Volume 39, Edition 9

Message from the President

Greetings Friends, Neighbors, and Supporters, 

Urban Dweller, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods' monthly e-newsletter, is now online. Here is the latest from Denver's largest, oldest registered neighborhood organization and your community advocate.

CHUN commemorates Indigenous Peoples Day. October 11, 2021 was Indigenous People's Day. Our organization honors and celebrates the strength, resilience, and impact Indigenous peoples have made for centuries. We further acknowledge that the land on which the Greater Capitol Hill community resides is the traditional territory of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Peoples. ​To learn more about this important day, please visit NPR, The New York Times, or the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.

October was LGBTQ History Month. CHUN recognizes the LGBTQ+ Denverites who have worked to champion equality at home, in the workplace, and throughout our city. The Center on Colfax has done an extraordinary amount of work documenting the lives and history of the many neighbors who persevered against what were insurmountable odds. Earlier this year, the University of Colorado also recently reported on Denver's role as a gay friendly city. The Capitol Hill community has the distinction of being an inclusive, welcoming neighborhood and the home of many important events in Denver's storied LGBTQ+ history, including the first Pride Parade. CHUN's Tears-McFarlane Mansion was once the home of both the national and local headquarters for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

CHUN opposes Ballot Measure 2F. More than 40 years ago, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods fought against discriminatory R-0 zoning, which disproportionality discriminated against LGBTQ+ people living in Denver. Most recently, we continued our decades-long commitment to creating housing opportunities when we endorsed both the East Central Area Plan and the Group Living Text Amendments to Denver's Zoning Code. Each of these were important, meaningful steps to remedy decades-long discrimination that exist in the Mile High City's housing policies. Ballot measure 2F seeks to rollback this (and other) progress. This measure is not the best way to handle differences on policy, which should be addressed through other procedures, and it instead runs counter to our shared values. We can do better. 

Investing $10,000 in affordable housing opportunities. Last month, the St. Francis Center held its grand opening for the new Warren Residences at 14th and Gilpin in the Cheesman Park neighborhood. The Warren Residences will provide 48 studio style affordable supportive apartments for individuals who are experiencing homelessness and/or are justice involved. I was honored to speak at the event, and I reiterated CHUN's core mission to shape the quality of life of ALL residents in the greater Capitol Hill community. Thanks to an anonymous gift given to our organization this year, we made a $10,000 financial commitment to launch a much-needed crisis fund for SFC Warren Residences and its residents. Residents will be able to access this fund should an urgent expense arise. Those who access the funding will be asked to make a good faith effort to repay the fund so that it will benefit others in the future.

CHUN asks City and County of Denver to preserve 16th Avenue as a shared street. ​Last month, CHUN joined the Denver Streets Partnership and the Colfax Ave Business Improvement District in calling on Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and City Council to support such measures in other areas of the city. Public outreach and feedback responses suggests overwhelming support for such an approach. 

Activating neighborhoods is paramount to our City's future. This week, we will be issuing statements of support for two important projects positively shaping neighborhoods block-by-block. Sienna Wine Bar is expanding and replacing the now, closed Pudge Brothers Pizza in Congress Park. Mary Kent, and our friends at Sienna Wine Bar, have been good neighbors for more than a decade. We are thrilled to see this small business thrive in otherwise uncertain times. CHUN also supports the soon-to-be revitalized All In Motel. This project is the nexus of historic preservation, smart development and neighborhood activation. Further, in partnership with the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, the project will provide exciting neighborhood serving amenities like a a coffee shop, public pool, and other local economic activation. 

Elevating the need for coordinated, robust response to homelessness crisis. As homelessness impacts all corners of our community, CHUN, Uptown on the Hill, Old San Rafael RNO, Curtis Park Neighbors, and other groups are calling on city leaders to (a) boost levels of responsiveness and needs of Denver's unhoused and (b) clearly outline important, near-term outcomes that will be achievable in the next 12-18 months. As I told Westword, "this is a citywide issue and it requires citywide, coordinated action. And what we see right now is action in certain council districts and no communication from other council districts...That cannot continue, knowing that encampments, unsanctioned or otherwise, exist in most corners of the city."

As the African proverb tells us, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." The past month tells us that CHUN, as well as our growing network of partners, are keenly focused on moving forward ... together. 

For Denver, 

Travis Leiker, MPA
President and Executive Director ​

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Member of the Month

Kerem Szczebak | milehimodern

One of the newest business members to CHUN, Denver native and Capitol Hill resident Kerem Szczebak has a unique perspective on the evolution of Denver, having spent the past 14 years in the esteemed locale. The neighborhood expert has raised her family, including her two sons, in Governor’s Park, so her commitment to public safety, compassionately addressing homelessness and helping to preserve the historic and architecturally significant landmarks is deeply instilled within her mission as both a resident and a broker. 
​
Kerem believes that every home has a soul-filled story to tell. In a world where technology has made real estate increasingly transactional, Kerem and her fellow milehimodern brokers say that they stand out because they understand that real estate is an expression of humanity. 

