Denver District 5 | August 2021
Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer | District 5
720-337-5555 |  DenverCouncil5@denvergov.org
Senior Aide: Logan Fry | Aide: Sara Visser | Aide: Jenn Gross | Aide: Felicia Rodriguez
Dear Neighbors, 

Denver City Council District boundaries will change in 2022 based on 2020 Census numbers, and we would like to know what you identify as your "communities and spaces of interest" to help Council with the Redistricting Process. Please click here to participate in this process, and read the article below for more information.

Another great opportunity for our community to gather is coming up! Save the Date for Saturday September 25 and District 5 Neighborhood Night with the Colorado Rapids - join us for a D5 Community BBQ and soccer game. Click here for more info and to buy tickets. Be sure to read to the end of this newsletter for more D5 happenings.

Even though some COVID-19-related restrictions have been lifted. it is important that we all use common sense and remain diligent about the health and safety or ourselves, our family and neighbors. Please keep in mind that the youngest members of our community - those under 12 years old - are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are uncertain about which precautions to follow, please where a mask and physically distance.

As always, our team is here as a resource for everyone in the D5 community. Please be in touch if there is anything we can do to assist you.

Gratefully,

Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer 
District 5 
Speak with CW Sawyer about the issues on your mind! As Denver begins easing restrictions, CW Sawyer will hold occasional face-to-face, drop-in meetings at locations in D5. Unless otherwise indicated below, Office Hours will be held virtually by private phone or Zoom appointment. Please email our office or call 720-337-5555 to reserve a virtual meeting time. If you're unavailable for these dates, please contact our office to schedule an appointment at another time. Dates and times are subject to change.

  • Thursday, August 19, 9:30-11:30am
  • Thursday, August 26, 11:00am - 1:00pm
  • Thursday, September 2, 11:00am - 1:00pm
  • Thursday, September 9, 11:00-1:00pm
Define Your Denver: Redistricting 2022
Every 10 years, when the U.S. Census releases its data, Denver City Council leads a process to re-draw council district boundaries. The goal of the process is to create council districts that have roughly equal populations, are compact and keep residents of established neighborhoods in the same council district.
 
City Council's Define Your Denver initiative encourages residents to map what you consider your community of interest to be. There are also a few brief questions to answer. City Council will use the information submitted by Denver residents to help determine where district boundary lines should be drawn. The map drive will be active until October 31. Once the new Census data is available Sept. 30, the drawing of district maps will begin. Click here for more information, or click here to send an email.
Traffic Lane Closures at E. First Ave. and University Blvd.
Denver Water began a water main installation project on E. First Ave. in late July which will continue until the beginning of the holiday shopping season in November. Crews will replace five lead service lines as part of Denver Water’s Lead Reduction Program. During construction, traffic will remain open in both directions on E. First Ave. but there will be various lane closures from University Blvd. to Marion St. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Working hours will be from 7am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Local access to residences and businesses will be maintained. Click here to learn more.
Colfax Welcomes Eight New Businesses Near Mayfair
Shopping locally helps our neighborhoods thrive, and Colfax is abuzz with new businesses - doggie daycare, street tacos, smoothies, gifts and more!

Lowry 2050: Community Planning for the Next 25 Years
As the initial build-out of Lowry winds down, the D5 Team is working with Lowry United Neighborhoods (LUN) and community leaders on Lowry 2050: an initiative to lead discussions with residents about expanding the scope of planning for the next 25 years.

The original Lowry Neighborhood Plan was put in place in 1993 and focused on land use, urban design, housing and transportation. On July 22, LUN and several community stakeholders, including CW Sawyer, met to begin the discussion about "where we are…. In order to inform where we want to go." Specifically, the goal of Lowry 2050 is to be intentional about new community plans in Lowry and "survey community organizations for collaborative input on impact of quality of life." Our office will provide updates as this process moves forward and as opportunities to participate become available.

