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New Policy Will Make Two of Denver's Best Event Venues Even Better
"Lucky District 7" is indeed lucky, boasting two of the city's best event venues - Ruby Hill Park, with the City's best views and natural music amphitheater, and the beautifully restored Fleming House, in Platt Park. Sadly, however, they sit unused. The reason is that neither has an event alcohol policy. Therefore, I have asked Denver Parks & Recreation to establish an alcohol policy for both locations. The process for approving this includes a public meeting, so please come and give input:
Tuesday, March 20th
7:00 p.m.
Godsman Elementary
2120 W. Arkansas
The Fleming House, the former South Denver City Hall, is a treasured Historic Landmark. This grand old home has been beautifully renovated by the Park People and is now available for use as a much-needed event facility, similar to the Boat House in Washington Park. The Fleming House is the only facility of its kind south of the I-25 that provides an intimate and memorable setting for occasions such as fundraisers, weddings, special meetings, and other exceptional celebrations. Unlike the Washington Park Boat House, however, there is no alcohol policy in place for the Fleming House. Consequently, as has become increasingly clear, our non-profit partners - including the Park People themselves - and other special event seekers, are not booking their events at the Fleming House. This is a shame and a waste.
Ruby Hill Park was recently named as Denver's newest festival site. It is also a key anchor in Denver's "River Vision Implementation Plan." Not only is Ruby Hill an important recreational and environmental amenity, it is also a crucial link in the South Platte River plan. As our city continues to attract new residents, it is critical we continue improving our parks, trails & gulches as valuable park amenities and as key links in our multi-modal transportation system. The full activation of Ruby Hill Park is a catalyst in this effort.
We are thrilled that some of Denver's great non-profit organizations, such as Swallow Hill Music Association, want to provide precisely the activity we need at Ruby Hill Park as early as this summer. But again, the barrier to booking and using Ruby Hill Park as it was intended is the lack of an alcohol policy. Ruby Hill Park is the only festival park without an alcohol policy in place. It's imperative for us to make the policy change as soon as possible so that the organizations interested in Ruby Hill Park can get their programming and logistical planning in place for this year.
Again, to learn more about Ruby Hill Park & the Fleming House please join me and your fellow District 7 community members for a public meeting hosted by the Godsman Community Neighborhood Association on:
Tuesday, March 20th
7:00 p.m.
Godsman Elementary
2120 W. Arkansas
Let's all work together to make the Fleming House and Ruby Hill Park the great destinations they were meant to be.
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Changes to City Council Districts - We Need Your Input!
At least once every 10 years, the Denver City Council must redraw its district boundaries, based on the latest U.S. Census data. Our 10-year clock expires in May of this year (although the new districts won't take effect until the 2015 election). The charter requires that the City be divided into 11 districts, with variations in population not to exceed a total of 10%.
Wondering how City Council Redistricting will affect you? As City Council draws new Council Districts, we are hosting five community meetings to gather input from the public on draft plans. Currently there are four draft maps of new Council District boundaries. Click here to view the proposed maps and view demographic statistics associated with each map. Visit the City Council website for additional information.
Central:
Wed. Feb. 29, 5:30pm - 7:00 pm
City & County Bldg., 1437 Bannock St. Room 391
Southwest:
Thurs. March 1, 5:30pm - 7:00 pm
Southwest Improvement Council (SWIC) Bldg. 1000 S. Lowell Blvd.
Northeast:
Wed. March 7, 6:00pm - 7:30 pm
Central Park Recreation Center, 9651 E. MLK Blvd.
Southeast:
Thurs. March 8, 6:00pm - 7:30 pm
Police District 3 Station, 1625 S. University
Northwest:
Sat. March 10, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Historic Delmonico Hall, 3220 Federal Blvd. |
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Structural Financial Task Force Recommendations - Public Input
The City faces a fundamental structural problem with its finances. Many of the things that the City pays for (health care, fuel, equipment) are increasing in cost faster than inflation. At the same time, many of the sources of the City's revenue to pay for these things are growing more slowly than inflation (sales taxes, fees, fines, the "head tax"). If we don't fix this problem, we will face the long-term prospect of having to cut roughly $30 million from our budget, year after year after year, regardless of any improvements in the economy.
