May Newsletter | Vol. 1

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With US. For US. By Us.

Welcome to the first edition of THE BELLOS, a monthly e-newsletter designed to inform, connect and share the voices of Montbello neighbors, businesses and organizations. Each edition will include short features, useful tips, resources, current jobs, an update on the

FreshLo Hub, highlights from recent happenings and a list of upcoming events and classes.

THE BELLOS is designed to be a quick read of information you can use. We encourage you

to look for it in your email box and to invite your friends and neighbors to subscribe.

The bi-monthly MUSE publication, which provides more in-depth features as well as articles from our elected officials, will continue to be printed and also available online at www.montbelloorganizing.org. The next edition of MUSE will be distributed later this month.

We encourage you to share content for either THE BELLOS or the MUSE. If you have an event or story idea that you’d like included, please send an email to info@montbelloorganizing.org.

Tip of the Month:

Composting is Good for the Planet and Your Wallet

Montbello residents recently received compost trash bins from the City. With a bit of planning, you can reduce your trash collection bill and also what ends up in landfills.

The process is simple: toss your daily food scraps into a smaller indoor composting bin.

If you’re worried about the smell, line your bin with biodegradable/compostable trash bags (available at King Soopers, Target or any hardware store).

In Denver, items that can be composted include:

All food scraps, including produce, bread, cheese, eggshells, bones and meat.
Yard waste like leaves, branches, flowers and grass.

Items that can NOT go into Denver compost bins (even if labeled as compostable) include:

Paper products (paper towels, pizza boxes, coffee filters and plates)
Utensils
Glass
Styrofoam
Construction materials

A few more tips to ensure your composting experience is favorable:

Clean out your fridge the day before trash day and put all old food into your compost bin.
If not using compostable bags, rinse or wash your indoor bin each time you empty it.
Hose down the inside of your outdoor compost bin every few weeks.

Organizations of Montbello

Builds Cultural Unity

The Montbello community came together Thursday, April 25th for the 5th annual Organizations of Montbello Summit, hosted

by the Montbello Organizing Committee. Encompassing the ideas of nonprofits, businesses, and community groups, the event fostered discussion and action. Through presentations, interactive focus groups, mindfulness activities, and a plethora of discussions, the Summit tackled pressing issues such as immigration, education, housing, food access, and resource accessibility for Montbello residents and the larger population of Denver.

Community advocates, mental health professionals, and business and nonprofit leaders shared a variety of illuminating perspectives, providing meeting attendees with an opportunity to take an active role in a nuanced community culture within Montbello.

Keynote speaker Justin Adams, sports reporter and news anchor for CBS Denver and a Montbello High School alum, gave a motivating and informative speech detailing his successes, role in the community, and the positive developments being made to Montbello High School.

For attendees, leaders, and businesspeople alike, the Organizations of Montbello Summit sparked inspiration and action, inspiring advocacy and community connection in the movement towards a better Montbello.

FreshLo Update

FreshLo Residences, the community-inspired, -designed and -owned affordable housing building, will soon be accepting applications. Located at the corner of

Peoria and Albrook Drive, the six-floor building will offer 97 units including 49

one-bedroom, 33 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom apartments. Each unit was thoughtfully designed with features like

built-in washers and dryers, attached decks

and multiple bathrooms in the 2- and

3-bedroom units. Additionally, residents

will enjoy covered and surface parking (including EV charging stations), an on-site fitness area, multipurpose room, common room, and amenity deck with grills, fireplace, seating areas, garden beds and a playground.

Ross-Envolve has been hired as the property management company for FreshLo Residences. They will open an onsite office at 12300 E. Albrook Drive in June and begin setting up appointments to assist with applications. Applications must be completed in person with the property manager and Spanish translation services will be provided.

Stay tuned to @montbelloorg on FB, Twitter and IG for updates.

Job of the Month:

Seasonal Bike Mechanic and Rental Coordinator

The Montbello Organizing Committee is currently hiring a seasonal bike mechanic and rental coordinator to oversee the operations of the Montbello Electric Bike Library. The bike mechanic and rental coordinator will play a vital role in managing bike rentals, performing repairs and maintenance, and delivering exceptional customer service to our patrons. This is a seasonal position with flexible part-time to full-time hours, and weekend availability is required.

If interested, please send resume and cover letter to mayra.gonzales@montbelloorganizing.org.

Montbello Talent is dedicated to connecting local job seekers with living wage jobs where they can thrive. Whether you're seeking your first job, looking to shift careers, or aiming to climb higher in your current path, Montbello Talent offers personalized support and resources. Each month in THE BELLOS, we will highlight a job meant to help strengthen our community's economic fabric. If you are a job seeker, or employer, please reach out to Michael.Crossland@montbelloorganizing.org.

Launching Montbello Moves:

Electric Transportation for the Community

Montbello Moves is an exciting initiative being undertaken by Montbello Organizing Committee (MOC) to ensure Montbello residents have access to safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation options. This May, Montbello Moves will launch two FREE electric transportation options for the community.

Montbello Electric Bike Library

The e-bike library provides Montbello residents with a free, efficient and enjoyable transportation option to run errands, visit friends, exercise or commute to work or school. Ten electric bikes with a powerful electric assist will allow riders to navigate Montbello's streets with ease. In addition, two cargo bikes will provide options for transporting groceries, large items and passengers.

E-bike library rentals are free. Renters must complete the application process, participate in an introductory session and provide a credit card to cover charges related to loss, theft or damage. The e-bike library will be open from 10 am-5 pm daily beginning May 24^th.

Montbello Electric Passenger Van

The e-passenger van provides a free and efficient transportation option for Montbello-based nonprofits, organizations and groups to go on field trips, attend meetings or events and visit locations throughout the city. The van is equipped with a rear-wheelchair lift and can accommodate up to nine, along with one wheelchair user.

Organizations interested in using the e-passenger van must go through the approval process, designate a driver with a clean driving record/background check and add Montbello Organizing Committee to their insurance policy. While use of the van is free, organizations will be financially responsible for charging, towing if the battery runs out and expenses related to any damage to the vehicle.

Learn more and check out these new electric transportation options at the Open House on May 23^rd from 3:30-5:30 pm at 12000 E. 47^th Ave.

Featured Event of the Month:

Open House/Seedling Giveaway/Montbello Moves Launch

Thursday, May 23^rd, 3:30-5:30 pm

Montbello Community Building,12000 E. 47^th Ave

Meet the organizations and resources housed in the Montbello Community Building, celebrate the launch of Montbello Moves and learn more about free e-bike rentals for Montbello residents and free e-Van use for community organizations. Register to receive one of 125 free seedling boxes that will be distributed at the Open House.