District 5 News

Fall Parks Clean Up Day is October 1st

As we continue to prioritize the upkeep of our parks, we want to remind everyone that we host these cleanup events twice a year. Fall Parks Clean Up Day is currently scheduled for October 1st, 2023, barring any unforeseen weather. The rain date is scheduled for the following week. You can sign up for the cleanup by clicking the button below! Once again, a big thank you to everyone in District 5 for your continued support!

Bellevue-Hale and Mayfair ADU Rezoning Proposal

My office is considering putting forward legislation to allow the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) throughout the Bellevue-Hale neighborhood, including western Mayfair.  An ADU is a small, single apartment located at the back of a property separate from the main house, or built adjacent to a main house such as a basement unit with a separate entrance. ADUs are also commonly known as granny-flats, in-law units, casitas, carriage houses or guest houses. 

We have already had several successful single property rezonings to allow ADUs in the Bellevue-Hale and Mayfair neighborhoods. By rezoning the entire neighborhood at once, it would save residents time and money, and create the ability to add to the diversity of housing stock in a District 5 neighborhood. Learn more about this potential rezoning by visiting the Bellevue-Hale and Mayfair ADU website.

Please share your feedback by taking the community survey, which closes September 29. Also be sure to register for our Bellevue-Hale Virtual Town Hall to learn more!

East Colfax Ave. Project Update

September 8, 2023 update:

Next week, work will continue between Pearl and Emerson streets. The typical work schedule on the project will continue to be Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Weekend work will be required at different points throughout the project. This first phase of work, which stretches from Broadway to Emerson Street, should be complete this fall.

When: Work on phases two and six will begin in the coming weeks and will last approximately four months each. Denver Water will make every attempt to complete this phase of the project within the stated timeframe; however, as with any construction project, unforeseen circumstances, such as weather conditions, material shortages and crew availability, may extend the completion of work. Emergency work may also take priority. Working hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., but may vary. Some night or weekend work may be required.

What to Expect:

Before work begins:

• “No parking” signs will be posted in the work area. Street parking will not be available during working hours and vehicles left in the “no parking” zone may be subject to tow.
• Sandbags will be placed on curb grates to prevent mud and debris from entering storm drains.
• Electronic signage will be placed along East Colfax Avenue notifying drivers about upcoming construction.

During construction:

• Lane closures on East Colfax Avenue will occur daily, and commuters should expect delays. Crews will securely store equipment and materials at the work site.
• If we confirm your service line on East Colfax Avenue contains lead, Denver Water will need consent from the property owner to replace it with a copper service line at no cost to the customer or property owner. For those property owners, complete the consent form online by visiting denverwater.org/Consent. After Denver Water has consent from the property owner, we will work with you to find a time to complete this work.
• Water outages will be necessary on this project. Crews will provide a notice with the date and time of the planned water outage on the front door of your property at least 24 hours in advance of the planned water outage. While unlikely, emergency water shut-offs may also occur. Visit denverwater.org/Outage for more information.

Denver Water Cherry Creek North Water Main Replacement

Denver Water has begun the water main replacement project in Cherry Creek North. As Denver Water’s infrastructure reaches the end of its useful life, specific water mains in need of replacement are identified to ensure residents receive a continuous supply of high-quality water.

During this project, workers may also encounter customer-owned water service lines that contain lead. A service line is the pipe that brings water from the water main in the street to the plumbing in your home or building. If Denver Water discovers your service line contains lead, they will need consent from the property owner to replace it with a copper service line at no cost to you. After they have consent from the property owner, they will work with you to find a time to complete this work. For more information, please visit denverwater.org/Lead.

The water Denver Water delivers is lead-free, but lead can get into water as it moves through customer- owned water service lines if those service lines contain lead. In Denver Water’s experience, homes and buildings most likely to have lead service lines are those built before 1951. For more information, contact Denver Water Customer Care at 303-893-2444, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or visit denverwater.org/Pipes. Denver Water will also provide periodic updates throughout the project via the social media platform Nextdoor.

Take the Cherry Creek Curbside Access Plan Survey

The Cherry Creek Curbside Access Plan (CAP) Stakeholder Working Group has been working to develop an on-street parking and curbside plan for a portion of the Cherry Creek neighborhood, focusing on the Business Improvement District (BID) and surrounding residential streets. The SWG includes city staff, representatives from the Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association, Cherry Creek East Association, Cherry Creek North Businesses Improvement District, Cherry Creek Steering Committee, and City Council Districts 5 and 10.

