Wash Park Profile July 2021

WashParkProfile.com

JULY 2021

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SEEKING JUSTICE Janitors ask for fair wages, benefits in contract negotiations

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SOMETHING NEVER SEEN BEFORE And Toto too Theatre Company highlights women playwrights

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COMMUNITY TOPICS Local authors cover subjects relevant to Denverites

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STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE TOGETHER Latino Leadership Institute soon to serve people nationally

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2 Washington Park Profile

July 1, 2021

Business Matters Christy Steadman | csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com “This space is meant to inspire other designers and builders, as well as welcome homeowners to explore ideas and concepts as seen in our showroom and through personalized design services,” Lindemann said in a news release. “Everything seen in our living, kitchen, dining and bedroom vignettes will be available for purchase, but are also meant to be a jumping off point to create timeless, beautiful homes for our clients.”

To learn more about Coeur, visit www. coeurinteriors.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.

OPENINGS Carmine’s Italian Restaurants A second Carmine’s Italian Restaurants has opened in Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood.

Called Carmine’s on McGregor Square, it is located at 1951 Wazee St. This location is open for dinner from 5-10 p.m.

Lunch service, which is new to this location, is expected to begin later this year.

Carmine’s Italian Restaurants’ first location, Carmine’s on Penn, which is located at 92 S. Pennsylvania St. in Denver’s Speer neighborhood, opened in 1994.

Both Carmine’s restaurants’ concepts of family-style portions trace back to Italian immigrants of the late 1800s, states a news release.

To learn more about Carmine’s Italian Restaurants, visit www.carminescolorado. com.

Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital While animals have been being treated in the Denver Zoo’s new Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital since last October, the facility is now open to the general public.

The viewing area — called the SchCoeur Cabinet+Curated Interiors’ storelessman Family Foundation Visitor and front at 1059 S. Gaylord St. in Denver’s Education Center — boasts an elevated Washington Park neighborhood. viewing platform with a lobby of viewing COURTESY PHOTO windows which allows all zoo visitors to watch the zoo’s veterinarians care for the Called Coeur Cabinet+Curated Inteanimals in real time. riors, the studio offers custom cabinetry, The Denver Zoo has been treating curated home furnishings and personalanimals on-site since 1982 and after about ized interior design services. four decades, the facility was in need of In a partnership with Plato Woodwork, upgrades. Funded largely by the Elevate the new studio was found and is led by Denver Bond Program, which Denver Denver interior designer, Emily Lindevoters passed in 2017, and donors — mann. including the hospital’s namesakes Helen According to a news release, LindeK. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation and mann “is known for creating beautiSchlessman Family Foundation — ground ful spaces that are a curation of classic broke on the new 22,000-square-foot silhouettes and rich textures, resulting in facility in 2018. balance and joy.”

Today, the zoo’s animal hospital boasts two treatment rooms, critical care units, a FATHER OF EIGHT high-performance diagnostic laboratory, lady. Must love kids, be fit and animal wards and a indoor-and-outdoor suite. The spaces are ready to jumpcutting-edge in and joinsurgical the fun. equipped the most advanced techMilitary training wouldwith be helpful. nology in the industry, including being one of the few zoos in the country to be able to perform zoo animal computerized ADVENTUROUS CAT LOVER tomography (CT) scans. adventurous cat beguests from 9 Thowner. e facility Please is open to employed and willing to relocate. a.m. to 4 p.m.

When the treatment rooms are of notblack in use,and zoowhite visitors can experience Especially fond tuxedo animal will care be through interactive video cats. All responses answered. displays, and staff facilitators will educate Looking for that Purrr-fect match. guests on the many procedures, treatments and surgeries performed at the zoo.

To learn more about the Denver Zoo or GRANOLA EATING, LOVING, to plan aCAMP visit, visit https://denverzoo.org.

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The shop also boasts a refill station where consumers can bring their own containers and refill them with household essentials such as laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaners and face and body care.

Off the Bottle Refill Shop is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

To learn more, visit https://offthebottlerefills.com/.

MILESTONES Annie’s Café and Bar Annie’s Café and Bar, 3100 E. Colfax Ave., celebrated its 40th anniversary with an open house event in June.

The family-owned restaurant specializes in comfort food and has a robust breakfast menu that is served all day.

To view the restaurant’s menus, visit https://annies-cafe.com.

MISCELLANEOUS Cherry Creek Insurance Group and Project Angel Heart Cherry Creek Insurance Group recently gave a $10,000 donation to Project Angel Heart.

Project Angel Heart, which is located at 4950 Washington St. in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood, is a nonprofit that cooks and prepares medically-tailored meals to people living with life-threatening illnesses.

Cherry Creek Insurance Group’s donation started out as $5,000, thanks to a submission process with Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance and their 2021 Make More Happen Awards. Cherry Creek Insurance Group was given the opportunity to raise an additional $5,000 by conducting a local awareness campaign for Project Angel Heart. The community helped Cherry Creek Insurance Group meet the $5,000 goal, bringing the donation’s total to $10,000.

The $10,000 donation will allow Project Angel Heart to provide about 1,200 meals.

To learn more about the Make More Happen Awards and Cherry Creek Insurance Group’s efforts, visit www.agentgiving.com/CCIG. To learn more about Project Angel Heart, visit www.projectangelheart.org.

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Washington Park Profile 3

July 1, 2021

READY TO FLY, NATIONALLY Latino Leadership Institute becomes independent nonprofit

Denverite Alfredo Reyes sometimes travels in his role as the executive director of the Latino Cultural Arts Center. Here, he is pictured in front of the Museo de Arte Popular de Oaxaca in Mexico. Reyes is a graduate of the Denver-based Latino Leadership Institute, which helped Reyes learn to be a uniting leader in his current professional role. COURTESY OF ALFREDO REYES

LEARN MORE To learn more about the Latino Leadership Institute, visit https://latinoslead.org/

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

S

omething that Alfredo Reyes learned through the Latino Leadership Institute (LLI) is that he wants to be a leader who unites.

Leadership is “not about what can I take, but what can I add,” Reyes said.

“It’s important for us to talk about how we can unite again.”

Reyes is the executive director of the Latino Cultural Arts Center, which is a nonprofit organization in west Denver that exists to “advance and elevate the artistic and intellectual contributions of Latinos,” states its website.

Reyes, 31, was born and raised in Denver’s Baker neighborhood and is a 2008 alum of Denver South High School. He holds two master’s degrees and is a recent graduate of LLI. “It’s OK to be bold and strive for excellence in a way that brings all people together,” Reyes said. “LLI can show that there is a better way of leading together.”

LLI is a Denver-based “organization focused on research and programming that elevates leaders in the Latino and BIPOC communities across all industries,” states a news release.

LLI was co-founded by Federico Peña, who is known locally for being Denver’s first Hispanic mayor in the early 1980s, but he also formerly served as the minority leader in the Colorado House of Representatives; and Timothy Márquez, an alum of Denver Public Schools and the Colorado School of Mines who is now a retired oil and gas executive.

“Our founders had a vision for our future,” said LLI’s executive director, Joelle Martinez. “What wasn’t keeping

pace with the demographic shift was Latinos represented in leadership. We were nearly invisible in leadership.”

LLI got its start in 2014, and since then, about 250 people — 10 cohorts — from across Colorado have graduated from the program.

While many of these graduates hold leadership roles, ranging from aerospace to professional sports teams, there is still much work to do, Martinez said.

She points to three main reasons why Latinos are underrepresented in leadership roles. They are: Technical — meaning there is a lack of self-confidence among some in the Latino population, in addition to some needing skills or training such as public speaking.

Social capital — Latinos may not have connectivity to leaders, both within and outside of the Latino community.

Financial and economic barriers — some do not have means.

Latinos tend to serve where it matters most, Martinez added. For a general example, a Latina mother may feel comfortable getting involved with her child’s school, which may lead to the school board, and then perhaps a nonprofit, Martinez said.

“The corporate world or a career is much different,” Martinez said. “They may feel they have to suppress their identity to get ahead.”

Still, diversity in leadership is socially and economically important, Martinez said.

“Diversity leads to innovation,” she said. But “if we’re going to change the face of leadership, it’s not just preparing the individual — the organizations also have to be prepared.”

Therefore, some of LLI’s work

entails convening stakeholders and sharing new methods for workplace inclusion and equity.

Until the COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses to a remote work environment, LLI was housed at the University of Denver. However, demand and the addition of programming led the organization to outgrow its space on the college’s campus. LLI announced in early June that it is now transitioning to an independent nonprofit organization, which includes serving people nationally, though LLI will keep its headquarters in Denver.

“After a successful incubation period at DU, LLI is primed to become an independent organization,” said DU Chancellor Jeremy Haefner in a news release. “We see our affiliations as an opportunity for DU to innovate programming that makes an impact beyond Colorado, and that’s exactly what LLI has done. Now they’re ready to fly.”

