Volume 36, Issue 4

Message from the President

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

Thank you for visiting Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' April 2018 edition of the Urban Dweller.  April proved to be very productive for CHUN from both an organizational and community outreach perspective.  We kicked off the month with the 26th Annual Easter Egg Hunt.  It was a tremendous success, and we were delighted to have more than 150 people from around the neighborhood in attendance.  

On April 28th, we hosted COOLFax and Cocktails in collaboration with Congress Park Neighbors, Inc. Colfax Ave. Business Improvement District, South City Park Neighborhood Association, and the Bluebird District.  Thanks to all who participated and came out to celebrate Colfax Ave.  We appreciate the fabulous staff and crew at The Humble Pie Store for their hospitality and delicious PIES.  In the coming months, CHUN will host more regular neighborhood gatherings designed to connect friends and neighbors and continue to build a sense of community throughout the greater Capitol Hill area. 

CHUN has long been a champion for Denver's neighborhoods and residents. This month, our Board of Delegates adopted a motion to support the 'Mailed Rezoning Notice Amendment' to Denver's Zoning Codes. The amendment (if adopted by city council) will require timely, mailed notification of proposed rezoning changes be sent to owners of property located within 200 feet of the project in question. The board also voted overwhelmingly to support two construction projects that will provide critical housing options for low-income families and our seniors. The first is a new development at 1358 Emerson St. and the second project is the renovation at the Olin Hotel at 1420 Logan St, which is owned and operated by Senior Housing Options.  More information about these projects can be found below.  

Govnr's Park Tavern will hold their 9th Annual Beer Fest on June 23, 2018. Proceeds from the event will benefit CHUN, We hope you can join us!  

Special thanks to the following new business members: The Bank of Denver, St. Paul Health Center, and the Alexan Apartments in Uptown.  Finally, we launched Membership Mondays on Facebook.  Each Monday we will recognize one of our members and their contributions to CHUN and our community.  If you aren't a member or your membership has lapsed, click HERE to renew or join.  

​​On behalf of the board of delegates, we wish you all the best in May!

Sincerely, 

Travis Leiker
​President, Board of Delegates 

The People's Fair Is Just One Month Away 

For a weekend of great entertainment, art, food and people-watching, nothing can beat the Capitol Hill People's Fair. The 47th edition is set for June 1-3 in Denver's Civic Center. This year's Fair includes a ticketed Friday night concert.

There will be music and other entertainment on three stages. First-time additions to the Main Stage include a community yoga session at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday and a Sunday appearance at 2 p.m. by the Dazzling Divas Drag Show. The Hometown Stage will host acts as diverse as the Denver School of Rock, Heritage Irish Step Dancers, Colorado Mestizo and Kalama Polynesian Dancers. There's much more, so check out the full schedule here.  

The People's Fair is renowned for its eclectic mix of fine art and crafts, packaged and eat-on-the-spot foods, community partnerships and nonprofit exhibitors, and of course excellent beverages including non-alcoholic and adult. You can get the full lineup here.  The People's Fair was produced for many years by Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods. We handed over the nuts and bolts of its production last year to Team Player Productions while remaining as its sponsor and beneficiary. It continues to be a great partnership.

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Business Member of the Month

The Bank of Denver, formerly the Denver Industrial Bank, was organized by George F. Rock, Jr. as a result of a merger of the Credit Finance Company, organized in 1936, and the Denver Safe Deposit Company, organized in 1908.  Today, The Bank of Denver remains a fixture in our community--committed to the Mile High City, its many wonderful institutions, and a financial partner in our neighborhoods, 

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​Spring Events and Activities Kick Into High Gear

The 30th Annual Walk MS brings more than 8,000 participants and volunteers to the heart of Denver in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This year’s event will include a walk and a run portion, as well as entertainment and festivities for the whole family.  This year's event is scheduled for Saturday May, 5, 2018 and located in Denver's City Park. 

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Department of Parks & Recreation Release Summer Activity Guide

​The Denver Parks and Recreation Summer Activity Guide is officially online!  Browse classes, click through their links and add to your "wish list". Registration opens MAY 8 at noon!  Be sure to check out the fun summer activities for all ages and interests:

• Active Older Adults
• Adaptive Recreation
• Aquatics
• Arts & Culture
• Fitness & Wellness
• Outdoor Recreation
• Out of School Time, Camps and Special Events
• Adults Sports
• Youth Sports

Click here to access the Activity Guide, then add classes to your wish list here!

