March 2024

A Message from our Executive Director

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CHUN Business Member of the Month

Forte Denver

Forte, a new Denver coffee and wine bar, finds spaces in the lobby of existing historic buildings. They look to find a space that creates a comfortable place for the businesses in the building as well as for the traveler, business professional and locals around the area. They are located at 1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 15, Lobby Cafe.

They strive to serve their customers with exquisite products and an experience that is memorable.

Their coffee comes from Longbottom Coffee, organic and hot-air roasted and they claim that it will be the best espresso you have tasted. They serve wine from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, and the Northwest region of Walla Walla Washington and are excited to bring the Oregon Wine Story to this location. ​

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CHUN News and Events

March 14 - ​Colorado State Representative Steven Woodrow Discusses Land Use Bills

CHUN's Urban Planning committee has invited Colorado State Representative, District 2, Steven Woodrow, to discuss the suite of land use bills moving through the legislature this session.  

​Topics include cause required for tenant eviction and increased tenant rights and protections, encouraging zoning for density along transit corridors, giving homeowners the right to build accessory dwelling units and addressing limits on the number of unrelated adults living together.

March 14 @ 5:30 p.m.
​Tears-McFarlane, 1290 N Williams St.
Email your  name to [email protected] to register.

March 26 - March Happy Hour at Forte 

​Curious about how to get involved in your neighborhood? Want to meet your neighbors?

Join us at Forte for our March CHUN Happy Hour and enjoy Buy One, Get One Free - BOGO - on select beverages! 

Tuesday, March 26th, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
1660 Lincoln St., Suite 150, Denver
https://www.fortecolorado.com/

Learn how to join your Registered Neighborhood Association (RNO) representing Capitol Hill, Capitol Hill North/Five Points, Cherry Creek, Cheesman Park, City Park/City Park West, Congress Park, Country Club and Speer neighborhoods.

Parking is available in surrounding lots, and, as always, we encourage walking, biking or carpooling!

​April 6 - CAP HILL Spring Clean Up

​The 2nd Annual CAP HILL SPRING CLEAN is upon us! We are partnering with various organizations within the Captiol Hill community to keep CAP HILL beautiful. We are asking all volunteers to register and then join us at Ideal Market Parking Lot on 11th and Ogden from 9 am to 12 Noon. You will be welcomed with bags and clean up supplies! For more information contact us at [email protected].

April 13 - "Women in Herstory" - Amazing Colorado Women and Their Impact

March is Women's History Month. It​ commemorates and encourages the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.

To celebrate Women's History Month and the vital role of women in Colorado history, CHUN's History Matter committee is hosting a special "Women in Herstory" event featuring a film from the Denver Office of Storytelling and Rowena Alegria, Denver's Chief Storyteller, as well as a panel of 'Woman in Power' from Colorado.

Denver’s history is full of incredible women who have inspired reform in justice, education, business, healthcare, and more. The Denver Office of Storytelling’s documentary film “Chicanas: Nurturers and Warriors” honors several of them.

Saturday, April 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tears-McFarlane House, 1290 William Street
Email your name to [email protected] to register. The cost is $15.

Panel details will be provided at chundenver.org and on CHUN Facebook​ in the coming weeks.

Rowena Alegria, Denver's Chief Storyteller

May 11 - Cheesman Park Community Clean Up 2024

Presented by the Denver Park Trust Park, Clean Ups are an annual, city-wide park stewardship day and community celebration.  They are a great volunteer opportunity for individuals, families, nonprofits and businesses who care about our parks and shared public outdoor spaces.

After the citywide clean ups, a family-friendly community celebration will be held at the City Park Pavilion with food, drinks, games, music, and fun. All volunteers eat free!

Join CHUN and Denver Park Trust for the Cheesman Park cleanup:
Saturday May 11 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Community Celebration from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Meet at the Tears-McFarlane House at 1290 Williams Street​

CHUN History Matters Moment: Showcasing One of Capitol Hill's Finest Historical Streets - Vine Street

William Lang, a renowned architect, left an indelible mark on the urban landscape of Denver with his home designs on Vine Street in Denver's Capitol Hill. The residences at 1415, 1429, 1441, and 1453 Vine Street were built between 1890 and 1893. Each home showcases Lang's distinctive style, characterized by a harmonious blend of classical and contemporary elements. Each structure stands as a testament to Lang's mastery in creating timeless and elegant homes.

The house at 1415 Vine Street showcases intricate detailing and well-proportioned facade. Moving along the street, 1429 Vine Street incorporates unique architectural elements, showcasing Lang's ability to innovate within traditional forms. At 1441 Vine Street, Lang's design emphasizes functionality without compromising on aesthetic appeal. Finally, 1453 Vine Street exemplifies Lang's commitment to creating homes that integrate into the neighborhood while maintaining individual character.
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Collectively, these houses contribute to the architectural legacy of Denver.

