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Things To Do

Forget Me Not (227 Clayton) is the new cocktail destination that includes a small-plate menu and live music.
Colorado Rockies: The baseball team is allowing fans at 25% capacity.
Colorado Avalanche: Hockey is for in-person watching too!
Denver Nuggets: They’ve been on fire much of the season! Catch them now and hopefully into the playoffs.
Denver Art Museum: From Paris to Hollywood: The Fashion and Influence of Véronique and Gregory Peck (until July 18th). The Pecks were influencers of their time.
Denver Botanic Gardens: Tulips are blooming in April! Two art exhibitions-
Dreams in Bloom – Fares Micue (until May 16); Radiant Season- Kevin Sloan (until July 11)
Denver Center for Performing Arts: Until The Flood, a fictional piece about the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death (enjoy this for free and on-demand until Fall 2023)
Denver Museum of Nature and Science: SUE: The T. Rex Experience (through April 25th); Stonehenge: Ancient Mysteries and Modern Discoveries (until September 24)
Denver Terrors Ghost Tour: Despite the name, this family-friendly attraction weaves its way through nine to 14 different haunted sites around Capitol Hill while telling historical and spooky stories (denverterrors.com)
Permit-less Hikes (no permits required to enjoy these outdoor escapes)
• Flat Top Wilderness
• Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness
• Lost Creek Wilderness
• Indian Peaks Wilderness

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Group Living Update

Denver’s City Council voted 11-2 to pass the Group Living Text Amendment on February 8th, 2021. The Text Amendment seeks to update Denver’s zoning codes and make housing more inclusive and equitable. The CCHN board voted unanimously against the Group Living Text ​Amendment ​initial draft based upon the results of a neighborhood survey in which the vast majority of residents opposed the draft.
After much city-wide deliberation and compromise, the Group Living Text Amendment was revised to stipulate:​
A maximum of 5 unrelated and related adults can live together, with an unlimited number of minor children. Previously, 2 unrelated persons with unlimited adult and minor relatives were allowed to live in a single-family home. Multigenerational families may still live together as previously allowed.
All residential care facilities (senior living, homeless shelters, community corrections, etc) were reclassified under one definition and their zoning is regulated primarily on size. Community Corrections facilities of any size will not be allowed in single family neighborhoods, including CCHN. Other residential care facilities are restricted in single family neighborhoods, including CCHN, depending upon their size. Facilities with 10 or fewer residents are limited to 3 total facilities within a 1-mile radius (in contrast to the original draft, which allowed an unlimited number of facilities with 8 or fewer guests in single family districts, with the exception of shelters which were not previously allowed in single family districts).
Larger facilities will still have a cap of 20 people in single family districts and will now be restricted to parcels previously used for a civic, public or institutional use (e.g. churches, schools, government buildings), which are not in CCHN.

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Councilman’s Corner

Chris Hinds

Happy Spring, Country Club Historic Neighbors!

Spring this year feels even more special as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to lift. We’ve been up to a lot since I wrote last, and if you want a deeper dive into the work my office has been doing for all of District 10, I hope you sign up for our monthly newsletter at denverperfect10.com/signup.

One lovely sign of the pandemic lifting is that our libraries are starting to re-open! There will still be out-door service options, like curbside pick-up, but you can now visit inside Ross-Cherry Creek with COVID precautions in place. Thanks to our library staff who kept us with reading material during the darkest months of the pandemic.

I also want to give a huge thank you to constituent Chaun Powell and the other Country Club neighbors who quickly put together a virtual town hall meeting with Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen, Mayor Hancock, Denver’s District Attorney office, and me to discuss February’s serious security matter. Several homes in Country Club were broken into – including while families were at home. Mr. Powell jumped into citizen action mode after his own home experienced a break-in. He helped organize a large virtual meeting – with over 100 attendees – so neighbors could discuss and get advice on what they could do to keep safe. The good folks from Denver Police District 3 discussed basic safety, how to start neighborhood watch and, the best part, they believe they caught the perpetrator within a week, thanks in part to help from all of you.

There have been several police-related policies to help our officers have more time to devote to the prevention of these crime issues. Unfortunately, during the pandemic we saw a rise in crime around the country in addition to other concerning issues – like homelessness – that frequently involve police time and attention. The STAR program and co-responders are two of the ways we’re working with social service providers to ease the burden on our police. We’re seeing very positive results from this approach and, with the lifting of the pandemic, we are encouraged that crime rates will decline and that we can help Denver’s unhoused with more appropriate outreach. That will free the police to focus on matters that really require a police response.

When spring arrives, you might be thinking of spring cleaning. Our friends at the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure are getting ready to start sending out street sweepers. Did you know in 2020, Denver street sweeping crews swept 163,385 lane miles and collected 57,479 cubic yards of dirt and debris? That’s a lot of material that otherwise ends up polluting our air. Thank you, DOTI street-sweeping crew, for helping us keep Denver’s air clean.