How do we fix this problem? For the past year, a group of business and civic leaders (including your very own Councilman), appointed by the mayor, have served on the Structural Financial Task Force (SFTF) to answer that question. They have analyzed the City's expenditures and revenues and vetted a huge number of innovative ideas to lower the growth rate of City expenditures and increase the growth rate of City revenues. Now they have delivered to the Mayor and City Council a comprehensive menu of options for putting Denver back on a sound long-term financial footing. (Click here to see the report and learn more about the SFTF).
But we can't fix this problem alone. We need your help. Take a look at the menu of options and let us know what you think. None of the Task Force recommendations will be popular, and we, as a City, face some difficult conversations with ourselves about how to move forward. But if we are to continue to be the Denver we're all so proud of, doing nothing is not an option. We want your input. Participate in the conversation at the following meetings:
March 22nd, 6 pm
Exdo Hall, 3545 Larimer St.
March 31st, 9 am
Cook Park, 7100 Cherry Creek Drive
You can also comment online at www.DenverGov.org/Mayor. Look for more information on final steps in the April newsletter. |
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League of Women Voters Budget and Solutions Presentation
If you can't make the City sponsored public meetings, and still want more information on the City's budget issues, come to the League of Women Voters presentation at 5:45pm on March 13th at Montview Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St. The presentation will focus on the status of the current Denver Budget, including efficiencies, services that have been or will be cut, future needs and options for solutions. The panel includes Brendan Hanlon, Budget Director; Councilwoman At-Large, Robin Kniech, Structural Financial Task Force Member; and Michael Sapp, Director of Neighborhood Relations Hear the results of our city department survey where the tough questions were asked. The presentation is free. No reservations are required. For more information call 303-321-7571. |
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Mayor's "Cabinet in the Community" - March 10
Not interested in the Structural Financial Task Force but have something else to talk to the Mayor or his cabinet staff about? Here's your chance! Once a quarter, Mayor Hancock will visit different neighborhoods around the City. The meetings are open to the public and include time for the Mayor and his top level cabinet staff to have one-on-one conversations with residents. The "Cabinet in the Community" sessions will run from 9 am to noon on the following Saturdays:
- March 10, Washington Park Rec Center, 701 Holden Place
- June 30, Rude Recreation Center, 2855 W. Holden Place
- September 29, Montclair Recreation Center, 729 Ulster Way
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NCAA Women's Final Four
For the first time ever in the Mountain Time Zone, women's basketball fans, coaches, and student athletes will converge on the Mile High City for a celebration of women's sports unlike any other. The NCAA Women's Final Four is coming to Denver and you can be a big part of it.
Be a part of history AND support the Denver Local Organizing Committee's fundraising efforts. Buy tickets for all three games of the Women's Final Four, April 1-3, at the Pepsi Center, and participate in the following pre-game activities:
FREE Powerade NCAA Youth Clinics
Open to boys and girls, ages 8-16. Active participation clinics give kids the chance to learn and enhance sports, conditioning, and life skills with women's basketball coaches and student-athletes, as well as basketball experts from all over the country. Registration is required for ALL clinics.
Friday, March 30, noon to 5:30 pm
Tourney Town, Convention Center, 14th & California
Saturday, March 31, 8:30 to noon
Thunder Ridge High School and Denver South High School (right in District 7!)
Tourney Town at the Colorado Convention Center (14th & California)
Check out the "host city" and epicenter for all Women's Final Four fan and community activities including: free music, food, merchandise, autograph sessions, basketball clinics, exhibits, games, and interactive displays. Bonus: Jewel will perform a free concert on Friday, March 31st at 5:30 on the main stage of Tourney Town.
Volunteer!
The Denver Local Organizing Committee needs your help! Greet incoming fans at the airport, help with youth events, transport VIPs, and more. All volunteers will receive an official 2012 NCAA Women's Final Four volunteer polo shirt and half zip pullover jacket. Interested? Register at www.NCAA.com/FinalFour. |
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Denver "Community Forester" Program
Do you want to help Denver's prized urban forests expand and thrive? Participate in the "Community Forester" program. Community Foresters distribute and plant trees; canvass neighborhoods for new tree planting opportunities; conduct tree health checks; perform young tree pruning; and serve as tree advocates in their neighborhoods. Don't know how to do all of that stuff? We will teach you!
The following sessions must be completed to become a Community Forester. If you don't have that kind of time, but still want to help, you can take Trees 101 and at least one other class to become a "Tree Steward."
