We took a bit of a break for August! But check out what's happening IN September around our neighborhood! CHUN News and Events🌞 Fun in the Sun with CHUN: A Community Success!Despite a few raindrops, CHUN’s Fun in the Sun with CHUN event was a resounding success! In partnership with the Denver Municipal Band, we welcomed more than 150 neighbors to enjoy an afternoon of music, community, and play. The Denver Municipal Band filled the park with their incredible sounds, delighting audiences of all ages. Neighbors relaxed with popsicles provided by CHUN, played yard games like cornhole and volleyball, and connected with one another in the heart of our community. This event was more than just a summer gathering — it was a celebration of what makes Capitol Hill special: neighbors coming together to share music, laughter, and a sense of belonging. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who joined us, braved the weather, and made this event a day to remember. We can’t wait to do it again next year! 🏆2025 Good Neighbor Award WinnersCHUN proudly recognized 11 outstanding community members with this year’s Good Neighbor Awards during the Denver Municipal Band Cheesman Park concert. These awards honor individuals, organizations, and local businesses that embody the values that strengthen our neighborhood. Congratulations to our 2025 Good Neighbor Award winners:
Fireside Chats were HOT!On September 1st, neighbors gathered at the Tears-McFarlane House for an engaging Fireside Chat with George G focused on transportation in Denver and its lasting impact on Capitol Hill. The conversation traced Denver’s rich transportation history — from the railcars that once crisscrossed our city to the surprising fact that Colorado was home to the first electric cars in the early 1900s. These historical touchpoints provided context for a robust discussion about where transportation is headed today. Participants shared ideas around multi-use transportation, including how walking, biking, and public transit can work in harmony to create safer, more sustainable mobility options. Concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety were raised, along with ideas about which leaders and stakeholders CHUN should engage with to push for meaningful change. This was more than just a conversation — it was a chance to reflect on the lessons of the past while envisioning a safer, smarter, and more connected transportation future for Capitol Hill and Denver.
Join us for the FINAL Fireside CHAT of 2025 where we will focus on COMMUNITY!  📜 History Matters: |
 Gov. Polis, Mayor Mike Johnston, and Attorney Phil Weiser at the Denver Gay Games Bid for 2026 |  CHUN at the Denver Gay Games Community Night BID |
 CHUN at the Denver Foundation Impact 100 Luncheon |  CHUN at the CHIC Community Impact Breakfast |
History Matters Moment
Silas Soule took a stand against injustice
In 1858, Mount Prospect Cemetery was founded on the location we now know as
Cheesman Park. It encompassed 160 acres and was divided into different sections
mostly along ethnic and religious lines, but also included sections for Union soldiers,
Masonic and Odd Fellows and paupers.
Today we are going to focus on an unsung American Hero, Captain Silas S. Soule. He
and many others were buried in the area for Union soldiers adjacent to the Tears
McFarlane House and the Secret Garden Café. Silas Soule and other soldiers’ remains
were moved in 1886 to Riverside Cemetery in the section for the Grand Army of the
Republic.
Soule was a Union officer and abolitionist who exemplified moral courage against the
backdrop of the Civil War. In September 1864, Soule and Major Edward Wynkoop
engaged in peace talks with Cheyenne and Arapaho leaders, culminating in the Camp
Weld Council. Despite these ongoing efforts to find a peaceful resolution, his superior,
Colonel John Chivington led a surprise attack on the tribes at Sand Creek on November
29, 1864.
This horrific attack resulted in the death of an estimated 230 Cheyenne and Arapahoe,
mostly women, children and the elderly. Many of the bodies were abused, with parts cut
off, removed and shown as trophies. The massacre arose from a complex and, in
hindsight, tragic series of events and was undoubtedly a betrayal.
Soule, refusing to partake in the massacre, ordered his men to hold fire. He wrote: “My
[company] was the only one that kept their formation, and we did not fire a shot.” He
later testified against Chivington, providing crucial evidence during the Army's
investigation.
Tragically, on April 23, 1865, just weeks after his marriage to Hersa Coberly, Soule was
assassinated in Denver while serving as Provost Marshal. His murderers were never
prosecuted. Soule is remembered as a principled officer who stood against injustice at
great personal risk.
The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is in Kiowa County, Colorado, about
170 miles southeast of Denver. A memorial plaque honoring Captain Silas S. Soule is in
downtown Denver, Colorado at 15th and Arapahoe Streets.
Cheesman Park. It encompassed 160 acres and was divided into different sections
mostly along ethnic and religious lines, but also included sections for Union soldiers,
Masonic and Odd Fellows and paupers.
