Looking back, and forward, as I depart City Council

My election to Denver City Council was against the odds. I grew up working class without a lot of money. I went to law school on loans and scholarships, but rather than chase a fat law rm salary, I became an organizer holding developers accountable for affordable housing, good jobs and sustainability — but campaigning is expensive. I was juggling a toddler and couldn’t even legally marry my son’s other mom — in a city that had never elected an out LGBT leader.

But Denver embraced me, and reelected me twice. Serving this city has been a gift and a challenge, and I look back with gratitude on all we’ve accomplished together.

My service began with a city budget stuck in the Great Recession. Voters wisely restored nancial stability, and you know the rest: Our sunshine, mountains and amenities welcomed a decade of strong job and population growth that lasted until the pandemic. roughout it all, I focused on ensuring a high quality of life for Denver’s families — good jobs that pay enough to live here, more a ordable housing in inclusive communities that are healthy and sustainable for future generations.

Denver is a city in an America

Other organizations are able to o er experiences and events that are free and open to the general public because of the SCFD’s support. Remember the old Elitch Gardens when it was located in northwest Denver? Today, the original location at 4550 W. 38th Ave. is home to the Historic Elitch eatre, and it is hosting free movie nights — with familyfriendly (PG and PG-13) blockbuster lms — throughout the summer.

So, if you are still unsure what your summer will entail, do some exploring through the SCFD. I guarantee it will help you plan an unforgettable, fun- lled local summer.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Sampling for Hope

GUEST COLUMN

Robin Kniech

that sells land and housing to the highest bidder, making housing a ordability among our greatest challenges — and we started way behind. I was elected to govern a Denver with no housing department, zero dollars in local funding and a state law banning a ordability requirements for the apartments going up everywhere.

Together, we fought and won a transformation in the city’s approach to housing. I led the charge for one-time funding and then for Denver’s rst A ordable Housing Fund in 2016, doubled in 2018. It took eight years to generate the rst $99 million in local housing dollars. anks to development fees, a voter-approved sales tax to reduce homelessness, marijuana and property tax, and more, Denver invested $97 million from these funds in 2023 alonefor home ownership, rental assistance, new a ordable housing and services to transition people out of homelessness. By 2030, they’ll invest nearly $1 billion.

On top of the funding, I championed a change in state law so we can now require a ordability in all new residential development, and passed other policies like a prohibi-

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

CHRISTY STEADMAN Editor csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com tion on discrimination in source of income and more.

We also transformed expectations for job quality with new policies and wage standards. e statewide minimum wage was $7.36 in 2011. In 2019, I led passage of Colorado’s rst, and only, local wage — which goes further than any city in the nation at $17.29. It’s helping Denver live up to our values of racial and gender equity as more Black, Indigenous, people of color and women make up the ranks of service workers, and helps all workers keep up with cost of living.

Denver’s challenges are still great, but as I leave o ce, “basic city services” now include a wider foundation of programs for housing, economic stability and sustainability. Your next elected leaders have critical new tools and can expand and build upon this foundation.

All of this happened because of community partners, supporters (and pressure!) from constituents like you, who helped overcome reluctance and opposition we faced along the way. I will cheer the next generation of leaders on, but your engagement remains important. When the ease of the campaign trail translates to the rough realities of governing, sometimes hard

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation

In recent years, domestic violence incidents and deaths have risen in Colorado, and abusers continue to nd new ways to maintain power and control over their partners. At the same time, Denver’s housing costs have continued to rise while wage growth remains stagnant, resulting in a volatile housing market. is has sparked important conversations about barriers faced by survivors of domestic violence when they try to leave an abusive relationship. Finding safe, a ordable housing is among the biggest of these barriers. Since 2018, SafeHouse Denver has o ered an Extended Stay Program, which provides survivors with rent-free, fully furnished apartments in a safe environment. e program offers independent living and gives survivors extra time to nd longterm housing and other necessary resources for stability.

As a student studying law at the University of Denver and seeking to engage with the community, I was drawn to SafeHouse’s mission, so I’ve been volunteering with them ever since.

SafeHouse holds an annual food tasting fundraiser, called Sampling for Hope, to support the Extended Stay Program and raise awareness. SEE LETTER, P

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Deadline 5 p.m. on the 20th of each month for the following month’s paper.

Fame are hostblockbuster your

Adrian Juarez RESPECT ACADEMY

Future plans: Pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado-Denver.

