District 7 Update - July 2013

Denver Water's supply situation has greatly improved since Stage 2 drought restrictions were put in place April 1st, thanks to an unexpectedly wet spring and citizens' reduced water use. As a result the Denver Board of Water Commissioners has downgraded our situation to a Stage 1 drought - which removes the two-day-per-week assigned watering schedule - effective immediately. Customers are still restricted to water no more than three days per week and must follow Denver Water's annual watering rules.

As part of the Stage 1 drought declaration, Denver Water is asking its customers to follow the following watering rules:

Water no more than three days per week (there are no assigned days).
Do not water lawns between 10am and 6pm.
Do not waste water by allowing it to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
Do not water while it is raining or during high winds.

To help save water, Denver Water asks customers to pay close attention to the weather and their landscapes, and only water when necessary. Other tips:

Use a day of rain to skip watering.
Only water the areas of your yard that are dry. For example, if shady areas look fine, only water the dry areas that get the most sun exposure.
Water two minutes less.

Citizens who see water waste or broken sprinklers in Denver's parks should call 3-1-1. To report water waste elsewhere, call Denver Water at 303-893-2444.

Find watering tips and more drought information at www.denverwater.org.

Denver Park Rangers Have New Tool for Enforcing Rules and Ensuring Park Safety

We're fortunate to have such popular parks to help us cool off and recreate in the summer. But with increased popularity and usage of parks comes increased safety and enforcement issues. Thankfully, our Denver Park Rangers are up to the task of keeping our parks safe, fun, and family-friendly now that they have been authorized to give administrative citations for non-compliant behavior.

On July 1, Denver Park Rangers will begin an education campaign and implementation of administrative citations, as approved by Denver City Council. Park Rangers will begin with warnings and help educate park users about the rules and regulations for using and enjoying the City's park system, but will issue citations for repeated non-compliance or in cases of extreme violation of rules and regulations that compromise the safety of park visitors.

First offense citations range from $100 to $150 and will increase with second and third offenses. Individuals who receive citations can pay online and will be offered an appeal process. A full explanation of Parks administrative citations in parks can be seen by clicking here.

Denver Police and Denver Firefighters Warn About Illegal Fireworks

With the 4^th of July Holiday right around the corner, Denver Police and Firefighters kicked off the "Don't Cross the Line" campaign to educate citizens about the dangers and legal implications of illegal fireworks. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and/or use of fireworks is prohibited in Denver. Fireworks enforcement teams will begin dramatically elevating enforcement from June 28 to Friday, July 5. Violators can incur fines up to $999.00 or 6 months in jail.

Join Civic Center Conservancy for an Independence Eve Fireworks Celebration on July 3^rd

Enjoy a fun, safe, and LEGAL fireworks display and concert at "Independence Eve at Civic Center Park" on July 3^rd at 8:00pm. The fireworks show and concert is produced by the Civic Center Conservancy and Colorado Symphony, and is FREE for all ages. For more information, click here.

Protecting Your Pets on July 4th

The festivities and fireworks can be fun for us humans on July 4th, but it can be overwhelming for our furry friends. Fireworks can cause a state of panic and anxiety to animals because the loud noises are sporadic but intense. During this 4th of July holiday, please take precautions to keep your pet safe and secure during fireworks:

Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.
Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects-even death-in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.
Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you're attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.
If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Pledge to Keep Your Pets Safe from the Heat with "My Dog is Cool"

Is your pet cool this summer? With blistering hot summer temperatures around the corner, the Denver Animal Shelter is joining a national campaign to help raise awareness of the hazards of leaving pets in hot vehicles. The "My Dog is Cool" program helps educate pet owners about the danger of leaving pets in hot vehicles during the summer, and what steps to take if you encounter an animal left in a hot vehicle. These steps include:

Note the make/model of the vehicle, license plate number and its specific location. Note a description of the dog(s), and the condition of the dog(s), especially if any signs of distress are observed. Also note the time.
Call the local animal control agency, police or 911.
Some locations, such as malls, amusement parks or casinos, will have on-site security that may be able to take action.
Ask clerks at nearby stores/venues to make announcements using the vehicle's make/model to locate the dog's owner.
If possible, return to the vehicle to monitor the dog's condition and help responding authorities locate the vehicle.

