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Dear Neighbors,
February is the shortest month of the year but there are still plenty of things happening in the City and in District 5. You can read more about them below, but note a couple of important initiatives being run by the District 5 office:
- our proposal to institute design standards through a zoning overlay of Colfax is in full swing
- our possible rezoning of the Montclair statistical neighborhood to allow for ADU's is moving along
- our traffic study of Uinta Way in Lowry is underway
- our legislation requiring increased notification to RNOs and other City partners is kicking off this month
Please check our social media and website for updates as these initiatives progress. And as always, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office if there is anything we can do to assist you!
Gratefully,
Councilwoman, Amanda Sawyer
District 5
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GENERAL INQUIRIES
DenverCouncil5@denvergov.org
720-337-5555
Visit our website for useful information and helpful links!
LOCATION
City and County Building
1437 Bannock St., Room 451
Denver, CO 80202
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OFFICE HOURS
Office Hours remain mostly virtual. Here is the list of our Office Hours over the next month:
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Thursday, February 16, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM.
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Thursday, February 23, from 11 AM to 1 PM.
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Thursday, March 2, from 11 AM to 1 PM.
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Thursday, March 9, from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Contact our office to schedule an appointment if another time works better for you, or if you would prefer to meet in person!
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13th and 14th Avenues Public Meeting
As we've stated here before, our office has been advocating for improvements for 13th and 14th since we took office. We recently obtained these figures from DPD about the streets:
From July 2019 - December 2022, there were 851 calls for service on 13th and 14th Avenues due to car accidents. 107 of those involved accidents resulting in property damage, injury, or death. These data only reinforce what our office and the residents know, that these streets are dangerous and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure needs to act.
The District 5 Council Office has worked with the Denver Police Department and the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to address this community safety issue. There are recommendations in place to construct traffic calming measures along 13th and 14th, but they have not yet been installed.
On March 15, 2023, at 6 pm, we will host a community meeting with DOTI and DPD. Please bring your thoughts and questions! We need your Register for this important virtual community meeting at: Bit.ly/13th14th_Mar15 or click the button below
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Colfax Ave Design Overlay
Councilwoman Sawyer, Councilman Herndon, Councilman Hinds, and Councilwoman CdeBaca's offices are considering putting forward legislation that would create a Zoning Overlay along Colfax Ave from Sherman St to Yosemite St. The purpose of the design standards is to promote active ground floor uses and create a more pedestrian friendly environment as properties along the Colfax corridor redevelop in the future. We would like your feedback.
We've hosted two community meetings and our survey will remain open until March 1. Please share your feedback and thoughts to help guide our process and execute the vision of the residents and business owners along Colfax, who identified this proposal as needed during the East Central and East Area Plan processes!
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311 Thursdays
We're asking District 5 residents to call in an issue, problem, or complaint every Thursday in 2023! Not only will this help the City know where problems are, it will generate needed data to show how the City can best allocate its resources to make our neighborhoods safer!
If you haven't joined in, then please start this week. You can also report issues to pocketgov.org
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New Trash Services
As you may know the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is rolling out a new trash program this year that will include weekly recycling and free composting. We wanted to let folks know that our office has received comments about missed trash and recycling services. Our homes have been missed too and we are as frustrated as you are!
Our office does a monthly assessment of 311 calls and in January 2023, 74% of the 311 complaints from residents of District 5 were DOTI-related. This equates to thousands of complaints from our district in the month of January alone, indicating that DOTI is failing to provide essential city services in District 5. This is unacceptable and I have told DOTI this in no uncertain terms.
We encourage anyone who experiences a missed service to report it to 311 or pocketgov.org and to also report it to our office.
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Uinta Way Traffic Study
Our office, is once again partnering with local neighborhood organizations and traffic engineering firm Fehr and Peers to conduct another traffic study in District 5. The purpose of these studies is to identify potential safety upgrades to streets in the District. This year we've identified Uinta Way from Lowry Blvd to 11th Ave as the area we'd like to focus on.