Speaking of streets, keeping them free of snow is a big operation in Denver. And, we saw some serious white stuff during the big mid-March snow event! If you are curious about how DOTI prepares for and responds to snowstorms, have questions about how to safely shovel, remove snow from trees, need bike riding tips, and, especially important to me, how to report sidewalks and curb & gutter that needs to be shoveled, there is a ton of great material on DOTI’s snow webpage. There’s even a live plow tracker that you can watch. Just search “snow” on Denvergov.org.

If you don’t have the ability to clear your sidewalk and curb & gutter, Denver has a great volunteer program called Snow Angels that can help. And, if you have a bit of extra time and can aid someone in need during a snow event, Snow Angels would love your help. You can find more about Snow Angels on DOTI’s snow page.

As the weather warms, we’ll be seeing a lot more folks walking, biking, and rolling around. I recently brought in some yard signs that remind folks to “Drive Like Your Dog Lives Here” featuring a certain Council Dog. If you’d like a free sign, contact my office.

Speaking of activity in the streets – did you happen to catch Director of DOTI, Eulois Cleckley, speaking about both the 5280 Trail and Shared Streets during the District 10 Cabinet in the Community meeting in late February? You can view that meeting recording, including a presentation about how we’re addressing homelessness, at Facebook.com/DenverPerfect10.

To keep up with all the work we’re doing, I recommend signing up for our monthly newsletter and checking out denverperfect10.com, which features weekly, up-to-date blog posts and information items from city departments.

Happy Spring!

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Neighborhood Crime / Security Update

After a series of home intrusions and burglaries throughout late February, over 100 participants joined a video conference on March 3rd organized by CCHN resident Chaun Powell to address security within CCHN. Our neighborhood residents joined Mayor Hancock, Councilman Hinds and his team, and many members of the Denver Police Department. (the “DPD”).
An arrest was made in early March and the DPD shared their gratitude for all who contributed video and photo evidence that allowed them to string together details to charge the individual with five different felonies.
The goal of the March 3rd video conference was to debrief on recent events, provide the good news about the arrest, and create the following plan of action:
1. Public Support of Increasing Funding for the DPD
Denver City Council allows public comment during a portion of each of their monthly meetings. Councilman Hinds shared that virtually all public comments through March were proposals to decrease funding for the DPD. Here are some statistics to justify the rationale for an increase in funding
– Denver’s population has grown 20% since 2010
– Since January of 2020, crime rates are on the rise (Overall crime rates are up 26%; Auto thefts are up 53%; Property Crimes are up 14%).
– The DPD is staffed with the same number of officers since 2012.
Chaun Powell spoke at the March City Council meeting in support of increasing funding for the DPD. If you wish to participate and submit your opinion, please do so by submitting comment at https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Departments/Denver-City-Council/Public-Input/General-Public-Comment. If accepted, you may also provide your input over a video platform so you are not obligated to be in person.
There is a subgroup of residents interested in better understanding the upcoming legislation around property crimes and penalties for criminals. The current processes call for release in 4 hours on a PR bond. Future legislation is likely to change this to property crimes resulting in citations rather than arrest. We will share findings once we have more information.
2. Neighborhood Watch and CCHN Security Email List
CCHN has launched a formal neighborhood watch program and is seeking volunteers to act as block communicators should we have reason to waterfall any communications. If interested in being a volunteer, please email cchnsafety@gmail.com. We would ideally like a volunteer from every block between Speer and 6th and Gaylord to Marion. We are attempting to schedule another meeting with Officer Borquex from the DPD on April 28th from 6 to 7pm.
We are also creating a list of CCHN members that would like to be notified of specific security issues within the neighborhood. Please email cchnsafety@gmail.com to be included in the security and safety specific emails and use the same email address to report any security issues that come to your attention. Please remember, if you have any emergency or active situation (i.e. someone present in your house or car), call 9-1-1.
3. Identify Other Means of Increasing Security
The CCHN Security Committee is also actively investigating the following means of increasing security for our residents: (i) installing Motorola license plate recognition cameras that communicate in real time with the DPP, (ii) increasing the cadence of decreasing the speed of HSS patrols, (iii) closed video networks throughout CCHN. The CCHN Security Committee understands that many of these measures have implications on cost and privacy and will be working with the city to ensure that the path forward is legal and cost effective.
Thank you to our residents for your commitment to keeping our great neighborhood safe! We all have a role in this important responsibility and will continue to vigilantly work to keep CCHN a safe and vibrant community.

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Election Sign Recycling

Dear Neighborhood Association and/or Neighborhood Association Representative:

Now that voting is done, it’s time to think about what to do with the election signs found in yards and along roadsides throughout the city. Denver Recycles is offering Denver residents a solution for keeping some of those signs out of the landfill.  Our Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-Off is now accepting corrugated plastic election signs for recycling through November 17th.  Signs must be separated from their stands.  Corrugated plastic signs can only be accepted at the Drop-Off; residents should not put them in their purple carts. Directions and hours for the Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-off can be found at https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/trash-and-recycling/recycling/dropoff.html.  Signs made from soft plastic, plastic film, or plastic coated paper are not accepted for recycling at either the Drop-off or in recycle carts.  

