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How a new mural celebrates U.S.-Mexico friendship Page 4
NOVEMBER 2023
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We Don’t Waste expands its services throughout Denver More neighborhoods where access to fresh food is scarce will be served BY NATALIE KERR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
dents didn’t have access to healthy, affordable food. Combined with her food service experiences seeing tons of food thrown away each night, finding We Don’t Waste was just what she needed. “It married my two passions of taking care of people who need it and not wasting stuff,” Liming said. We Don’t Waste is one of the largest food recovery and distribution services in Colorado. Arlan Preblud
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A volunteer displays fresh vegetables that patrons can take home at a We Don’t PHOTO BY NATALIE KERR Waste mobile market in Lakewood on Oct. 13.
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A selection of fruits and vegetables at a We Don’t Waste mobile market are packPHOTO BY NATALIE KERR aged up, ready for a patron to take home.
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November 1, 2023
DON’T WASTE FROM PAGE 2
founded the organization in 2009, picking up leftover food from caterers and delivering it to nearby nonprofits in his Volvo. Now, the organization delivers food to more than 100 hungerrelief organizations, and is continuing to expand its services with mobile programs and education programs. “There’s food over here, and there’s a need, let’s put them together — that’s what I did,” Preblud said. “When you stop to think about it, it’s a very simple process. You take food that’s destined for the landfill – nutritious and good food – and you give it to people that don’t have any food.” We Don’t Waste has identified 50 Denver neighborhoods that qualify as food deserts, which are places where access to fresh, affordable healthy food is low and poverty rates are typically above average. A few years ago, We Don’t Waste compared a map of Denver food deserts to the map of where it was providing services, and found its services weren’t reaching many of the communities that needed them, Preblud said. This exercise spurred the idea for mobile food markets that bring free groceries to neighborhoods throughout Denver, where anyone who needs it can come and shop, Preblud said. There are currently eight markets per month at rotating locations in Aurora, Lakewood and the Denver neighborhoods of Globeville, Sunnyside and Clayton. The markets are designed to allow patrons to take their time choosing the food they want to eat in a welcoming setting, Prebud said. “They can shop with dignity, and get the food that they want, not a bag of food that they take home and they open it and find that they don’t know what it is, they don’t know how to prepare it or they don’t like it,” Preblud said. Sue and Dean Liming have been volunteering at a mobile market near Goldrick since 2021, unloading groceries and helping patrons navigate the market. They like feeling connected to their community and giving back, knowing their time directly helps people who need it. “I just love the environment and the vibe here. Music is playing and everyone seems to be having a good time,” Dean Liming said. “After the first time of doing it, I was hooked.” For volunteers who want to par-
ticipate but don’t live near the mobile market sites, the We Don’t Waste app, called We Rescue, connects local restaurants throughout Denver with drivers who can pick up leftover food and deliver it to a nearby nonprofit or to the We Don’t Waste distribution center. We Don’t Waste is also working with Denver Public Schools to audit their cafeterias and identify how they can waste less food. Teachers are also bringing students to We Don’t Waste to learn about food deserts, food waste and how to decrease their own personal waste, Preblud said. The organization partners with schools throughout neighborhoods in Denver, including DCIS at Fairmont in Baker, Bruce Randolph School in Clayton, Castro Elementary in Westwood, Denver Academy in University Hills, Hamilton Middle School in Hampden and the Denver Jewish Day School. By partnering with schools, religious spaces and nonprofits, We Don’t Waste can better understand each community’s needs and desires, said Allie Hoffman, director of impact and engagement for We Don’t Waste. “We’re not going to come into a neighborhood and say ‘here, you need this.’ That’s not our job,” Hoffman said. “Communities know what they need, so rather, we work with a host partner who can say ‘we’ve talked to our community members, and they want this.’” With new programs and the high demand for services, We Don’t Waste plans to move into an upgraded building in November to expand how much food it can collect and distribute, as well as its educational programs for both schools and the general community. With larger classrooms and a new kitchen space, We Don’t Waste can teach people about food saving habits and teach them how to turn their groceries into nutritious meals, Preblud said. Seeing the organization expand to serve so many neighborhoods every week has been amazing, Hoffman said. She added that it’s clear that everyone who works with We Don’t Waste does so because they care about creating happy, healthy, fed communities. “It feels good to know in this small corner of the world, in this small part of my community, I’m able to do something useful and beneficial with my time,” Hoffman said. To learn more about We Don’t Waste, visit wedontwaste.org.
“Unidos” by Mexican artist Spaik is the latest addition to Auraria Campus’ public art collection. The mural represents the friendship between the United States and Mexico. PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN Story on Page 4.
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‘Unidos not
separados’ Mural on Denver’s Auraria Campus celebrates diplomatic relations, honors roots of displaced Aurarians
BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Two eagles spread their wings on a new mural on Auraria Campus. One represents the United States. The other is the Aztec eagle of Mexico. It is a reminder that just like the eagles, humans and all creatures of the earth live together under the same sun and moon. That’s according to Mexican artist Spaik, who traveled from the Yucatán Peninsula to Denver to create the “Unidos” mural. “We only have one life to enjoy everything natural … and (to) create community and work together to have a good presence for all time,” Spaik said. The “Unidos” mural is celebrated for a number of reasons. It commemorates the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States. It marks the 130th year of the establishment of the General Consulate of Mexico in Denver. And it honors the rich history of the Mexican American families who were pushed from their homes to make way for the Auraria Campus, which houses the University of Colorado-Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver and Community College of Denver. “To bring such an impactful representation of Mexican and Mexican American culture to Auraria Campus is tremendous,” said David Gilberto Olguín, director of cultural and community engagement of the Auraria Higher Education Center, in a statement. “The mural is a vibrant and exciting addition to our beautiful campus.” Spaik’s “Unidos” mural joins Korean American artist Cory Feder’s mural, which was unveiled on Oct. 1 and represents the Asian diaspora. Both murals are located on the Auraria Campus portion of The 5280 Trail, a project of the Downtown Denver Partnership that stretches from Colfax Avenue to Auraria Parkway and links neighborhoods and connects diverse cultures. “Unidos” is a collaborative effort between the Auraria Higher Education Center and the Consulate General of Mexico, and represents the friendship and cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico. “Today, here we are, with those two countries, those two cultures, those two communities finding unity underneath this brilliant piece of work,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston during an unveiling ceremony for the mural on Oct. 10. “Unidos,
Spaik sits below his “Unidos” mural on Auraria Campus, holding both the American flag and the Mexican flag. PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN
not separados. That is what I hope this square will continue to be for all the students that come to this campus.” The General Consulate of Mexico in Denver was established in 1893. Auraria Campus is a historic area that provides a lot of the foundation for Denver, said Pável Meléndez Cruz, from the local Consul General of Mexico. “It’s not only economic issues or diplomatic lines … Mexican American families established themselves here,” he said. “We are binational families now. Two centuries ago, but today, also.” “Unidos” is also part of the effort to reconcile Auraria’s history. In late August, the “I Am Auraria” exhibit opened in the campus’ library, which tells the stories of displaced Aurarians. It stems from a
Museum of Memory project led by History Colorado that fulfills a “commitment to assist communities in documenting and sharing their histories on their terms,” states History Colorado. Still to come for “I Am Auraria” is a community mural that will be painted on the campus’ Plaza building and a robust database documenting Auraria’s residents between 1955 and 1973. The “Unidos” mural will be seen by thousands of people every day — those who visit the Auraria Campus and those using The 5280 Trail. Spaik hopes it brings to everyone an opportunity to discover another culture. And “for the new Chicano generations to discover where they come from, where their roots (are),” he said.