- Trees 101, prerequisite for all other classes, Sat., March 31, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Tree Planting and Health, Sat., April 14, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Tree Pruning, Sat., May 19, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Tree Identification and Inventory, Sat., June 9, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Volunteer Leadership and Management, optional, Sat., July 7, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Visit www.TheParkPeople.org for prices and more information. |
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B-Cycle is Back and Expanding
B-Cycle is back and bigger than ever. The fleet of 500 red bikes will come out of hibernation on March 12 and they are looking for a new home. Denver Parks & Rec and Denver Bike Sharing are applying for a grant that would allow them to put 6 additional bike sharing stations into 4 different parks throughout Denver. Which ones? Help them decide. Right now they are proposing the following:
- Three stations in City Park (Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and 17th & Steele).
- Hungarian Freedom Park (1st & Emerson)
- Community Plaza Park (33rd & Osage)
- Marion Parkway (Marion & Virginia)
Click here to tell us what you think. Don't have a membership yet? Buy one online and stay posted on Facebook and Twitter for more information on exciting B-Cycle "Season 3" launch events. |
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St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17
Put on a green shirt, hop on a red bike, and come check out the 50th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade starts at 10am in Lower Downtown. Click here for more information. |
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Denver Energy Challenge Now Offers Rebates The Denver Energy Challenge now offers rebates for insulation, air sealing, and efficient gas furnaces. These rebates are only available for Denver Energy Challenge participants, so sign up today while rebate dollars last! |
Great American Cleanup: April 28
True, that's almost two months away but there is a ton of unsightly stuff that needs to go and it takes time to organize a neighborhood. If you are tired of looking at graffiti covered stop signs, debris filled alleys, and tumbling trash, do something about it. Talk to your friends, coworkers, and neighbors, adopt a spot to clean, and join a nationwide campaign to get it done. Free cleaning supplies will be provided but they are on a first-come, first-served basis, so register your project today! Additionally, stay posted for FREE drop sites where you can discard unwanted household items and yard waste. For more information, contact 3-1-1, or visit Keep Denver Beautiful. |
Street Sweeping Begins April 1st: Sign Up for Electronic Reminders!
Citywide seasonal street sweeping begins in April. We need your help to keep Denver clean and stay in compliance with the Clean Air Act and Clean Water act. Check signs posted on your block for parking restrictions and move your car accordingly so that Public Works can provide the best service possible.
Failing to move your car during designated street sweeping days can result in a costly citation. But we make it easy to remember: Sign up here for email or text reminders. |
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Changes Proposed for Denver Parks & Recreation Rules and Regulations
Denver Parks & Recreation will present proposed changes to the current Rules and Regulations (last updated in 1993!) at the March 8, 2012 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting, at 5:30 at the Wellington Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Coflax Ave, 4th Floor, room 4.F.6.
Revisions include:
- Re-numbering and organization of the 1993 rules and regulations
- Clarification and correction of existing rules and regulations
- Addition of new rules and regulations to address current issues
- Addition of language to enable and govern the use of Administrative Citations for enforcement.
After the presentation, DPR will accept feedback for thirty days with a final public hearing taking place at the DPR Advisory Board meeting on April 12, 2012. Click here for supporting documentation. If you have questions, contact Bob.Finch@denvergov.org or Angela.Casias@DenverGov.org. |
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Summer in the Parks Recreation Program Registration Starts March 5
Wondering how to keep your kids out of trouble this summer? Sign them up for "Summer in the Parks." This licensed child care program provides kids 7-12 with trained recreation instructors who lead games, sports, field trips, and activities (including swimming) in the parks. Click here for more information. |
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Real Estate Diversity Initiative Program Starts This Spring
Recruitment underway for third class of the Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI)
If you are a woman or minority and you are interested in finding out what real estate and development work entails, this class offers an excellent opportunity to learn first hand. The program, offered by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Denver Office of Economic Development (OED), will partner 25-35 participants with ULI mentors for 7 months. During that time, protégés will meet monthly with mentors at their offices or on the company's project site. Mentors will present, discuss, and demonstrate real estate industry concepts.
There is no cost to apply. Participants selected will be required to pay $200 prior to the start of the session and must commit to "100% participation," which includes two meetings each month with the mentor and other participants. Upon completion each protégé receives a certificate of completion, and a one-year ULI Colorado membership. (In addition to the membership, the mentoring, networking and instruction provided by the program is valued at more than $15,000!)
