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Urban Dweller

VOLUME 38, EDITION 7

7/27/2020

 

Message From the President

Greetings Neighbors and Supporters, 

The latest edition of the Urban Dweller, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' (CHUN) monthly e-newsletter, is posted online.  Here is a brief update from your registered neighborhood organization and community advocate: 
  • Our friends and fellow urban dwellers in Northeast Denver tossed aside a neighborhood name rooted in historic racism and oppression. After an exhaustive community engagement process, the Central Park brand and identity represents a new chapter for the neighborhood.  While not in CHUN's geographic boundaries, we applaud the activism and neighborhood's work to be more inclusive. The work continues.
  • The Denver Turnverein, a 2019-2020 CHUN SEED Award recipient, completed their xeriscaping project along 16th Avenue between Clarkson and Emerson Streets.  When neighbors come together to beautify our blocks, Denver wins.  
  • Racines Restaurant announced it will close after more than three decades of operations.  Racines has been a fixture in CHUN's geographic boundaries, and they have been generous supporters and members for many years.  We extend our gratitude to the entire staff for demonstrating an exceptional level of customer service and making the restaurant a welcoming, inclusive dining experience for locals and visitors alike.  A heartfelt thanks goes out to Lee Goodfriend and David Racine for their commitment to Denver. 
  • District 10 Denver City Council Member Chris Hinds organized a virtual town hall meeting to discuss homelessness and the encampments that have developed in many spots throughout Capitol Hill.  The forum was an opportunity for neighborhood advocates like CHUN to weigh in on this critical issue.  Direct service providers, city leaders, and neighbors also shared their perspectives.  CHUN calls on all stakeholders to break down silos and to be solutions oriented in these unprecedented times. If you have thoughts on homelessness or other city issues, contact us at chun@chundenver.org.  We want to hear your ideas!  You can also contact Councilman Hinds directly at district10@denvergov.org.
  • Congratulations to our friends Mark Whistler and Charles Woolley for reconceptualizing the restaurant located at Colfax Avenue and Elizabeth Street.  Now the Route 40 Café, the restaurant is a “cultural hub” on Colfax, paying homage to the history of hotels, bars, restaurants, theaters and shops that gave the historic thoroughfare its fame. 
  • CHUN announced its support for the East Central Area Plan. In a letter to Denver Community Planning and Development.  Our statement reads in part, "...the proposed East Central Area Plan brings a fresh, forward looking perspective to vexing City issues while maintaining the qualities and characteristics that make Denver unique. Moreover, RNOs including CHUN, will be fully engaged in the Plan’s implementation and future development within our boundaries."
  • When The Tears McFarlane House and Community Center (formerly known as the Capitol Hill Community Center) underwent a remodel and expansion c. 1979, locals attended a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate a new era of activities, services, programs, and amenities offered at 1290 Williams St. The next era for the property is about to begin. Our rezoning application will be considered by the Denver Planning Board on September 2. Once this process is completed, CHUN will bring much needed restoration to the historic mansion, rebuild the annex for a café (as it was in the early 1980s), and create a vibrant community center for the immediate, surrounding neighborhood to enjoy. Submit your support HERE.​  Our organization is engaged in ongoing conversations with neighbors to formulate a Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA) that will guide how the Tears-McFarlane will operate in the years to come. 
  • On behalf of the CHUN board and staff, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones close to Rhonda Adams Knop.  As past-president of CHUN during the 1970s and 1980s, Rhonda worked tirelessly to enhance our community through historic preservation and neighborhood activism throughout Capitol Hill.  In addition, she was involved in a number of other local nonprofits including Judi's House, Redi Corporation, The Gathering Place, and Dress For Success.  We thank her for her commitment to Denver and the indelible mark she made in our city.  
During these uncertain times, let Denverites heed the words of the late Congressman John Lewis. In his final OpEd published in the New York Times, Lewis writes, "When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself."  As we face a global pandemic, while engaging in vigorous [virtual] discussions about the future of our city, let us not lose sight of empathy for others and the capacity to shape a city that is fairer and more equitable for all. 

For Denver ...

Travis Leiker, MPA
President | Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, Inc. ​

Member of the Month

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Progressive Urban Management

Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.) is a leader in guiding downtowns, neighborhoods, and communities to prepare for the future. Their approach blends community aspirations with an understanding of local market conditions and national trends to create tactical plans designed to be implemented. We are grateful for their work in the Mile High City and for their commitment to helping CHUN thrive.