Signs an animal is in distress include:

Excessive panting
Excessive drooling
Increased heart rate
Trouble breathing
Disorientation, stumbling or poor coordination
Diarrhea or vomiting
Collapse or loss of consciousness
Seizure
Respiratory arrest

Dogs with short noses, such as pugs, are more easily prone to heat illness; as are dogs with thick coats, such as Siberian huskies and Pomeranians.

You can take the My Dog is Cool Pledge by clicking here and sharing the pledge with others. Keep you and your dog cool this summer!

Beat the Heat by Taking a Dip in one of Denver's 29 Pools!

Nothing beats the heat of summer more than taking a dip (or a splash) at one of Denver's 29 pools throughout the City. Thanks to the MY Denver Card, your kids can get FREE access to any one of Denver's great pools throughout the entire summer. Also check out the membership options for adults by clicking here. Now's the time to break out the sunscreen and floaties so you and your family can enjoy everything great about Denver's pools! Click here to beat the heat and find your neighborhood pool.

Denver Golf Offers Lessons for Adults and Kids

Not much of a water person? How about learning to play golf so you can hit the links on these beautiful summer days? Check out Denver Golf's lessons for adults throughout the summer to enjoy some of Denver's finest golf courses in the region. Click here for more details and the full schedule.

Kids also have a great opportunity to start their golf career early with the "First Tee of Denver" - a program with over 80 different classes at six golf locations that will give your kids the fundamentals and skills that will last a lifetime. Click here to view the entire schedule and descriptions of all of the First Tee of Denver classes.

21st Annual InnovAge "Moonlight Classic" Bike Ride, July 27th

Hate riding your bike in traffic? Register now for the 21^st Annual InnovAge "Moonlight Classic" and enjoy the freedom of riding your bike through 10 miles of downtown Denver streets closed off from traffic. See Denver in a fresh way as you pedal through a course that starts at the State Capitol and cruises by some of Denver's prettiest places. Ride one loop or as many as you can before hitting the finish line at 2:00am. Join thousands of your cycling friends for a night of moonlight cycling, midnight snacks, music, and more.

Date: Saturday, July 27th, 2012

On-site registration starts at 8:30pm

Pajama Party and Cycle Expo starts at 8:30pm

Family Wave starts at 10:30pm

Casual Cruiser Wave at 11:00pm

Gonzo Wave starts at 11:30pm

Start line closes at 12:30am

The Moonlight Classic benefits Seniors Inc. and is a family & community ride, not a race. The relaxed attitude and safe route makes the event accessible for kids of all ages. Helmets and bicycle night lights are required. For more information visit www.moonlight-classic.com.

Denver Bike Maps Available Online and at Denver Recreation Centers

If you're a bicyclist and can only have one map of Denver, this is the one to get. It's easy to read, covers the area from Commerce City to Cherry Creek State Park, and even includes a bicycle route to the airport! Plus, it's printed on durable water-proof stuff, so it can hold up against the elements as well as you do. It also has an enlarged map of downtown, a list of local bike laws, and safety tips.

The best thing about the City bike map is that it shows you all of the City's recommended street routes for bicyclists. Get one today and check out all of Denver's great new striped bike lanes!

Check out the PDF. You can also get a print copy from many Denver Recreation Centers or the BikeDenver office at 27^th and Larimer.

Fall 2013 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 Citizen's Academy will host a maximum of 50 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, from the development community, public health sector, municipal government, and the Regional Transportation District itself.

The Fall 2013 Citizens' Academy will be held on Wednesday evenings for seven weeks beginning on September 11th and ending on October 23rd. Classes will be held at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM each week.

In partnership with the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), the Fall Academy will focus on MetroVision 2040 and provide an opportunity for participants to learn more about the update to our region's long-range plan for sustainable growth and development and participate in the planning efforts underway.

Apply to the Fall 2013 Transit Alliance Citizens' Academy by clicking here.

