Speak with CW Sawyer about the issues on your mind! With the Delta variant on the rise, face-to-face meetings are on hold. 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. 

All Motor Vehicle Title & Registration (DMV) branch offices will be closed on October 18 and 19 to address the backlogs that have caused traffic and increased wait times in the branch locations. During the closure, DMV staff will process a nearly two-month backlog to better serve you and return to the high level of service Denver residents expect. Many services, like Title & Registration services can be done online - click here to learn more.

~ Honorable Paul D. López, Denver Clerk and Recorder

Visit Denvervotes.org for complete voting information.

The D5 Team is thrilled that the derelict property on the east side of Colorado Blvd. at Leetsdale Dr. is finally coming down. Last month, the boarded up, vacant church was sold to Denver-based First Stone Development, which has indicated they will demolish it as soon as the permits are approved. Thankfully, there are restrictive covenants on the land that were negotiated by the Cranmer Park Hilltop Civic Association (CP-HCA) in 2017, prior to CW Sawyer's time in office. Click here to see all of the information related to the rezoning of this property, which was approved by City Council on March 12, 2018. Included in those documents is a letter from CP-HCA outlining the specifics of the covenants. They are silent on affordable housing requirements. Click here to read the BusinessDen article from September 27.

As you may know, our office is partnering with local RNOs and engineering firm Fehr & Peers to conduct a traffic study of 8th Avenue from Colorado Blvd. to Quebec St. to enhance safety and quality of life for those who live and work here. Please join us and Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) for these virtual meetings as we analyze the data collected in September and determine best next steps.

See proposed improvements to 8th Ave. to slow drivers

and make it safer to walk along and across the street.

You may have noticed that night work continues as part of the construction on the underpass at the High Line Canal intersection of E. Mississippi Ave. and S. Parker Rd. Night work was originally scheduled to be completed by June 30. Safety concerns during major excavation activity caused a project shut-down from August 12-September 12 so that stakeholders and authorities could ensure safety for both the public and workers. Solutions were approved, however the four-week delay extended past the previous variance expiration date of September 10. The most recent extension would expire on October 31, with the noisiest work to be pavement demolition, excavation, fill and repaving activities. If you have questions, click here to send an email or call 720-865-5364.

Travel along the south side of City Park has changed drastically recently: 17th Ave. is fully closed from Jackson St. to Colorado Blvd. until March 2022 as the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) opens up the existing roadway surface to install larger storm water pipes east/west under Colorado Blvd. This project is the continuation of a backbone system to reach and provide relief to well-known, documented flood areas that include 14th and Krameria St., 14th and Kearney St., and 16th and Dahlia St. Work will continue along 17th Ave Pkwy. east of Colorado Blvd. Click here to send an email with questions or to sign up to receive project updates, or leave a voice or text message at 720-627-7441 with your comments/concerns. Click here to learn more and see detour/closure maps.

Hill Campus at 451 Clermont St. asks the community to help support their students with gently used jackets, sweatshirts, and other cold weather gear that your family has outgrown. Donations will be washed, organized and given to kids who don’t have warm gear. The Coat Drive runs through October 31, and donations can be dropped off at Hill's ain office or at the home at 140 Krameria St. Thanks for helping to keep Hill's students warm! 

If you know of a 5th grader who may be interested in attending Hill for the 2022/2023 academic year, please click here to get more information and sign up for a tour..

CW Sawyer was honored to speak at the October 6 groundbreaking of Valor on the Fax at 7900 E. Colfax Ave. The new, 72-unit apartment community, developed by Brothers Redevelopment in conjunction with the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado (BIAC), will exclusively serve persons experiencing homelessness, with a focus on those who have sustained an acquired brain injury or related disability

Valor on the Fax will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom income-restricted units for households earning up to 30% of the area median income (up to $22,050 for a single-person household). A land use restriction on the property ensures affordability for 99 years. Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) is providing $1,440,000 in development financing toward the $23.6 million project. HOST is also subsidizing supportive services at the site for a 15-year period through a $1 million contract. Other public financing partners include the Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, Colorado Division of Housing, and Denver Housing Authority, including subsidy vouchers for all units to ensure residents pay no more than 30% of their total income on housing costs. Click here to learn more about this project and other HOST projects throughout Denver.

A new community volunteer program has kicked off to help narrow the grade level literacy gap for students at Lowry Elementary School.

Click here to learn more and apply to be a volunteer. .

The Lowry Community Master Association (LCMA) is accepting applications for residents interested in serving on its Board of Directors. Click here to download and complete the application and return it by October 29 to to LCMA at 7581 E. Academy Blvd., Ste 211 or click here to send via email. Questions? call (720) 583-5262.

Denver Public Library (DPL) offers a multitude of events, classes, information, and resources to help older adults thrive. DPL supports older adults who have the time and emotional space to engage in lifelong learning, creative endeavors, and community connections. At the same time, DPL recognizes and addresses the real challenges people face as they age, including social isolation, homelessness, financial insecurity, dementia and declining health. Programs include Mindful Meditation, Medicare 101, Bingo, Walks in the Park and much more. On Tuesday, October 19, DPL has a walk through Crestmoor Park with neighbors and library staff. Click here to see all the Older Adult Programs available through DPL.