Tears-McFarlane House: A Place for Capitol Hill to Gather
For decades, neighbors and community stakeholders have looked to the Tears-McFarlane House & Community Center as a focal point for community building, neighborhood vitality, diversity and inclusion, and a place to engage in local programs and celebrations. The house has hosted everything from concerts in Cheesman Park to talent shows in the annex room. As Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods works to revitalize and restore the property, we want this architectural and historical gem to be the community asset the original owners always envisioned.
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Conversation on Race and Zoning in Denver: Past and Present
Denver City Council member Robin Kneich invites you to a Conversation on Race and Zoning in Denver: Past and Present. This virtual panel discussion will focus on the history and present racial disparities involved in limits on how many adults can live together in a Denver home, and on where congregate residential care can be built — including racial disparities in who needs these services and the impacts when they cannot be built in our City. The virtual conversation will be held on Thursday August 6, 2020 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. 

​The virtual event is free and open to everyone. Please register to attend this discussion via Zoom: https://bit.ly/RaceZoningPanel. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. 

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Your Car is Not A Dog Sitter
Hot cars are dangerous for our furry friends, and an animal can die from heat stroke in just 15 minutes when subjected to extreme temperatures. Leaving an animal in a hot vehicle constitutes animal cruelty and could result in a fine of up to $999 and/or jail time.  

If you spot a dog locked in a hot vehicle, please call Denver Animal Protection's dispatch at 720-913-2080 immediately. If you live outside of Denver, call 911 to be directed to the right place.  

​
Should you find yourself in a situation that may warrant breaking a car window to save a dog, it’s important to clearly understand the law and what steps must first be taken before freeing the animal.
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City Offers No Cost Anti-Discrimination Resource in Four Languages
The Denver Anti-Discrimination Office launched a video in four languages – English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Mandarin – to remind Denver residents that discrimination is illegal and that if they believe they’ve been a victim within the city’s boundaries, no cost assistance is available.  
  • English, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=9LJ2uJF_Zk4&feature=emb_logo
  • Spanish, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wj7yjx5SRc&feature=emb_logo
  • Vietnamese, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlNRhZsF52c&feature=emb_logo
  • Mandarin, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3FaXM9F4jQ&feature=emb_logo

Greenverein Garden at the Denver Turnverein

Congratulations to the Denver Turnverein and volunteers from Uptown on the Hill and the Front Range Wild Ones! They have put hard work in to building the Greenverein garden on their block. The Denver Turnverein received an inaugural S.E.E.D. Award to use for enhancing their block through added greenery and environmentally appropriate landscaping. To find out more information about this project, please watch the attached video of their progress on the garden.

CHUN Supports the East Central Area Plan

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods ("CHUN"), Denver’s largest, oldest registered organization (RNO), is pleased to announce its support for the East Central Area Plan. CHUN’s mission is Preserving the Past, Improving the Present, and Planning for the Future of Greater Capitol Hill through historic preservation, affordable housing and tackling homelessness, promoting smart land use and zoning, advancing public safety, and encouraging community enhancements. The letter to Denver Community Planning reads in part, "... We acknowledge some may have concerns about this Plan and its implementation. However, it’s important to examine this initiative in a thoughtful, comprehensive way. In doing so, the proposed East Central Area Plan brings a fresh, forward looking perspective to vexing City issues while maintaining the qualities and characteristics that make Denver unique. Moreover, RNOs including CHUN, will be fully engaged in the Plan’s implementation and future development within our boundaries."

The full letter is attached below.

Meet The Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods Board

Donny B., Neighborhood 8

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Donny is a resident of the Alamo Placita neighborhood with his wife Nicole and kitty, Cali.

Donny and Nicole have lived in the Capitol Hill area for four years and were married in Cheesman Park Pavillion. Professionally, Donny manages industry and foundation partnerships at Colorado School of Mines in Golden.

 Bruce C., Neighborhood 6

"I am an educational consultant, teacher and author with a multigenerational connection to Capitol Hill. My grandparents and parents lived here, and my wife Tanya and I live close to Cheesman Park and Botanic Gardens. I joined CHUN because of a deep and abiding caring for this community. As co-chair of CHUN's History Matters committee, I appreciate the fantastic structures, built long ago, that give our neighborhood a unique vantage on our past. That said, I will continue to work for more attainable housing options and policies so we can have a future that is welcoming to all. I love Capitol Hill for its history, vibrance, diversity, parks and proximity to the best Denver has to offer."
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Molly W., Neighborhood 8

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"The Alamo Placita neighborhood is filled with beautiful homes that are architecturally interesting and lovely gardens. Our neighbors are very friendly and the proximity to shopping, coffee shops and parks is so important to us. We also have lots of children in Alamo Placita. So we hear lots of laughter which always brightens our day."