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CHUN News and Events

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods reinforces need for affordable housing; invests in Saint Francis Center

On October 22, the Saint Francis Center (SFC) held its grand opening for the new Warren Residences at 14th and Gilpin in the Cheesman Park neighborhood.

​The Warren Residences will provide 48 studio style affordable supportive apartments for individuals who are experiencing homelessness and/or are justice involved. 

Travis Leiker, CHUN President and Executive Director, spoke at the event saying, “One of CHUN’s main missions is to shape the quality of life of the residents of the greater Capitol Hill community, which includes partnering with organizations like the Saint Francis Center to address homelessness and to support affordable housing.”

​Thanks to a $10,000 anonymous gift given to CHUN this year, CHUN is proud to financially support a much-needed crisis fund for SFC Warren Residences and its residents.

​For more information on the project, visit http://www.sfcdenver.org/programs-services/housing/.

​Click on 'grand opening' to see the full ceremony including Travis' presentation at 1:00:30.

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods announces its 2021-2022 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. The deadline to submit an application for funding is Friday, November 19, 2021. Details on funding priorities and an online application are available on CHUN's website.  A list of past recipients is also available here.

CHUN Member Sienna Wine Bar is moving to the corner to build out a bigger patio

Owner Mary Kent is getting ready to move Sienna Wine Bar & Small Plates to the former Pudge Bros Pizza space at the corner of 12th and Madison. 

Kent fell in love with the space when she realized she could build out a bigger patio. She only has room for a few chairs outside of her 895-square-foot bar now. “I want this to be one of the nicest patios in town,” Kent said.

​Sienna serves wine by the glass and bottle, as well as beer. Small plate offerings include charcuterie salads and ratatouille.

Kent hopes to move into the new space by January and plans to keep the current Sienna space open until the last minute. 

At its October board meeting, CHUN agreed to provide a letter of support asserting Sienna Wine Bar's great neighborhood relations and value to the community.

​Cheers!

CHUN Member LivWell moves to new Uptown location

LivWell Pearl at 1660 Pearl St closed on September 21 and relocated to 706 East 17th Avenue. 

​LivWell Uptown is a 21+ years of age recreational marijuana dispensary, conveniently located in uptown Denver. Just a few blocks from Capitol Hill, the Uptown shop is within easy walking distance of several concert venues—including the Fillmore and Ogden theaters—and is a quick car ride to the heart of downtown Denver. 

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CHUN Committee Reports

Community Engagement

Community Interviews and CHUN-Talkwa: Final community interviews were completed, and two Cap Hill residents have agreed to be speakers at the CHUN-Talkwa. Additional speakers may be added. This will now be a virtual event, to be scheduled for mid-November. An announcement of the date will be available soon. Email Jamie LaRue at [email protected] to get involved.

SEED Awards: CHUN's SEED Awards support community involvement and foster locally grown solutions for the public good. Past recipients have used funds for clean-up projects, gardens, volunteer development, murals and much more. Applications for SEED Awards are now available on the CHUN website and are due on November 19th. Email Vickie Berkley at [email protected] for additional information.

Halloween event for parents and children: CHUN will be a sponsor for the annual Halloween event at the Denver Police District 6 Station, 1566 N Washington on Friday, October 29th from 4pm – 7pm. This year, a “trick or treat lane” will be set up on the station parking lot, where children can pick up a treat. The event will also feature emergency service personnel and vehicles as well as a haunted BOO Bus. Thanks to Rachel Griffin for this collaboration to provide a safe and fun way for parents and children to enjoy Halloween.

Little Free Pantry: The Little Free Pantry is serving those in need at its new location outside of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, located at 915 E. 9th Ave. When you are grocery shopping, please consider buying a few extra nonperishable items and adding them to the pantry.

History Matters

Press coverage about Dr. Charles Blackwood: CHUN History Matters Committee co-chairs Bruce Caughey and Kevin Kelly and CHUN President and Executive Director Travis Leiker helped write and distribute an OpEd about the life of an important Colorado figure, Dr. Charles Blackwood. The OpEd was published in the Colorado Sun and also had significant coverage on Colorado Public Radio. Blackwood was the first black graduate of the University of Colorado Medical School and he went on to have a distinguished medical career in Denver. The CHUN History Matters Committee nominated his home to be included in Historic Denver's 50 Actions for 50 Places Campaign, but unfortunately, Blackwood's home was demolished before there could be any preservation efforts.

Tour of Cheesman Park: On Sunday, October 17, the History Matters committee hosted a tour of Cheesman Park led by Phil Goodstein, the one and only, truly original (some might say eccentric), Denver historian. The tour was attended by about 50 neighbors from our community. Dr. Goodstein talked about the history of the Tears McFarlane House, Cheesman Park and other historic buildings, their builders, their occupants, and a few ghosts.

