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HEART HEALTH MONTH • Heart Health Always See&page 2 “SPREADING THE WORD” FOR COMMUNIT Y BUSINESSES NEIGHBORHOODS IN DENVER
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FYI/Happenings February is American Heart Month Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices. Make a difference in your community: Spread the word about strategies for preventing heart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives. How can American Heart Month make a difference? We can use this month to raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it — both at home and in the community. Here are just a few ideas: • Encourage families to make small changes, like using spices to season their food instead of salt. • Motivate teachers and administrators to make physical activity a part of the school day. This can help students start good habits early. • Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by speaking out about ways to prevent heart disease. How can I help spread the word? We’ve made it easier for you to make a difference. This toolkit is full of ideas to help you take action today. For example: • Add information about living a heart healthy lifestyle to your newsletter. • Tweet about American Heart Month. • Host a community event to promote heart health, like a group walk
Denver INC Asks for Postponement of Denveright Plan Denver’s Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation Registered Neighborhood Organization members passed a resolution on February 9 to postpone bringing the Denveright plan documents for approval until after the City Council members and Mayor are sworn in, following the upcoming 2019 city elections. INC's position includes not holding the next Council accountable for a plan voted in by prior Council and that the process did not include all neighborhood voices. The sheer volume of the Denveright plan documents has been daunting for most neighborhood organizations and interested citizens to respond to thoroughly and intelligently by City-set deadlines. The documents total more
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or a heart-healthy cooking demonstration. • Take action: Be the cure!External Link: You are leaving healthfinder. gov Join the American Heart Association’s national movement to support healthier communities and healthier lives. https://healthfinder.gov/nho/ februarytoolkit.aspx
Denver Heart Month Activities
During American Heart Month in February 2019, thousands of American Heart Association (AHA) volunteers will raise awareness about heart diseases and stroke, the number one and number five killers of all Americans. American Heart Month, a federally designated event, reminds Americans to focus on their hearts and encourages them to get their families, friends and communities involved. To increase awareness of congenital heart defects during American Heart Month, the AHA will distribute thousands of handmade red baby hats to families of babies born at Colorado hospitals throughout February through the Little Hats, Big Hearts program. Hundreds of volunteers knit or crochet the hats, which symbolize living hearthealthy lives and help raise awareness of congenital heart defects. Last February, the AHA distributed more than 6,500 little red baby hats in Colorado. Stay up to date on all Heart Month and Wear Red Day activities and learn more about heart health and heart disease survivors throughout the month on www.facebook.com/ahadenver than 1000 pages, with over 100 goals, nearly 300 policies and recommendations, and more than 450 strategies addressing development through 2040 as Denver’s population increases. The resolution was passed with over 80% in favor. About INC Established in 1975, Denver INC (Inter Neighborhood Cooperation) is a voluntary, non-profit coalition of representatives from Denver’s registered neighborhood organizations (RNO's), city agencies and others that gather to promote responsible city change and growth for Denver. Membership represents about two-thirds of Denver's households. INC focuses on citizen education/advocacy and fair-balance presentations on issues impacting Denver residents. For more information visit us at www.denverinc.org or contact www.media@denverinc.org
Denver Offers Free B-Cycle Passes Mayor Michael Hancock, Denver Public Works and Denver B-cycle gathered at Denver’s newest B-cycle station at Zuni Street and West 14th Avenue to announce the Mile High City is making 5,280 B-cycle passes available to Denver residents at no charge to encourage new riders and increase mobility choices around the city. The passes are good for unlimited 60-minute rides during the 2019 calendar year. “We’re committed to providing our residents with more transportation choices that are affordable and convenient, and these free passes will help bring more equity to our mobility network,” Mayor Hancock said. “We’re excited to launch 5,280 Free Rides and encourage thousands of Denver residents to get out of their cars and ride a B-cycle.” To ensure that residents who benefit most from the new passes have access to them, Public Works and Denver B-cycle will also be making a concerted effort to get these passes into the hands of Denver’s lowerincome residents by reaching out to organizations that support underserved communities.
The 5,280 Free Rides program supports Mayor Hancock’s Mobility Action Plan to reduce single-occupant vehicle trips and increase the percentage of people who commute by bike, foot and transit. The 5,280 free passes would double the 2,600 Denver residents who currently carry Annual, Annual Plus, Monthly and Flex memberships. Funding for the passes were provided in the Mayor’s 2019 Budget. “We are thrilled to receive the support of the city, specifically Denver Public Works, to encourage use of our shared bicycle system and vastly grow our user base. The city is signaling its dedication to the Mobility Action Plan and the importance of our service in the fabric of urban transportation,” said Denver B-cycle executive director Mike Pletsch. Denver residents can visit B-cycle’s website at https://denver. bcycle.com to claim one of the 5,280 free access passes that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals will be required to show proof of Denver residency. B-cycle’s 89-station system offers riders more than 700 bicycles from City Park to West Denver, from Cherry Creek to RiNo and The Highlands https://denver.bcycle.com
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FYI/Happenings RTD Launches First Autonomous Shuttle The City and County of Denver and the Regional Transportation District have launched their first on-road transit route that uses autonomous vehicles. The pilot project, dubbed 61AV, uses driverless shuttle vehicles on a predetermined circuitous route from the 61st and Pena transit station to the Panasonic and EasyMile offices nearby, making a total of four stops every 15 minutes. The system launched and will run free of charge every weekday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the next few months. The vehicles, made by EasyMile, hold up to 12 people and run at speeds between 12 and 15 miles per hour. While there’s no driver on the shuttle, an “ambassador” will be on board to answer questions and keep an eye on passenger safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Colorado Autonomous Vehicle Task Force have given the 61AV project approval for six months as a way to test the feasibility of using driverless vehicles for public transportation. EasyMile says its autonomous shuttles have been used in 22 countries, carrying more than 320,000 passengers for more than 200,000 miles without any collisions or injuries. For more information on the shuttle and how it works, head over to www.rtd-denver.com/61AV.shtml
RTD to Start Quiet Zones for A Line March 1st The Regional Transportation District (RTD) and the City and County of Denver have reached another milestone on the operation of commuter rail along the University of Colorado A Line. Quiet zones will be established in the Denver section of the line starting March 1. This means that RTD’s commuter rail trains and freight trains along the line will not routinely use their horns when approaching crossings. RTD received approvals from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on a waiver for constant warning times at the nine crossings in Denver. Additionally, the City and County of Denver has filed the Notice of Establishment for quiet zones – the formal process required by the FRA before quiet zones can be implemented. These two actions together pave the way for quiet zones. Successful ongoing collaboration between RTD, Denver Transit Partners (DTP) and the City and County of Denver made this possible. “This news is significant for RTD, Denver metro residents, our riders and partners,” said RTD General Manager and CEO David Genova. “So much effort has gone into getting to