Travis L., Neighborhood 1

Travis Leiker is President of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods’ board of directors. During his 3.5 year tenure, the organization has successfully emerged from an operational downturn and has reassumed its role as a stakeholder and thought-leader in Denver neighborhood policy and planning. Professionally, Travis is senior director of development for CU—headquartered in north Capitol Hill/Uptown (Neighborhood 1) at 1800 Grant Street. He works with clinicians, alumni, and friends throughout CHUN’s boundaries to increase capacity for the institution. In addition to regularly enjoying all of Capitol Hill’s magnificent neighborhoods, he babysits his little niece and will encourage her to (ONE DAY) live in the Mile-High City too!
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Nikki R., Neighborhood 5

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“I joined CHUN because I wanted to get involved in efforts to improve the community, meet my neighbors, and support an organization that has served residents and business in Capitol Hill for over 50 years. I love to walk around Cheesman Park with my dog Kenny and frequent my favorite local spots (Corner Beet, Wyman's, the Botanic Gardens, and so many more!).”

Help Denver Water Get The Lead Out of Our Community

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As part of its Lead Reduction Program, Denver Water is working on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis to replace customer-owned lead water service lines, permanently removing this source of lead from our community. A service line is the pipe that brings water from the water main in the street to the plumbing in your property. Click on the image or visit Denver Water's Lead Reduction Program to find out more about this program.

How You Can Help Protect and Preserve Denver's Urban Canopy

By Michael Swanson, City Forester, Denver Parks and Recreation
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Flowers are in bloom, birds are busy building nests and with social distancing recommendations in place, people are more eager than ever to spend time outside safely, in their yards or enjoying neighborhood walks under Denver’s beautiful trees. But did you know that our urban canopy isn’t just picturesque and doesn’t just provide respite for wildlife, it’s actually critically important for our overall quality of life?  Trees produce oxygen, reduce air pollution, cool our neighborhoods and homes, and increase our property values. Yet most trees are not native to our city and the ones that we’ve planted and cultivated – no matter for how long – are fragile. They are susceptible to our sometimes extreme climate and insect infestations. In short, Denver’s urban canopy relies on us to be kept healthy, protected, preserved and replenished. 
 
So, when the City and County of Denver learned that the emerald ash borer (EAB), which has destroyed millions of ash trees in the Midwest, is making its way to Denver, we leapt into action. There are an estimated 1.45 million ashes in the Denver metro area, including 330,000 in the City and County of Denver. That means that one in six Denver private property trees are ash trees, and they can be found everywhere in the Mile High City – with the majority on residential properties. 
 
You may be familiar with the Be A Smart Ash campaign, which aims to actively educate and enlist the help of you – our City and County of Denver residents – in the process of identifying, treating and replacing ash trees.  For our part, we are taking care of ash trees located on city property (including parks) and  in the public right-of-way. We ask that you do the same, with any ash trees on your private property. Visit BeASmartAsh.org for an interactive ash tree map, information about ash tree treatment options and resources to find a tree care professional. You can also apply for a free tree for the right-of-way adjacent to your property that can help bolster and diversify our urban tree canopy. 
 
When it comes to identifying, treating, removing or replacing your trees – ash or otherwise – remember that only licensed and insured tree care professionals should actually treat, replace or prune a tree. There are many tree professionals that are licensed by the Office of the City Forester who can lend a hand, leaving you time to tend to your garden, take another walk or literally just stop and smell the roses.


Share Your Feedback on New Bikeway Maps

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New bikeways are being planned for your neighborhood, and Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) wants your input on the proposed improvements! Learn more about them and share your feedback through Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) online tool and surveys, which close on July 31.
Share Your Feedback Online

Compassionate Trash Service For Encampments

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All Water Protectors assembled a compassionate trash service and water distribution for encampments in District 9 and 10.  They gathered on Sunday, July 26th and sent folks out with supplies and support for those needing drinking water and other sanitation services. For more information about this work, please contact Ean Tafoya. 
Learn more & Register Online!

Also In The News


​​In Our Community
  • Meet the woman who will manage Denver’s first sanctioned camp for people experiencing homelessness
  • City-sanctioned homeless encampment proposed for Denver Coliseum parking lot
  • Online classes aren’t going anywhere, but thousands of Colorado students still don’t have internet access
  • Colorado leaders pay tribute to civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis
  • Denver mayor to council members: Where do you want to put a homeless camp in your district?
Arts, Culture, and Leisure
  • The Clocktower Cabaret is back, throwing pandemic-appropriate shows
  • Did you have a book on hold from the Denver Public Library? Get ready to read.
  • Several blocks of RiNo will close to expand outdoor dining and pedestrian areas
Business
  • Colorado Entrepreneurs Meet Mask Challenges With Inventions
  • Report: Denver's low millennial homeownership rate matches national average

Denver8TV Keeps You In The Know

​​Your City Now has all the week's news for you in under 5 minutes!