George Washington High School has begun construction of the Pulse Health and Wellness Center. This onsite health-care clinic means students will be able to walk down the hall for sports physicals, wellness care, vaccinations, and mental health support. While a large portion of the funding will be provided by Denver Health and Denver Public Schools, $50,000 in community funds are needed to complete the space with furniture and other needs. The D5 office is proud to contribute $1,000 toward this vital community resource. Please join us in this effort and thank you!

Click here for the Be Inspired fundraising page and to easily share via social media.

If you are interested in commenting during a hearing, please review 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 four open rezoning requests and one Legislative Rezoning proposal in District 5. Click here for more updates.

Upcoming hearings on re-zoning requests in other Denver 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.

In late September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially recommended Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for people at higher risk for COVID-19. Booster doses should be given at least six months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. Booster doses are free and widely available at most pharmacies, and no ID, insurance or proof of medical history is required. Click here for the latest CO updates and statistics.

The updated CDC guidance recommends Pfizer booster shots for people:

Denver's annual, free and popular LeafDrop program helps residents sustainably donate leaves for composting, rather than sending them to the landfill. Composting is nature’s way of recycling and returning valuable organic matter and nutrients to soil to help plants thrive. Compost created through LeafDrop is available to purchase at a discounted rate in the spring. The LeafDrop location closest to D5 is the Cherry Creek Transfer Station at 7301 E. Jewell Ave.:

Click here to learn more about LeafDrop and find other locations, days and times. Weekend drop-off begins on October 30. When dropping off bagged leaves, paper bags are preferred - they can also be composted! Keep in mind that dropping off leaves at other times is considered illegal dumping. Click here to download a coupon for free paper leaf bags at participating Ace Hardware Stores. Fun fact: pumpkins are also accepted for composting!

Denver Public Schools (DPS) students can sign up for the On MY Way! youth transportation program to get access to monthly RTD passes through their phones through December 31. Click here to learn more and sign up. Questions? Click here to send an email.

Eligible students:

Thank you to those that joined Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) on September 30 for the first public meeting to discuss the future of outdoor adventure and alternative sports in Denver and the mountain parks! If you haven't already done so, please take the survey and share it with your neighbors.

If you missed the September meeting, you can watch the recording here.

Click here to learn more and view the presentation slides.

If you or someone you know needs help, all services at the Rose Andom Center are available to victims whether or not they choose to report their abuse to the police. Click here to learn about options or to find out more about the Rose Andom Center; visit the center at 1330 Fox Street; or call 720-337-4400. Click here to find information about resources, domestic violence myths and red flags, and more.

The nonprofit group Not In Our Town reports that, "In the past few years, schools throughout the US have experienced a frightening increase in bullying and acts of hate," and that "In 2020, when hate is on the rise, our greatest challenge is to stop bullying and hate and move toward welcoming, identity safe, and inclusive places."

Click here to learn more about the Committee for Children's guidance for kids about how to recognize, report, and refuse bullying. 

Denver is a dog-friendly city, and along with them comes one of the biggest challenges facing Denver’s public parks and recreation spaces - getting people to clean up properly after their dogs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, animal waste can cause big problems for water quality and human health. From the Denver Park Trust, here is a portion of "Four Reasons Why It’s Important To Pick Up Your Dog Waste." Click here to read the full article and learn more about the Trust.

If you or someone you know is a young adult, age 14-21 and passionate about making the world a better place, consider applying to be a YouthCharge member. Grades and past experience are not considered - the only requirement for YouthRoots is wanting to make a difference, and the program counts for 40 hours of community service. YouthRoots students respond to emerging needs and build the skills to become change makers now and tomorrow. Click here to learn more and apply.

The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) shares news on their work with our office monthly. Here's some of the latest, click here to learn more!

The Sustainability Advisory Council (SAC) took its first vote, approving a recommendation that Denver adopt a new target for emissions reductions based on the latest science, which would reduce emissions 62.8% by 2030 over a 2019 baseline.

Join the Denver Solar Co-Op - learn how to save hundreds on solar installation with group purchasing power. Low- to moderate-income households may qualify for rebates.

The JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center brings famed Arts, Authors, Movies and Music in-person and virtually to this annual event. Click here for more information and tickets..

In-person at Police District 3 Station 1625 S. University Blvd

The program encourages a partnership between Officers and the Residents they serve. and teaches residents how to effectively observe and report suspicious behavior. Click here to RSVP via email.

Click here to register, after which you'll receive a confirmation email.

In the shopping center parking lot on the northeast corner of 14th & Krameria, in front of Garlic Knot. MNI Members get three bags shredded for free. Those with more and non-members pay $15, or pay $20 to join and support the neighborhood. Questions? Click here to send an email.

Meet at the Sundial in Cranmer Park

See the new playground in Robinson! Games, treats, Anthony's Pizza. Please bring one or two cans of food to share with those less fortunate. Click here for more information and to volunteer.