Reyes said LLI provided him with a mixture of personal and professional gains. He was in Cohort 9, which took place in 2019-2020, so a portion of the session converted to a remote setting.

In April 2020, Reyes’ father died. He mentioned that though losing his father was hard on him, two of his cohort mates, Adella Lopez and Antionette Garcia, helped him realize the value of completing LLI. Reyes added that LLI as a whole helped him feel part of a network and that he “wasn’t doing it alone.”

“It’s up to all of us to step up and make the world a better place,” Reyes said. “It is yet to be seen what can be accomplished when we’re all at the table, at the right time, with the right intentions, right message, right resources and right action plan.”

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4 Washington Park Profile

July 1, 2021

Janitors march for fair wages, benefits ‘We’ve been called heroes, and it’s time we’re treated like it,’ marcher says of pandemic impact

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

A marcher walks among fellow janitors and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105 during a march PHOTOS BY CHRISTY STEADMAN the union organized in downtown Denver on June 15.

A person holds a sign during a march in downtown Denver on June 15, which was organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105. The union represents more than 2,000 custodial workers in Colorado.

A paleteria — popsicle vendor — accompanies Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105 janitors during their march on June 15 to try to help keep everyone cool with free frozen treats as the temperature neared 100 degrees.

Local janitors gather on the steps of a building during their Justice for Janitors celebration and rally on June 15. During the march, the group would periodically stop on the steps of, or in front of, the high-rise buildings in downtown Denver that the janitors clean to bring awareness to the massive task their job entails.

A person addresses accompanying Justice for Janitors marchers during a stop the group made along their route. The march was organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105, which represents about 2,000 Colorado janitors.

Local janitors gathered at Skyline Park in downtown Denver June 15 for a rally with a twofold mission — one, to honor custodial staff around the world for International Justice for Janitors Day; and two, to march for increased wages and benefits as contract negotiations commence.

“Denver janitors, who are majority Latina immigrant women, are the often-invisible front-line workers in the fight against COVID-19 transmission,” states a proclamation from the City and County of Denver naming June 14-21, 2021, as Justice for Janitors Week.

Denver City Council passed the proclamation on June 14. “As we continue to reopen, we recognize how much our local economy, downtown office buildings and communities depend on the protective work of our janitors, giving us all the confidence to safely come back to our workplaces and continue to make our city thrive.”

More than 2,000 Colorado janitors are members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105, which organized the June 15 event.

SEIU Local 105 represents more than 8,000 people who are employed in healthcare, janitorial, security and airports throughout Colorado and the southwest U.S. The union consists of 2 million people throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, states the SEIU website.

Contract negotiations — with more than 80 cleaning contractors from across the metro area — take place every four years, said David Fernandez, a spokesperson for SEIU Local 105.

The scheduled negotiation last year fell in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic so a contract extension was secured. The extension expires at the end of July, and the next round of negotiations is scheduled to begin by the end of June, Fernandez said.

Throughout the past year, Denver’s janitors have reported cut hours — subsequently, decreased paychecks — and staffing shortages, along with increased workloads, as the buildings still had to be maintained and cleaned at the same levels, Fernandez said.

“This left, for example, some downtown buildings with a skeleton crew of about three janitors cleaning the square-foot equivalent of 54 houses per person,” Fernandez said.

“Now as more people return to the office for work, these shortages in staffing and increased workload have not changed.”

Along with addressing cut hours and staffing shortages, wage increases that match cost of living increases will be a topic in contract negotiations along with guaranteed sick leave.

“Currently, janitors have won vacation time as part of their contract, but do not have specific language guaranteeing sick leave outside of what the state requires,” Fernandez said. “As essential workers, they want to be ready for the next possible pandemic with the guarantee of having time to see a doctor when they are sick.”

Marisol Santos has been a janitor in Denver for more than 14 years, and is a member of SEIU Local 105 and served as a march leader for the June 15 event.

“These issues aren’t new for us,” Santos said in a news release. “We’ve always deserved respect, better protections and a livable wage for our work. But the past year has been like no other. We’ve been called heroes, and it’s time we’re treated like it.”

Washington Park Profile 5

July 1, 2021

Putting women playwrights in the

spotlight

Katy Hollis, playing the role of Zelda Shepard-Berwin, and Jeff Jesmer, playing the role of Max Berwin, rehearse a scene of “Fractured Moonlight” earlier this summer. The play, written by Denver playwright Carrie Printz, is And Toto too Theatre Company’s first since last year’s pandemic shutdown delayed the theater company’s 15th season.

COURTESY OF SUSAN LYLES/AND TOTO TOO THEATRE COMPANY

And Toto too Theatre Company returns with ‘Fractured Moonlight’

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

S

usan Lyles loves to see a play come to life.

Everything about it — “from the page to the stage,” she said.

Lyles is the executive director of the And Toto too Theatre Company, which is a nonprofit that formed in 2005 to promote women artists and playwrights.

Typically, And Toto too stays busy yearround. Each year, it puts on two full-length productions, four or five small-venue staged readings, its annual Play Crawl and a workshop with an artist in residence.

“I’ve missed it,” Lyles said of producing plays. She added that And Toto too “sat dark” since spring 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But now, the theater company is back with

“Fractured Moonlight,” a full-length, original play by Denver playwright Carrie Printz.

“People are excited to see live theater again,” Printz said. “A play isn’t quite complete until it’s performed in front of an audience. Because that’s who you’re writing for — the audience.”

Putting on “Fractured Moonlight” at this time is particularly exciting for a few different reasons, Lyles and Printz said. First, its world premiere has been postponed since April 2020 because of the pandemic, which additionally delayed And Toto too’s 15th season. Secondly, all the actors performing in this run of “Fractured Moonlight” are the original cast, and all are local to the Denvermetro area. Lastly, “Fractured Moonlight” takes place in a nontraditional theater space — outdoors.

“It’s exciting to get back up on our feet,” Lyles said.

She added that And Toto too does important work of spearheading the productions of new works by women playwrights from across the globe at national and international venues.

“Women are grossly underrepresented in

the industry,” Lyles said. “Only about 28% of plays written by women are produced.”

Locally, audiences enjoy the plays that And Toto too puts on because they are something they’ve never seen before, Lyles said.

“Fractured Moonlight” is a dramedy about a fractured family struggling to connect. It tells the story of Max, a former war reporter/ correspondent who was injured on the job.

He shows up unexpectedly at the coastal Florida home of his semi-estranged ex-wife, Shelley, and teenage daughter, Zelda.

Printz, of southeast Denver, is a former journalist and has always enjoyed writing, particularly fiction. She has been writing plays for about 13 years and has taught playwriting at the University of Denver. She describes theater as a “beautiful art form.”

Printz believes “Fractured Moonlight” will appeal to a wide audience. Not only because of the family dynamics represented in the play, but also because it will hopefully inspire people to think about how they — or others — cope with hardships, Printz said.

“We all have challenges in life,” Printz said.

“We do better when we have people to lean on during those times.”

IF YOU GO “Fractured Moonlight,” will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights July 8-24 on the Lawn at the Colorado Free University, 7653 E. First Place, which is in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood.

Curtain is 7 p.m. for all showings, which will run without intermission.

Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased online or by phone. Sales will be limited to 30 tickets per night to allow for socially-distanced seating.

Because the play setting is outdoors, attendees should bring their own chairs.

“Fractured Moonlight” is written

by Denver playwright Carrie Printz.

This run of the play is produced by And Toto too Theatre Company and directed by Susan Lyles.

To purchase tickets by phone, call 720-583-3975. To purchase tickets online, or to learn more about And Toto too, visit www.andtototoo.org.

MEET THE CAST OF ‘FRACTURED MOONLIGHT’ Jeff Jesmer (Max Berwin) Residence: Northglenn About: Jesmer is an actor and a set builder and designer.

He enjoys acting because it allows him to “explore many shades of a single thought,” he said.

Quotable: “Working on an original role can be extremely challenging and extremely rewarding. The audience of ‘Fractured Moonlight’ will enjoy the story and the characters’ arcs. Some of them may also be able to recognize things from the play that have happened in their own lives and relate even deeper.”

Kelly Uhlenhopp (Shelly Shepard) Residence: Denver About: Uhlenhopp has been acting for 30 years. She believes female playwrights are underrepresented in general, “so it feels great to be able to put a powerful, human story from a local female playwright in front of audiences,” she said.

Quotable: “One of my favorite aspects of acting in live theatre is how the play and the performances blossom during the course of a run.

I love making new discoveries every night and learning new things about my character all the way up to closing night.”

Katy Hollis (Zelda Shepard-Berwin) Residence: Denver About: Hollis, 18, has been acting since she was 9. Acting is a form of human connection for her, stating that “a single story can tie two souls together and act as the lifeline that proves no one is truly alone.”

