Issuu

WashParkProfile.com

NOVEMBER 2021

FREE

Digital and print community newspaper founded in 1978.

A BAKED SURPRISE AT YOUR DOORSTEP Bread Club offers Denverites delivery of fresh baked goods

BLUE ANGELS AND LEAP FROGS Denver was one of 13 cities to host a 2021 Navy Week

P12

‘LIFE ON THE GROCERY LINE’ SAVING AFRICAN WILDLIFE Running Wild race takes place virtually through Dec. 1

Denver author pens debut novel

P14

2 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

Business Matters Christy Steadman | csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Business Matters is a monthly column featuring business news in the Life on Capitol Hill and Washington Park Profile coverage areas, which is roughly central and central-south Denver. If you are a local business that would like to announce any updates to your operations, email Christy Steadman at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

NEW OPENINGS La Bouche A new wine bar in Denver hosted its grand opening on Sept. 30. La Bouche is a French-American experience located at 1100 E. 17th Ave., which borders Uptown and the City Park West neighborhood. Along with an extensive wine list, the establishment features specialty cocktails, nonalcoholic specialty beverages and a food menu with a selection of salads, sandwiches, desserts and more. To learn more about La Bouche, visit https://labouche.wine/. TrashHawk Tavern TrashHawk Tavern opened on Oct. 18 at 1539 S. Broadway in Denver’s Overland neighborhood. The space was formerly occupied by Alternation Brewing Company, which, according to its Facebook page, closed in October 2020. The new drinking spot will serve the area as a neighborhood bar, with its beverage menu boasting beer and liquor shot combos and some specialty drinks. Though beer on draft is not available at the bar

quite yet, TrashHawk Tavern offers a selection of commercial beers, such as Pabst Blue Ribbon and Coors, and craft beer from Denver’s Ratio Beerworks and Station 26. Food will offered through various food trucks. To learn more about TrashHawk Tavern, visit www.trashhawktavern.com.

CLOSINGS TAG Burger Bar TAG Burger Bar, 1222 Madison St. in Denver’s Congress Park neighborhood, has closed. Owner Troy Guard made the announcement on the restaurant’s Facebook page: “Thank you for your friendship the past 11 years, it has been the most incredible ride!” Though TAG Burger has closed, Guard encouraged its patrons to visit any of the sister restaurants, which offer a variety of concepts and are located throughout the city: Tiny Giant Sushi in LoDo; Guard and Grace, a steakhouse downtown; HashTAG, a breakfast spot in Central Park; Los Chingones Mexican restaurant, which has multiple locations; FNG, a rock-and-roll themed neighborhood restaurant in West Highland; and Grange Hall in Greenwood Village, which has a few Troy Guard concepts included in its food stall options.

MILESTONES Adornments Adornments, a women’s clothing and accessory boutique located at 2826 E. Third Ave. in Cherry Creek North, celebrated its

25th anniversary in October. The shop offers a wide variety of colors and textures, and proudly represents a great selection of clothing and accessories by American women designers, as well as Canadian and European designers. Adornments’ current owner Consuelo Diaz bought the store in October 2019 when the former owner retired and moved out-of-state to be closer to family. To learn more about Adornments, visit www.adornmentsdenver.com. Pete’s University Park Café Pete’s University Park Café, 2345 E. Evans Ave., celebrated its 25th anniversary in October. The café is one of six local-and-familyowned restaurant concepts. Four of them have re-opened following 2020’s COVID-19 shutdowns. Pete’s Restaurants got their start by the late Pete Contos back in 1962 when he opened Pete’s Satire Lounge, 1920 E. Colfax Ave. in Cheesman Park. Next to come was Pete’s Kitchen, 1962 E. Colfax Ave., also in Cheesman Park, which opened December of 1988. Pete’s University Park Café opened in 1996, and Pete’s Central One, 300 S. Pearl St. in West Washington Park, opened February of 1998. To learn more about the restaurants, visit www.petesrestaurants.com. SAME Café SAME Café, 2023 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood, celebrated its 15-year anniversary in October. SAME — So Everybody May Eat — Café

is a nonprofit, “donation-based, fair exchange restaurant that serves healthy food to everyone, regardless of ability to pay,” states its website. The restaurant does not have a set menu, but its daily offerings will include two options of soup, salad and pizza, made inhouse with mostly-local, organic food. SAME Café does not have set prices for its menu items. Customers may either make a donation for their meal, or participate in the community — volunteering or giving produce, for example — in exchange for the meal. “Our philosophy is that everyone, regardless of economic status, deserves the chance to eat healthy food while being treated with dignity,” states the café’s website. SAME Café also offers its Cook to Work program free of charge to students to learn the basic culinary skills necessary for an entry-level position in a restaurant or commercial kitchen. SAME Café got its start by Brad and Libby Birky, who had experience in fighting hunger through volunteering at soup kitchens and food banks. To learn more about SAME Café or to learn about volunteering with the organization, visit www.soallmayeat.org. So Many Roads Museum and Brewery The So Many Roads Museum and Brewery celebrated its one-year anniversary in October. So Many Roads, 918 W. First Ave. in SEE BUSINESS, P3

A CHRISTMAS CAROL The 2018 company of A Christmas Carol. Photo by Adams VisCom

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED RETURN OF DENVER’S HOLIDAY TRADITION

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens Adapted by Richard Hellesen Music by David de Berry Directed by Melissa Rain Anderson Spotlight Sponsors: Robert and Judi Newman

NOV 19 – DEC 26

WOLF THEATRE

TICKETS START AT $30

DENVERCENTER.ORG SEASON SPONSOR

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Washington Park Profile 3

November 1, 2021

Seasonal LeafDrop program underway Staff report Denver residents are invited to drop off their leaves for free through Denver Recycles’ seasonal LeafDrop program. The leaves dropped off are turned into compost, which is made available at a discounted price to Denver residents at the Mulch Giveaway & Compost Sale each May. Weekday drop sites are open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday until Dec. 3. Weekday drop site locations are: Central Platte Campus: 1271 W. Bayaud Ave., 80223, Valverde neighborhood Cherry Creek Transfer Station: 7301 E. Jewell Ave., 80231, Indian Creek neighborhood Havana Nursery: 10450 Smith Road, 80239, Central Park neighborhood Weekend drop sites are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until Nov. 14. Weekend drop site locations are:

Bruce Randolph High School: 3955 Steele St., 80205, Clayton neighborhood Cherry Creek Transfer Station: 7301 E. Jewell Ave., 80231, Indian Creek neighborhood Kennedy High School: 2855 S. Lamar St., 80227, Bear Valley neighborhood Sloan’s Lake Park: 1700 N. Sheridan Blvd., 80212, Sloan Lake neighborhood Veterans Park: 2100 E. Iowa Ave., 80210, Washington Park neighborhood Leaves brought to the Havana and Central Platte Campus sites must be in bags. Residents are encouraged to use brown paper bags because they can be composted along with the leaves. These paper leaf bags can be purchased at local hardware stores, but it is suggested to call ahead to confirm they are in stock. Residents unable to get paper leaf bags, may bring their leaves in plastic bags. To learn more about Denver’s LeafDrop Program, visit denvergov.org/leafdrop.

Youths are invited to enter Space Foundation’s art contest Staff report The Space Foundation is inviting art students to enter the 12th annual International Student Art Contest. Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center is a Colorado Springs based nonprofit that offers “a gateway to information, education and collaboration for space exploration and space-inspired industries that define the global space ecosystem,” states its website. The art contest encourages youth “to use their creative gifts and curiosity to explore the wonders of space and the exciting possibilities in science, technology, engineer-

Business FROM PAGE 2

Denver’s Baker neighborhood, is a local hangout for people to enjoy all things Grateful Dead — and some other iconic musicians and bands. The venue boasts a stage for live music, a bar and gaming room, a patio and various merchandise for purchase, such as vintage-and-reprint t-shirts and other collectables. The museum portion is one of the largest public displays of Grateful Dead art. Prior to opening last year, So Many

ing and mathematic fields. The contest provides a chance for students to showcase their talents, and presents an opportunity for parents, teachers and communities to spark a love of STEM in young people through the lens of space,” states a news release. “The moon has been a muse to Earth’s artists and scientists for thousands of years, but today’s students may have the chance to even walk on it,” said Dr. Max Polyakov in a news release. Polyakov is the founder of Noosphere Venture Partners, an international asset management firm that is cosponsoring the art contest. “We dedicate this year’s contest to all the opportunities provided by Moon exploration and hope

to inspire them (youth) to plant their own flags on the Earth’s only natural satellite.” There is no cost to enter the contest and any student between the ages of 3 and 18 are eligible. The 2022 International Student Art Contest theme is “Living, Working and Playing on the Moon.” Entries must be original, space-oriented artwork, and can be a drawing, painting, mixed media or digital work. There will be 25 winners — a first, second and third place for each of eight age categories. One artist will receive the Space Foundation Achievement Award. Winning artwork will be displayed and shared worldwide, through contest websites and various social media platforms, as

well as at the Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center and at the 37th Space Symposium which will take place April 4-7, 2022, in Colorado Springs. Deadline to submit entries is noon, Universal Time, on Jan. 19, 2022. Artwork must be submitted online by the student’s teacher, parent or legal guardian who is age 18 or older. To learn more about the Space Foundation, visit www.spacefoundation.org. To learn more about its Discovery Center, visit www.discoverspace.org. For more information on the 2022 International Student Art Contest or to submit entries, visit https://art.spacefoundation. org/.

Roads’ owner Tyler Bishop recruited Jay Bianchi —known for opening many local venues including Sancho’s Broken Arrow, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom and the former Quixote’s True Blue — to serve as So Many Roads’ curator. So Many Roads got its brewery component up-and-running in October, currently featuring its Garcia Celebration IPA and Sancho’s Broken Arrow Ale. To learn more about So Many Roads, visit www.somanyroadsbrewery.com.

RiNo in March of this year moved to Congress Park, inside the Goosetown Tavern at 3242 E. Colfax Ave., in early October. Open’s sandwiches are chef-inspired and named after the Denver chef who created it. The Lee, for example, is a Sichuan braised beef sandwich and named after restaurateur Tommy Lee, who is the chef/ owner of Uncle and Hop Alley. Though Open specializes in sandwiches, it also offers various appetizers, salads, sides and desserts. The sandwiches go for $15 each, and $1 of that goes to charity, according to Open’s Facebook page. To learn more about Open, visit www. opendenco.com.

The Amaranth Mile High CRE, an online commercial development news publication, reported that The Amaranth, a luxury apartment building that overlooks the Denver Botanic Gardens and Cheesman Park, has sold for $90.53 million. The multifamily property, which was built in July 2015 by MGL Partners, consists of 156-units and is located at 2190 E. 11th Ave. It was purchased by Griffis Residential, a multifamily real estate investment company that owns and manages properties in Colorado, Texas, California, Oregon and Washington, according to its website. To learn more about The Amaranth, visit www.amaranthdenver.com.