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Explore the Mysteries of the Ice Ages at DMNS BY CLARKE READER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
There’s just something so fascinating about the Ice Age – it’s a world so foreign and so familiar at the same time. Visitors to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., can explore that far off time with the new exhibit, “Mysteries of the Ice Ages,” which opened on Oct. 20. “This area of study is special in how multi-generational it can become. Young kids explore learning about megafauna animals, while adults learn about the glaciation that forms the ice ages,” said Emily Doherty, educator for Mysteries
of the Ice Ages. “This exhibit has something for everyone in that it has many amazing specimens that are engaging to look at and deeper content explanations for those that want to learn something new about how we interact with ice on our planet.” We interviewed Doherty about the exhibit, the museum’s connection to the discoveries on display and what visitors will come away with. Tell me about the genesis of Mysteries of the Ice Ages?
This exhibit is coming to us from the Canadian Museum of Nature. They created this exhibit for their own museum and it has now be-
come a travelling exhibition. We are the first place that it is travelling to. What personal touches has the DMNS added to help connect with local audiences?
We have two facilitated carts where guests can interact with a volunteer and explore Neanderthal traits, as well as Ice Age Animal Adaptations. We also have added many Colorado-specific enhancements, focusing on topics of seasonal fat, winter recreation, local legends of the Folsom site, white-tailed jackrabbits, Colorado wildfires, mountain glaciers, and, of course, our Snowmass Discovery of Ice Age specimens in 2010. This is of such importance
because it’s one of the largest discoveries and projects the museum has led. I also believe guests will enjoy making a personal connection to the exhibit by exploring how they interact with ice in so many different ways in their own lives. What do you hope people come away from the exhibit with?
I hope people will come away from this exhibit with a deeper understanding and excitement around how we as humans interact with our environment, specifically with ice and cold environments. Tickets and information can be found at dmns.org/visit/exhibitions/mysteries-of-the-ice-ages.
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November 1, 2023
Annual Denver Film Festival includes a lineup of ‘must-see’ movies BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Gun control is a hot topic and two of the movies being shown at the 46th annual Denver Film Festival focus on the intractable nationwide problem of creating and implementing safer gun control. In “The Great Divide,” Director Tom Donahue followed Colorado state legislators around as they fought hard to pass newer and stronger red flag laws. Director Nicki Micheaux’s “Summer of Violence” is based in summer 1993, when gun violence and crime rose in Denver. This year’s Denver Film Festival runs Nov. 3-12 at venues across Denver, including the Sie FilmCenter, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater. It boasts a robust lineup of feature length films, documentaries and shorts, as well as immersive programming such as filmmaker conversations, panels, parties and industry guests. In “Summer of Violence,” college grad Naomi has a tumultuous summer, turning down law school to pursue poetry, which angers her parents. Later, she has to cope with tragedy when people close to Naomi die from gang activity. “It was based on the events of that summer – the gang violence and the way it impacted the community,” said Micheaux. “But it’s not about something specific. A young woman trying to find her voice in the middle of this turbulent time. With shooting so rampant in this country, it’s one woman’s story about being caught up in that storm.” Micheaux shot footage in Denver’s Five Points and Capitol Hill neighborhoods, and in Boulder, among other places. “A lot of former gang members came out to the
set to be extras in the film,” she said. “They just wanted to be part of it. It was a welcoming atmosphere and a great place to shoot.” Micheaux summed up the art of filmmaking. “I couldn’t do anything more difficult,” she said. “Making an independent film is like pushing a boulder up a hill all day. But I still choose to do it, and I love it because of the impact.” Turning to Donahue’s film. “I will say the generation coming up is so much more enlightened on the topic (of gun control), (and) has so much more on the history,” he said. “They are so smart and are being so vocal about it.” His film was also shot in Colorado. He had his crew follow people such as Dudley Brown of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners; Lesley Hollywood with Rally For Our Rights; Eileen McCarron of Colorado Cease Fire; and Tony Spurlock, former sheriff of Douglas County. Spurlock’s department lost Deputy Zackari Parrish, who was shot to death in the line of duty, which the film opens with. The documentary focuses on the subculture of gun violence in the U.S., focusing on Colorado’s recent history – Columbine, the Aurora theater shooting, the shooting at the King Soopers in Boulder and more. Other not-to-miss films at this year’s festival
Matt Campbell, the festival’s artistic director, programmed the lineup of films. His recommendations of “must-sees” this year include “I.S.S.,” “The Boy and the Heron,” and “Smoking Tigers.” “I.S.S.” was directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite of Denver, who focuses on documentaries and narrative fiction. This film is a thriller in which all the action occurs inside the International Space Station. “We’re incredibly proud of our DFF46 lineup
“Summer of Violence” directed by Nicki Micheaux is one of the many films showing at this year’s Denver Film Festival, which takes place Nov. 3-12. PHOTO COURTESY OF FESTIVAL FORMULA.
and the opportunity to bring some groundbreaking films to our Denver-area audiences,” Campbell said in a statement. “This is a robust international lineup of independent films, including the Oscar submissions from more than a dozen countries, that allows us to share, explore and celebrate the work of many of the industry’s most respected and awarded directors.” To see a full lineup of this year’s films, or to purchase tickets, visit denverfilm.org.