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The EasyMile shuttle will be programmed to make designated stops along pre-determined routes. It runs an average speed of 12 to 15 miles per hour. this point. I want to thank our community for their patience and support and for the collaboration of all of our partners. This is yet another step forward in our effort to be transformative to the Denver metro area, acting as a transportation innovator and mobility integrator.” “We’ve been working with RTD to make sure the A Line enhances our residents’ quality of life by pushing to limit the noise that may be detrimental to those who live, work or stay near the corridor,” said Mayor Michael B. Hancock. “The A Line is an important connector between homes and jobs, education, recreation and more, providing access to equity for these neighborhoods and the residents who live there.” Train operators will continue to use train horns under circumstances that require additional safety precautions. Gates, lights and bells will continue to activate and sound at crossings, as a warning to car and pedestrian traffic at the crossings. RTD, FRA and the City of Aurora continue to work through the process for establishing quiet zones on the two remaining crossings along the University of Colorado A Line located in Aurora. This news comes during a week of progress for RTD on its commuter rail lines. On Wednesday, RTD received approval for extended testing on the G Line that will help the agency certify positive train control (PTC), which is required on commuter rail lines. The G Line was also added to the existing long-term waiver from the FRA for the University of Colorado A Line and B Line. These represent substantial landmarks in the approval process, which includes several additional steps at both the federal and state levels leading up to RTD opening the G Line for service. RTD is the first transit agency in the country to implement PTC from the ground up, which is laying the groundwork for how the transit industry will implement this cutting edge technology moving forward. For additional updates, visit www.rtd-denver.com
Colorado $2.4 Million Federal Grant for 911 Network Upgrade The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on Feb. 1 declared Colorado eligible for up to $2.4 million in funding that will enable the state to upgrade its 911 network. With an additional $1 million in matching funds already approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Colorado’s local Public Safety 911 call centers will be able to fund an 18-month statewide transition to an IP-based core infrastructure, which is the first step toward implementing Next Generation 911 (NG911). A fully deployed NG911 network will allow Colorado’s 911 call centers to accept not only voice calls but also data from 911 callers. The deployment is further expected to make the statewide 911 network more reliable.
PUC staff has been designated the statewide point of contact for administration of the grant. After consultation with local 911 agencies across the state, PUC staff intends to submit a plan to use the funding for the migration of local 911 call centers across the state to an Emergency Services IP-network (ESInet) as the first step of a full NG911 system implementation, and to alleviate some of the recurring costs of the transition, freeing up local funds to be used for replacing and upgrading equipment in the 911 call centers. “This grant, along with the contribution from the Colorado PUC, will be a game changer for Next Generation 911 in Colorado,” said Carl Stephens, Executive Director of the Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority and chair of the PUC’s 911 Advisory Task Force. “It will provide a way for local 911 authorities to get onto a statewide ESInet that some could not afford to do otherwise. While there will still be much to do and finance, this is one mountainous obstacle out of our way.” http://www.dora.colorado.gov/puc
Arts & Venues Accepting Apps for Five Points Jazz Festival Vendors Denver Arts & Venues is pleased to announce that applications are now open for Five Points Jazz Festival vendors. Applications are being accepted for food trucks, food tents, nonprofit booths, corporate booths, artisans, sponsorships and premium vendor spaces. “We are really excited that this year we are incorporating a zero waste goal,” said festival organizer Brooke Dilling, Denver Arts & Venues. “We are
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FYI/Happenings asking that all vendors provide only compostable or recyclable packaging, utensils, plates and cups, and through our waste program, we will be providing trash sorting, recycling and composting.” This year’s Five Points Jazz Festival will take place May 18, 11 a.m.midnight, with vendors on site until 8 p.m. when outdoor programming ends. The 2018 festival featured more than 40 bands on 10 stages. Despite inclement weather, more than 30,000 people attended the event in 2018. amber.fochi@denvergov.org
Degette, Deutch File Bill to Ban High-Capacity Gun Magazines That Hold More Than 10 Rounds Just days before the one-year anniversary of the tragic mass-shooting that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, a group of federal lawmakers is introducing legislation aimed at preventing another similar attack from occurring elsewhere in the U.S. U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), whose Congressional district includes Columbine High School, and Ted Deutch (D-FL), whose district includes Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, introduced legislation today that would ban the sale or transfer of any high-capacity magazine that holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
“It’s past time for Congress to act on commonsense gun safety measures,” DeGette said in introducing the bill, “and one of the most commonsense things we can do, right now, is ban these high-capacity magazines that hold more than ten rounds. There is no legitimate reason for anyone, other than law enforcement, to need a semi-automatic assault rifle with a high-capacity magazine.” One common thread found to unite some of the nation’s most highprofile mass shootings in recent years has been the use of high-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds and enable a shooter to fire dozens of rounds without having to stop and reload. Six-and-a-half years ago, for example, at a crowded movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, a gunman carrying a semi-automatic assault rifle with a high-capacity magazine that held 100 rounds, opened fire and killed one dozen people, and injured dozens more. The shooter responsible for killing 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, and the man who killed 49 people at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando both, similarly, used assault rifles with high-capacity magazines that held 30 rounds of ammunition each. In 1994, the federal government acted to ban the sale or possession of “large capacity ammunition feeding devices” that held more than 10 rounds. That ban, however, expired in 2004 and Congress has not yet passed legislation
3. Reduce drafts: Cold drafts can potentially waste up to 30 percent of your energy use. By placing a rolled bath towel under the door, you can trap in the heat and keep the cold air out. There are also several products available to temporarily seal windows to reduce heat loss through singlepane windows. 4. Replace the filters: For as little as $10 you can replace your central air and heating system filters, resulting in improved efficiency and longevity. Use thick curtains to prevent heat loss through the windows. Curtains with a thermal lining are relatively inexpensive and can retain heat, reducing heat loss up to 10 percent according to the U.S. Department of Energy. However, it’s also beneficial to let sunlight in to naturally warm your home. So, whenever the sun fails to make an appearance in the winter keep those curtains closed. 5. Hardwood floors are a common theme in homes nowadays, but carpet is actually a better option for preventing heat from escaping. Floors account for as much as 10 percent of heat loss. If you have wood floors with gaps and cracks it’ll be beneficial to fill those in. You may also want to use more rugs and blankets to cover the floor and keep your feet warmer in the winter. 6. Lower the thermostat: Make it a habit to lower the heat when you leave your home. Be mindful of the energy you are using when nobody
to reinstate it. The legislation DeGette and Deutch filed today – known as the “Keep Americans Safe Act” – would reinstate the nation’s ban on the sale, transfer or possession of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The legislation, however, would not apply to high-capacity magazines already legally owned before the bill is enacted. It also would not apply to any military or law enforcement officers who use high-capacity magazines in their official capacity.