MISCELLANEOUS Open A sandwich shop that got its start in

Full Service Veterinary Care in the Comfort of Your Home Serving metro Denver since 1985 Dr. Sherri Folkestad • DVM (Sherri Somerville)

303-904-1989 | www.housecallvetservice.com

4 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

The University of Denver has purchased 724 acres of land in Larimer County to serve as a mountain campus. DU alumnus James C. Kennedy gifted $26 million to purchase the property for DU to use it for year-round programming for students and faculty. COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

DU gets largest-ever alumni gift for new mountain campus University hopes to have students on the campus by 2022 By Jenny Brundin, CPR News

Starting as early as next year, University of Denver students will get the chance to learn, grow and experience Colorado’s wilderness on a new mountain campus two hours northwest of Denver. The private institution announced on Oct. 5 that it has purchased 724 acres of land in Larimer County, adjacent to Roosevelt National Forest. The new James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus is named after DU alumnus Kennedy, who donated $26 million to purchase the land and run year-round programming for all students and faculty. Kennedy is chairman of the board of Cox Enterprises, one of the largest TV cable providers in the United States. In the late 1970s, Kennedy was named the publisher

of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel before becoming chairman of the board at Cox, a company his grandfather started. Forbes puts Kennedy’s net worth at over $9 billion. The centerpiece of the DU mountain campus project will be a week-long immersive experience for all incoming freshmen and transfer students early in their first year. The rest of the year it will be used for faculty-led research projects for students interested in sustainability and the environmental sciences or ethics and diversity, equity and inclusion — or outdoor experiences and leadership building for staff. “By the time they graduate, every DU undergraduate and graduate student will have had the opportunity to learn and grow at this remarkable place,” said DU Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. He said some projects may include working with mountain communities. The 8,000 foot-elevation property was formerly the Magic Sky Ranch, land owned and used

by the Girl Scouts of Colorado primarily as a summer camp. That organization will continue to lease a portion of the site for its camps for six weeks each summer. DU officials said they spent 18 months looking for a location for the campus and considered more than 40 sites before settling on the ranch outside of Red Feather Lakes. They paid $11.25 million for it, according to a DU press release. In addition to purchasing the land, DU says it commissioned an archeological study that revealed Indigenous people lived on the land there at least 9,000 years ago. It also revealed an Indigenous burial site there dating to that period. The university says it is working with experts and Indigenous partners to further study the site and monitor cultural impacts on the land as it further develops and builds. The university plans to build freshman orientation programming inspired by Colorado Outward Bound, focusing on team-building and leadership

skills through rock climbing, ropes courses, hiking and other outdoor activities. DU says it hopes to have students on the campus by 2022. The experiences tie in with the university’s adoption of the “four-dimensional experience” — a structure for teaching to the whole student in four areas, which are: advancing intellectual growth, preparing for careers and lives of purpose, promoting well-being and exploring character. “It’s in those last two dimensions where we feel strongly that the mountain campus can really accelerate the development of our students — get them excited about thinking about their wellness, and also get them reflecting on their character,” Haefner said. DU officials say the new campus will be funded entirely through philanthropy and will not add additional fees or costs to students and their families. They said they hope to raise another $20 million to support the mountain campus in the coming years. The university described Ken-

nedy as an avid outdoorsman with a long-held commitment to conservation, sustainability and education. He graduated with a degree in business administration from DU and previously served as chairman of the Colorado Division of Wildlife Commission. “It’s a different kind of classroom being outdoors, especially for students who haven’t spent much time experiencing nature. The hope is that they will develop a deeper commitment to preserving our environment,” Kennedy said in a statement. Chancellor Haefner said that when Kennedy was a student at DU he fell in love with the outdoors and became the quintessential outdoorsman. “He wants that same experience, he wants that same awakening to the outdoors in every student that comes to the University of Denver.” This story is from Colorado Public Radio News. Used by permission. For more, and to support CPR, visit www.cpr.org.

Djuna offers a carefully curated selection of unique designer furniture and home décor. • Accessories • Lamps • Gifts • Antiques • Design Services Open Tuesday – Saturday 10-5 1824 S. Broadway St | Denver 80210

303.355.3500 | Djuna.com

Washington Park Profile 5

November 1, 2021

‘Running Wild’ throughout Denver Annual local race helps protect animals in Africa By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Thanks to technology by Wildlife Protection Solutions, Denver residents have served as first responders to preventing a crime against wildlife as it happens in real time, halfway across the globe. They “have directly contributed to saving the lives of animals,” said Eric Schmidt, executive director of Wildlife Protection Solutions. “With just a press of a button, the appropriate people get alerted.” Wildlife Protection Solutions is a Denverbased nonprofit that has field projects in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia. A technology system called wpsWatch consists of cameras that can capture an image in real time and a wildlife monitoring app for a computer or mobile device. Together, the technology can alert rangers and managers of protected areas of possible threats and wildlife crimes — such as animal poaching — in real time. “Using technology before shots are fired is one way to keep animals in nature, where they belong,” Schmidt said. Denverites ‘Running Wild’ to help save animals from extinction Wildlife Protection Solutions is one of four beneficiaries of the Running Wild race, which takes place annually on the Regis University campus in northwest Denver. This year, the race is taking place virtually and participants have through Dec. 1 to complete ether a 5K, 10K or 1-mile run. “We’re watching some of these animals decline,” said Janet Rumfelt, a professor at Regis and Running Wild race director. But “we still have time to turn it around.” Running Wild is dedicated to raising awareness about endangered African wildlife and eco-systems, and funding African wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts. Since getting its start in 2015, Running Wild has raised more than $30,000 for wildlife conservation. “People feel very connected to these animals in Africa,” Rumfelt said, “and they don’t want them to go extinct.” How dogs are helping to save cheetahs Another one of running Wild’s beneficiaries is the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), which has a multifaceted holistic conservation platform with an ultimate goal of keeping the cheetah in the wild from extinction. In the 1970s, Dr. Laurie Marker became the caretaker of a newborn cheetah cub named Khayam at the Wildlife Safari in Oregon. The two formed a bond, and in 1977, Marker and Khayam traveled to southwest Africa — now Namibia — for a re-wilding study. There, Marker learned that livestock farmers were catching hundreds of cheetahs in cage traps and killing them. “It’s not that the farmers were bad people,” said Dionne Stein, development manager for events and special projects with the CCF. “It’s that they assumed it was cheetahs killing off all their livestock.” Upon returning to the U.S., Khayam became an ambassador of cheetahs and travelled internationally to help people learn about the cheetah’s plight. Fast forward about 20 years, and in 1990, Marker found the CCF in Namibia to create a permanent place in the world for the cheetah, and in 1991, expanded the CCF to Somaliland. In 1994, the organization started its

Participants of the 2019 Running Wild race take off. The race, which beneﬁts various nonproﬁts dedicated to African wildlife and COURTESY OF DAVID GARRICK PHOTOGRAPHY ecosystem conservation and anti-poaching efforts, takes place virtually through Dec. 1.

HOW TO ‘RUN WILD’ The 2021 Running Wild race takes place virtually through Dec. 1. Participants can choose to run/ walk a 5K, 10K or 1-mile race. Those who do not wish to run may participate with a Run Wild in Your Dreams donation. To learn more or to register, visit https://runningwildrace.org.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BENEFICIARIES Africa Network for Animal Welfare-USA: www. anaw.org Big Life Foundation: https://biglife.org/ Cheetah Conservation Fund: https://cheetah. org/ Wildlife Protection Solutions: https://wildlifeprotectionsolutions.org/

Hammah, an ambassador for the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s Livestock Guarding Dog, is pictured with Ann Ambrose and Janet Rumfelt at a previous year’s Running Wild race. This year, the event takes place virtually, and participants have through Dec. 1 to complete their race.

Livestock Guarding Dog program to help Namibian farmers protect their livestock from predator attacks. How it works is the Cheetah Conservation Fund raises and trains a Turkish breed of dog — Anatolian shepherd and Kangal dogs — and provides them to African farmers. “Their big, brilliant bark can scare off a predator,” Stein said of the Livestock Guarding Dogs. The program has been “80-to100% effective in mitigating human-wildlife conflict.” Farmers are also embracing the program, and in fact, there are about 600 Namibian farmers on a waitlist to receive a Livestock Guarding Dog — despite the process they must go through to receive one. Before receiving a Livestock Guarding Dog, the farmer must apply, pay a fee and

COURTESY OF DIONNE STEIN/CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND

pass a farm assessment to prove they are dedicated to the dog’s welfare, Stein said. They must also comply with CCF doing an onsite check-in every six-to-12 months to follow up on the dog’s medical care, and to ensure the dog is settling into its guardian role and is being utilized and properly cared for by the farmer. On track to lose about a million plant and animal species It was about five or six years ago when Running Wild’s race director Rumfelt starting hearing news that elephant poaching was on the rise. She started doing research and learned it’s not just elephants that are prime subjects of wildlife crimes. Rumfelt learned that the world is on track to lose about a million of its plant and ani-

mal species, and that present day is likely the sixth mass animal destruction of time. “Ecotourism is important to Africa as an economy — these animals are important to many peoples’ livelihood,” Rumfelt said. “When you help animals, you help people. And animals protect the ecosystem. We’re all interconnected.” Rumfelt said she’s not the type of person to sit on the sidelines and wanted to do something. Thus, the Running Wild race — which supports organizations on the ground protecting animals and ecosystems — came to be. Rumfelt believes those who participate in the race are people who want to also be a part of the solution. “We would love to see Coloradans show up and represent,” Rumfelt said, “and do their part to help African wildlife.”

6 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

A delicious surprise delivered to your doorstep Bread Club helps connect consumers to locally made artisanal baked goods By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Zach Martinucci, owner and founder of Rebel Bread, holds up a boxed of just-packed pastries, ready for delivery to PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN Bread Club clients.

Lori Sabian of Denver’s Central Park neighborhood thinks it’s such a delight to get locally-made, fresh baked goods delivered right to her door. “Everybody in this house loves a delicious surprise,” Sabian said. And “I don’t have to suffer thorough winter without fresh bread.” Sabian is a baker herself, but getting her bread products delivered helps with meal planning and the time she spends cooking. Plus, she’s able to curate her delivery to meet her family’s needs while supporting local businesses. The service that Sabian receives her baked goods from is called Bread Club, offered through Rebel Bread. Rebel Bread is an artisanal bakery and bread school that got its start in October 2018. Its wholesale products can be found at a variety of locallyowned coffee shops, restaurants and bars in the metro area, but many people recognize the bakery from purchasing Rebel Bread products at local farmers markets. In March 2020, Rebel Bread launched its Bread Club as a response to the pandemic. Its success led

To make sure lead stays out of your water, we’re starting with your pipes. Denver Water is committed to delivering safe water to our community. So, we’re replacing customers’ lead pipes, one impacted property at a time. To find out if you’re one of them, visit our website.

Learn more at DenverWater.org/Lead

LEARN MORE To learn more about Bread Club or to place an order, visit https:// getbreadclub.com. Rebel Bread owner and founder Zach Martinucci to expand Bread Club to include other local artisan bakeries. “There are so many unique bakeries in the city doing great work,” Martinucci said. “We want to offer people a new and convenient way to taste as many as possible, and support these small businesses once farmers market season ends.” The other local bakeries part of Bread Club are Moon Raccoon Baking Co., Sugar Bakeshop, Pandemic Donuts and Mile High Pie Co. No two offer the same product and each have their own style of baking, Martinucci said. “Each of their characteristics really shine through,” he added. Aside from Rebel Bread and Sugar Bakeshop, which was established in 2008, all the bakeries part of Bread Club got their start within the past year or so — with Moon Raccoon Baking Co. and Pandemic Donuts launching their small businesses after losing their former jobs as a result of service industry layoffs and restaurant closings during the COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020. Knowing that the majority of sales for many local bakeries come from vending at farmers markets, Martinucci wanted to offer another

platform to help these newer local bakeries succeed, he said. “We all love the baking part and getting our product out to the community,” Martinucci said. “We (Rebel Bread) wanted to help them (the other bakeries) with the logistics of being a delivery bakery so they can focus on baking.” Bread Club makes it easy for consumers to explore the different bakeries’ menus, which change each month. Orders are completely customizable and can be placed as a one-time order or as a subscription, with the subscription frequency also customizable. The delivery option is available throughout the city and county of Denver, or consumers can choose the pick-up option, which is available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rebel Bread’s Production Lab at 675 S. Broadway in Denver’s Baker neighborhood. The demand for locally-made baked goods is out there, said Tanner Burgard, owner of Mile High Pie Co. which he founded in February of this year. The challenge, he said, is getting it to people. “Bread Club creates a symbiotic relationship,” Burgard said. “Small producers get to keep growing their businesses and members have access to some unbelievable talent in the Denver baking community.” These bakeries are run by people who put their heart and soul into their baking, Burgard said. “The more opportunities people have in a community to support each other,” Burgard said, “the better.”