Today we are going to focus on an unsung American Hero, Captain Silas S. Soule. He
and many others were buried in the area for Union soldiers adjacent to the Tears
McFarlane House and the Secret Garden Café. Silas Soule and other soldiers’ remains
were moved in 1886 to Riverside Cemetery in the section for the Grand Army of the
Republic.
Soule was a Union officer and abolitionist who exemplified moral courage against the
backdrop of the Civil War. In September 1864, Soule and Major Edward Wynkoop
engaged in peace talks with Cheyenne and Arapaho leaders, culminating in the Camp
Weld Council. Despite these ongoing efforts to find a peaceful resolution, his superior,
Colonel John Chivington led a surprise attack on the tribes at Sand Creek on November
29, 1864.
This horrific attack resulted in the death of an estimated 230 Cheyenne and Arapahoe,
mostly women, children and the elderly. Many of the bodies were abused, with parts cut
off, removed and shown as trophies. The massacre arose from a complex and, in
hindsight, tragic series of events and was undoubtedly a betrayal.
Soule, refusing to partake in the massacre, ordered his men to hold fire. He wrote: “My
[company] was the only one that kept their formation, and we did not fire a shot.” He
later testified against Chivington, providing crucial evidence during the Army's
investigation.
Tragically, on April 23, 1865, just weeks after his marriage to Hersa Coberly, Soule was
assassinated in Denver while serving as Provost Marshal. His murderers were never
prosecuted. Soule is remembered as a principled officer who stood against injustice at
great personal risk.
The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is in Kiowa County, Colorado, about
170 miles southeast of Denver. A memorial plaque honoring Captain Silas S. Soule is in
downtown Denver, Colorado at 15th and Arapahoe Streets.
Community News and Events
Do More. Do Less. Do Something.
Denver’s climate policies are reshaping buildings, transitioning us to clean energy, and revitalizing neighborhoods—all with tangible benefits. That’s called a climate win/win/win.
We combine incentives that make sustainable choices easier for individuals with policies that make sustainability the standard from the top, down (insert rooftop joke here…).
And it’s working: changes in Denver’s policies are reducing waste and pollution, improving energy efficiency, and accelerating the transition to cleaner sources of energy. Talk about policies meeting progress. Is it possible to high-five a skyscraper?
You’ve seen the doom. You’ve seen the gloom. The climate crisis is here. The good news? We can all do something to make a difference. Together we can build a more resilient, more prepared, and more supportive community.
The time is now. We’re already seeing the impacts in our city: more 100+ degree days, increased wildfire smoke, droughts. These changes are affecting the people and places we love. But it’s not too late to take action.
And joining in doesn’t have to be hard. It’s pretty simple when you think about it this way: do more of what helps the planet, do less of what hurts it. No matter what—just do something.
The Denver Climate Project works to get the word out about the various ways you can take action. Paid for by the voter-approved Climate Protection Fund, here you’ll find ideas and links on how you can get involved. You can also see how the city, local organizations, and businesses are all taking action too.
One person can’t solve the climate crisis—but 716,577+ of us can make a heck of a dent. So watch out, apocalypse—Denver’s fighting back.
We combine incentives that make sustainable choices easier for individuals with policies that make sustainability the standard from the top, down (insert rooftop joke here…).
And it’s working: changes in Denver’s policies are reducing waste and pollution, improving energy efficiency, and accelerating the transition to cleaner sources of energy. Talk about policies meeting progress. Is it possible to high-five a skyscraper?
You’ve seen the doom. You’ve seen the gloom. The climate crisis is here. The good news? We can all do something to make a difference. Together we can build a more resilient, more prepared, and more supportive community.
The time is now. We’re already seeing the impacts in our city: more 100+ degree days, increased wildfire smoke, droughts. These changes are affecting the people and places we love. But it’s not too late to take action.
And joining in doesn’t have to be hard. It’s pretty simple when you think about it this way: do more of what helps the planet, do less of what hurts it. No matter what—just do something.
The Denver Climate Project works to get the word out about the various ways you can take action. Paid for by the voter-approved Climate Protection Fund, here you’ll find ideas and links on how you can get involved. You can also see how the city, local organizations, and businesses are all taking action too.
One person can’t solve the climate crisis—but 716,577+ of us can make a heck of a dent. So watch out, apocalypse—Denver’s fighting back.
Denver Residents Can “Paint it Forward” with
Free Paint Recycling on Saturday, Sep 6
Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), in collaboration with GreenSheen Paint, a local paint recycling company, is hosting a free paint recycling collection event on Saturday, Sept 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East High School athletic field parking lot (enter at 16th Avenue between City Park Esplanade and Josephine St).