We would greatly appreciate your help promoting this resource to your neighborhood residents through your email lists and online platforms.  We will also post recycling information for election signs on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/denver.recycles.fan), which we encourage you to follow and share to your page. If you have questions please contact me.   

Thank you for your help and support of our programs.

Best Regards,

Becky

Becky Goyton | Education Program Assistant
City & County of Denver                      

Department of Transportation & Infrastructure | Solid Waste Management
303.446-3641 (w) 

Rebecca.Goyton@denvergov.org

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Public Hearing to Update Alcohol Policy

City & County of Denver
Dept. of Parks & Recreation
Notice of Public Hearing to Update Alcohol Policy

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Parks & Recreation for the City & County of Denver is proposing to update its Alcohol Policy.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) will hear public comments on this proposed revision on Wed. October 14, 2020 at 5:30 pm at the Board’s regular meeting, currently being held online through Cisco WebEx platform. Access the meeting at denvergov.org/PRAB (full meeting link listed below).
To speak at the public hearing, email Arthur.gilkison@denvergov.org

A copy of the current Alcohol Policy, along with the proposed revised policy, is on file with the Manager of Parks & Recreation and accessible through the Denver Parks and Recreation website at denvergov.org/ParksandRecreation.

Access the October 14, 2020 PRAB meeting via Cisco WebEx: https://denvergov.webex.com/denvergov/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb3f7743f4ea79efa3968fbb647afc0ba

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Public Hearing to Update Wheeled and E-devices Policy

City & County of Denver
Dept. of Parks & Recreation
Notice of Public Hearing to Update Wheeled and E-devices Policy

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Parks & Recreation for the City & County of Denver is proposing to update its Park Use Rules and Regulations.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) will hear public comments on this proposed revision on Wed. October 14, 2020 at 5:30 pm at the Board’s regular meeting, currently being held online through Cisco WebEx platform. Access the meeting at denvergov.org/PRAB (full meeting link listed below).
To speak at the public hearing, email Arthur.gilkison@denvergov.org

A copy of the current Park Use and Regulations, along with the proposed revised policy, is on file with the Manager of Parks & Recreation and accessible through the Denver Parks and Recreation website at denvergov.org/ParksandRecreation.

Access the October 14, 2020 PRAB meeting via Cisco WebEx: https://denvergov.webex.com/denvergov/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb3f7743f4ea79efa3968fbb647afc0ba

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Community Open House

Good evening, RNOs—

I hope this email finds you well! My name is Hannah and I’m working with DOTI on the South Central Community Transportation Network process. My role as a consultant is to help manage the community engagement and outreach.

I’m reaching out because the Community Transportation Networks – South Central team is hosting a kickoff Community Open House on Thursday, March 19 from 5:30-7:30pm at La Familia Rec Center (65 S Elati St.). This is an opportunity for residents to come learn about this process and help us identify neighborhood projects to improve safety and meet Denver’s ambitious goals to increase the percentage of Denverites walking, bicycling and taking transit.

I’ve attached the flyers (English and Spanish versions in one attachment) to this email. If you can, please post it on your social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, NextDoor, etc.,) and share it in any upcoming newsletters or meetings you have scheduled prior to the 19th.

Thank you in advance for your help spreading the word, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

See Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/events/187174829370357/.

Best,
Hannah

Hannah Rimar | Senior Associate
South Central Community Transportation Network Project Team
t: 303-825-6100 | e: hannahrimar@gbsm.com | w: www.gbsm.com

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City Issues Statement on Ips Engraver Beetle

Denver Parks & Recreation Office of the City Forestry has identified conifer trees in the Denver area infected with the Ips engraver beetle. The bark beetle is always present in Denver’s urban forest and flares up every 9 to 10 years. The beetle rarely attacks healthy trees and mostly occurs in newly transplanted or stressed trees. In 2002, we lost over 300 spruce throughout the city; in 2012, we lost over 200. Currently, we have documented about 74 this year throughout the city and the park system.
Denver Forestry’s strategy for the park and parkway system is to remove infested trees quickly, inspect existing trees, and apply a preventative treatment to trees that are in proximity but not infested. All removed trees will be replaced.
The Ips engraver beetle is 1/8 to 3/8-inch-long, reddish-brown to black in color and lives under the bark of conifer trees, producing girdling tunnels that cause foliage discoloration, crown dieback, eventually killing the tree.
To aid in the prevention of beetle infestation, practice proper tree maintenance including adequate watering, pruning out deadwood, protecting the tree from injury from construction activities, mechanical damage and soil compaction.
Preventative treatments may be helpful for other trees but once infected, no chemical treatment exists, and swift removal is the only option to keep the beetle from spreading.
To identify if your tree may be infected, look for fading needle color at the very top of your conifer or signs that the top of the tree is dead. If you suspect your tree is infected, contact a licensed and insured tree company for inspection. Colorado State University Extension also provides information on this pest and others. https://extension.colostate.edu/

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Potential Flooding

Potential flooding of Cherry Creek Trail on Wed. May 22, 2019: Annual reservoir sediment flush

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct their annual sediment flush of the Cherry Creek Reservoir & Dam. As always, the released water is not expected to reach the Cherry Creek Channel until Wednesday evening, at which point the trail could experience flooding.