Washington Park Profile 7

November 1, 2021

Denver Art Museum opens reimagined Martin Building Renovation of DAM’s north building was initiated by $25M gift By Sonya Ellingboe sellingboe@coloradocommunitymedia.com

The Denver Art Museum has reopened the Martin Building, formerly called the Ponti or North Building, after renovation initiated by a $25 million lead gift by Lanny and Sharon Martin. A preview on Oct. 13 introduced reorganized exhibits and public spaces on seven levels and cited programming such as the extensive offerings for schoolchildren that has been delayed by construction, and celebrated ongoing visitor services throughout the DAM campus. There’s also the all-new Anna and John J. Sie Welcome Center, funded with help from a $12 million gift from the Sies. It’s the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Ponti Building, which was designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti along with two Denver architects. Plans included the addition of a 650-seat auditorium, which was never built, hence there was some available space that was expanded. Museum director Christoph Heinrich introduced Lanny Martin, chairman of the board of trustees, and complimented the architectural firm Machado Silvetti for its patience. “Everybody had ideas,” Heinrich noted. He also thanked the craftspeople who worked on the project and announced that the public will be welcomed on the weekend of Oct. 24 in a three-day open house to “this place of joy, creativity and healing.” His talk included a “special thumbs-up to the 650 volunteers who are the backbone of Denver Art Museum visitor services.” He spoke of millions more donated for programming and a $175 million endowment. Heinrich also congratulated the talented curators who imagined new galleries. In the past 10 years, museum staff realized that sizable open rooftop spaces were not being used as expected, while indoor spaces became crowded when a popular exhibit was in place. Note the special care devoted to the entries. Attendees at a press preview were reminded to pay particular attention to the building’s distinctive windows, part of Ponti’s original design, with each frame a special view of Denver. Sizes and shapes vary and each is special. Heinrich celebrated “the city’s patronage of arts and culture” and Mayor Michael Hancock happily said: “I’m jazzed! Denver is a national leader in arts and culture.”

A bridge and oval entrance offer access to the renovated Martin Building at the Denver Art Museum.

PHOTO BY ERIC STEPHENSON

Attendees gathered first in the new Sie center, which features big curved windows used in the construction, a first. Attention will turn to hosting the 200,000 kids who visit the museum each year, free, with each one gaining a new perspective on what creative people can offer to one’s world, when you let them in ... Architect Ponti, who died in 1979 at the age of 87, will long be remembered in Denver for his imagination and consideration for those who will visit his really inviting building. The exhibits in the Martin Building include: Level One: Revision: Art in the Americas. Level Two: Architecture and design, Northwest Coast and Alaskan Indian Art. Level Three: Indigenous Arts of North America, including exploration of identity, reframing of history through Indigenous eyes and the continuum of creativity. Level Four: Latin American Art and the Art of the Ancient Americas. Level Five: Asian Art. Level Six: European Art before 1800; Photography; Textile Art and Fashion. Level 7: Western American Art. Also on the campus is the Hamilton Building, with more recent European, Asian and traveling art exhibits. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, public events frequently are canceled or rescheduled. Check with organizers before you go.

IF YOU GO

The Northwest Coast and Alaska Native Art gallery, located on the second level of the Martin Building at the Denver Art Museum.

Collette Cressy-Beer, Agent 900 E Louisiana Denver, CO 80210 Bus: 303-722-2777 collette.cressy-beer.byu5@statefarm.com Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 5:00pm Closed from 12-1 for Lunch Evening & weekends by appt.

Putting you first made us #1.

The Denver Art Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Check for information and available tickets at denverartmuseum.org, or call 720-865-5000. Admission charge is $10 for Colorado adults and $8 for Colorado seniors age 65 and older, students, military and veterans. Children 18 and under are admitted free. Parking is available at meters on the street or in the paid garage, entered from 12th Avenue, just off Broadway.

PHOTO BY KATHRYN SCOTT/SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO SUN

Making you our #1 priority is what’s made State Farm #1* in auto insurance. I’m here to listen to your needs and to help life go right. CALL ME TODAY. ®

*Based on written premium as reported by SNL Financial 2014.

1601917

8 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

In 1993, Colorado lost a Black pioneer in medicine. Now it has lost his Denver home Dr. Charles Blackwood’s Gaylord Street bungalow was a marker of Denver’s history and it was worth preserving

ot many in Denver have heard about Dr. Charles J. Blackwood Jr., one of the city’s most accomplished residents. Now seems like an especially opportune time GUEST to share his story, with COLUMN the unfortunate and Dr. Terri untimely demolition of his former home Richardson, at 2436 Gaylord St. Travis Leiker, in Denver’s Whittier Bruce Caughey neighborhood. His home was an and Kevin Kelly important historic marker for Denver, but it can no longer serve as such. Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, one of Denver’s oldest and largest neighborhood-advocacy organizations, is committed both to the preservation of our city and to the diverse stories of its residents. We, along with community partners at the Colorado Black Health Collaborative and other groups, want to share Blackwood’s story. His home was not unique, as the city has many Craftsman bungalows of about this 1927 vintage. This understated, one-story brick home, where the doctor and his wife, Vivian, lived and raised their family, had a small front porch, overhanging eaves, minimal landscaping, and other

elements common with this expression of architecture. Nor was the home’s demise all that remarkable. Sold at auction in 2020, it was erased from the 0.1-acre site. Fortunately, even though his modest home is gone forever, Blackwood’s legacy will live on through an endowed scholarship for University of Colorado medical students in his name and at the landmarked American Woodmen Building, where he practiced medicine for decades. More than six decades passed between the founding of the University of Colorado School of Medicine and 1947 — when Charles Blackwood, the school’s first Black graduate, walked with his diploma in the top 10 of his class. He was born almost exactly a century ago, on Sept. 25, 1921, in Trinidad, to parents who brought their children up as members of Grace Chapel A.M.E Church. His mother was a homemaker. His dad was a diesel technician for the Burlington Railroad, among the first African Americans to hold such a job in the U.S. A young Charles was encouraged to attend college instead of running off with his band. He graduated from Trinidad State Junior College with honors and then received a scholarship to CU Boulder, where he graduated with a degree in chemistry.

Dr. Stratil and Dr. Wright

Dr. Stratil and Dr. Wright Dr. Stratil and Dr. Wright

Dr. Charles J. Blackwood Jr. practiced medicine for decades in the Denver area. COURTESY OF THE BLACKWOOD FAMILY

His family always knew their son would become a doctor and he entered medical school in 1943 while a private in the U.S. Army. In those segregated times, Blackwood was relegated to experiencing campus life separated from his classmates, in lecture halls and places to live. After a two-year internship at Harlem Hospital in New York City — where he met his wife Vivian Eldridge, a nurse — Blackwood returned to Colorado. Here he finished residency training at Colorado General (now the University of Colorado Hospital) and Denver General (now known as Denver Health) and served as the first African American in the role of police surgeon for the Denver Police. He broke the race barrier at every step of his studies and his professional life. After his residency, he started a private practice and was the supreme physician for the American Woodmen, an African American fraternal organization that was founded in Denver and focused on community service, scholarship, employment opportunities and insurance for African American Denverites. He was an instructor in the medical clinic of Colorado General Hospital and on the staff of General Rose Memorial Hospital. From 1952-1955, he served on the United States Air Force and started the Radiology Department at Hamilton Air Force Base in California. After being honorably discharged, he was the first African American physician at St. Luke’s Hospital and was the first African American clini-

We’re STILL making it personal! We’ rereSTILL personal! $35 RIDES We’ STILL making making ititpersonal!

Its been 6 years, and The Dentists on Pearl still want to get Its been 6years, years, The Dentists stilltoday want toto get to know you! to know you! and So, come on on in Pearl oron call schedule an been and The Dentists want to to get Its Its been 6 6years, and The Dentists onPearl Pearlstill still want get So,appointment come on in orSo, callfor today schedule an appointment for the entire family. theto entire family. We will create a an plan that know you! come on in or to to know you! So, come on in or call calltoday todaytotoschedule schedule an We will create a planyou that will you achieve and a completely healthysmile! smile! will help and maintain a completely healthy appointment forachieve thehelp entire family. Wemaintain will create a plan that appointment for the entire family. We will create a plan that accept most and accepting new patients! We accept mostinsurances insurances and areaare accepting new patients! willWe help you achieve and maintain completely healthy smile!

1905 303.498.9207 SOUTH PEARL STREET

303.498.9207 303.498.9207 thedentistsonpearl.com

thedentistsonpearl.com thedentistsonpearl.com

Dr. Terri Richardson, M.D. of Aurora is vice-chair of the Colorado Black Health Collaborative. Travis Leiker of Denver is president and executive director of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods. Bruce Caughey and Kevin Kelly of Denver are co-chairs of CHUN’s History Matters Committee. This guest column originally ran in The Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. Used by permission. For more, and to support The Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com.

to/from Denver airport! This is your opportunity! Scan, book, wave goodbye to stressful price swings.

will help you achieve and maintain a completely healthy smile! We accept most insurances and are accepting new patients! We accept most insurances and are accepting new patients!

1905 South SOUTHPearl PEARL STREET 1905 Street 1905 SOUTH PEARL STREET 303.498.9207

cal professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. His son remembers a focused and attentive dad. Blackwood was a member of the Kappa Psi Fraternity, the International AIDS Project, Sertoma Club and the Colorado Epilepsy Association. Beyond his mission to serve, he loved to fish, play golf and listen to jazz, among other interests. After retiring from his clinical practice, he founded the Blackwood Institute, focused on HIV/AIDS response and treatment. Blackwood died on Aug. 11, 1993. He was returned home, buried in Trinidad alongside other members of his family. It is the historic places and the stories that go with them that define our beloved city. And we are losing them each day. Let us commit ourselves to preserving these notable places to better understand our past in a way that makes clear the sacrifices and achievements that came before us. Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods remains unequivocal in its support for diversity, equity and inclusivity throughout Denver. We call on other neighborhood organizations to do the same. All too often, the stories of historically marginalized populations go untold and unrecognized. With all the growth and change around us, community-focused organizations should ensure Denver does not lose its rich history. Honoring the past and smart urban planning can go hand-in-hand. If stories and places from Denver’s past are important to you, we hope you will consider joining Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods at chundenver.org. CHUN is dedicated to preserving the past, improving the present and planning for the future. If you are committed to improving health and wellness in Colorado’s Black, African and African American communities, visit coloradoblackhealth.org. Finally, gifts in Dr. Blackwood’s honor can be made at giving.cu.edu/cjblackwood. Proceeds benefit underrepresented minorities pursuing a degree in medicine.

2 hours lead time please! (who doesn’t know they are going to the airport?)

OR PHONE >> ERIK,

YOUR DRIVER: 720-370-1679 <<

Washington Park Profile 9

November 1, 2021

Denver Film Festival aims for the best of both worlds Audiences can watch ﬁlms in person and at home By Clarke Reader Special to Colorado Community Media

The latter half of the 2010s saw increased involvement in national and local elections, with more women running - and winning - than ever before. While national figures drew a lot of eyes, filmmaker Rebekah Henderson turned her eye - and camera - to campaigns happening right here in Denver. “The film is really a love letter to the activist community and my friends,” Henderson said. “People do not know how hard local races are, and I wanted to tell a local story that is universal.” The resulting film, “Running With My Girls,” follows the 2018 races of Shontel Lewis and a cohort of candidates who ran as a group - Dr. Lisa Calderón, Candi CdeBaca, Shayla Richard and Veronica Barela. It showcases their triumphs, struggles and what it means that more activists from underrepresented groups are getting involved in the government. “If you live in any city in America and are a Black or brown person who is paying attention, you’ll see yourself in this film,” Henderson said. “It’s very much a reflection of my experience. I never stopped rolling because I didn’t want to miss anything.” The film is part of the 44th annual Denver Film Festival, which runs in person and online from Nov. 3 through Nov. 14. All films will be screened in various theater settings — the SIE FilmCenter, AMC 9 + CO 10, the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Sturm Auditorium and Ellie Caulkins Opera

House — and about 50 films will be available for streaming at home on Denver Film’s virtual platform. The festival features about 233 films, which includes 140 feature-length films, shorts, music videos and episodic content, according to provided information. Some major highlights — and award-season contenders — include “Spencer,” featuring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, Will Smith’s “King Richard,” and “Jockey,” which stars Clifton Collins Jr., who will be in attendance to receive the 2021 John Cassavetes Award. “We really planned to do this as a hybrid because we wanted to return to what we’re known for - the in-theater experience,” said Matthew Campbell, artistic director of Denver Film. “The best of both worlds is really ideal, especially because we already made the investment in virtual. We’re really excited to get back (to) the excitement of the environment of places like Ellie Caulkins.” One silver lining from the COVID-19 pandemic is that embracing streaming has expanded the reach of the Denver Film Festival. Campbell said doing the 2020 festival entirely virtually proved this fact - historically, about 90% of attendees are from the Denver/Boulder area, but last year, only about 60% of viewers were from the metro area, while the rest came from all over Colorado. Attendees can also put themselves in the world of film, thanks a range of virtual reality and immersive experiences taking place at the Festival Annex at the historic McNichols Civic Center Building. There’s even an immersive experience called “Fire Season” that will be set up at Lakewood’s Bear Creek Lake Park. “It feels like it’s been so long since we’ve been around our audience and can welcome

Pictured is a still from the ﬁlm, “Running With My Girls,” a documentary by Rebekah Henderson that follows the 2018 races of Shontel Lewis and a cohort of candidates who ran as a group – Dr. Lisa Calderón, Candi CdeBaca, Shayla Richard and Veronica Barela. The ﬁlm is one of about 233 part of the 44th annual Denver Film Festival, which runs in COURTESY OF REBEKAH HENDERSON person and online from Nov. 3 through Nov. 14.

