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Dear Neighbors,
Winter is almost over and spring is almost here!
There are so many things going on at the City that we want you to know about, including proposed changes to Safe Outdoor Spaces, ADUs in Denver, and patios for businesses. There's also our District 5-led initiatives like the DO-8 Overlay along Colfax, ADUs in Montclair, and our Traffic Study on Uinta Way. And, of course, ballots are out for the municipal elections on April 4th! You can learn about all the things on the ballot here. If you're not registered to vote, you can register here. And you can track your ballot here.
One of the things we love about spring is our bi-annual Parks Clean-Up Day. This year we'll be cleaning up half our parks on Sunday, April 30, and we hope you can join us!
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, March 16, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
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Tuesday, March 21, from 3:30 to 5 PM
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Week of March 27, no office hours
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Friday, April 7, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at Copper Door Coffee Roasters
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Week of April 10, no office hours (CW Sawyer will be out this week due to hip surgery)
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, and they are currently being installed.
TONIGHT, at 6 pm, we will host an online community meeting with DOTI and DPD. Please bring your thoughts and questions! Register for this important virtual community meeting at: Bit.ly/13th14th_Mar15 or click the button below.
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Spring Parks Clean Up Day
Spring Parks Clean Up Day is Sunday, April 30 from 8:30 to 11 AM. This the parks that will receive attention this spring are:
- 6th Avenue Parkway (Monaco to Quebec)
- Bayaud Park
- Denison Park
- Great Lawn Park
- John W Barnes Park
- Kittredge Park
- Lindsley Park
- Mayfair Park
- New Freedom Park
- Robinson Park
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Quebec Sidewalk Improvement Project Update
Several folks have reached out to our office with concerns about the delays they've noticed in the Quebec St. sidewalk improvement project. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has told us that there were significant delays in their design process and in their coordination with Forestry, utility owners, local residents, and businesses along Quebec.
However, they let us know that construction is slated to begin later this year. We are eager to see this much needed pedestrian improvement installed!
You can learn more and keep tabs on the project at the project website.
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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.
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New Trash Services and Compost Rules
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%, and in February 2023, 54% 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 repeatedly 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.
Additionally, beginning April 1, the rules for acceptable compostable materials will be changing. Starting April 1st ONLY food scraps and yard and plant trimmings will be acceptable in City compost. We know these changes are frustrating and we apologize for them. They were instituted by the City's composting contractor without the knowledge or consent of the City.
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Cherry Creek Curbside Access Plan - First Draft
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is working on a Curbside Access Plan for the Cherry Creek Neighborhood to address the area's changing needs, respond to current levels of activity, maximize curbside resources, and integrate multimodal transportation priorities.
The map above represents the latest draft of proposals. There are also maps about occupancy and parking restrictions that we'd encourage you to peruse. Finally, we've included some plan highlights below:
- Modify parking hours of operation to increase parking space availability later into the evening
- Convert some permit only block faces to 2 or 3 hour parking to provide parking options for a variety of users and maximize parking supply. Parking permits will still be valid
- Introduce no parking zones at strategic locations to provide additional passing opportunities and improve sight distance
- Implement performance based parking pricing in high demand areas to manage the parking supply more efficiently
- Create a Cherry Creek Permit to provide permit holders the ability to park anywhere within the blue area depicted in the plan.
This plan will go through additional outreach this summer (so stay tuned!) before implementation in early 2024.
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Kittredge and Montclair Park Playground Updates
After much waiting, the damaged slide at Kittredge Park was replaced and installed last month! Unfortunately, the equipment needed at Montclair Park has not yet come in. We've been communication with Parks and Rec and they are as frustrated as we are about these delays. We will keep you posted when we learn more. Know that Parks & Rec is doing everything they can to expedite the repairs to these community assets.
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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 kicked off this study on with a virtual town hall. 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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Denver Moves Cherry Creek
Denver Moves: Cherry Creek is a year-long planning effort to develop a cohesive strategy for infrastructure development that achieves the City’s mobility goals in the Cherry Creek neighborhood and surrounding area. The project will explore improvements to make it safer and more convenient to walk, bicycle, take transit, deliver goods, and drive in and around the area, and will also examine green infrastructure, parking, curbside uses, and other considerations. When complete, Denver Moves: Cherry Creek will guide how Denver programs, funds, plans, designs, builds, and maintains the future multimodal transportation network of the area.
We have heard concerns from residents that the website for the project is confusing and feels inaccessible to residents. If community members in Cherry Creek would like to schedule office hours virtually or in-person to discuss the project, they can schedule that with Liz Palmquist at liz@nhnconsultingllc.com. Click here to learn more at the project website!
