Volume 35, Issue 10

Message from Our Co-Presidents

A celebration of Roger's life will be held at: The Denver Botanic Gardens 1007 York Street Denver, CO 80206 on Saturday, October 28, 2017 11 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

  
Dear Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods Supporters and Friends,
 
As many of you know, our dear friend and former executive director Roger Armstrong passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. 

Roger oversaw many efforts to renovate and enhance our historic headquarters during his nine years as our day-to-day leader.

The Tears-McFarlane House was the second historic property that Roger managed and improved in his more than 25 years in Denver. The first was the Temple Events Center at 16th Ave. and Pearl St. in Uptown, which he joined after doing outreach and producing large fundraising events for the Colorado AIDS Project.

As a resident of Congress Park, Roger joined the Capitol United Neighborhoods Board of Delegates and in 2005 his event production experience led him to become the Capitol Hill People’s Fair director. He became Capitol United Neighborhoods executive director in 2008 and balanced the work he loved producing one of the largest community festivals in America with the community organizing work that came with Capitol United Neighborhoods and its mission of “Preserving the Past, Improving the Present and Planning for the Future.”  Roger was the personification of this mission.

Roger had a talent for mobilizing volunteers and networking with all of the many people who made the People’s Fair work: entertainers, vendors and sponsors. Wearing his community activist hat he could deal equally well with angry citizens or city officials. People who worked with him agree that one of his strengths was his ability to listen and enable people to feel their opinions counted. He was fair, kind and a true gentleman.

Although Roger left Capitol United Neighborhoods last year, we continue to hold him in our hearts and respect the many talents he brought to our community. 

With gratitude,
 
Travis Leiker & Mark Cossin
Co-Presidents

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Attend Your Neighborhood Assembly in November to
Meet Your Neighbors, Learn More about Capitol United Neighborhoods

Every November the 10 neighborhoods comprising the Greater Capitol Hill area that Capitol United Neighborhoods represents as a Denver registered neighborhood organization (RNO) have a neighborhood assembly. It's a great way to meet some of your neighbors, learn about your RNO and find out how you can get more involved in the civic affairs of your part of Denver. Delegates to the Capitol United Neighborhoods Board will also be elected. Please plan on attending the assembly in your neighborhood. Find out more about the individual neighborhoods, including which one you live in here. All are welcome, whether you own or rent or have a business in your neighborhood!

• NH 1 & 2 Joint Meeting in conjunction with Uptown on the Hill: Tuesday, November 13, 6:30-8 pm at a location TBD. The discussion will be about the East Central Planning Initiative and how neighborhood mapping will help determine the future of the area.
• NH 3 & 7 Joint Meeting: Tuesday, November 14, 6:30-7:30 pm, at The Goods on Colfax. Come hear from Lisa Raville, Harm Reduction Action Center. The overdose epidemic is hitting communities hard around the country, and Denver is no exception. Businesses and organizations across Denver have voiced their concern for overdoses occurring in their bathrooms. In 2016, at least 20 people died of overdose outside, in parks, or in business bathrooms, the year before it was at least 18.  Hear about a solution -focused policy initiative to reduce injecting in your bathrooms? 
• NH 4: Wednesday, November 8, 6:00 p.m., at The Capitol Hill Tavern, 1225 Logan. Wide-ranging, open discussion.
• NH 5 & 6 Joint Meeting: November 7, 6:00 p.m. at the Tears-McFarlane House, 1290 Williams. Scott Robinson from Denver's Dept. of Community Planning and Development will talk about the East Central Planning Initiative and what neighbors can do to have an impact on setting a direction for Greater Capitol Hill for the next 20 years or more.
• NH 8 & 9 Joint Meeting: November 7, 7:00 p.m. at Novo Coffee, 1700 E. 6th Ave. An open conversation with District 10 City Councilman Wayne New.
• NH 10: November 28, 7:00 p.m. at the Daniels Building, 1st Ave. at Monroe St. Cherry Creek Business Alliance- transportation improvement, ECO-RIDES USA, shuttle Service, Cherry Creek BID-holiday season plans.