IF YOU GO WHAT: 44th annual Denver Film Festival WHEN: Nov. 3-Nov. 14 WHERE: • In person films will be shown at SIE FilmCenter, AMC 9 + CO 10, the Denver Botanic Gardens Sturm Auditorium and Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Denver Film will require all festival patrons, guests, them back in person,” Campbell said. “We’re looking forward to it going off without a hitch and it being a safe, enjoyable festival something we take as seriously as possible.” For local filmmakers like Henderson, being part of the home film festival reflects the importance of community - not only

employees and volunteers entering venues or host sites to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 with an FDA or WHO-approved vaccine. • Some films will also be available for streaming online at Denver Film’s virtual platform. TICKETS/INFORMATION: www.denverfilm.org/denverfilmfestival/dff44/ as it applies to filmmaking, but as it applies to improving the lives and future of those around you. “The film is really community-made, and shows that when we band together, we have this power,” she said. “I want people to see it. I want people to get inspired by it.”

Denver’s Best Thai Restaurant Westword 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020

Featuring the Cuisine of Our Northern Thai Homeland Family Owned and Operated Since 1994

“FLU SHOT” SO

UP.

The healthie

st soup in to wn.

WITH MEAT OR MEATLESS

(OCTOBER-M

ARCH)

NOW SERVING: Delicious, nutritious, spicy “Flu Shot” Soup. Since 1994, “The healthiest soup in town“. << From our garden to your plate!

Dine in, Take Out and Seasonal Patio Service. Clean and Safe. Enjoy our backyard in your backyard. “Vibrant salads, all with the fresh flavors of Farrell’s kitchen garden” - Mark Antonation, Westword

Call 303-762-9112 or ORDER ONLINE at tasteofthailand.net

ENROLL TODAY!

Immediate availability for our Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Private Kindergarten Celebrating 58 Years

10 Washington Park Profile

FROM THE EDITOR

Christy Steadman

November 1, 2021

LOCAL

VOICES

Time for giving

t is that time of year to start thinking about thanks, and giving.

Colorado Gives Day Colorado Gives Day takes place on Dec. 7 this year. If you’re not familiar with what this is, Colorado Gives Day is an annual “statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving,” states its website. I love it because it’s a hyperlocal, modern way to support our communities. The greatest thing about Colorado Gives Day — versus donating on any other day of the year, which is good, too — is that every nonprofit that receives a donation of any amount before midnight on Dec. 7 also receives a portion of the Community First Foundation’s $1 million Incentive Fund. This

means that the total amount of the donation that the nonprofit receives is increased. The catch for the incentive fund is that the donation has to be made specifically on Dec. 7. But, worry not — beginning on Nov. 1 and through Dec. 6, you are able to schedule a donation to go through on Dec. 7, Colorado Gives Day. Every registered nonprofit is eligible to receive Colorado Gives Day donations. To me, it is so much fun to browse and learn about all of the nonprofits we have here in our great state. You can browse by location, cause and keyword, or, you can type in a specific name of a nonprofit if you already know which one you want to donate to. The hard part is trying to determine which one to give to, because there are so many that do amazing work for the betterment of our communities. So whatever your passion is, there is a nonprofit out

there for you! To participate in Colorado Gives Day, or to learn more about it and browse the many, many nonprofits, visit www.coloradogives.org/COGIVESDAY. Readers Care I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Colorado Community Media’s Readers Care Voluntary Contribution Program. We here at the newspaper love providing you with reliable, trustworthy hyperlocal news, including, but not limited to, things-to-do that build community and interesting human-interest stories. Through the Readers Care program, you can help support the Washington Park Profile/Life on Capitol Hill directly with a one-time contribution by visiting https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/ readerscare.

Defining YOUR Denver

Many species of invertebrates, including beneficial insects and pollinators, use plant stems to nest or overwinter. By removing standing plant material from our gardens in the fall, we don’t allow these species to complete their life cycles. Birds and mammals also rely on upright dried plant material for food or shelter. In the spring, once temperatures have warmed, cut back grasses and flower stems. Even better, cut back flower stalks at varying heights, leaving some vertical stems in place as this helps native bees and other insects emerge from their winter slumber. There is an aesthetic upshot as well: dormant plants in the winter are beautiful and allow you to see contrasting botanical shapes and forms in stark relief. Ornamental

f your community had a soundtrack, what songs would be on it? This was the question I posed as our icebreaker during the recent Redistricting Town Halls I held in September and October, focusing on different neighborhoods throughout City Council District 9. Music is the perfect entry point for expressing what GUEST we understand and feel about our communities. Everyone’s responses to the COLUMN question felt so personal: “Aire.” “We the People.” “On a Sunday Afternoon.” “Mi Gente.” We collected all of the suggestions, plus more from other community members, into an #EastsideForever playlist that you can listen to here: bit.ly/ eastsideforever. F Redistricting happens once every 10 years after the release of the U.S. Councilmember Census data, and we are in the thick of Congressional and state legislative Candi CdeBaca the processes right now. Locally, the new maps for our city council districts won’t be drawn until 2022, but the process for getting resident input is already underway. So I want to hear from you! Too often, redistricting is an insider’s game, but it has big consequences for our everyday lives in Denver: These new maps will play a big role in determining your community’s representation at each level of government for the next 10 years. Every week, city council makes decisions that affect your life — land use and zoning, local roads and sidewalks, public safety, air quality and water pollution, housing and homelessness policy, the city budget and so much more. That’s why I’m inviting all of you to get involved with each step of Denver’s redistricting process, starting now until next spring when city council votes on the new maps. The first step starts with you — defining YOUR Denver by mapping your communities of interest. My favorite definition for the phrase, “community of interest,” is: a way for a community to tell its own story about what neighbors share in common, and what makes it unique when compared to surrounding communities. Here’s how you can tell that story and submit your com-

SEE GUIDI, P11

SEE CDEBACA, P11

Echinacea pallida seedheads.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GUIDI

Sustainable fall garden cleanup

utumn is in the air! Fall marks a transition period in our gardens and most perennials, trees and shrubs enter dormancy for the winter, with flower shows giving way to textural and skeletal plant arrangements. Among gardeners, there is often GUEST the urge to tidy up after the first frost COLUMN by immediately cutting back perenMichael Guidi nials and removing plant debris, but this can be counterproductive to both the aesthetic and ecological value of your garden. Here are a few tips to maximize the ecological utility of your garden this winter while maintaining a beautiful yard: Leave as much standing plant material as possible.

A publication of

Mailing Address: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225 Englewood, CO 80110 Phone: 303-566-4100 To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or visit www.washparkprofile.com/subscribe

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Profile.

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant

lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

CHRISTY STEADMAN Editor

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager

csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Email letters to csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager

ERIN FRANKS Production Manager

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

lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

efranks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

November 1, 2021

An overview of what’s happening in District 6

ver the past month or so, city council has been briefed on, and proposed amendments to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s proposed budget GUEST for 2022. By charter, council must adopt COLUMN a budget by Nov. 8. I was pleased to have garnered support from my colleagues for a trio of amendments resulting in a majority of the dollars council requested to which the mayor has agreed. Councilmember

Paul Kashmann

Denver Municipal Band The Denver Municipal Band has been performing free shows for Denverites since the early days of Denver’s founding, beginning its staggering run in 1861 as the Denver City Band. To balance a complex budget, Denver Parks & Recreation had nixed its usual Denver Municipal Band support of $24,000-$25,000. In a time of lingering pandemic, what better use of city funds than to offer up free outdoor concerts in local parks? District 5 Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer and I proposed, and the mayor accepted, a $35,000 budget amendment to make up for the Denver Parks & Recreation shortfall and add an extra bump for some extraordinary staging needs faced by the Denver Municipal Band.

Guidi

FROM PAGE 10

grasses, in particular, juxtapose beautifully with bold seed heads like echinacea or stiff upright forms of liatris and silphium. Of course, some plants hold up better than others in dormancy, so consider cutting back unsightly soft plant material while leaving more rigid plants. You might be surprised how beautiful your garden is in the low, oblique light of autumn and winter. Allow some leaves, stems, and other organic material to remain on the ground. This additional habitat will be appreciated by a wide array of organisms. For example, nearly three quarters of Colorado’s native bee species nest underground, so a covering of plant litter can help protect their nests during the winter and in the early spring when they become active. Allowing plant material to decompose in place can also improve soil health and provide nutrients to your plants, but keep in mind that this will depend on the type of garden that you have — xeric or dryland gardens may resent too much organic matter while more traditional perennial or shade gardens will appreciate the additional

CdeBaca

FROM PAGE 10

munity maps to city council. First, take a moment to think about these questions: • What are some examples of goals or values that members of your community have in common? • Does your neighborhood or community share certain celebrations or traditions, such

Engaging residents I believe Denver needs do a better job in engaging its residents in the business of the city. This goes past simply informing folks of government goings-on, and dives into the important task of mining the populace for its opinions and ideas as to city programs, policies and processes. Virtually every American city I’ve examined: Los Angeles (Empower LA), Seattle (Department of Neighborhoods), Portland (Office of Community and Civic Life), Boston (Office of Neighborhood Services), Nashville (Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods and Community Engagement), New Orleans (Neighborhood Engagement Office), and others have realized the importance of, and complexity of, involving a cohort representative of all sectors of the community. This challenging job requires new engagement tools that reach populations not traditionally involved in civic discussions — be they renters, refugee/immigrant communities, people of color, etc. Denver departments and agencies are separately standing up community engagement staff frequently operating in silos, and duplicating work that should be done by a central office. As other cities have done, we need to assist our Registered Neighborhood Organizations and smaller nonprofits with training on city operations, how to run an effective nonprofit, offer grants for beneficial community-building projects and more. The mayor agreed to put $40,000 in the 2022 budget to investigate the best way to better engage our citizens. In discussions

detritus. Vegetable gardens are an exception — it’s best to remove as much plant debris from your crops as possible to mitigate pressure from pests and pathogens. Consider starting a home compost pile with your yard waste rather than throwing in it the trash. Alternatively, Denver residents can make use of the city’s LeafDrop Program by obtaining free paper lawn bags and drop off leaves at designated sites this fall. In the spring, pick up discounted compost made from community collections. To learn more, visit denvergov.org/leafdrop. For a fee, you can also sign up for weekly compost collection if you live in the city of Denver. Any of these options help to keep organic material out of landfills. Organic matter, including food scraps and yard waste, is the single largest input to landfills in the United States and substantially contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane. Composting organic material, or sending it to designated compost facilities, can drastically reduce your environmental impact while providing a useful garden resource.