Quotable: “`Fractured Moonlight’ is the perfect play for And Toto too to come back with post-pandemic shutdowns because it is the type of work that will always leave its mark. After seeing this show, you will leave feeling heard, seen and understood in a world that has been far from understandable for the past year-and-a-half.”

Stevie Wise (Elvis Taylor) Residence: Denver About: Wise has been acting professionally since 2018.

He enjoys “the atmosphere live theater brings, the increased heart rate and the butterflies you get right before going on stage. And just telling a story,” he said.

Quotable: “`Fractured Moonlight’ is a good play because it’s about love, trying to understand one another and trying your best. Although sometimes your best isn’t always good enough at the moment, you have something to work towards. That’s really human, and I think most people will be able to connect with that.”

6 Washington Park Profile

July 1, 2021

Second Hometown

By Holly (Liyu) Huo Seven years ago, I came.

In this land, a seed thence was cultivated.

In the blink of an eye, From bud to bloom, I have grown up so much.

On a summer day, I moved to Colorado.

And one day in this summer, I will set foot on a journey to the east coast.

I am grateful and blessed to encounter my professors and many good Samaritans.

They are sunshine in my life, Their generous guidance and sanction are precious assets of mine.

It is the kind of serendipity, And I must be incredibly lucky.

A sentimentalist holding fervor and elation for the forthcoming adventure, Come to realize what this place meant until the departure is nearing.

This chapter has come to its ending, Another story will be noted on the following fresh sheet.

Editor’s note: Holly (Liyu) Huo is an international student from Tianjin, China.

She has spent the past seven years living in Denver and studying at the University of Denver. She graduated from DU with a major in finance and a minor in business analytics in December 2020.

This summer, Huo will be attending a music program at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and this fall, she will be moving to New York to continue her graduate studies at Columbia University.

This poem is a sequel to her first poem, “One of Many,” which was published in the Washington Park Profile in August 2020.

Holly (Liyu) Huo

COURTESY PHOTO

Denver Public Library’s annual Summer of Adventure has begun Youth invited to participate in a variety of activities

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

The Denver Public Library is again inviting youth to read, make and explore this summer.

The library’s annual Summer of Adventure program kicked off on May 25 and will continue to Aug. 21. The program offers a variety of activities for children from birth to 12th grade.

Participants are challenged to complete 15 activities around reading, making and exploring, which can be tracked on an Adventure Guide. Adventure Guides and brochures are available online for downloading and printing or at any library branch.

Youth who register for Summer of Adventure receive a choice of a registration prize, including a Foldscope, which is a fancy paper microscope. Upon completion of the Summer of Adventure program, youth will be awarded a new book as a completion prize. Prizes are while supplies last.

Participants have a variety of activities to choose from, including any of the library’s programs such as DPL Geocaching or attending a storytime, for example.

Summer of Adventure additionally offers a variety of age-appropriate activities, called The Journey. These activities can be done at home, outdoors and virtually. A couple of examples are creating a collage and hula hooping. The Journey activities are swapped out every Monday, so there will always be something new to do.

Important dates for Summer of Adventure: May 25: First day to register June 25: First day to pick up Completion Prize Aug. 13: Last day to register Aug. 21: Last day for prizes Simultaneous to Summer of Adventure, the library is offering its Maker Challenge. All ages, including adults, can SEE LIBRARY, P12

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Washington Park Profile 7

July 1, 2021

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July 1, 2021

WANT LESS SPEEDING AND MORE SAFETY? SHARED STREETS MAKE DENVER SAFER FOR ALL OF US. Denver is growing, which means there are more people and cars on our streets than ever before. Luckily, our new shared streets will help us keep up with these rapid changes by making room for those who are getting places in different ways. All while making the Mile High City safer, smarter and more connected. And now we’re calling on our neighbors to come along for the ride. Join us as we continue to bring even more safety to our streets.

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3/18/21 12:07 PM

July 1, 2021

L A R MU IVAL

T S E F

M

Washington Park Profile 9

ore than 60 Black artists are highlighted at this year’s Black Love Mural Festival. The event kicked off in May, and the murals will be on display through Aug. 1 at Civic Center Park. To learn more, visit blacklovemuralfestival.com.

S M O B LO

Rachel Crosby of Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood works on her mural titled “We the People” on June 20. To learn more about Crosby and her art, visit leannaraesart.com.

Thomas Evans, a local artist also commonly known as Detour, works on his mural at Civic Center Park on June 20. To learn more about Detour PHOTOS BY CHRISTY STEADMAN and his art, visit iamdetour.com.

This mural is one of many on display for this year’s Black Love Mural Festival, which runs through Aug. 1 at Civic Center Park.

More than 60 Black muralists are highlighted in the event.

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Ciara Bourne of west Denver holds a print of her mural while standing in front of the life-sized version at Civic Center Park. To learn more about Bourne and her art, visit ciaradesign. work.

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10 Washington Park Profile

July 1, 2021

LOCAL

VOICES

Snowball and Plowzilla to be on the job this winter

I

FROM THE EDITOR

Christy Steadman

T

love Colorado.

I love having an escape to remoteness anytime I want — it’s only an hour’s drive to visit my parents at their home on five-and-a-half acres nestled in Colorado’s lovely mountains.

I also love the metro area in general, for each municipality’s individuality: the charm of Golden, the uniqueness of old Englewood, the history of Capitol Hill and the diversity of the Wash Park neighborhoods.

And I especially love the bragging rights of getting to call one of the coolest cities I know — Denver, of course — my stomping grounds, or my beat.

But something I don’t particularly love about this state is the snow — more specifically, the icy roads in the winter. I quite enjoy a wintertime snow

when I get to stay in and cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate and just watch it fall. But driving in it is certainly not a top 10 reason for why I love Colorado so much.

It seems odd to be writing this column about winter weather during a nearly 100-degree June day. But a news release that was too cute to pass up inspired me.

Twenty new plows are joining the Colorado Department of Transportation’s fleet this year. While having these additional plows is newsworthy in itself, for me, the most interesting angle is that they are all named by Colorado children.

More than 1,100 names were entered in the inaugural Name That Plow Contest, and of them, a name for each new plow was chosen.

Help the city forester protect and diversify our urban forest

o begin with some background information, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect and has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America.

GUEST It is believed that COLUMN EAB likely arrived in the U.S. on lumber in cargo ships originating from its native Asia. Here, it was first discovered near Detroit in 2002 and now has been discovered in more than Lexi Brewer 35 states, including Colorado. It has been found in surrounding metro areas, including Boulder and Arvada, so it’s just a matter of time before it is found in Denver.

All ash trees infested with EAB eventually die because the larvae feed under the bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Because of this, the dieback of the tree is a slow process, starting at the top of the tree. Since one in six of Denver’s trees are ash, Denver’s Office of the City Forester has been proactively preparing and planning for the EAB’s inevitable arrival for more than five years through planting, tree removal and replacement, and treatment activities.

Be A Smart Ash program With guidance from management practices such as “Slow Ash Mortality” and experiences learned from states like Michigan that have battled EAB for nearly 15 years, the Office of the City Forester created the Be A Smart Ash program in 2016. Be A Smart Ash aims to drive awareness and inspire the com-

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

munity to take action to protect the ash trees on their property. Depending on the condition of the ash tree, homeowners are encouraged to either treat their tree with insecticide or remove and replace it with a new, non-ash tree. The arborists at the Office of the City Forester are happy to assist homeowners in determining the best care for their trees.

Treatment The only way to ensure that ash trees survive EAB is to have them treated with insecticide, of which there are a variety of options. Homeowners can visit BeASmartAsh.org to find more information on how to treat their private-property trees. For public ash trees, the Office of the City Forester is actively taking steps to treat ash trees in public spaces and in the public right-ofway within our city. The forestry team is now on Cycle Six of treatment, meaning many public trees are receiving repeated treatment.

If homeowners decide to keep and maintain their ash trees, there are three main treatment methods — trunk injection, soil drench or bark spray.

Trunk injection: A licensed pesticide applicator drills a hole in the base of the tree and injects the tree with an insecticide. The insecticide is conducted by the tree’s vascular system and ultimately into the cambium layer. Since the EAB larvae hatch and feed on the cambium layer, this stops the spread by preventing the larvae from becoming reproductive adults. When properly administered by a licensed tree care professional, some trunk injections have shown to be 90% effective at controlling EAB, making this the most effective treatment option.

Soil drench: A licensed pesticide applicator will clear the area beneath a tree and then apply liquid or granules that

are then watered-in. This allows the tree to soak up insecticide through its root system.

Bark spray: A licensed pesticide applicator sprays up to 18 inches from the soil up the trunk. This insecticide soaks through the bark and is transferred to the leaves of the tree. This helps to stop the spread of EAB as it targets the adults who feed on the leaves of the tree.