This year is a low-flow year, so any flooding should be minimal—operations crews anticipate that the Cherry Creek Trail will remain open but remind everyone to use extra caution if water is on the trail, and to consider using an alternate route if possible. If necessary, please use the sidewalk along Speer Blvd. Crews will be out early on Thursday morning to address any needed cleanup. Thanks for your patience!

Find full details from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers HERE

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Run-Off Election

Press Release – For immediate release.

Press Contact: Marcia Verba, League of Women Voters Denver at mverba1@msn.com 303-629-0614

Denver Municipal Run-Off Election Forums

7 Candidate and 1 Ballot Issue Forums

Denver Decides, a consortium composed of the League of Women Voters of Denver, Inter-Neighborhood

Cooperation, Historic Denver, and Denver 8 TV, will once again hold candidate and ballot issue forums, this

time for the Municipal Run-Off election on June 4. The forums will be held in the Sharp Auditorium at the

Denver Art Museum on Tuesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 23. They will also be taped for later viewing on

Denver 8 TV and available to be streamed through the Denver Decides website.

Election Day Tuesday, June 4

Ballots will be mailed on May 20

Tuesday, May 21

6:00 p.m. Clerk and Recorder – Paul Lopez and Peg Perl

6:45 p.m. Council District 1 – Amanda Sandoval and Mike Somma

7:30 p.m. Council District 3 – Veronica Barela and Jamie Torres

8:15 p.m. Council District 5 – Amanda Sawyer and Mary Beth Susman

Thursday, May 23

5:00 p.m. Mayor – Jamie Giellis and Michael Hancock

6:00 p.m. Council District 9 – Albus Brooks and Candi CdeBaca

7:30 p.m. Council District 10 – Chris Hinds and Wayne New

8:15 p.m. Initiative Ordinance 302 – Let Denver Vote (Olympics)

This has proven to be an exciting election season. Join us for these two informative evenings before you vote.

Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parking is available on the street or in Cultural Center Garage – access 12th Ave.

between Broadway and Bannock. Enter building and proceed to Lower Level via stairs or elevator to Sharp Auditorium

DenverDecides.org

Denver Decides: A Community Partnership for Accessible, Transparent Elections

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Reminder: VOTE!

Tuesday is city-wide election day and ballots cannot be mailed at this point.  Vote by hand delivering to a ballot collection box or vote in person. 24 hour ballot boxes reside at the Denver Botanic Gardens and on the east side of the Cherry Creek Ross library. Every vote counts!!!

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STREET SWEEPING

Just passing along a friendly reminder that residential street sweeping begins Tuesday, April 2 and runs through November. In the past, Denver’s street sweepers have removed phosphorous, copper, lead, zinc, chloride and mercury off our streets, which is why it’s so important for residents to move their vehicle on street sweeping day. It helps keep all that crud out of Denver’s waterways!

When residents move their vehicles, crews can sweep all the way to the curb line and provide the best service possible. Residents are urged to follow the red and white signs posted on the block for street sweeping parking restrictions to avoid getting a $50 ticket. Even if it appears a sweeper has cleaned the street, it’s still important to not park during the restricted times posted, as the sweeper may need to return to the area to make another pass.

For those who need help remembering street sweeping day, there are some tools out there! Denver residents can sign-up for text and email reminders online at www.pocketgov.com. For those who aren’t tech savvy, they can call 311 to request “no parking” calendar stickers.

For more information on Denver’s street sweeping program, please visit www.denvergov.org/streetsweeping.

Sincerely,

DPW Public Information Office

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Denver Strengthens Permitting Procedures to Increase Safety and Access around Construction Zones

Denver Public Works is releasing updated procedures that aim to lessen construction impacts to people as they move about the city and to improve access to adjacent homes and businesses. The department worked in conjunction with City Council members Wayne New, Paul Kashmann, Albus Brooks, Jolon Clark and Raphael Espinoza, and community and business leaders to implement new requirements on contractors when closing the public right of way (vehicle travel lanes, parking lanes, alleys, and sidewalks) for construction activities:

Traffic Management Plan for All Modes
A contractor’s traffic control plan will be required to show how all modes will be provided safe and convenient access around a project site, including pedestrians, people on bikes and scooters, transit riders, and drivers. Specifically, the traffic control plan will be required to have a strong focus on pedestrian safety. The plan must be included in a contractor’s street occupancy permit application.
Denver Public Works will also require additional barricades, signs and provisions for pedestrians in the traffic control plan.

