Over the last couple of months, you've probably been bombarded by all the media attention surrounding the proposed alcohol ban at Wash Park. But what you might have missed in the public debate is all the constructive dialogue and collaboration that occurred between park users and neighbors to identify a path to restore the inclusive, fun, and friendly experience that neighbors and park users should both expect.

After a constructive public meeting was held the Denver Baha'i Center on April 9th, Councilman Nevitt, Councilman Brown, and Denver Parks & Recreation gathered a small stakeholder group from both sides of the alcohol ban proposal -as well as staff from various relevant agencies, such as Denver Police, Denver Park Rangers, and Right-of-Way Enforcement - to discuss options and strategies for the upcoming summer. The discussion led to sharing of ideas and suggestions on what can be done to pro-actively enforce the rules and regulations of the park, as well as identifying other resources and options to accommodate the popularity and usage of Denver's most popular park.

These options are not costless, however. The alcohol ban had been proposed as an experimental last-ditch effort to bring the escalating misbehavior in Wash Park under control within the current tight budget constraints. Mayor Hancock, however, stepped forward, and committed the resources necessary to execute an enhanced management program at Wash Park.

On April 29^th, Councilman Nevitt joined Mayor Hancock and Parks & Recreation Director Lauri Dannemiller to announce that a full alcohol ban would not go into effect for Wash Park (only the current Parks & Rec prohibition on all alcohol but 3.2% beer will remain), but the City would implement the following measures developed in collaboration with neighbors and park users:

With signage and volunteers in place, Denver Park Rangers will view rule violations, including alcohol violations, with less tolerance and issue more citations for violations.
Increase the servicing of existing portable bathrooms and make plumbed bathrooms available for additional hours, including after-hours use of the recreation center bathrooms.
Direct park visitors to the availability of loading and unloading zones and free parking in the South High School parking lot.
Place permanent and moveable signage around the park to remind park users and visitors that only 3.2 % beer (no liquor or glass) is allowed in the park.
Increase right-of-way enforcement in the adjacent neighborhoods to ticket vehicles illegally blocking driveways or handicapped sidewalk ramps.
Establish a drop-in permit system for volleyball and other multi-person organized activities on weekends and holidays to control volume and length of stay.
Increase Park Ranger patrol - at least two full-time rangers will be in Washington Park at all times on weekends and holidays.
Deploy Denver Police Department Mounted Patrol on high-traffic weekend days and holidays; ramp up DPD general enforcement for the park and in surrounding neighborhoods on all weekends and holidays.
Reinforce Denver Parks & Rec education and enforcement efforts with volunteer efforts from neighbors and patrons, through independent social media, and "courtesy patrols" in the park and surrounding neighborhoods.

These strategies will all be in place in Wash Park by Memorial Day weekend at the latest.

This has certainly been an issue that has excited passions on all sides, but we are thankful that there are thousands of people who care so deeply about one of Denver's finest parks. All the attention from social media, news outlets, and neighbors talking to neighbors has led to all of us reaching a higher level of community dialogue about what it means to be an owner and a steward of our public parks. We've found common ground that we can be proud of, and will continue working, together, to ensure Wash Park is clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone who loves it.

Alameda Station Village - RTD's First TOD Pilot Project - Breaks Ground in "Lucky District 7"

Councilman Nevitt joined Mayor Hancock, RTD Director Phil Washington, and D4 Urban on May 1st to celebrate the ground-breaking of Alameda Station Village - RTD's first transit-oriented development pilot project in Denver. In an effort to provide more housing options next to the City's transit stations, RTD partnered with Denver and D4 Urban to build multi-family and mixed-use commercial units on-top of existing Park-n-Ride land immediately adjacent to the Alameda Station light rail stop.

Alameda Station Village is the first phase of build-out for the Denver Design District General Development Plan, as well as one of the first projects to implement the Alameda Station Area Plan. Aiming for LEED Platinum designation, the project will include 275 multi-family units with accommodation for car-share, B-Cycle, and designated open space. It will also includes the build-out of a new and enhanced RTD transit plaza with a pocket park and corner retail available to the public. The development is also highlighting its hub as a multi-modal center, with the build-out of Cherokee Street as a new public street with dedicated bike and bus lanes that help connect cyclists from the surrounding neighborhood to the transit station.

For more details on RTD's TOD Pilot Program, click here. For information on Alameda Station Village, including the Denver Design District General Development plan, click here.

Denver Days: Celebrating the Spirit of the Mile High City

There's no better time than the summer to get out and enjoy our world-class city! That's why Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock launched "Denver Days," a new citywide summer tradition aimed at creating stronger neighborhoods by fostering community-through-service projects and neighborhood gatherings annually during the month of August.