The winning names are: Abominable, Arctic King, Bigfoot, Blizzard, Cheese Ball, Darth Blader, Eisenplower, Fresh Plowder, Frosty, Jack Frost, Mr. Plow, Mr. Snowtastic, No-way Snow-day, Olaf, Plowzilla, Sno-way, Snow Crusher, Snowball, Snowtorious B.I.G. and Zebulon Ice. Each plow’s name will be displayed on its door, so we’ll likely get to see which plow is keeping our individual neighborhood roads clear.

Maybe commuting this winter won’t be so bad.

Surely, seeing a big, powerful machine called Snowball braving the storm will diminish a bit of the grumpiness I inevitably have each time I have to drive in inclement weather.

And, surely, there isn’t any storm that can overpower the all-mighty Plowzilla.

Addressing residents’ three main concerns

T

Removal and replacement Ash trees that are left untreated will eventually succumb to EAB. With this in mind, it may be more effective to remove ash trees that are already dead or dying and replace them with new, healthy trees not susceptible to EAB — not another ash, as ashes will need proactive EAB treatment throughout their entire life in order to survive an EAB infestation.

Denver’s Office of the City Forester created the Ash GAP Program in 2020.

This program removes and replaces smaller, poor-condition ash trees in the public right-of-way throughout the city.

The city is targeting small-diameter ash trees in poor condition because trees that are already stressed are particularly vulnerable to EAB. Homeowners in target neighborhoods are encouraged to opt-in to the program.

In 2021, the program is focusing on Denver’s southwest and northeast neighborhoods, although anyone interested in this program can apply.

Removing unhealthy ash trees from the urban forest not only promotes a healthy forest, it removes a food source that EAB would feed on and eliminates unhealthy trees that would be targets for EAB.

his July will mark two years that I have had the honor of representing the people of District 5 on the Denver City Council. I decided to run for office to bring the voice of the people back to city governGUEST ment. My team and I live by COLUMN four core values — transparency, accountability, customer service and good communication.

When I ran for office, I knocked on more than 14,000 doors and I heard three main concerns from residents in east Denver community. They were Councilmember development, traffic and Amanda Sawyer crime. While the priority levels of these three concerns have changed over time in response to events in the neighborhood, those three concerns have remained top of mind for District 5 neighbors. Having this information allows me to be responsive to those needs, so thank you to everyone who has participated in our annual surveys —and please look for the 2021 survey this fall.

In response to crime and safety issues, I recently wrote a grant application in partnership with the District 2 Denver Police Department for a pilot program to institute foot patrols on East Colfax between Monaco Parkway and Yosemite Street, and between 11th and 17th Avenues. In 2020, that area saw a 163% rise in violent person-on-person crime. East Colfax as a neighborhood had a murder rate of more than 10% last year but it only makes up 1.5% of the population of Denver. I am proud that I’ve been able to work with Denver Police to try to find a balance between recognizing that

SEE BREWER, P11

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Washington Park Profile 11

July 1, 2021

Resources for small businesses on the road to recovery

S

Hiring new talent Last year, unemployment rose sharply during the pandemic, forcing businesses to re-evaluate their budgets and make tough decisions around talent. Given that one-in-five business owners plan to hire this year, it is important to ensure your business is attractive for top talent.

Create an application that is easy to navigate. As businesses begin to reopen, more job opportunities are expected to become available. Create an application process that is quick and easy, but still screens for the experience level you’re looking for.

Make your application mobile- friendly, too.

Get everyone to recruit. Tapping into your current employee base can be one of the most powerful and cost-efficient strategies to find and recruit talent. Your current employees have familiarity with your company culture and the necessary skillset to thrive at your organization. Consider offering bonuses to staff who successfully refer new employees.

and seeking professional guidance. And while one-quarter applied for a business loan or line of credit over the past year, only 16% say they will seek financing in 2021. To continue this positive momentum throughout 2021, consider these strategies: Prioritize your business plan. Sit down with your small-business banker to take stock of your business’ current situation and business plan. Your small business banker can help you set realistic goals as your business’ recovery continues.

Explore available resources to meet your goals. The Bank of America team wants to ensure small business owners have access to the tools and resources needed to secure funding. Bankers can also help connect business owners who may not qualify for traditional bank financing to our network of CDFI partners across the country. Consider the following questions — What new goals require additional financing? Are you looking to boost your headcount? Do you anticipate any structural or technological enhancements in the coming year?

Re-evaluate short- and long-term goals Colorado business owners took advantage of many resources and programs throughout the last year to navigate the pandemic, leaning on friends and family

Operational shifts Business owners adapted their business for the health and safety of their employees over the past year. As the economy begins to reopen, 62% anticipate that

mall business owners in Colorado and across the country are slowly but surely regaining their footing after a uniquely challenging year.

In metro Denver, GUEST growing consumer confidence has COLUMN contributed to improvements, while the Bloomberg Colorado Index, which measures the performance of the Colorado economy, is up nearly 12% year-to-date.

According to new Nathan Macaluso research from Bank of America, business owners’ economic confidence and revenue expectations have bounced back significantly since last fall.

We found that 60% of small businesses expect their revenue to increase over the next 12 months, and nearly 80% attribute this to the availability of COVID-19 vaccines.

While these signs of progress are encouraging, we know that the journey to full recovery can be a long one. Below I am sharing some key insights from the Small Business Owner Report as well as some tips to navigate the path forward as

the economy safely reopens.

Sawyer

to building an ADU in the neighborhood, add more attainable housing options in East Colfax, and provide a wealth-building opportunity to property owners already living along the East Colfax corridor.

And, finally, as we look at the consequences of COVID-19 and the overwhelming number of people who are facing evictions in our city, I have advanced an ordinance in partnership with District 9 Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca that will create access to legal counsel for any resident facing eviction who makes less than 80% of the area median income, which is approximately $85,000 for a family of four.

The amount of money Denver spends on post-eviction services like homelessness and sheltering is astronomical. So, it makes sense to take care of our residents upstream and provide them with the support they need before they get evicted. It doesn’t necessarily mean that these residents will get to remain in their homes, but it does provide an opportunity to achieve better outcomes for them than an eviction on their credit history that will affect their ability to find housing in the future.

I am honored to represent my community with an eye towards our mission and core values, and to move projects and legislation that is responsive to the needs of District 5 residents.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at DenverCouncil5@denvergov.org any time.

FROM PAGE 10

people do not want to feel over-policed, but that they do want to feel safe.

To respond to concerns about traffic speeds and volume, I took advantage of some vacancy savings in my budget and am working with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to perform a traffic study of Eighth Avenue from Colorado Boulevard to Quebec Street. By studying the street holistically, we can determine where to install traffic calming measures and add safer crossings, and use data to enhance safety along that entire corridor. I also advocated for a traffic signal at Newport Street and Alameda Avenue, which is currently on-track for completion by early 2022, as are traffic calming measures on 13th and 14th Avenues which are set to be installed by the end of 2021.

In terms of development, I have always advocated for a more thoughtful approach and have voted against many of the rezoning proposals that have come before city council. Currently, I am working on a legislative rezoning of the East Colfax neighborhood to allow for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). If approved, this would add gentle density and diverse housing stock while also lowering some of the barriers

Brewer FROM PAGE 10

Planting Planting and maintaining new trees is the best way to have a resilient, healthy forest. New plantings will help fill any gaps in the canopy after the demise of ash trees from EAB. Planting for diversity also increases the resistance of Denver’s urban forest to any potential future pests. The Office of the City Forester has always encouraged qualifying home-

owners to apply for a free tree. Since the start of the Be A Smart Ash program, and along with other programs, the forestry team has planted over 2,000 trees a year in Denver. Any Denver resident who has adequate space in their public right-of-way is encouraged to apply for a free tree.

To learn more about Be A Smart Ash and any of its programs, visit beasmartash.org. Become a Smart Ash and join us in our fight against EAB! Lexi Brewer is an operations assistant with Denver’s Office of the City Forester.

the operational changes they made in response to the coronavirus will continue beyond the pandemic - specifically, enhancing their sanitation practices and building a digital sales strategy. As digital proliferation continues, we expect to see more helpful tools come out for business owners.

Consider a digital transition. Businesses across the country have adjusted aspects of their operations, changing primary revenue streams and shifting to online sales.

As we continue to adjust, consider digital banking to limit in-person interactions and greater client convenience.

Proceed with purpose. If you are a part of the 53% of business owners who indicated they are committed to advocating for social change through their business, be sure to set clear and attainable goals.

Consumers are sharp, and will be able to tell the difference between platitudes and substance.

Overall, we’re seeing encouraging progress for the small business community in metro Denver and we’re looking forward to helping business owners thrive in 2021 and beyond.

Nathan Macaluso is the Colorado Small Business Banking Manager for Bank of America. He resides in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood.