Above is the latest snapshot of the plan, that includes proposed on-street parking and curbside modifications. Our office has sent letters to DOTI staff opposing these proposed changes, and your feedback is essential to informing the final plan. To review the draft plan and recommendations in-depth, please go to www.denvergov.org/curbside and click on “Curbside Access Plans.” Please take a few minutes to review the draft recommendations package and provide online input by Friday, October 6, 2023, at https://bit.ly/CCcap.

Take the 2023 Annual Survey



Each year our office creates and distributes a survey to help us understand how we can best represent you by identifying issues of concern in our community. The information gathered from the survey is invaluable as we plan and prioritize for the next year (and beyond) with your concerns in mind.

If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to complete the survey by clicking the purple button below or following the QR Code below. You can also access it at https://bit.ly/D5AnnualSurvey23

The survey will close on December 31, 2023. If you have any questions or run into any trouble feel free to email us at DenverCouncil5@denvergov.org, or give us a call at 720.337.5555.

Lowry East Park Virtual Community Town Hall

Since July 2019, your Council Office has been working hard to improve neighborhood safety in Lowry East Park by hosting neighborhood safety check-in meetings every six months. These meetings have included stakeholders from the Lowry Community Master Association, Lowry United Neighborhoods, Denver Police Department District 3, Aurora Police Department District 1, Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, and residents.

If this is your first meeting feel free to peruse the previous meetings' minutes, presentations, and videos here. Please join us for our next meeting on October 10 on Zoom or Facebook Live! You can register now by clicking the button to the left or following the instructions below!

LOWRY UNITED NEIGHBORHOODS (LUN) DPS SCHOOL BOARD AT-LARGE CANDIDATE FORUM

Tuesday, October 17

7:00PM to 8:30 PM at Eisenhower Chapel

LUN is hosting the three at-large candidates--Paul Ballenger, Kwame Spearman, and John Youngquist--who are vying for the one open Denver Public Schools at-large position.  Join us for what promises to be a lively discussion and have your questions answered.  Topics to be addressed are school safety, education competence, hiring and keeping great teachers, the role of soft money in campaigns and more. The forum will be moderated by Lowry Neighbor, Todd Neff. Election Day is November 7. 

Denver Moves: Cherry Creek

Denver Moves: Cherry Creek is a city-led planning effort focused on mobility and infrastructure improvements in and around Cherry Creek to make it safer and easier to walk, roll, bicycle, take transit, deliver goods, and drive around the area.

The Denver Moves: Cherry Creek planning effort is entering its third and final outreach phase. Join the Denver Dept. of Transportation & Infrastructure and project team to review proposed high priority projects, including pedestrian crossing improvements, identified with the help of the community over the past year and a half.

Please join us!

FINAL Open House #3

High Priority Mobility Improvement Projects & Enhanced Pedestrian Crossings Final Plan Recommendations

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Bromwell Elementary School – All Purpose Room 2500 E. 4th Avenue

Visit the project website at bit.ly/cherrycreekmoves 

Email: DenverMovesCherryCreek@denvergov.org

Montclair Park Updates

In 2022, the Montclair Park playground faced significant damage as a result of a powerful storm that brought down substantial tree branches. Unfortunately, due to supply chain challenges, the Parks & Recreation department (DPR) experienced a delay of nearly a year in procuring the necessary equipment for replacement. Significant strides have been made and key components of the park infrastructure, for example the slide, having been successfully replaced. However, it's important to note that certain equipment pieces will not be replaced, including the zip line. This decision is tied to the broader vision for the playground's revitalization, which has earned a prioritized status under the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) funding for 2024.



As we move forward, we encourage you to stay engaged and informed. More updates regarding the playground's transformation and the enhancements will be shared as they become available.

Mayfair Park Flooding Updates

Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) would like to provide you with an important update regarding the playground's drainage system at Mayfair Park, which failed earlier this summer. DPR had to excavate the drainage area since the drainage line couldn't be fully cleared with snaking. This has revealed a significant need for on-site repair work to replace and rectify the playground drainage system. Parks & Rec maintenance has cordoned off sections of the playground while their design and construction team is coordinating contractors to carry out the necessary repairs. During this period, regrettably, certain portions of the playground will remain inaccessible. If you have any further inquiries regarding this matter, please feel free to reach out. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

7th Avenue Bikeway Updates

In 2022, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure installed a new bikeway along 7th Avenue, which has had a number of issues. Our office hosted a community meeting on July 20 and has been following up with DOTI regularly on this issue.