LEAP Tips to Winterize Homes in Colder Months January, February and March are some of the coldest, snowiest and wettest months in Colorado. Temperatures will fluctuate into the low teens, single digits and even below zero over the next few weeks. LEAP, the low-income energy assistance program, wants to share some helpful tips on how you can keep your home nice and toasty without dropping big bucks on a heating bill. 1. Run fans in reverse: Ceiling fans don’t just help to keep you cool. In fact, by running the fan clockwise you can force the warmer air near the ceiling down, warming the room and cutting your heating costs nearly 10 percent. 2. Lower the hot water temperature: By lowering your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or less, you can cut your water heating costs by 6 to 10 percent, while also reducing the risk of getting burned.
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FYI/Happenings ■ Continued from page 5 is home. Most households spend 50 to 70 percent of their energy budgets on heating and cooling. So, for every degree that you lower your thermostat when you aren’t there you can save one to three percent on your heating bill. 7. Chimneys are also a common place for the outflow of heat. If the chimney is never in use, consider getting it capped by a professional. Otherwise, a removable chimney balloon may be used to prevent excessive heat loss when you don’t have a fire burning. 8. Remove window A/C units: Cool air can sneak through the cracks on any window A/C units. Also, be sure to caulk any gaps or cracks you may have in your windows, doors or walls that may be letting cold air in. www.jkdjane.com
Dairy Block’s Mardi Gras March 2nd & 3rd in LoDo Celebrate Mardi Gras in Mile High style this March at Dairy Block, which is hosting an adults-only Masquerade Bacchanal on Saturday, March 2nd and a family-friendly LoDo Petite Parade & Alley Party on Sunday, March 3rd. Dairy Block Masquerade Bacchanal - Saturday, March 2nd from 8 p.m. - midnight Join us for a sensory-rich evening filled with enticing delights! Held in Dairy Block’s Windsor Ballroom & Alley, this classic, pre-Lenten bacchanal will include live music and unique entertainments created by Denver’s Handsome Little Devils, along with a variety of Louisiana-themed food bites, specialty drinks, giveaways and immersive experiences designed to thrill and
beguile attendees. Don your most flamboyant festival wear and don’t forget this is a masquerade - all guests are required to wear a mask. A limited supply of masks will be available to purchase at the door. Open to attendees age 21 and over, the event is $80 per person. Limited tickets are available at www.dairyblockmardigras.eventbrite.com Dairy Block Petite Parade & Alley Party - Sunday, March 3rd starting at 11 a.m. Mardi Gras is famous for elaborate parades with incredible floats – that’s why Dairy Block is throwing LoDo’s inaugural Petite Parade! Be part of the action by signing up and building your own creative float starting with a shoebox base. The parade will start at 11 a.m. and will travel around Dairy Block led by Denver’s Tivoli Brass Band, comedy anchors Mike & Kiki of the Handsome Little Devils and lots of colorful fun. The parade will be followed by a FREE Dairy Block Alley Party, featuring live entertainment, performers, a kids' mask making station, brass bands and more special surprises. New Orleansstyle food & drink will be available for purchase. Petite Parade float prizes will be awarded for Most Original Float, Best Team Theme, Best Family Float, Funniest Float and more. Individuals and families can enter the parade for free; Denver businesses can register a float for $50. Advanced parade registration is required and can be found at online at www.dairyblock.com/mardigras Mavens of Mardi at The Maven Hotel Make it a staycation with an overnight stay at Dairy Block’s Maven Hotel, which is offering a special
Mavens of Mardi overnight package for the weekend. Priced starting at $219 per night, the package includes an upgrade to one of The Maven’s Balcony Rooms overlooking the Alley, a special amenity of bead necklaces and a gorgeous mask to wear to the Masquerade Bacchanal and complimentary valet parking. Enjoy Sunday’s festivities with a late 1 p.m. checkout! To book, please visit www.themavenhotel.com/specialoffers
Lyft Offers Free Rides to Local Black History Sites During the month of February, Lyft is offering one free ride up to $10 to local Black history museums and heritage centers in Denver. With 33 percent of Lyft drivers in our area identifying with a minority group, Lyft sees the importance of celebrating the diversity that we have right around us. As local riders look for ways to learn more about the many contributions Black culture has made to American history, Lyft is using its platform to bring greater understanding, connection, and support to our very own diverse community. Riders can use BHMDEN19 any time this month for one free ride up to $10 to the following locations: • Black American West Museum & Heritage Center • Stiles African American Heritage Center • Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library megan@cig-pr.com
EFPalooza 2019 EFPalooza 2019 will take place February 21 through February 23, 2019. It kicks off Thursday, February 21 with The Emerging Filmmakers Project at 8:00PM. Film blocks on Friday, February 22 are at 7PM and 9PM. Saturday, February 23 at 1PM, 3 PM, 6PM and 8PM. At The Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo Street in Denver. Tickets are $5 for Thursday, $10 a block or $15 a day. A full Festival Pass is also available for $25. Tickets and more information at www.EFPDenver.com or www.BugTheatre.org
The 2019 EFPalooza Film Schedule:
• Thursday 2/21 at 8:00pm: The February Emerging Filmmakers Project Join us as we kick off the threenight event with the EFP debut of several great short films at the February Emerging Filmmakers Project! • Friday 2/22 at 7:00pm: Comedy Shorts Featuring a collection of hilarious shorts and audience favorites from 2018, the Comedy Shorts block is an annual tradition at EFPalooza and not to be missed! • Friday 2/22 at 9:00pm: Dark, SciFi & Horror Shorts Our Friday night late block features films with a dark, creepy, or scifi element. • Saturday at 1:00pm: A Tribute to Patrick Sheridan A block featuring the work of Patrick Sheridan, longtime host and Executive Director of the Emerging Filmmakers Project. • Saturday at 3:00pm:M Student Films & Colorado Sneak Peek In the first half, check out a sampling of the work being produced by local film students, with films made in classes at Colorado Film School, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the Art Institute of Colorado. Then, in the second half, get a sneak peek at some of the great projects currently in development in Colorado. Featuring sizzle reels, teaser trails, and pilot episodes, this is a great chance to meet the filmmakers who are making the films we’ll see in future festivals! • Saturday at 6:00pm: Experimental & Animated Films Our Experimental & Animated Film block features a collection of experimental and art films, as well as the best animated shorts from Denver’s large and diverse animation community. • Saturday at 8:00pm: Narrative & Documentary Shorts We’ll close out the festival with another block of amazing short documentary and narrative films! Lineup subject to change. www.efpdenver.com www.bugtheatre.org
