CD5-Newsletter-PreHeaderImage.png
CD5-Newsletter-Reversed-MainLogo.png
CD5-Amanda-Sawyer-Newsletter-Headshot.png
CD5-ConnectingPeopleAndGovernment.png

Dear Neighbors,


Summer is in full swing! I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather and taking advantage of all that East Denver has to offer.


At your Council Office, we have been very busy working on solutions to the issues that matter to you. Earlier this month, City Council approved an inclusionary housing ordinance that will create many more deed-restricted, affordable, units in Denver. And next week, my ordinance to exempt diapers, including adult incontinence products, from City sales tax should pass a Council vote. I know the challenges inflation has caused our residents, and I hope that this exemption helps keep a bit more money in your pockets!


Read on for information about just a few of the things happening in our community this month! I hope to see many of you at the annual Hilltop Picnic on July 1st to watch the Glendale fireworks! As always, feel free to reach out if the D5 Team can be of assistance!


Gratefully,


Councilwoman, Amanda Sawyer

District 5

GENERAL INQUIRIES

[email protected]

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

OFFICE HOURS

Our Office Hours remain mostly virtual due to the uptick in COVID cases. Here is the list of our Office Hours this month:


  • Week of June 20th, No Office Hours (Colorado Municipal League Conference)
  • Friday, July 1st, 10:00 AM to Noon
  • Week of, July 4th, No Office Hours (Council closed)
  • Friday, July 15th, Noon to 2 PM


Contact our office to schedule a 20 minute appointment.

District News

CD5-Newsletter_TitleSection_5.png
CD5-Newsletter_CoflaxAve-HeroImage.png


CD5-Newsletter_TitleSection_5.png

6th Ave & S Dayton St Traffic Studies Update


Our traffic studies of 6th Ave and S Dayton St are in full swing. Fehr and Peers, the traffic engineers, have collected data on both the roadways and we've scheduled a public meeting to discuss the data that were collected. All of these meetings will take place on Zoom to accommodate the most people.


Both data collection meetings will be on Tuesday, June 28th. The 6th Ave Data Collection meeting will be from 6 PM to 7 PM and the S Dayton St meeting will be from 7:15 PM to 8:15 PM.


Once the feedback from those meetings is gathered, we will hold two more meetings to discuss the Recommendations that Fehr and Peers suggested, and how the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure plans to implement those changes.


The Recommendations meetings will be held on Tuesday, August 30th. The 6th Ave Recommendations meeting will be from 6 to 7 PM and the S Dayton St meeting will be from 7:15 PM to 8:15 PM.


We hope everyone can attend these meetings and weigh in on the improvements, but we will post each of them to our Facebook page for viewing later as well Sign up to attend our traffic study meetings by clicking the links below.!

6th Ave Data Collection, June 28, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
6th Ave Recommendations, August 30, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
S Dayton St Data Collection, June 28, 7:15 - 8:15 PM
S Dayton St Recommendations, August 30, 7:15 - 8:00 PM

Stoplight at Alameda & Newport Update


The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and Sturgeon construction let us know that the construction of the light at Alameda & Newport will begin in August. They let our office know that they do not anticipate it being complete by the beginning of the school year. 


Our office was hopeful that they would have the crossing complete for school and we are continuing to advocate to expedite the process because of the safety risks posed by crossing Alameda at this intersection. We will keep you updated you as we get more information about the timing of this crucial piece of infrastructure.

Kearney/Krameria Neighborhood Bikeway: 60% Designed Now Open for Comment


The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure needs you to provide feedback on the 60% design for the Kearney/Krameria Neighborhood Bikeway. To participate, view the self-guided meeting presentation and learn how to add comments to the design by going to their website. The comment period is open through June 17, 2022.

 

Please help spread the word by sharing the Kearney/Krameria Neighborhood Bikeway self-guided meeting flyer with your friends and neighbors!

 

How to stay engaged:


 

About the project:


The Denver Moves-Bicycle Plan and the Blueprint Denver Plan recommend that Kearney Street/Krameria Street be a neighborhood bikeway. Neighborhood bikeways are streets with low traffic speeds and volumes that are shared between people biking and driving. Roadway elements are installed that improve safety at intersections, encourage slower vehicle speeds, increase the visibility of people walking and biking, and discourage non-local traffic. Neighborhood bikeways do not have significant impacts to on-street parking.