In response to community concerns, DOTI recently made changes to the design of the 7th & Williams intersection, as well as removing some bollards and replacing them with lower concrete barriers. Our office is unclear as to whether this is the full extent of the changes, and has been advocating for additional enhancements in this area. We are awaiting further response to our concerns from DOTI, including:

• Have the changes to 7th & Williams made the intersection safer?
• Will more bollards be replaced with the lower cement blocks throughout the bikeway?
• What was the outcome of the Fire Marshal's investigation of the roundabout at 7th & Gilpin?

Most importantly, we ask residents to please report any crashes or incidents to the Denver Police Department so that data on the outcomes of this bikeway can be tracked. Without this information, DOTI does not have hard data to confirm community suspicions that this bikeway has had the opposite effect of creating more accidents than were previously seen along this corridor. Thank you for your help and partnership in advocating for our community by reporting any accidents you see.

13 and 14th Avenue Updates

The Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) has recently completed one-way signage inventory along both 13^th and 14^th Avenues and will be delivering missing signs to the identified streets soon. Denver has also recently recommitted to the Vision Zero project. As part of this commitment, DOTI has installed traffic calming measures at 21 intersections along 13^th and 14^th Avenues, spanning from Broadway to Yosemite Street. By adding paint and posts, they hope to reduce pedestrian crossing distances, making it safer for all of us to navigate these busy areas.

We continue to see significant accidents along this stretch and continue to advocate for our neighborhood safety by requesting additional measures and the budget to implement them. We will keep you updated as these conversations continue. Visit https://bit.ly/VSNZERO for additional information on the City's Vision Zero commitment.

Jackson Street Storm Drain Project

We are excited to announce that the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) has completed the design for the second phase of the Jackson Street Storm Drain Project. This project aims to provide a crucial link between the lower and upper Montclair Basin systems for managing storm water and improving flood mitigation during heavy rainstorms.

Phase 2 of the project will improve capacity to manage storm water flows coming from the upstream portion of the Montclair Basin and under Hale Parkway. It will begin at Jackson Street and E. 14th Avenue, cross under Colorado Boulevard, and proceed along Colorado Boulevard south to E. 13th Avenue, where Phase 2 construction will end.

The actual construction phase, which involves lane closures, excavation work, and associated noise, is expected to commence late this year. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, and we are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. DOTI will provide proactive communication to the surrounding area before and during the construction period. Stay tuned as updates become available.

Bayaud Street Storm Drain Project

A few years ago, DOTI identified the Ellsworth Avenue System as a viable option to tackle drainage issues in Cherry Creek East. Construction on a new drainage system for Ellsworth Avenue began in the summer of 2021, starting from Steele Street and progressing eastward. The project was completed in mid-2022, concluding just east of Cook Street.

DOTI has plans for a future phase, called Ellsworth Ave Ph2 or General Storm-Torreys Peak, which aims to extend the system further east to Garfield Street. This project has been scheduled to receive a budget allocation in 2024. We anticipate the work will commence in the fall of 2024. Currently, city partners are working in the area to move infrastructure in anticipation of this project.

Slow Down Signs Are Back. Pickup event September 20

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. We are having a pickup event September 20 at the Montclair Rec Center from 4-6 PM. Please come down and pick up your slow down sign! Or if you would like a sign or signs email us at denvercouncil5@denvergov.org

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!

Community Spotlight

Andrew Latson

Recreation Supervisor at Montclair Rec. Center for Denver Parks & Recreation

My name is Andrew Latson and I’m the Recreation Supervisor at Montclair Recreation Center. I am from Bossier City, LA. I have been in Denver for almost 6 years now. I have been with Denver Parks and Recreation since 2018. I love being able to make a difference throughout the community through sports and fitness. Parks and Recreation has given me the opportunity to meet and connect with new people that share the same passion that I do.

On October 20^th, Montclair Recreation Center will be having its annual Fall Festival. The event will be from 4pm-8pm. Please join us!

Thank you Andrew for all you do for District 5, and congratulations on your promotion to Montclair Rec Center Supervisor!