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FYI/Happenings Free Winter Thrills and Fun at Civic Center Park Nearly 70 athletes from 18 countries will converge in downtown Denver, Feb. 22-24, 2019, for the sixth and final leg of the 2019 UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup season. Plus, there will be a winter festival with family-friendly activities. For the first time in North America, the world’s top men and women ice climbers will compete for glory on a 50-foot-tall wall of sheer ice at the 2019 UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup Finals. Join in the excitement and experience free winter thrills and fun at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. Competition ice climbing combines formidable over-hanging walls of ice with artful technique and sheer power. In the lead discipline, ice climbers require great technique, tactical mastery and nerves of steel to ascend seemingly improbable icy pillars dozens of feet above the ground. The speed discipline is most closely akin to all-out vertical sprint using ice axes and crampons. In 2014, the sport debuted on an exhibition basis at the Sochi Winter Olympics. "Competitive ice climbing is one of the most exciting things I've ever watched; the stamina, skill, and seeming impossibility of it all makes for an outstanding spectator experience. They’re up there doing crazy moves, wielding sharp tools and they hang on forever,” said Phil Powers, American Alpine Club CEO. All weekend long, the park will be transformed into Barbegazi, a free winter festival with fun for all ages, including ax throwing, a huge ice maze, a 300-foot-long fat tire biking course and a snowball target range! Celebrate winter with food trucks, an ice bar and beer garden, and fire pits. Music guest Dragondeer will perform at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The event will be free and open to the public. Festival hours are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. https://www.denver.org/things-todo/fall-winter/winter-festival or https://americanalpineclub.org/iceclimbing-world-cup/
Denver Zoo Breaks Ground on New Animal Hospital Mayor Michael B. Hancock joined Denver Zoo President and CEO Bert Vescolani to break ground on the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital. The new state-of-the-industry hospital will advance the Zoo’s ability to provide exceptional care for more than 3,500 animals who call the Zoo home. The 22,000 square foot facility, funded in part by the Elevate Denver Bond Program, encourages engagement and education, offering visitors an unprecedented look into the veterinary team’s daily work. “This new animal hospital will be a testament to the qualities that have defined Denver Zoo for 123 years— innovation, collaboration and, most importantly, dedication to providing the best possible care for our animals,” Denver Zoo President and CEO Bert Vescolani said. “Our community continues to support the Zoo and all its endeavors, and today was made possible because the people of Denver spoke loud and clear when they overwhelmingly said yes to the Elevate Denver Bond Program in 2017,” Mayor Hancock said. “Culture, conservation and education matter here in Denver, and we’re delivering on the promise we made to our residents with this bond investment in the future Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital.” The new hospital will house a world-class diagnostic laboratory, indoor and outdoor holding and quarantine spaces and state-of-the art treatment rooms and surgery suites. Equipped with the latest technology, the facility will be one of the only animal hospitals in the country with its own CT scanners. Its design includes considerations for noise, views and daylight to ensure animal comfort, and will be built to LEED Gold standards. The veterinary team is currently set up in a temporary hospital onsite, where they will continue to serve over 550 species of animals until 2020, when the new hospital is expected to be complete. Kiki.Turner@DenverGov.org
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Are planning and inviting you to attend a party to Celebrate SPRING, Thank our DENVER NEWS Readers and Share a CRUSH PIZZA + TAP Experience. COMPLIMENTARY food to be served with Beer, Wine and Drink Specials... other Fun Give-Aways! Please check out the full page ad to run starting March 15th in the next DENVER NEWS issue and online on FB / Twitter with all the details...
THURSDAY MARCH 28th - SAVE THE DATE!! See CRUSH PIZZA + TAP ad on page 9
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Arts LoDown
ELEMENTS: National Month of Photography Featuring: Russell Brown Bonny Lhotka Conor King Kevin Hoth Robert Buelteman Jane Fulton Alt Opening Reception: Friday, March 8, 2019 | 5 - 9 PM On view through: Saturday, April 20, 2019
Walker Fine Art 300 West 11th Ave, #A Denver, CO 80204 303.355.8955 www.walkerfineart.com
Be elegant & unique
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one of a kinds made locally Always something for YOUR individual style.
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3rd Friday Artwalk - Feb. 15th Poetry Reading - 5:30-6:30 pm
754 Santa Fe Dr. | 303.446.0117 www.carolmierfashion.com
Kirk Norlin: UpClose
Regular Hours 1-5pm Thur-Sat ~Visit me soon!
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FEBRUARY 2019
Arts& LDoining Down Wining
CRUSH Pizza + Tap Offers Three Pizza Styles and a New Name
Denver Deep Dish has changed its name to CRUSH Pizza + Tap. The Northside pizzeria, which has won awards and loyal fans for its deep dish pies, has expanded its pizza offerings to include a hand-tossed variety and a Sicilian, thick-crust style. And not to fear, the owner, employees, location and great service will remain; only the name and offerings will be expanded. At CRUSH Pizza + Tap, our love of pizza runs deep. Which is why we offer three distinct varieties: Chicago Deep Dish, Hand-tossed and Sicilian All our pizzas start with handcrafted dough, made fresh every day. We incorporate locally-sourced ingredients and sauces perfected in-house after years of practice. Our salads, sandwiches, and award-winning chicken wings are prepared with the same loving care.We also feature 12 beers on tap and more than 40 canned craft beers with an emphasis on local brews. Our bar program includes Colorado spirits and an array of inventive cocktails. Whether you’re craving a thin crust, New York style slice or a sophisticated deep dish pie topped with goat cheese, we’ve got a pie for you.