Program applications are being accepted through March 16, 2012. |
FREE Income Tax Preparation
The Denver Asset Building Coalition (DABC) offers FREE federal and state tax preparation for families earning less than $49,000 and for individuals earning less than $35,000 annually. The service is available from now until April 17th. Call the Economic Prosperity Center at the King Trimble Center (720-865-2430) to make an appointment. The Center is located at 2980 Curtis St., in Curtis Park. |
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Denver's Old House Fair
Thinking of embarking on a house renovation? Ideas and inspiration abound at "Denver's Old House Fair" scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 9 am to 5 pm, at the Tivoli, 900 Auraria Parkway. Sponsored by Denver's Old House Society, the event offers information, resources, and workshops specific to homes over 50-years-old. Whether you have a Victorian, Bungalow, Denver Square, Tudor, or Mid- Century Modern home this event will have something for you. Tickets cost $12 and can be purchased at King Soopers stores, on-line at TicketWest and at select retailers. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information visit: http://denversoldhousesociety.org/ |
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Head Start Policy Council Vacancy
City Council is seeking one qualified individual to represent Council on the City's Head Start Policy Council. The appointment is a two-year term.
Purpose:
To oversee all aspects of Denver's Head Start program including community education and involvement, program promotion, and conflict resolution.
Qualifications:
Experience in fundraising for nonprofits.
Meetings:
Currently, meetings are held the fourth Tuesday each month and generally run for an hour.
Application: Please send your resume and cover letter to Debra Bartleson, Legislative Services, Denver City Council, 1437 Bannock Street, Room 451, Denver, CO, 80202 or email to Debra.Bartleson@denvergov.org. For more information contact Ms. Bartleson at 720-337-2003. Application deadline is March 9. |
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Overland Park Neighborhood Association's Spring Equinox Celebration Join the funky and feisty OPNA folks at Overland Pond Park on Wednesday, March 20th, at 3pm. Celebrate the equinox with stellar homemade baked goods, warm cider, hot chocolate, and coffee. Bring the kids and show them what neighborhood involvement can do. All neighbors are welcome! |
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Last Chance to Sign Up for the Spring 2012 Transit Alliance Citizens' Academy
Do you dig public transportation? Are you interested in making Metro Denver a better place to live? Sign up for the Transit Alliance Citizen's Academy.
The program will host a maximum of 60 participants over 7 weeks to discuss the complex linkages between transportation, community development and sustainability. These complexities and their relationship to the goals of the Denver Metro Region are covered in a program of speakers drawn from a diversity of expertise, such as the development community, public health sector, municipal government, and the Regional Transportation District itself.
The cornerstone of this unique program is that participants will take their new knowledge and put it in action. Each session will be designed to be very interactive and participants will be asked to follow-up each session with a homework assignment. In addition, participants will spend a portion of each class designing their individual action plan that they will implement in their community upon completing the Academy.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE FRIDAY, MARCH 2. For more information and the application form, check the website at www.TransitAlliance.org/Academy |
Protect Your Pets From Coyotes
Coyote breeding season has arrived and will last through mid March. Look out! As the weather gets colder and food gets scarcer, coyotes become more territorial in anticipation of breeding and protecting their pups. Coyotes are ambush predators who typically hunt by themselves, putting small outdoor pets at risk. Coyotes avoid contact with people so the best way to protect your pet is to keep them close to you, preferably inside, especially after dark. If you see a coyote don't run away. Make eye contact and act like the biggest, meanest person ever seen before aggressively chasing the coyote away. The more people harass or "haze" a coyote the more it will avoid people. Visit www.DenverGov.org/Wildlife or call a wildlife ecologist at 303-455-0785 for additional information. |
Colfax Marathon - May 20
Get ready for the ultimate urban tour of Denver on Sunday, May 20. Run or watch the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay and Urban 10 Miler. New for 2012:
- Epic stadium run-through
- Seven miles of water on the marathon course
- A new 10 mile race
- Run through a fire station on the ˝ marathon course
- Short film contest
Register online at www.RunColfax.org. The sooner you register, the lower the price! Stay posted for race routes and street closures. |
Snow Season in Denver
Public Works is gearing up for the fun and has compiled some great information for you. Click here for a complete list of resources and residential snow plow program information. |
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