“Last Monday, I Was Worried…

My Back Hurt So Much I Couldn’t Even Walk.”

By Leading CO Back Pain Doctor of Physical Therapy, Brooke Olsen Denver - If you or a loved one are 50+ years old and suffer from chronic back pain, so bad that it can even stop you from walking, then reading this new best selling book may be the most important thing you do this year. It can unlock the mystery of your back pain and show you a way to get back to the life you deserve before back pain struck in the first place: • A life where you can sleep at night without tossing, turning, & hoping to find a pain-free position.

secret in Denver - How to actually get to the bottom of back pain without having to visit the doctor, common yet overlooked routines that can help back pain go away fast, and all while avoiding having to take long-term painkillers with gut wrenching side effects.

Perfect if you’re a lady aged over 50+ worried about looking “awkward” or losing your confident, healthy posture to low back pain.

Her book, entitled “Aging Happily Without Pain” reveals the leading cause of back pain that is overlooked by 95% of doctors and even shows how you can get to the bottom of back pain quickly and naturally for FREE… and without pills!

• A life where you can wake up in the morning and not take 20 minutes to get out of bed and then another 20 minutes to put on socks and shoes restricted by your back stiffness and tightness.

• A life where you can pick up & play with your kids without worrying when your back is going to “go out” again.

• A life where you can get up from a chair without waiting and pausing to begin walking.

• A life where you can bend down to the floor and play with your grandkids.

Finally, Denver’s leading Expert in Back Pain, Dr. Olsen - helping 1,000’s of people with back pain recovery advice, has recently released a new, best selling book that reveals the best key

We are gifting out 10 free copies (and Free S&H) to the first 10 readers that call us. To request your Free Book to be sent to you, call our friendly client coordinator, Cody at (720)-772-1133 you can leave a message 24 hrs.

PS. This amazing book is worth $19.99 on Amazon.

12 Washington Park Profile

July 1, 2021

Denver school board names next superintendent Alex Marrero will begin new job on July 6

By Erica Meltzer Chalkbeat

Alex Marrero has been named Denver Public Schools’ next superintendent, following the school board’s vote of 6 to 1 on June 3 to confirm appointment of the 38-year-old bilingual educator from New York.

“My vote for Dr. Marrero is a vote for all of the priorities we heard as we created a forum for our community to lift up their hopes and their fears for our schools,” Board President Carrie Olson said.

Marrero will start July 6, taking the helm of Colorado’s largest school district as it enters a new era of declining enrollment and new approaches to school oversight.

Under a contract approved June 3, Marrero will be paid $260,000 a year to start — the same salary earned by the previous superintendent, Susana Cordova.

Marrero said the job is a dream come true for the child of a Cuban refugee and an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who seemed destined to be another statistic.

“I am looking forward to collaborating and removing any barriers for students,” he said.

Board members said they expect Marrero to take a collaborative, rather than competitive, approach to managing the district’s schools and tackle longstanding opportu-

Library FROM PAGE 6

participate in the Maker Challenge. The Maker Challenge encourages creativity by asking participants to upload an image, video or sound recording to share with the library. Cooking, dancing, drawing,

-Beer, Agent uisiana 80210 22-2777 u5@statefarm.com m to 5:00pm -1 for Lunch ends by appt.

related to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The New Rochelle district has denied any wrongdoing.

Other community leaders have come out in support of Marrero. Ron Cabrera, a longtime Hispanic educator and former interim DPS superintendent, pointed to his experience working with Marrero in the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.

“I know the importance, backed by research, of finding a champion for our underserved students (and) a leader who can be a role model for all our students, our parents and our educational colleagues,” Cabrera said. “I believe Dr. Alex Marrero is that champion for us.”

The meeting to vote on hiring Marrero was a work session with no public comment.

School board members said they had gone through a rigorous process with multiple opportunities for public feedback, and they called on the community to embrace Marrero and work with him as the district addresses disrupted learning and many other challenges.

“I am grateful for Dr. Marrero for going through our process,” board member Jennifer Bacon said.

nity gaps between students of color and their white peers.

At-large board member Barbara O’Brien voted no on the appointment and the contract, though she said she would do everything she could to help Marrero Marrero succeed.

But she believes Denver needs a more experienced leader.

“I don’t think our process produced the kind of stellar applicants for superintendent of Denver Public Schools that we expected to get ... I worry that Denver students and families will experience a superintendent with a huge learning curve,” she said.

Denver Public Schools, Colorado’s largest school district with about 90,000 students, is going through a transition. In addition to grappling with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and demographic changes, the school board is changing how it approaches school improvement. The school board, which sets policy for the district, has moved away from past education reform strategies such as closing schools with low test scores, and has asked tough questions of the district’s independent charter schools.

Marrero served as interim superintendent of the 10,400-student City School District of New Rochelle, New York, for the past eight months after the previous superintendent resigned. New Rochelle has similar demographics to Denver but is much smaller.

Marrero started his career as a guidance counselor and has said reducing the schoolto-prison pipeline is a priority. He said he will hold all students to high standards and work to gain the confidence of the community. He has pledged to start his tenure with a listening tour and include students and teachers in his decisions.

In explaining her yes vote, board member Angela Cobián talked about a time that a guidance counselor helped her avoid getting into a fight after being called an ethnic slur.

He helped her feel safe at school and avoid derailing her academic career.

“When I think about the fact that we’re going to have a guidance counselor turned superintendent lead our district, I think about the power you’re going to bring to our district — the power of compassion and the power of lived experiences,” she said.

A long list of Latino community groups repeatedly called on the school board to delay the June 3 vote. Even before Marrero was named as the preferred candidate among three finalists, the groups had raised concerns about the search process and the experience level of the candidates.

Those with concerns said they grew more worried when Marrero was named in a lawsuit in his previous district in New Rochelle, two days after Denver officials announced their intention to hire him. In the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court, the former medical director accused a number of administrators and a school board member of sidelining her and retaliating against her

This story is from Chalkbeat Colorado, a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. Used by permission.

For more, and to support Chalkbeat, visit co.chalkbeat.org.

gardening, making music — any creative project can be submitted and highlighted online on the library’s Maker Challenge page. All submissions are automatically entered to win a gift card to a local business. The last day for the Maker Challenge is Aug. 20.

“We’ve missed our customers this past year and we look forward to seeing them again,” said Yanira Duarte, program co-

ordinator for Summer of Adventure, in a news release. “The Summer of Adventure program is the perfect way to reconnect with your local library.”

To learn more about Summer of Adventure, or to register, visit https://denverlibraryadventures.org/. To learn more about the Maker Challenge or to submit a project, visit https://denverlibraryadventures.org/makerchallenge.

All library locations, except Byers and Central which are temporarily closed for bond renovations, are now offering open hours for in-person visits. To check open hours for in-person visits to your closest Denver Public Library location, visit www.denverlibrary.org/locations.

Information on curbside hold pickup and book drop off is also available on that page.

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Washington Park Profile 13

July 1, 2021

Author hopes to heal pain sufferers who are 50-plus

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

A leading Denver physical therapist wants to make a difference in peoples’ lives.

Brooke Olsen, a resident of Washington Park, with contributor Annie Brodsky, recently released her first book called “Aging Happily Without Pain.”

Both Olsen and Brodsky have doctorates in physical therapy.

The two opened their clinic, The Physio Revolution at 1224 S. Acoma St. in Denver’s Overland neighborhood, in 2017.

“With nearly two decades of accumulated experience, we both have seen the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to medical care,” Olsen said. “We saw so many people were struggling more and not getting real solutions to put an end to their pain or regain confidence back in their bodies.

We want people to know what is possible and how amazing the body is at healing itself when given the right environment.”

The book is about 215 pages and can serve as “an instruction manual for all pain sufferers on what to do to transform your life from one of inactivity to one full of hope, family outings, walks and hikes in the park and returning to your old self,” Olsen said.

Q&A with Brooke Olsen, author of “Aging Happily Without Pain”

Annie Brodsky and Brooke Olsen.

What inspired you to write “Aging Happily Without Pain?”

When lockdown happened, we quickly worked out that more people would be struggling in pain and needing more help — just simply because of routine changes and closures including gyms, pools and classes. We knew the book would continue to impact so many who are still struggling today and help them find ways to get back to a life that’s more normal, active and worthwhile.

“Aging Happily Without Pain”

What is your target audience for the book and why?

“Aging Happily Without Pain” is for those who are 50+ who are tired of struggling in pain and have tried nearly everything unsuccessfully in the past to help themselves. It’s perfect for the person who deeply desires to get out of pain, naturally and without harmful methods. And it’s for the person who needs a new customized approach — something radically different — that gives them

COURTESY PHOTOS

more hope in their situation.

In what ways do you feel readers will benefit from the book?

