A Note from the Councilman on the Unauthorized Camping Ban
Given the level of controversy surrounding the recently adopted Ban on Unauthorized Camping, a number of people asked me why I didn't include my thoughts on the issue in this newsletter. My goal with this newsletter is not to be a mouthpiece for my positions, but rather a quick and helpful source of information for my constituents. I certainly have strong views on many issues, and have enjoyed spirited political conversations with many of you. But I don't want to give anyone a reason to get mad and not subscribe to this newsletter, and thereby miss information that might be useful to you.
But perhaps an explanation of my position on the Unauthorized Camping Ban is worthy of an exception to this practice.
This was a difficult and complicated issue, but I supported the ban. Interestingly, while the issue did generate heated disagreement among members of Council, what was lost in the accounts of and controversy over the ban is that the vision of the future held by most "yes" votes and "no" votes alike is the same. We both are committed to a City whose streets and open spaces feel safe, fun, and inviting to residents, tourists, and local businesses. And we both are committed to redoubling our efforts to provide necessary shelter and services to our fellow citizens that are homeless.
The camping ban will not "criminalize" homelessness. Our intent is the same as when we implemented the more narrow "sit-&-lie" prohibition on the 16th Street Mall. Not a single person has been cited or arrested under that ordinance, but a large number of people have been contacted and gotten the help they need as a consequence of being in violation of it. At the same time, the atmosphere on the 16th Street Mall has been dramatically improved for businesses, tourists, and the increasing population of downtown residents.
Unfortunately, with the downturn in the economy, homelessness of all kinds has exploded, with collateral damage to the environment not only of downtown but also of major thoroughfares, parks, and waterways throughout the city. With a city-wide ban on unauthorized camping, we hope to push more people to the shelters and services they need, while restoring the quality of the urban environment our residents, businesses, and tourists should expect in a world-class city.
Will we have the shelter and services necessary to serve this larger population? We won't know until we try, but we're doing everything we can to expand the shelter and services we have. Even in the short time before the unauthorized camping ban goes into effect, we've put over 200 additional beds back into the system, committed over $300,000 in new money for wrap-around services for the chronically homeless, and identified funding for several additional outreach workers. Future efforts will establish a 24-hour shelter for the first time, and bring more beds and services online.
All this will be hard. But it's all worth doing. We all believe in a Denver that is a great place to live, a prosperous place to run a business, and a fun place to visit. And we all believe in a Denver that provides a helping hand to our fellow citizens in need. |
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Coming Soon: Redevelopment at Alameda Station
In addition to providing transit service, the Regional Transportation District (RTD), has come to recognize and embrace its role in fostering transit-oriented development as well, particularly around light rail stations. Alameda Station has been a pilot site for this enterprise. A very complicated public-private-public-private-public partnership is now bearing fruit at the Alameda Station. Stay tuned for upcoming public meetings and opportunities to learn more and provide input.
Who are all these "publics and privates?": RTD; D4 Urban, the owner and developer at Broadway Marketplace; the City & County of Denver; Xcel Energy; and the Denver Urban Renewal Authority. These entities have all worked closely together to take what is now a lonely light rail stop, a parking lot, and a dead-end dirt road hidden behind the K-Mart dumpsters, and turn it all into a model transit-oriented development of apartments, shops, and open-space that is tied back into the city's street grid.
This is a unique effort that, we hope, will become a model of public/private cooperation that realizes the full value of the investments we've made in our transportation infrastructure. Look for a meeting in July to learn more and provide input. |
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DSST-at-Byers Update
Thanks to a ton of hard work from dedicated parents and neighbors, things are looking good for DSST-at-Byers in 2013. Interested in knowing more? Come to the Community Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC) meeting on June 6th to hear recommendations on whether DPS should pursue a bond, mill levy, or both, and how the investments within those ballot initiatives will be prioritized. Click here for meeting details. Stay posted to hear how you can help with the upcoming bond effort.
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New Alcohol Policy at Ruby Hill Triggers First Music Event: July 12
At their May meeting, the Parks & Rec Advisory Board (PRAB) gave their unanimous support to establishing a policy for special events to sell beer and wine at Ruby Hill Park. The lack of such a policy had kept even renowned non-profit organizations, such as Swallow Hill Music Association, from booking the park for summer entertainment.
With PRAB support and the decision by the Parks & Rec Manager, we already have a music event booked at Ruby Hill. The Greenway Foundation is holding one of their summer concerts-on-the-river events at Ruby Hill on July 12 - the first ever held outside Confluence Park. This concert even features Mary Louise Lee -- Denver's very own first lady. Click here for more details. |
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Make Music Denver - June 21
In the mood for some public music before July 12? Visit the 16th Street Mall and participate in "Make Music Denver" on June 21st. Denver joins 450 cities around the world to celebrate local live music and World Music Day's annual summer solstice event. Fourteen hours of nonstop music is the vision (8am to 10pm) with a stream of musicians playing elbow to elbow to make a wall of sound. Anyone can play and anyone can attend for FREE.
