Generally, I try to keep this newsletter a universally welcome source of information rather than a potentially annoying source of controversy. But with the controversy already escalating over the proposed experiment of a one-year booze-ban in Washington Park, I feel compelled to address the issue here.

Most of you know that I'm not a fly-off-the-handle kind of leader; I'm generally a proponent of the more measured approaches to solving problems. Most of you also know that I'm generally libertarian in my outlook: we're a diverse city with a lot of diverse interests and we all need to learn to accommodate each other. So why the radical move to ban alcohol in Washington Park?

Unfortunately, the problems with alcohol in Washington Park have proven themselves immune to all the more measured approaches we've already tried and now exceed any reasonable accommodation of alternative preferences or interests. For several years now, the problems have been escalating - trash in the park and in the neighborhood, public urination and defecation in the park and in the neighborhood, public drunkenness and disorderly abusive conduct in the park and in the neighborhood, reckless driving and parking in driveways and blocking handicapped ramps. And for several years now, my constituents have demanded that we "do something!"

We have. We've doubled and re-doubled the resources we've devoted to enforcement in Washington Park of park rules on alcohol and behavior. We've given our park rangers the ability to write direct citations rather than just issue warnings. We're now paying overtime for Denver Police to add patrol in Washington Park to their already heavy weekend workload. We're also paying overtime for Denver right-of-way enforcement to work weekends around Washington Park. We've contracted with DPS to allow for visitors to Washington Park to park at South High School. We've dramatically expanded the number of porta-potties available in Washington Park. We've added recycling dumpsters to Washington Park.

All this has become very expensive, and the problems continue to get worse. The expense now being poured into Washington Park is not fair to the rest of the park system, and the persistence of the problems is not fair to the neighborhood. Somehow we need to hit the "re-set button" at Washington Park, to take the temperature down from this over-boiling pot. We need to try something new.

Hence the proposal to do a complete ban of alcohol in Washington Park for the coming season. While permitted events and venues such as the boathouse will be exempt from the booze-ban, Parks & Rec believes that it will be much easier and more efficient to enforce than the current park rule that allows 3.2 beer everywhere at all times. This will save money and be more effective. And most important, we'll be able to see how it works, learn from the experience, and do a better job for you in the future.

Governing this big city of ours is a complicated business, and we need to be willing to try new approaches to solving new problems, not just throw good money after bad in a futile effort to solve new problems in the same old way.

MY Denver Card Success Exceeds Expectations with Youth Registration Surpassing First-Year Goals

On the anniversary of its launch, the City of Denver has recognized the overwhelming success of the MY Denver Card, with more than 42,000 school-age participants enrolled in the program - a number that has exceeded the goal of 25,000 registrations in the first year of the program. Thanks to Denver voters' overwhelming support of ballot Measure 2A in 2012, the city last March launched the MY Denver Card program, giving all Denver children, ages 5 to 18, free access to all outdoor pools, recreation centers and libraries.

An estimated 90,000 school- age kids in Denver are eligible to sign up for the MY Denver Card. City leaders are also looking for ways to expand the benefits of the card in an effort to draw additional registration and expose Denver's younger residents to more of the city's amenities. These expanded benefits are expected to be announced later this year.

Parents may take their children to any of the 27 recreation centers throughout the city to fill out the appropriate paperwork and receive a MY Denver Card. Once activated, MY Denver Cards provide full access to any of the Denver Public Library's 25 locations where kids can check out books, movies and music or participate in library events and age-specific programs. In 2014, nearly 5,000 MY Denver Card participants took advantage of library services by visiting a branch location.

My Denver Card activities are offered at all regional and neighborhood recreation centers throughout Denver. Available activities include cooking classes, break dancing classes, basketball clinics, karate lessons, art classes, hands-on science experiments and more. This summer, any participants who register their MY Denver Card at any city branch location can participate in DPL's Summer of Reading program, which offers free activities, prize incentives and programs for children and parents. For more information and a list of activities and recreation centers, visit www.denvergov.org/mydenvercard.

Denver B-Cycle Winter Season Ridership Traffic Points to Success

Denver B-Cycle's first winter test of the city's shared bicycle system has been declared a success. Ridership this winter reached 35 percent of peak season activity and some days during the winter season even exceeded average summertime use. Overall, 42,000 trips were taken during the three-month period from Dec. 15, 2013 through March 15, 2014.