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Tennessee and Oneida Storm System Update
Work continues on the Tennessee and Oneida storm system project, and several closures are affecting residents. Here are the updates for March:
- Installation of new box culvert under Cherry Creek N. Drive has been completed and Cherry Creek N. Drive has been re-opened to both Eastbound and Westbound traffic. Work is still being performed to build structures on both the North and South sides of Cherry Creek N. Drive. Please be aware of a temporary lane shift between S Kearney St and S Holly St. and please pay attention to work zone signage/flaggers.
- Kearney St. will remain closed between Mississippi and Cherry Creek N. Drive.
- Work has begun in Garland Park East of Lollipop Lake. This is an active construction site so we ask pedestrians and bicyclists to remain on the trail and observe trail closure and detour signs. Currently the Garland Greenbelt Trail is being detoured in the vicinity of the Lollipop Lake expansion onto the West side of Southbound S Kearney St. In the next month that detour will become inaccessible as workers trench into S Kearney St. with the new box culvert infrastructure. At that time the Garland Greenbelt Trail will be detoured around the West side of Lollipop Lake. (See graphic)
- Access to the ball fields at Garland Park will remain open but will only be accessible from S. Kearney St. via Cherry Creek North Drive. There will be no access to the ball field parking lots from Mississippi Ave.
More information regarding the project can be found on our project website here.
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South Hilltop Undergrounding Update
This project is finally coming to a close! The final phase of construction began on March 6 and weather permitting here are the final timelines:
- Telecommunications providers expect to finish their relocation work by the end of March;
- Xcel anticipates completing all project-related work, including installation of the remaining eight light poles and restoration of the project area, in April 2023; and
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Paving is expected to occur in spring 2023
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Girl Scout Dream Lab Coming to District 5
The Girl Scout's Denver Dream Lab will be coming to Lowry at 63 Quebec St! We are so excited to have this unique opportunity to support a terrific organization for Denver children.
You can read more about the project and purpose with this article in the Denver Gazette.
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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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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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Changes to Safe Outdoor Spaces Rules Proposed
Community Planning and Development (CPD) has brought changes to the Safe Outdoor Spaces (SOS). They are proposing to change SOS from a temporary use brought on as a result of limited shelter space from COVID-19 regulations to a permanent temporary use.
I have not voted to support these sites because I believe housing, even temporary, requires at least a roof and a door. Additionally, now that COVID distancing protocols have been lifted, Denver has more than enough shelter space for those seeking it.
Regardless of my opinion, we'd like you to let CPD know what you think about this! Don't forget to email us about your thoughts as well.
Learn more about the program here.
Read the specific changes to the Zoning Code here.
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"Denver Deserves Sidewalks" Stakeholder Process
Since the passage last year of the "Denver Deserves Sidewalks" Initiative, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), has been working through the ordinance’s language to identify operational, administrative, and financial challenges.
Next week, they will open up the application process, with the first meeting anticipated to take place in April. If you'd like to be considered to apart of this stakeholder group please click here to email us and we will send you the information when it becomes available.
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Civic Academy Starts Soon!
DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments) is currently accepting applications for the spring 2023 Civic Academy. Over the past decade, Civic Academy has inspired and prepared numerous alumni to serve as elected officials, and hundreds of participants have gone on to positions in public agencies or nonprofit organizations that shape Colorado’s future. Many more have used the knowledge and experience they gained to simply become more involved in their neighborhoods and communities.
In-person classes will be held weekly from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. from April 18 to May 30 at the Denver Regional Council of Governments office, 1001 17th St., Denver, CO 80202.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., Friday, March 24.
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ADUs in Denver Project - Public Review Draft Now Available
Community Planning and Development has released a public review draft of the proposed zoning changes is now available for review and comment, along with an updated strategy report. You can learn more about the public input Denverites provided, including comments on the draft strategy report, in the feedback summary.
Some highlights in the updated strategy report include:
- Rules that are responsive to the needs of different neighborhoods, with maximum flexibility in urban neighborhoods
- Allowing ADUs as accessory to duplexes, row houses and town houses as a detached structure
- Allowing a more usable second story deck on a detached ADU when the deck would face a public alley
You can learn more by:
Public comment on both the public review draft and the updated strategy report may be submitted via the project comment form through March 27. Feedback received will inform the next version of the text amendment of zoning code changes to be submitted to the Denver Planning Board before a hearing on April 5.
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Share Your Thoughts on the Outdoor Places Private Patios Draft
The city is considering allowing businesses to continue the use of public Right of Way for outdoor dining, a practice that was created during COVID. Public Comment on the draft recommendations will be accepted through Monday, March 27. There are multiple ways for you to provide public comment and ask questions. Feedback received will be used to further refine the draft requirements before they move through the legislative process later this spring.