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FEBRUARY 2019
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Health is Wealth Halt the Assault on Senior Health Care By Thair Phillips At his campaign rallies, President Trump promised to protect Medicare. But now, his administration is quietly embracing drastic changes that could choke off seniors' access to lifesaving treatments. Consider the administration's new guidance for Medicare Advantage, which enables about 20 million Medicare beneficiaries to obtain subsidized health plans from private insurers. The guidance, which took effect this January, allows insurers to force beneficiaries to try older, low-cost medications before they can access more advanced, expensive drugs. This callous practice, known as "step therapy," was previously prohibited in Medicare Advantage because it prevents doctors from prescribing the medicines they feel will work best for each individual. During the months that patients are forced to try older, less effective treatments, their ailments can worsen, causing immense suffering and even premature death. Administration officials have also proposed weakening key patient protections in Medicare Part D, the popular prescription drug benefit used by 44 million Americans. Right now, all Part D plans must cover all medications in six "protected classes" of therapies -- anticonvulsants (epilepsy), antidepressants (mental health), antineoplastics (cancer), antipsychotics (mental health), antiretrovirals (HIV/AIDS), and immunosuppressants (transplants). When it created the Part D program more than a decade ago, Congress specifically protected these classes to ensure that seniors who battle cancer, HIV/AIDS, depression, and other serious diseases would have a full range of treatment options. It also leveled the playing field by ensuring that all the insurance companies that participated
in Part D included medicines associated with expensive diseases in their formulary. But the administration wants to allow Part D plans to stop covering some of the most critical medications in these classes. It's no surprise, then, that many of the top medical organizations in the country, including the National Kidney Foundation, the AIDS Institute, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, have lined up against this proposal. The administration is also pursuing misguided reforms to Medicare Part B, which covers sophisticated treatments, such as gene therapies and advanced biologics, which must be administered by medical professionals in a healthcare facility. One change could slash reimbursements for some doctors who administer these treatments. Cutting payments to doctor's offices and clinics could force many of them to stop treating Medicare patients. The last time authorities substantially cut Part B payments, fully half of community oncologists "reported sending their Medicare patients elsewhere for chemotherapy, primarily to more expensive hospital outpatient infusion centers," according to a survey conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. For more than half a century, Medicare has helped seniors access the care they need and deserve. Our government promised us that the Medicare taxes, which were deducted from our pay checks every payday, would be used to ensure we had acceptable health care when we retired. Up to this point, especially in Medicare Part B and Part D, that promise has been kept. RetireSafe believes the proposed changes described above break that promise our government made to each of us. Thair Phillips is President of RetireSafe. emily@keybridge.biz
When you die by suicide, you don’t end your pain. You transfer it. I lost someone I love to suicide four years ago. My family and I will spend the rest of our lives tortured by her death—and by our inability to prevent it. Nearly 1,200 Coloradans die by suicide each year. This is a crisis, but it’s one we can solve. Join us on Feb. 26 for our first-ever Suicide Prevention Day at the State Capitol. We’ll ask lawmakers to improve services for those at risk. That means making mental health care available and affordable to all Coloradans, instead of forcing half a million of us to go without treatment. It means equipping our schools with the mental health professionals they need. And it means training educators, health care providers and law enforcement personnel to spot early warning signs. Colorado has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. Let’s reduce this tragic death toll—and take the lead in mental health care instead. https://www.mentalhealthcolorado. org
www.lodoangels.org
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Social Security Adds 6 Months to Colorado Disability Process
Suicide Prevention Day
The Social Security Administration (SSA) reinstated the reconsideration step of the disability process in Colorado this month. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claimants will need to prepare for a new, unfamiliar process and 3-6 months added to the wait for their benefits. Out of the 1.8M pending SSDI claims, nearly 130k people are waiting at the Reconsideration level nationwide. This new step means the 66% of applicants who are initially denied benefits have a chance to appeal before requesting a hearing before a judge. However, with the national award rate at this level at only 13%, it’s important for applicants to fully understand the process. Many CO claims examiners and staff haven’t worked on Reconsideration before so challenges & missteps are likely. I’m working with Allsup’s Mike Stein, who has spent years helping workers with disabilities navigate the labyrinthian process for receiving the benefits they’ve earned. He’s wellversed in the do’s and don’ts for applicants, and can share the effects of Reconsideration plus how to maximize their success if applicants get stuck in this new level. shockley@pinkstongroup.com
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FEBRUARY 2019
Animal Matters Meeting Mystery – A Horse Adoption Story At 27-years-old Mystery the horse found himself looking for a new beginning. His owner was no longer able to provide the care necessary for the aging horse and worked with the Harmony Equine Center’s rehoming program – a program designed to help owners who are looking for a safe place to find a new, loving home for their horse, learn more here.
Mystery, like all horses that arrive at our Harmony Equine Center, entered our training program where we determined that, due to his age and his calm temperament, he would best fit into a home that was looking for an easy going, slower paced horse. One who would be ridden casually and with an owner who would understand the additional care he may need due to his older age. This is the part of the
story where we meet our adopter Danielle. The part of the story where it will soon come as no surprise that it’s no mystery why Danielle rushed to Harmony when she saw this handsome horse appear on the adoption page. But, before we crack the case, let’s learn a little more about Danielle and why she was looking to add another horse to her herd. Adopting the right horse Danielle, having had horses as a child, wanted to introduce her own children to the rewards and responsibility of horsemanship and contacted the Harmony Equine Center with the characteristics she was hoping to find in a new equine companion. She knew she wanted an older, gentle horse that would be good for her kids to start riding. When Danielle checked out the horses available for adoption on the website, she stumbled across Mystery. Who (are you ready for this?) she was ecstatic to discover was the first horse she had owned as a child at age 13. A lot had changed in the years since Danielle last saw Mystery. He now requires a special mash diet due to worn and missing teeth and his gait is little slower than before. But none of this discouraged Danielle, she just knew this was meant to be. Having ridden Mystery herself as a child, showing him in the American Quarter Horse Association and the
spiracies that forced them out of town. This dystopian film is, of course, a work of fiction. In real life, there's never been a documented case of animal-to-human transmission of a dog flu virus. They're called subtype H3N8 and subtype H3N2; each name identifies its antigen. But it's important to know that your pooch is vulnerable to the virus, and somewhere under 10 percent of infected dogs die of flurelated complications. Canine influenza is transmitted through droplets that become airborne when a dog breathes, barks, or sneezes. (Cats can catch it from them.) Symptoms include cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and reduced appetite. Treatment will include keeping your dog hydrated and preventing a secondary bacterial infection. So make the flu shot an annual healthy habit for your entire family — one kind for people and one for dogs that spend a lot of time around other animals in boarding or day-care facilities, parks, or dog runs. The vaccine is administered in two doses, three weeks apart. And like its human counterpart, getting it early (September or October) makes sense, but it's never to late.
Stock Show, she was confident he would be a great first horse for her children, completing a circle in what is the most wonderful coincidence of all time. It seems that Mystery and Danielle were meant to meet again, and she reports that he is fitting in perfectly with her family. “He’s been doing great at our property, he is like a big dog and follows us around everywhere.” It’s an adoption story we couldn’t make up, and one that we couldn’t be more pleased to have been a part of. Congratulations to Danielle, her kiddos and of course Mystery for finding each other again. Sometimes things are just meant to be. www.ddfl.org
Dr. Oz: Get Your Dog a Flu Shot Too In Wes Anderson's animated film “Isle of Dogs,” an outbreak of canine influenza rips through the fictional Japanese city of Megasaki. The town's mayor, fearing the virus will spread to humans, banishes all dogs to Trash Island, aka Isle of Dogs. The ultra-smart exiled pups, missing the great meals their owners once provided, eventually find a way to help upend the government con-
Welcome to MaxFund Wellness Center! Affordable & Low Cost Veterinary Care Clinic Hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm; Saturday 8am - 1pm; Closed Sundays • Low Cost, high-quality care • Second Opinion-Affordable Vet Care • Our clinic is for Dogs and Cats • We provide all veterinary services except those that require extensive hospitalization. We provide vaccinations, spay/neuter, heartworm tests, examination and treatment, orthopedic surgery, dental work, blood work, x-rays and therapeutic laser treatment • Patients can use our walk-in clinic or we encourage you to call and make an appointment for exams, preventative services and vaccinations • We look forward to seeing you and your special furry friend(s). Thank you for your support!