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LOCAL VOICES
MAZING DENVER WITH WARREN STOKES
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“Celebrating Thanksgiving”
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This mazetorial of a Thanksgiving meal serves as a reminder to be thankful for what we have, and to have empathy and give to those who are less fortunate. To solve, start at the ‘S’ in any of the lower four corners, and maze-out to the ‘W’ for win in the center of the turkey.
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Columnists & Guest Commentaries Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Profile. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to csteadman@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Deadline 5 p.m. on the 20th of each month for the following month’s paper.
Amid the holiday season comes Colorado’s day to give
I
can’t imagine a world without nonprofits. While they need our support all year, my favorite time to give to them is now. Colorado Gives FROM THE Day is always the first Tuesday in DecemEDITOR ber. This year the 24hour online giving campaign meant to increase philanthropy across the state falls on Dec. 5. There are two reasons why I participate every year. First, any donation Christy Steadman amount is valuable. So a donation of $5 from someone means as much as one that’s $500. Because on Colorado Gives Day, nonprofits that receive a donation can receive a boost from the Community First Foundation’s Incentive Fund. The catch is
that the donation has to be made specifically on the day. But, beginning on Nov. 1, you can schedule a donation to go through on Dec. 5. The second reason I like Colorado Gives Day is that every registered nonprofit is eligible to receive donations through the program. Therefore, you will be able to donate to whatever cause you are passionate about. According to the website, there are more than 3,400 participating nonprofits. The website allows you to 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. Colorado Gives Day aims to make a difference in our communities. If you are a numbers person, here are some stats. Colorado Gives Day got its start in 2010. That first year, 20,119 donations were made for $8 million. Last year, 251,126 donations were made,
bringing the total donations amount through the years to $415 million. There are also tangible examples of the impact. Sometimes nonprofits will write a personal thank you letter. I got one from an animal shelter that I once donated to. I also give to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies in honor of my father. In the edition of the “Parkinson Voice” magazine that follows Colorado Gives Day, it gives a shout out to both me and my dad — by name — on its donation pages. Even though I get my byline published every month in the newspaper, there’s just something extra special about seeing my name next to my dad’s in that magazine every year. If you have never donated on Colorado Gives Day, look into it. It’s easy to do, and it helps to make a difference in our greater Colorado community. Check it out at coloradogives.org.
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November 1, 2023
University program helps older adults navigate transitions in work and life
W
hen his company restructured him out of a job in his 60s, my dad retired badly. After a successful 35-year GUEST career, his world shrunk, he lost COLUMN his purpose, and he began to decline — mentally and physically. When I began nearing the age he was when he retired, I started reading about how much longer Anne Button my generation is likely to live. Sociologists are defining a whole new life stage – an average of an extra 30 years after the family-raising, career-building years. Traditionally, choices at this stage have been full-time
work or full-time leisure (of the kind my dad fell into), but many people now want something in between. A new program at the University of Colorado-Denver is designed to address this need. Back to campus, ready for change
Created for experienced professionals who are nearing or at the end of their primary careers and are navigating transitions in work and life, CU Denver’s Change Makers program offers older adults the opportunity to come to CU Denver for a semester to explore possibilities, reset and renew their purpose. This fall, 23 Change Makers fellows who had honed a range of skills and talents — from urban planning to engineering and teaching — came to campus ready for a change, to use that hard-earned expertise in new ways, for new jobs
or meaningful volunteering. Drawing on readings, group discussions and guest-speaker presentations in twice-per-week meetings, they’re now looking at what’s worked and hasn’t in their lives, what’s made the encore years meaningful for others, and the pathways, obstacles, and opportunities they face in designing a meaningful next chapter. Many say that part of the power of the program is the collective connections that participants offer each other. Fellows engage with guest speakers on topics such as change and transition at this life stage, discerning and pursuing purpose in the next chapter, thinking differently about work possibilities, and making an impact in their community. Those who are also auditing academic classes – from modernist art to human-centered design – are
inspired by interesting professors and the diversity of thought that comes from learning with a mixedage group. The program, which is accepting applications for the spring semester through Dec. 1, is helping the older students spark ideas and new ways of thinking about their next chapter. Says one, “The consistent messaging that wanting a career change is not a crisis but an opportunity, and that there’s no ‘right answer’ that you have to find in order to correct a course you’ve messed up has been really valuable to me.” Part of growing trend
Change Makers is one among a handful of university programs in the country designed explicitly for SEE BUTTON, P11
National Career Development Month: Empowering students for success
I
n a world where the value of a college education is increasingly being questioned, the importance of recognizing National Career Development GUEST Month in November cannot be overCOLUMN stated. Kevin McNulty As the newly appointed Career and Applied Pathways manager for the Denver Scholarship Foundation, I believe that this month serves as a crucial reminder of the evolving landscape of career choices and pathways available to today’s students. At DSF, our goal is to guide students towards a wide array of choices, encouraging them to explore various career avenues and discover what truly resonates with their passions and strengths. My role is to serve as their expert on careers and post-secondary pathways at our partner colleges, and one of my primary objectives is to facilitate training for DSF college and campus advisors who guide students on a holistic journey with the most upto-date findings and strategies. The ongoing debate surrounding
college education, apprenticeships and direct employment underscores the imperative for students to possess a comprehensive understanding of their options. The onesize-fits-all approach is no longer tenable. While college may be the suitable choice for some, apprenticeships, trade schools and twoyear colleges provide equally viable paths to success. In recognition of this diversity, one of my main goals is to increase the enrollment of DSF Scholar graduates in technical and community colleges from 10% to 26% within the next two years. Presently, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is directing substantial investments toward workforce development and postsecondary education, with federal funds to broaden the scope of earn-and-learn programs. Consequently, part of DSF’s work also revolves around the creation of education-to-work advising resources specifically crafted for Colorado’s leading industries. These resources will enable students to shape their lives in alignment with their unique strengths, passions and principles. According to the Colorado 2022
Talent Pipeline Report, a staggering 91.4% of jobs in the state that offer a liveable wage require an education beyond high school. Moreover, within the past year, job listings that require a bachelor’s degree have increased by 22%. The report further underscores the clear connection between higher education and enhanced employment opportunities. It’s essential that we avoid tracking students into predefined pathways based on stereotypes. Every option should be considered equally valuable, irrespective of a student’s background or circumstances.
On National Career Development Month, let’s celebrate the diversity of career paths available to students and understand the importance of guiding them towards fulfilling, sustainable careers. Let’s embrace self-discovery, counseling and exposure to a wide range of possibilities as we at DSF help to empower the next generation to design their lives on their terms. Kevin McNulty is the Career and Applied Pathways manager for the Denver Scholarship Foundation.