Pedestrian Canopies
Pedestrian canopies will be required, with limited exceptions, on new projects where vertical construction is occurring directly adjacent to a pedestrian pathway (ex: multi-story building).
Existing large projects will be reviewed to determine if any mobility improvements can be made.

Construction Worker Parking Plan
Large projects (greater than $100,000 and lasting longer than a week) will be required to submit a parking plan for their workers and subcontractors’ workers who will access the construction site.
The parking plan must aim to minimize impacts to surrounding businesses and residences.
Workers will be allowed to use the front of the project site for parking, but otherwise must utilize off-site parking that the contractor will be required to provide.

Additionally, beginning April 1, Denver Public Works will require the posting of information signs for all private projects in the public right of way lasting longer than seven days. The signs will list the contractor, their contact information along with details of the permit including permit number, location, duration, and description of the project. Denver Public Works will work to standardize the placement of similar information signage as part of existing building permit requirements so this contact and description information is accessible to the public.

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Cherry Creek Election Forum

I hope you can join Cherry Creek Business Alliance for our rescheduled Cherry Creek Election Forum.  Please share this invitation with your neighborhood organizations.  All are welcome! We’ll have a panel discussion with the 3 candidates running to represent Council District 10 and a presentation from the No on 300 campaign.  We’ll also have No on 300 Yard Signs available at the event.

Thank you for your help spreading the word!  I hope to see you on April 4th!  – Bethany

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May 2019 Municipal Elections

Get Ready for the May Municipal Elections!
7 Candidate and Ballot Issue Forums

Denver Decides, a consortium composed of the League of Women Voters of Denver, Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, Historic Denver, and Denver 8 TV, will once again hold candidate and ballot issue forums for the upcoming May 7 election. The forums will be held in the community and also taped for later viewing on Denver 8 TV or streamed through the Denver Decides website.

Election Day Tuesday, May 7
Ballots will be mailed on April 15

Tuesday, March 19 District 1 (Northwest), Auditor
6:00 p.m. Scheitler Rec Center, 5031 W 46th Ave, Denver, CO 80212

Wednesday, March 20 Districts 2 (Southwest) and 7 (Southwest-central); Ballot Issues
6:00 p.m. SWIC, 1000 S Lowell Blvd, Denver, CO 80219 (Sandos Hall)

Wednesday, March 27 Districts 4 (Southeast), 5 (East-central), 6 (Southeast)
6:00 p.m. Cook Park Rec Center, 7100 Cherry Creek S Dr., Denver, CO 80224

Thursday, March 28* District 9 (Northcentral Denver), Clerk and Recorder
6:00 p.m. Johnson Rec Center, 4809 Race St, Denver, CO 80216

Tuesday, April 2** District 10 (Central) and At-Large (city-wide)
6:00 p.m. Denver Art Museum (Sharp Auditorium)

Thursday, April 4 Districts 8 (Northeast) and 11 (Montbello/Green Valley Ranch)
6:00 p.m. Montbello Rec Center, 15555 E 53rd Ave, Denver, CO 80239

Saturday, April 13*** Mayoral Candidates, District 3 (West-central)
9:30 a.m. SWIC, 1000 S Lowell Blvd, Denver, CO 80219 (Sandos Hall)

*Please plan extra travel time due to heavy construction in the surrounding area.

**Street Parking or in Cultural Center Garage – access 12th Ave. between Broadway and Bannock. Enter building and proceed to Lower Level via stairs or elevator to Sharp Auditorium

***This event coincides with Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation’s monthly meeting.

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RESCHEDULED Public Hearing for Game Plan for a Healthy City @ Parks & Recreation Advisory Board NOW APRIL 10

The Public Hearing for “Game Plan for a Healthy City” (originally scheduled for 3/13/19) has been rescheduled to WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 at the regular Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) meeting.

The PRAB meeting on April 10, 2019, begins at 5:30pm. It is held at the Wellington Webb Municipal Building, located at 201 W. Colfax Ave., Room 4.F.6.

A copy of the “Game Plan for a Healthy City” is accessible through the City of Denver’s Denveright website. Review the plan directly via this link. The 3-Year Action Plan is also now available for review online. Please email parksandrecreation@denvergov.org with questions.

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Initiative 300 – “Right To Survive”

Last night, our board discussed Initiative 300, which is on the ballot for our election this May. The executive committee unanimously voted to take a ‘NO’ stance on this controversial initiative.
Please consider voting this May, and consider your neighborhood representatives’ position.
To read more, visit BALLOTPEDIA.

