July 2024

A Message from our Executive Director

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CHUN Business Member of the Month

Locales Taco + Tequila Bar

Locales Taco + Tequila Bar opened its doors at 931 East 11th Avenue in September.  The prime location in Capitol Hill was formerly the Park Tavern.  Locales strives to bring back the same type of neighborhood feel by including the happy hour drink tokens that Park Tavern was known for plus pool, foosball, pinball, Golden Tee, Wednesday night trivia, Saturday and Sunday morning brunch with bottomless mimosas and late-night burritos.

They feature margaritas, a large selection of Mexican-style lagers and local draft beers, craft cocktails and a good selection of Mexican-inspired dishes.

Locales was created and is operated by Jared Nos and Megan Tutin - this is their first undertaking as owner/operators.  Let's all be great neighbors and support them on this new adventure!

​https://localesdenver.com
​localesdenver

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CHUN News and Events

Welcome New CHUN Members 

Donny Cozzi
Bandon Dazzo, Your Castle Real Estate
Ryan Dickinson
Haley Dutch
Ellas Events
Andrea Kenner

​Amie Langus, Realtor
Locales Taco and Tequila Bar
Kristen Lau
Josie McCauley
Aaron Smith

CHUN Helps Reopen Quality Hill Park and Celebrates the Lavender Hill Cultural Arts District

We are thrilled to announce that CHUN was a part of the reopening of Quality Hill Park in the newly established Lavender Hill Cultural Arts District! The event was marked by inspiring words from Councilman Darrell Watson, who highlighted the importance of unity and pride within our community, emphasizing Denver's vibrant Pride movement. We heard from Zach Kotel, the executive director of the Lavender Hill Cultural District and he spoke of the community work it took to create this new Arts District. Our own executive director, Brittni Joy, closed the program with a heartfelt sing-along, celebrating the power of working together as a community. We are pleased to continue to foster a spirit of togetherness and cultural enrichment in Lavender Hill. Read more about this event here. 

Many New Friends and Neighbors Joined CHUN June Happy Hour at Charlie Brown's Bar & Grill

THANK YOU to all of the new neighbors who attended our June Happy Hour at Charlie Brown's Bar & Grill!

We had a large group of current friends and many new friends and neighbors join us.

Watch this space for our next CHUN Neighborhood Happy Hour.

Small Part of Famed El Chapultepec Building to be Saved

CHUN's Urban Planning Committee & History Matters Committee worked with Historic Denver to help support the preservation of El Chapultepec.

Historic Denver and Monfort Companies recently announced a significant step forward in the redevelopment of the former El Chapultepec building at 1962 Market Street.

​Following a series of productive meetings over the past three months, a compromise has been reached that honors the historic and cultural significance of the property while introducing thoughtful modern enhancements.

Urban Planning Vice President, Megan Whalen said "El Chapultapec is a cherished Denver treasure. We were pleased to support Historic Denver, and John Deffenbaugh, in preserving a piece of this landmark for generations to come. We can only hope that the venue supports the great jazz traditions of the Pec."

Photo from June 18 Denver Post article

July 5: Free Concert at Cheesman Park featuring the Denver Municipal Band

​Join CHUN and 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

August 1: CHUN Partners with Denver Parks & Recreation for a Park Movie Night

Come join CHUN, Denver Parks & Recreation and the Reimagine Cap Hill Parks group on August 1 at 6 p.m. in Governors' Park at 701 N. Pennsylvania Street.

Bring a blanket to hang out with your friends and neighbors to watch The Sandlot.

The event will start with a presentation by Denver Parks & Recreation revealing the design options for the future of Governors' and Quality Hill Parks.

CHUN will provide popsicles to cool off your warm summer night!

Use the QR code or visit the online site to register.

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History Matters Moment

Edbrooke Projects Helped Make Denver Unique

When I first heard that the Bluebird Theatre, the Ogden Theatre and the Brown Palace Hotel were all designed by Edbrooke, I assumed that they were the same person, but there are really three prominent Edbrookes who had distinguished careers in architecture: Frank E. Edbrooke (1840-1921) and his brother Willoughby J. Edbrooke (1843-1896) and Willoughby’s son Harry W.J. Edbrooke (1843-1896).