Your gig can be a full-on ska band parade or a trumpet solo on the street corner. Whether you sing in a church choir, play piano in the symphony, pick a banjo in your room, spin hip-hop in a club, or have excellent bic lighter and hand clapping skills, you have something to offer to this event. Visit www.MakeMusicDenver.com or www.facebook.com/MakeMusicDenver to register, volunteer, and listen to featured songs. |
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FREE "Movies in the Park" Hosted by Denver Parks & Recreation
Can't make the Ruby Hill concert or the Make Music fest? Come see a movie instead. For the first time ever, Ruby Hill Park is on the lineup. Pack up your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets, and head to the park for a free flick under the stars. Movies start at sunset with plenty of pre-movie opportunities to meet friends, play, and eat great local food. "Bike-In" movies at Civic Center Park are back this year too, complete with gourmet food trucks and USA Pro-Challenge bike racks. Here's the summer schedule:
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DATE
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MOVIE
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PARK
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Saturday, June 30
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Forrest Gump
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Skyline Park
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Sunday, July 1
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Puss n' Boots
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Ruby Hill
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Saturday, July 7
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Moneyball
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Skyline Park
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Saturday, July 14
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Grease
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Skyline Park
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Sunday, July 15
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Kicking & Screaming
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Civic Center Park
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Saturday, July 21
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The Incredibles
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Skyline Park
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Wednesday, July 25
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Dolphins Tale
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Bible Park
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Saturday, July 28
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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Black Pearl
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Skyline Park
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Sunday, July 29
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The Blind Side
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Civic Center Park
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Saturday, August 11
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Mary Poppins
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Skyline Park
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Sunday, August 12
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Monty Python & the Holy Grail
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Civic Center Park
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Wednesday, August 15
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Kung Fu Panda II
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Curtis Park
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Saturday, August 18
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Hugo
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Skyline Park
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Wednesday, August 22
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TBD
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Governor's Park
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Saturday, August 25
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American Flyers
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Skyline Park
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Friday, September 14
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Top Gun
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Civic Center Park
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Click here for more information. |
Are You Ready for the Biggest Pool Party in Denver?
Why stop at movies and music? Come splash around too. On June 2nd Denver Parks & Rec will open 16 pools for a summer long pool party. Get out your goggles and check out the newly renovated La Alma pool on June 1 at 3:30pm. Test your courage on the giant slide and do a back flip off the new diving board. If that doesn't float your inflatable raft try a water aerobics class, swim class, or lounge chair. Can't make the grand opening? No sweat. All 16 pools are open seven days a week until August 12. Click here for hours and locations. Don't forget, DPS students may qualify for a free rec center membership through the "My Place Program." Click here for affordable options for everyone in the family. Bonus, go to www.Facebook.com/DenverParksRec and tell us why you love your favorite pool -- you could win a family pool pass for 4. |
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FREE Year-Round Fun for Youth Starts This Summer
If swimming isn't your kid's thing, how about playing basketball, volleyball, or hanging out with friends in a fun and safe place? As mentioned above, many DPS students qualify for FREE rec center membership through the "My Place Program." Program participants also receive 50% off all recreation programs including sports teams, arts & crafts activities, and swim lessons. Click here to learn more about it and see if your child qualifies.
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Don't Forget to Register for Junior Golf This Summer!
The "First Tee of Denver" will be offering more than 80 different classes this summer at five golf locations: Aqua Golf, City Park, Kennedy, Wellshire, and Willis Case. Click here to view our entire schedule and descriptions of all of the classes. |
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Denver Steps Up Leash Law Enforcement
Think twice before you let your dog run free. Denver's Animal Care & Control and Denver Police will team up to increase park patrols and enforcement of dog off-leash violations beginning June 1. By law, dogs are not permitted to "run at large." This means the owner must have control of the dog though the use of a leash, cord, or chain, and the leash must be in the hands of a human, not tied to a post, fence, etc. But remember, Denver has ten great dog parks where your favorite fido can romp without restraint. If you see a dog off leash or know of a specific problem area, contact AnimalComments@DenverGov.org or call 311. |
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Celebrate Colorado Bike Month 4 Great Ways!
Whether you are a new rider or experienced cyclist, celebrate Bike Month by getting on a bike: ride to work, to the grocery store, or just down the street for fun. Start to practice your bike commute this month. Take a look at the City of Denver's Bike map for routes.