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Neighborhoods Work Better When They Work Together Upcoming Meeting March 9 2019

Location: Brookdale University Park, 2020 S. Monroe
AGENDA:
8:30-9:00AM: Meet and Greet
9:00AM: Call to Order
9:00-9:10AM: Election of Vice-President, Treasurer, and two at-Large positions.
9:10-9:30AM: Approval of February Minutes and Committee reports
9:30-9:40AM: City Ordinance regarding camping, presented by Marley Bordovski, Director Prosecution and Code Enforcement, Denver City Attorney’s Office
9:40-10:00AM: Initiative 300, Right to Survive, Speaker to be announced
10:00-10:20AM:  Togetherdenver, Speaker to be announced
10:20AM: Around the City
11:00AM: AdjournPlease don’t forget to renew your dues.

“RNO dues not paid by February 28 of each year, shall mean the RNO delegate(s) shall not be eligible to vote or run for office in the annual election” 
INC By-laws Dues can be paid electronically via Pay Pal. It is not necessary to have a Pay Pal account. Please go to for further information. https://www.denverinc.org/membership/  Open to ALL Denver residents.
For INC events and INC committee meetings, please visit http://www.denverinc.org/calendar-2/


Our other committees that are meeting soon

INC Transportation March 14 2019
6:00 – 8:00 PM 1201 Williams St. 19th Floor Party room
Sign up for email notifications HERE

INC PARC March 19 2019
6:00 – 8:00 PM 2020 S. Monroe Arts and Crafts rm
Sign up for email notifications HERE


 
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Comprehensive Plan 2000 and Blueprint Denver

by Tricia Schmid

Almost twenty years ago, the city of Denver adopted Denver Comprehensive Plan 2000 and Blueprint Denver. These plans outlined a 20 year vision for integrated land use and transportation. Well, 2020 is right around the corner and it is time for a new plan:  Comprehensive Plan 2040.

Comprehensive Denver 2040 is the culmination of a two-year outreach and planning effort (called Denveright). The plan outlines six main tenets in building the Denver of tomorrow:  a more inclusive city; authentic neighborhoods; safe, reliable and well connected transportation; a diverse and vibrant economy; an environmentally resilient city; and a healthy and active city. The vision outlined in Comprehensive Denver 2040 is further specified in four supplemental plans – Blueprint Denver; Game Plan for a Healthy City; Denver Moves: Transit and Denver Moves: Pedestrians and Trails.

Blueprint Denver outlines a framework for the city’s policies regarding growth, land use and transportation. It “guides were new jobs and homes should go, how our transportation system will improve, how to strengthen our neighborhoods and were and how we invest in our communities with new infrastructure and amenities.” This plan does not specify actual codes or policies but rather it outlines an overall citywide plan by identifying future growth areas, neighborhood contexts and descriptions, and recommendations for transit, pedestrian and bike mobility and safety. The vision outlined in Blueprint Denver will be used as the basis for small area plans that will be developed as part of a Neighborhood Planning Initiative.

Game Plan for a Heathy City states that “parks and public spaces are vital elements of urban infrastructure”. The plan outlines recommendations for making parks and recreation centers accessible to all residents, ensuring a resilient and environmentally sustainable park system in response to climate change (including stormwater/water use and energy conservation recommendations), and operating and managing a park and recreation system with long-term fiscal viability.

Denver Moves: Transit and Denver Moves: Pedestrians and Trails discuss moving people around the city via bus, rail, car, bicycle, and a person’s own two feet. The Transit plan is the city’s first ever transit plan and is in response to the fact that traffic has risen exponentially over the past few years with the rapid growth of Denver. The Transit plan outlines ways to improve the city’s infrastructure and transit system to more effectively move people around and through the city. The Pedestrians and Trails plan calls for improving sidewalks, street crossing and trails.

So, if you are like me, you might be asking yourself right about now, what does this mean for our neighborhood and its environs? Blueprint Denver has identified Cherry Creek North as a Regional/Urban Center. The city estimates that Regional Centers throughout Denver will account for 30% of new households and 50% of new jobs by 2040. As a Regional/Urban Center, the focus is on larger scale mixed use development with multi-unit residential; high levels of pedestrian and bicycle use and good access to high capacity transit with minimal reliance on cars. Open space should be integrated into streetscape with plazas in various locations. We have already begun to see the transformation of Cherry Creek North into a Regional/Urban Center.  Country Club is designated both as Urban and Urban Edge.  The one issue that may be problematic in the future is the designation of the University corridor between 1st and 4th Avenues (currently part of the Cherry Creek North Business Improvements District) as Urban Center which allows for multi-story buildings.  

Denver Moves: Transit identifies First Avenue/Speer Boulevard as a high capacity transit corridor (full Bus Rapid Transit and/or Rail). Full Bus Rapid Transit is a rubber tired transit mode similar to rail that has the flexibility to operate in a combination of transit lanes and mixed traffic. The plan recognizes that when establishing a high capacity transit corridor, trade-offs might need to be made. These trade-offs could include removal of a general purpose travel lane so that it might be dedicated “Transit Only”. The plan stipulates that when a trade-off needs to be made, transit reliability and access will be given priority. University Avenue is identified as a Medium-Capacity Transit Corridor (rapid bus to full BRT). Sixth Avenue is identified as a Speed and Reliability Corridor (enhanced bus). Plans for transit priority signals and dedicated transit lanes at key locations are included in this corridor. What this actually means for Speer Boulevard/First Avenue, University Avenue and Sixth Avenue remains to be seen, but the city has for some time been actively discussing the removal of the plant bed median along the section of First Avenue that runs through Cherry Creek North. The CCHN Board will remain vigilant!