In-Person Neighborhood Watch Action and Awareness Training at DPD 3 Staton on Wednesday, August 18, 6:00pm
Everyone in District 5 is welcome to join Denver Police District 3 at 1625 S. University Blvd. on Wednesday, August 18 at 6:00pm for what CW Sawyer recognizes as "the gold-standard" in Neighborhood Watch Training. Officers promote Neighborhood Connectivity and teaches residents how to effectively observe and report suspicious behavior. This program creates awareness through Implicit bias education - reminding neighbors that it's the person's behavior, not the person themselves, to be mindful of when observing and reporting suspicious behavior. Click here to RSVP.    
2021 RISE Denver General Obligation Bond Project List
The 2021 RISE Denver General Obligation Bond project list has been narrowed to 29 projects worth $450 million. Projects stretch across every City Council District with a focus on equity and benefits to traditionally under-resourced neighborhoods including:

  • More than $37 million to secure and improve facilities serving people experiencing homelessness
  • Projects to address transportation safety in neighborhoods, add six miles of sidewalk gaps, and create another 16 miles of bike lanes
  • Improving and building new playgrounds, athletic fields, and public restrooms
  • Building and expanding libraries in unserved and underserved neighborhoods: Westwood, Globeville, and Hampden
  • Critical ADA improvements to ensure our buildings and other community assets are truly accessible to all residents
  • Preserving historic and beloved community structures for future generations, adding a food market to a food dessert, boosting Denver’s entertainment and cultural industries, and providing a safe, community space for our youth

See the map below for a project overview in every district and click here to see the project spreadsheet for D5.
New Construction by BRI is Coming to 7900 E. Colfax
Nonprofit housing provider Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. (BRI) will begin construction early this fall on Valor on the Fax - the first community of its kind in the nation for individuals with acquired brain injury. Teaming up with the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, who will provide on-site services to the tenants who will call Valor home, Brothers' architects and development team have designed the 72-unit site with trauma-informed principals in mind - using design elements, lighting and materials to provide a therapeutic living experience to residents when the community opens in late 2022.

Work already is underway at the site – with shaded fencing now surrounding the vacant parcel. Nearby residents and business owners will likely see continued activity over the next several weeks, with major construction in late September/early October. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place once construction can commence.
 
BRI is a Denver-based nonprofit organization that provides housing and a variety of housing-related services for the region’s low-income, elderly and disabled residents. Click here to learn more about BRI communities and programs.
Silver Ropes Corps Has Several Volunteering Opportunities
If you have the time and interest, Lowry Silver Ropes has organized volunteer opportunities Mondays thru Thursdays, with the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Denver Health Newborns in Need, Food Bank of the Rockies and the Denver Rescue Mission. Questions? Click here to send an email to volunteer organizer, Denny Head.  
Harm Reduction Center to Mark Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held each year on August 31 to remember loved ones lost to overdose, raise awareness of overdose, and reduce the stigma of drug-related death. The chart below shows the increase in drug-related deaths in Denver over the past four years. Denver's Harm Reduction Center is hosting an outdoor event from 1:30pm - 3:30pm at their facility at 112 E. 8th Ave. to honor the day. Click here to learn more and to get involved through donation, volunteering and awareness.
Current City of Denver Public Comment Opportunities
If you are interested in commenting during a hearing, please take a look at the guidelines and FAQs, and sign up to speak here. Sign-up begins 45 minutes prior to the Committee’s scheduled start time and ends 15 minutes before the meeting begins.

There are currently three open rezoning requests and one Legislative rezoning proposal in District 5:
  • Rezoning application at 1091 S. Parker Rd. & 7400 E. Mississippi Ave was filed on February 10, 2021.
  • Public Hearing scheduled for August 30. Click here for updates.
  • Rezoning application at 5350 Leetsdale Drive was filed on April 19, 2021.
  • This application went through on consent during the Planning Board Hearing on August 4. Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee public meeting was on August 10. Click here for updates.
  • Rezoning application at 1090 Dayton St. was filed on June 29, 2021.No additional information is currently available. Click here for updates.
  • Legislative Rezoning of East Colfax for ADUs, proposal led by CW Sawyer and CM Herndon. Click here to learn more and see updates.

Upcoming hearings on re-zoning requests in other Districts are listed below - dates are subject to change. For more information on proposed re-zonings around the city and their public hearings visit the Denver Community Planning and Development website. If you don't have internet access, you can still attend Council meetings by phone. Call 720-928-9299 and enter the Meeting ID of the meeting you wish to listen to. Click here to learn more and to see a Meeting Calendar.

August 16
  • 3145 W. 31st Ave.
  • 4295 Inca St.
  • 16298 Green Valley Ranch Blvd

August 23
  • 420 E. 11th Ave.

August 30
  • 2569 S. Federal Blvd.
  • 1091 S. Parker Rd. & 7400 Mississippi Ave.

September 6 - No City Council Meeting on in honor of Labor Day.