Simply put: hope for their future as they age. Aging doesn’t have to be a grim, painful experience where you slow down. It can be joyful, exciting and full of activity and adventures. And it doesn’t have to require pills, injections or surgery to do this.

Readers will learn secrets to

fix pain and avoid slowing down after 50, without harmful or unnatural methods. There’s a little bit of everything in this book — from back pain, knee pain, headaches, neck and shoulder pain to more of the holistic, natural approaches we use to help people every single day. It’s about helping people age 50+ make better decisions about their health and empowering them to stay active and avoid slowing down, even if it’s been months or years of pain.

Author looks at Denver’s lost buildings in latest book

“The Denver that Is No More: The Story of the City’s Demolished COURTESY PHOTOS Landmarks”

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Local author Phil Goodstein believes that many Denverites like the city because of its diversity.

“Denver is our residence,” Goodstein said. “We had to care for it as we care for our home. By grasping the nature of the city, locals can better understand it and shape it to fit their needs, wants and aspirations.”

Goodstein, who is a Denver native and resides in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, has been writing and getting his work published since the 1970s. His first book about Denver came out in 1984, and today, Goodstein is the author of more than 25 books about Denver, including, “Denver Civic Center: The Heart of the Mile High City” and “Spirits of South Broadway.”

His latest book, “The Denver that Is No More: The Story of the City’s Demolished Landmarks,” came out in May. The book is about 330 pages, and is well-illustrated with photographs of lost buildings — and some then-and-now comparisons.

Goodstein hopes readers are able to get a grasp of the city’s past, he said.

“We then have a better understanding of the present,” Goodstein said. “And when we understand the present, we then have the ability to shape the city into something we want — rather than being the victim of something shaped by outside sources.”

Q&A with Phil Goodstein, author of “The Denver that Is No More: The Story of the City’s Demolished Landmarks” What makes Denver an interesting topic for you to write about?

Beneath the gloss of a rather sterile, sports and marijuana-dominated city, is a community that is a microcosm of urban America. It reflects what the

Phil Goodstein

COURTESY PHOTOS

country’s experience has been all about since its founding around the time of the Civil War. Given my location in the Mile High City, it has the best resources for me to focus upon in trying to understand the American and human experience.

Why do you think local readers enjoy learning and reading about Denver?

While transients are satisfied in staying in sterile, virtually identical hotel rooms as they come and go, life is more than simply a job. An appreciation of a neighborhood, architecture, scandal and a sense of location give meaning to the lives of those who have grown up in Denver, in addition to those who have chosen to call it their home.

What inspired you to write “The Denver That Is No More”?

The book is something of a summary of my previous writings about distinctive Denver neighborhoods. It is also a capsule history of the community. Remembering what we have lost allows us to treasure what remains, and act to assure that we leave behind a fruitful heritage.

14 Washington Park Profile

July 1, 2021

Denver Children’s Advocacy Center to host awareness event and campaign called Save Jane

By Christy Steadman

IF YOU GO

csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

According to data found by the Denver Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC), one out of four girls and one out of six boys will be abused before their 18th birthday.

“Child abuse and neglect happens, it is real,” said Gizane Indart, executive director of the DCAC. “It happens to any child regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Bringing awareness to different communities Indart (can) help with validating the painful realities of so many children, and also provides tools for caregivers and community members to become more protective.”

On July 30, the DCAC is hosting a child abuse awareness campaign called Save Jane in City Park. The goal of the event is to bring public awareness to the crisis of child abuse and “instill a sense of hope that with effective interventions, kids do better and they recover,” Indart said.

During the event, the names and ages

The Denver Children’s Advocacy Center’s Save Jane event will take place beginning at 9 a.m. July 30 at the pavilion in City Park, 2001 Steele St., in Denver.

To learn more about the Save Jane awareness event or campaign, or to learn more about the DCAC, visit www. denvercac.org. of last year’s child abuse victims will be read aloud to remind people there are real children and stories of child abuse within the community. However, because the children’s identities must be protected, their real names will be replaced with Jane Doe or John Doe. A total of 11,418 names will be read at the event. Each name represents a child abuse case reported in 2020 in Denver alone.

It is important to note that child abuse cases went down in Denver in 2020, said Michelle Davis, development director for the DCAC. But that is not necessarily because there was less abuse happening, she added. It is possible that fewer cases were reported because the children were

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not out in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore, did not see mandatory reporters — teachers and outside caregivers, for example — on a regular basis, Davis said.

“We felt this is an important time to launch this campaign,” Davis said.

The DCAC is a nonprofit organization founded in 1995. The organization offers seamless, comprehensive and timely services to all traumatized children and their families, Indart said. It has multiple facets to provide a continuum of care, which includes forensic interviewing, treatment and therapy, and prevention efforts and outreach.

The Save Jane event will begin at 9 a.m. and last all day. It is expected that it

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Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, which is a registered neighborhood organization, is welcoming feedback from the community on the development concepts for 123 Speer Blvd. in Denver.

PMG Acquisitions LLC, which is a Florida-based developer, expects to close on the sale of the property — formerly known as the Denver 7 building — in July. PMG plans to build a mixed-use development on the property to include residential rental units above a ground floor retail level.

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Discussion topics during the meetings are expected to include, but not limited to, sustainability, some design elements and concepts such as green space, affordability/ attainability, access to transit and retail tenants.

Any community member is welcome to provide feedback on the project. All emails will be brought to the attention of the working group. To provide comments via CHUN, send an email to chun@chundenver.org. To provide comments via PMG, send an email to Evan Schapiro, managing director of acquisitions, at eschapiro@ propertymg.com.

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will take approximately 10 or 11 hours to read the 11 thousand-plus names. Community members are welcome to come by anytime to reflect, show support and learn more about Save Jane or the DCAC — attendees can even participate in reading the names. DCAC staff will also be onsite to talk with people, provide information and/or let them know about the many opportunities to get involved with the DCAC. Any of the names to be read on July 30 could be a child that you know — the child who lives down the street or even a family member, Davis said.

“Children are defenseless to most abuse,” Davis said. “The community needs to be aware of the number of cases being reported right here in our city.”

Music Where the Sidewalk Ends is part of History Colorado’s Building Denver, which is an initiative to “envision a healthier, more inclusive, more equitable city,” states a news release. There are exhibits that contribute to Building Denver on all four floors of the History Colorado Center.

The History Colorado Center will be open until 8 p.m. through August, and July’s concert-goers are welcome to explore the museum prior to performances. General admission tickets to the museum range in cost of up to $14, and those who purchase tickets online in advance can receive a $1 discount per ticket.

To purchase tickets online or to learn more about History Colorado, visit www. historycolorado.org.

Washington Park Profile 15

July 1, 2021

Exploring health-care careers

New patch allows Girl Scouts to get hands-on experience with patient care

By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Girl Scouts are a great fit for the healthcare industry.

“Girl Scouts are strong, passionate leaders who make the world a better place,” said Emily Speck, program director for Girl Scouts of Colorado. “The health-care industry is made of people who also have a passion and desire to make the world a better place through keeping people healthy.”

In May, Girl Scouts of Colorado launched its Building Healthy Journeys patch program. It is in partnership with HealthONE and Rocky Mountain Hospital and allows Girl Scouts of all ages the opportunity to explore and experience the vast variety of health-care careers.

“Health care is more than doctors and nurses. School-age students may not know about all the opportunities there are in health care,” said Maureen McDonald, assistant vice president of community engagement for HealthONE, who helped develop the patch program. “The Building Healthy Journeys patch allows us to embrace hundreds of curious, achieving young women who aim to learn more about a career in health care.”

Through the experiential activities, the Girl Scouts get real-life, hands-on experience that illustrates myriad roles in patient care. The Girl Scouts of Colorado worked with child life specialists at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, 2001 N. High St. in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood, to create the journeys that the Girl Scouts do to earn the patch. Child life specialists work with patients and their families to help them prepare for, and respond to, various treatments, McDonald added.

Girl Scouts of all ages can participate in the program, as there are two different curriculums. Both offer the opportunity for the Girl Scouts to explore the careers and skills that make up each scenario’s community of care.

Daisies, Brownies and Juniors — Girl Scouts who are in kindergarten through fifth grade — meet Estrella, who is badly injured while hiking. Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors — Girl Scouts in middle and high school — meet Kelsi, who recently found out she has scoliosis, which is a sideways curvature of the spine, and will receive spinal surgery.

“As they follow the journey of a girl their age through her experience in a hospital setting, Girl Scouts learn about each role

The new Building Healthy Journeys patch, which was developed in partnership between HealthONE and the Girl Scouts of Colorado, allows Girl Scouts to explore various jobs in health care. COURTESY IMAGE

that meets the needs of the patient,” Speck said. “At each step, Girl Scouts complete an activity to learn a skill or knowledge that someone in that role would need to have for their job.”