Meanwhile, if you would like to read more, you may access the plans online at https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denveright.html. This is the second draft of plans for review (the first drafts were available for review last year). Feedback for the Comprehensive Plan 2040, Blueprint Denver and Game Plan for a Healthy City is due by February 27th. You may access a feedback form online.  The Denver Moves: Transit and Denver Moves: Pedestrians and Trails plans do not require council approval and therefore are being finalized in the next several weeks.

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Learn About Residential Building and Zoning Codes

Denver Community Planning and Development is hosting TWO upcoming events for homeowners and residential contractors – one this Sunday at the Garden and Home Show and a second in March at the Decker Public Library. These forums are great places to send residents who have zoning questions, want to learn more about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or other home projects, or have questions about permits or contractors. Each event will include a presentation from our code experts and ample opportunity for Q&A.

Please share the two dates below with your residents and neighbors, in newsletters, and on social. Graphics are attached.

Links to Facebook events: February 17 | March 26

Denver Community Planning and Development invites you to learn about residential zoning and building codes

Join Denver’s residential code experts at the Garden and Home Show this Sunday, or at the Decker Public Library in March, for a presentation on Denver’s residential building and zoning codes. We’ll discuss the basics of pulling permits, hiring contractors or doing-it-yourself, and codes to consider when planning for common home projects, from fences to remodels to building a backyard cottage (an “accessory dwelling unit” or ADU). Your questions are important! We’ll have ample time for Q&A.

4 p.m., Sunday, February 17

Garden and Home Show at the Colorado Convention Center (look for the theater at the end of aisle 1200)

700 14th St., Denver

Visit www.coloradogardenfoundation.org for show hours and prices.

AND

6 p.m., Tuesday, March 26

Decker Public Library

1501 S. Logan St., Denver

Thank you,

Laura Swartz | Development Services Communications

Community Planning and Development | City and County of Denver

p: (720) 865.2947 c: (720) 584.9137 | laura.swartz@denvergov.org

DenverGov.org/DS | Twitter | Instagram | Take our Survey

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Game Plan for a Healthy City

City & County of Denver
Denver Department of Parks & Recreation
Notice of “Game Plan for a Healthy City” Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking input on the second draft of the “Game Plan for a Healthy City”, and will host a public hearing prior to its final approval process at City Council. This long-range strategic plan is intended to help the city respond to challenges including growth, limited water resources, and changes in our climate. The plan proclaims easy access to parks and open space as a basic right for all residents, and establishes our city’s parks, facilities and recreational programs as essential for healthy environment, healthy residents, and a high quality of life for everyone. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will hear public comments on this draft on March 13, 2019 at 5:30 pm at the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, held at the Wellington Webb Municipal Building, located at 201 W. Colfax Ave., Room 4.F.6. A copy of the “Game Plan for a Healthy City” is on file with the Manager of Parks and Recreation and accessible through the City of Denver’s Denveright website. Review the plan directly via this link.

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Comprehensive Plan 2040 and Blueprint Denver

In an effort to give community members an opportunity to share their thoughts on Denver’s vision for growth over the next 20 years with Denver’s Planning Board, a stand-alone listening session with the board will be held Wednesday, February 27. The session will be focused on the current drafts of Comprehensive Plan 2040 and Blueprint Denver, part of the Denveright family of plans that will help shape a more inclusive, connected and healthy city.

Planning Board Listening Session
4-7 p.m., Wednesday, February 27
Webb Municipal Building, Room 4.G.2-4.F.6
201 W. Colfax Ave., Denver

The session will be broadcast live on Denver 8.
The listening session is not a formal hearing. The board will not vote or take any action in the meeting.

City planners will use the comments to make final edits to the plan drafts. Complete information on the meeting is available on the Denveright website. We encourage you to help us get the word out about the meeting using the links below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Best, Alex

Alexandra Foster | Communications Program Manager

Community Planning and Development | City and County of Denver

p: (720) 865.2969 | alexandra.foster@denvergov.org

DenverGov.org/CPD | Twitter | Instagram | Take our Survey

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Dockless Mobility

Today we are providing you with an update on Denver’s Dockless Mobility Pilot Permit Program, which has been progressing since it launched in July 2018.

For the next few weeks, Denver Public Works will be gathering the public’s feedback to get their thoughts on the first six-months of the pilot through an online survey: http://bit.ly/DenBikeScooter. (This survey can also be found at denvergov.org/docklessmobility.) Comments received will help determine if adjustments should be made to the pilot program and inform the potential development of an ongoing program. The pilot will continue through the summer.