Quote: “Academically, I’ve learned a lot. But I’ve also learned that mistakes and errors are a part of growth. I learned that giving up is never the answer. We owe it to ourselves and those who support us to try, even if we fail because failure creates a bigger success. e key is to just keep trying.”

DSST: COLE HIGH SCHOOL

Future plans: Major in education at Regis University.

Quote: “ e Class of 2023 is really good on advocating for themselves, not afraid to speak their minds, and one day in the future, they will be seen as role models. If no one believes in you, you need to believe in yourself because at the end of day, you are yourself.”

Valdez

Valdez was born in Craig, Colorado. She moved to Denver in the mid-1960s, and the Bellevue-Hale neighborhood in the mid-1970s. As a professional, Valdez wore many other hats. She retired from a teaching career of more than 20 years with Denver Public Schools in 1990, and served as a part-time teacher at Emily Gri th Technical College until 2014. Valdez also embraced being a landlord and an adventurer of road trips with her daughter, Sherri.

Valdez’s most memorable trait was her amazing ability to connect with students and their families,

Ashley Murphy

DSST: BYERS

Future plans: Attend Tarleton State University in Texas for Division 1 Cheer, major in nursing.

Quote: “ e class of 2023 is special because of how close we have grown as a class, especially because our high school experience has had so many unexpected situations.”

Sophia

DSST: CONSERVATORY GREEN HIGH SCHOOL

Future plans: Attend Colorado College.

Quote: “Besides the hard skills, like the strong academics, I have learned a lot about team work, the soft skills of working with others. I know that these are the skills that will be valuable for both college and lifelong success.”

DSST: BYERS

Future plans: Study Economics at Texas A&M.

Quote: “ e class of 2023 is special because we have developed a voice for ourselves to stand up and advocate for ourselves, and for what we hope to change for the future.”

DSST: COLE HIGH SCHOOL

Future plans: Major in biomedical and mechanical engineering at Colorado State University.

Quote: “People aren’t always going to be by your side, and there are others that will. So at the end of the day, do what you want to do for yourself and not for others.”

Hawa Welongo DENVER SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Future plans: Study integrated nursing at the Community College of Denver.

Quote: “English is not my rst language, so high school taught me to ask for support and join the community to learn the language and grow as a student.”

DSST: CONSERVATORY GREEN HIGH SCHOOL

Future plans: Attend the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.

Quote: “Our Class of 2023, we are the breaking point of diversity and education.

When I was going out and visiting college campuses, I noticed how White the campuses were. Now with our class, so many of us are heading to college and we are making the di erence and change in higher education.” neighbors and her tenants. She would go to the former Annie’s Café on Fridays to visit with friends and neighbors. And Valdez particularly enjoyed meeting newcomers to the neighborhood and keeping in touch with many of the neighbors who moved away.

“It was an honor to know and work with Marvia for over 30 years. Her compelling enthusiasm for the betterment of our neighborhood remains an inspiration,” said Ray Allen, a long-time friend, neighbor and BHNA board member. “Marvia’s passion was to know and help others, and to contribute to our neighborhood. e Lindsley Park Shelter, Marvia’s vision, will keep her memory alive and be a community space to foster friendships among our neighbors.”

FROM PAGE 6 decisions are needed to maintain progress toward expanded access to a ordable housing, economic justice and sustainability.

FROM PAGE 6

As a member of the planning committee since 2019, I’m looking forward to this year’s event. It takes place on June 8 at Mile High Station, 2027 W. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Please join us for deli- cious food, a silent auction and a mission-based program — all to support survivors, who deserve to know that they can feel safe from harm and know that they’re valuable to the world. Tickets can be purchased at https://p2p.onecause.com/samplingforhope2023.

I hope you will support the next generation of leaders as you have me, even if you don’t always agree, as no citywide elected can with every constituent they represent. But you’ve stayed in dialogue with me all the same. ank you for an amazing 12 years.

We hope to see you there!

Misty Schlabaugh Denver

Come meet The Pie Queen of Denver on June 17

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Martin Howard spent years of his life making waves in New York City as a trained executive pastry chef, thrilling locals with his chocolate-made marvels. In 1996, Howard and several of his culinary colleagues participated in a chocolate-themed fundraising bene t where all of the chefs presented a themed tasting table. Howard’s was themed around “ e Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” an Australian drag-themed road comedy from 1994. Howard came in drag as Chocolatina, Queen of the Dessert. She served a dessert in the shape of a highheeled shoe and did a musical baking demo. On that day, Chocolatina Q. Dessert was born.