Have You Taken the Survey Yet? Yes, YOU!

Tell the City YOUR Vision of Central Denver
The City has convened a group of representatives from Central Denver neighborhoods to help guide a new East Central Area Plan. Residents, property owners and business owners from Uptown, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, City Park West, Congress Park and South City Park will be meeting for the next year and a half to hammer out a plan that will guide growth and development for many years to come.

The Department of Community Planning and Development wants your input and has devised an online survey that will be available until the end of October. If you have not already taken it, Capitol United Neighborhoods would encourage you to do it. The more thoughts and opinions, the more accurately the Plan will reflect how the citizens want our part of the city to grow.  You can find it here.
  
​So far, young people and people of color are considerably underrepresented in the survey results, and in order to make sure that everyone's opinions are represented, the city planners are especially hoping that Denverites in these two groups will respond to the survey.

Capitol United Neighborhoods Committee Reports

Historic Preservation
September 25, 2017 at the historic Castle Marne Bed and Breakfast at 1572 Race Street.
   
Mark Tabor of the Denver Parks and Recreation Department spoke with the committee about the Park Avenue Historic District, the historic parkway property between Colfax and East 20th Avenue, which was designated in 1999 based upon an application by Capitol United Neighborhoods drafted by Stephen Gale and Nancy Widmann.

He said that the parkway had been improved in 2011 by the installation of an automated irrigation system, new sidewalks and ADA ramps through the 2007 city bond issue and a number of new trees in 2016. He said that preservation of historic resources in Denver’s parks and parkways will be a significant part of the city’s current planning process, the Game Plan, which is described at www.denveright.org – click on Parks and Recreation.

He will be willing to meet with Stephen Gale in October and members of the committee in October to discuss possible changes to enhance the green-space squares at the intersections.
  
Gerald Horner, the deputy director of the Kirkland Museum, described the relocation of the Vance Kirkland art studio from 13th and Pearl to 12th and Bannock. The building opened in 1911 as an art school by a different owner.  Vance Kirkland was an artist who opened the art school at the University of Denver in 1919. He painted in the building until he died in 1981. A large addition was built in 1999 and opened to the public as a museum in 2003 to show much 20th-century decorative furniture and art. Hugh Grant, the director of the museum, will reside in the addition, which is still at 13th and Pearl. The new museum at 12th and Bannock, to which the studio will be attached, was designed by Jim Olson, a Seattle architect. Both buildings are scheduled to open to the public in March 2018. Members of the committee will have a preview tour in November 2017.
  
Barbara Stocklin-Steely, the former principal preservation planner for the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission (2012 – 2016), described her current work as a senior historian for the Colorado Department of Transportation. She helps to ensure compliance for transportation plans with historic and cultural conservation regulations.
  
The committee learned that the Discover Denver survey project of Historic Denver, Inc., will complete its survey of City Park West in the near future and will begin its survey of the West Cheesman area in November and expects to complete the survey in May 2018.
  
NOTE: The same night of the committee meeting, the Denver City Council approved the designation of the Packard’s Hill Historic District in the West Highland neighborhood, which was supported by Capitol United Neighborhoods.

Zoning, Land Use, Transportation, Liquor & Marijuana Licensing October 4, 1200 Williams St., 19th Floor, 7 p.m.  
  
City representatives presented an update of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project known as the Colfax Corridor Connection was presented. BRT is planned for East Colfax Avenue from Syracuse Avenue to Broadway Street.
  
Denver Public Works’ Director of Transportation Planning Crissy Fanganello and Project Manager Ryan Billings outlined two options that are being considered for this project; boarding in the center of the street or boarding at the curb-side. The center-boarding would involve exclusive lanes for the buses and side-curb boarding would eliminate parking and buses and cars would share lanes. The city is funding $55 million for this project and 50% of the November bond initiative would fund projects such as this one that advance ‘transportation mobility’ that includes $20 million for streetscape & crossings.
  
This BRT system is expected to run 24/7.  The proposed stations that would run through Capitol United Neighborhoods boundaries number between 5 to 6 and represent the least number of stations along the corridor, though the neighborhoods are the densest.  
  