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November 1, 2023N
The Denver Adult Strings Camp orchestra performs at Lakewood United Methodist Church during the final concert of the Summer 2023 session. PHOTO BY JUSTIN OSHITA/LINELOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
Denver Adult Strings Camp offers everyone an opportunity to play with a group BY CASSIS TINGLEY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Susan Munsinger was 54 when she started playing the violin. A longtime Denver Public Schools school teacher, Munsinger decided to join her fifth-grade class’ orchestra lessons to learn alongside her students. Now, after nearly 20 years of private lessons and playing in community orchestras across Denver, Munsinger is a proud participant of the Denver Adult Strings Camp. “I stumbled into it and I just got so hooked,” said Munsinger. “The music can be challenging, but when you go in you realize there’s tons of encouragement.” Founded by Sarah Jylkka in 2021, DASC is a true post-pandemic organization. After the COVID-19 lockdowns
of 2020 and 2021, and five years teaching middle school orchestra, Jylkka was ready for a change. While she enjoyed teaching middle schoolers, she really wanted to teach adults. She also knew that both she and many of her adult students who were taking private lessons craved the opportunity to play with other people. “My thoughts went wild and I was just like, ‘what if I put all these people together?’ What if it was a structured thing, like a summer camp?’” Jylkka said. And so DASC was born. With the help of a friend who worked in web design, Jylkka created a website for the camp and told her students to spread the word. After a few short
weeks, more than 50 people had enrolled. Jylkka was floored. She quickly sprang into action, organizing coaches and venues and finalizing logistics. By the end of the first camp, everyone wanted to know when the next session would be. Jylkka thinks DASC’s success has been due in large part to its accessibility. DASC does not require auditions, it is open to anyone with six months of playing experience and offers financial aid. Unlike other programs with longer commitments, DASC is only four-toeight weeks long, making it more approachable for musicians with less experience. With its fifth session set to begin
on Nov. 29, DASC includes programming for a variety of learning styles and levels, and offers sectionals, rehearsals and private instruction. Lately, Jylkka has been focused on growing the Spruce Group, which is a group designed for players with less experience. “It makes it an easy place for people to come in and not feel intimidated because everyone around them is also like, ‘I do not remember how to tune my instrument,’” said Jylkka. SEE MUSIC, P11
To learn more about the Denver Adult Strings Camp, visit dascsymphony.com.
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November 1, 2023
MUSIC FROM PAGE 10
The holiday session will include three play-ins on Nov. 29, Dec. 10 and Dec. 23 and a performance at a senior’s home. The DASC ensemble will also open for a Colorado Symphony orchestra concert on Dec. 15. DASC’s seasonal camps also provide an alternative to the traditional classical music environment which, for many, can be overly critical and cause burnout among young musicians. For Stephanie Agtarap, who started playing violin when she was 9, DASC’s supportive culture provided the encouragement she needed to pick up her violin again after quitting in college.
“It was no longer fun. There was so much pressure to do well, to not make mistakes and to encourage perfectionism,” said Agtarap. “With DASC, it’s not like that at all.” Agtarap also pointed out that resources for adults to learn and practice music outside of highly-competitive environments are extremely limited. “For some reason, you’re only allowed to do these things if you’re a professional player or if you take it as seriously as a job,” she said. “DASC fills that gap.” DASC’s greatest draw? Agtarap, Munsinger and Jylkka all agree that it’s the sense of community gained from sharing music with others. “It is so fun to play music with a larger group of people,” said Munsinger. “There’s nothing like it.”
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The Denver Adult Strings Camp founder and director Sarah Jylkka conducts the DASC’s Philharmonic Orchestra during the final performance of the Summer 2023 PHOTO BY JUSTIN OSHITA/LINELOCK PHOTOGRAPHY session at Lakewood United Methodist Church.
BUTTON FROM PAGE 9
this life stage, sometimes called the encore years. “Forbes” describes a national (global, even) trend of university programs “designed with change at their core, and a recognition that change at midlife requires the time, space and resources to explore new selves and life options.” In an August 2023 “Atlantic” article titled “The New Old Age,” David Brooks writes, “The human hunger for meaning and fulfillment is strong. And yet America today is too awash in workism and too short on purpose. We shouldn’t have to
wait until we’re 65 to learn how to transform our lives. Maybe the people reinventing themselves now in these Encore programs can show the rest of us the way.” This new life stage is uncharted territory. But one thing we do know: it offers more than the leisure-driven retirement that my dad’s generation experienced. It might offer more work. But it definitely offers more from work (or from volunteering, or from life): more flexibility, more opportunity, and more chances to make an impact. Anne Button is the founding director of the CU Denver Change Makers program. Learn more at ucdenver.edu/change-makers.
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Fall is in full swing throughout Denver and November brings many exciting and interesting things to do. From the 2023 Veterans Day parade at City Park to an undergraduate student art exhibition, there are plenty of reasons to get social, thoughtful or just have some fun. Denver Veterans Day Parade & Festival
and panel discussions. The festival takes place Nov. 17-19 at the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. The ReelAbilities Film Festival Denver is accessible to all in the following ways: the theater is wheelchair accessible, all spoken content will offer ASL interpretation, many films will have open captions and audio descriptions, and tickets are available at a sliding scale cost for those who need it. For a complete list of films and to purchase tickets, visit jccdenver.org/ reelabilities. A still from the film, “Jasmine Is A Star,” which is showing during the ReelAbilities Film Festival Denver. Courtesy photo.
This family-friendly celebration is meant to honor our military veterans. Three events are planned on Nov. 11 at City Park. Beginning just before 9 a.m., a 5K/10K run kicks off the day. It is followed by a parade at about 10:35 a.m. The day finishes with a festival that runs until 1 p.m. The Denver Veteran’s Day celebration is hosted by the Colorado Veterans Project. All proceeds benefit local veteran organizations and veterans themselves. For more information, visit denverveteransday.com.