The second annual "Denver Days" will take place this summer from August 2-10. During this week, Denver residents are invited to work with their neighbors to host a fun, festive neighborhood gathering or community service project. From community clean-ups to backyard potlucks and block parties, "Denver Days" will provide a unique opportunity to connect neighbors and neighborhoods.

Start organizing your "Denver Days" neighborhood event today. Visit DenverGov.org/denverdays or call 720-865-9082 for more information.

Denver Water's Summer Water Rules Begin May 1st

After responding to multiple years of drought conditions, Denver Water stresses the importance of using water efficiently, regardless of the weather. To help eliminate outdoor water waste, Denver Water implements annual summer water use rules, which began May 1st.

The watering rules, which help facilitate smart irrigation, include:

Water during cooler times of the day - lawn watering is NOT allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Water no more than three days per week.
Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete or asphalt.
Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.

Denver Water will have a team of nine Water Savers out in the community to provide customers with tips and tools for water-saving practices this summer. Water Savers will also respond to reports of water waste. To report water waste, call Denver Water at 303-893-2444, and if you see waste in one of Denver's parks, call 3-1-1.

Visit www.denverwater.org/conservation for conservation tips, rebates, irrigation calculators and many more tools for saving water outdoors, including suggested watering times.

FREE "Learn to Compost" Classes

Compost is a crumbly, nutrient-rich soil amendment that is great for your plants, lawn and garden. Learn how easy it is to make compost in your backyard from food scraps and yard waste at Denver Recycles' and Denver Urban Gardens' FREE "Learn to Compost" classes. Making your own compost not only improves your lawn and garden, it also saves you money, reduces the materials you send to the landfill, and increases your overall soil quality. Classes start at the end of April and are offered until the middle of October at the Denver Compost Demonstration Site located in the Gove Community Garden at 13^th and Colorado Blvd.

Each hands-on, two-hour Learn to Compost class teaches the basics of backyard composting. Special in-depth Worm Workshops and Build-a-Pile classes are also offered.

**WORM WORKSHOPS** focus on vermicomposting (worm-assisted composting) and will be held once each month, May through October.

**BUILD-A-PILE CLASSES** give participants hands-on experience building an entire compost pile, including incorporating different ingredients, chopping materials, watering and turning the pile. Five Build-a-Pile classes will be held throughout the season.

Organic materials like leaves, branches, grass clippings and food scraps make up more than half of what Denver residents send to the landfill every year. You can help reduce that amount by learning how to compost these items in your backyard and help your plants, lawn and garden thrive!

Class registration is first-come, first-served. Registration for each class opens one month prior to the class date. Pre-registration is required to attend the classes.

To review the class schedule and register for a class, go online to www.dug.org/compost or call 303-292-9900.

Denver Botanic Gardens Spring Plant Sale

Celebrate the gardening season at the Denver Botanic Gardens' Spring Plant Sale! The annual plant extravaganza returns with all your usual favorites, as well as several new offerings and plant categories.

The Gardens' renowned horticulturists will be available to answer questions about the best plants for your own garden.
Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own wagons, carts, wheelbarrows, or even recycled boxes.
Here are some frequently asked questions.
Here is a catalog featuring the plants that will be on sale.

Plant Sale Preview Party
In addition to shopping early for the best selection of plants for your garden, Preview Party guests will enjoy a fabulous array of appetizers, wine and beer.
Thursday, May 8
Time: 4:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
Admission: Pre-sale is now closed. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the door for $60 per person on a first come, first served basis.

Spring Plant Sale
Friday & Saturday, May 9 & 10
Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: Free entry to the Plant Sale on Friday & Saturday

Email us at specialevents@botanicgardens.org with questions about the Plant Sale.

Trees for Trade-Ins

The "Trees for Trade-Ins" initiative from Colorado's Clear Air Foundation gets high polluting cars off the road and trees in the forest. How? For each of the first 250 old, dirty vehicles donated, the Clear the Air Foundation will fund a tree to be planted by ReForest Colorado. Trees improve air quality by absorbing pollutants. New vehicles produce a small fraction of the pollution emitted by old cars. Getting old cars off the road and planting trees is a winning combination for reducing ground-level ozone and dirty air. What's even better is that instead of reselling your old clunker, the "Trees for Trade-Ins" program will crush it and recycle the parts, so it won't pollute again. Click here if you are interested in participating.

Home-grown "Cottage Foods" Ordinance Proposal Presented to City Council

A proposed amendment to the Denver Zoning Code would allow Denver residents to sell home-grown produce and some "cottage foods" at their residences, directly to consumers. Councilwoman Robin Kniech, working together with her Council colleagues, and in collaboration with the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council and LiveWell Denver, has proposed the change, with the intent of expanding access to healthy, affordable foods.

The proposed zoning change would allow at-home sales of:

Raw, uncut fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, grown in an on-site garden or community garden.
Whole eggs produced by chickens or ducks owned and kept by the individual at the home.
Cottage foods, which include non-potentially hazardous, un-refrigerated food products made on-site such as spices, teas, honey, jams, and certain baked goods, as defined in the Colorado Cottage Food Act.