After each of its first three years of operation, Denver B-cycle hibernated from mid-December to mid-March. The bikes were removed from the stations and stored in a warehouse. In the fall of 2013, however, Denver B-cycle Board of Directors and staff decided to keep the system available even as the number of hours of daylight diminished and temperatures dropped.

There were four days during this winter season that exceeded 1,000 rides, and the busiest winter day logged 1,337 checkouts. That number exceeds the summer average of 1,313 rides per day and shows that Denver riders don't care what the calendar says, they look at the forecast.

The system averaged 462 trips per day during the winter months. That's 35 percent of the average 1,313 trips per day from Memorial Day through Labor Day in 2013. In all, 1,996 unique annual members used the system during the winter and more than half (53 percent) of all active members used the system at least once during the winter.

A decision about staying open next winter will be made later this year.

Residential Trash Cart Conversion Public Information Meeting, April 17th

Denver Public Works, Councilman Charlie Brown and Councilman Chris Nevitt invite you to come and learn more about the 2014 plan to convert dumpster trash service to cart-based trash collection in the Cory Merrill, East Washington Park and Platt Park neighborhoods:

When: April 17^th, 6:30 to 8:00pm

Where: District 3 Police Station, 1625 S. University Blvd

The first round of cart conversions will happen in the Elyria, Swansea, Barnum, East Park Hill, Globeville, Westwood, East Colfax, Cory - Merrill, Platt Park, and Hale neighborhoods. Eventually, all households in the City will have single-household trash service.

In addition to improving the equity of services across the city and increasing collection efficiency, the cart conversion will provide many other benefits to residents including:

Decreased illegal dumping
Cleaner and safer alleys and neighborhoods
Increased recycling

To find out more about the residential trash cart conversion, including neighborhood maps and timeframes, visit www.DenverGov.org/SolidWastePlan.

FREE Mulch Giveaway & Compost Sale, May 3^rd

Denver Recycles' will be holding its annual Free Mulch Giveaway & Compost Saleon Saturday, May 3rd, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Denver residents can load up on free mulch and purchase compost at a significantly discounted price at the main Havana Nursery location.

MAIN SITE: Havana Nursery, 10450 Smith Rd., just south of I-70 on Havana St., 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (while supplies last)

Dig-your-own free mulch, purchase pre-bagged compost, or fill the bed of trucks and trailers with our loader service for mulch and compost at this location.
Compost will be sold pre-bagged in 1.25 cu. ft. bags (9 gal.) at $3.50 per bag and in bulk (directly loaded into a truck bed) at $30.00 per cu. yd. (tax included). Limit of 20 bags per vehicle.
Dig-you-own compost is no longer available due to the size of this event. Limit of 3 cubic yards of compost per vehicle and a minimum of 0.5 cubic yard for bulk compost.
Garden Centers of Colorado will be on-site to accept plastic garden pots for recycling.

Dig-Your-Own Mulch will also be available at:

Northeast: Fred Thomas Park,Quebec St. & 26^th Ave.
Northwest: Sloan's Lake Park, Sheridan Blvd. & 17^th Ave.
Southeast: Veterans Park, Iowa St. & Vine St.
Southwest: Bear Creek Park, South of Dartmouth Ave. on Raleigh St.

Mulch is made from ground wood chips and can be used to control weeds. It also helps soil retain moisture and protects shallow-rooted plants. The mulch for this event was created by grinding and combining the Christmas trees Denver residents set out for Denver Recycles' Treecycle collection program and storm debris branches.

Compost, a nutrient-rich soil amendment made from decomposed organic material, can be mixed into soil to help reduce water and fertilizer needs, and spread thinly over lawns to help grass roots retain moisture. The compost sold at this event was made from leaves collected through Denver Recycle's LeafDrop program and from the organic materials collected through the Denver Composts program.

Garden Centers of Colorado will also be collecting plastic garden pots for recycling at the Havana Nursery location only. Plastic garden pots of any size or color, hanging baskets (with wires removed), and carrying trays and flower pack holders will be accepted. Plastic garden pots are also accepted for recycling anytime at local participating garden stores listed here: www.GardenCentersofColorado.org.

REMINDERS:

EVENT TIP: If you are only getting 1 or 2 loads of mulch or a few bags of compost from the Havana Nursery location consider arriving after 11 a.m. when the lines are shorter. There will be an ample supply of pre-bagged compost available.
Bring your own pitchfork or shovel, and your own bags or containers for loading mulch.
Bring a tarp to cover your truck or trailer.
Due to limited quantities, Denver residents only.
Commercial vehicles are prohibited from taking or selling the City's mulch.

