I want to use this letter to applaud our Denver community for coming together during a historic crisis and highlight the work folks in our city are doing to help each other. Let me share my gratitude to all of you reading this for those small acts of kindness that accumulate into tremendous impact. By staying home, wearing a mask, looking out for your neighbors, calling a friend, organizing a zoom birthday, and many other acts, you have made a world of difference. These efforts are not unnoticed and will carry our city through this pandemic. We all owe a huge thank you to front line service workers, city employees, and medical workers. Without their sacrifice and courage disruption to our everyday lives would be catastrophic. They truly keep our society running and deserve our continued appreciation and support for commensurate wages and respect - long after this crisis subsides.
To share some of what I have been working on in addition to my regular duties on City Council, I'd like to tell you about the Colorado Sewing Coalition. This is a project that I started with Slavica Park towards the end of March to provide PPE cloth face masks to workers to help stop the spread of COVID-19. We started working out of Highland United Methodist Church in North Denver; obtained loaned/donated sewing machines, donated cotton fabric, minimal funding for personnel, and identified volunteers and sewers to produce face masks locally and distribute them to front line service workers who are required to go to work but may not have adequate protections available in their work space or offered by their employer.
The project employs women who have lost employment due to the pandemic and are not able to access unemployment or stimulus benefits. Soon after we began this project, Governor Polis announced the public health recommendation that everyone wear masks in public places. Soon after that Mayor Hancock announced that masks will be required in certain public places in Denver. We have ramped up production to meet the tremendous demand and received orders for more than 18,000 masks. To date more than 10,000 masks have been delivered. Special thanks to Highland UMC, ARC Thrift, Denver Public Library, Pastor Brad Laurvick, Mile High Behavioral Health, Sheetmetal Workers Union and Denver Tent for mobilizing resources and making this project possible.
Be Safe and Stay Strong Denver!
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To view the latest COVID numbers including new infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in Denver
please click here. To see how Colorado is doing at flattening the curve,
click here.
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Here is a link to the main page of city resources and information for Denver residents to access support services. Additional programs and resources are laid out below.
If you need help but aren't sure where to look, you can start by calling 211 for support services and 311 for city services. Mile High United Way's 2-1-1 Hotline puts you in touch with community resources, including food and childcare assistance. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 to connect with the call center. If you are interested in volunteering, donating goods, or providing services, please
visit this page.
Housing Assistance
Food Insecurity
- Map & information on where to find food banks in Denver
- Volunteers of America Meals on Wheels - to determine if you or someone you know is eligible for Meals on Wheels call: 303-294-0111
- Hunger Free Colorado helps connect people to mobile food services to enroll in SNAP. Their number is (855-855-4626)
- Many grocery stores are offering senior shopping hours, typically first thing in the morning. Call your grocery store and ask when they are offering special hours for seniors.
Loss of Employment
- Denver’s Job Assistance resource page can be found here
- If you are looking for work, there are employers who are hiring. Go to connectingcolorado.com to register.
- Either a layoff or reduction in hours qualifies you for unemployment insurance for up to 26 weeks in Colorado. To file for unemployment, go to ColoradoUI.gov If you don’t have access to a computer or internet, you can file a claim over the phone Monday - Friday, 8AM to 4PM: Denver Metro: 303-318-9000. Spanish Denver Metro: 303-318-9333. Toll-Free: 1-800-388-5515
Small Businesses Assistance
- Denver’s Small Business Emergency Relief program
- Colorado was approved by the Small Business Administration for their emergency loan program. Small businesses can seek individual loans up to $2 million as part of SBA’s emergency loan program. Click here for more information and to apply.
- Support small businesses in our community by continuing to shop local, and if you are financially able, get take-out or delivery from local restaurants — many are offering curbside pick up.
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Did You Fill Out the 2020 Census?
Help our community get the funding it needs for programs and services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, Medicaid, health clinics, education, and much more.
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Temporary Outdoor Expansion Program for Restaurants
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Denver is taking action to help bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic by creating a temporary program for restaurants and bars to operate in outdoor settings adjacent to their businesses. The intent of the program is to allow for greater physical distancing and safety for patrons as the state’s public health orders allow restaurants to resume sit-down service. (Under the state's order, bars cannot yet reopen.) Proposals could include expansion into designated outdoor areas such as adjacent parking lots, streets and sidewalks.
Interested businesses can
submit a proposal for the city to review. Eligible businesses include restaurants, bars, cafes, coffee shops, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distillery pubs, wineries, tasting rooms and other similar places of public accommodation offering food or alcohol beverages for on-premises consumption.
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Green Buildings Ordinance Webinar Series
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Join CPD for a Green Buildings Ordinance webinar series using Microsoft Teams. Use the webinar link next to each item to join. Registration is not required.
Series dates and topics:
Topic: Options and green building requirements for roof replacements and recovers
Topic: Examples of complete submittals for roof replacement and recover projects
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Virtual Energy Code Training Sessions
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In December 2019, Denver adopted a new energy code, which becomes effective July 31, 2020. Learn more about the new International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requirements through a virtual WebEx webinar.