September 13 - No Public Hearings are currently scheduled, subject to change.
Are You Denver's First Head of Urban Design?
Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development (CPD) is looking to elevate the role of urban design in preparing Denver for the future, while preserving our historic buildings and staying true to our heritage. CPD will hire its first City Urban Designer to bring a new level of attention to the quality of urban design and architecture across the city. This individual will work collaboratively with policymakers, Denver residents, and the development industry to create public spaces and neighborhoods that - by design - promote inclusivity and resiliency to climate change, and improve public health and well-being.

Give Your Feedback About Denver's Five-Year Strategic Plan to Address Housing and Homelessness: Take the Public Comment Survey, Attend Two Public Meetings in August
The Denver Department of Housing Stability (HOST) has spent more than a year engaging the community to help set the direction for their work over the next five years, from 2022 to 2026. The resulting draft Five-Year Strategic Plan will guide how HOST invests resources, creates policy and partners to provide housing stability, resolve episodes of homelessness, and create housing opportunities for Denver residents.

Click here to read the full plan or click here to read the Executive Summary. The plan will be presented to City Council and at two virtual community meetings in August - information is below. This survey will be open through Friday, Sept. 3. Final revisions will be made before the plan is recommended for City Council approval in November 2021. Thank you for your participation!
 
Denver Parks & Recreation's Final Strategic Acquisition Plan
Denver Parks & Recreation is pleased to share its Strategic Acquisition Plan which builds off the Game Plan for a Healthy City and the Legacy Fund Five-Year Plan , and was developed through community engagement and feedback. The plan provides the foundation upon which the Strategic Acquisition Program will be built and implemented, and will guide the growth of an equitable, sustainable and resilient parks and recreation system that supports a healthier Denver. View a visual summary of the plan and StoryMap of recent acquisitions.
CCWB Presents Cooperative 101 Training
Cooperatives and worker ownership offer a more equitable pathway forward, as our neighborhoods and communities seek to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people recognize that business will play a critical role in economic recovery, but cooperative businesses can inclusively and equitably respond to the challenges our communities face. On August 24, The Center for Community Wealth Building (CCWB) will host a Cooperative 101 to help community members and workers understand the many benefits of different forms of cooperatives.

Denver Airport Virtual Tour: Tips for Navigating the Terminal
Air travel is currently at pre-pandemic levels and some say Denver International Airport (DEN) is busier than ever. DEN is one of the largest airports in the world, which means it can be tricky to navigate, especially with ongoing construction. Click here to watch a virtual tour of DEN and learn how to smoothly make your way through the terminal, including at security checkpoints and baggage claim. Click here for more information about DEN, including current weather conditions, and parking availability.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
If you have lost income or experienced financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the pandemic and need assistance paying rent, you may qualify for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). This program provides up to 15 months of rent assistance to qualified applicants. To be eligible for this program, the household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, which is $55,950 for a 1-person household and $79,900 for a 4-person household. Immigration status and landlord participation are NOT required for a tenant to receive assistance. To apply directly online, go to www.Denvergov.org/RentAssistance. If you need assistance applying or have any questions, please contact Colorado Housing Connects at 1-844-926-6632.
An Update from CASR
In a New Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, science shows that reducing methane emissions will lead to noticeable improvements in air quality and will reduce surface temperatures by 2040, but only if we start right now. Denver's Climate Action Sustainability and Resiliency Office (CASR) has multiple efforts focused on this goal:

  • The Renewable Heating and Cooling Plan will help residents survive in the more frequent and intense heat waves, while not making climate change worse.
  • The Energize Denver Task Force is developing a possible policy that will aid our large buildings in achieving net zero by 2040
  • The Routine building code update process will explore opportunities to make our new construction buildings and homes net zero by 2030.
  • The City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, last updated in 2018, is currently being revised for 2022 and identifies over 30 short and medium-term strategies that the City can take to mitigate a variety of hazards related to the impacts of climate change including flood mitigation projects, public education and outreach, building code updates, energy resilience, and fire mitigation strategies.
  • The Sustainability Advisory Council (SAC) was restructured earlier this year and has six standing committees: Buildings and Homes; Community Adaptation, Resiliency and Environmental Justice; Energy; Resource Management; Science and Research; and Sustainable Transportation. Learn more about the SAC, including a complete list of members, demographics, and future meeting dates.
 