Downtown Denver Partnership presented a 5280 Loop ‘concept’ that would establish a five mile loop in the urban corridor. Sherman Street in the CHUN boundaries are included in this ‘nature-like’ loop.  More information is found at http://www.downtowndenver.com/loop
  
​Denver Green Roof Initiative  I-300 was presented. It is a citizen-driven effort that would update Denver’s building-zoning codes to require that all new commercial construction be required to install green roofs or solar equipment, as part of its design. See story above for more information.

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Autumn Leaves Are Falling ... Bag Them and Drop Them off

The leaves that are flying should not end up in the gutter or in your trash. The Denver Recycles' LeafDrop program is the best way to dispose of them. From now until December 8, the City will accept bagged leaves at several drop-off locations around town. The leaves will be composted the compost will be sold next May.
  
Denver Recycles and Ace Hardware are teaming up to give away 25,000 paper leaf bags this year! Denver residents can print a coupon for a free 5-pack of paper leaf bags at www.denvergov.org/leafdrop. The coupon can be redeemed at participating Denver area Ace Hardware stores.
  
​Here's where you can drop your bagged leaves:
   Weekdays 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.:

• Cherry Creek Transfer Station, 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (Quebec and Cherry Creek Drive South)
• Havana Nursery, 10450 Smith Rd. (South of I-70 at Havana)

   Weekends ( Nov. 4-19) 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)

• Cranmer Park, 3rd Ave. & Clermont St.
• Bruce Randolph School, E. 40th Ave. & Steele St.
• Veteran's Park, S. Vine St. & E. Iowa Ave.
• Cherry Creek Transfer Station, 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (Quebec St. & Cherry Creek Dr. South)
• Kennedy HS, Newland St. & Brown Pl.
• Sloan's Lake Park, 17th Ave. & Sheridan Blvd.

   City's guidelines include:

• Bring your leaves in paper leaf bags, if possible. You can get some free at Ace Hardware stores.
• Drop-off sites and free Ace Hardware paper bag offer is for Denver residents only.
• Jack-O-Lanterns and pumpkins will be accepted for composting at drop-off sites.
• Make sure leaves do not contain branches or other materials.
• Never rake or blow leaves into the street, as this clogs storm sewers and street sweepers.

Got Your Ballot? Important Issues Need Your Votes

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' Board of Delegates voted to officially support  the City's GO Bond, Referred Issues 2A through 2G. The $937 General Obligation Bond would help the City fund several important infrastructure projects:

• Transportation and mobility: $431 million
• Cultural facilities, such as the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Zoo: $116.9 million
• Denver Health: $75 million
• Public safety: $77 million
• Library system: $69.3 million
• Parks and Rec: $151.6 million
• Public facilities system: $16.5 million

  
A full description of what is included can be found in this recent Denver Post story.
  
In addition to the GO Bonds, The Denver Green Roof Initiative, I-300 is also up for a vote.
 
According to the volunteer organization behind this ballot issue, "This initiative would create a new building code in Denver requiring buildings over 25,000 SF to dedicate a portion of their roof space to vegetation and/or solar. This portion ranges from 20-60% depending on the size of the building. Green roofs and solar work in tandem, giving shade to the vegetation and the plants keep the roof cooler. This makes the building more energy efficient leading to lower energy consumption. There are exemptions and a building may choose to do 100% solar. Any excess energy can be sold back to the grid. This bill will not raise taxes, but puts the cost on the builders and building owners. It only affects residential buildings over four stories and will increase the value of the property, as well as the quality of life of its residents. Benefits of green roofs include: better air quality, lower Urban Heat Island, increased biodiversity for bees, birds, and insects, better stormwater management, more energy efficient buildings, improved work efficiency, etc."
  
The Capitol United Neighborhoods Board of Delegates has not taken a position on I-300.
  
There are also several Denver Public Schools' board positions on the ballot. The Greater Capitol Hill area is in DPS District 3 and there are two candidates running: the incumbent, Mike Johnson, is being challenged by Dr. Carrie Olson. We also get to vote for an at-large seat. There are three candidates: incumbent Barbara O'Brien, Robert Speth and Julie Banuelos.
  