Later after moving to Denver, Chocolatina became known as e Pie Queen.

“ e Pie Queen started during COVID when we had no work. I started at home, then Epicurean Catering — where I work — let me use their kitchen,” said Chocolatina. “During COVID, people were starved for comfort food and live entertainment. I decided to bring it to their front yard.” e event will also raise funds for e Center on Colfax, a nonpro t that serves the LGBTQ+ community throughout the Rocky Mountain region. e Center on Colfax gives a voice to Colorado’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, and plays a pivotal role in statewide initiatives to reduce harassment and discrimination.

On June 17, join Chocolatina as e Pie Queen of Denver at Pride on South Pearl, a fun- lled local pride event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

“I will be there to provide sweet treats and musical merriment,” e Pie Queen said. e event’s festivities take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Historic South Pearl Street in Denver’s Platt Park neighborhood. It will include food trucks, live music and other entertainment, and much more.

Pride on South Pearl is a family friendly event with activities for people of all ages. Attendees can participate in an educational Pride ag scavenger hunt, prepare for e Center on Colfax’s Denver PrideFest 2023 — which takes place June 24-25 — with tie dying at the Second Star to the Right bookstore, and dance the night away at the DJ Dance Party with DJ Cyn.

“We encourage the community to come dressed for a good time and demonstrate their support for Pride,” said Jody Fidler, event organizer and a South Pearl Street merchant.

Pride-goers can also engage with two of Denver’s most notable drag artists, Alice Glamoure and e Pie Queen herself. Alice Glamoure will be leading Drag Queen Story Time and e Pie Queen will do a song and dance performance and will have her tasty pies for sale.

“I am so excited that the Pie Queen will be singing and dancing during our Pride on South Pearl event,” said Fidler. “I read about her during the pandemic and hired her to entertain friends and bring her delicious pies to two special occasions. Aside from the fact that we bonded over New York roots, the Pie

Indigenous comic and arts festival comes to Denver June 9-11

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Marcos Garibay fondly remembers his grandmother’s ofrenda. It was a traditional ofrenda permanently in the home — his grandmother kept it on her bedroom dresser. e ofrenda was covered with pictures of Catholic gures, dozens of candles and countless colorful plastic owers.

An ofrenda is an ornate altar often found in Catholic, Mexican and Indigenous Mesoamerican cultures. It honors loved ones who have died.

Even as a child, Garibay knew he would one day make his own ofrenda. And now an adult, Garibay has put his own, modern twist on the traditional ofrenda — he has an entire wall in his Denver home dedicated to the memorial. Honoring his mother who he lost at a young age, Garibay’s ofrenda has photos of passed loved ones surrounded by vibrant, colorful frames. Silk and plastic owers also dot the wall and bright lights are strung throughout. He also has framed newspaper clippings that have detailed some of his most tragic losses.

As he grew to further embrace his Indigenous cultural traditions, Garibay cultivated a love for art and creativity. He now dedicates his life to art and to making positive changes within his community as the program director for the Denver-based after school lm production company, Tomorrow Maker Studios.

“Celebrating Indigenous art is very important to me and my work because it’s a way to reclaim and honor something that was lost and taken from me,” Garibay said. “I grew up in a very culturally rich environment, but for the most part, most of the aspects of that culture are things that are a result of Spanish colonization.”

Spanish isn’t the language his ancestors spoke, and Catholicism isn’t the religion they practiced, Garibay said.

“ e architecture people typically associate with Mexico is that of European design, likely constructed out of my ancestors’ demolished buildings,” Garibay said. “Celebrating Indigenous art is one of the few ways that I have left to reclaim this missing piece of my culture.” is June, the McNichols Civic Center Building will be host to an elaborate ofrenda created by Garibay and his creative partner, Adrianna Baez.