1415 Vine Street

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Denver and Colorado News and Events

March 8: Office Hours with Denver At-large Councilwoman ​Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez

Denver At-large Councilwoman ​Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez's office hosts community events titled “Office Hours with the Councilwoman.” They are committed to continuously engaging with the community and creating a space where neighbors can speak with her about issues that matter to them most. 

Next “Office Hours”:
Friday March 8th from 9:30am-11:00am. 
Cooper Door Coffee Roasters (1085 York St., Denver Botanic Gardens location) 

​Please click on the following link to register https://forms.office.com/g/4pcqSkVjr6. 

​Coffee will be on them! 

March 10: Park & Play at Cheesman Park

Vibrate Your Best Energy (VYBE) is presenting Park & Play at Cheesman Park in March.

VYBE is a creative organization fostering connection through music, art and flow. 

Dance. Create. Connect. They bring DJs, coloring books, canvas and other activities to encourage people to create and connect with each other.

Sunday, March 10
​2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

​All are welcome to attend. 

March 12 and March 24: FREE DAYS at Denver Art Museum

Engage with art, experience onsite activities, and explore the art on view all while enjoying free general admission! Explore what's currently on view and review our online calendar to see what's happening on the museum.
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These days are part of the Free Days at the DAM program; view a complete list of upcoming free days.

​Tickets may be reserved in advance or at the front desk upon entry.

March 16: ​Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade

Irish culture will come alive on the streets of LoDo with award-winning pipe bands, Irish step dancers, magical floats, military units, public servants, celebrities and many other delightful entries.

9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Grandstand at 20th & Blake in front of Coors Field
​Click here for full parade route.
Website: https://www.denverstpatricksdayparade.com/

Click here to learn more about the history of St. Patrick's Day.

Help Shape the Future of Colfax Avenue

Over the next several years, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will bring many changes to Colfax, both during and after construction. The Colfax Ave Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a strategic planning process called “Colfax, Forever!” to prepare for this transformation. They want to hear your thoughts about Colfax Avenue today, and what YOUR hopes, desires, and concerns are for the future of Colfax.

Your survey answers will be used to shape the Strategic Plan and guide the Colfax Ave BID’s future programs, services, and investments in the district. Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/colfaxforever

​Watch and Learn: Density in Historic Districts and Zoning Updates

Did you know that historic districts have more dwelling units per acre than the rest of Denver? Or that that the Denver Zoning Code was updated in 2023 to simplify and streamline rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs)?

The third and final segment of Denver Landmark Preservation's video series on ADUs, can help you learn about how density relates to historic areas in Denver. The six-minute video also sheds light on how zoning rules have changed recently to make it easier to build ADUs in different types of neighborhoods across the city.
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The video series is part of an ongoing update to the Landmark Design Guidelines.  Give your inputs to the Landmark ADU Design Guidelines Survey to help shape the next guidelines.

Denver Introduces a Chatbot for Quick Answers on City Services

Denver recently introduced Sunny, a new go-to chatbot for all things city service. If you need quick answers about trash collection, permits, or local events, you can simply chat with Sunny on denvergov.org or text "hello" to Hey311 or 439311.

The chatbot offers instant solutions to your questions anytime, anywhere.  Click here to Chat with Sunny.

New Lower Fares for RTD

For the first time, RTD has lowered fares on all services to make public transit a more attractive and financially viable option for everyone.

​With streamlined products, reduced fare zones, and consolidated discounts, the goal is to make public transportation simpler, more affordable, and more equitable. 

Reduced DMV and Rec Center Hours

Recently, Mayor Johnston announced a round of budget cuts that will impact Parks and Rec and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

In addition to a 25% reduction in spring programming, all recreation centers will reduce operations from 7 to 6 days. Those already open six days will reduce the number of available hours.

​Most DMV locations will also have rotating weekly closures.

​Funding for Afterschool Programs

If you have a middle school student who attends a Denver Public School and qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, they are eligible for up to $1,000 to help pay for afterschool programs, including sports, dance, art, and more.

Guns to Gardens Helps Gun Owners Dispose Unwanted Guns Without Returning Them to Gun Marketplace

Guns to Gardens is a grassroots community of faith working to reduce gun violence in the Denver Metro area by destroying guns and forging the parts into life-giving tools.

With more than 400 million guns in American homes, many of these guns are no longer wanted for a range of reasons. Guns to Gardens' events provide a way to dispose of unwanted guns without returning them to the gun marketplace, where they could be used for future harm.

Gun owners are invited to safely surrender their unwanted guns at Guns to Gardens’ events, held occasionally at various churches around the metro area. The guns are dismantled on-site by trained volunteers. The leftover metal and wood pieces are then transformed into garden tools or artwork, which are given back to the community or sold at springs.rawtools.org.

For additional details, check out gunstogardensdenver.org.