Urban Dweller

Volume 40, Edition 10

10/7/2022

Message from CHUN Leadership

We are a little delayed in sending out this issue of Urban Dweller as I just returned from a week in London running their marathon. Whenever I travel, the urban planning geek in me is always thinking about how what I’m seeing and learning could translate to Denver. This was especially true on this trip. The word “community” is used a lot; indeed, it is often misused to stereotype or generalize. There are many definitions of the word, but the one I appreciate the most is in the Collins Dictionary to describe a group of people with “a sense of something in common.” We are all stronger when we work together to achieve a common goal or objective. I would have thrown in the towel around mile 24, for example, were it not for the support of runners around me and the almost one million spectators yelling our names and cheering us on. Working together makes good things happen.

The point of that somewhat self-indulgent metaphor was to highlight the many items in this issue of Urban Dweller that involve partnership, working together, and community.

CHUN’s partnership with City Streets Investors will see the historic Tears McFarlane House restored and returned to use as a publicly accessible asset. This has been made possible thanks to our innovative partnership with City Streets Investors.

CHUN also worked with Metro Caring to create volunteering opportunities to support fellow Denverites in urgent need of nutritious food at no cost. Again, an example of people coming together around a common cause. We thank everyone at Metro Caring for their inspiring work.

Leonardo DiCaprio (no hyperlink needed!) even shared a Facebook post tagging CHUN as one of several organizations working together to support environmental justice in their community.

Anther learning from my trip focused on transit and I have to confess to geeking out on my first journey on the Elizabeth Line, the first new tube line to be built in London in 23 years. The project had its problems but the outcome is smooth and efficient, and the station announcer even apologized for our train arriving two minutes late. To be fair, the trains do arrive every three minutes throughout the day. In Denver, we are excited to see the Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) move forward. CHUN, Colfax Ave BID, and many other neighborhood representatives are working in partnership with the city on this exciting project that offers a positive glimpse into a sustainable and accessible Denver.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Urban Dweller; grateful as always to work with you all.
Cheers,
John

Business Member of the Month

City Street Investors

CHUN Business Member and Tears McFarlane House partner, City Street Investors are long-term investors who recognize that buildings and businesses are deeply important to their neighborhoods and they believe that their presence should bring people together and make them happier.

City Street trusts that the greatest value is created when an investment correlates with the needs of the community, and actually makes it a better place to live and work.

Iconic City Street Investor Denver projects include the Union Station renovation, Hanger 2 at Lowry and the Market Center in LODO.

City Street Investors is now headquartered in the Tears McFarlane House (TMF) at 1290 Williams Street, and as part of the joint venture partnership with CHUN, they will help create, co-own and operate the new cafe' scheduled to be built on the TMF property next year.

CHUN News and Events

October 11: Join Us for a Community Forum on November 8 Ballot Initiatives

Please join us for a community forum to learn more about three initiatives that will be on the ballot at the November 8th election.

You will have the opportunity to learn more about the initiatives and to ask questions in an open Q&A.

The three initiatives are:

Waste No More
Denver Deserves Sidewalks
No Eviction Without Representation

The event is at the Althea Center at 1400 N. Williams Street from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Register here.

October 16: Walking Tour of Curtis Park & Historic Five Points

CHUN History Matters Committee is organizing another walking tour of Curtis Park and the historic Five Points neighborhood.

The neighborhood just to the northeast of downtown Denver, now called Curtis Park for the city park in its midst, is the creation of the city's first golden age, that time between 1870, when the railroad came to town, and 1893, when the Silver Crash brought a rude end to Denver's early prosperity. It was called Denver's first streetcar suburb.

The tour will be guided by CHUN's Amanda Pennington.

When: Sunday Oct 16 from 10a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: we will meet on Curtis Street, across the street from the entrance of the St. Francis Center, located at 2323 Curtis Street
Register: please send your name here to register.

There is no cost for the tour but people are welcome to donate to the St. Francis Center, with a check, cash, or a QR code that Amanda will provide.