Washington Park Profile 11

with consultants doing business with the city, I found that amount to not be sufficient for a full look at important options and brought forth a second $35,000 amendment to boost that study amount to $75,000. Council and the mayor accepted that proposal. Safe Routes to Schools Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I was able to get agreement from my council colleagues and Hancock to boost the budget amount for our Safe Routes to School program from $500,000 to $2 million. I have long urged Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) to create more consistency in safety protocols around our school campuses. A study recently completed confirms that we are not up to national standards in that area. The mayor’s agreement to focus additional dollars is an important commitment to our children, families and school staff. This money will allow us to address, perhaps, a handful of Denver schools with appropriate sidewalks, intersection improvements, signage and lighting and the like. It’s a drop in the bucket when looking at the total need, but over time, increased investment in this area will move the needle in a safer direction. Lower motor vehicle speeds I also got final approval from city agencies to put forth an amendment to our Denver Revised Municipal Code to lower speeds

KID

SEE KASHMANN, P23

CONTEST

Witches, Zombies, Princesses...Oh my! Show off your costumes in this fun Halloween costume contest! Top three winners will receive prizes from our generous sponsors!

VOTE NOW! ( IF YOU DARE! )

Michael Guidi is the horticulture coordinator with the Denver Botanic Gardens

Ornamental grasses catching light.

as street festivals, parades or block parties? • What is the history of how your community came together? • What are some of the city-level policy issues facing your community? Next, go online to Representable.org (a direct link for YOUR Denver is bit. ly/d9redistricting) and create your login name and password. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be walked through a series of prompts that will further help you think about how you define your community and neighborhood. After you complete

those steps, you’ll be ready to draw your map on that platform! All the Representable.org maps that get submitted by December will inform the first drafts of our new city council district maps. So it’s time to get started — put on YOUR favorite tunes about YOUR community, and get started drawing your Representable map!

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GUIDI

Candi CdeBaca represents District 9 on Denver City Council. She can be reached at district9@denvergov.org or 720-337-7709.

VOTE ONLINE FROM OCT. 13 - 31, 2021 COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Sponsored by

CLASSES BEGIN SEP 20

Scholarships are available.

Schedule Your FREE Design Consultation:

(877) 326-0607

Hours: Mon - Fri 7am-11pm; Sat - Sun 9am-7pm EST

denvercenter.org

14 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

Helping us understand what we went through Local author tells story of being a frontline cashier during pandemic By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

In 2019, Denver blogger Adam Kaat left his corporate job to focus on his writing. At the time, he had the first draft of a novel completed. Kaat sought a job that was active, but not mentally draining so he could continue work on his debut novel. Kaat, 36, of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, secured a job in January 2020 as a cashier at a busy, high-end grocery store in Cherry Creek. He enjoyed being a point person for customer service, and especially, the social aspect of the job. But shortly after settling in, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. By March 15, there were mask orders in place, workers had to sanitize their registers between every customer and shoppers began to hoard groceries and toiletries, Kaat said. He added there was a lot of general panic at that time. “Everyone’s working overtime (and) being called a hero,” Kaat said. “We had no other choice than to go with the flow.”

Kaat then decided to set the novel he had been working on aside, and began to blog about being a frontline worker during an unprecedented time. The blog gained a following, and prompted to Kaat to write what would become his first published novel: “Life on the Grocery Line: A Frontline Experience in a Global Pandemic.” The book was published in April this year. It is a work of fiction, but mirrors a lot of Kaat’s experiences as a grocery store employee. “Life on the Grocery Line” tells the story through the eyes of the character, David, a cashier at the fictional Dream Grocers store during the pandemic. “The book shows the human side of everyday interactions that people might not think about,” Kaat said. “Hopefully, it makes you laugh, (and) think about the future and to be good to each other.” Did anything in particular inspire you to become a writer? I think I have always been a writer. I just needed to find the focus to sit down and write. It’s the best way for me to work through the things — both happy and sad — that happen in my life. I did not discover my love of writing until my last year in college when I began reading more for fun and finding a wider variety of writers. I started dabbling with blogs then

New Book Reveals Secrets To Keep Active And Free From Pain By Dr. Brooke Olsen, DPT - a published author & leading Denver PT Are you living with back, knee, or neck pain? Or do you know someone that is fed up of always feeling stiff and achy? If your answer is yes, there’s never been a more important time to keep active and maintain healthy habits than right now as the summer allows more activity again… and to help, Dr. Brooke is giving away 5 free copies of her book Aging Happily Without Pain (worth $19.99 on Amazon). If you’re 50 or over, and pain or stiffness affects your job, your ability to keep active, threatens to slow you down or hinders family leisure time… then it’s time to read this book. There’s no promise that what Brooke reveals will work for you in the same way it has for thousands of her clients. However, reading this book has to be better than spending another day “resting”, “accepting” pain as normal and thinking “it’s just part of aging”, or worse yet, masking it with pain pills.

• How to get unstuck and get your pain to improve again with just this simple 1 technique. • And lots of useful health tips! Amazon review: 5 out of 5 stars “The most important thing about this book is that it presents a new narrative around aging, but also around the type of care we too often receive from mainstream medicine, in particular around orthopedic medicine (which is GREATLY needed). I am a testament to the fact that this works. AND I am so grateful that I chose not to listen to the surgeon who after seeing me for 5 minutes and only a quick x-ray said I needed knee replacement surgery. This is not a one and done method. But now I can do all of the things I love and more! My hope is that this form of therapy can be given to EVERY person before reaching the age of 60!” - Ann

Inside the book, you’ll discover… • Why your 50’s & 60’s is the age bracket when things can go wrong and the single best thing to do about it. • The biggest mistake women (and sometimes men) make when when it comes to having back pain while walking… • The easiest way to help calm down your pain when a flare up happens.

This week, Dr. Brooke is giving away 5 FREE copies of this fantastic book (worth $19.99). To request your free copy of Aging Happily Without Pain, please call (720)-772-1133. You can leave a message 24 hrs.

Adam Kaat

COURTESY PHOTO

and I fell in love. I enjoy meeting people and hearing their stories. My book has brought me closer to people I wouldn’t have otherwise met. It’s a fun journey. What did you enjoy most about writing Life on the Grocery Line? It was therapeutic to sit down and sort through the craziness of the early pandemic. There was a heavy burden put on grocery workers and other essential employees. With all of the uncertainty of the times, I was grateful to have a project to work on. What can your fans expect from you next? I am working on the sequel to “Life on the Grocery Line,” where we meet back up with

To learn more about “Life on the Grocery Line: A Frontline Experience in a Global Pandemic,” by local author Adam Kaat, visit www.lifeonthegroceryline. com. The blog can also be found on that website. Kaat is also available to connect on social media: • Instagram: @kaatadam • Facebook: @lifeonthegroceryline • Twitter: lifeonthegroce1 A signed copy of the book can be purchased by ordering the book through the website above. It is also available on Amazon.com. Locally, the Tattered Cover and Mutiny Information Café have some copies of the book available for purchase. Daniel a year later as he is going through his year review at work. I hope to have it out in spring of 2022. In what ways do you think people will be able to relate to “Life on the Grocery Line”? Daniel is a normal guy thrust into unforeseen circumstances and he has to grapple with many of the problems we all went through during the first few months of the pandemic. Hopefully, it helps us all understand what we went through. As the pandemic wears on and we move back toward “normalcy,” I think it can help remind us how fragile everything is. I think doing that can help ground us and give a better perspective on the future.

Washington Park Profile 15

November 1, 2021

Common spiders that sneak into your home and how to deal with them By Olivia Jewell Love olove@coloradocommunitymedia.com

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR

There are many species of wolf spiders. They can grow up to 35 mm and are SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE usually earth-toned in color.

VOTE YES on 2A-2E

This time of year, eight-legged creatures can take a crisp fall breeze as an open invitation into our homes. James Fiala, owner of Environmental Pest Control, sees people dealing with spiders indoors during this time of year. “All spiders are going to try to get in. They try to overwinter is what they do,” he said. Fiala has some tips for unwelcome guests in your home as it gets colder. “Vacuum cleaners are very powerful pest control tools,” he said. He recommends vacuuming around the edges of your house and avoid storing things right by entry doors. “I always tell people: Minimize what you have by the foundation of the house, clear out the window wells of your house. Window wells are chronic for spiders, by the way.” Fiala says now is a great time to clean out your window wells, which you should be doing twice a year. They can serve as breeding grounds and hospitable habitats for spiders trying to overwinter in your home. He also says caulking, sealing and using weather-stripping around doors and windows can be good deterrents for insects and rodents. Fiala recommends if you see a spider that does not look friendly, do not be afraid to use your shop vacuum to get rid of it, or even break out the glue traps to mitigate future problems. Take a spin through this list of a few common spiders that could sneak into your house this fall. Funnel weaver spiders Funnel weaver spiders are the most common spiders found in Colorado homes this time of the year. These spiders are harmless to humans

but resemble the brown recluse, which does not naturally occur in Colorado. Funnel weaver spiders are darker brown and lack the characteristic “violin” shape that brown recluses have on their backs. Ground spiders Ground spiders usually reside under rocks or logs and only come out to hunt prey. When the weather turns cold, some species of ground spiders wander indoors. They are harmless to humans. Wolf spiders Wolf spiders are gray and brown, and some species can get quite large and are mistaken for tarantulas. Wolf spiders may enter areas of new development that disturb their habitat but are generally shy around humans. Larger species may bite. Widow spiders Widow spiders build their homes in dark undisturbed areas, like old animal burrows, window wells, cellars, garage corners and crawl spaces. Red and orange markings on the underside of the abdomen is a physical characteristic of a widow spider. The widow spider has a painful bite, and it contains nerve venom, which can be dangerous. Brown recluse spiders Brown Recluse spiders are rare in Colorado because of the climate. They can be found along the Mississippi Valley, and sometimes they hitch a ride on travelers into the state. The brown recluse has a characteristic “violin” marking on its back. The spider’s venom is damaging to human cells. This list is not all inclusive of the spiders in Colorado. To find more on common spiders in the area, CSU extension provides more information.

GETTING DENVER BACK TO WORK Over 7,500 jobs created Over $480 million in wages for workers Over $1 Billion in economic impact

88 PROJECTS FUNDED INCLUDING:

ALL WITHOUT RAISING TAXES! www.RiseDenver2021.com

Youth Empowerment Center improvements Sports fields and courts replacements Pedestrian and bike safety improvements Historic 1909 building transformation into a public market Paid for by RISE Denver

16 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

Denver Public Schools will grow students’ salad ﬁxings in a massive new greenhouse The district broke ground on a ﬁve-acre greenhouse project where it will grow its own produce Kyle Harris, Denverite

Picture a cafeteria lunch of the past: grey burgers on wet buns, over-cooked green beans from the can, and limp fries barely unfrozen — neither healthy nor delicious. For years, Denver Public Schools started working with urban gardening nonprofits to turn that image around. At least, at a few schools. But the program — building gardens on land schools weren’t using — had limited reach. The farms only produced for the schools where they were located; beyond that, they weren’t exactly feeding the district. And the gardens’ lifespan was short. Some schools even built new buildings on the once-empty fields where food flourished. While many of those original farms have closed, Schmitt Elementary in the Ruby Hill neighborhood and Bradley International School in the University Hills neighborhood still run urban gardens on site. And with the new greenhouse, big plans are in the works. But it took time to get there. The new greenhouse started germinating a decade ago “About 10 years ago, we were working with an urban-farm partner,” says Theresa Hafner, the DPS executive director of Food Services. “We were trying to build farms on school property in fields that weren’t being used. We wondered how much property is not being used around the district.” DPS launched a study of vacant land it owned and came across its Glenbrook Property, 4900 S. Field Way, in the Marston neighborhood. There, decades ago, the district had planned to build a school that ultimately never came to fruition.

Denver Public Schools and city ofﬁcials break ground on Oct. 5 on a greenhouse project in southwest Denver where the PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN school district will grow local food for students.