Small Business Spotlight

Clark's Market Lowry

We're so excited to welcome Clark's Market to Lowry BoulevardOne! This opening is the culmination of years of community conversations and the fulfillment of a promise to our residents to bring full grocery services to BoulevardOne.

"We’re Open and we can’t wait to welcome you in. A dream that was four years in the making has finally come true for the Clark’s Family. Clark’s Market isn’t your typical grocery store, it’s an experience. From the friendly and knowledgeable team and the quality of the organic produce to the big selection of chef-prepared deli/sushi items daily and unexpectedly fun grocery items throughout the store, Clark’s is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Whether you’re stopping in for a pound of blackberry jalapeno bacon, a scoop of Italian gelato, a made-to-order smoothie from the juice bar or Chilean Sea Bass for an evening entertaining friends, we think you’ll find the experience to be delightfully unexpected.

Open daily 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Full-service seafood counter, meat counter, juice bar, coffee bar, pizza bar and hot/cold deli cases. Fresh Boar’s Head sandwiches made to order daily.

We’d love your feedback. Contact Samantha Johnston at 720-412-4240 or by email at sam@clarksmarket.com. We always love positive Facebook and Google reviews and encourage you to call if anything falls short of your expectations. This is YOUR store and we’re so happy to be in the Lowry neighborhood.

Follow us on Facebook for store updates, recipes and fun foodie information, hiring information and other fun things every day."

Thanks Clark's Market for your amazing groceries and welcome to D5!

Upcoming Rezonings

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 five open re-zonings requests in District 5. 

• 1401 Fairfax St was filed on Feb 16, 2023. The Planning Board hearing is TBD
• 162 & 190 St. Paul St. was filed on submitted on April 4, 2023. Planning Board hearing is TBD
• 325 & 329 Detroit St. was filed on March 31, 2023. The Planning Board hearing was held on July 19th. LUTI meeting occured August 8th. City Council Public Hearing is TBD
• 101 N Adams St. was filed on February 8, 2023. Planning Board hearing is TBD
• Multiple properties along Colfax Ave receiving the DO-8 Overlay was filed on July 14, 2023. Planning Board hearing is on October 18 at 3PM. Planning Board informational update was held September 6th. City Council hearing is TBD

Upcoming public hearings 

*dates are subject to change

September 18

• 325 & 329 N Detroit St
• DURA: 3015 E Colfax Urban Redevelopment Plan

September 25

• 4710 Lincoln St & 4748 Leaf Ct

October 2

• None

October 9

• None

Citywide News

Join us to share your priorities for Denver Parks and Recreation!

What types of improvements would you like to see in Denver Parks? DPR is creating the next 5-year plan for the Parks Legacy Fund, a voter approved 2018 ballot measure that implemented a 0.25% sales tax increase which benefits parks. Would you like to see more urban parks and trails, open space and mountain parks, outdoor adventure, updates to your favorite neighborhood park, or enhanced tree canopy and restored waterways? Let us know your priorities!

RTD's ZERO FARE for Youth

FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2024, YOUTH 19 AND UNDER CAN JUST HOP ON BOARD*

RTD is excited to welcome a future generation of transit users to experience all the benefits at no cost. Zero Fare for Youth is a one-year pilot program that aims to enhance the lives of RTD customers and communities by reducing transportation costs for families. By inviting youth ages 19 and under to ride the bus and train at no cost, we also remove barriers to education and employment, while creating access to destinations across the metro Denver region. If you’re new to our system, check out RTD's How to Ride video.

*What Do I Need to Show When I Ride?

To ride at no cost as part of this program, you must be prepared to show one of the following to the bus operator or fare inspector: current school ID, valid government-issued ID, alien registration/permanent resident card, Military ID/dependent card with DOB, RTD-issued youth special discount card.

Protect Your Car With DenverTrack

We know you're concerned about stolen cars, and our DPD Officers have implemented a solution to help stop car thefts in our city. The DenverTrack program works with the vehicles’ GPS systems to track stolen vehicles in real time. The program requires vehicle owners to preauthorize Denver Police access to the manufacturer's GPS service (e.g., OnStar, etc.) 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.

Participants will be able to receive a DenverTrack sticker for placement on their vehicle. The sticker is a visible deterrent that alerts potential thieves that the vehicle has GPS and will be tracked if stolen.

