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July 11, 2019
DENVER Since 1926
DENVER, COLORADO
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Denver Water proposes removal of lead pipes Plan will be submitted to EPA for approval in August BY KAILYN LAMB KLAMB@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
“We have a lot more food and beverage optionsm,” Lasley said, “and will soon be offering draft beer and wine, too.” Built in 1927, the Esquire is the longest continuously operating theater in Denver, according to Lasley. “We beat the Mayan Theatre by three years,” he said. “Rumor has it there was a brief time in the 1950s when the building closed and operated as a church, but other than that, we’ve always been a movie theater.” Landmark Theaters took over the building in the late 1980s, and has owned and operated the independent theater since that time. Free parking is available behind the building.
Denver Water is looking to tackle lead in consumer drinking water head-on — by removing all the lead pipes in its system. On July 1, the utility organization announced a new three-part plan to remove the pipes in its service area over the next 15 years. Jim Lochhead, the CEO and manager at Denver Water, said that in order to get ahead of health concerns with lead in the water, “the ultimate solution is just removing these lines altogether.” The organization will present the plan to the Environmental Protection Agency in August, and expects a decision by the end of 2019. Lochhead estimates the plan will cost between $300 million and $500 million depending on how many lead pipes there are. In addition to replacing an estimated 50,000 to 90,000 lead service lines, Denver Water will distribute water filters to customers who may have lead lines, so they can get lead out of their drinking water before their lines are replaced. The utility will also increase the pH levels from 7.8 to 8.8, in order to prevent lead from leaking into the water.
SEE THEATER, P4
SEE WATER, P6
From left, Lucia Gomez, Troy Lasley and Emmanuel Luna stand behind the counter at the Esquire Theatre in Capitol Hill. The theater reopened on June 14. PHOTO BY NANCY PROFERA
Return of a classic Refurbished Esquire Theatre opens with new amenities BY NANCY PROFERA SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Independent movie theater fans flocked to Capitol Hill last month for the much-awaited reopening of the Esquire Theatre. The beloved theater at 590 Downing St. reopened June 14 with its two screens showing “The Dead Don’t Die,” a newly released comedy-horror film featuring Bill Murray, Adam Driver and Chloë Sevigny. David Grivette, who is home in Denver for the summer after
completing his second year of a three-year graduate screenwriting program at the University of Texas, attended the matinee. “The movie was funny and ironic. I enjoyed the cadence and timing of Adam Driver,” said Grivette. “I want to go read all about the making of the movie now.” The theater reopened exactly six months after its closure due to water damage, said Troy Lasley, building manager for 12 years. “We had to close for utility issues and water damage, and we just decided to rehab the whole place.” Inside the theater, there is new stadium seating, floors and carpeting throughout, and a new concession stand offering nachos and fresh pretzels along with the usual popcorn, candy and soda.
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The Regional Transportation District is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. For more on RTD, turn to page 9.
VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10 | CALENDAR: PAGE 13 VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 35