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R e a l E state Cocktail Chattables 2.15.2019
Affordability varies by location blended with income potential, job opportunities, weather, quality of life, and many other considerations. The housing market, including each and every sale, UNITING impacts the economy quite significantly according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Take for instance a “median” priced home (not “average” which properties is $500K in Denver). Each sale typically generates 9% of theWITH purchase price including commissions, insurances, bank fees, etc. When you add in furniture, remodeling costs, moving, landscaping, inspections and seller fix-up lives costs, appliances, etc., the total amount averages over $100,000 per house sale for related industries andCONSIDERED other sectorsONE of the OFeconomy. DENVER'S TOP PRODUCERS,
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By Steve Blank, Managing Broker Liv Sotheby’s International Realty in Writer Square To gain a good view of the real estate market (locally and nationally) it is useful to understand certain aspects of the U.S. economy, local economies, and to gauge how Denver compares to other metro areas. Home sales temporarily slowed during the last 4-5 months of 2018. Interest rates rose nearly a point and national home values which had been rising for 4 years (since 2012 in Denver), had softened. CNN Business ran an article last month “Fears of Housing Downtown may have been overblown,” stating the housing market has signs of a bounce back in 2019. Mike Fratantoni, chief economist for the Mortgage Banker Association said that uncertainties about the Gov’t shutdown, Brexit, Wall Street volatility and trade issues have kept the lid on long-term bond yields and mortgage rates. This was evidenced by the Federal Reserve suggesting that it will be patient in raising interest rates. And Realtor.com reported that “it’s expected to remain a relative seller’s market for another 5 years”. Although local and national economies will experience moderate peaks and valleys, expect homes that are reasonably priced and show well to be purchased at a quick pace. Sellers trying to squeeze too much out of their value will make noticeable price reductions…months later. 2018 saw prices rises in all 50 states with Nevada, Idaho, Washington and Utah leading the way with year over year gains eclipsing 10 percent; Alaska was last but in positive territory at 0.2 percent. NYC, LA, and Aspen were among the elite cities boasting mega property sales world-wide. According to brokerage Knight-Frank, each had at least three transactions greater than $25 million during the past 3 years. Projections for the “hottest markets” in 2019 were recently announced by Zillow (the company that can be occasionally or coincidentally correct). Zillow looked at home values and rents predicting areas that will lead the U.S. in 2019. It also considered job opportunities, unemployment rates, and population growth. Ranking is as follows: 1) San Jose 2) Orlando 3) Denver 4) Atlanta 5) Minneapolis 6) San Francisco 7) Dallas 8) Nashville 9) Jacksonville 10) San Diego To appreciate regional economical differences in our country, below is a selected variety of reported information from Zillow.
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FEW PEOPLE KNOW DOWNTOWN DENVER REAL ESTATE BETTER DENA For sellers that have had their property notTHAN sell the past PASTORINI. year or currently remain on the market,As there aretime successful and/or creative to a long resident of Riverfront Park,ideas Dena serves as a broker at LIV Sotheby's International Realty,may working revive and enhance your home to compete on a higher level. They notwith Buyers throughout all ofhaving central Denver. be very expensive ideas , but willSellers help and many of our sellers from their property become “stale” on the market. 720.233.9096 • dena.pastorini@sothebysrealty.com 1) Stage the exterior of your house…people buy the outside first. Paint, landscape, add lighting, clean the windows, make a positive first impression. 2) f you have too much furniture and personal belongings – move out the stuff and/or rearrange the furniture. Hire an appropriate stager. I’ve even helped sellers with providing fresh flowers and housekeeping help. 3) Ask your broker to take you through a couple of the homes you are competing directly against…visual aids may help you position your home more favorably. 1590 Little Raven Street #507 1401 Wewatta Street #PH4 4 Beds • 5 should Baths • 4,071 SF • $3,250,000 Beds • 3 Baths • 2,678 with SF • $2,000,000 4) Marketing – a broker reposition your2listing starting the introductory description. For example, busy people put a premium on “move-in condition” or “move-in and just hang your artwork”. 5) New, “professional” photography! Over 90% of buyers shop first on the Internet. If they pass on your house due to “cell phone” pictures – you have lost them. 6)Keep it in front of Buyers on social media. Make use of video. Use 1590 Little Raven Street #302 1720 Wynkoop Street #212 conventional media; newspapers and magazines, still appeal to those in 3 Beds • 3 Baths • 2,484 SF • $1,400,000 2 Beds • 2 Baths • 2,456 SF • $1,189,000 their 40s to 70s. Be everywhere online!
Speaking of the Internet, did you know that before the World Wide Web existed, people managed to buy and sell homes? Here is a common dilemma with an easy answer - High tech versus High touch. The answer is absolutely use both to the best of your (broker’s) ability. Many brokers rely way too much on automation and have of human com1022 Pearl Street #101 lost the art 2210 Blake Street #402 3 Beds • 3 Baths • 2,771 SFis • $950,000 Beds • 2 Baths • for 1,793the SF • $869,000 munication. No matter how much a home valued; it is2 expensive buyer and very important to the seller. When we brokers understand the real needs and interests of our clients, we are better equipped to meet and exceed their expectations or demands. Now we’re talking “customer service”. Checking out the urban neighborhood map below, seasonal sales for Little Raven Street #904 1143 Auraria Street #204 December we’re down, but1590 prices sold a solid 15% higher than the prior 1 Bed • 2 Baths • 1,260 SF • $650,000 1 Bed • 1 Bath • 1,046 SF • $350,000 year.
Contact Steve Blank, Managing Broker at 303-520-5558
38th Ave
avg psf
median DOM
avg % sold price to list
163 105 -36%
$554,714 $636,443 +15%
$414 $436 +5%
26 34 +31%
97% 95% -2%
Courtesy of John Ludwig, Broker, LIV Sotheby’s International in Writer’s Square 303-601-1792
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Whittier
Five Points
Colfax Ave
Golden Triangle
Cole
Curtis Park
N
Riverfront LoDo Downtown
Broadway
avg price
I - 25
# of sales
RiNo
er Spe
Month Jan 2018 Jan 2019 % change
Federal Blvd.
Sold data gathered per MLS RES and COND databases
Highlands LoHi
Uptown
Capitol Hill
York St.