Protect Your Bike With DPD's 529 Garage

Great news for cyclists in Denver! The city has launched a new digital bicycle registration and tracking platform called 529 Garage. Developed by Project 529, this system replaces the outdated database previously used by the Denver Police Department (DPD).

By signing up on the DPD's website or downloading the 529 Garage app, you can register your bike for free. Simply enter your bike's details, including the serial number, make, model, and color. Already registered? Your information has been transferred to the new system.

As an added bonus, the 529 Garage program offers a tamper-resistant decal called the 529 Shield. It comes with a unique seven-character ID code, acting as a visible deterrent to thieves. Happy cycling and stay safe!

Solid Waste Weekly Compost Rollout Update



The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure will begin phasing in weekly compost service to new customers next month by Solid Waste Collection (SWC) District – starting with SWC District 2, which includes City Park, City Park West, Clayton, Cole, Elyria-Swansea, Five Points, North Capitol Hill, Skyland, Whittier, and parts of Globeville.  

The next area to receive weekly compost service before the end of the year is SWC District 4, which includes Montbello, Gateway, and Green Valley Ranch. The department is prioritizing neighborhoods with lower diversion rates in its rollout, with SWC Districts 5 and 8 next in line in 2024 and is developing a rollout schedule for the remaining districts. 

Compost services in Council District 5 are expected to roll out in 2024. Currently, no action is needed from residents, and you'll continue to receive the Phased Service Roll-out Credit on your invoice until DOTI delivers their green cart. Existing compost customers will not see any changes in their service while DOTIs expand compost collections. Residents who want to get started early or who have extra yard debris can utilize Denver's free Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-Off center. 

The DA's September Scam Spotter

Let's dive into the latest scam spotter tips:

Back to School Scams:

Shopping rush has started, but watch out for scams disguised as unbelievable deals on tech supplies and more.

Signs of a scam:

• Prices too good to be true
• Freebies & shopping sprees
• Suspicious social media ads

Stay safe:

• Stick to trusted brands' websites
• Avoid tempting but unrealistic deals
• Skip social media ad clicks, go to the official site

Community Events & Meetings

2023 Latino Community Service Awards

Kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating Latino leaders in Denver! The Denver Public Library will hold its 21st annual Latino Community Service Awards on September 16.

The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. and is free and open to the public. This year’s celebration will take place at the Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library, located at 1498 Irving St. Join in the celebration and enjoy entertainment and refreshments.

The awards began in 2002 and were one of the first of its kind to honor Latino leaders in the Denver area

Denver Beer Week

September 15th - 23rd

Enjoy nine days of all things beer during Denver Beer Week. Head to The Mile High City for tap takeovers, rare beer tappings, meet the brewer events, beer and food pairings, plus much, much more. Want to experience the best of the city's craft brewery scene? Explore the Denver Beer Trail where you'll find a diverse range of brews broken down by neighborhood. 

Visit DenverBeerWeek.com for more info

Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum FREE Day

Thursday September 28, 2023

10 AM - 5PM

Embark on a thrilling journey as Wings Air & Space Museum opens its doors for an unforgettable SCFD FREE Day! Prepare to be awed and inspired as you explore the wonders of aviation and space exploration up close.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science FREE Day

Monday, September 18

Satisfy your science curiosity during our SCFD Free Days and Free Nights. No need to reserve your Free Day or Free Night ticket ahead of time online. Walk up anytime during Free Days or Free Nights and gain access to the Wildlife Halls or our permanent exhibitions. A separate ticket is required if you'd like to visit the planetarium or our brand-new Infinity Theater.

Registered Neighborhood Organizations

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.

• Bellevue-Hale Neighborhood Association
• Cherry Creek East Association
• Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association
• Country Club Historic Neighborhood Inc.
• Crestmoor Park (2nd Filing) Homes Association
• Crestmoor Park Neighborhood Association
• Driving Park Historic District
• Hilltop Neighborhood Association
• Historic Montclair Community Association, Inc.
• Lowry Community Master Association
• Lowry United Neighborhoods
• Mayfair Neighbors, Inc.
• Mayfair Park Neighborhood Association
• Park Forest Homeowners Association
• Preservation of Residential South Hilltop Neighborhood Association
• Rangeview Neighborhood Association
• Seventh Avenue Neighborhood Association
• South Hilltop Neighborhood Association
• Windsor Gardens Association
• Winston Downs Community Association

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