregivers, family and friends as we celebrate survivors and honor those we have lost.

​June 8​
5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run / Walk
Expo vendors
Family fun zone and face painting for the kids!
Denver's City Park, in front of the City Park Pavilion.

This community event is  the #1 fundraiser for Colorado Gynecologic Cancer Alliance (CGCA). ​Visit the Jodi's Race Website for more details! www.JodisRace.org

June 9: Walk to End Epilepsy at City Park

Nearly 65,000 people in Colorado and Wyoming Live the epilepsy.  The Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado & Wyoming exists so that no one faces epilepsy alone.

On June 9, they are raising awareness and funding with a walk at Denver City Park.

Date: June 9
Time: 9:00 am 
Denver City Park Pavilion
Website:
https://www.classy.org/event/walk-to-end-epilepsy-denver/e544405

June 22 and 23: Denver Pride 5K and Parade

Denver Pride is turning 50 this year and will take place June 22 and 23, 2024, with events happening all month long!

The Denver Pride 5K begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 22.  It serves as a vital fundraiser that helps to provide essential programs and services to Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community. Every dollar raised by fundraisers goes directly to supporting their  social support groups, mental health services, youth center, and more

Coors Light Denver Pride Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 23. Heading west on Colfax, the parade spans 14 blocks and ends near Civic Center Park, where the celebrations continue at day two of Denver PrideFest.

Check out their events calendar for more information on times and locations of all Pride Events.

June 24: City Park Alliance 4th Annual Golf Tournament

​City Park Alliance announced its 4th Annual Golf Tournament that will be held on Monday, June 24 2024.

This year’s event will feature a $10,000 hole-in-one contest. Proceeds from the event will go toward City Park Alliance’s mission to improve and care for City Park.

The direct link to this year’s Golf Tournament is: https://cityparkalliancegolf.com where you can register to play and/or purchase sponsorship packages.

July 5: Free Concert with Denver Municipal Band

Join friends and neighbors at Cheesman park on July 5 for a free concert with the Denver Municipal Band.

The Denver Municipal Band is unique in that they play as a 40-piece Concert Band, a 20-piece Jazz Band, and contract to a show band, a brass quintet or smaller ensembles. Because of their flexibility, they play everything — orchestral, rock, soul, and funk.

Their Concert Band, which plays the most frequently, performs a wide variety of music including movie scores, showtunes, Big Band standards, marches, and other classic masterpieces.

July 5 at 7 p.m.
West Side / 11th Ave entrance
Cheesman Park

July 27 and 28: Cheesman Park Art Festival

150 artists and craftsmen from across the United States will showcase their work at the 2024 Cheesman Park Art Fest.

​Each year, artists and craftsmen offer a wide array of mediums and price-points. This is a juried event, and they take pride in the curated selection of hand-made.  American-made work is sold directly by the artists.

There will also be music, entertainment and food trucks.

Fantastical Spirit Guide Sculptures at Denver Botanic Gardens through September 8

Created by Mexican artists Jacobo and María Ángeles, these brightly colored and richly patterned sculptures depict imaginary hybrid animals that act as both spirit guides and astrological embodiments of human character.

​The incredible sculptures are on display at the Denver Botanic Gardens through September 8.

Investing in Downtown Denver

In May, Mayor Mike Johnston announced a transformative new investment to restore vibrancy and expand economic opportunity throughout Downtown Denver. Delivering on the promise of building a more accessible and prosperous downtown, Denver will invest more than $500 million over the next decade to accelerate economic growth in the heart of Denver.

Downtown Denver has been slower to recover from the pandemic than some other parts of the city. Like other urban cores across the country, Downtown Denver has seen lower foot traffic, more businesses closing, and a lack of new housing development since the shift to remote work. The new funding stream announced today will help unlock more housing options, open more public spaces that are welcoming and accessible to all, and attract world-class businesses where people want to shop and work.

Proposed expansion area downtown

City Park Adopt-a-Flowerbed Program

The City Park Adopt-a-Flowerbed Program is in its fourth year, assisting the Denver Parks and Recreation Department in planting, pruning and maintaining flowerbeds, rose gardens and lilac bushes. Volunteers are welcome to participate on an established team or on their own. 

​Learning opportunities have included educational speakers, tours, and working with city horticulturists. If you want to share your gardening knowledge or learn about gardening, meet like-minded people, or simply have a passion for City Park, join us! Contact [email protected] for an application and program details.

​Microgrants Available to Denver Residents

The Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) in partnership with Denver Community Active Living Coalition (CALC) and Denver Streets Partnership (DSP) invite you to get creative about living an active life in your neighborhood!

​They are offering micro-grants of up to $500 for individuals and $1500 for businesses and organizations in support of walkability, bikeability, or access to safe and healthy spaces for physical activity.   Apply here.

Denver and Partners Celebrate Opening of 49 Affordable Homes in Five Points

​HOST and partners celebrated in early May the grand opening of The Burrell, a permanently affordable condominium project offering 49 income-restricted units. Named for jazz icon Charles Burrell, the development features one-, two-, and three-bedroom units which are restricted to households earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Developed by Shanahan Development, in partnership with Elevation Community Land Trust and the Urban Land Conservancy, The Burrell marks the culmination of a collaborative effort to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to Denver residents.

128 Income-restricted Affordable Housing Units to open in Overland

Recently, Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) celebrated the groundbreaking of Residences on Acoma, a new development which will provide 128 income-restricted homes. Developed by Second Chance Center (SCC), Colorado’s largest reentry organization, the community will focus on serving persons exiting the prison system and who are at risk of homelessness.

​Click here to learn more.

Tips on Saving Energy on Cooling and Watering

Speaking of energy improvement projects around your own home, hot and sunny weather are just around the corner.  While the recent rain, snow and winds may look like winter is here to stay, it won't be long before your home will need smart ways to save energy on cooling and watering.

​Check out these tips from the Department of Energy.