“Letters of Suresh”
Denver’s Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma St., is presenting “Letters of Suresh” by playwright Rajiv Joseph from Nov. 11-Dec. 9. Joseph centers on the Asian and Asian-American experience and this play tells a story through “a series of letters between strangers, friends, daughters and lovers – many with little in common but a hunger for human connection,” states the description on Curious Theatre Company’s website. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit curioustheatre.org. Image courtesy of Curious Theatre Company. An informed dialogue on homelessness
Regis University is hosting a new series of events called Regis Conversations and the divisive issue of homelessness is the inaugural topic. The public is invited to participate in the conversation, “An Informed Dialogue Around the Complexities of Homelessness,”
which will feature a panel of local experts followed by an interactive, community Q&A session. The conversation is free and takes place from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 17 in Regis University’s Claver Hall, 3333 Regis Blvd. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to contribute to a food drive that will benefit the Denver Rescue Mission. The conversation can also be live-streamed. Registration is required for both the in-person and virtual event. To learn more or register for Regis Conversations, visit regis.edu/signature-events/ regis-conversations.
p.m. Cost is $27 for adults, $19 for seniors who are 65 or older, $12 for students, and free for children 12 and younger. To purchase tickets, visit denverphilharmonic.org
‘Sounds of Change’
The Denver Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Sounds of Change” concert will highlight transformation and evolution, featuring Florence Price’s Concert Overture No. 1, Lowell Liebermann’s Flute Concerto and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 “Reformation.” It takes place Nov. 10 on the Antonia Brico Stage at Denver’s Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. with the concert beginning at 7:30
ReelAbilities Film Festival
The ReelAbilities Film Festival promotes awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Now in its third annual year in Denver, the festival includes 13 films and shorts and a variety of other goings-on, such as live caricature drawing by artists with Access Gallery. There are also receptions
Check out MSU student art
Seventeen emerging artists will showcase their work at the Fall 2023 BFA Thesis Exhibition. The exhibit highlights student work as they complete their undergraduate studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Themes include exploration, communication, advocacy, identity, sexuality, autonomy, connection and hybridity. The collection incorporates installation, design, video, performance, drawing, painting, ceramics and sculpture. The exhibit takes place Nov. 3-Dec. 8 at MSU’s Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe Dr., which is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Extended hours until 8 p.m. are offered on First Fridays. Admission is free. To learn more, visit msudenver.edu/cva. A crowd of people admire art during the last BFA Thesis Exhibition. Photo by Jenna Miles. SEE THINGS TO DO, P13
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THINGS TO DO FROM PAGE 12
A queer country night at MCA
Time to get boot-scootin’ because the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver) and MissFitts Entertainment is hosting a Queer Country Night. This event is an accompaniment to MCA Denver’s “Cowboy” exhibit that is on display through Feb. 19. “Cowboy” explores the origins of the American cowboy and its cultural significance today. Queer Country Night begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Holiday Theater, 2644 W. 32nd Ave., in Dever. It will feature country line dancing and lessons and live music by Jordin Dearinger and their band. The cost is $20 for the general public and $15 for MCA Denver members. Purchase tickets at mcadenver.org. Christmas Lights of Denver by Bus
It isn’t too early to start making your reservations for your holiday fun – and the Christmas Lights of Denver by Bus event fills up fast. This event takes place on Dec. 15, but the deadline to register for 2023 is just after Thanksgiving. You have until Nov. 29 to register for your seat on the bus, which is part of History Colorado’s Tours and Treks series. The tour bus will highlight the city’s festive lights and attendees will learn how Denver was once the “Christmas Capital of the United States.” Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at 5 p.m., with the tour departing at 6 p.m.Cost is $85 for nonmembers and $75 for members. Register athistorycolorado.org/toursand-treks. Pumpkin Pie 5K
It’s time to get on those running shoes because the Pumpkin Pie 5K takes place on Nov. 18 in City Park. Registration costs $36 in advance and $40 race day. This is an all-ages event, and cost for youth age 17 and younger is discounted by $5. Race goodies include a race logo shirt, a finishers medal, a party-like atmosphere on course and a finish line expo with food tables. Learn more or register at coloradorunnerevents.com/Pumpkin/. Latkes and Lights
The public is invited to the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center’s (JCC Denver) second annual Latkes and Lights, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3. This event celebrates Hanukkah, and features themed games, a photo booth, voting for your favorite menorah, gifts for purchase, live music, and, of course, the anticipated Latke Competition. Restaurants and home cooks will be in separate categories, and attendees will have the opportunity to sample them. Cost is on a sliding scale, ranging from $10$18 for individuals and from $40-$72 for a family four pack. To purchase tickets, visit jccdenver. org/portfolio-items/latkes-and-lights/.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts is looking for volunteers STAFF REPORT
People who love local theater and working with the public may want to volunteer with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts during its 20232024 season. The DCPA is looking to recruit at least 100 volunteers to support its Theatre Company, Theatre for Young Audiences, Cabaret and Off-Center productions. Volunteers greet patrons, direct them to their seats, provide information and distribute programs. Volunteers should be 18 or older and be able to commit to one shift every other week during the season. Skills include being able to read and interpret digital and printed tickets, and some technology use, such as assisting with email and a volunteer scheduling platform. Perks include enjoying the performances during scheduled shifts, special ticket offers, discounted DCPA education classes and volunteer events. There is no deadline to apply and training sessions take place throughout the season. To learn more or apply, visit denvercenter.org/support-us/ volunteer.
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is looking to hire 100 volunteers for its 2023-2024 theater season. COURTESY OF THE DENVER CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Denver’s PlatteForum has more youth internships, will pay them more PlatteForum plans to increase the number of youth it can serve through its ArtLab program. It will go from 40 to 50 interns thanks to a grant from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation. PlatteForum’s ArtLab is an arts-education internship program for high school teens. It encourages them to engage with social issues and to use
their voices to create change. Interns get the chance to work with experienced professional artists on projects that hone their technical, social/emotional, creative, professional and academic skills. Additional resources available to each intern include private therapy, tutoring, groceries, case management and access to technology. The grant will also allow the
interns’ hourly stipend to increase from $10 an hour to $11 an hour. PlatteForum is a Denverbased nonprofit that, in addition to its ArtLab, has an artist residency program. Its art exhibits, performances and special events are always free and open to the public. Learn more at platteforum. org.
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Keeping the stories of WWII alive Local woman tours the state as Rosie the Riveter BY DIANNE BLOMBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
In Denver and across the front range, author-historian Gail Beaton is keeping the stories and events of WWII alive. As the archivist for the Denver Woman’s Press Club, Beaton uses a unique hook to keep the memories fresh and her audiences engaged. She tells the story from a homefront perspective, in an entertaining and informative account through a character she developed and named, Gail Murphy. This character was modeled after one of many women, popularized as “Rosie the Riveter,” who worked at the Denver Ordnance Plant, now the Denver Federal Center. Rosies were those who labored behind the scenes to support not only the war effort, but also the men and women who served. After the war, most Rosies lost their jobs to the returning vets and once again took their positions at home in the kitchen. One reason Beaton is committed to this effort is her concern about the history curriculum in our schools. “There is a push for more learning time to go to reading, math and science, and the social sciences are getting lost. Less history is taught in the classroom,” she said.