Capitol United Neighborhoods does not endorse any political candidates but encourages you to do your own research and evaluation before choosing the ones you think would serve Denver best.
 
BE SURE TO VOTE!

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Green Corner: Congress Park Climate Change Forum

By ACNA and CHUN Board of Delegates Member Jim Slotta  
  
Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action partnered with the Congress Park Green Team on a two-day forum, October 6 & 7. This is the third forum; previous gatherings were in South City Park and Cheesman Park.
  
The purpose of the program was to  focus on Congress Park residents' sustainable living initiatives over the next two years. This forum supported current initiatives such as recycling and composting, and explored new projects, to be managed by groups of residents, which address the impact of climate change.

October 6
Friday evening featured a review of current Congress Park Climate Action initiatives and the opportunity to envision local Climate Actions for 2018 - 2019. Three sets of slides were presented with comments from Metro State Professor Richard Wagner, "Global Context of Climate Change";
Denver Sustainable Neighborhoods Program Coordinator Taylor Moellers, "Green Energy Progress" plus Denver's 2020 Sustainability Goals for Communities; Metro State student and ANCA committee member Karmen Burchett, "Will We Change?" plus Examples of Resilient Neighborhoods.
  
Participants submitted cards with suggested new projects for 2018 - 2019.

October 7
Congress Park Green Team current projects were reviewed. New projects suggested on Friday were listed and grouped by like subjects,  followed by a voting process. It allowed participants to divide into four Priority Action teams, with each team developing an Action Plan for 2018 - 2019:
  
Action Plan 1: Reduce Home Carbon Usage (reducing overall home energy usage and increasing clean energy) by getting benchmark/city permit data, gathering financial benefit and rebate information, taking a survey of home energy improvements, and holding an open solar house.
  
Action Plan 2: Waste Diversion and Reduction (reducing overall waste and diverting waste from landfill) by piggy-backing on the Certifiably Green Denver Pilot, targeting 10 properties not recycling/composting, Holding events, i.e., "No Plastic July" and "Earth Day",  a battery recycling campaign, focusing on multifamily dwellings, and coordinating the help of  "Block Stars" with the RNO.
  
Action Plan 3: Reduce Household Water Usage (water is scarce!) by gathering information, drafting a plan, testing ideas, and delivering workshops and tools.
  
Action Plan 4: Increase Usage of Alternative Transportation (thereby reducing carbon output) by implementing a survey, contacting resources, analyzing data, engaging the community, and beginning initial activities.
  
​Green Team Members said they felt the Forum 'doubled' their workforce, and will allow them to "Accelerate Congress Park Climate Action."

Neighborhood Update: St. Andrews  "Pauses" Camping

As reported in the Urban Dweller last month, a dispute has been simmering in Uptown over homeless people using St. Andrews Church at 2015 Glenarm Place for overnight camping. The church's governing board (the vestry) has responded to neighbors' concerns by pausing, at least for the time being, overnight camping on its property while it determines how best to proceed. The chuch is installing signs reflecting a "No Camping" policy, as well as hiring a security firm and having the church custodian be present more often at night.

Public Meetings

Nov. 7, 10 a.m. - 201 West Colfax Avenue, Room 2.H.14, Webb Municipal Office Bldg. Appeal of a denial of a permit to amend/divide an existing zone lot into two zone lots, resulting in an existing residential structure encroaching 6 inches into the 3 foot north side interior setback, and projecting
approximately 4.5 feet through the north bulk plane in the front 65% of the zone lot, in a U-TU-B zone.

Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m. - 201 West Colfax Avenue, Room 2.H.14, Webb Municipal Office Bldg. Appeal of a Cease and Desist Order for 3 air conditioning units (2 allowed) being maintained in the side interior setback at 939 Washington St.

Dec. 12, 11 a.m. - 201 West Colfax Avenue, Room 2.H.14, Webb Municipal Office Bldg. Request for an Administrative Review regarding the denial of an Administrative Adjustment at 1424 Cook St.

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