October 2023

Letter from the President

As I mentioned in the September Urban Dweller, CHUN and other Denver Registered Neighborhood Organizations [RNOs] were invited to attend a meeting with Mayor Mike Johnston in which he laid out his plan to address Denver’s homeless issue. The Mayor has committed to finding ‘house outcomes’ for up to 1,000 people who are currently living on Denver sidewalks before the end of this year.

Branded as House1000, the Mayor’s plan redirects over $48 million in existing city housing funds to put people directly into leased units, converted hotels and new microunits, complete with wraparound services including 24-hour security, mental health and addiction treatment and workforce placement. When the city can open new housing, Johnston plans to move the occupants of entire encampments as communities together and then increase enforcement, cultural events and business activities in public spaces to ensure encampments do not return.

As I listened to Mayor Johnston outline the details of his House1000 plan, I was struck by the humanity and understanding he brought to his plan and to his answers to the numerous questions he fielded at the RNO meeting. As someone who has worked with politicians for decades, I know how rare it is for our political leaders to actually address the humanity of the people affected by their government policies.

On September 26th, the City cleared the large homeless camp on Logan Street and 8th Avenue. At the RNO meeting, the Mayor had mentioned that he had visited this camp a couple of times to talk with the camp members. As part of last week’s sweep, every accessible camp member was offered the opportunity to move into temporary housing in a hotel leased by the City. These sweep operations are never easy or without issues. But in the end, people in need were moved to much better, more humane and safer housing and the sidewalk was cleared and cleaned for the first time in months.

In this Urban Dweller, we have included the Housing and Shelter Data Dashboards in the Denver News section below so you can track the City’s progress on this issue. So far, the Mayor’s House1000 plan is off to a good start. At this rate, his plan will move Denver forward in our continuing effort to solve the homeless issue in the most humane and permanent manner.

Finally, a reminder that this month, on October 10th , CHUN is hosting a Happy Hour at Wild Taco, 215 East 7th Avenue, from 4:30-6:30pm. Come and meet your neighbors who are engaged in many activities to make our city a better place in which to live and work.

Peace!
Christopher

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CHUN Business Member of the Month

Wild Taco

Wild Taco is a new restaurant in Governors Park. The Wild Taco team wanted to create the ultimate Mexican restaurant-bar-patio experience with friendly service, creative menu, exquisite libations and great atmosphere.

Co-owners, Rico Aragon, Flor Aragon and Yoon Terry are  three experienced industry veterans that have capitalized on their love of Mexican food with a twist.  Aragon brother and sister team are originally from Chihuahua, Mexico and Terry is originally from South Korea.

They have $12 Taco Tuesday and $12 lunch specials Monday thorough Friday.

Stop by at 215 E. 7th Ave for the CHUN Happy Hour on October 10 - details below.

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CHUN Member Shout Out

Rachel Griffin

The board and staff of CHUN would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rachel Griffin.

Rachel recently transitioned off the CHUN board after nearly two decades of service.

Rachel was instrumental to our work in a number of ways. She represented CHUN on the Colfax BRT Task Force, championed traffic safety along major corridors throughout our city, shepherded a number of innovative parent programs and was a constant presence at innumerable neighborhood functions.

​We are especially grateful to her for spearheading CHUN's diversity and inclusivity policy, which continues to guide all facets of our work from policy statements to board governance.

​Recently, she was presented the Neighborhood Safety Award for this and other contributions to the organization. 

Rachel (center) accepting Neighborhood Safety Award

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CHUN News and Updates

October 4: Presentation and Discussion on Prop HH, a Property Tax Measure Appearing on the November Ballot

CHUN's Urban Planning committee welcomes you to a special presentation on Proposition HH, a property tax measure appearing on the November ballot (see below). The presentation and discussion will address how we arrived at this measure, what it means for property owners and renters and what rent relief proposals may be tackled in the 2024 legislative session.

October 4th, 5:30 p.m.
Tears McFarlane House, 1290 Williams Street
Scott Wasserman, President, Bell Policy Center

​Ballot text: SHALL THE STATE REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOMES AND BUSINESSES, INCLUDING EXPANDING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIORS, AND BACKFILL COUNTIES, WATER DISTRICTS, FIRE DISTRICTS, AMBULANCE AND HOSPITAL DISTRICTS, AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND FUND SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY USING A PORTION OF THE STATE SURPLUS UP TO THE PROPOSITION HH CAP AS DEFINED IN THIS MEASURE?

​October 6: Good Shephard Fall Carnival

​This is a fun annual event for the whole family with a beer tent, food trucks, bouncy house, face painting and carnival games.

​The event will be located on Elizabeth St. between 7th and 6th Ave. 

Event Activities: Friday, Oct. 6, 4 – 8 pm

Find event details and updates at goodshepherdpto.org

​October 10: CHUN Happy Hour

Join CHUN as we kick off our EXPLORE AND POUR series! Every 2 months we will host an event that helps us EXPLORE the Capitol Hill Neighborhood, and POUR into each other through fellowship, food, and more!​

Join us in October at Wild Taco, a new fun restaurant in Governors Park. The Wild Taco team wanted to create the ultimate Mexican restaurant-bar-patio experience with friendly service, creative menu, exquisite libations and great atmosphere.

Happy hour drink prices until 6 p.m. CHUN to provide tacos and other nibbles.

Tuesday, October 10
4: 30 to 6:30 p.m.
Wild Taco
​215 E. 7th Avenue

See you there!