Parker Girl Scout Junior Juliette Hoffman, 11, was among the first in the state to complete the Building Healthy Journeys program in early May. It took Hoffman about two days to earn the patch and described the experience as getting to spend “a day in the life of a person working in the medical field.”

“It was really fun to see how people work on a day-to-day basis,” Hoffman said. “This really brought that to light.”

She added the activities in the patch program are relevant to real life. In fact, at about the time Hoffman was working on the patch, she had to visit an urgent care because she injured her thumb.

“After I was examined by the nurse practitioner, I was taken to another room to get an x-ray of my thumb, just like Estrella,” Hoffman said. “In my trip to the urgent care, I had several people help me along the way. If you want to help people everyday, become a health-care professional, too.”

Many Girl Scouts are interested in STEM careers in general, and the Building Healthy Journeys program is yet another way they are able to explore the many roles within health care, which is a STEM career, Speck said.

And if a Girl Scout wants to explore further, she can learn about the education needed and other requirements that make a person in a given health-care role successful, Speck said.

“Demographics in our city and state indicate that we are growing and we need more health-care workers,” McDonald said. The Building Healthy Journeys patch provides Girl Scouts with “exposure into the wide world of opportunities in health care. Early exposure to that exploration can potentially lead to further training for those who are interested.”

Juliette Hoffman, 11, was one of the first to earn the new Building Healthy Journeys patch, which allows Girl Scouts to experience a career in health care. She mentioned the real-world relevancy of the patch that coincided with her own experience of having to visit an urgent care to be treated for a thumb injury.

COURTESY OF SARAH HOFFMAN

Juliette Hoffman, 11, a Girl Scout from Parker, was one of the first to earn the new Building Healthy Journeys patch, which allows Girl Scouts to experience a career in COURTESY OF SARAH HOFFMAN health care.

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July 1, 2021

Denver Animal Protection warns about handling wildlife Staff report Denver Animal Protection would like to remind residents “to keep wildlife wild — and stay away, for both human and animal safety.”

Wild animals can carry rabies According to the news release quoted above, wild animals account for more than 90% of reported rabies cases in the U.S. Additionally, rabies has the highest mortality rate — 99.9% — of any disease on earth, states the news release.

“Because rabies is so dangerous, Denver Animal Protection takes interactions between humans and wildlife extremely seriously,” states the news release. “Spring and summer months mean a boom in wildlife baby populations. And while these babies are cute, they can be dangerous.”

The rabies virus is spread to people from the saliva of infected animals, usually transmitted through a bite. It can be deadly if not treated before symptoms appear. Even a seemingly healthy animal could be carrying rabies and not exhibit any symptoms, and unfortunately, an animal must be euthanized to be tested, states the news release.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, any mammal can get rabies, but the “most common wild reservoirs of rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes.” The Denver Animal Protection’s press release also points to coyotes.

People who handle wild animals must go to their doctor and may have to get post-exposure rabies vaccinations. Pets that were in contact with a wild animal that may carry rabies must be quarantined for at least 45 days. It is important for pet owners to be sure their pet’s vaccinations are up to date to protect them in the event of exposure to rabies.

Sick or injured wildlife It is important to know that young wildlife are usually not orphaned. Many species of wildlife

leave their young in a safe place while the adults search for food — usually nearby — and it is not common for the mother to leave her babies for many hours.

Birds will often leave the nest before they can fly, hopping around on the ground for days. These fledglings will feed on the ground until they are able to fly.

“Generally, if good Samaritans intervene, thinking the babies are abandoned, they do more harm than good,” states the news release. “Humananimal encounters are often unnecessary and detrimental to the animal. A young animal’s best chance for survival is with its parents who can ensure it learns all its natural behaviors for survival in the wild.”

Sick and injured animals should also be left alone. If you see an animal you suspect may be abandoned, sick, injured or otherwise needs help, the best thing to do is report it, states the news release. Denver Animal Protection officers can properly assess an animal’s condition and determine if it needs to be humanely euthanized or transported to a rehab center for care. Denver Animal Protection works closely with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and wildlife rehab centers in the state.

Who to call Denver Animal Protection serves the city and county of Denver, and Denver Mountain Parks.

To report an animal that you think is sick, injured or abandoned, you can contact Denver Animal Protection through 311 or the Denver Police on its non-emergency number, which is 720-913-2000.

Denver Animal Protection does not remove healthy wildlife from residences, nor does it handle pest-control.

Denver Animal Protection is a division of the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE). To learn more, visit denvergov. org/dphe.

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Washington Park Profile 17

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18 Washington Park Profile

July 1, 2021

MOUNTAIN LIFE IS A HIGHWAY

Locals celebrate returning to Mount Evans highway

By Corinne Westeman cwesteman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

A

urora’s Robin Brilz has visited Mount Evans many times — at least once or twice a year annually for more than 50 years.

Until the pandemic and all its complications prevented her and thousands of others from seeing the summit last year.

The Mount Evans Scenic Byway remained closed to motor vehicle traffic last summer because of health and safety concerns for the U.S. Forest Service staff and general public. So, the only visitors last year were cyclists, trail runners, researchers, and trail restoration volunteers.

On June 4, though, the highway reopened to the general motoring public for the first time since September 2019.

At 8 a.m., the gates near Echo Lake were thrown open and dozens of cars briefly stopped at the welcome station before starting the 14-mile ascent.

At the summit, photographers, skiers, out-of-state tourists and other visitors were reveling in the long-awaited panoramas and the breathtakingly blue sky.

“We’re a very happy bunch,” Brilz said of the first wave of visitors. “I missed it last year, and I wanted to make sure to have that experience this year.”

While the highway is now open for the season, the U.S. Forest Service is requiring reservations for those wishing to visit and park between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Reservations can be made online at recreation.gov up to a month in advance.

Brilz said she wasn’t sure how she felt about the reservation system yet, but understood the general need to balance access to land with preservation efforts.

USFS staff have stated that the system can be adapted as necessary, but it already seems to be streamlining the entrance process.

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A mountain goat peeks around the corner of the restroom building at the Mount Evans summit on the morning of June 4. Several photographers and visitors were excited to see alpine wildlife, as the highway to the summit had been closed to vehicle traffic since PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN September 2019.

Motorists line up at the entrance of the Mount Evans Scenic Byway near Echo Lake on the morning of June 4. When the gates opened at 8 a.m., there were about 40 vehicles already in line to enter.

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A group of skiers exits a snowfield along the Mount Evans Scenic Byway on June 4. The group, which included an octogenarian, has been skiing at Mount Evans for several years.

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July 1, 2021

5

things Denver’s Bring Your to know Own Bag program about A new ordinance in Denver requires all retail stores to charge a fee of 10 cents for each disposable bag provided at checkout. Denver City Council passed the ordinance on Dec. 23, 2019, and it went into effect on July 1.

By Christy Steadman

A disposable bag can be plastic, paper or other material, including compostable material. To avoid the fee, consumers can bring their own reusable bag. The fee is only charged when the store gives you a new single-use plastic or paper bag.

csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Customers who are a participant in a federal or state food assistance program are exempt from the bag fee.

Retail stores subject to the fee include, but are not limited to, convenience stores, department stores, retail chain stores, hardware stores, liquor stores and grocery stores. Restaurants, salons, auto mechanics and other businesses that retail sales are not the primary business activity are not required to charge the bag fee. Paper bags smaller than 7 x 9 inches provided by a marijuana dispensary are exempt as are bags provided by pharmacists that contain prescription drugs. Temporary vendors or events such as farmer’s markets are also exempt.

Of the 10 cents fee per bag, retailers will keep 4 cents and the city will receive 6 cents. The fee is not a tax, and therefore cannot be used for general government expenses. The city’s portion of the fee will be used for Bring Your Own Bag program education, administrative and enforcement costs of the program; as well as free reusable bag giveaways and waste reduction efforts.

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Washington Park Profile 21

July 1, 2021

Johnson and Wales University, South Park Hill.

PHOTO BY KEVIN J. BEATY/DENVERITE

Denver Public Schools to buy part of campus

Johnson & Wales is closing Denver facility this summer

By Paolo Zialcita Denverite

Denver Public Schools will buy four buildings from Johnson & Wales University’s Denver campus for $30 million.

The university, known for its culinary programs, is closing the Denver campus this summer. School officials said the

Denver location was unable to increase enrollment and become self-sustaining.

The purchased buildings — the Wildcat Center, Academic Center, Aspen Hall and Whatley Chapel — will become part of the Denver School of the Arts, a public magnet school for middle and high schoolers. An outline from the Denver school board says the new buildings in South Park Hill will allow them to expand enrollment at DSA, particularly among students of color.

“This is an opportunity for our community to not only really think about being able to acquire some property, and

not just the expansion of potential seats for DSA, but hopefully push us to have conversations across the district about including arts comprehensively in our schools,” school board vice president Jennifer Bacon said at a recent board meeting.

