Volume 37, Edition 7

​Message From the President

Greetings Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods Members and Friends,

Welcome to the July 2019 edition of the Urban Dweller--Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' monthly e-newsletter.  As the days grew longer in June, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods accomplished a lot more with more daylight and great weather.  Here is the latest from your registered neighborhood organization and community advocate: 

• Tickets to our 50th Anniversary Celebration are now on sale. Early event partners are the Colfax Business Improvement District (BID), Denver City Councilwoman Robin Kniech, Margie Valdez and Jim Gehres, the Denver Botanic Gardens, Sewald-Hanfling Public Affairs, Ivy on 7th, Brian Henderson, The Goods on Colfax, Visit Denver, Carboy Winery, 1st Bank, the Colorado Wine Board, and many others! The guest list already includes elected officials, several past presidents and staff members of CHUN, nonprofit leaders, and other familiar faces. Join us for fabulous wines, delicious bites, and great conversation. 
• At the June 2019 meeting, the CHUN board voted unanimously to change the name of its Zoning, Transportation, Land Use, and Licensing Committee. The newly branded Urban Planning Committee, also also known as CHUN-UP 😁, better reflects the scope and mission of the committee as well as its innovative, forward-looking approach to engaging neighbors and crafting solutions to our city's challenges.  Congratulations to co-chairs Sarah Wells, Dmitrii Zavorotny, and Frank Locantore for leading this committee and bringing a fresh perspective to its work!  The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 6:30 pm at the Tears-McFarlane House at 1290 Williams Street.
• Our board tries to provide regular updates about CHUN's financial, operational, and programmatic turnaround.  Last month, Life on Capitol Hill covered this transformation and other recent successes.  Check out the story here.
• CHUN held a series of open houses for residents living along (or near) Cheesman Park to discuss what is next for the Tears-McFarlane House and Community Center.  Open house attendees included members of the Cheesman Park Friends and Neighbors (CPFAN) and the Cheesman Park Advocacy Group (CPAG).  As we weigh next steps for the property, we are grateful to these and other groups for helping us shape the future of the property.  After scores of open houses, focus groups, and public opinion surveys, we are excited to deliver a gathering space the community requested and is eager to support. 
• Membership revenue now exceeds $16,000 for the first time ever --  AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN $1500 IN JUST ONE MONTH.  Thank you to Human Services Consultants, Argonaut Liquor, Pete's Restaurants, Good Chemistry, Nob Hill Inn, Park Tavern Restaurant, Alternative Medicine on Capitol Hill, Adagio Bud and Breakfast Cherry Creek Automotive, Warren Village, and Charlie's Denver for this outpouring of support.  
• We welcomed Jessica Caouette to the board of delegates. Jessica, the owner of Tandem Bar located at 17th and Humboldt, is an avid supporter of various historic preservation initiatives and brings a small business owner's perspective to CHUN.  She fills the vacancy in Neighborhood 2 and we are excited to work with her. 
• Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods was proud to partner with Denver Public Library and host the Summer of Adventure Party in Cheesman Park.  Scores of neighborhood kids were able to register for the Library's signature summer reading program. Many thanks to all who dropped by the Tears-McFarlane House and Capitol Hill Community Center.
  

​Finally, congratulations to Chris Hinds and Candi CdeBaca for their recent, successful election to Denver City Council. The board and team at Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods look forward to collaborating with them as they work to improve the lives of the Mile High City's residents.  Many thanks to both council members Wayne New and Albus Brooks for serving our community honorably and for their steadfast commitment to Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods. 
​
For Denver ...

Travis Leiker
President, Board of Delegates
Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods 

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Business Member of the Month

eGo ... Driving Shared Change

eGo CarShare started in Boulder, CO in 1997 as “The Little Red Car Co-op”.  Since then, the organization ha remained focused solely on serving neighbors in the Denver and Boulder area. They are Colorado’s first, only –and one of the nation’s longest running–nonprofit carshare org’s working to make a positive impact on the environment and local residents’ health, wealth and community. For more information, visit them at their Denver Office located at 1536 Wynkoop Street, Suite 101, Denver, CO 80202; or you can call 303.720.1185 or email [email protected].