Thanks for Participating in CHUN's 2022 'Celebrate Community' Annual Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who joined us for CHUN's annual fundraiser, Celebrate Community! It was a great evening of fun with CHUN members, friends, guest and sponsors.

Massive shout out to our sponsors and supporters:

Joy Wine and Spirits
Native Roots CC
Angelo's Taverna
Good Chemistry
CRL Associates
Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center
Logan Street Denver
Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer
Robin Kniech, Denver City Council At-Large

CHUN and Metro Caring Come Together for a Day of Volunteerism

Thank you to our Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods members and Metro Caring for coming together on September 6th for a day of volunteerism and service in an effort to fight food insecurity.

Metro Caring is located in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood and is Colorado’s leading frontline anti-hunger organization within the community to meet people’s immediate need for healthy nutritious food. Their amazing food pantry is committed to healthy food access for our community with fresh produce, dairy and meat and TEFAP government supplied products at no cost.

The CHUN board and staff is committed to continuing to support this great organization in the future.

Applications are Open for 2022 - 2023 CHUN SEED Awards

Central to CHUN's mission and vision is the belief that communities can only become healthier and more vibrant through active citizen involvement and civic entrepreneurship.

To support this mission, each year, CHUN distributes SEED awards for Smart development, Enrichment and learning, Environmental sustainability and Diversity to neighborhood organizations and nonprofits for projects enhancing the greater Capitol Hill neighborhoods.

Recipients can receive up to $1,000 in SEED awards to enhance their own mission. Details on funding priorities and an online application are available on CHUN's website. A list of past recipients is also available here.

CHUN Executive Committee Members Share CHUN's Progress at American Planning Association Colorado Planning Conference

Congratulations to CHUN board Vice President of Community Center, Andrew Rogge, Vice President of Engagement, Vickie Berkley and President Travis Leiker for their great presentation at the 2022 American Planning Association (APA) Colorado Chapter.

It was a great opportunity to share CHUN’s progress over the years with community planning professionals from throughout Colorado and other parts of the U.S.

Several key initiatives CHUN has undertaken in recent years that were highlighted include CHUN’s redevelopment of the historic Tears-McFarlane house, SEED Award funding, participation in future redevelopment of the KMGH (Channel 7) building in Denver and sponsorship of two Safe Outdoor Sites.

Leonardo DiCaprio Mentions Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods in a September Facebook Post on Neighborhood Climate Action Programs

Over the past two decades, environmentalist, philanthropist, and actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, has lent his platform and voice to our planet, advocating for the urgency and need to act fast to fight the greatest threat facing humanity: climate change.

From advocating for climate action with President Obama and President Trump, to speaking at the Paris Agreement signing ceremony, to dedicating his Golden Globe to vulnerable communities, DiCaprio has successfully engaged the broader public to galvanize action at the local and national level to protect our planet before it is too late.

CHUN Supports the Denver Public Library

Denver and Colorado News and Events

October 14: The Ghosts of Capitol Hill Walking Tour

Date and time
Fri, October 14, 2022, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM MDT

Location
Colorado State Capitol 200 East Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80203
Meet at the statue on the east lawn of the Capitol along Grant Street between 14th and Colfax avenues.

Do heads float beneath the Capitol? Is there an unknown heroine who protects the state from sexual misadventures? How is it that a cow moos near Colfax and Broadway? What about the reported ghosts at the Brown Palace? How about the Spirit of John Henry Gower (leader of the American Society for Psychic Research)?

Answers to these questions and other wild tales will be provided by Denver historian and local legend Phil Goodstein, and your ticket is being purchased courtesy of your real estate dream team: The Alchemy Group!

Register here.

October 23: Day of the Dead 5K/10K

DATE: Sunday, October 23, 2022
LOCATION: City Park | Denver, CO
DIRECTIONS: For directions, a parking map and a map, please click here.
START TIMES:
- 5K – 9:00 AM
- 10K – 9:00 AM
Register here.