October 14: Denver Loves Pets 'Stranger Things' Fundraiser for Denver's Animal Shelter

Denver Loves Pets Stranger Things is a radical event that will transport guests to The Upside Down, while raising money to help Denver’s homeless animals. Ticket includes; a strolling dinner, open bar, silent and live auction, entertainment, a special giving opportunity + more.

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm (MDT)
Grant-Humphreys Mansion Colorado
770 Pennsylvania Street​
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Click here for more information and tickets.

October 19: Haunted Capitol Hill Walking Tour

Hop on one of two walking tours through haunted Capitol Hill in Denver. The guide will take you through the incredible – and sometimes spooky – history of the neighborhood and the best places for chance encounters from the other side. From mansions of Millionaire’s Row to Cheesman Park, you’ll learn about the ghoulish details of our city’s past. The tour will last 2 hours and include just over one mile of walking.

Click here for tickets for the 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. tour.

October 28: Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival

The day of the dead is one of the most important festivities in Mexico because Mexicans honor their dead with a joyful and positive celebration, turned into a fantastic popular holiday. The conception of life and death, as well as all the traditions and ancient beliefs that revolve around the subject, is a characteristic that distinguishes Mexicans from the rest of the world.

Bring your family and enjoy food vendors, live music, drinks, exhibitors, catrina contest, la reina de dia de muertos, games and much more!

Save the date for this free event.​
​Saturday, Oct 28th 12:00pm – 08:00 pm
Denver Civic Center 

​Coming this Fall: Fall Neighborhood Clean Up

​Watch this space for more details on CHUN's Fall neighborhood clean up!

November 11 and 12: Awkwardly Zen

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11th:
METAPHYSICAL FAIR (all day):
Come check more than 30 Denver & traveling psychics, mediums, energy healers, tarot readers, aura photographers, crystal & metaphysical goods vendors and more at our Metaphysical fair from 10am - 5pm at the historic Althea Center. 
TRAVIS HOLP LIVE: SPEAKING WITH SPIRIT (Saturday evening)
Travis is coming in from Washington State for a Psychic Mediumship Gallery Event. Doors open at 6:30pm / Event at 7:00pm. VIP ticket holders can join a special VIP Reception from 8:30pm - 10pm
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12th:
ALTHEA CENTER SUNDAY  (10:30am):
Join Althea Center & Awkwardly Zen for an inspirational and spiritual experience at Althea's Sunday Gathering with a powerful message from Althea's Spiritual Director, Rev. Christina Jones, great music, and more. 
GONG BATH EXPERIENCE (1pm) 
Then bring your yoga mat and blankets to the GORGEOUS Althea Sanctuary for a Gong Bath by Denver's own, Gregg Wilkins! Tickets required!
More information and Tickets: https://awkwardlyzen.com/1111weekend/

SAVE THE DATE: Tickets Go On Sale November 1 for CHUN's December 5th Winter Fundraiser, Winter Wine...drland!

CHUN October Volunteer Spotlight: Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens needs volunteers in a variety of roles for their signature Fall events in October.

​Sign up here. 

• Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms: October 6-8 
• Glow at the Gardens at York Street: October 17-22

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Denver and Colorado News and Updates

Mayor's Office New Housing and Shelter Dashboards

The mayor's office has released new Housing and Shelter Data Dashboards for Denverites to follow progress on his ambitious housing goals.

There are two tabs, Housing Outcomes and Housing Pipeline, with detailed data under each.

​Please find the website here.

City Council Approves Revised Plan for the All Inn Motel on Colfax

On Monday, city council approved a revised plan for the All Inn Motel. CHUN issued a letter of support for the previous plan, which includes tax-increment financing (TIF) dollars due to the blight of the property on Colfax and St. Paul streets. The new plan reduces the number of units (eliminating a proposed secondary structure on the property), and the swimming pool is eliminated due to increased costs of capital and construction. The plan was approved by a vote of 8-5, with new city council members in opposition to the TIF financing. CHUN did not take a position on the revised plan. More information at Denverite.  ​

Forums to Meet Candidates for Denver Public School Board

Denver Public School Board members are elected to nonpartisan four-year terms that are staggered in odd-numbered years. There are seven school board members in total with five representing each city district and two at-large members. In the upcoming election on November 7th, there are three board seats up for election (District 1, District 5, and one at-large candidate). The other four seats are not up until November 2025.

Unlike the mayoral and city council races, there is no runoff in school board elections. The candidate with the largest number of votes prevails. Ballots are due by November 7th.
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Click here to see time and place for the 4 forums.

Public Meetings for Denver's 5-year Parks Legacy plan 

The third in-person public meeting for the 5--Year Parks Legacy Plan is confirmed! 
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Join Denver Parks and Recreation at the meeting that works best for you to guide the department’s priorities! DPR is creating the next 5-year plan for the Parks Legacy Fund, a voter approved 2018 ballot measure that implemented a .25% sales tax increase which benefits parks.

Please see the details for all four meeting taking place throughout September and October at bit.ly/legacy_5year
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Give Your Input on Vision Zero and Bikeway Evaluation Study

The Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is currently conducting the Vision Zero and Bikeway Evaluation Study, an initiative aimed at enhancing safety and comfort for cyclists and all road users across Denver.

Neighborhood Bikeways are low-volume, low-speed streets designed to prioritize people who are biking, walking and rolling by using design elements such as signage, pavement markings, speed and/or volume reduction features and crossing improvements. 

​The primary objective of this study is to gather both quantitative and qualitative data on projects to evaluate the effectiveness of the Vision Zero and Bikeway projects. To give your inputs, please visit the project website, Bikeways and Vision Zero Evaluation Study.​