There will also be a Virtual Community Meeting on March 16, 5:30-7PM! Join Denver Community Planning and Development and Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for a virtual community meeting on the Outdoor Places Program on March 16. The project team will provide a project overview, discuss the draft program requirements for outdoor patios on private property, and participants will have an opportunity to ask questions.
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DenverTrack & Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention
March 5-11 was Auto Theft Prevention Week, and the Denver Police Department is launching the DenverTrack program to assist in the recovery of stolen vehicles. The DenverTrack program works with the vehicles’ GPS systems to track stolen vehicles in real time. The program allows vehicle owners to preauthorize Denver Police access to GPS services in the unfortunate event that their vehicle is stolen. If the vehicle is stolen, when the vehicle owner calls police to report the theft, DPD can then track the vehicle in real time with the goal of locating and returning the vehicle to the owner and arresting the suspect. Additional information can be found here on the City and County of Denver website.
On March 17, Denver Police and partners are hosting a Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Event: Protect It From The Start! The event will be held from 9am to 2pm at Emily Griffith, located at 1205 Osage St. Students from the college will be attaching CATETCH labels to catalytic converters, and we will be providing anti-theft license plate screws and steering wheel clubs at the event as well. Registration is required, please visit EventBrite or scan the QR code on the attached flier to register.
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Spring 2023 Community Academy
DPD is hosting a community academy! This is an incredible opportunity to have an inside look in Major Crimes, crime scene investigations, tour the Denver 911 Communications Center and learn how to get involved to help make our communities stronger.
The community academy will be hosted at Denver Police Station in District 2 for five consecutive Tuesday evenings beginning April 4 through May 2 from 6-8pm.
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Free Trees From Denver Forestry!
In Denver, trees help beautify our city. They’re also one of the best ways to fight heat islands. And a diverse urban canopy can even deter dangerous pests. Bottom line: Trees are the best!
With spring right around the corner and the weather warming up, now is the time to apply for your free tree from the city.
Join the thousands of Denver residents who have received a FREE tree for their right-of-way from Denver’s Office of the City Forester. Check out our website for commonly asked questions, information to help determine if there is room in your right-of-way, and to submit your free tree request if you qualify: https://beasmartash.org/free-trees/.
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Denver Survey on Trees
Denver Parks and Recreation and the Office of the City Forester need your help to create the city’s first Urban Forest Strategic Plan! Trees improve air quality, reduce urban heat island effect, increase property values, help with stormwater management, improve mental and physical health for residents and so much more.
Whether it's a tree in front of your home, along your neighborhood street or at your local park, every tree in Denver is part of our urban forest.
By providing your feedback in this short survey, you'll be playing a vital role in shaping the future of the urban canopy in Denver. The purpose of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan is to refine existing tree canopy goals, identify new goals and provide an equitable vision for the future of the urban forest in Denver.
Don't miss your chance to help shape the future by contributing your thoughts today. All survey submissions will have the option to enter to win a FREE tree from the city to be planted in a public location of your choice.
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City Council Central Staff Job Opening
The Office of City Council is seeking a Parliamentarian and Secretary that will provide administrative and analytical support on the complex procedures for the Denver City Council. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/parliamentarianjob
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Community Events & Meetings | |
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The Road to the Final Four will stop in Denver March 17 and 19 when the Mountain West Conference hosts the first and second Rounds of the NCAA March Madness Tournament at Ball Arena.
The 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s basketball tournament involves 68 teams playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion for the 2022-23 season. The 84th annual edition of the tournament begins on March 14 and concludes with the championship game on April 3. The games will be played at stadiums in 14 cities located throughout the country.
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Opening Soon at DAM: Near East to Far West: Fictions of French and American Colonialism | |
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Near East to Far West: Fictions of French and American Colonialism opens at the Denver Art Museum Sunday, March 5, through May 28, 2023. The exhibition encourages visitors to compare the visual and historical aspects of French Orientalism and artworks of the American West and reflect on the impact of these representations into the present.
Near East to Far West is included in general admission, free for visitors 18 and under every day and free for all during Free Days at the DAM. Learn more: https://bit.ly/Near-East-Far-West-DAM.
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April 19th is the Food Truck Symposium. This free symposium offers food trucks and trailers the unique experience to communicate directly with the City agencies responsible for regulating food trucks in Denver. The Denver Fire Department will be present to promote and educate our new safety inspection and permitting changes in 2023.
Attendees can also meet members of the Denver Department of Public Health and Excise and License and network with peers on best practices of the industry. A variety of food truck industry businesses will be there including food truck fabricators, suppression system inspections companies, hood cleaning companies, restaurant food and equipment suppliers, commissary operators and more. This is an all-day event complete with presentations, vendor booths, fire safety and food safety courses and time to mingle with attendees and other local jurisdictions.
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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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