The Mulch Giveaway & Compost Sale is sponsored by the City and County of Denver's Department of Public Works' Denver Recycles program and Denver Parks & Recreation, in partnership with A1 Organics. For more information about Denver Recycles' programs call 311 (720-913-1311) or visit us online at www.DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles

Help Keep Denver Beautiful at "The Great Denver Cleanup" on April 26th

Be a part of "The Great Denver Cleanup" by bringing your unwanted materials to one of 10 free drop sites around the city on Saturday April 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year yard debris, large rigid plastics, and scrap metal will be accepted for recycling and composting at each location. Yard debris includes leaves and branches (less than 5 feet long and less than 4 inches in diameter). Large rigid plastics includes items such as laundry baskets, large toys or play centers, kid pools, lawn furniture, 5-gallon buckets and old plastic storage tubs. Electronic items (televisions, computers, etc.) and household hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, etc.) will not be accepted.

Please note that large rigid plastics are not accepted in your Denver Recycles purple cart. These items are too large for the normal collection and sorting process. So don't miss out on this opportunity to recycle your large rigid plastics at this event!

"The Great Denver Cleanup" is a one-day event organized by Keep Denver Beautiful, a program of Denver Public Works/Solid Waste Management. For drop off locations and a complete list of acceptable items call 311 (720-913-1311) or visit DenverGov.org/KDB.

Denver Digs Trees Earth Day Sale

The Park People and Denver Digs Trees will be holding their annual Earth Day Tree Sale on Saturday, April 19th from 9am-12pm. The sale will be held at City Park (just west of York St. on E. 23rd Ave) and at the Sloans Lake Park Boathouse on the north side of the lake off Byron Pl. & Wolff St. There will be a selection of fruit bearing trees (peaches, plums, cherries and apples) and small ornamental trees for your yard.

Trees will cost between $45 and $65 per tree, and any remaining trees will be sold on Sunday, April 20th from 1pm-4pm and on Monday, April 21 from 8am-10am. For more information and details about the trees we have for sale, click here, or call 303-722-6262.

Partnership Between Denver Public Works and Parks & Recreation Results in Good News For Property Owners Along South Platte River

More than 250 properties along the South Platte River in the Athmar Park and Valverde neighborhoods have been removed from the federally regulated floodplain or experienced floodplain reductions as part of a collaborative effort between Denver Parks & Recreation and Denver Public Works. This floodplain map revision results in the potential for owners to lower their flood insurance premiums and to eliminate or lessen floodplain regulations when making changes to their property.

As part of the River Vision project now underway at Johnson-Habitat Park, Parks and Recreation performed an analysis of South Platte River flood conditions. At the same time, planners in Public Works were doing a localized drainage analysis in an overlapping area. The Parks and Recreation analysis determined that the South Platte River is actually lower in some areas than previously believed, and 249 properties were officially removed from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map and 19 properties were determined to have reduced risk of flooding from the South Platte River.

The Public Works analysis has identified other sources of potential inundation than the South Platte River. The combination of the Parks & Recreation study and the Public Works study gives property owners a more accurate picture of their overall flood risks. The information helps property owners make informed decisions about flood insurance, decreases or removes floodplain regulations when property is developed or redeveloped, and allows owners to better prepare against future flooding. Ongoing studies will continue to provide a clearer picture of flood risks along the waterway.

Letters regarding the change in floodplain designation have been mailed to the affected property owners. FEMA maps can be viewed at www.msc.fema.gov. If you have any questions, contact Denver Floodplain Administrator Jeremy Hamer at (720) 913-0720.

Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT Program Brings $5.65 Million to Boost Denver Homeownership

Wells Fargo, NeighborWorks America and Community Resources & Housing Development Corporation (CRHDC), have announced the Denver Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT program, an initiative offering $5.65 million from Wells Fargo to boost homeownership and strengthen neighborhoods in the city's low- and moderate-income areas.

Of the $5.65 million committed by Wells Fargo, $4.5 million will go toward down payment assistance grants and program support to help potential homebuyers overcome the barrier of making a sufficient down payment.

Down payment assistance grants of $15,000 will be available for eligible homebuyers with annual incomes that do not exceed 120 percent of the Denver area median income - which is about $92,050 for a family of four - with income maximums varying depending on family size and type of loan. To be eligible, homebuyers must meet criteria including completing an eight-hour homebuyer education session with CRHDC or another HUD-approved counseling agency.