Sold Price Analysis Stats for Jan 2018 vs Jan 2019
Cheesman Park
FEBRUARY 2019
Real Estate Non-Profit Partner(s) Needed to Purchase, Redevelop Globeville Property The Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) and Denver’s Real Estate Division in the Department of Finance are seeking a non-profit partner(s) to purchase, redevelop and operate a City-owned property with a structure located at 4400 Lincoln Street, which includes a parking lot across the alley, as a viable neighborhood amenity for residents of Globeville and surrounding neighborhoods. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be available beginning Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at 4 p.m., at Denvergov.org/oed. The building is located on the northeast corner of Lincoln Street and 44th Avenue in the Globeville neighborhood. Redevelopment and adaptive reuse of the property must take into account the neighborhood character and the needs of neighborhood residents.
Preferred use for the redeveloped parcel is a multi-purpose communityoriented facility; however, the City will entertain other reasonable proposals for a public facility that positively impacts the neighborhood. Preference will be given to proposals that incorporate some or all of the original building design. Consideration must also be given to the impact of the redeveloped property on neighborhood traffic patterns and logistics such as parking. A tour of the building, followed by a facilitated discussion with the Globeville community and a pre-bid meeting will be held on Monday, February 25, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Garden Place Academy, 4425 Lincoln St. Attendance at the pre-bid meeting is encouraged but not mandatory. Pre-bid meeting materials will be made available at Denvergov.org/ oed after the meeting. Additional information will be detailed in the February 20th RFQ. The deadline to submit RFQ entries is Monday, March 18, 2019. The Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) is dedicated to advancing economic prosperity for the City of Denver, its businesses, neighborhoods and residents. Working with a wide variety of community partners, OED operates to create a local environment that stimulates balanced growth through job creation, business assistance, housing options, neighborhood redevelopment and the development of a skilled workforce. Denver Business Journal
ister. In addition, the revitalized structure -- 62,000 square feet -- became home to 15 lofts situated above the brewery/restaurant. Now called the Wynkoop Mercantile Lofts, few realized it would be part of a dizzying alteration of Denver’s “skid row.” No longer would the streets of Blake, Wazee, Wynkoop and Wewatta be associated with decrepit warehouses but that of upscale Denver lofts and thriving businesses. This section of Lower Downtown “LoDo” would be further re-engineered when Major League Baseball awarded Denver a franchise as part of its expansion in 1991. From 19931994, the Colorado Rockies played their games at the old Mile High Stadium before moving into a brand new LoDo venue, Coors Field. Nightclubs, bars, restaurants, parking lots and shops mushroomed around the stadium, and the evolution of the area continues today. Loft Living Provides Unique Design, Lifestyle From the early 1990s well into the 21st century, the number of Denver lofts have exploded. There are now 60 + buildings in the downtown area offering the ultimate in loft living which typically features an open floor plan, high ceilings, heavy timber, exposed brick or concrete walls, and hardwood flooring. This unique style stems from either the original warehouse design or that of new construction mimicking the pattern. Denver lofts can be found in century-old multi-story converted industrial buildings or in brand-new construction throughout the city’s inner-city neighborhoods. From Little Raven to the Santa Fe Arts District, you’ll see the rebirth of abandoned factories and plants as well as the emergence of modern structures incorporating the spacious, open “look and feel.” Mirroring the enormous selection of lofts in the Mile High City are the demographics of the individuals considering either buying or renting Denver lofts. The market is both young and old, and have a widerange of interests but they share the desire to live in the inner city. Millennials are the group capturing most of the headlines these days as this generation recently overtook their Baby Boomer parents as the largest age demographic cluster in America. Homeownership is important to them as is living close to where they work and play, which make loft living very appealing. Likewise, many Baby Boomers are now downsizing and heading back to Denver in droves. With the multitude of restaurants, cultural and sporting events, parks, and nearby public transportation and health facilities, it’s no wonder the 55 + crowd is a driving force in the purchasing of Denver lofts.
Park Hill Station is a 156-unit affordable housing project at 40th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program A bill that would extend a program that gives tax credits to developers for building affordable housing units passed the Senate Finance Committee. The program, administered by CHFA, has helped create over 4,000 affordable town homes and houses across Colorado and leveraged $465 million in private sector equity into the state. The bill, Senate Bill 7, would reauthorize CHFA tax credits through 2024. The bill is sponsored by senators Jack Tate and Lucia Guzman. "We believe, in our caucus, that everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live," Guzman said at the Tuesday hearing. "With the housing market and homes costing so much, we find more and more people are needing to go into rental places — this work CHAFA has done over the years has provided incredible opportunities for them." Tate said the developers that work with the program do a "really good job" of creating housing that's integrated into the community. The program incentivizes publicprivate partnerships. Developers who qualify for the tax credits undergo "rigorous analysis" and must meet CHFA requirements, according to Jerliynn Martinez, CHFA director of marketing and community relations. They also undergo scrutiny from local planning and review committees. Sugar Creek Capital, one of the investors in the program, has been investing since the first projects were awarded in 2015. Since then, it has supplied about $37.9 million in affordable housing projects in Colorado. "We've gotten to know the market, the developers and CHFA very well," said Maggie Grady, acquisitions manager at Sugar Creek Capital. "This is a great program." Calling the program a "catalyst" in the senate hearing, Grady said that a lot of affordable housing projects
could not have been done without the tax credits. The tax credit has helped leverage $465 million in private sector equity, she said at the hearing. CHFA's low income housing tax credits supported 40 developments and 3,396 affordable units in Colorado in 2016, many of which were in the metro area, according to CHFA's 2016 community report.The original program was authorized for 2001 and 2002. It was reauthorized in 2015 and is set to expire next year, if Senate Bill 7 does not pass. The bill will soon go to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Denver Business Journal
History of Loft Living in Denver Imagine living in an abandoned warehouse. Thousands of people in Denver are doing just that ... and loving every minute of it. It can be argued the gentrification of Denver and its surrounding inner city neighborhoods began with the development of loft living in Denver. Back when multiple viaducts crossed the South Platte River into the rail yards and few people ventured past Larimer Street after dark, it’s hard to imagine the metamorphosis that has taken place in the now LoDo and Ball Park neighborhoods. Populated by vacant and deteriorating buildings, people were ambivalent about driving through the area much less calling it “home.” Late 1980s, 1990s Bring Change to LoDo Serving as a wholesale grocery business in the late 1800s, the innocuous five-story J.S. Brown Mercantile Building was just one of dozens of abandoned warehouses in Lower Downtown. In 1988, the building was transformed into the Wynkoop Brewery Company and listed on the National Historic Reg-
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FEBRUARY 2019
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Real Estate Moving Back to Union Station Neighborhood