We'll be kicking off this study on Wednesday, March 1st at 6 PM on Zoom (click the button below to register or visit Bit.ly/UintaTrafficStudyMar1). Our survey for the study is also open and your opinion is critical to identifying which areas need the most attention and how we can make the street safer.
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D5 Blood Drive - A Success!
On January 31st, we closed the 3rd Annual SE Denver Gives Blood blood drive with a total of 23 donations. Thank you to everyone who pledged this year as all of those who pledged followed through with donating! The blood emergency has not abated, even though our drive is over we encourage those of you who have not donated but wish to to use our pledge link and donate at your convenience. Our link does work year-round.
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Library Updates
The Ross-Cherry Creek Branch Library temporarily closed in January 2022 due to concerns raised in an initial structural review of the building. After a more in depth structural review was completed in 2022, it was determined that a second opinion was needed to determine next steps. The new structural review of the building is set to begin sometime in the first quarter of this year. We hope to have more to share in late Summer regarding next steps to correct the issues and what needs to be done to safely open the building once this study is completed and analyzed with our partners at the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI).
While the branch remains closed, Denver Public Library is exploring ways to bring library services to the community. We know customers are eager to have the library back in place in the community and we hope to be able to do so when we can safely open our doors again.
The closest library locations, which remain open, are the Eugene Field Branch Library located at 810 South University Boulevard or the Schlessman Family Branch Library located at 100 Poplar Street. Updates can be found at denverlibrary.org/creekupdates.
Additionally, we would like residents to know that there are five dedicated parking spots in the BoulevardOne parking lot for Schlessman Library users to access if needed. There are also twenty other nonspecific spots in the BoulevardOne lot that library patrons can use as overflow parking for the library if needed.
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Slow Down Signs Are Back!
You might have seen them around the neighborhood. By popular demand, our SLOW DOWN Signs are back! The purpose of these signs is to remind drivers that our roads are shared with families, residents with disabilities, and our pets, and drivers should slow down in our neighborhoods. If you would like a sign or signs please email us denvercouncil5@denvergov.org or stay tuned for our next sign distribution event.
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Zoning & Hearing Information | |
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Shared Streets Community Meeting
Mark your calendars for the Shared Streets Community Meeting on February 16th from 5:30-7 PM. We will provide program updates and discuss which streets you think would be a great shared street by dropping pins on an interactive map.
Join us to share your voice about the future of this transformational program. You can learn more about the program at their website.
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DPS Redistricting
The Denver Public Schools’ Board of Education is composed of five representative districts and two at-large members. According to Colorado state law, DPS is required to balance the population of the districts after each United States decennial census so that the total population in each district is close to equal, within 10 percent.
Currently, the five are not balanced. The difference between District 4 in the Far Northeast and District 2 in the Southwest is greater than the state-mandated 10%. In the spring of 2023, the Board of Education will be presented with a single option to change these boundaries to ensure that the district is in compliance with the law.
You can learn more about the process, the timeline, and how to participate at their website.
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ADUs in Denver Project
Soon, the ADUs in Denver project will present draft recommendations to remove barriers to building ADUs and ensure that they fit within a variety of neighborhoods. Later, Denver City Council will hold a public hearing on these recommendations. The draft recommendations were informed by your input. Learn more about the feedback Denverites have provided thus far.
For any policy issue, there are usually multiple solutions proposed and that can be implemented. Learn about the possible solutions considered by the Advisory Committee and project team in the Alternatives Report. This report analyzes the pros and cons of different changes to the zoning code considered while reviewing public feedback received to date.
| There will be multiple opportunities to comment on the draft recommendations when they are released in the coming weeks, both in person and virtually. Upcoming events are posted on the project webpage. | |
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Attention! SNAP Benefits Are Changing after February 2023!
SNAP households will see a reduction in monthly SNAP benefits in March 2023 due to the recent congressional action. SNAP households will see a reduction in their monthly benefits to the pre-pandemic amount. Benefit amounts are calculated based on the individual household circumstances.