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2018 Denver Vision Zero Community Forum 
May 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
PPA Events Center
2105 Decatur Street

Join Us to Help Make the Streets and Communities Safer Places to Walk, Bike, and Drive.  Bringing Our Community Together to:

• Learn about community engagement in other Vision Zero Cities
• See the Photo Voices Exhibition from local community members
• Hear from local City leaders about implementing Vision Zero
• Set the foundation in Denver for launching community & City partnerships
• Hear about ways to get involved

Lunch is included! Child care available. Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and Vietnamese available; American Sign Language and other languages upon request. City and County of Denver: Denver Vision Zero. Sponsored by AAA Colorado. More info and registration.

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East High 7th Annual Arts Walk Celebrates Student Talent

Local businesses are teaming up to showcase East High students' performing and visual arts  at the school and seven other locations along Colfax Ave. on Thursday, May 10 from 5:30 p.m. -8 p.m.

​This year’s route on Colfax includes 14 utility boxes featuring student art developed in collaboration with the Denver Vision Zero Coalition and local artist Patrick Milbery. The utility box art is intended to raise awareness of Vision Zero and Denver’s goal of eliminating traffic fatalities.

​Each box features the story of a Denver resident impacted by a traffic crash. Denver East High School tours, including the historic library and Clock Tower Museum, will operate from 5:45 p.m.-7:05 p.m. A special finale integrating Native American traditional dance, Van Gogh live paint dance, choral performances, and the unveiling of a visual arts legacy project will close out the event.
  

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2018 Marks the 100th Anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Tree Damage? Here's What to Do

It's still possible that we'll encounter more extreme wind or snow. If that happens, your trees may bend or lose a branch or two. The City offered some helpful tips on how to deal with it:
Removing Snow from Trees

• Check to make sure the tree is safe and clear of all utility lines prior to removing snow. If the tree is clear of utility lines, using a broom, remove as much snow as possible from branches.
• Do not attempt to climb tree or use ladder to reach higher limbs

Damaged Trees and Broken Branches

• Property owners are responsible for cleanup of debris from trees as well as their pruning needs on private property and from trees within the public right-of-way adjacent to their property
• If a tree limb is broken on a tree within a public right-of-way, or you have general questions about the condition of a public-right-of way tree, please contact Denver Forestry for assistance [email protected]
• For trees on private property, citizens can visit www.denvergov.org/forestry for a list of licensed and insured tree care contractors
• If emergency removal of a fallen tree or tree branch is needed to clear a street, the city can assist though an established on-call contract, however the cost of the work will be billed to the responsible property owner

Disposal of Tree Branches

• Denver Public Works Solid Waste Management collects a limited amount of branches as part of its regular trash collection service to residents
• Tie loose branches in bundles no longer than 4 feet in length and in bundles weighing no more than 50 pounds. No branches may exceed 4 inches in diameter.  A maximum of 10 branches bundles per household will be collected per scheduled Extra Trash service collection (every 4 weeks).

Denver residents can also drop off branches at the Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-off center located near East Cherry Creek South Drive and South Quebec Street. Hours of operation can be found on the city’s website at www.denvergov.org/recycling

Cut Pollution and Trade up to a New Lawn Mower

Welcome to the Mow Down Pollution residential lawn mower exchange program!  Old gas-powered lawn mowers are a leading source of summer air pollution in Denver. Maybe it's time to think about trading out for a new one.  In an effort to reduce ground-level ozone in the Denver Metro/North Front Range areas, the Regional Air Quality Council and our program partners will once again be offering three lawnmower exchanges during the spring/summer of 2018. Electric lawn mowers will be available from both EGO and  Black & Decker at this year's exchange events.  Both manufacturers will also have a limited number of electric lawn and garden accessories for purchase at the event, in addition to the lawn mowers.  A list of those accessories can be viewed here.  This year's events will take place at Dicks Sporting Goods Park, The Ranch at Budweiser Event Center, and Arapahoe Community College.  Get details about each individual event, product offerings, and register. Please note that preregistration is required.  We will not be able to accommodate any customers who aren’t preregistered.  Registration for each event will remain open while supplies last.

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Around Our Neighborhoods

Construction on New Low-Income Housing Set
Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' Board of Delegates voted overwhelmingly at its last meeting to support construction of the Emerson Street Apartments.  The new development at 1358 Emerson St. will be a five-story development offering housing to 20 low-income families, including two one-bedroom, 12 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom units, plus two  offices, a community room with kitchen, secure parking and other amenities. It will be built on a site that currently holds twelve- two-bedroom units in a structurally unsound building. The developer is Del Norte Neighborhood Development Corporation, which will also manage the building once it is finished. 