Focused for your needs:
Residents and home designers | June 18 | 9-11 a.m.
Contractors | June 22 | 8-10 a.m.
Mechanical and plumbing engineers | June 23 | 2-4 p.m.
Architects | June 25 | 2-4 p.m.
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DURA Offering Job Opportunities for Contractors
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Many contractors across Colorado have taken a hit as construction projects have stalled and crew sizes have been significantly reduced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) offers housing rehabilitation programs that help low-income homeowners make emergency and necessary repairs to their homes through grants and affordable loans. Over the past few years, DURA has struggled to find enough contractors to work on this unique program, which aims to keep residents — primarily in Denver’s historic neighborhoods — in their homes.
The organization is encouraging contractors to apply to become a DURA-approved vendor to prepare for the backlog of work to be done as projects resume.
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Denver Announces Deployment of $20M in Federal Relief Dollars
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As part of the city's first round of grants, Denver will distribute $6.5 million in economic support to nonprofits and small businesses, the latter of which will receive $4.3 million. These funds are in addition to the existing grants and relief funds provided by Denver’s Office of Economic Development and Opportunity.
Another $6.5 million will go toward housing needs, with $4 million allocated for rent and utility assistance, $1 million reserved for mortgage assistance, and $1.5 million designated for rehousing strategies.
An additional $5 million will be reserved for public health initiatives for businesses, nonprofits and nursing homes. That money also will be used to purchase personal protective equipment and provide “widespread” community testing.
Finally, the city will distribute $2 million for food assistance programs, allocating $1.5 million for food delivery to vulnerable populations and the remaining half-million dollars toward sanitation and PPE for the food delivery programs.
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Fresh Fruits/Veggies from Healthier America’s COVID-19 Fund Coming to Denver
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Denver will be the first deployment city of the COVID-19 Fresh Food Fund, launched by Partnership for a Healthier America, the nonprofit honorarily chaired by former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Through the food fund, which was established April 28 in response to the global pandemic, 600,000 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables will be provided to families in Denver over the next three months.
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Denver Public Library Reopening Survey
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Denver Public Library is asking for customer feedback on a Reopening Survey. The survey will help the library better understand the needs of the community as it works to develop a phased approach to reopening to the public in a way that is safe for both customers and staff.
The survey is available in English, Spanish, Amharic, Arabic and Vietnamese. The survey closes on June 10 at midnight and is available at
denverlibrary.org/survey.
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Apply to be a Member of the Healthy Food for Denver's Kids Commission!
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Through Ordinance 302, the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) Initiative proposed to increase taxes to establish a fund for healthy food and food-based education for Denver’s youth. Funding decisions are being made by the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) Commission, which is made up of non-profit, government, and community member volunteer appointees who meet monthly. There are currently two open seats on the HFDK Commission that will be filled through this application process.
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Summer Youth Employment Program
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Get skills, pay bills! Denver disadvantaged youth ages 14-24, apply now for Denver’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for a great online experience & earn $1,000! SIGN UP NOW:
bit.ly/SYEP2020SIGNUP - or call the DPS Family and Community Engagement Helpline 720-423-3054.
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Important Reminders About Upcoming State Primary Election
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- Make sure you can vote at home. Check your mailing address at GoVoteColorado.gov to confirm the Elections Division has the correct information and sign up to receive notifications about your ballot.
- Make sure your party affiliation is correct. Colorado’s party affiliation deadline for the State Primary is June 1. If you want to change your affiliation, visit GoVoteColorado.gov.
- Check out the interactive sample ballot to learn about the candidates. Visit DenverVotes.org/VoterInfo.
- Ballots begin mailing the week of June 8. Sign up to track your ballot at BallotTRACE.org.
- Return your ballot by 7pm on June 30. There will be 37 drop box locations across the city open 24-hours a day beginning June 8. Or return it by mail: Mail it back by June 22 to ensure it gets to the Elections Division in time. Find the location nearest you by texting VSPC to 5-6003 or visit DenverVotes.org/VoterInfo.
- Voter Service and Polling Centers (VSPCs) open on June 22. In-person voting will be open at the Elections office beginning June 15. To find locations and hours, text VSPC to 5-6003 or visit DenverVotes.org/VoterInfo for locations and hours.
- Beginning June 23, voters can schedule curbside ballot pick up. If you don’t receive a ballot in the mail, you can schedule a time to pick up a ballot at most VSPCs to avoid the need to go into a site.
- Voters with disabilities can vote from home, too. The Elections Division has an accessible vote-at-home option for voters with disabilities. Visit DenverVotes.org/eballot to mark your accessible vote-at-home ballot.
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Have You Noticed the New Art in City Park: Check out Color Field
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Artists Sarah and Joshua Palmeri reimagined the drained lily pond at the historic DeBoer Waterway at Denver’s City Park in
Color Field Denver
. The colorful, immersive art installation with over 6,000 painted stakes is located north of 17th Avenue and south of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
The six uniquely shaped seedbeds of the old lily pond transform into abstract forms of lenticular colors, bringing attention to this underutilized area of City Park. The installation aims to recall the history and beauty of the pond area while building momentum for current plans to restore the historic area.