Gail Beaton, a local author and historian, travels across Colorado and neighboring COURTESY OF PICTURESQUE! BY PAM states to tell the stories of WWII and Rosie the Riveter.
In 1996, as a history teacher at Sheridan High School, Beaton knew she had to come on strong to interest kids in WWII and the role women played. That was the impetus for her Rosie character. She continued the role in her classroom until retiring from teaching in 2005. Beaton has authored many books, and is currently working on her next book about the female homesteaders of Colorado. Word-of-mouth spread and soon Beaton was getting requests to perform her program in schools and community organizations throughout Colorado and in neighboring states. She is already booking into 2024 with March filling up quickly. “March is National Women’s History month,” Beaton said. “It’s a very busy month for Rosie.” Though Beaton performs for many schools, she cautions that the very young would be difficult to engage. “I was recently asked to perform for a K-12 assembly and I told the liaison the little ones will be lost.” During a recent performance at the Denver Woman’s Press Club, the audience of men and women were fascinated with the presentation that included Rosie in costume and the use of many authentic props. Audience members were filled with questions. The younger attendees in the group wanted details about the hardships these women faced, and the older crowd shared the experiences of their parents during the war. The Denver Woman’s Press Club, located at 1325 Logan St., founded in 1924, was well established by the time the war started. Its contribution to the home-front support was extensive. “Members of the DWPC, like those in other women’s clubs, really stepped up during WWII,” Beaton said. “Being a community of writers and activists, they opened the clubhouse doors to servicemen. One major project was the monthly Writers Roundup for soldiers who were writers or interested in writing.” The female member journalists held sway, especially considering that so many men — journalists included — were off to the battlefields, Beaton added. SEE ALIVE, P15
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ALIVE FROM PAGE 14
The Rosies worked in the media as well. Beaton discovered that Lucille Hastings became the first female full-time news editor on any radio station west of the Mississippi in 1944 when KLZ in Denver hired her for the position. Hastings also formerly served as the editor of the Brighton Blade, now a publication of Colorado Community Media. After the performance at Denver Woman’s Press Club, Linnea Tanner, the club’s president, said, “Beaton inspired everyone in the audience to meet challenges of their own time … to build for the future by understanding the past.” This author-historian continues uncovering myriad stories from key players during WWII and is
dedicated to telling them. But Beaton cautions, “of all the women I interviewed for my book, ‘Colorado Woman in WWII,’ only two remain alive. All the others have died.” In Colorado today, there are 1,910 WWII veterans still alive. Nationally, that number is fewer than 120,000, with 131 dying every day, according to NationalWW2Museum.org. “What I hope to accomplish with this performance is not only tell the women’s stories from WWII, but also encourage the audiences to talk to their elderly friends and family members and ask for their accounts,” Beaton said. “I want people to know that these women were amazing. As I researched for one of my books, I was impressed with how humble they were.” Beaton paused thoughtfully. “They simply told me,” she said, “‘we just did it.’”
Gail Beaton as Rosie the Riveter during a recent performance at the Denver PHOTO BY DIANNE BLOMBERG Woman’s Press Club.
Cover image of Gail Beaton’s book, “ColoCOURTESY IMAGE rado Women in World War II.”
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PRIMARILY PUMPKIN
PERCEPTI The orange gourd has moved from inauspicious beginnings to being an autumn staple
BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
You could call pumpkins an important symbol of autumn.
The minute September rolls around, pumpkin appears in every food imaginable from pumpkinspice lattes to soups to pumpkin cereal. Huge cartons of pumpkins arrive in stores as we prepare for fall holidays. But what do we know about pumpkins? How long have they been growing? Do they have other uses than decorations and pie? Why are some pumpkins different from the orange pumpkins we carved as children?
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Here’s your chance to learn more about the orange — and sometimes white and even teal — gourds. Bitter beginnings
The pumpkin began as a tiny fruit — yes, pumpkins are fruits — as long as 7,500 to 10,000 years ago in Mexico and Central America, according to Jennifer Ackerfield, head curator of natural history collections at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The original fruit from the Cucurbita family, which is Latin for gourd, was tiny, hard and round, nothing like today’s pumpkins, and the plants were stinky. Historians hypothesize that the fruits were eaten by woolly mammoths, Ackerfield said, and there were six indigenous species, with one species growing now in the Denver Botanic Gardens’ York Street location. While the plant was gross, as Ackerfield put it, the seeds were tasty. The hard fruit was scraped out to use for bowls and cups. Through years of seed cultivation and seed trading, pumpkins became larger and or-
anger, and then other modifications were bred into them.
Current pumpkins
Halloween pumpkins are specifically bred for size, shape and the pumpkin-wall thickness, so they make better jack-o’-lanterns, according to Eric Hammond, CSU Extension director for Adams County. “Recently there has been a lot more interest in unique shapes, sizes and textures, even those with warty textures,” Hammond said. “Interestingly, the funky varieties are old-time varieties. We wouldn’t call them heirloom pumpkins, but it’s in a similar vein.” He said pumpkins, like many fruits and vegetables, have a wide genetic diversity, and some plant breeders look for that. “Sometimes they find wild varieties that are attractive, and they cross-breed them to get desirable traits,” Hammond said. He said nowadays, people are looking for unusual-looking pumpkins, and growers are happy to take advantage of the demand for them. SEE PERCEPTIONS, P17
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PERCEPTIONS FROM PAGE 16
“Unusual-looking pumpkins have always been there,” he said. “It’s just there wasn’t a demand for them until recently.” If you want your pumpkins to last a lot longer and you are not carving them into jack-o’-lanterns, wipe them with a diluted bleach solution, which kills microbes, and the pumpkins will last a lot longer, Hammond said. He advised people to compost their pumpkins after they have outlived their decorative purpose rather than throwing them away, so they don’t add to landfill waste. Who knew?
• The largest pumpkin ever grown in Colorado weighed 1,729 pounds, and earlier this month, a pumpkin named Michael Jordan was crowned at the 50th World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in California as the largest pumpkin ever grown, weighing 2,749 pounds. • The Pumpkin Capital of the World is Morton, Illinois, which is the home of Libby’s pumpkin industry. About 12,300 acres of pumpkins are grown yearly in Illinois, the most of any state, and more than 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown yearly in the United States, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. • Pumpkins were once considered a remedy for freckles and snakebites, the almanac said, and settlers cut the flesh into strips, dried them and used them to weave mats.
Pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors are available for sale at a local Safeway. PHOTOS BY DEB HURLEY BROBST
• Native Americans grew and ate pumpkins and their seeds long before the Pilgrims reached North America. Pilgrims learned how to grow and prepare pumpkins from
the Native Americans. Pumpkin was most likely served at the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621, the almanac said. • The earliest pumpkin pie made
in America was different from today’s pumpkin pie. Pilgrims and early settlers made pumpkin pie by hollowing out a pumpkin, filling the shell with milk, honey and spices, and baking it, the almanac said. • Each pumpkin has about 500 seeds, and there are 45 varieties of pumpkins, according to Good Housekeeping magazine. • The first jack-o’-lanterns weren’t made from pumpkins. Instead, the Irish carved faces in turnips, and Ackerfield called them very scary looking. When Irish immigrants moved to America, they found pumpkins more suitable. • Christopher Columbus brought pumpkin seeds, along with corn and potatoes, back to Europe, the almanac said. World’s record pumpkins Guinness World Records lists 73 pumpkin records. Here are a few: • The largest pumpkin pie weighing 3,699 pounds was made by New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in New Bremen, Ohio, in 2010. The diameter of the pie was 20 feet. The crust was made of 440 sheets of dough. • Steve Clarke is the world’s fastest pumpkin carver. The teacher in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, holds the record for fastest pumpkin carving at just over 16 seconds. • Trevor Hunt holds the record for most pumpkins carved in an hour. He carved 109 pumpkins in 60 minutes or 33 seconds per pumpkin. • The longest journey by paddling in a pumpkin boat is 37.5 miles achieved by Duane Hansen in Nebraska City, Nebraska, in 2022.
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Tattered Cover files for bankruptcy 3 of 7 metro area bookstores will close BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Tattered Cover Book Store has filed for bankruptcy in federal court and will close three of its Denver area stores and layoff about a quarter of its employees. The beloved bookstore chain is seeking a reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Colorado. It announced its intent to financially restructure on Oct. 16. Locations at McGregor Square in downtown Denver, Westminster and Colorado Springs are expected to be shut down by early November, but could close in the coming days. The inventory from those stores will be transferred to the stores that will remain open. “We want to have the four remaining stores be at the top that they can be for the holidays,” said Brad Dempsey, CEO of Tattered Cover. The Tattered Cover is an independent bookstore chain that got its start 52 years ago. It is owned and operated by Bended Page, LLC. The four remaining locations are on Colfax Avenue in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, at Union Station in Denver, Aspen Grove Shopping Center in Littleton and a children’s store at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora. The Tattered Cover’s Denver International Airport locations will con-
The McGregor Square Tattered Cover is one of three locations that will be closing by PHOTO BY LUCY BEAUGARD early November.
tinue operating as part of a license agreement with Hudson Bookstores. With the closures comes the “loss of expert booksellers,” Dempsey said. At least 27 of Tattered Cover’s 103 staff positions will be impacted. Some impacted employees could fill temporary seasonal positions at the remaining stores during the holiday season. The company is also working to develop severance packages for eligible employees. The Tattered Cover has a history of opening stores in developing areas and becoming the lead tenant in them. Such is the case in Westminster where the bookstore has been key to the redevelopment of the area that formerly housed the Westminster Mall. The company “couldn’t take that
risk right now,” Dempsey said. He added that the company will not expand to any new locations in the foreseeable future. All Tattered Cover locations are underperforming, he said, but a number of factors led to the selection of the three stores for closure, Dempsey said. Those included staffing, projection for potential growth and sales, and interconnectivity between the community and the stores. The McGregor Square location, for example, is a beautiful store, Dempsey said. However, it depends on foot traffic and its location does not boast a lot of other retail stores to help facilitate that traffic. Parking there was an additional issue for customers.
The Tattered Cover, like many retailers and small businesses around the metro area, has not been immune to economic struggles, including rising inflation in recent months, Dempsey added. And, COVID-19 was a “huge disruption. The bookstore has also gone through two ownership changes since 2015. Due to the struggles and transitions, Tattered Cover leaders hope to regain financial footing through bankruptcy filings. The small business provisions of Subchapter V of Chapter 11, which Congress enacted in 2020, could allow the bookstore chain to access up to $1 million in debtor-in-possession financing. That could be provided by a new, yet-to-be-named entity that would likely include current investor board members Leslie Rainbolt and Margie Gart. The new funding would be used to obtain additional inventory for the 2023 holiday consumer buying season, and invest in technology that will provide for a better online and bookordering experience, Dempsey said. “This business is a legacy,” Dempsey said. “(It’s) a civic institution for Colorado. We have total and complete dedication to make this work.” The Tattered Cover is hoping for the support of its loyal customers, especially during the busy holiday season. It’s best to shop at independent stores, Dempsey said, because the revenue stays local. “Everybody loves a bookstore and they’re great for the community,” Dempsey said. “We’re going to keep this legacy going.”
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20 Washington Park Profile
November 1, 2023No
Amount Denver Water customers pay will rise next year BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Denver Water customers can expect to pay more next year. New rates, which will take effect Jan. 1, are expected to increase $1.60$2.30 a month. In the latter case, that’s $27.60 more during the course of 2024. The estimate is based on water usage for a typical single-family home that uses about 104,000 gallons a year. “Denver Water is at a pivot point,” said Alan Salazar, Denver Water’s manager and CEO, in a statement. “These are historic times and we’ll be affected, just as the communities we serve will be affected, by climate change, population growth, variabili-
ty in the economy, inflation and supply chains.” Denver Water states that it “is committed to ensuring the system can reliably deliver safe, clean and affordable water to its customers while mitigating the effects of the economy – from inflation to supply chain issues – on its costs.” Denver Water said the increase will help Denver Water pay for upgrades and maintenance to keep its system operating efficiently, and expects to invest $1.9 billion in the next 10 years in a variety of projects that will make the system more resilient and flexible. SEE WATER, P21
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Denver Water workers replace a pipe at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Downing Street. The water rate increase will help Denver Water fund projects such as this COURTESY OF DENVER WATER one.