“We are using EVA foam, cardboard, real moss, plastic owers, several di erent lights, paint, a few di erent textiles and PVC piping to construct our ofrenda,” said Baez. “ e design work took about a week, and we are hoping to construct it in about two weeks. We have already begun constructing some of the components so that assembly will be easier, and we will have a larger crew to help with construction at the McNichols Civic Center Building.” e ofrenda will be on display June 9-15 and honor the lives of artists and creators who were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Garibay and Baez’s ofrenda is in uenced by Mayan architecture and is topped with a skull inspired by Cizin, the Mayan god of death and earthquakes. In conjunction with Garibay and Baez’s ofrenda, the public is invited to bring photos of people they have recently lost and place them on a community altar. e ofrenda is a part of Denver’s Indigenous comic and art festival called áyA Con, which takes place June 9-11. It is a celebration of indigeneity, hosted by and highlighting North American Indigenous creators. is all-inclusive family-friendly festival features comic creators, bead artists, musicians, digital illustrators, drag ashion performance, designers, Indigenous dancers and more. áyA Con is a collaborative festival with events taking place at several locations in Denver. e ofrenda, art and select performances will take place at the McNichols Civic Center Building. Panels, art making and community booths with interactive activities will take place at the Denver Art Museum. e Levitt Pavilion will also be hosting Rez Metal night, a free concert with a lineup of ve Indigenous heavy metal bands.

“Come to áyA Con to build connections, celebrate the di erences in all cultures and bond over fandoms,” said Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand, one of the organizers for the áyA Con event. “ ere is something for everyone. Our show is very eclectic. We have a wide range of artistic practices, music and stories, all centered around the things we love.”

Garibay and Baez’s áyA Con Ofrenda is also something not-to-miss, Garibay said, adding it’s important to honor the lives of artists and creators because of their artistic struggle.

“ is is something that all true artists can relate to. It’s what connects us. ey will never have a chance to nish the projects they were in the process of bringing to life,” said Garibay. “My hope is that when people see the altar, they will discover some of these amazing artists and look into their body of work. is will allow the artists and their work to continue inspiring the living and lling their lives with beauty.”

Mile High Happenings is a monthly column featuring community events in Denver, highlighting events in the central and central-south neighborhoods covered by the Washington Park Profile and Life on Capitol Hill newspapers.

Event submissions from community members and local organizations are welcome. Submissions should include brief details about the

June and July

Denver Municipal Band: free concerts in the park e Denver Municipal Band is putting on many free concerts in the park throughout Denver this summer. ese are the June and July concerts:

Time: Varies.

Location: Multiple.

Cost: Free.

June 17: Platt Park, 5-6:30 p.m. (DMB Brass Quintet and neighborhood celebration)

July 4: Wash Park Boathouse, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (DMB Brass Quintet & Piano Concert and neighborhood picnic); Washington Park, 7-8:15 p.m. (DMB Concert Band traditional patriotic concert)

July 7: Cheesman Park, 7-8:15 p.m. (DMB Concert Band)

July 8: Southmoor Park, 7:30-8:45 p.m. (DMB Concert Band)

July 9: Levitt Pavilion at Ruby Hill Park, time is TBD (DMB Concert Band)

July 16: Washington Park, 6-8:45 p.m. (Colorado Honor Band and DMB Concert Band)

July 22: Harvey Park, 7:30-8:45 p.m. (DMB Concert Band with neighborhood festival and reworks)

More information/reservations: denvermunicipalband.org

Photo courtesy of the Denver Municipal Band.

Sundays June 4-Aug. 6

City Park Jazz

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Location: Pavilion in City Park, 2001 Steele St., Denver.

Cost: Free.

City Park Jazz is a concert series now in its 37th season. ey are free, family-friendly concerts that feature local musicians performing jazz, blues and salsa. Food trucks will also be available for food purchases. e events are put on by City Park Jazz, a volunteerrun, Denver-based nonpro t. More information/reservations: cityparkjazz.org e 2023 City Park Jazz T-shirt design. Sales bene t City Park event and a photo or event logo. Deadline is the 20th of each month for the event to be listed the following month. Submissions can be emailed to Christy Steadman at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

For more Mile High Happenings, visit lifeoncaphill.com or washparkprofile.com.

May 3-Aug. 27

Molly Brown House Museum: The World isChanging

Time: Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Last entry is at 4 p.m.

Location: Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver.

Cost: Guided tours are $16-$20; Explore On Your Own are $12-$16. Members and children 5 and younger are free. Colorado residents receive $2 o all ticket purchases.

e “ e World is Changing” exhibit at the Molly Brown House Museum explores the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, which the Browns attended. e exhibit includes unique original artifacts from the fair. Margaret at the World’s Fair Guided Tours take place at 1 p.m.

June 9 and 10

Denver Chamber Music Festival

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.

Cost: $30 general admission, $50 for VIP seating and reception. Student dis-

May 18-Aug. 5

MSU Denver’s Center for Visual Art: I Do/We Do/You Do

Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Open until 8 p.m. on First Fridays.

Location: MSU Denver’s Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

Cost: Free.