“Wouldn’t that be a great place to build a farm,” Hafner recalls thinking. “Colorado’s growing season is so short. Let’s put in a greenhouse.” The project will cost a total of $4 million: $1 million from Healthy Food for Denver Kids, $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and $2.1 million in bond money from Denver voters, along with other money from the district. What’s that $4 million budget going to buy? The new greenhouse, which is being built by PCL Construction and will be ready to be planted by late spring 2022, will first be used to grow cherry and slicing tomatoes to liven up salads. If all goes well, the district will add leafy greens,

peppers, cucumbers and strawberries. How much? Hundreds of thousands of pounds, says Hafner. Within five to seven years, DPS hopes the greenhouse will be turning a profit. The district even plans to launch a program to create urbanagriculture opportunities for high school students. “I think it’s so much fun to be innovative and take it to the next level,” says Hafner. This story is from Denverite, a nonprofit Denver news source affiliated with CPR News. Used by permission. For more, and to support Denverite, visit denverite.com.

WINDOW & DOOR FLASH SALE THIS MONTH ONLY

“Leo and Billy with Dreamstyle windows installed our new windows today, ALL in one day! Amazing! They were the hardest workers; they were super clean, cleaning up each room area after each window; really polite, and VERY skilled at their work, with so many details to accomplish on each window, they didn’t miss one step and the end product is excellent! We don’t even want to put our drapes back up!” – John L, BBB, 12/1/20

WITH

Richard Karn Home Improvement Expert

OR LOW MONTHLY PAYMENTS

Call for your FREE consultation:

855-552-7250

©2018 Google LLC All rights reserved. Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google LLC. *Valid with the purchase of 4 or more windows. Not valid on previous orders. Valid on initial consultation only. 0% APR for 18 months available to well qualified buyers on approved credit only. Finance charges will be waived if promo balance is paid in full in 18 months. Down payment may be required, OAC, See representative for details. Valid on purchases made in the month and year of consultation and purchase of product. ©2021 ©Dreamstyle Remodeling Inc. all rights reserved. Lic. PC0003837

Washington Park Profile 17

November 1, 2021

Colorado Community Media honored for past women of excellence Colorado Press Women celebrates 80 years By Thelma Grimes tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

With a long history of producing community journalism, several newspapers that are now part of Colorado Community Media have been led by strong women since they started being published. As part of celebrating its 80th year as an organization, Colorado Press Women (CPW) recently recognized women from four Colorado Community Media (CCM) newspapers who were employed by or owned the publications, dating back to the 1940s. The women were also original members of CPW. CCM honorees include: Co-publisher Katherine Bemis of the Littleton Independent Owner and publisher Vera West Parson for the Golden Transcript Owner and publisher Mary H. Isham and editor Lucille Hastings of the Brighton Blade Co-publisher C.A. of the Fort Lupton Press CPW also paid tribute to Daisy Baber, a longtime columnist with the Lyons Recorder.

Accepting the certificates on behalf of CCM during the Oct. 2 hybrid meeting was new publisher Linda Shapley. Like the women being recognized by CPW, Shapley brings decades of newspaper experience to CCM. “I’m honored to continue the news leadership that these remarkable journalists helped begin 80 years ago,” Shapley said. “As the original founders said, ‘Press women have a weapon to shape the peace or destruction of the world,’ and I aim to use that weapon responsibly to build up the next generation of journalists and create stronger communities across the Front Range.” Shapley is referring to the early days of CPW in 1941 when it became an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW), which was established in 1938. In recruiting CPW members, on the eve of the U.S. entry into World War II, NFPW founder Bertha Bless said, “Press women have the opportunity of the century to create a thinking America that can lead the world out of its present chaos. We must save not only the right of the press but also Americans. Grassroots journalism represented in small town and country newspapers doesn’t know its own power. Press women have a weapon to shape the peace of destruction of the world.”

Discover

Locally-owned boutiques are not extinct! • Unique Gifts • Comfort Clothing • Jewelry • Cosmetics • Gifts for Baby • Luxury Bath Products • Large Selection of Greeting Cards

✔Take my gift list to Erica’s! ✔Great gift selection ✔ Easy parking ✔Gift wrapped…Done! Just minutes away | Easy Parking | We gift wrap

3490 S. Sherman St. • 303-762-0266 (2 BLOCKS WEST OF SWEDISH HOSPITAL)

ericasboutiqueandskincare.com T – F 10:30 – 4:30, Sat. 10:30 – 4 *Special shopping hours can be arranged

Check us out on Instagram: ericasboutique_colorado

Today, CPW is a diverse organization of professional communicators, both men and women, who are reporters, editors, broadcasters, public relations practitioners, publishers, advertising and marketing practitioners, college communications educators, graphic designers, photographers, freelance writers and others. “Looking back 80 years at the state of Colorado Press Women, what impresses me most is that 13 of our charter members were publishers and/or editors or their small-town newspapers — strong women,” said CPW President Sandy Nance. “It’s no wonder that equality for women has been as basic an expectation of our membership as our support for the First Amendment.” Early on, CPW focused on establishing rural libraries. Today, Nance said CPW works to help people sort fact from fiction on the Internet. With the emergence of teleconferencing and Zoom, Nance said CPW will focus on increasing membership throughout all of Colorado and not just newspapers along the Front Range. Today, Colorado Community Media continues to grow, focusing on the importance of community journalism. The media company currently owns 24 community newspapers in Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson and Weld counties.

DEPENDABLE and DEPENDABLE DEPENDABLE andand KNOWLEDGEABLE agents KNOWLEDGEABLE KNOWLEDGEABLE agents agents FATHER O DEPENDABLE DEPENDABLE DEPENDABLE andandand Mus seek customers looking for seekseek customers customers looking looking for for lady. ready to j DEPENDABLE and Military tr KNOWLEDGEABLE agents KNOWLEDGEABLE KNOWLEDGEABLE agents agents real PROTECTION and long realreal PROTECTION PROTECTION andand longlong KNOWLEDGEABLE agents ADVENTU seek customers looking for seek seek customers customers looking looking for for adventuro term RELATIONSHIPS. term term RELATIONSHIPS. RELATIONSHIPS. employed seek customers looking for Especially real PROTECTION and realreal PROTECTION PROTECTION andand long longlong cats. All r real PROTECTION and long Looking fo term RELATIONSHIPS. term term RELATIONSHIPS. RELATIONSHIPS. Katherine Bemis as a co-publisher of the Littleton Independent, was one of the ﬁrst charter members of the Colorado Press Women in the 1940s. COURTESY PHOTO

term RELATIONSHIPS.

GRANOLA WORLD T dreams.M days and SINGLE, ARTSY LADY SEEKS SINGLE ARTSY GUY. If you of nowher love painting, decorating, baking and knitting, we are a Having one special person for your car, home and life insurance letsinsurance you get down to get camp, pit Having one Having special one person special for person your for car, your home car, and home life insurance and life lets you lets get down you to down to match. Please be over 30 and willing to take art classes. ® business with the rest of your life. We’re State Farm – it’s we do, 24 / 7, 365. food, we ® what ® businessbusiness with the with rest of theyour restlife. of your We’re life.State We’re Farm State–Farm it’s what – it’s we what do, 24 / 7, we do,365. 24 / 7, 365. n

Look no further. Look Look no further. no further.

™ GET GET TO ATO BETTER . CONTACT ™ ™AN AGENT TODAY. GET A BETTER TOSTATE A BETTER STATE .STATE CONTACT . CONTACT AN AGENT AN TODAY. AGENT TODAY.

no further. LookLook noLook further. no further.

Having onefor special person forand your and lets you get Having one Having special one person special person your for car, your home car, home lifecar, insurance andhome life insurance letslife youinsurance lets get down you get to down to down to ® ® ® ® business with the rest of your life. We’re State Farm – it’s what we do, 24 / 7, 365. business with the rest of your life. We’re State Farm – it’s what we do, 24 / 7, businessbusiness with the with rest the of your rest life. of your We’re life.State We’re Farm State–Farm it’s what – it’s wewhat do, 24 / 7, we do,365. 24 / 7, 365. 365. ™ GET TO A BETTER STATE ™. CONTACT AN AGENT TODAY. ™ ™ TO A BETTER . CONTACT ANTODAY. AGENT TODAY. GET TOGET A BETTER TO AGET BETTER STATE STATE . CONTACT . STATE CONTACT AN AGENT AN TODAY. AGENT BarbBarb FrankFrank Insur Agcy IncInsur Barb Insur Frank Agcy Inc Agcy Inc Barb Barb Frank,Frank, Agent Agent Barb Frank, Agent 261 S261 Downing St S St S Downing 261 Downing St Bus: Bus: 303-777-4989 303-777-4989 Bus: 303-777-4989 Barbwww.barbfrank.com Frank Insur www.barbfrank.com Agcy Inc www.barbfrank.com Barb Frank, Agent

Lori Rickert Insur AgcyAgcy IncInsur Lori Rickert LoriInsur Rickert Inc Agcy Inc Lori Rickert, Agent LoriAgent Rickert, Agent Lori Rickert, 714 South Pearl Street 714 South Pearl Street 714 South Pearl Street Bus: Bus: 303-757-7440 Bus: 303-757-7440 303-757-7440 www.loririckert.net Lori Rickert Insur Agcy Inc www.loririckert.net www.loririckert.net Lori Rickert, Agent

Barb Frank Insur Inc Lori Rickert Lori Rickert Inc Barb Frank BarbInsur Frank Agcy Insur Inc Agcy Inc Agcy LoriInsur Rickert Agcy Insur Inc AgcyInsur Inc Agcy 261 S Downing St 714 South Pearl Street Barb Frank, Agent LoriAgent Rickert, Agent Barb Frank, BarbAgent Frank, Agent Lori Rickert, LoriAgent Rickert, Bus: 303-777-4989 Bus: 303-757-7440 ® 261 S Downing St 714 South Pearl Street statefarm.com 261 Sstatefarm.com Downing 261 Sstatefarm.com Downing St St ® 714 South 714 Pearl South Street Pearl Street ® www.barbfrank.com www.loririckert.net Bus: 303-777-4989 Bus: 303-757-7440 Bus: 303-777-4989 Bus: 303-777-4989 Bus: 303-757-7440 Bus: 303-757-7440 www.barbfrank.com www.loririckert.net www.barbfrank.com www.barbfrank.com www.loririckert.net www.loririckert.net

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company State Farm State MutualFarm Automobile Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, InsuranceState Company, Farm State Indemnity FarmCompany Indemnity Company

State®Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL 1101202.1 statefarm.com State Farm State Fire and Farm Casualty Fire andCompany, CasualtyState Company, Farm State General Farm Insurance GeneralCompany, InsuranceBloomington, Company, Bloomington, IL IL 1101202.11101202.1

18 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

Denver business offers ‘water cremation’ as end-of-life alternative Be a Tree Cremation calls it a greener way By Alexis Kikoen Rocky Mountain PBS

Let’s talk about death. “It’s really a Western culture thing, this death denial,” says Emily Nelson. “Where we just don’t really think about it or talk about it and it’s just become rather taboo.” Nelson, the founder and CEO of Be a Tree Cremation in Denver, believes there is more to death than traditional practices. “Our current conventional method of burial and cremation really perpetuates the idea that somehow we’re separate from nature as humans. We’re not … We don’t need to be preserved in any way,” Nelson says. Be a Tree Cremation, the second facility of its kind in Colorado, specializes in the process of water cremation — technically known as “alkaline hydrolysis.” The process, which was legalized in Colorado in 2011, is surprisingly simple. “The decedent gets loaded directly into this vessel,” says Nelson, motioning to a large cylindrical metal tube behind her. Then, water is pumped into the vessel along with a small amount of potassium hydroxide. The mixture mimics the natural decomposition process and gently dissolves the body, she says. When the process is finished, all that remains in the vessel are skeletal remains and things like gold teeth and artificial joints from surgeries such as knee replacements. The skeletal remains are ground into ashes for the family. Other items are safely recycled. The process also creates a nutrient-dense liquid branded as “Tree Tea.” Family members have the option to purchase small bottles of the liquid to use as nourishment for their plants

Emily Nelson is CEO of Be a Tree Cremation in Denver, which offers an alternative to traditional end-of-life PHOTO BY ALEXIS KIKOEN/ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS services.

at home. Nelson says water cremation is one of the most natural and environmentally-friendly ways to return to the earth, which is what originally inspired her to research the process. “At Be a Tree Cremation, we really have two goals,” she explains. “To help people live on through nature, and to reduce the carbon footprint of the funeral industry, which is not insignificant.” The process of water cremation uses about 90% less energy than typical flame cremations, Nelson says, adding that flame cremations also emit the same amount of carbon dioxide as a 600-mile road trip. “We have no emissions or smoke coming from our building,” says Nelson. Prior to opening Be a Tree in