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Washington Park Profile 21
November 1, 2023
Busy season set for Denver Center S tephen Sondheim’s operetta, “A Little Night Music,” closed after a full first month into the 2023-2024 season of plays at the Denver Center for the Performing SONYA’S Arts. Set in Sweden SAMPLER on a summer night, where it remains light throughout the whole night, staged in 1900 and involving a cast of romantics — or wannabe romantics — it was accompanied by a live orchestra and Sonya Ellingboe directed by DCPA Executive Director Chris Coleman. What a joy after the COVID-forced silences! All cast members are Equity actors and so skilled at taking us to another time and place … My daughter and I have been attending these plays since the Denver Center for Performing Arts opened — hard to believe it’s the 45th season! The series we enjoy is the “Theatre Company Season,” which will include six more productions. The ticket office number is 303-893-4100 or go to denvercenter.org. “Clyde’s” from Oct. 27 to Nov. 26, in the Kilstrom Theatre — described with the sentence: “What if the path to redemption starts with a sandwich?” Following that will be “Cebollas” from Jan. 26 to March 10 in the Singleton Theatre. “Three sisters, one dead body, and a 10-hour road trip.” “Rubicon” will play Feb. 9 to March 10 in the Kilstrom Theatre. Before the
CIA and MI-6, there was Betty Pack!?? “Emma” plays April 5 though May 5 in the Wolf Theatre and we are assured it’s not your grandmother’s “Emma.” “Where Did We Sit On the Bus?” plays April 19 to June 2 in the Singleton Theatre and finally, “The Lehman Trilogy” runs May 3 to June 2.Denver Center also offers a Broadway Season, which is playing “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” through Oct. 29, followed by “Six,” “Message in a Bottle,” “M.J.” April 10 to 28; and ending with the ever-popular “Company” in the Ellie Theatre. There are added attractions! “Annie,” “Superstar,” “Chicago,” “The Improved Shakespeare,” “Hairspray,” “Shrek,” “Frozen” and “Wicked...” Many readers will want a return visit to Lonnie Hanzon’s appealing “Camp Christmas,” which is returning to the indoor venue, Stanley Marketplace, where it appeared several years ago. It was outdoors at Lakewood’s Heritage Park last winter ... This will offer a cozier spot ... Dates are Nov. 16 to Dec. 24. I’m reminded of a lovely mountain spot for entertainment when summer comes, now that I’ve prowled through the entire play program! The Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake presents a summer of outdoor musicals performed by top grade singers. (Who wouldn’t want to spend a summer singing at the west end of Rocky Mountain National Park?) On the program: “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Something Rotten” and “Almost Heaven” ... Enjoy theater through the year.
WATER
ily homes. Twenty percent of Denver Water’s needed revenue comes from this fixed charge. Denver Water serves about 25% of Colorado’s population, totaling roughly 1.5 million people in Denver and some of its surrounding suburbs. “Water is a crucial resource that supports all of us. You can’t have civilization without it,” Salazar stated. “Continuing to maintain and invest in the system that supports our water supply will ensure we — Denver Water as well as our customers — are ready for what lies ahead, while keeping rates as low as good service will allow.”
FROM PAGE 20
Denver Water is a public agency funded by water rates, tap fees and the sale of hydropower. Monthly bills for single-family residential customers have a fixed charge — tied to the size of the meter — that provides Denver Water with a stable revenue stream. This fixed monthly charge is increasing in 2024, by 50 cents, to $18.40 per month, for most residential customers in single-fam-
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
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Washington Park Profile 23
November 1, 2023
With concerns about costs to homeowners, Denver sidewalk fee is delayed BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A member of the Denver City Council says a delay in the new sidewalk fee will give a task force more time to iron out the structure of the initiative and give homeowners more time to plan for the costs. The fee was expected to begin in January 2024, but the council has decided not to implement it until at least July. District 1 Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval said residents are concerned with the amount of fees they are now facing. In addition to the sidewalk fee, residents are contending with a new trash fee and storm-
water fees are rising. “I’ve had constituents come to public comment regarding the fees that they are facing in Denver and feel that they will be pushed out of Denver because of all the fees,” Sandoval said at an Oct. 2 meeting. “I feel it’s only fair that we delay this sidewalk fee for six months to make sure that the task force has the opportunity to meet and come up with recommendations that we, as a body, can pass.” Homeowners who are delinquent in paying the sidewalk fee face the prospect of a city-imposed lien on their property. Voters passed the citizen-led ballot measure known as Denver Deserves Sidewalks in November 2022. It is now
known as Ordinance 307 — Sidewalk Construction, Reconstruction and Repair — or simply, the sidewalk fee. The fee transfers the responsibility of the construction and maintenance of sidewalks from property owners to Denver government. Property owners, however, must pay an annual fee for sidewalk services based on “linear feet of property frontage and street type,” according to the city. Even homes that have pristine sidewalks will be charged. “The fee is a revenue source to fund maintenance and repair projects and new sidewalk installations to connect people to places and services citywide,” according to the city. “Therefore, the city will not be issuing
A sidewalk in Denver’s Rosedale neighborhood that needs some repairs. PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN
any refunds or exemptions from this fee.” To learn more about the sidewalk fee ordinance, visit tinyurl.com/DenverSidewalkFee.
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24 Washington Park Profile
November 1, 2023No
Sips (with a Z) opens at Meow Wolf Denver Convergence Station gets a lounge to relax in amid the immersive art BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Meow Wolf says it’s OK to wear sneakers with a tux to its new lounge area at Convergence Station in Denver. The new lounge, called Sips (with a Z), features a full bar offering classic and custom cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks and snacks including charcuterie, flatbreads and desserts. Décor for the 3,250-square-foot space is a mix of street art and contemporary art deco, providing an
avant-garde atmosphere. The art museum describes Convergence Station as a “permanent exhibition,” its “first multiversal transit station serving Earth and home to one of Denver’s most unique performance and event venues.” Sips (with a Z) carries through with the Convergence Station theme as the executive travel lounge of the Quantum Department of Transportation. More than 50 artists, designers and technical experts worked collaboratively on Sips (with a Z)’s design and conceptualization, Meow Wolf states. “What I have loved about this project has been the team’s collaborative spirit. From partnering in design to executing that last brilliant layer of graffiti, it’s been a
blast working with these amazing humans,” said Susie Cowan, Meow Wolf’s senior creative producer, in a statement. Sips (with a Z) is open for ticketed guests from noon to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. It is also available for private events. Meow Wolf Denver, also known as Convergence Station, is located at 1338 First St. Convergence Station is the third permanent art exhibition for New Mexico-based Meow Wolf. It boasts about 60,000 square-feet of exhibition space, and is home to The Perplexiplex venue where a variety of live performances are hosted, and the Galleri Gallery, which offers Denver artists a national platform to showcase and sell their work.
People enjoy the new Sips (with a Z) lounge, which opened on Oct. 13 in Denver’s PHOTO BY JO DAVIS Convergence Station.
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