Jazz. Shirts will be available for purchase at the Board of Directors booth at any of the concerts, while supply lasts. Image courtesy of the City Park Jazz website.

e “I Do/We Do/You Do” exhibition features the work of art educators and their re ections on the intersections of teaching and art making practices. Artists include invited national artists, a collaboration among an art educator research group, and a juried selection of Colorado art teachers.

More information/reservations:

Sundays and ursdays. Coinciding with the exhibit are Under the Lens events, which cost $22 for members and $25 for the general public. ese are: Food at the World’s Fair on June 27, Innovations at the World’s Fair on July 25, and Representation at the Fair on Aug. 22.

More information/reservations: mollybrown.org count tickets are available for $10. These two concerts are part of the Denver Chamber Music Festival’s third season. On June 9, the concert is “Schubertiade,” which will celebrate Franz Schubert. The concert on June 10 will be “Folk Inspirations,” which will feature Gabriel Fauré’s Piano Trio, Béla Bartók’s 1st String Quartet, and Antonín Dvo ák’s Piano Quintet.

Image courtesy of a press release.

More information/reservations: denverchambermusicfestival.org msudenver.edu/cva

KSMoCA, “On Moonless Nights: A collaboration between Chitra Ganesh and students from Martin Luther King Jr. School” 2017. Image courtesy of a press release.

June 11-Oct. 1

Justin Favela: Vistas in Color

Time: Varies.

Location: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St.

Cost: Included with admission.

“Justin Favela: Vistas in Color” is a site-speci c work created for the Denver Botanic Gardens. e oor-to-ceiling desert landscape mural is made of piñata tissue paper and spans the entire ellipse-shaped Bon ls-Stanton Gallery. Inspiration for the mural comes from images of desert landscapes across the U.S. and Mexico, including some from the artist’s own road trips. Favela is a Las Vegasbased Latinx and rst-generation American artist, and has had work exhibited internationally and across the U.S.

More information/reservations: botanicgardens.org

Image: Justin Favela, Valley of Oaxaca, after José María Velasco, 2018. Photo courtesy of the Berman Museum of Art, via press release from the Denver Botanic Gardens.

June 13

June 17-18

City Park Alliance Golf Tournament

Time: 6:15 a.m. registration open, 8 a.m. shotgun start.

Location: City Park Golf Course, 3181 E. 23rd Ave., Denver.

Cost: Begins at $175 for a single registration to $700 for a foursome registration. Sponsorships also available.

is is the third annual year for the City Park Alliance’s Golf Tournament. e City Park Alliance is a nonpro t dedicated to preserving and improving the park. Proceeds from the golf tournament bene t projects in the park, such as upgrades to the Mile-High Loop path, and supporting the First Tee youth program. e event also includes a post-tournament lunch and awards presentation.

More information/reservations: cityparkalliance.golfreg.com

Photo courtesy of Craig Howson.

June 15-19

Historic Denver’s Capitol Crossroads: A Citywide Scavenger Hunt

Time: Varies.

Location: Multiple venues in Denver’ Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Cost: $18 for adults, $12 for children. Member discounts apply. is scavenger hunt provides an opportunity for participants to follow a series of clues to discover and learn more about Denver’s key historic places in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. e scavenger hunt can be done on foot (or bike or roll) as an individual or in a group, but teams of four-to-six people are recommended. e scavenger hunt happens annually, but each year, Historic Denver crafts a new route and new clues.

More information/reservations: historicdenver.org

Image courtesy of Historic Denver via press release.

Juneteenth Music Festival

Time: All day.

Location: Welton Street corridor in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood.

Cost: Free general admission.

Denver’s annual Juneteenth Music Festival is a community event in honor of Juneteenth, the day when the last of the nation’s enslaved people learned of their freedom. e two-day event in Denver o ers a parade, vendor’s market, food and beverages, and lots of live music.

More information/reservations: juneteenthmusicfestival.com Logo courtesy of the Juneteenth Music Festival’s website.

June 22

Summer Solstice Gala 2023: From Action To Nourishment e evening will also have a silent auction, guest speakers and live music. All proceeds bene t Denver Food Rescue and support its mission to produce health equity in Denver neighborhoods. More information/reservations: denverfoodrescue.org Courtesy logo.

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Location: Space Gallery Annex, 95 S. Cherokee St., Denver.

Cost: Starts at $75. is fundraiser event o ers Colorado craft cocktails and tastings by the nest chefs and farmers in the metro area.