Sun Valley, Nelson worked with a corporation that owns over 2,000 funeral homes across the county. “At that point I really saw behind the curtain of conventional burial and cremation work, and just didn’t feel right about it. I just knew there had to be a different option for people,” Nelson says. Cremations have only recently surpassed burials as the most popular end-of-life option. According to 2019 estimates from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), by 2040 “the cremation rate in the U.S. is projected to be 78.7% while the burial rate is predicted to be just 15.7%, signifying that cremation is no fading trend.” A traditional fire cremation is estimated to produce an average of 534.6 pounds of carbon

dioxide per person. As journalist Eleanor Cummins noted in a report this month for Wired, that is a higher figure than the per capita emissions of Afghanistan. Be a Tree Cremation currently has one water cremation system and works with about 10 clients per month. From start to finish, the process takes about 18 hours. “Realistically we can really only work with one person a day,” says Nelson. “Once we hit one person a day in the month, we’ll really be at capacity here and start looking at other ways that we can serve more people.” Nelson says Be a Tree’s packages start at $2,250 and they include water cremation, transportation and a basic urn. That is significantly cheaper than the average burial process. A casket alone costs an average of $2,000, according to the

Federal Trade Commission. In 2019, the cost of burials in Colorado averaged $6,907 while the average cremation came out to $4,517, according to data from the NFDA. While Be a Tree’s process is time-consuming, having fewer clients means that Emily and her team can work closely and intentionally with each family. Appointments are often filled with music requested by the decedent’s family, while incense, sage, and candles are lit. “Even though this is a really technology-driven process, it’s still a person, and it’s still someone’s loved one,” says Nelson. Apart from what the family takes home, the majority of the liquid is sent to Half Moon Farm in Lakewood to be used on flowers and other non-edible plants. The partnership between Be a Tree Cremation and Half Moon Farm started about a year ago, when both facilities opened. “It’s one of the healthiest ways in returning us back to the earth,” says Eric Rooney, owner and “chief plant companion” at Half Moon Farm. “Everything that’s in our fertilizers is what’s in this liquid,” says Rooney. They regularly test the Tree Tea, which is a non-toxic solution of amino acids, peptides, sugars, and soap. The exact makeup “will vary from person to person,” says Nelson. The flowers from Half Moon Farm travel all over Colorado — to weddings, funerals, dinner parties, and a variety of other celebrations. “It’s an opportunity for people to look at the story of life,” says Rooney, “and this regenerative idea behind us going back to our most physical sense, the earth.” This story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonprofit public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs. org.

WPVC

Washington Park Veterinary Clinic With loving hearts and caring hands, we take the time to help you provide the best care for your pets. DENVER’S PREMIER INSTALLER OF VINYL, WOOD, AND FIBERGLASS REPLACEMENT WINDOWS! Over 30 Years’ Experience EPA Lead Safe Firm • Honest Pricing

Call us for a free, no-hassle consultation

720-295-0362 windowdoctorofcolorado.com

We are considered essential and will remain open to care for your pets during this health crises. Please contact the clinic for hours of operation and new protocols when scheduling an appointment.

393 S. Pearl St. • 303-871-8050

www.washingtonparkvc.com · Office Hours M-F 9-6 Karen Jones-Diller, DVM | Lindsey Rademacher, DVM

Washington Park Profile 19

November 1, 2021

Support reliable, local news

Voluntary Contribution

PROGRAM

SCAN TO CONTRIBUTE!

To say that our last year was eventful is more than a bit of an understatement. After surviving the economic upheaval brought on by COVID-19, we were excited to get back to our core job of delivering your local news. And then in May, we were purchased by the Colorado News Conservancy, made up of groups dedicated to keeping local news thriving. In August, I came on as Publisher with a mission to strengthen our commitment to each of our local communities, including for those of you reading the Washington Park Profile.

Linda Shapley Publisher

Quality journalism is not free, and there was a reason why, during the height of the pandemic, the work that we did was deemed essential. But we still face peril – more than 60% of all advertising buys in Colorado are spent with Facebook or Google. You might wonder how the Washington Park Profile survives, and we have you, our readers, to thank for that. There’s a trend in the newspaper industry to emphasize “reader-driven revenue,” where readers pay more of the share of the cost, through subscriptions, contributions and memberships, to offset the decline in advertising.

So we ask you, our readers, to contribute to support the cost of reporters, staff and printing/delivery, in our campaign to Support Reliable, Local News. When you contribute to our voluntary pay program, you are supporting our journalists and the vital work they do to keep you informed about your community: news about your children’s and neighbors’ accomplishments and endeavors, how government decisions affect you – including local election information – fun things to do in your community and metro area. The Washington Park area has a great community newspaper because of your hometown journalists. You can contribute whatever you wish. This year, as a bonus, any contribution of $40 or more will allow you unlimited access to the Washington Park Profile website for a year.

We have several ways to make your contribution: 1. Online at ColoradoCommunityMedia.com/ReadersCare 2. Use the form below to contribute via mail 3. Phone us directly at 303-566-4100 4. Scan the QR code with your smartphone Thank you for being a loyal reader, and we wish you well. Linda Shapley Publisher, Washington Park Profile Linda Shapley is the publisher of Colorado Community Media and can be reached at lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

A publication of:

Help us keep your hometown newspaper thriving by making a Voluntary Contribution this fall.

To contribute online: www.coloradocommunitymedia.com/ReadersCare

To contribute by phone: Please call 303-566-4100 • Monday-Friday 9am-4pm

To contribute by mail detach the section below and return with your contribution.

Washington Park Profile, Attn: VC, 750 W. Hampden Ave., Ste. 225 Englewood, CO 80110

Name: ______________________________________________________________________

Contribution Amount: Enclosed is my one-time voluntary contribution of $______

Address:_____________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _______________________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________ Phone:_______________________ We do not sell or share your email or personal information.

Check to receive Newsletters, Breaking News, Exclusive Offers, & Events/Subscriber Services

Check

Please make payable to the Washington Park Profile

Credit Card/Check Number: __________________________________________________ Expiration: ______________________________________ Sec. Code: _________________ Signature: ___________________________________________________________________ *By signing above, I authorize Colorado Community Media to charge the credit or debit card shown. Credit card charge will appear as Colorado Community Media

To contribute online: www.coloradocommunitymedia.com/ReadersCare To contribute by phone: Please call 303-566-4100 Monday-Friday 9am-4pm

20 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

PROTECT YOUR HOME 365 DAYS A YEAR BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND

NATIO

INSTALLS ON NEW & EXISTING GUTTERS

uPVC Frame

Hanger Existing Gutter

EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER!

OFF

YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE *

SENIORS & MILITARY!

OFF

WARRANTY

Micromesh

ER GUA

LIFETIME

’S

CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE

“LeafFilter was a great investment for our home.” –Bill & Jan.

OFF

TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS ONLY! **

FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!

Promo Code: 285

Keeps Out All Debris Completely sealed system protects your gutters — and entire home — from damaging debris.

Subject to credit approval. Call for details.

CALL US TODAY FOR

A FREE ESTIMATE

1-844-618-9585

WE INSTALL

YEAR-ROUND!

Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. **Oﬀer valid at time of estimate only 2The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufactured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suﬀolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114

Washington Park Profile 21

November 1, 2021

A mural of Denver Health nurse Trina Fernandes painted by Thomas “Detour” Evans.

The original photo Detour used for his mural of Fernandes. PHOTO BY BRIAN WILLIE/ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS

PHOTO BY THOMAS “DETOUR” EVANS

Denver Health nurse featured in artist’s new mural Artwork appears as health workers face threats and violence By Kyle Cooke and Brian Willie Rocky Mountain PBS

Few artists are able to capture a moment like Thomas Evans. The artist, who paints under the name Detour, specializes in large-scale public art. His murals of people like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain and John Lewis became popular landmarks over the last year and a half, especially during the racial justice movement in the summer of 2020. But while many people may think of those nationally known figures when they think of Detour’s art, most of his murals depict community members, people he knows personally. The new mural at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Race Street — the original location of Detour’s George Floyd mural — is no exception. What was once a gray wall now stands a stunning, vibrant mural of Trina Fernandes, an acute care nurse with Denver Health. “There’s nothing to describe how amazing his art is,” Fernandes said of Detour. Their friendship dates back nearly 10 years. Fernandes met Detour when she was an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado Denver. Detour was finishing up his master’s degree and working at the Student Life office.

When Fernandes remarked to him that she was impressed by the artwork at the office, Detour revealed that he had made it all. “I just cannot say how amazing he is,” Fernandes added. Their friendship continued, but Fernandes never expected that one day she would be featured in one of Detour’s murals. “It is very surreal,” Fernandes explained. “Because I feel like there are so many people he could have showcased, but he chose me.” In the mural, Fernandes is shown holding her stethoscope over her shoulders, similar to how a baseball player might hold a bat in the on-deck circle. With a slight smirk, she looks confident, triumphant. When Rocky Mountain PBS arrived at the mural to record video, a man admiring the work said it looked like Fernandes had “unfinished business.” “I see someone moving forward, who has been through something,” the man said about the mural. “I see somebody going somewhere.” The mural was completed at a time when health care workers — who were once celebrated with flyovers and nightly applause from balconies in the early months of the pandemic — are now facing threats and violence for simply doing their jobs. Fernandes said she knows many people who have left the health-care industry over the last 18 months. And she doesn’t blame them. In order to take care of others, you have to be able to take care of yourself, she explained. But Fernandes — who works 12 hour

Ireland’s Finest Painting Co. Bringing Color to Wash Park

We Are The Clean Guys In A Dirty Industry

20% OFF labor on all interior jobs performed in

December - March 2022 Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

(303) 512-8777 irelandsfinestinc.com

We’re Getting Busy, Call Today!

Years

night shifts and was recently honored as Denver Health’s “nurse of the year” — is going strong, and the mural reflects that. The flowers that once haloed George Floyd’s head are still visible in the mural of Fernandes, if a little faded. Fernandes said she was a little hesitant to have her mural painted over George Floyd. “I don’t want to take up that space because (Floyd) is such a huge, prominent figure in what has happened within the last year,” Fernandes remembers telling Detour. But it was never his plan for the Floyd memorial to be permanent. On a wall adjacent to the new painting, Detour left a message on a pair of posters. “I just want to inform everyone that I will soon be changing up the wall the George Floyd mural is on,” he wrote in July. “When (artist) Hiero (Veiga) and I first put down paint on this wall we didn’t know the journey it would take us on or how impactful street art would play in our current society.” His message continued on another sign: “I just want to continue telling the stories of the community and will continue to do that through this wall space ... I just wanted to give a heads up because I know the community has grown close with this work.” Detour, who has also painted murals of activists and educators over the past couple years, told Rocky Mountain PBS he prefers to paint murals of people he knows personally. “The biggest thing for me was just being able to paint a friend; paint someone who never really had a mural but they are amaz-

ing community members and just good people,” Detour said. “It’s showing a lot of representation in the neighborhood, the city, the state — just the larger community.” Detour told Rocky Mountain PBS that the next person he has in mind for the wall at Colfax and Race is Paul Hamilton, a Denver art collector with more than 800 pieces of African art. As for Fernandes, she is getting used to texts and phone calls from friends saying they “saw her on Colfax.” But both she and Detour hope that even if someone doesn’t know Fernandes personally, the mural will make them think of someone they do know. “Maybe they don’t know who I am, but I mean, as a nurse, as a first generation student that (made it) where I am, it’s something that a lot of people can relate to,” Fernandes explained. Detour said the mural shows “it doesn’t matter what you do, or who you look like or what income level or what occupation (you have). Basically, you’re able to be celebrated on that scale.” In that way, Fernandes noted, her mural is similar to the one of George Floyd. “There are a lot of people that don’t know (Floyd) but could relate to him because what happened to him has happened to a lot of people in this country.” This story is from Rocky Mountain PBS, a nonprofit public broadcaster providing community stories across Colorado over the air and online. Used by permission. For more, and to support Rocky Mountain PBS, visit rmpbs.org.