The City and County of Denver's 5-minute news roundup that covers local government, city news, and local and public events. New episodes every Friday.
  • Denver Pauses Reopening
  • Providing a Safe Outdoor Space for those unsheltered during the pandemic
  • Santa Fe Art Walks Go Virtual
  • Safety First at the DMV
  • Street Sweeping Enforcement
  • Reviewing city-owned properties for renaming
  • Affordable housing option expansion
  • Plus,  Denver's continuing response to COVID-19!

Tune in every week to keep up!

Construction & Development
  • Construction begins on 92-unit income-restricted condo building in Lincoln Park
COVID-19 Updates​
  • Colorado governor orders alcohol sales to cease at 10 p.m. in effort to slow spread of coronavirus
  • Denver Public Schools will not have in-person classes to start the fall semester because of coronavirus
  • UCHealth launches COVID-19 vaccine trial for 1,000 patients in Colorado
Civic Outreach, Legislation, & Politics
  • Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, 13 other mayors call for federal forces to leave U.S. cities
  • Dueling Police Rallies Gather In Denver’s Civic Center Park
  • Forget the legacy project. Give tax increment financing money back to the schools.
  • Lumineers, Rateliff and Flobots Boycott Fiddler's Green and Greenwood Village
  • Denver’s Italian-American community fights to keep Columbus Park from being renamed
Environment & Sustainability
  • Colorado joins coalition of states setting goals to jump-start transition to electric trucks
  • Wildlife authorities kill over 100 geese at Sloan’s Lake as culling enters its second year in Denver
  • Denver’s new climate action vision could lead to a very different Denver
Health & Wellness
  • Aurora ER physician shares tips on exercising with face coverings
  • A Word of Thanks | Mental Health Center of Denver's STAR program
Mobility & Transportation
  • Denver RTD’s latest financial projections better than predicted, but volatility likely to continue
  • RTD of Denver retrofits its light-rail cars for better accessibility accommodation

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A Special Thanks to Some of Our Business and Community Partner Members:

​Adagio Bed and Breakfast 
​Alternative Medicine on Capitol Hill
Campaign For Tobacco-free Kids
​Cheesman Park Advocacy Group
​Denver Health​
​Good Chemistry
​Humboldt Street Neighborhood Assoc.
Alternative Medicine of Cap Hill
Althea Center For Engaged Spirituality
Angelo's Taverna
Argonaut Wine & Liquor 
Assistance League Denver
Atomic Provisions (Fat Sully's/Atomic Cowboy)
Axis Pilates
Bang Up to the Elephant
Barbara H de Jong, CFP, Edwards Jones
Barrington Condos
Campaign for a Tobacco Free Colorado 
Capitol Convenience
Castle Lion Development, LLC
CCNNA
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Colorado Vincentian Volunteers
Corner Beet
Cornerstone Apartments
​Denver Biscuit Company
Denver Community Church
Denver Health​
Denver Sweet
Ember Hostel
Empowerment Program
First Bank
Folk Artisans
Friends and Neighbors for Cheesman Park
​
Good Chemistry ​

Historic Denver, Inc.
Human Services Consultants  
Humphries Poli Architects
Investigations Law Group
​Marijuana Mansion
McCourt Mansion
Native Roots
Nob Hill Inn 
Paradise Cleaners
Park Tavern Restaurant 
Pete's Restaurants ​
Presbyterian/St. Lukes
Racines Restaurant
Rosen Properties
SafeHouse Denver
Sarkisian Oriental Rugs & Fine Art
Secret Sauce F&B (Steuben's & Ace Eat Serve)
Senior Housing Options
St Paul Health Center
St. Charles Town Company
Steubens Food Service
subculture
TBD FOODS
Terra Firma Investment
The Bank of Denver
The Center on Colfax
The Goods Restaurant
The Residences at Capitol Heights
The Parlour - Capitol Hill  
Tryba Architects 
Unbridle
Your Mom's House​
​And Many More ... !

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© Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Photos used under Creative Commons from Paleokeittiö, shixart1985
  • HOME
    • Mission
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Committees
    • Neighborhoods
    • Financials
    • Bylaws
    • Contact Us
  • ON THE ISSUES
    • Preserve the Past
    • Improve the Present
    • Plan for the Future
    • In Focus
    • Community Presentations
  • COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
    • Good Neighbor Awards
    • SEED Awards Program >
      • SEED Projects and Honorees
      • SEED Requirements and Priorities
    • Tears-McFarlane House
    • Social Media Boosts
    • Good Neighbor Agreements
  • Urban Dweller
  • MEDIA
    • Policy Positions and Press Releases
  • JOIN US
    • Membership Form
    • Member Directory
    • Manage Membership
    • Receive CHUN Emails
  • DONATE