The art school’s current enrollment is 1,110, which is above their “designed capacity of 900.” With the new buildings, DSA will be able to expand its middle school and high school by about 600 students total.

In addition to the initial purchasing price, DPS estimates it will spend an

additional $5 million to $10 million in renovations. They hope to fundraise a portion of the costs and use bonds to fund the remaining balance.

Johnson & Wales acquired the property of their Denver campus in 1999. The land once housed several universities, including the University of Denver Law School and the now-defunct Colorado Women’s College.

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.

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MULTI-MEDIA ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Colorado Community Media, publishers of 24 weekly and 3 monthly publications is currently seeking to hire an Multi-Media Advertising Account Executive. If you aren’t familiar with us, maybe you know one of our publications such as the Arvada Press, Golden Transcript, Westminster Window, Littleton Independent, the Parker Chronicle, the Castle Rock NewsPress or the Washington Park Profile. But we are a lot more than local newspapers. We also can help businesses through our full suite of digital marketing tools. Such as programmatic online advertising, email marketing and our own newspaper websites. If you have a desire to help businesses succeed by being a marketing advisor with many solutions at your disposal, this is your opportunity. Plus, as the local newspaper, we are trusted and well known.

Candidate must be a multi-tasker, be outgoing and a fast learner. Like any sales position, candidate must like the challenge of calling on prospects as well as established customers and earning commission on every sale. Newspaper sales experience a plus but not required.

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Washington Park Profile 23

July 1, 2021

‘Communal experience’ of movie theaters returns With theaters open and without government limits, struggling industry gets reprieve

By Ellis Arnold earnold@coloradocommunitymedia.com

After long stretches of staying closed amid the coronavirus pandemic, the nation’s major movie theater chains reopened locations in recent months. And with capacity restrictions on businesses now lifted around the Denver metro area, the traditional moviegoing experience appears to be on its way to a full return.

It’s a change that could help people’s “reintegration” into socializing, said Vincent Piturro, a professor of film and media studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

“If you haven’t seen friends in a year and a half: ‘Hey, let’s see a movie.’ It’s a sort of a soft landing for socialization,” Piturro said.

The Regal and Cinemark theater chains have reopened locations in Colorado, and nearly all of AMC’s Denver-area theatres reopened at the end of 2020 or in the first few weeks of this year. Those AMC theaters had closed in March 2020.

“I believe most or all reopened for a period of time in the summer and fall of 2020 and then closed again in accordance with local directives,” said Ryan Noonan, a spokesperson for AMC Theatres.

As of May 16 this year, several Denver metro counties are now operating in what they call “level clear,” generally with no local restrictions — and that’s likely to continue unless things take a turn for the worse. Some counties, such as Douglas, had already been living under no local restrictions.

AMC theater capacities are still slightly reduced, with ticketing systems blocking the spots on either side of a party’s seating — but aside from that small precaution, the theaters may remind crowds of how moviegoing felt before the pandemic.

Seeing movies again may serve as a “boon to our psyches” on the way to returning to normalcy, Piturro said.

“We’ve gone to movies our whole lives — we may not have gone to bars our whole lives or certain restaurants our whole lives,” but movies were a constant presence, Piturro said.

‘You can’t duplicate that at home’ The return of in-person movies comes as a relief to an industry that took a big hit amid the pandemic, but it doesn’t mean

theaters’ troubles are over.

“It’s one of those things where we have to step back and ask ourselves: How was the industry doing prior to the pandemic?” said Darrin Duber-Smith, an expert on marketing at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Streaming services, such as Netflix and Disney+, had served as competition for theaters long before the pandemic, Piturro said. Theater attendance was declining for several years before COVID-19, Piturro and Duber-Smith pointed out.

Fighting to adapt, theaters have made changes in recent years such as adding more-comfortable chairs and serving alcohol and higher-end food — trying to “increase the luxury,” Duber-Smith said.

One feature that “really took off during the past year” is AMC’s private theater rentals, said Noonan, the AMC spokesperson.

That’s a program that allows customers to reserve an entire auditorium for a private party of up to 20 people.

“The moviegoing experience is just that: It’s an experience. It’s going out. It’s an event.

You can’t duplicate that at home,” Piturro said, pointing to the “oohs and ahhs” and “the communal experience.”

‘Will they go out?’

In the long term, though, the pandemic may serve as “a nail in the coffin” for the theater industry in its current form, DuberSmith said.

Amid changing consumer habits, he’s expecting a “bailout,” where movie-production companies will “vertically integrate” by buying out theaters, keeping them running so movie producers can still profit from them.

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“Is (the industry) going to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels? I don’t think so,” Duber-Smith said, adding that even the prepandemic level of activity wasn’t adequate.

Piturro, the film professor, takes a more optimistic view, arguing that movies aren’t going to have to compete with online services but, rather, will compete with other forms of in-person entertainment such as baseball games or the opera.

“I see younger crowds (likely) going to the movies in record numbers and the older crowd, without kids, going back to the theaters as well, especially whose kids have left the home,” Piturro said. “The wild-card is the middle-age demographic: those with kids at home. Will they go out to the movies? They were the group that stayed home in bigger numbers in the pre-COVID years.

This is the group that we are unsure about, and this is the group that other entertainment venues will vie for.

“Still, either way, I see a positive trend in moviegoing in the near future,” Piturro said, noting that “the long-term prospects are a bit cloudier.”

Piturro envisions theater crowds having a “spillover effect,” bringing more patrons to nearby bars and restaurants before or after they attend a movie.

“I think that’s healthy for the overall economy,” Piturro said.

Duber-Smith expressed skepticism about whether increased numbers of theater patrons will help shopping centers to rebound, though. He expects the theater industry itself to shrink although some theaters may expand.

“Overall, I think you’re going to see a reduction in the number of movie theaters,” Duber-Smith said.

PHOTO BY ELLIS ARNOLD

People won’t fully return to movie theaters in the next few months, Piturro expects. He noted his own concerns about COVID-19 even though he’s been fully vaccinated for several months.

“It’s my job to watch movies for a living, and I haven’t been to a theater yet,” Piturro said, noting fears of virus variants. “I’m planning to come back to theaters in the fall for sure.”

For now, he’s anticipating delving back into that environment.

“For me, there’s nothing better than sitting in a dark theater … getting lost in a world for 2 1/2 hours is really one of the great experiences for me,” Piturro said.

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24 Washington Park Profile

July 1, 2021

Beer Quest challenges participants to save a dragon Staff report Community members age 21 and older are invited to participate in Beer Quest, which is an immersive and exploratory theatrical event filled with games, riddles and puzzles.

Beer Quest runs Thursday through Sunday evenings July 15 to Aug. 1. It takes place outdoors at 16th and Welton streets on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver.

The quest is to help Drinkledore save his beloved dragon. Attendees will journey through four kingdoms and complete quests to level up and win either beer or dragon scales, which are used as currency in the land of Beer Quest. Participants will be trained/assisted by characters such as Richard the Frothy and The Thief Queen Ale-Izabeth.

Local beer partners include Voodoo Ranger, Raices Brewing and Weldwerks. The Beer Quest Beer Garden will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. before each show.

Tickets cost $35-$45. It is recommended to attend Beer Quest in a group of six.

The experience lasts up to 140 minutes.

Beer Quest is presented by the Rainbow Militia and We Are Denver.

To learn more or to purchase tickets to Beer Quest, visit PlayBeerQuest.com.

An immersive and exploratory theatrical experience called Beer Quest takes runs for three weekends from July 15 to Aug. 1.

COURTESY PHOTO

WPVC

Mt. Evans FROM PAGE 18

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Clear Creek District Ranger Scott Haas reported that the welcome station staff cleared the initial line of 40-plus cars in 20 minutes. Under the USFS’ previous fee system, a line that long would’ve taken about 90 minutes to process.

“It’s an exciting day,” Haas said of the highway’s reopening, adding that he was proud of all the stakeholders’ work to make it happen.

While waiting in line before 8 a.m., John Tufano, a resident of Golden and Silverthorne, was among those planning to visit the mountain’s snowfields and ski a few runs between the summit and the lake below.

While he’s visited the mountain before, he said it was his first time skiing there.

Looking back at the growing line of cars, he remarked, “People want to get back to the way life used to be.”

At the head of the line was Denver’s Howard Paul, who had been waiting at the gate since 4:50 a.m., explaining that he wasn’t sure when that morning it was supposed to open.

“I have been waiting for this day for a year,” Paul said.

The wildlife photographer and Alpine Rescue Team volunteer visits the area frequently during the summer. He’s typically at the summit around sunrise to photograph the mountain goats and their young, and then stops at the Echo Lake Lodge for cinnamon rolls afterward.

“I’m glad we’re getting back to a sense of normalcy,” Paul continued.

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