Brent Jones, My excitement is building as I begin my move back to the Union Station Neighborhood in March, April or May of this year. I will be one of 310 other units to be closing around the same time, so it’s going to take some patience and planning. The mass influx of an estimated 500 to 600 new people moving into the Coloradan building will not happen overnight. I’m looking forward to my commute to work dropping from an average of 30 minutes a day to a 2-minute walk to the Kentwood City office in front of Union Station. The Union Station neighborhood has changed so much since I first moved downtown to Streetcar Stables Lofts in 1994. I had a stunning 2 story unit with a large deck overlooking the parking lots and Union Station. At that time there was nothing but large tracts of dirt with remnants of rail road tracks and viaduct litter. That same place today is now called River Front or the Commons. Coors field wasn’t yet
opened. I had to drive to King Soopers on Speer or go through metal detectors at Federal and 29th to get my groceries. Not many people were inhabiting the lofts in the historic LODO area with its wonderful repurposed historic buildings. We all know that times have changed as well as prices. I was young back then and thought the astronomical price of $250,000 for a 1627 square foot downtown loft was stretching every bit of my finances. My desire for a yard pulled me out of downtown Denver in October of 1996. I sold my unit for $365,000 or a mind blowing $224 a square foot and thought I had hit gold. Those of us who have lived in the Metro Denver area are aware of the past 26 years of real estate values. The years from 2009 through 2012 were rough but if you were lucky to buy and hold during that time period you have seen some fantastic appreciation. My new abode at the Coloradan will be closing at $630 per square foot with no private outdoor space such as a patio. The unit I once owned at Street Car Stables recently resold for the third time for $950,000 or $584 per square foot. So, you ask what does the future hold for downtown Denver Real Estate and the Union Station neighborhood? I would be making huge amounts of money as a realtor if I only had that elusive crystal ball. With my financial back ground, huge amounts of research, and working with developers, my prediction is that any new construction cur-
The Coloradan at Union Station rently coming out of the ground or in the planning stages, will have to command prices averaging around $1,100 a square foot. This is for large premium complexes with poured stressed concrete and great architectural design. The land prices and cost of construction continue to rise and increasing construction costs show no sign of ending. One good component of these seemingly sky-high future prices is that existing units downtown will also continue to rise as well. The increases in price per square foot will not match the new values but they will follow suit. This is good news for all my new neighbors. I look forward to meeting all of you soon. Brent Jones, Kentwood City Properties/Broker Associate Brent@KentwoodCity.com
New Office of Hope Helping Everyone Office Of Hope - (Housing & Opportunities For People Everywhere) Through the new Office of HOPE, Denver is focused on connecting individuals and families to healthy living, good paying jobs and affordable housing. We are helping Denver residents experiencing homelessness or struggling to make ends meet by strategically leveraging public and private partner programs and resources to provide: • Housing that is affordable across income categories to ensure families and individuals take root in Denver; • Health services, including mental health, addiction and supportive services, to help people rise to the opportunities ahead of them; and • Jobs through workforce training that will help families and people grow their wages and begin to save for their future. Our strategy goes beyond a housing-first approach, and focuses efforts on connecting individuals and families to affordable housing, healthy living and good paying jobs. The new approach
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integrates all three factors to empower people to lead vibrant lives no matter their station in life. Working with our community partners and city agencies, we compiled a list of 30 short-term actions to improve and expand services, which include: The City and County of Denver invests more in affordable housing and homelessness than ever before. The new strategy builds and expands on the considerable work by the city and partners in the areas of housing, job training and health services over the last six years. Housing Passed the first-ever dedicated fund of $150 million over the next 10 years to create or preserve 6,000 affordable homes. By the end of the year, the city will have completed the goal of building, preserving or rehabilitating 3,000 affordable units over five years, a year ahead of schedule. • Passed a local construction defects reform ordinance to spur condo construction and advocated for statewide action. • Supported nearly 1,300 households with down payment assistance through the launch of the Metro Mortgage Assistance Plus Program in 2013. • Housing nearly 250 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in permanent supportive housing by the end of 2017. • Connected nearly 1,500 people to permanent supportive and more stable, long-term housing since the beginning of 2016, which includes but is not limited to: • Nearly 800 housed in the Denver area through the Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement System. • 279 housed through the outreach work of the Denver Street Outreach Collaborative. • Began building two additional shelters that are set to open in 2017 through partnerships with community providers. Health and supportive services Launched the new co-responder program, which pairs mental health professionals with police officers on patrol. Teams have assisted more than 1,300 people and connected 100 percent of them health services, with only 4 percent of contacts resulting in a citation or arrest. Expanded street outreach workers to a 24 hour a day, seven day a week operation to assist homeless individuals at all times of the day. Created Denver Outreach Court, which brings the courtroom to homeless individuals in a safe and familiar location while reducing the amount of time required to resolve warrants and tickets. In just eleven sessions, the court has heard more than 550 cases involving 190 people. 100 percent have successfully completed their cases. www.denvergov.org
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FEBRUARY 2019
Real Estate
Put Down Roots Where everything feels like home.
Our renovation starts this month! Kentwood Real Estate City Properties is completely overhauling the office space with a fresh new look!
Visit us across from Union Station • Open during remodel & construction
Kentwood Real Estate Cherry Creek 215 Saint Paul St #200 Denver, CO 80206
Kentwood Real Estate City Properties 1660 17th St #100 Denver, CO 80202
Kentwood Real Estate Denver Tech Center 4949 S Niagara St #400 Denver, CO 80237
Kentwood Real Estate Northern Properties 2510 E Harmony Rd #202 Fort Collins, CO 80528
Kentwood Commercial Real Estate 1660 17th Street #100 Denver, CO 80202
Kentwood.com
“SPREADING THE WORD” FOR COMMUNIT Y BUSINESSES & NEIGHBORHOODS IN DENVER
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Dee Chirafisi
Your Denver Expert
Selling city and city-close properties for over 20 years!
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Lakehouse
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LoHi
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Wynkoop Residences
Price: $499,000–$3,300,000
Price: $2,150,000
Under Contract
Sales Center 1565 Raleigh #108
3306 Quivas Street
1411 Wynkoop Street #904
Colorado’s first WELL Building on the south shore of Sloan’s Lake.
Stunning single family residence – renovated and transformed into the most spectacular property.
Incredible city views, beautiful finishes, great LoDo location.
www.Lakehouse17.com
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Streetcar Stables Loft
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Edbrooke Lofts
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Ballpark
Coming Soon
Price: $1,074,900
Price: $739,000
1720 Wynkoop Street #403
1450 Wynkoop 1I
2101 Larimer Street, PH 402
Stunning renovation of this historic brick and timber loft.
Historic loft, renovated to perfection with refinement, taste and charm.
Light filled corner penthouse. Custom finishes, awesome location and incredible, city, mountain and Coors Field views!
Dee Chirafisi Residential Expert Cell: 303.881.6312 DeeC@KentwoodCity.com
DenverDee.com 1660 17th Street, Suite 100 | Denver, CO 80202 All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor Kentwood Real Estate shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless.
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“SPREADING THE WORD” FOR COMMUNIT Y BUSINESSES & NEIGHBORHOODS IN DENVER
RETURN TO WEBSITE
–
FEBRUARY 2019