This eco-friendly event offers Denver residents a convenient and responsible way to dispose of leftover paint. Whether you're a homeowner who tackled a weekend project or a professional painter, all are welcome to participate in keeping our community clean and green. This event is a great opportunity for everyone to do their part for a sustainable Denver.
Recycling paint keeps harmful chemicals out of landfills and helps conserve resources. One gallon of improperly disposed paint can pollute up to 250,000 gallons of water.
Residents can conveniently drop off unwanted paint in its original containers (five gallons or less) while remaining in their vehicles. Event staff will be on hand to unload and ensure proper recycling of all accepted materials.
Here's what you can recycle:
- Oil-based and Latex-based Paints
- Acrylic paint
- Stains and shellacs
- Shellacs and lacquers
- Primers
- Sealers and clear coatings
- Varnishes
- Urethanes
- Textured coatings
Please note that the following items will not be accepted:
- Aerosol (spray) paint
- Marine and Auto Paints
- Paint thinner
- Solvents and cleaning agents
- Driveway sealers
- Drywall mud
- Roof tar
- Hazardous waste and electronics
Visit https://circular.eco/event/DEN9625 to learn more and register for this free event.
The Paint Stewardship Program was the product of Senate Bill 14-029, which approved a fee on all new consumer paint sold in Colorado. The revenue collected from this fee funds a stewardship organization, PaintCare, to oversee paint reuse and recycling and offers drop-off sites throughout Colorado where the public can take unwanted paint for recycling. This paint is then reused, recycled or disposed of in an environmentally sound way.
Become a Denver Legacy Business:
Applications Now Open
WHAT: Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) is accepting competitive applications for the Denver Legacy Business Program. This program recognizes and celebrates longstanding, independent small businesses across the City and County of Denver for their longevity and contributions to community character.
WHO: You should apply for this designation if you are a small, independent business that has been operating for 10 or more years and are located within the City and County of Denver. View other eligibility requirements here prior to applying.
WHY: This program is designed to strengthen longstanding, locally owned small businesses. Through this program, small businesses gain:
Tailored support and referrals to city & state resources
Business promotion and Denver Legacy Business marketing & branding
Inclusion in the Denver Legacy Business Registry
A peer network of legacy businesses across the city
DETAILS
APPLY BY: Friday, September 26, 2025, at 5 p.m. here.
INFORMATION SESSION: Thursday, August 28 | 10-11 a.m. | Virtual via Zoom | Register here. Spanish and Vietnamese interpretation will be available.
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE: Application assistance is available. Learn more here.
PROGRAM FLYER: English, Spanish, Vietnamese
WHO: You should apply for this designation if you are a small, independent business that has been operating for 10 or more years and are located within the City and County of Denver. View other eligibility requirements here prior to applying.
WHY: This program is designed to strengthen longstanding, locally owned small businesses. Through this program, small businesses gain:
Tailored support and referrals to city & state resources
Business promotion and Denver Legacy Business marketing & branding
Inclusion in the Denver Legacy Business Registry
A peer network of legacy businesses across the city
DETAILS
APPLY BY: Friday, September 26, 2025, at 5 p.m. here.
INFORMATION SESSION: Thursday, August 28 | 10-11 a.m. | Virtual via Zoom | Register here. Spanish and Vietnamese interpretation will be available.
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE: Application assistance is available. Learn more here.
PROGRAM FLYER: English, Spanish, Vietnamese
Save the Date! The Fall Arts Festival is back!
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Join Us for the Fall Arts Invitational at Cheesman Park!
October 4th & 5th 2025
Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm & Sunday: 10 am to 4 pm
Experience a vibrant celebration of art at the Fall Arts Invitational, where over 120 Colorado and nationally touring artists will gather to showcase their finest work. Set in the picturesque Cheesman Park in Denver, this open-air gallery will feature a diverse array of fine art and crafts, including painting, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, metalwork, woodwork, fiber art, and more.
Event Highlights:
October 4th & 5th 2025
Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm & Sunday: 10 am to 4 pm
Experience a vibrant celebration of art at the Fall Arts Invitational, where over 120 Colorado and nationally touring artists will gather to showcase their finest work. Set in the picturesque Cheesman Park in Denver, this open-air gallery will feature a diverse array of fine art and crafts, including painting, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, metalwork, woodwork, fiber art, and more.
Event Highlights:
- Exceptional Artistry: Explore stunning creations by talented artists from across the country.
- Perfect Fall Setting: The beautiful surroundings and crisp fall weather create an ideal backdrop for this artistic celebration.
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