Put your skills to the test and leave your car at home on "Bike to Work Day" June 27th. Register here. You will be rewarded with cool swag and tasty food from 6:30am to 8:30am at breakfast stations all over town.
Don't have a bike to ride? No problem. Denver B-Cycle and Wells Fargo are offering a great deal: "Wells Fargo Wednesdays" --FREE B-cycle rental on the first three Wednesdays in June. Ride a B-cycle to work, the baseball game, dinner, or anywhere else you want to go. Wells Fargo is footing the bill for a 24-hour access pass. All you need to do is follow the steps on the B-Cycle kiosk screen. You'll still need to "Purchase Access" and swipe your credit card, but you won't be charged unless you keep a bike out longer than 30 minutes. Already a member? Tell a friend and go on a ride together. It's the perfect way to get someone hooked on biking in Denver.
Not sure where to go? If you are a Blackberry and a B-cycle user we've got two new solutions to make your life easier. The first is an app called Bcycle.me. It shows how many bikes and docks are available, what cool things are near each station, and even gives bike directions between two stations. The second is Spotcycle, another terrific app that allows you to see whether your favorite stations are full or empty.
Need more suggestions? Take your favorite bike pal on the "4th Annual Summer Solstice Ride" on June 20th. See what happens when four great non-profits get together to improve your quality of life. A bike ride, a picnic, and an opportunity to learn more about giving back to YOUR community! Join Bike Denver, Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Zoo, and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) for this annual Park-to-Park bicycle ride from City Park, through the Denver Botanic Garden, to the Dos Chappell Boathouse at Washington Park. Meet other people who dig bikes, the solstice, and sustainability. See the ride and registration details here. |
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Volunteer Courtesy Patrol in Denver's Most Popular Parks
Bike Denver and Denver Parks & Rec have joined forces to expand the reach of Denver's Park Ranger program with the Volunteer Courtesy Patrol (VCP). This summer, forty volunteer cyclists in green jerseys will ride around Denver's most popular spaces to assist with the following:
- Increase the Park Ranger's presence and visibility
- Educate trail and park users about basic safety rules and courtesies
- Model safe riding behavior for cyclists
- Assist park visitors by providing directions and information
- Report on conflict areas and physical safety issues
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RTD Service Changes
If you opt to take a bus instead of a bike, click here to make sure the route hasn't changed. The Regional Transpiration District (RTD) makes changes to bus and light rail schedules three times a year to enhance service and facilitate better connections between bus, lightrail, and specialty services across our communities. The service changes are based on traffic pattern studies, rider ship, economic factors, and community feedback.
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Denver International Airport Changes
Another transportation change you should be aware of is happening at DIA. Starting in mid-May, DIA will demolish and reconfigure the bridges that connect Pẽna Boulevard to the south end of Jeppesen Terminal as part of the South Terminal Redevelopment Program. Bridge reconstruction will result in some temporary detours to DIA's passenger pickup and drop-off - but parking is not impacted. See more here.
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FREE Home Energy Assessments Are Coming to Platt Park June 8th
Does your leaky, inefficient house make you uncomfortable and lose money? Groundwork Denver's "Home Energy Project" can help. Groundwork Denver, a local non-profit, will be partnering with volunteers from Deloitte, a financial services firm, to go door-to-door on Friday, June 8th disseminating free CFLs (compact florescent lights) and signing up people for free assessments in conjunction with the City's Denver Energy Challenge.
Thousands of your neighbors in Denver have already swapped bulbs, received energy assessments, sealed drafts, and installed insulation. Platt Park residents can too - EVERY Denver resident qualifies for free resources:
- All residents can receive a FREE home energy assessment that identifies priority improvements like: insulation, appliances, air sealing, and weather-stripping
- Income-qualifying residents are connected to free weatherization
- All residents can receive group insulation discounts, contractor oversight, and rebate assistance. Save at least 50% off insulation costs with discounts and rebates - get it done now while rates are cheap!
Platt Park residents can take advantage of this program throughout the month of June. For more information or to schedule an assessment contact Groundwork Denver at 303-455-5600 or at Assessments@GroundworkDenver.org.
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Remodel Your Yard with Water-Wise Plants
Another great thing to do to make your home more sustainable and efficient is to plant water-wise flowers and grasses. Denver Water is offering its customers do-it-yourself water-wise planting kits, called "Garden-In-A-Box," at special discounted prices. These kits provide a selection of colorful low-water-use plants that adapt well to Colorado's dry climate.