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CHUN Looks To Create The Future Of Community: Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods goes back to its roots and celebrates 50 years 
By Bruce Goldberg, Special Contributor at Colorado Community Media 

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (CHUN) has a lot to celebrate as it looks back at its first 50 years. Now, board members are shifting gears to to make plans for the next half-century — starting with its dramatically improved financial status.  Two years ago, CHUN was $30,000 in the red. Today, CHUN has more than one year of operating expenses — about six figures — in its reserves.  One reason for the improvement: halting the People’s Fair after 47 years. Earlier this year, Team Player Productions, the company CHUN brought in to organize the People’s Fair in 2017, announced it wouldn’t be running the festival in 2019, and the future of the People’s Fair is unknown. Now, CHUN can take its time to determine the fate of the massive street fair that featured dozens of vendors, restaurants, musical acts and more.

Read the full article from Life On Capitol Hill.

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​Upcoming Events

Independence Eve at Civic Center Park
Colorado's largest free community fireworks event returns for its 10th Anniversary in Denver's Civic Center Park and the Civic Center Conservancy is celebrating by bringing you the most exciting Indy Eve yet!

​There will be more craft beer & wine gardens, along with a delicious variety of food trucks and more live musical acts! Plus, we're thrilled to welcome back local favorites Chris Daniels and the Kings and the Colorado Symphony to our patriotic stage! And just as it's been for a decade, the evening's explosive finale will include a light show and fireworks from the atop the Denver City and County Building! We encourage lawn chairs & blankets and welcome picnics.
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​Visit: http://bit.ly/CivicCenterIndyEve2019

Schedule: 
4:00 pm - Gates Open; Beer & Wine Gardens & Food Trucks begin serving
5:00 pm - Live musical performances
8:15 pm - Speaking program on Main Stage followed by Colorado Symphony performance
9:30 pm - Light Show & Fireworks Finale

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Courtesy of Cherry Creek Arts Festival. 'Happy on The High Road' drawing by artist, Jennifer Cavan.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival Returns This Weekend
​The 29th annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival will transform the streets of Cherry Creek North into an innovative outdoor fine art show. 
https://cherrycreekartsfestival.org/ 

Denver, Colorado – Cherry Creek North 
2nd through 3rd Avenues from Clayton to Steele Street 
Friday, Saturday & Sunday July 5, 6, & 7 
Friday, July 5:   10 AM – 8 PM 
Saturday, July 6:   10 AM – 8 PM 
Sunday, July 7:   10 AM – 6 PM 

• FREE Admission Friday, Saturday & Sunday 
• FREE parking at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center 
• Onsite premier paid parking for just $6 in Cherry Creek North 
• 265 national juried artists selling incredible original artworks 
• A full block of family friendly activities on “ARTivity Avenue“ 
• Live performers and music entertainment 
• High-quality interactive art experiences for everyone 
• Food, Drinks, Fun and More! 

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Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods Volunteer Trash Clean Up Day!
Eat donuts, meet your neighbors, pick up litter.
Join us to pick up trash along Colfax! Bring a water bottle and closed-toed walking shoes.

JULY 13th @ 9 AM
TEARS-McFARLANE HOUSE
1290 N. WILLIAMS ST.
DENVER, CO 80218

Download the volunteer cleanup event flyer.

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Inauguration 2019 with Mayor Michael Hancock & Denver Municipal Officials ​

Swearing in Ceremony & Inaugural Address 
City and County Building Steps  
Monday, July 15 at 10 a.m. 
1437 Bannock St.
Denver, CO 80202

OneDenver Community Concert & Celebration 
Denver Botanic Gardens 
Monday, July 15 at 6 p.m. 
1007 York St.
​Denver, CO 80206

​Both events are free and open to the public! 
Stay up to date on all the Inauguration 2019 news and events by visiting OneDenver.org

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I Am Denver | Storytelling Lab: Capitol Hill
​Everyone has a story. What’s yours? 

Your story is personal, unique and important. It might be about your family, your neighborhood, your city, yourself. Without you, Denver’s story isn’t complete. Please join the City and County of Denver, in partnership with Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (CHUN), for a FREE workshop with story-inspiring activities and the chance to write and record your story. Selected stories may be featured at iamdenver.org or on social. Follow #IAmDenver

JULY 31st, 2019 | 5-8 p.m.
Tears-McFarlane House
1290 Williams St. Denver, CO 80218

​Space is limited! RSVP to save your seat:
​720-913-8496 or [email protected]

For Spanish translation services: [email protected]
For sign language or cart services: [email protected]
For other disability accommodations: [email protected]​
​​Download the storytelling lab event flyer.