NO marijuana or marijuana products are allowed. As proposed, sales would be allowed from 7 a.m. to dusk, indoors or outdoors, with one small window or wall sign allowed.

The amendment would help the city implement policy objectives to increase residents' access to healthy foods, reduce obesity rates, and increase opportunities for self-sufficiency. City planners will present the proposed amendment to the Denver Planning Board on May 7. Learn more at the Denver Community Planning and Development website.

Old South Pearl Farmers Market Kick-off, May 11

The famous Old South Pearl Farmers Market kicks-off another season on May 11th. The best way to spend your Sunday is stop by the Farmers Market to pick up fresh fruits and veggies from local vendors, snack on delicious local offerings, buy unique arts and crafts, revel in the music and scenery, and enjoy everything great about Old South Pearl. Check out this year's special event calendar:

May 11th - Opening Day, Mother's Day
May 18th - Green Fest/ Homesteading in the Hood
July 20th - Healing Fest
August 17th - Harvest Fest
September 21st - Pet Adoption Fair
October 19th - Chili Cook-Off
October 26th - Halloween Fest

Flea Markets will take place the last Sunday of each month:

May 25th

June 29th

July 27th

August 31st

September 28th

October 26th

For more information on the Old South Pearl Farmers Market, click here.

Xcel Energy Proposes New Solar Program for Customers in Colorado

Colorado customers may have expanded energy choices for accessing the state's abundant solar resources through an Xcel Energy program proposed to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

Xcel Energy's Solar Connect program would make access to large-scale solar available to thousands of Colorado consumers. Xcel Energy would seek to purchase 50 megawatts of electricity (enough to power roughly 15,000 homes) from a new independent, large-scale solar facility. Customers would in turn subscribe for capacity from this facility to meet their desired solar energy needs.

Solar Connect would be similar to the Xcel Energy Windsource program, which began in 1998 and currently has 36,000 subscribers in Colorado. Industry estimates indicate that only 25 percent of all homes or businesses in Colorado can install solar panels; Solar Connect opens up access to solar power for any of the company's customers throughout Colorado.

Xcel Energy's Solar Connect customers can enroll to power some or all of their energy needs by selecting the percentage of solar power they want. The program also provides customers greater flexibility because it allows them to set their own terms by choosing program offerings, amount of solar energy to purchase, and length of their participation in the program. Xcel Energy is also proposing that customers can continue their participation without interruption if they move within the Xcel service territory.

If approved by the PUC, Excel Energy would need to execute agreements with an independent solar company, which would build, own and operate a facility for the program offering. It is anticipated that Solar Connect could begin in mid 2015.

Consumers can access additional information about Solar Connect by emailing questions to SolarConnect@xcelenergy.com.

Solar Panels Now Easier to Permit for Denver Homeowners

In 2012, Denver was named Colorado's first solar-friendly community based on its streamlined permitting, inspection and educational practices. Now, Denver's Development Services Department has made solar even easier.

As of April 2014, a zoning permit is no longer required for any flush-mounted solar PV panels that meet the definition under the Denver Zoning Code, section 13.3. For more, visit Denver Development Service's project page on solar panels.

Why Permits Matter

As a homeowner, you'll often need to make improvements and repairs to your house. If you do undertake a home improvement project, make sure your contractors obtain the proper permits. Here's why:

Permits ensure that the person/company is qualified to do the work
Permits require that an independent third party will inspect the work upon completion
Unpermitted work done by unqualified individuals could result in safety issues
Unpermitted work is harder to defend by law if something goes wrong
Unpermitted work could void your home insurance
Unpermitted work makes it harder to sell or re-finance your house

Some small projects do not require a permit. Click here to find out if your project is exempt.

Denver Offers Free Energy Advising and LED Lights

If you've been wondering what projects can help you save on energy costs or improve indoor comfort at home, contact a no-cost energy adviser through the City and County of Denver's Denver Energy Challenge program.

The Denver Energy Challenge is a no-cost energy program that has helped more than 7,000 residents save on energy costs and improve home comfort. Need help paying for your projects? The City has money for you, with interest rates starting at 2.75 percent. Denver residents who work with an advisor will receive 3 LED lights (est. value $60). Call 720-865-5520 or visit DenverEnergy.org to learn more.

Follow Councilman Nevitt on Social Media

Are you plugged in and regularly "Tweet" on Twitter or "Like" on Facebook? You're in luck! Councilman Nevitt has emerged from the stone age and joined the brave new world of social media. Now you can find him on Twitter and Facebook. Follow the Councilman on Twitter at @CNevittLucky7, and find him on Facebook here. Be on the look-out for Lucky District 7 updates and information from our new social media platforms!

May Calendar Link

Click here to visit the District 7 website

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