November 19: Pumpkin Pie 5K/10K

DATE: Saturday, November 19, 2022
LOCATION: City Park | Denver, CO
DIRECTIONS: For directions, a parking map and a map, please click here.
START TIMES:
- 5K – 9:00 AM
- 10K – 9:00 AM
Register here.

Congress Park Projects Scheduled for 2022 and 2023

This summer, the new Congress Park pool opened!

Next projects include a transformation of the tennis, basketball and pickleball courts. [see picture to right for Concept B, the preferred design option from the survey]. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2023.

Also, the Congress Park playground is scheduled for improvements before the end of the year. This project will build on community input to redesign and expand the existing playground to meet play, safety and accessibility needs. The project will complement the improvements made at the adjacent pool and also address the need for improved sidewalk connections throughout the park.

SafeHouse Denver Recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

With one in three women, one in four men and one in two trans or nonbinary individuals experiencing some form of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual and/or financial) by a past or present intimate partner, the scope of this issue demands greater attention from our communities.

As a local leader in supporting survivors of domestic violence and raising public awareness about this issue, SafeHouse Denver believes that everyone deserves a life free from abuse.

While DVAM happens every October, the need for prevention and intervention services exists year-round. As domestic violence incidents continue to plague the region and survivors continue to experience exacerbated traumas related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, SafeHouse Denver has remained committed to its mission while expanding programs like Community Education.

SafeHouse Denver is the only agency in the city and county of Denver with a full spectrum of trauma-informed services for survivors of domestic violence and their children. SafeHouse Denver provides individualized, compassionate and comprehensive services through a 24-Hour Crisis & Information Line, an Emergency Shelter, an Extended Stay Program and a non-residential Counseling & Advocacy Center. These life-saving services are offered 100% free of charge for all survivors from any demographics.

Denver Issues Draft 2023 Action Plan to Address Housing and Homelessness

Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) issued a draft review version of its 2023 Action Plan. The action plan outlines specific work informed by the HOST Five-Year Strategic Plan, the city’s comprehensive housing and homelessness resolution strategy.

The 2023 Action Plan in English and Spanish is available for comment through Wednesday, Oct. 26. Feedback and suggestions on the plan can be submitted via a community survey.

A virtual public meeting addressing the plan will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18. HOST staff will overview key elements of the action plan and provide an opportunity for individuals to provide feedback.

“When it comes to advancing affordability and resolving episodes of homelessness, we know what works and we’re committed to doing more of it,” said HOST Executive Director Britta Fisher. “This draft plan maps out an ambitious year ahead to build a healthy, housed and connected Denver. We welcome the community’s input to further shape this planning effort.”

Free Compostable Leaf Bags and A Chance to Win ACE Gift Certificates or a Leaf Blower

Now is the perfect time to think ahead about what to do with your leaves. Luckily, Denver’s LeafDrop program is here to help, giving Denver residents an easy and free way to take care of their neighborhood and city.

Here are three easy ways you can turn your leaves into something helpful and keep them out of landfills.
1. CLAIM YOUR BAGS. Before raking up your leaves, use this coupon to pick up a pack of free compostable paper bags specifically for leaf collection. Free 5-packs of paper leaf bags are available at participating Denver-area Ace Hardware stores.
2. #COMPOSTINGCOLORS. While you’re raking up leaves, be sure to capture the beauty – and the bounty – of Denver in autumn by snapping a photo of your trees, leaves and LeafDrop bags. Learn how to participate in this year’s fall photo contest and use the hashtag #compostingcolors to be entered to win great prizes.
3. DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT. Keep your raked leaves out of the landfill and compost them for free through Denver’s LeafDrop program. Weekday sites will open to Denver residents Oct. 10. Weekend drop-off sites will open Nov. 4. Remember, when dropping off your raked leaves, if you’re not using these compostable bags, use paper bags – they can be composted along with the leaves!