Robinson Park Playground Update


As you might have read in last month's newsletter, the Parks Department notified our office that the recent results of their Poured-in-Place (PIP) testing showed that some of the new work is not up to City standards. The area under the monkey bar play feature failed and does not provide adequate fall protection. As such, that area of PIP will need to be removed and replaced. Since it is nearly impossible to match PIP mixes, they will remove a semi-circular portion of the blue PIP and replace it with the green PIP that is used elsewhere on site. The latest update is that the work is now slated to begin on June 27.

2.png

Xcel Undergrounding Update - South Hilltop


Crews will be installing new power poles in the alleys between S. Hudson and S. Holly Streets and S. Holly and S. Ivy Streets (from E. Dakota Avenue to E. Virginia Avenue). New underground conduits have been installed under E. Dakota Avenue from Hudson Street to Kearney Street (except for Ivy Street and just west of Kearney Street, which crews will complete in the coming week). These conduits will house the existing overhead electric lines on E. Dakota Avenue when they are moved underground, along with the new street lighting electric lines. Expect one-lane closures in the active work areas along E. Dakota Avenue; construction flaggers will be in place to direct travelers.

 

There will also be utility work in the alley between S. Jersey and S. Jasmine Streets (from E. Dakota Avenue to E. Virginia Avenue). 

 

It is possible that utility interruptions may occur in the process of undergrounding the electric lines. Xcel will work to schedule service disruptions during non-peak hours and restore service as quickly as possible. Impacted properties will be notified in advance. Installation of the underground lines is currently expected to take eight months to complete. The overhead lines will be removed following the switch to the new system later this year. Once Xcel completes the utility undergrounding on E. Dakota Avenue and in the adjacent alley, the City of Denver will mill and repave to provide a clean corridor in the project area.

Establishing East Colfax as Denver's Multicultural Destination


The Fax Partnership is a nonprofit founded in 2004 that supports the East Colfax community. The Fax’s diverse team speaks eight languages in-house, and supports residents and businesses so that they can remain in the community they love.


In 2022, The Fax is leading an effort to establish East Colfax between Monaco and Yosemite as an International District. Similar to Little Tokyo in Los Angeles or South Grand in St. Louis, the International District will create a destination that increases foot traffic, spending and funding for improvements. The visioning phase is taking place now through the end of 2022. Please visit their website to learn more!

1.png

Quince Coffee Shop Under New Management


The Quince Coffee House (formerly Quince Essential Coffee) is open and under new management! If you haven't been there, check it out! They sent us a short shout out that we are happy to share with our residents:


"Quince Coffee House, your neighborhood coffee shop! Under new ownership in 2022. We are a Black, Women, Asian, LGBTQ, and Veteran-owned business located off East Colfax and Quince Street. Denver-roasted coffee, local vendors, and drink specials. We offer room rentals, art and performance space, and monthly community events! Mention The FAX for a half-off discount"

Our Gun Buy Back Program Continues!


In late November, Councilwoman Sawyer and City of Aurora At-Large Councilmember Curtis Gardner announced a Joint Community Gun Buyback Program to help reduce the incidence of gun violence in both cities. Please check out the promotional piece put together by Denver Marketing Services and Denver Channel 8! 


RAWtools, a Colorado Springs-based non-profit organization that works with municipalities and faith-based community partners, will host drive-through gun buyback events on the following dates:


  • July 16, 9 AM to 1 PM
  • August 20, 9 AM to 1 PM
  • September 17, 9 AM to 1 PM
  • October 15, 9 AM to 1 PM


Residents can anonymously turn in firearms for destruction at these voluntary events. Trained volunteers then destroy recovered firearms to ATF standards and convert them into garden tools and jewelry. While we know that individuals participating in criminal activity will not typically turn in their firearms at a buyback event, working to reduce the number of available guns in our communities is part of an overall strategy to address gun violence. Our first four events brought in more than 360 firearms! Email our office at [email protected] if you would like to volunteer!

Slow Down Signs Are Back!


You might have seen them around. By popular demand our neighborhood SLOW DOWN Signs are back! If you would like a sign or signs please email us [email protected] or stay tuned for our next sign distribution event.

Zoning & Hearing Information

CD5-Newsletter_TitleSection_5.png
CD5_ZoningHearingInfo.png

If you are interested in commenting during a hearing, please review the guidelines and FAQs, and sign up to speak here. Sign-up for public comment at a hearing begins 45 minutes prior to the Committee’s scheduled start time and ends 15 minutes before the meeting begins. Click here for information about how to participate virtually.