I Am Denver is a partnership that brings City & County of Denver entities together with sister agencies, nonprofits, foundations and businesses to foster conversations among residents, and open the hearts, minds and doors of everyone who calls Denver home. They highlight and celebrate our residents, neighborhoods and history while allowing for high-level discussions around topics affecting Denver. Because of the partnerships established, they nurture individual efforts and group collaborations.

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Date: Wed., September 18, 2019 
Time: 
5:30 pm (VIP Reception) 
6:30 pm (General Admission)  
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​Location:
Denver Botanic Gardens
1007 York St,
Denver, CO 80206 

Purchase Tickets

50th Anniversary Event Update

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods is celebrating its 50th Anniversary of planning, preserving, and improving Denver’s Capitol Hill community.  Our 50th Anniversary Celebration and Wine Tasting event will feature a wine tasting, small bites from neighborhood eateries and restaurants, and a fabulous silent auction showcasing goods and services from locally owned businesses throughout Capitol Hill.

Your support for the 50th Anniversary Celebration and Wine Tasting will help us fulfill our mission of preserving the past, improving the present, and planning for the future of Capitol Hill. 

Event sponsors include:
Carboy Winery, CRL Associates, Inc., Colfax Business Improvement District (BID), Angelo's Taverna, Ivy on 7th, The Goods Restaurant - Colfax, the Colorado Wine Board, Sewald-Hanfling Public Affairs, Visit Denver, neighborhood advocates Margie Valdez & Jim Gehres, and others. More sponsors to be announced in the coming weeks. 

For more Information, please contact Mollie Williams or Sarah Wells at: 
[email protected] or 303-830-1651

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​Meetings, Forums & Committees

• Historic Preservation Committee Meeting
  CHUN's Historic Preservation Meeting is under new leadership.  Join us for the next scheduled meeting to learn more about how you can preserve Denver's Historic treasures.  
  When: Monday, July 22, 2019 6:30pm – 8pm
  Where: Tears-McFarlane House, 1290 N Williams St, Denver, CO 80218 
• [Inaugural] Climate Crisis Committee Meeting
  CHUN has worked to improve the quality of life in Greater Capitol Hill for 50 years. This committee’s formation represents the next phase of the foundation established by our longstanding Tree Committee as well as other previous environmental sustainability programs.  Help CHUN think globally but act locally.
  When: Thursday, July 25, 2019 6:30pm – 8pm
  Where: Tears-McFarlane House (Library), 1290 N Williams St, Denver, CO 80218
• Urban Planning Committee Meeting
  Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods changed the name of its Zoning, Transportation, Land Use, and Licensing Committee.  The Urban Planning Committee, also affectionately known as "CHUN-UP", better reflects the scope and mission of the committee as well as its innovative, forward-looking approach to shaping the future of the city.
  When: Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:30pm – 8:30pm
  Where: Tears-McFarlane House, 1290 N Williams St, Denver, CO 80218

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​Top Neighborhood News Stories

Landmark application submitted for Tom’s Diner site, against property owner’s wishes
There are now two sides to the future of Tom’s Diner.

On one side, there’s owner Tom Messina — yes, the name has been literal — and Greenwood Village-based Alberta Development. Messina wants to sell his diner at 601 E. Colfax Ave. to Alberta, which wants to demolish it and build an eight-story residential building on the half-acre lot.
On the other side, there are five Denver residents, who on Friday requested the city designate the retro-looking building a landmark, against Messina’s wishes. If approved, the designation would make demolition very difficult.
Tom Messina (LinkedIn)
“We appreciate that we’re not making this easy on Tom,” Jessica Caouette, one of those five residents, told BusinessDen Friday. “But we want to slow down the process and get this building the recognition it deserves.”
Friday was the last day community members could request the landmark designation, following Messina’s May request that the city dub the building, which was listed for $4.8 million, as “non-historic.”
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Read the full article on Businessden.com

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The Esquire Theatre will reopen with fancy new seats — even cupholders — next week
It won’t be long now before you see locals doing their best Riff Raff and Frank N. Furter impressions again outside of The Esquire Theatre.