To receive the full grant amount, participants buying homes with LIFT program down payment assistance grants must commit to live in the home for five years and qualify for a first mortgage on the property. The down payment assistance grants may also be used to buy a home that needs improvements with a new mortgage purchase 203k renovation loan.

In addition to providing down payment assistance for homebuyers, Wells Fargo will donate $500,000 to support stabilization efforts in Denver neighborhoods.

The Denver NeighborhoodLIFT program will begin with a free homebuyer event on April 4-5 from 10am to 7 pm at the Colorado Convention Center located at 700 14^th Street. Prospective homebuyers can register and learn more about the program at www.neighborhoodlift.com or by calling (866) 858-2151. Pre-registration is strongly recommended for an opportunity to reserve a $15,000 down payment assistance grant, although walk-ins will be welcome while funds are available. The event also includes a Wells Fargo Affordable Home Tour^� viewing center where attendees can preview local homes available for sale.

Application Period Opens for Summer Youth Employment Program

With the summer job season quickly approaching, the Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) is now accepting applications for its Summer Youth Employment Program.

The program provides job training and paid work experience to Denver youth age 14 through 21. To be eligible, youth must be Denver residents or enrolled in foster care within the City & County of Denver. Priority will be given to low-income youth that face barriers to school completion or employment.

The program connects youth with up to 160 hours of employment with businesses, nonprofits and government organizations. Youth will work within a variety of job types among industries targeted by OED, including accommodation and food services, healthcare and social assistance, professional/business services, retail and skilled trades.

Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2014. More information and detailed application instructions are available online at www.denvergov.org/youthservices. The online application can also be completed at the OED Youth Services office, 1391 N. Speer Blvd., suite 520.

Levitt Pavillions Announces 2014 National Tour

Levitt Pavilions is excited to bring the critically acclaimed World music sensation Playing For Change to Levitt cities across America during the summer of 2014.

Taking place over a three-week period, the tour will stop at six Levitt locations-including Los Angeles and Pasadena, Calif.; Memphis; Arlington, Texas; Bethlehem, Pa; and the future site of Levitt Pavilion Denver (where audiences will get a taste of what's to come when the venue opens in 2016).

Levitt audiences across the country will be treated to Playing For Change's high energy show while they groove to the band's soulful jams. In addition, audience members of all ages will be invited to join drum circles on the Levitt lawn before each concert and learn the Levitt signature beat, no experience required! Capping off each event, on-stage conversations with the musicians will give insight into the band's world movement for peace through music and the artists' inspiring personal journeys.

The Levitt Pavillions Denver concert will be held in Council District 7's very own Ruby Hill Park, on July 2^nd at 6:30pm. For more information about Levitt Pavillions, click here. If you would like to learn more or donate to Levitt Pavilion Denver, click here.

Denver Human Services Offers Free Parenting Workshops

Denver Human Services will host five free Love & Logic parenting workshops in April, as part of its effort to Help Kids Thrive.

What/When: Love & Logic^� Parenting Workshops

Session 1: What is Love and Logic^�? How to put an end to arguments with your child, Tuesday, April 1
Session 2: How to handle tantrums and time out for young children at home and in public, Tuesday, April 8
Session 3: Getting your child to bed without a hassle and potty training, Tuesday, April 15
Session 4: Big misbehavior has big consequences and how to get kids to learn from their choices, Tuesday, April 22
Session 5: What to do when your kids drain your energy, Tuesday, April 29

Where: Denver Human Services, 3815 Steele St., Denver

Why: Denver Human Services is offering these sessions for free as part of a statewide campaign to Help Kids Thrive in observation of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Caretakers are encouraged to attend one or all sessions and are asked to RSVP to 720-944-6005 or Karen.Kindblade@denvergov.org. Space is limited. Childcare and snacks will be provided at each session.

Council District 7 Office Hours Location Change

Council District 7 hosts regular office hours at various locations around the district. These office hours are opportunities for constituents to talk with the Councilman and/or his staff in person. The location for the West Washington Park, Speer, and Broadway office hours has been changed from Bardo Coffee to the Black Crown Lounge, located at 1446 South Broadway. For more information on dates and times for Council District 7 office hours, click our calendar link here.

If you would like to learn when Councilman Nevitt is scheduled to attend office hours, please contact the Council District 7 office at 720-337-7777.

April Calendar Link

Click here to visit the District 7 website

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