CLASSIFIEDS

22 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

COLORADO COMMUNIT Y MEDIA

CAREERS

MARKETPLACE

REAL ESTATE

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Merchandise

Lawn/Garden Services

Jewelry

GREENCREST LANDSCAPING Specializing in lawn removal and resodding. No job too small. Call Bill at 303-722-5923

Ross Tree Company

SOWILO ARTISAN JEWELRY New Location New Hours Hand Crafted Silver Jewelry, Custom Design, Silver Jewelry Restoration and Repair 999 Vallejo, Unit 3, Studio 4K Denver 80204 (303) 548-5467 sowiloartisanjewelry. com Hours: Saturday 11:00 – 4:00 with Special Hours for the Holidays Consultations for Custom Design and Repairs by Appointment

Service Directory Drywall THE WALL REBUILDER Cracks? Holes? Ugly texture? We ﬁx any kind of damage in any age home. Plaster (and Drywall) Repair/ Remodel www.wallrebuilder.com Laura and Dan Pino 303-698-1057 Free Estimates.

SOUTH DENVER LAWN SERVICE

Mowing, Trimming, Edging, Aeration. Landscaping, Trees & Shrubs, Gutter Cleaning, Yard Clean-Up. Call Jasper, 720-2961141 (cell), or email sdls1169@ gmail.com.

Evergreens, shrubs & trees; planted, trimmed, removed. Aeration; sprinkler repair; Gardens; natural rock or block walls; Sod & rock installed/removed; Fence repair. Snow Removal! Lic. & Ins. Dick, 303-783-9000.

CLEAN-UPS/ YARD MAINTENANCE/ SNOW REMOVAL Hauling and yard clean-up. Longtime Baker neighborhood resident; 30 yrs. exp. Insured, references. Free estimates. Call Lou R. Varlaro, 303868-1539.

303-566-4100 classifieds@coloradocommunitymedia.com

SERVICE DIRECTORY ADS

Contact Erin, 303-566-4074 eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com Automotive

For all your diesel repair needs Offering a full service fuel shop specializing in:

40 Years of Caring for Trees in Wash Park

Turbos • Injection pumps • Injector testing/rebuild

Pruning Removal Insect Control Fertilizing Deep Root Watering

Light to medium duty trucks and equipment

303-871-9121 rosstree.net

PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR SERVICES

CLASSIFIED AD SALES

& Drive-in repair shop specializing in: Call or come by to speak to one of our friendly Diesel Experts

6301 Broadway Denver 80216 • 303-428-3611 We look forward to speaking with you!

Moving/Storage GATE CITY MOVING Local home & ofﬁce moving. We’re competent, fast, and in the neighborhood. Rates: $108/hr., 2 men and moving van. Inquire about statewide moves. 306 Washington St. 303-744-8692.

Painting BAUER PRO-PAINTING EST. 1996 We use only the highest quality materials from prep to paint. Drywall, plaster repair, replace damaged wood. A+ rating with BBB. Insured. 303-733-2870 or bauerpropainting@ gmail.com.

Pet Care & Services Pet Sitting Plus Loving care for your pets, security for your home. Cat and small dog specialist since 2002. Bonded/insured. COVID protocols observed. Contact: Kate @ 303.981.6471 or milehicat@hotmail.com.

Plumbing

VAIL Plumbing & Heating 1064 Clayton St.

The Older Home Specialist. Service: repair & remodeling; gas logs. Hot Water Heat. Quality work. Licensed, insured, guaranteed. MC/VISA accepted.

303-329-6042

SHOP LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON CCM

Holidays

Showcase your LOCAL holiday products, services and events in Colorado Community Media publications to reach potential customers for the holiday season! Call us to today

303-566-4100

o a m 2 c b z t W f m n c t u a p

Washington Park Profile 23

November 1, 2021

KASHMANN FROM PAGE 11

on neighborhood streets from 25 mph to 20 mph, and to lower speeds in Denver parks from 20 mph to 15 mph. I had secured $350,000 in the 2021 budget for a study of speed limits in our city. That multi-pronged study looked at neighborhood streets, arterials and collectors, school zones and slow zones, and other high-pedestrian traffic locations such as rec centers, for example. While much of our dollars and engineering will focus on our high-injury network of streets where most serious injuries and fatalities occur, slowing neighborhood traffic is an important first step in changing the mentality of Denver drivers. Since taking office in 2015, I have printed and distributed more than 1,000 “DRIVE 25!” yard signs. We are preparing our first order of “20 IS PLENTY” placards.

Bicycle registration Keep your eye out in coming months for a new bicycle registration program that will make it much easier for you to register your bicycle, and much easier for the police to get it back to you if it is stolen and recovered. 529 Garage is a software program developed by Jay Allard, a long-time Microsoft guru who also invented the X-Box. It’s implementation in Vancouver, B.C., a few years back has led to a 44% decrease in bicycle theft. Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen and his team have agreed to secure the new program and my office, along with District 7 Councilman Jolon Clark and his team, will lead council involvement in bringing this important tool to the public. Kudos to my aide, Brent Fahrberger, and local cycling advocate, Brad Evans, for bringing 529 Garage to the attention of the Denver Police Department. Paul Kashmann represents District 6 on Denver City Council. To get on the district’s email newsletter list, send an email to paul.kashmann@ denvergov.org.

TURN TO THE COLORADO SUN FOR NEWS ACROSS THE STATE The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself. In this way, The Sun contributes to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado. The Sun, launched in 2018, is committed to fact-based, in-depth and non-partisan journalism. It covers everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and education. Now, The Colorado Sun co-owns this and other Colorado Community Media newspapers as a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy. The Sun is CCM’s partner for statewide news. For Colorado Sun stories, opinions and more, and to support The Sun’s misssion as a member or subscriber, visit coloradosun.com.

Schumacher

GATE CITY MOVING

Accounting & Tax Service •Tax Preparation •Bookkeeping •Financial Statements

SINCE 1976

Local ads, coupons & deals are just one click away! CHECK IT OUT AT:

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

• Family Owned & Operated • Reasonable Rates • Local & Throughout Colorado

306 Washinton 303-744-8692

SIXTH AVENUE BEAUTY SALON Catering to “Senior Citizens” STILL OFFERING THE SAME GREAT FULL SERVICE & STYLISTS (Manicurists too)

Convenient Free & Handicapped Parking

1895 So. Pearl St. Denver, CO 80210 303-777-5535 FAX: 303-777-6350 www.shoetax.com

FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS

20% OFF ANY SERVICE

925 S. Niagara St., #430 303-777-5341 Call for an appointment

UPGRADE TO EASY ACCESS AND BETTER STORAGE Enjoy up to 50% more space in your kitchen and better access to your most-used items with our custom pull-out shelves installed in your existing cabinets

50% OFF INSTALLATION* *Limit one offer per household. Must purchase 5+ Classic/ Designer Shelves. EXP 12/31/21

Schedule Your FREE Design Consultation: ®

(877) 326-0607

Hours: Mon - Fri 7am-11pm; Sat - Sun 9am-7pm EST

24 Washington Park Profile

November 1, 2021

Getting Denver to 100% renewable energy New pilot program to help with solar equity By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

According to Jonathan Rogers, a renewable energy specialist in Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency, distributed solar makes up only about 1.5% of electricity use in Denver. “We are going to need a lot more to reach our goals,” Rogers said. In 2018, Denver released its 80x50 Climate Action Plan that calls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, including a goal for the city to be powered by 100% renewable electricity by 2030, Rogers said. “We are fortunate that our utility, Xcel Energy, has released a plan to bring Colorado to 80% renewable electricity by 2030,” Rogers said. “This is exciting, but there is still that gap we need to fill to get Denver to 100% renewable electricity.” Then, last year, Denver’s Climate Action Task Force “encouraged Denver to go even further, faster, by calling for a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040,” Rogers said. And the task force is encouraging Denver to also concentrate on equity and environmental justice in its energy transition. The city now is partnering with Solar United Neighbors’ third co-op to launch a new pilot program called the Solar Equity Rebate Program, which will help every homeowner and small business in Denver that wants to go solar. Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a nonprofit organization that works nationwide, with its Colorado office based in Denver. SUN launched in Colorado in 2019, and the first two Denver co-ops have helped 62 households and businesses in Denver build 341 kilowatts of solar, Rogers said. SUN is now offering its third co-op. It launched on Sept. 15 and anybody who would like to join has until Nov. 20 to sign up. SUN serves as an advocate for its co-op

Solar panels being installed on a roof. Solar United Neighbors’ third co-op is open for new members until Nov. 20. Denver is piloting its COURTESY OF SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS Solar Equity Rebate Program to 2021 co-op members.

members, said Bryce Carter, SUN’s Colorado program director. “We’re here to help people find out if going solar is right for them,” he said. The goal is to get 150 members to join the third co-op, but that is not a cap, Carter said. As of late October, about 60 people have joined. Joining a co-op is free, and there is no obligation for members to purchase solar. “If, for whatever reason, a person or small business decides not to go solar, they can walk away,” Carter said. The purpose of the co-op is to provide people with an opportunity to learn more about going solar, including providing any necessary education and information about equipment. SUN streamlines the process of researching installers for quality control and other important factors while remaining vendor-neutral. Co-op members get a group rate on solar installation. Still, “we have found that the upfront

cost of solar can be a major barrier for many families,” Rogers said. “The Solar Equity Rebate Program will help extend accessibility of rooftop solar to our low-tomoderate income communities.” The Solar Equity Rebate Program provides $3,000 towards the cost of solar and $2,000 towards the cost of battery storage for income-qualifying SUN co-op members. A hardship fund will also be available to support unforeseen circumstances, such as the need for roof repairs or electrical service upgrades, Rogers said. Additionally, the Denver Office of Nonprofit Engagement will assist co-op members interested in additional bill savings by connecting them to nonprofits administering income-qualified energy efficiency programs. “Climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying. Distributed energy resources, like solar, are needed to meet Denver’s climate goals, while supporting

Argonaut Has It! Family Owned for Over 50 Years

Denver’s Largest Selection of Cold Beer.

Over 15,000 Items to chose from • 40,000 Sq. Feet of Fun BUY ONLINE OR INSTORE, FOR DELIVERY OR PICKUP

We Deliver!

760 EAST COLFAX • 303-831-7788

Monday - Saturday 8 am - 11 pm • Sunday 8 am - 10 pm

SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.ARGONAUTLIQUOR.COM

affordability and resiliency in our energy transition,” Rogers said. “Hopefully, we’ll see more installations across the city.” The 2021 co-op is hoping to expand its reach to Denver’s Neighborhood Equity & Stabilization (NEST) neighborhoods, Carter said. NEST neighborhoods are the city’s neighborhoods that are experiencing, or have experienced, gentrification and significant-and-fast change, states the city’s website. Often, residents of these neighborhoods “are faced with a rising cost of living, while locally owned businesses struggle with increased rent costs and the need to diversify their businesses to attract new customers from the evolving community,” states the city’s website. Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval, who represents District 1 which includes northwest Denver, said in a news release that she is thrilled to see the co-op continue to expand its reach and “extend the benefits of solar energy to all through Solar Equity rebates to our low-to-moderate income community members.” “There is a place for every one of us to participate in, and enjoy, the benefits of Colorado’s transition to a clean energy future,” Sandoval added in the news release. SUN would like to offer the opportunity for anyone to get involved with helping the organization get the word out about its third co-op to NEST neighborhoods, Carter said. There are many opportunities, including outreach volunteering, he added. People who are bilingual are especially needed. “Denver residents and business owners understand the benefits of taking care of their community,” Carter said. “We want to make solar available and more equitable to everyone.” To learn more about Solar United Neighbors, visit www.solarunitedneighbors.org/denver. A co-op orientation video is available for view on the website. There are also two upcoming information sessions, which take place virtually: 6 p.m. Nov. 10 and noon on Nov. 12. To RSVP, click on the session with the time and date that works best for you. To find more information on solar, visit the city’s website at https://denvergov.org/solar.