Renovations Set to Begin at the Olin Hotel
CHUN's Board also voted to support the renovation at the Olin Hotel at 1420 Logan St. The Olin is owned and operated by Senior Housing Options and provides housing for elderly and disabled residents. Renovations will begin once funding for the project is secured. The project is planned to be done in stages to minimize disruptions for the current residents. It includes constructing five new units on a previously inaccessible 5th floor, which will assist the management to relocate current residents while their units are being renovated.

The 5280 Loop Marches On
Last year the Downtown Denver Partnership launched “The 5280 Loop” that would encircle downtown Denver.  Described by the Partnership as a “…bold, visionary project…” that will “…transform how the public right-of-way is used…”, the Loop as proposed would be 5.2 miles long, and would include Sherman Street from 12th to 20th Avenues.  Last year’s Capitol Hill meeting was poorly attended, with more staff than attendees, and a similar scenario unfolded at the second informational meeting held Tuesday, April 24, at the First Baptist Church,  1373 Grant Street. Six attendees were briefed by approximately eight staffers.  The outlines of the impact of The 5280 Loop on Sherman Street were explained. Construction of a “dedicated” bike lane would result in the elimination of at least 50% of Sherman Street’s existing on-street parking, and possibility more, depending on how much “water quality” infrastructure is installed.
  
Given that neighborhood residents in the evening occupy all of the existing on-street parking, the question was asked where they would park if the 5280 Loop is constructed.  No clear answer was provided.  Also missing from the discussion was an explanation how the significant cost of The 5280 Loop would be paid, other than that the City would need to come up with the funds.  What is clear is that the Partnership anticipates The Loop would be a big draw for out-of-town bicycling visitors to Denver, who might  forego existing scenic bike trails along Cherry Creek and the South Platte River to ride through neighborhoods close-in to downtown.  The next step for the Partnership in its progress toward  constructing The 5280 Loop is to convince the City to fund more detailed planning for a segment of the trail.

For more information, visit 5280Loop.com.    

New Parking Restrictions for Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light Nights
Attendance at the Denver Botanic Gardens holiday Blossoms of Light event has grown from 60,000 to 160,000 since 2014. The surge in popularity has put huge traffic and parking stresses on the surrounding neighborhoods. In 2014 the Gardens has agreed to continue implementing timed ticketing and limit nightly attendance to 4,000 people. In addition, some neighborhoods that had parking permits for the DBG's Summer Concert Series will have those permits extended to include the Blossoms of Light. The city will be adding the dates to existing signage in the neighborhoods. Violators risk a ticket and fine.  The City is going to a license plate scanning system for enforcement during the Summer Concert Series and Blossoms of Light. No window decals will be issued, although residents will be able to secure visitors permits.

Cherry Creek North Construction Update
 The Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District reports that several of the major construction projects that have made navigating the sidewalks and streets of the shopping area difficult for the past few years are done or coming to an end this year. Here's the skinny:

• Civica Cherry Creek @ 250 Fillmore St. - 110k SF office & 11,500k SF retail: Finished
• St. Paul Collection No. 210 @ 210 St. Paul St. - 81 residences & 10,500 SF retail: May
• The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop @ 222 Milwaukee St. - 201 hotel rooms & 6,900 SF meeting space: June
• ANB Bank Redevelopment @ 3033 1st Ave. - 25k SF retail & 8-story office reno: August
• Laurel @ 155 Steele St. - 71 residences and 3,787 SF retail: October
• St. Paul Collection No. 255 @ 255 St. Paul St. - 84 residences & 10.5k retail: October

The Moxy Denver @ 240 Josephine and redeveloped Cherry Creek Square @ 3000 E. 3rd Ave. were finished late last year.

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Links to Other Stories of Interest to Capitol Hill Dwellers

• The stone lions of Capitol Hill are relics of a historic effort to look sophisticated   
• Movie theater slated for former hospital site
• Bicycling in Denver:  What's the most dangerous road?
• This 74-year old's collection of collections in Congress Park is unlike anything you've seen before
• Dan Landes is selling City O' City 
• Proposed legislation would force Colorado landlords to worry more about mold - and court
• Declining Transit Ridership: Revolutionary or Routine
  

CHUN Committee Meetings

Zoning, Land Use, Transportation and Licensing Committee - April 4 at 1201 Williams St., 7 p.m. Notes submitted by Co-Chair Shayne Brady
  