The artist’s partnered with
City Park Friends and Neighbors
as one of eleven recipients of Denver Arts & Venues 2019-20
P.S. You Are Here
grant, a creative placemaking program that supports collaborative, community-led outdoor projects in Denver’s public spaces.
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Denver Public Art Seeks Qualified Colorado Artist for High Line Canal Underpass Public Art Project
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The City and County of Denver is pleased to announce an open call for a new Public Art commission for the High Line Canal Underpass.
The City of Denver’s Public Art Program seeks to commission a Colorado artist or artist team working with sound and/or light for the High Line Canal Underpass at South Parker Road and East Mississippi Avenue in the Washington Virginia Vale Neighborhood. The budget for this commission is $50,000 and qualifications will be accepted through Monday, June 22, 11:59 p.m.
The goal of the public art commission is to create a sound or light artwork that is safe and fun, providing an unexpected surprise and delight experience for pedestrians and cyclists who travel through the underpass. The light and/or sound component may be installed at the entry or exit points of the underpass, but not run through its interior.
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Denver to Waive Penalty for Late Payment of April Sales, OPT, and Seat Taxes
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The City and County of Denver will continue to waive the 15% penalty for late payment for sales and use, occupational privilege, and seat (facility development admissions) taxes. April taxes are due May 20, 2020. Businesses must still file their return and remit the tax funds within 30 days of the due date. This is the third consecutive month in which the Department of Finance (DOF) has waived the 15% late penalty to provide relief to businesses. Taxes are collected on behalf of the consumer and remitted to the city by businesses and should not be used to supplement business expenses. DOF will evaluate extension of the waiver on a month-by-month basis.
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Denver to Resume Some Parking Enforcement Activities Starting June 1
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Starting June 1, Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) will resume some - but not all - parking enforcement activities that were suspended in March due to the city’s response to COVID-19 and the Stay at Home order. DOTI’s plan to address parking rules and enforcement does not yet recommend a full return to conditions prior to COVID-19. The revised approach to metered parking enforcement supports the turnover of parking spaces and access to businesses that are resuming operations to serve the city’s residents.
Beginning June 1 and until further notice:
- Downtown-area parking meters will be turned on and operational between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. People utilizing a metered parking space downtown must pay the meter and adhere to posted time limits between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. starting June 1. Downtown parking meters will be free of charge from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Parking meters outside of the downtown area will be turned back on and will operate at the price and time limits posted on the meters. People utilizing meters located outside of downtown should pay the meter and adhere to posted time limits.
- Enforcement of time-limited, non-metered parking spaces and residential parking programs will resume. Residents who are eligible for residential parking permits should apply now and can check their eligibility at www.parksmartdenver.com. Existing permit holders are encouraged to renew expired permits. For those who are eligible for residential parking permits but who are unable to provide necessary documentation due to COVID-19, DOTI can issue 90-day temporary permits via an online application.
Beginning July 1 and until further notice:
- Enforcement of posted parking restrictions for street sweeping will resume. Street sweeping keeps dirt and debris out of our air and water and prevents the clogging of storm sewer inlets that creates localized flooding issues. Because dirt/debris gathers primarily in the curb line of the street, DOTI is asking residents to move their cars so that street sweepers can effectively operate.
- Enforcement of 72-hour parking limits will resume. In keeping with the need for residents to move their cars to effectively sweep, Denver will resume its enforcement of the 72-hour parking rule starting July 1. Residents should move vehicles parked in one spot after 72 hours.
Continued Enforcement Activities:
The following enforcement activities are continuing in Denver:
- Fire hydrant zone clear areas (10 ft. clear around hydrants)
- "No Stopping" or "No Parking" zones to promote safety
- Loading zones – Passenger, Truck, Permitted, General, Temporary, etc.
- RTD transit stops
- Special parking permitted spaces, including accessible spaces, CarShare, church zones, fire zones
- Blocked driveways and alleys
- Parking in travel lanes, including bike and transit lanes
- DOTI will continue to suspend enforcement of the following until further notice:
- Large vehicle parking: Until further notice, residents can park trucks and other vehicles more than 22’ in length on the street in non-residential areas
- School bus loading zones: No enforcement will occur until school is back in session.
- Booting: Cars will not be booted until further notice
- Street paving: Amid the economic impacts of COVID-19, DOTI will refrain from issuing citations to people whose cars need to be towed for street paving operations until further notice. Residents are asked to make every attempt to move their cars so that this work can occur. Cars left on the street when work begins will be moved, normally within a two-block radius of where the car was parked. Residents who need help locating their cars can call the city’s non-emergency line at 720-913-2000 for assistance.
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Denver Small Business Relief Fund
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As small businesses experience economic impacts related to COVID-19, Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO), in partnership with Mile High United Way, is making available one-time business stabilization grants up to $7,500 for eligible small businesses.
The program is currently focusing on businesses in industries primarily impacted, including: retail (storefront), restaurant/food industry, personal care (barber shop, nail salon), healthcare & social assistance services (childcare & home health care providers), logistics and small manufacturing. More information on the
Small Business Emergency Fund Relief Program here.
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