Each box includes approximately 25-50 low-water perennial plants, a plant-by-number design plan, and planting and care instructions to simplify water-wise gardening. The kits are a fantastic deal at $60- $135 each - approximately 50 percent less than retail prices. Six different water-wise garden varieties created by local professional landscape designers are available for the following spaces:
- Sunny areas
- Shady areas
- Bird, bee and butterfly attracting areas
- Parkway area that border the street
- Edible perennial garden areas
Orders must be place by June 10th. "Garden-In-A-Box" kits will be available for pickup at locations throughout Denver during scheduled days and times. Click here to find out more and to place your order or call 303-999-3820 x 217. Need ideas? Denver Water's Xeriscape demonstration garden is open to the public Monday - Friday from 7:00 -5:30 pm.
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9th Annual Washington Park Garden Tour to Benefit Denver Hospice
Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Still stumped about where to put your plants? Take a neighborhood stroll or bike ride and get inspired by 10 wonderfully diverse gardens. The "9th Annual Washington Park Garden Tour" features landscapes, xeriscapes, floral masterpieces, and hardscapes for sunny and shady areas. Purchase tickets in advance for $15 or by calling 303-398-6254. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $20 on the day of the tour. All proceeds go to the Denver Hospice. |
Denver Water Fraud Alert
Summer months breed imposters and Denver Water wants to alert its customers not to fall prey to con artists who claim to be utility workers. A common scam involves a fraudulent worker entering a home on the premise of checking for water pressure and then scavenging for valuables and/or attempting to collect money for their services. Denver Water does not conduct random water pressure or quality checks, nor do they collect money on-site.
All Denver Water employees carry photo-identification cards; their clothing and vehicles are clearly marked with the Denver Water Logo. The utility's "Water Savers," who enforce watering rules, get around town in bright orange-and-white cars or bicycles and also carry photo-identification cards. Customers who are approached by con artists should call the police and Denver Water Customer Care at 303-893-2444. |
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Denver Citizen's Emergency Response Training
Are you looking for a meaningful volunteer experience? You can help support emergency response agencies prepare for and respond to major disasters in your community. Sign up for this free FEMA training and learn how to plan for a disaster and teach basic response skills such as fire safety, search & rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
When: June 14 & 21, 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Class exercise on June 23, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Steele Street Building, 3815 Steele Street
Click here for more information and registration.
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Old South Pearl Street Farmers' Market is Back!
When: Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June to October
Where: 1500 block of Old South Pearl St., between Florida Ave. & Iowa Ave.
Stock-up on super-fresh produce, ready-to-eat treats, artisan cheeses, and just-out-of-the-oven baked goods at the Old South Pearl neighborhood Farmers' Market. Visit www.OldSouthPearlStreet.com. Click here for Citywide Farmers' Market info.
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Old South Pearl Street 2012 Summer Music Festivals
Where: 1200 block of S. Pearl St. between Buchtel & Louisiana
When:
"BrewGrass," June 9
"South Pearl Jam," July 14
"Blues & Brews," August 11
It's not summer without hot asphalt, cold beer, tasty food, and great music. Don't let the season pass without checking out one of the Old South Pearl Street Music Festivals. Gather your friends & family and enjoy incredible bands, a staggering selection of local micro-brews, and some seriously delicious food from neighborhood restaurants. If you can't get there by bike or on foot, remember that the festival site is just one block from the Louisiana/Pearl RTD light rail station. Show your RTD ticket stub for a discounted admission. Bring chairs and blankets but no outside food or drink. Click here for a complete band line-up visit. |
Art Student's League Summer Art Market
When: Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Art Student's League, 200 Grant Street
The Art Student's League Summer Art Market showcases work by over 250 emerging and professional artists. Traditional, abstract, and contemporary styles abound in a wide range of media including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, drawings, and mixed media works. The market also offers live music, food, and free art classes. Get a first hand look at the school's apprenticeship approach to instruction and support a great community asset.
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Denver Public Library Gigantic Used Book Sale - June 10
Come peruse over 70,0000 books, CDs, and DVDs at DPL's huge used book sale from Thursday, June 7th to Sunday, June 10. Click here for hours and more information.
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Overland Park Solstice Celebration & Cookout - June 20
Meet your neighbors and check out a jewel of a park at Overland Park Neighborhood Association's 3rd annual Summer Solstice Celebration and cookout. The party starts on June 20 at 5:00 pm at Overland Park Pond Park (South Platte River Drive & Florida). Neighborhood volunteers have been working hard to bring this park back to life and restore its beauty. Come admire their efforts. Fishing instruction and gear will be provided. Kids will love it, so bring them along.
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Ruby Hill Summer Events
Saturday, June, 9
Saturday, June 30, 5:00 PM
Ruby Hill Neighborhood Picnic at Ruby Hill Park
Sunday, July 1
"Movies in the Park" at Ruby Hill Park
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