Councilman Wayne New reported that he is still addressing the relocation of existing towers that are currently in front of residential housing. He and Public Works have established Right of Way Entrance Requirements that companies are expected to follow when they apply for permits. He and Public Works Officials met with Verizon Wireless Senior Officials whose position is not to relocate any of their towers. City officials informed that if they do not move their towers from in front of residential properties, the city will revoke their revocable permits. Councilman New is engaged with Public Works to ensure existing small towers are relocated away from front entrances. Brad Cameron pointed out that these towers may very well compromise the city’s urban forest, when companies argue that trees are interfering with wireless reception. More information can be found at:
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/right-of-way-services/permits/small-cell.html https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/730/documents/ROWServices/small-cell-infrastructure-2017.pdf

Regional Transportation District Representatives- Ms. Tina Jaquez, Public Affairs & Mr. Jeff Dunning from Service Planning Svcs. discussed RTD’s rationale for eliminating 20 bus stops in CHUN boundaries. These 20 stops are along Broadway, East Colfax Avenue, Sixth Avenue and Twelfth Avenue. Jeff Dunning reported that RTD’s initiative is modeled after Portland, Oregon’s bus service model that has consolidated stops to improve timing of bus-drivers reaching key destination stops. This will result in bus- users having to consolidate at fewer stops but their on-time arrival to key stops will improve, according to RTD. RTD reported that it has another initiative in the works to improve the safety at certain bus stops on East Colfax Avenue. This was little comfort to one of our meeting’s attendees who relies 100% on the Route 15 bus, to reach all of her transportation needs. Her stop is being eliminated and she has to wait in front a less than reliable liquor store, with no lighting or security for her. Other meeting attendees remarked that existing Sixth Avenue bus stops are in front of resident’s garage doors and cause hazardous waiting for Route 6 buses. CHUN will be following up with RTD to address safety and lighting at East Colfax Avenue bus stops. For RTD information on these changes: http://www.rtd-denver.com/bus- stops.html

Representatives from Denver’s Group Living Advisory Group, led by CHUN Board Member Sarah Wells, presented on their work to investigate home-buying options that use a model where two or more unrelated families buy into a large home that serve as their primary residence, and where all formally share responsibilities of maintaining their home and grow equity in their investment of the home. They reported that there are existing examples of cooperative housing in Capitol Hill Neighborhood and in the metro area. Meeting attendees asked about auto- parking provided with such properties and asked about avoiding the impression of becoming examples of rental-housing. Michael Henry also reported on his work on the Group Advisory Committee, in the context of existing Group homes such as transitional housing for persons coming from correctional or mental health facilities. For more information on this city work, see:
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/community-planning-and-development/zoning/text-amendments/Group_Living.html

Committee Attendees discussed and voted on Councilman Raphael Espinoza's effort to amend the zoning code to require written notice to property owners within 200 feet of proposed rezoning locations. 

Karen Van Haaften, Neighborhood Delegate in SW Capitol Hill Neighborhood reported that the Denver Public Works conducted traffic counts to determine if a four-way stop was warranted at Seventh Avenue and Sherman Street. The traffic counts for autos were high and very close to meeting the threshold but did not meet the required counts. Public Works will be conducting a follow up count after a nearby large apartment building currently under construction, becomes occupied.

Historic Preservation Committee - February 26 at Castle Marne, 1572 Race St.,  7 p.m. Notes submitted by Chairman Michael Henry.

Jim Peiker talked about his upcoming book about the history of the Castle Marne and the surrounding neighborhood. The rusticated lava stone building was built in 1889 as a home for William Raymond and was designed by Architect William Lang. It was converted to a 7-unit apartment in 1919 by Adele Van Scise, whose son Philip wrote to her from Europe during World War I, describing the Marne River and the Battle of the Marne. Philip Van Scise later became a prominent Denver District Attorney. Between 1970 and 1989, the building was used for offices, then was vacant and vandalized. On August 1, 1988, Jim Peiker and his family purchased the building and have had a community celebration at the Castle Marne Bed and Breakfast on August 1 every year. Jim said that the most interesting person who stayed at the Castle Marne was Tiny Tim. A notable next-door neighbor at 1560 Race was the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Committee member Jude Aiello spoke about her efforts to work with Denver Urban Gardens, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Uptown on the Hill Neighborhood Association to establish a community garden on one of the triangles along historic Park Avenue between Colfax and East 20th Avenue.

The committee briefly discussed the for-sale Schleier Mansion at 1665 Grant Street (not designated as a landmark), which the committee had unsuccessfully attempted to persuade the owner to agree to designation in the past.

There was brief discussion about the proposed 4-story apartment building proposed for 2061 - 71 Glenarm Place in the Clement’s Historic District by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the Mental Health Center of Denver. Michael Henry and 2 members of the Clement’s Historic Neighborhood Association will provide design-review comments to the Landmark Preservation Commission.

David Wise has agreed to provide design-review comments for a proposed addition to 635 Fillmore, in the Seventh-Avenue Historic District.