Currently, a maximum of 1,750 electric scooters and 1,000 electric bikes are permitted for use in the city through Denver’s Dockless Mobility Pilot Permit Program. Last week, Denver City Council passed an ordinance which changed the rules for where electric scooters can ride. Under the new law, electric scooters are now allowed to operate in bike lanes or streets with speed limits of 30mph or less. If either of those aren’t an option, electric scooters can operate on the sidewalk, travelling at a speed of 6mph or less.

For more information, please visit denvergov.org/docklessmobility.

Sincerely,

DPW Public Information Office

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Denverright Draft Plans

Have you reviewed the Denveright Draft Plans yet? Hurry down to one of the 4 remaining Community Office Hours to ask questions about the plans and learn how to give feedback during the public review period (which closes Oct. 31st). Visit denvergov.org/Denveright and check the calendar for locations and days of office hours. These plans are YOUR plans and are aiming to create a more inclusive, connected and healthy city-make sure to check them out!
Organizations that would like more time to review and understand the plans can request an extension by emailing us at blueprint@denvergov.org.

Afor Chavez | Operations and Outreach Assistant
Community Planning and Development | City and County of Denver
p: (720) 865.2984 | afor.chavez@denvergov.org

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Special Ballot Measures

With the November 2018 election quickly approaching, we wanted to update you on all of the questions that will be on the ballot at the state and municipal level. This memo is intended to give you a snapshot of the ballot content and the city agencies that may be affected. The memo also provides guidance on allowable election activities to you as elected officials. Please review the information below and feel free to contact Kirsten or me with any questions you may have on these.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BALLOT MEASURES

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Update on Citywide Short Term Rental Program

Each new generation brings fresh ideas and concepts to our world. Some truly beneficial visions become trends and a new way of life; other ill-conceived notions become thankfully just fads. When a concept involves economic gain, it spreads quickly and often without organization or consideration of unintended consequences. It is the job of government to provide proper guidelines to protect the public and the landscape of its jurisdiction…and to enforce those guidelines.

Short term rentals (STRs) are found in all parts of Denver, but there is a noticeably heavy concentration of them in the central neighborhoods of District 10. Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park and Congress Park have the most STRs but options exist in almost all District 10 neighborhoods. In the Country Club zip codes very few licenses have been issued.

On June 12, 2016, after two years of discussion, Denver City Council approved a measure to allow STRs only in primary residences. The rules took effect on July 1st and gave hosts until December 31, 2016 to obtain a business license with the city, pay the city’s 10.75 percent Lodger’s Tax and come into compliance with the new regulations. Enforcement of the new law began on January 1, 2017. Less than seven weeks into enforcement, the City and County of Denver is approaching 1,000 Short Term Rental licenses issued, or close to one-third of known STR properties in the city. Although more work needs to be done to license hosts, Denver is believed to be a leader in compliance rates, ahead of other municipalities including Austin, Nashville, Portland and San Francisco, in compliance rate and/or number of licenses issued. This is a work in progress with a “host” of moving targets.

During these early stages of STR enforcement, the city is primarily focused on compliance. Excise & Licenses will be sending more than 1,000 Notice of Violation letters to unlicensed operators by the end of February. Those operators will have 14 days to comply before fines are issued. Penalties for operating a STR without a license can be up to $999 per incident, or per day, in the most egregious circumstances.

Although a majority of rentals operate within the law, Denver accepts reports of unlicensed STRs or other complaints three ways: calls to 3-1-1, online reports on Pocketgov (https://www.denvergov.org/ pocketgov/#/report-a-problem) or via email (STR@denvergov.org). If you see anything suspicious in your neighborhood, please report it. The city also proactively tracks and monitors properties using Denver Police calls for service, 311 reports and through a third-party software company called Host Compliance.

Host Compliance scans and monitors all STR websites, including Airbnb, VRBO, Flipkey and others looking for compliance with the requirement that STR operators must list their business license number in their advertisement. Host Compliance uses various algorithms and old-fashioned detective work to provide the operator name and address to Excise & Licenses so the department can issue violations and citations to those hosts who are operating without a license. Citations are sent via mail and in the most problematic cases, a property can be “red-tagged” or physically posted of a violation.

As part of an effort to continually assess the program and make policy recommendations on STR enforcement, Excise & Licenses has convened an advisory committee consisting of hosts, non-hosts, neighborhood representatives and industry representatives. All STR Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public, and presentation materials and minutes can be found on the advisory committee website (https://www.denvergov.org/content/ denvergov/en/denver-business-licensing-center/business-licenses/short-term-rentals/short-term-rental-advisory-committee.html). For more information on the city’s STR licensing requirements, please visit
www.Denvergov.org/ShortTermRentals.

The advancement of technology initiated the need for this STR program. The work of E&L in formulating the policies and procedures to govern this program should help manage this industry and maintain quality of life in our neighborhoods.