Denver's Third Annual Denver County Fair

Are you a fan of homemade jam? Do you long to eat a fried pickle? Want to enter a hot dog eating contest? Win a blue ribbon? You don't have to go all the way out to the country. Instead, check out the second annual "Denver County Fair," Aug 9th- 11 th at Denver's very own National Western Stockshow Complex, at 4655 Humboldt street. The fair features 14 different pavilions, each with its own theme including:

Welcome
4H
Animal
Arts
Buy Local
Craft
Denver History
Farm & Garden
Fashion
Geek
Green
Holistic
Kids
Kitchen

Fun for everyone is guaranteed. Click here for ticket information.

Celebrate Decker Library's 100^th Anniversary, July 13^th

Join your neighbors in celebrating Decker Branch Library's 100^th Anniversary on Saturday, July 13^th at 1501 South Logan Street from 9:00am to 12:00pm. This fun-filled morning will include children's activities, live music, refreshments, and more! History buffs can enjoy a display of historical Decker Library photographs, and pianists Dee Netzel and Shieko Uno will be performing classical and popular music of the early 1900s. For more information, click here.

Sick of Graffiti? Join the Denver "Brush Off" Community Challenge

Tired of seeing graffiti your neighborhood? Become part of a movement to keep our communities graffiti-free. The "Brush Off" program asks folks to adopt a frequently vandalized spot in their neighborhood and pledge to keep it clean. The program provides paint and supplies; the community provides elbow grease and commitment. Take the pledge today!

Denver Urban Renewal Authority Home Repair Program

Have you been putting off critical home repairs? This summer, take the steps necessary to preserve your house and protect your home. For more than 35 years, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) has provided low- or zero-interest loans to qualifying low- and moderate- income Denver homeowners for needed home improvements and emergency home repairs. Qualifying repairs include: roofing, furnace, plumbing, water heater & sewer line repair/replacement, exterior/interior painting, windows, & doors, kitchen & bathroom repairs, electrical, sidewalks & driveways, insulation, and handicap accessibility. Loans are processed on a first come, first qualified basis, and funds are limited. For more information, including loan guidelines, contact DURA at 303-534-3872.

Denver Urban Renewal Authority Tips for Homeowners on Maintaining Solid Foundations

Home ownership is a great investment, but it is one that takes regular attention to make sure that it retains value. While many owners focus on the most visible parts of the home, one of the most important is often invisible: the foundation.

All houses settle to some degree, but extreme ground shifting or water damage can cause real problems. In particular, a damaged foundation can create serious safety issues, so it is critical not to ignore warning signs.

Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

Cracks in the sheetrock around the house
Doors and windows that become difficult to open and close
Cracks in the floors, walls or ceilings
Walls that lean or bulge in the middle
Leaking faucets or cracked pipes
Sloping or sagging floors

If any of these issues is noticeable, seek professional help before more damage occurs or someone gets hurt. However, if you're in good shape, then here are a couple of things that you can do to stay that way:

Maintain your Sump Pump. Just like wood, concrete can be damaged by water. Most home foundations are made of concrete, and it is important to make sure that they are waterproofed below grade when laid. From there, it's just an issue of removing pooling water, and a sump pump is the best way to do that.

Gutters. Gutters are a simple and affordable means to collect and redirect water away from your foundation. Make sure that the gutter downspouts on your home have extensions at the bottom to move water away from the foundation and into the yard. Ideally, extensions should be about 5 feet long. Affordable, quality brands can be purchased at hardware and supply stores. Additionally, homeowners should clean their gutters at least once a year to prevent clogging and damage.

Learn how to "Grasscycle" to Keep Your Lawn, and Environment Healthy

Do your part for the environment and commit to "Grasscycling" this summer. It's easy! Instead of bagging and throwing away your grass clippings, leave them on the lawn (or ask your lawn service to do so). "Grasscycling" is the natural way to recycle grass clippings and provide your lawn with the valuable nutrients and water it needs. Leaving clippings on the lawn helps water conservation efforts as well. Click here to learn more about all the great benefits of Grasscycling.

July Calendar Link

Click here to visit the District 7 website

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