The committee’s next meeting will be on Monday April 30 at 7:30pm. at Castle Marne.
AGENDA

• Discussion with Karen Utke, who is working to develop a landmark
• application for the Dennis Mullen Mansion at 860 Emerson and the entire 800
• block of Emerson Street.
• Discussion of the business block at 1401 Ogden and 1457 Ogden -
• recently listed for $5.4 million.
• Discussion of whether CHUN should oppose the proposed large new
• buildings attached to Larimer Square.
• Update on possible community garden along Park Avenue Historic
• District - Jude Aiello.
• Update on return of Allen True murals to Tammen Hall.
• Discussion of status of 851 Clarkson Street.
• Any other business

Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, Saturday, April 14 at Holy Transfiguration of Christ Cathedral, 349 East 47th Ave. Notes submitted by CHUN INC Rep. Jim Slotta

Both the location (Globeville) and the main topics of discussion of INC's April Meeting underline the importance of striving for healthy Denver neighborhoods. "We are the canaries in the coal mine!" remarked one of the attendees at the end of the program.

Before the presentations came brief reports from the Transportation, Zoning and Planning, and Parks and Recreation Committees. Also, time was included for "Around the City"--verbal RNO Updates.
  
Details of INC Committee activities, including meeting reports, are easily accessed at the INC web site, denverinc.org. The Transportation Committee is closely following Denver's sidewalk repair campaign. INC supports preservation of flagstone sidewalks where standard. A discussion included the need for "open RFPs" for repairs to include local small business contractors. The May 10th meeting focus will include a report from RTD and a discussion of the transit plan during the I-70 construction project.

CU-Boulder Department of Sociology Professor Jason Boardman introduced a study titled "DBASE" (Denver Study of the Built and Social Environment). The study explores why there are health differences between Denver neighborhoods, using publicly available data.

​ Residents of the Globeville-Swansea Neighborhood described their zipcode 80216 as the 'most polluted site in the country.' An analysis of stairwell air at Garden Place School, followed by a Titanium Dioxide treatment of windows, showed a 37% reduction of air contaminants, including benzene. A mother shared her story of the difficulty of a single mom to cope with her neighborhood's pollution. Lloyd Burton of the Colorado Sierra Club emphasized the need for increased air quality monitoring. A city official confirmed the issues, and explained City and CDOT commitments. The lively discussion is what drew the 'canary in the coal mine' comment.

Public Meetings

• May 4, 2018, 9:00 a.m. Wellington Webb Bldg., 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. of Excise & Licenses – Application by neu.works LLC for a new Tavern Liquor License to dispense malt, vinous and spirituous liquor by the drink for on-premises consumption at the neu.works Art Bar, 201 Columbine St., Suite 300.
• May 7, 2018, 5:30 p.m., City & County Building, 1437 Bannock St., 4th Floor City Council Chambers - Hearing on the Slot Home Text Amendment. (Those wishing to address the Council must register prior to the opening of the public hearing. Read the amdendment at http://www.denvergov.org/slothomes   Written comments may be emailed to [email protected]. After 12 p.m. (noon) on the Thursday prior to the City Council public hearing and up until 3:00 p.m. on the day of the City Council public hearing, written comments should be emailed to [email protected].  To submit written comments after 3 p.m. on the day of the City Council public hearing, bring copies of written comments to the public hearing and ask the Council Secretary to distribute the comments to the Council.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to provide Council members adequate time to review written comments, members of the public are strongly encouraged to submit their comments prior to the day of the public hearing.)
• May 8, 2018, 10:30 a.m. City & County Building, 1437 Bannock St., Conference Room 391. Land Use, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee hearing on Text Amendment #1 requiring a mailed notice to be delivered to property owners within a 200-foot radius of a property to be rezoned. A redline draft of the proposed Denver Zoning Code Text Amendment and a summary of the process can be viewed at http://www.denvergov.org/TextAmendments/. (See CHUN support motion above in "Committee Meetings")
• May 16, 2018, 3:00 p.m., City & County Building, 1437 Bannock St.,, Parr-Widener Community Room #389. Denver Planning Board meeting to consider Comprehensive Sign Plan at the Lowenstein Theater, 2526 E. Colfax Ave.
• May 21, 2018,  9:00 a.m., Wellington Webb Bldg., 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. of Excise & Licenses - Application by SSSB, LLC, dba Little Star Mart, 300 E. Sixth Ave. Unit 1 for a 3.2% Beer aka Fermented Malt Beverages License (Off-Premises) to sell fermented Malt, Beer by the package in sealed containers for consumption OFF the premises.