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Denver and Colorado News and Events

New Denver Health Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) Announced

Denver and its supporters continue to strive to build safe places for those experiencing homelessness. A Safe Outdoor Space is a temporary, outdoor, sheltering model that is staffed 24 hours a day and provides necessary resources, services, and stability to our unhoused neighbors in a safe, managed environment.

A new site will be located at 780 Elati St, Denver, CO 80204 on the corner of 8th and Elati. This project will be active from November 10, 2021, to October 31, 2022.

It is a joint venture of Denver Health, Colorado Village Collaborative, and the City and County of Denver.

Denver calls on its Citizens to Participate in the Advancing Equity in Rezoning Project

Rezoning is a public process that changes the rules for what you can do on a property and what types of buildings are allowed on it. It usually begins with a meeting between the property owner (or a representative) and city staff, followed by an official application, which is reviewed by city staff, the Denver Planning Board and City Council, which makes the final decision.

As the city grows and changes, buildings and their uses change too. Refreshing the rezoning process will allows Denver to better incorporate its values and priorities as articulated in Comprehensive Plan 2040 and Blueprint Denver, both adopted in 2019. The Advancing Equity in Rezoning project aims to improve transparency and access to the rezoning process, consider the impact of rezonings on neighboring residents and properties, and explore how rezonings can lead to equitable outcomes that better serve all community members, such as access to open space, public transportation, housing and employment opportunities.

Do you want to help improve transparency and access to the rezoning process? Address what is required to rezone a property? Think about how rezonings can lead to more equitable outcomes for communities? Then ​sign up to participate in the Advancing Equity in Rezoning project! Complete the interest form to tell us how you want to be involved.

Denver's LeafDrop Program will run through December 3rd

The City and County of Denver kicked off its annual LeafDrop program that allows residents to sustainably donate their leaves to be composted rather than end up in a landfill. The program is free and will run through December 3. 

Weekday Drop Sites: Oct. 4 – Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

• Cherry Creek Transfer Station – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.)
• Havana Nursery – 10450 Smith Rd. (enter on Smith Road)
• Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave.

Weekend Drop Sites: Oct. 30 – Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

• Bruce Randolph High School – E. 40th Ave. and Steele St.
• Cherry Creek Transfer Station - 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.)
• Kennedy High School – Newland St. and Brown Pl.
• Sloan’s Lake Park - 17th Ave. and Sheridan Blvd. (enter on W. 17th Ave.)
• Veterans Park – S. Vine St. and E. Iowa Ave.​

The Cherry Creek Transfer Station is the only site accepting loose leaves. Leaves brought to all other LeafDrop sites must be in bags. When dropping off raked leaves, paper bags are preferred - they can also be composted! Denver residents can download a coupon to receive a free five-pack of paper leaf bags at participating Ace Hardware Stores at denvergov.org/leafdrop.

Composting is nature’s way of recycling and returning valuable organic matter and nutrients to soil to be used again to help plants thrive.

​Denver Denver Social Impact Bond (SIB) Project results debunk the myth that people choose to become and stay homelessnd Project Evaluation

A recent audit determined approximately $7 million in safety-net services was used by 250 people experiencing homelessness in the city of Denver. To decrease homelessness and the overuse of safety-net services like detox centers, emergency rooms, and jails, the project proposed a pay-for-success housing model over a five-year evaluation timeframe.

​SIB proved and continues to show that housing and supportive services can prevent expensive encounters with the criminal justice and safety-net systems, and help people lead more stable and healthy lives. In addition, results debunk the myth that people choose to become and stay homeless. With the offer of appropriate housing and services, people engaged in the SIB program, obtained housing, and have remained stably housed. Learn more about this initiative here and the key findings of the final report from the Urban Institute here.

The Renaissance Downtown Lofts is where Social Impact Bond participants are housed.

Dr. Nikki Johnson is the First Denver Chief of Mental Health Services

As the first Chief of Mental Health Services for the Denver Sheriff Department (DSD), Dr. Nikki Johnson has a desire to lead transformative efforts for individuals within  custody who are experiencing serious mental illness (SMI).

They will hire a Crisis Response Team (CRT), which will include mental health professionals working 
alongside deputy sheriffs as they respond to crises involving individuals with SMI. Their goal is to not only decrease the number of use-of-force incidents involving individuals with SMI, but also to decrease the total number of crises within our jails. This team will develop therapeutic rapport with our highest-needs individuals, ensuring each of them is treated with humanity in every respect. In addition, they will use evidence-based counseling and de-escalation techniques to navigate challenging crises. 
   
Having worked in jails and prisons for more than 15 years now, Nikki has seen the challenges for individuals leaving custody. Approximately 64% of incarcerated individuals at the DSD have either past or current mental health symptoms or diagnoses. In addition to finding a place to live, finding a new job, and reconnecting with family, friends and the community, these individuals also have to navigate their disability. This may include adhering to a medication regime, learning valuable coping skills, attending treatment sessions, and managing the day-to-day stigma of having a mental illness. 

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