In terms of climate justice advocacy, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is currently reviewing one of the operating permits for the Suncor refinery. Denver’s input on this process is led by the Department of Public Health and Environment which collaborated with other regional agencies to develop a list of recommended actions that are within CDPHE’s authority. CASR assisted with this effort and you can read the recommendations on our website in English and Spanish.
Learn How to Be a Volunteer Community Forester
Become a Community Forester and a trained volunteer for the urban forest! The five-part Community Forester workshop series will give you the skills to plant, steward, and champion trees for your community and work alongside city foresters and Park People staff. Click here to learn about this and other volunteer opportunities and call 303.722.6262 to apply
Committees Seeking New Members
CSBG Program Advisory Committee
Are you interested in helping guide programs that fight poverty in Denver? The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program Advisory Committee is currently seeking new members - specifically community leaders with lived experience of poverty - to advise on programming that serves individuals and families with low incomes. Committee members must live and/or work in the City and County of Denver. BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Click here to learn more and apply.

Denver Citizen Oversight Board
The COB has volunteer opportunities for individuals who have a passion for service and are looking to make an impact on how justice is carried out in Denver. The COB is an essential part of Denver’s independent, civilian oversight system, ensuring the Office of Independent Monitor (OIM) is effectively monitoring the uniformed law enforcement personnel in the Police, Sheriff, and Fire Departments and performing other duties as assigned by ordinance. Applications are due September 6.

La Alma Lincoln Park Becomes Denver’s 57th Historic District and Second Historic Cultural District
Community members and residents, in partnership with Historic Denver and the Denver's Community Planning and Development (CPD) Landmark Preservation staff, have worked to designate the La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood as a historic cultural district. On August 2, Denver City Council voted to approve this landmark designation.
 
The La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood is one of Denver’s oldest residential neighborhoods and was home to many important events and leaders connected to the Chicano Movement. Established near the railroad and Burnham Yards as a working-class immigrant community in the 1870s and 1880s, the architecture of the neighborhood reflects the early development of the area and illustrates the changes over time. Click here to learn more about the La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood and designation.
Make Your Pet a Calendar Star and Support DAS
Denver Animal Shelter (DAS) announces its 2022 Beautiful Paws pet calendar contest. Submit your favorite photo of your pet for $25 and ask your family and friends to vote for them for $1 per vote. Click here for more information and prize details. Proceeds from calendar sales and photo contest will support DAS Animal Care & Enrichment, spay/neuter services, emergency medical care, community outreach, and foster care.
Events Around Denver and in D5
Winston Downs Community Annual Public Meeting
Tuesday, August 17, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Free parking at back of building
Review of past year; Open Forum; presentations from City Council and DPD; election of new board members. Send an email if you have questions or are interested in serving on the board.
Lowry's Food Truck Tuesday Keeps Rolling!
Thursday, August 19, starting at 5:00pm, while supplies last

Tuesday, August 31, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Hilltop Summer Movie Night
Thursday, August 19, 6:30 pm
Croods: A New Age
Robinson Park on 3rd Ave. between Fairfax and Glencoe
Bring blankets and low chairs. Food and dessert trucks available starting at 6:30pm.
Two More Community Sales are Back!
Winston Downs Neighborhood-Wide Garage Sale
Sunday, August 22, 8:30am - 2:30pm

Lowry Annual Yard Sale
Saturday, August 28 & Sunday, August 29

Concert in Mayfair Park
Saturday, August 28, food trucks @ 5:00pm, music @ 6:00pm
Come enjoy the tunes of the Denver Municipal Jazz Band. We're celebrating the 25th year dedication of Mayfair Park

Taste of Mayfair
Saturday, September 18, noon to 8:00pm
In the Jersey Shopette at 9th Avenue and Jersey Street
There will be music, art exhibits, and vendors selling food. District 2 Police District will have a booth providing info about the Neighborhood Watch program and be able to answer other questions. For more information, contact Patti Shyne.
9/11 Heroes on the Run 5K Footrace
Saturday, September 11, 9:00am
Denver District 5 Neighborhood Organizations
Denver is a unique city in promoting greater citizen involvement through organized neighborhood associations. Currently, there are 78 statistical neighborhoods represented by more than 200 registered neighborhood organizations (RNOs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Homeowner Associations (HOAs).

In its defined geographic area, an RNO will normally address neighborhood quality of life issues - such as traffic, development and zoning, crime, communication and licensing, and promote social activities to enhance residential spirit, developing a sense of community, and encourage resident participation. RNOs meet regularly and many send out newsletters to keep residents informed on neighborhood issues and events.

Get more involved in your community by joining your Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO). Below is a list of Council District 5 community organizations. You can also find out which RNO you belong to by and entering your address or selecting a location on the map.