A few helpful tips:
- Roll over EBT benefits to the next month, if you are able to. This may help cushion the impact of the reduction in benefits.
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Stock up on non-perishable items now, while you have the additional benefits. (View tips on stocking your pantry in English or Spanish.)
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Stretch food ingredients and plan to use them in more than one meal. This helps to save money and reduce food waste. (View tips on stretching ingredients in English or Spanish.)
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Consider freezing produce to make fruit and vegetables last longer. (View tips on freezing food in English or Spanish.)
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Look at unit prices to compare similar products at the grocery store. (View tips on comparing prices in English or Spanish.)
This is a change enacted by Congress and is not appealable.
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Denver Moves Everyone Draft Plan
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) has released of the draft of its strategic transportation plan, Denver Moves Everyone (DME) 2050. This citywide plan aligns future investments in Denver’s transportation system with the collective goals and vision of Denverites.
Over the past two years, DOTI has engaged with thousands of community members in each of Denver’s 78 neighborhoods to develop DME. With a focus on equity, the plan uses data and community feedback to lay out a strategy to address current transportation challenges and meet future needs. DME provides program and policy recommendations to prioritize capital transportation improvements in the near-, mid-, and long-term resulting in increased safety, more connected and efficient travel options, reduced emissions, and greener streets.
DOTI invites you to view the draft at DenverMovesEveryone.com, where you can also learn more about each phase of public input that shaped the plan through a virtual open house. The draft plan will be available for a 30-day review until February 25th. DOTI will refine the draft based on public feedback prior to releasing the final plan.
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Home Energy Rebates Now Available!
Stack Denver’s Climate Action Rebates with Xcel Energy’s electrification rebates and incentives offered through the Inflation Reduction Act to save thousands when electrifying your home. All qualifying projects installed after January 1, 2023, are eligible for Denver’s rebates.
⚡ Save up to $3,500 on a heat pump which will heat and cool your home
⚡ Save up to $1,000 on electric vehicle charging
⚡ Save up to $4,000 on solar when you have other electric equipment installed
⚡ Save up to $2,750 on battery storage
⚡ Save up to $2,000 on an electric service upgrade
Learn more at www.denvergov.org/homeenergy
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Denver Digs Trees Applications are Live!
The Park People's Denver Digs Trees tree adoption program is back for its 40th year. Do you have a spot for a tree? They have 12 varieties of high-quality, locally-adapted trees to choose from in a range of sizes and features. Trees cost $10-35, with free trees available to those who qualify. Apply early for the best selection. Apply here
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Community Events & Meetings | |
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Free Day at Wings Over the Rockies | |
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Monday, February 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. is SCFD Free Day at Wings Over the Rockies. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy!
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Openings and Closings at DAM | |
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Speaking with Light: Contemporary Indigenous Photography opens at the Denver Art Museum Sunday, February 19. Featuring works by more than 30 contemporary Indigenous photographers, the exhibition highlights the historically underrepresented views and voices of Indigenous communities. The works featured investigate Indigenous worldviews through the exploration of history, loss, identity and representation. Learn more about Speaking with Light here
And don’t miss the final weeks of Who tells a tale adds a tail: Latin America and contemporary art, closing Sunday, March 5. Who tells a tale adds a tail presents mostly site-specific, commissioned artworks by 19 emerging millennial-generation artists in dialogue with the unique architecture of the DAM's Hamilton Building, exploring themes ranging from technology to identity to social and political issues. Learn more about Who tells a tale adds a tail here.
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Tiny Beautiful Things at the John Hand Theater | |
Friday, March 3 is the Lowry United Neighborhood's Night at the John Hand Theater when you can get $5 off your ticket to see Tiny Beautiful Things. The play starts at 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets here enter code LUN5 for the LUN discount.
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Registered Neighborhood Organizations | |
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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 entering your address or selecting a location on the map.
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