There are currently three open rezoning requests in District 5. 



Upcoming public hearing*dates are subject to change.


June 20

  • 1450 N Olive St
  • 1895 N Quebec St & 1800 N Oneida St
  • 2534-2623 Larimer St
  • 3015 E Colfax

June 27

  • Expanded Waste Service Proposal

July 4

  • No Council Meeting

July 11

  • 225 E Bayaud Ave
  • 2030 & 2032 Blake St
  • 1305, 1339, & 1365 Osage St & 1520 W 14th Ave

Citywide News

CD5-Newsletter_TitleSection_5.png
CD5-Newsletter_CityWideNews.png
CD5-Newsletter_TitleSection_5.png

Denver International Airport's Meet and Assist Program


Denver International Airport (DEN) shared information about their complimentary Meet & Assist program. DEN prides themselves on customer service and is offering the following services in their Meet & Assist program: 


Departure Assistance (International and Domestic Flights)


  • Concierge greeting of guest(s) at designated point of arrival at DEN
  • Assistance with airline check-in as needed
  • Expedited security screening (when possible)
  • Escort to departure gate

Note: Time permitting, when departing from Concourse B, complimentary access to the DEN Concierge Lounge will be available.


Arrival Assistance (Domestic Flights Only)


  • Concierge greeting of guest(s) at arrival gate
  • Escort from arrival gate to baggage claim
  • Assistance with luggage retrieval
  • Escort to ground transportation, if needed


Connecting Assistance


  • Concierge greeting of guest(s) at arrival gate
  • Escort directly to gate
  • Assistance during any flight cancellations or delays


If you require assistance navigating the airport, or airlines, or need help with your baggage take advantage of this program by heading to the request form here!

Denver Moves Cherry Creek Public Meetings


Denver Moves: Cherry Creek, is a year-long mobility planning project led by Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) involving the Cherry Creek neighborhood and surrounding area. The project will explore improvements to make it safer and more convenient to walk, bicycle, take transit, and drive in and around the area, and will also examine parking, green infrastructure, and curbside uses.

 

Virtual Public Meeting #1: Community Kickoff

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

at bit.ly/dmccpubmtng

Call in #: 720 707 2699

Meeting ID: 880 8850 8224

 

Denver Moves: Cherry Creek will guide how Denver programs, funds, plans, designs, builds, and maintains the transportation network of the area. Throughout this effort, the project team will engage those who work in, live in, and travel through the Cherry Creek area to help develop a robust transportation strategy.

 

Can’t make it on June 21? Below are 3 additional opportunities to provide feedback to the project team:

  • Wednesday, June 22, 2022, 7 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Bike to Work Day on the Cherry Creek Trail (east of S. University, across from Boulder Running Company)
  • Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Coffee Pop-Up @ E. 3rd and Milwaukee Street
  • Saturday, July 9, 2022, 9 a.m. -2 p.m.: Cherry Creek Farmers Market (City of Denver booth), 3000 E. 1st Avenue

Q & A with Denver's District Attorney


The District Attorney's Office has provided us with helpful Q & A's from folks around the city: 


Q: What is the difference between the City Attorney’s Office and the Denver District Attorney’s Office?


A: The DA’s Office prosecutes misdemeanors and felonies while the City Attorney’s Office prosecutes violations of City ordinances such as defacing property, petty theft, shoplifting, assault, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and trespassing. 


If you have a question, send it to us and we might publish the answer! You can also check out the DA's Scam Spotter Newsletters (don't get scammed!) here.

Reverse Emergency Notifications- TS.png

Denver Days Registration is Open!


Denver Days is a program during the first week of August that encourages neighbors to get to know their fellow neighbors by hosting block parties, picnics, and service projects with the focus on small, organic gatherings.


Registration is open for the 2022 Denver Days week! Visit the Denver Days website to register your event. Quick reminder that you will need to seek additional permits for block party street closures and barricades as well as park permits for picnics! Our office is happy 

Denver Municipal Band Is Hiring a New Executive Director


The Denver Municipal Band asked us to share this message with everyone: 


"We wanted each of you to know about the Denver Municipal Band's efforts to hire an Executive Director to guide it toward its second century of service to the Denver Metropolitan community. We have had a great 160 year start and think that the time is right to kickstart the next 40 years. We have worked with a number of you, as well as other supporters and friends, to reach the stage of searching for and hiring the new Executive Director"


You can view their flyer with the requirements and responsibilities here!