Considered Colorado’s leading architect, Frank E. Edbrooke, designed the Oxford Hotel, which opened in 1891, just a half block from Denver’s Union Station. It stood five stories high and represented the gilded age but incorporated different styles over the years. It preceded Edbrooke’s completion of The Brown Palace by one year. Both hotels are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Brown Palace hotel has a distinctive triangular share and was built in 1892 of sandstone and red granite. It was named for its original owner, Henry C. Brown, who developed the Capitol Hill area and donated land for the Colorado Capitol Building, which Frank Edbrooke later designed. He also was the architect for Loretto Heights Academy, Temple Emanuel, and the Denver Dry Goods Company building, and what later became known as the Edbrooke Lofts among others.
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H.W. Edbrooke takes credit for two Colfax theatres among other projects, He designed seven buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, and many more around Denver, including the Ogden Theatre which opened in 1918 and was Denver's leading vaudeville house. Edbrooke tapped into a unique style in various ways, but the Ogden evokes a Mediterranean feel. Over the years, the Ogden Theatre has hosted artists from Harry Houdini to Iggy Pop, Jackson Brown and Prince. Another prominent entertainment venue on Colfax is the Bluebird Theatre, which opened in 1915, as the Thompson, and was one of the early Denver theaters designed specifically for the exhibition of movies. It has been a popular live music venue since 1994. Other building credits include the Denver Gas and Electric Building at the First National Bank Building.

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Denver and Colorado News and Events

July 23 and 30: Webinar and Chat to Learn More about the Latest on East Colfax BRT Project

As the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transtit (BRT) project wraps up final design and prepares for construction, the project team is excited to share the latest updates with you at two upcoming community events.

• July 23: Community Webinar
  • When: Tuesday, July 23, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
  • Where: Zoom
  • What: A recorded Zoom community webinar focused on the latest project updates, including: 
    • 100% design
    • Lynx-branded station and bus renderings
    • Draft recommendations from the Curbside Access Plan and Parallel Street Safety Study
    • Updated construction plans
    • Small business support
  • Register: Let us know you're tuning in!


• July 30: Chats on Colfax – Segment 1 (Broadway to Williams St.)
  • When: Tuesday, July 30, 2:30 - 4 p.m.
  • Where: Phở-natic Restaurant, 229 E Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80203
  • What: The first in a series of in-community forums for small business owners to learn about the resources available to best prepare for, navigate and leverage resources during construction.
  • RSVP: Let us know you're coming!

​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.

July 27 and 28: Helping Hands 'Sidewalk Event'

Helping Hands Program at Our Savior's Lutheran Church will be having their 3rd "sidewalk event" for 2024 on the weekend of July 27-28th from 10am to 4pm at 915 E 9th Ave.  They will be collecting toiletries for men and women and also non perishable food items for MetroCaring. They have a food bank collection bin near the entrance where you can drop off dry and canned foods as well as soaps, feminine hygiene products, and the like. In the same area we are now also collecting diapers, baby clothes, and baby blankets for our diaper bank aimed at getting these into the hands of those who need them. 

CHUN has granted SEED funds for the past 4 years to help purchase items to help people in local shelters. 
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Stop by for free drinks and cookies and treats for your dogs. 

​City Council Approves $5M in Loans to Convert RTD Lot Into Affordable Housing

Denver City Council just greenlit almost $5 million to turn a Regional Transportation District parking lot next to the shuttered L Line light rail station at 29th and Welton streets into "permanently affordable" condominiums.

According to HOST, the six-story condo building going in at 29th and Welton will be made up of one- to three-bedroom units, all of which are income-restricted to households earning up to 80 percent of the AMI. For single-person households, that would be up to $71,900 and up to $92,400 for three-person families

Photo from June 21 Westword article

Mayors YouthWorks Initiative: $1,000 for Teens

Denver youth between the ages of 14 and 21 can apply to earn a bonus $1,000 from the Mayor's office if they work a summer job. Young people working more than 100 hours with proof of income will qualify. Applications close Sunday, June 30. Determine eligibility and apply here.

Summer Programs and Activities for Kiddos

Together with Denver Public Schools, the Office of Children's Affairs' Denver Afterschool Alliance, and the Department of Economic Development & Opportunity, Mayor Mike Johnston announced a one-stop-shop for summer programs, activities, and a variety of available resources across our city. Get more information and details here.