The cinema, owned by Landmark Theatres, has been closed for almost six months because of water damage from utility problems. It will rise from dormancy June 14, according to a Facebook post from the company.
“We’re back…and better than ever!” the post reads, with a picture of those big comfy seats with armrests and cupholders common at the big Hollywood-type theaters.
The Esquire is home to independent films and midnight showings for costumed cult followers of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and other flicks.

A trip to the building at 6th and Downing revealed a front lobby still in the midst of a renovation. Reached by email, Landmark Theatres spokesperson Hugh Wronski said he would not comment beyond the social media post.

The Landmark Esquire on Downing Street. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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CHUN & WalkDenver Awarded Funding for Vision Zero Community Project
CHUN is proud to announce that the City’s “Vision Zero Community Program” has awarded CHUN funding for a project submitted to increase awareness of Vision Zero and promote safer streets! This project will be a collaboration between CHUN, the City and County of Denver, East High School and Walk Denver. 
 
Specifically, the proposed project is for the busiest and most dangerous pedestrian intersections at Colfax Avenue and Madison Streets. This is due to the massive influx of businesses and its proximity to residents: Bastien’s, Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs, Sprouts, Heidi’s Deli, The Humble Pie Store, Machete Tequila + Tacos, Cerebral Brewing, Milk Roll Ice Cream, Lula Rose Coffee, Enzo’s Pizza and PS Lounge. 
 
The collaborative project is headed up by Shayne Brady, Bill DeMaio, Charles Nusbaum, Andrew Rogge, Jim Slotta and Tony Smith. Along with all collaborators mentioned above, the CHUN team will reach out and involve local businesses.  Along with promoting safety, the project will help provide valuable data for the city’s many plans for Colfax Avenue. 

More details to come ... 

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​Also in the News

• New members join Denver City Council 
• ​Developer pays $12M for half-acre Cherry Creek Parking lot 
• More restaurant tenants announced for 9th & Colorado 
• This historic, haunted Denver hotel wants you to be able to consume cannabis within its walls 
• It looks like Chris Hinds will take incumbent Wayne New's seat on the Denver City Council 
• 48-year-old program for people who have been incarcerated, struggled with addiction or homelessness comes to Denver 
• Developer looks to build apartments on parking lot south of DHA building in Cap Hill 
• After drawing neighborhood ire last year, a new art festival secures dates in Cherry Creek this summer 
• Pay-what-you-want yoga studio coming to Cap Hill 
• Uptown apartment building fetches $7.8M 
• Uptown office building sells for $2.6M 
• Spa sues attorney representing former employee for defamation 
• You can check out bicycle repair kits from any Denver Public library branch
• What you need to know so you can enjoy drinking beer and wine in a Denver park 
• More than 400 pounds of fresh veggies grow each year at Civic Center Park ​
• Muslim Restauranteur Claims Landlord Refused To Lease Based On Religion 
• Vaping banned indoors in Colorado starting Monday ​​
• Suspect dies after confrontation with officers in downtown Denver 
  

​​A Special Thanks to Some of Our Business and Community Partner Members:

Terra Firma Investment
Rosen Properties
SafeHouse Denver
Folk Artisans
Friends and Neighbors for Cheesman Park
Capitol Convenience
CCNNA
St. Charles Town Company
The Residences at Capitol Heights
Paradise Cleaners
Racines Restaurant
Colorado Vincentian Volunteers
Historic Denver, Inc.
Angelo's Taverna
​Cheesman Park Advocacy Group
subculture
The Parlour - Capitol Hill  
Tandem Bar
Human Services Consultants  
Argonaut Wine & Liquor 
Unbridled

Humphries Poli Architects
Secret Sauce F&B (Steuben's & Ace Eat Serve)
The Goods Restaurant
Table 6
The Bank of Denver
Barbara H de Jong, CFP, Edwards Jones
St Paul Health Center
First Bank
Steubens Food Service
Assistance League Denver
Axis Pilates
Investigations Law Group
​Humboldt Street Neighborhood Assoc.
Good Chemistry 
Nob Hill Inn 
Park Tavern Restaurant 
Alternative Medicine on Capitol Hill  
​Adagio Bed and Breakfast 
Pete's Restaurants ​
​And Many More ... !