Community Events & Meetings

CD5-Newsletter_TitleSection_5.png

Summer of Adventure Kicked Off June 3

DPL’s annual Summer of Adventure for youth kicked off on June 3 this year. Summer of Adventure helps to improve children’s literacy and learning skills through activities, entertainment, and incentives all summer long. 


All youth from birth to 12th grade can participate in the program. Participants can read, make or explore and complete activities in an Adventure Guide to finish the program. Upon completion, participants receive a prize after July 1. This year Summer of Adventure features four free family movie nights under the stars at several Denver parks.

Juneteenth Events

The Juneteenth Music Festival has even more to celebrate this year as Juneteenth has become an official federal and Colorado state holiday!

 

Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival will celebrate this freedom and the black diaspora culture with a parade and a two-day street festival in historic Five Points that will feature music, art, food and activities for all ages.


Juneteenth Parade

  • Sat, June 18, 10 - 11 am on 26th St from Williams to Welton


Juneteenth Music Festival

  • Sat, June 18, 12–8 pm & Sun, June 19, 1–6 pm at 2701 Welton St


Interested in volunteering for this year's event? Find details here.

Walk FOR the Canal Week! June 20-26

Explore the Canal during Walk FOR the Canal Week, June 20-26! Walk, run, roll and/or ride in support of the 71-mile High Line Canal. Set your own challenge or join daily activities to inspire you to move further, connect with others and explore nature. Every dollar raised for Walk FOR the Canal Week helps protect and enhance this beloved recreational and ecological resource! NEW this year: family-friendly events all week long. See the week’s schedule and register today at highlinecanal.org/walk. 

Denver Pride Fest and Parade Return Live and In-Person!

The Denver PrideFest weekend is the culmination of an entire week of celebrating the LGBTQ+ and allied communities in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region!

The weekend kicks off with the Pride 5K on Saturday, June 25 from 9am - noon at the State Capitol.

 

The two-day annual Denver PrideFest event takes place at Civic Center Park on Sat, June 25, 11 am – 7 pm and Sun, June 26, 10 am – 6 pm. The Fest includes over 250 exhibitors, 30 food and beverage vendors and live performances all weekend long.

 

And we can’t forget the colorful floats, marchers and music that make up Denver’s annual PrideFest Parade that will take place on Sun, June 26. The parade steps off at 9:30 am from Cheesman Park, proceeds past more than 100,000 cheering guests that will line 14 blocks of Colfax Avenue and ends at the State Capitol where a rally will feature speakers addressing current LGBTQ+ issues.

 

All the Denver PrideFest activities are produced by The Center on Colfax, the third-oldest LGBTQ+ community center in the country. The Center engages, empowers, enriches and advances the LGBTQ+ community through statewide advocacy and nationally recognized cultural and educational programming. 

Annual Cherry Blossom Festival

The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival will celebrate Japanese heritage and culture on Sat, June 25, 11 am – 6 pm and Sun, June 26, 11 am – 4 pm in Sakura Square.

 

The two-day event features live entertainment, food and drink, a marketplace, demonstrations as well as informational booths highlighting local organizations vital to the Denver Japanese and Japanese American community. The Cherry Blossom Festival is the largest fundraiser for the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and Sakura Foundation.

The Lowry Foundation Presents: An American Music Concert

You're invited to a family-friendly, free pre-July 4th American Music Concert on Thursday, June 30 at 7pm at the historic Eisenhower Chapel (293 Roslyn Street, in Lowry). Performed by members and friends of the Colorado Symphony, this program features a medley of patriotic favorites, pop tunes, selections including ragtime from Gershwin, and a whole lot more. Admission is free but reservations are recommended. Bring your family and friends! Doors will open at 6:15pm. Questions? Please call The Lowry Foundation at (303) 344-0481.

5th Annual Community Picnic - Hilltop Neighborhood Association 

Join the Hilltop Neighborhood Association for their 5th Annual Community Picnic & Concert at Cranmer Park on Friday, July 1st from 6:00pm until the last sparkle of the Glendale Fireworks, visible from our vantage point at the park. 

Registered Neighborhood Organizations

CD5-Newsletter_TitleSection_5.png
CD5-Newsletter_Sundial_HeroImage.png

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.


CD5-Newsletter-Logo.png
Facebook  Instagram  Twitter

View as Webpage