At the corner of Colfax and Grant, Capitol Hill Books has o ered a wide selection of used books for decades. New this year for the longtime Denver business are the nearby orange construction cones and blocked sidewalks, part of the ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project that is making its way along East Colfax.
e bookstore is among the rst establishments to feel the impact of the roadway gutting. Owner Ben Hall said the most signi cant impact they have felt is a loss of foot tra c from o Colfax and the lack of parking in the area.
“It’s side streets or nothing,” Hall said. “ ere’s no parking on Colfax for these several blocks.”
As construction moves down the busy street, Hall said he is “slightly” more optimistic about business improving as construction machines and blocked-o sidewalks will disappear from directly outside the bookstore but that parking will still be an issue throughout the entirety of operations.
“In theory when they nish the project, it will be much easier for pedestrians along Colfax,” Hall said. “Unfortunately, that’s in the future, and I have to pay rent.”
e BRT is intended to improve the e ciency of public transportation and in the long run bring more foot tra c to area businesses, boosting the commerce of the area. When construction is completed, two sideby-side bus lanes will run down the busy roadway with a lane on either side for general-purpose vehicles. e project broke ground in October and the rst phase from Broadway to Williams Street is currently underway. Construction is projected to move down the street in ve phases with each segment spanning about 18 months.
Work will progress from Williams Street to Monroe Street, then to Niagara Street, Yosemite Street and the light rail R-Line Station at I-225. Budgeted at $280 million, the BRT is slated to reach completion by 2027.
Work is currently occurring within the rst two segments from Broadway to Gar eld Street and is reported to be moving smoothly with no delays. e ongoing construction covers a host of upgrades such as improvements to side streets and sidewalks, storm drainage, ADA-compliant ramps, waterline improvements, tra c signal foundations and station construction is progressing at several sites.
“As spring approaches, work will largely resemble current activities, though a few new BRT stations will become more visibly prominent,” said Nancy Kuhn, a spokesperson for the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Kuhn also noted that as work on the BRT progresses on the south side of the street, utility relocation work is being done simultaneously on the north side by several third parties including Xcel Energy to relocate necessary infrastructure for future work assisted with the BRT.
Chris Nicholson, RTD Director for District A where construction is underway, stressed the long-term bene ts of the project such as increases to property values along the corridor, improving the business environment and making the neighborhood more enticing to residents and pedestrians.
“ is is a huge infrastructure project, and people are going to feel it,” said Nicholson. “It’s worth keeping in mind what we will get out of this when these three years are over.”
He also noted the segmentation of the project has allowed the RTD to address each section as quickly as possible, aiding business owners with getting back to their normal operations. In the meantime, the top concerns he’s heard from residents include tra c, parking or the lack of on surrounding streets and of course, the impact to businesses. Residents in the area in particular have felt the impact of parked cars on side streets.
“On the side streets everything is packed,” said Constance Mortell, who lives two blocks from Colfax and noted she typically avoids driving through the area completely now. “It used to be crowded, but it has ever been as bad as it is now.”
BOTTOM RIGHT: Mile-Hi Sweets and Treats has adapted its business approach in response to decreased revenue due to construction.
TOP PHOTO: The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is progressing eastward along the busy Denver roadway.
BOTTOM LEFT: Capitol Hill Books on Colfax Avenue and Grant Street has felt the strains of construction. PHOTOS
CONSTRUCTION
With three years to go until thenal deadline, not only businesses in the immediate construction zone but those further down on Colfax are feeling the pinch of road work such as Mile-Hi Sweets and Treats on the corner of East Colfax and Milwaukee Street. Having opened its doors this October, owner Phil Cardenas said he didn’t know about the construction project until after the building was purchased and he opened his doors.
“People avoid construction like the plague,” said Cardenas, who’s heard from many customers that they don’t like to come down to Colfax due to construction. “ is section of Colfax was much busier up until construction. People have been o Colfax entirely.”
To adapt to the business challenges, Cardenas said he’s focusing on other ways to promote his business besides his brick and mortar store. He’s been focusing on his online shop and plans to bring candy packages to dispensaries and other neighboring businesses to see if he can sell products at other locations.
Cardenas like Hall will also be applying for the Business Impact Opportunity Fund (BIO) grant program through the Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) o ce, which is providing some nancial relief to a ected establishments.
A partnership between the city, Mile High United Way and the Colfax Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), the grant applications opened on Feb. 18 and applications will be accepted through March 18 with a
Sfocus on businesses located between Broadway to Williams Street a ected by construction within 350 feet of their location. e one-time grant of up to $15,000 will also include a business support program.
“Denver’s local businesses are the heart and soul of the community, and Denver is deeply committed to helping small, local businesses thrive,” Kuhn said.
Store owners have also received support from the BID who have taken the lead on coordinating assistance to area businesses along with directing tra c to area locations. In addition to monthly Chats on Colfax and marketing campaigns such as “We Back the Fax,” the BID has tackled other initiatives such as installing purple ags indicating businesses are open.
“It’s a big theater production and our job is to ensure the neighborhood that comes to see the show will work for them in the long run,” Nicholson said. “ e process is well underway and it may be a struggle but we will get there.”
ince 1978, the Washington Park Pro le has been a primary news source for central and south-central Denver. We’ve been proud to bring you news and happenings about your neighborhood, celebrating its successes and o ering perspective on its challenges.
Just as our neighborhoods and city have grown and changed, so too have the ways in which people get their news and information. Email newsletters, social channels and other forms of social cohesion have created instant and frequent connections within neighborhoods.
As news consumption habits evolve, so must the products we create to deliver local news. Monthly print products like the Washington Park Pro le, distributed for free to homes and racked locations while relying exclusively on advertising revenue to supplement the costs of producing it, have become increasingly di cult to keep sustainable.
It’s for this reason that we decided to make this edition of the Washington Park
Pro le its last. is was a di cult decision, but a necessary one to allow our sta to focus their time, attention and resources on supporting the evolution of our other many news brands across the Denver region. We want to thank you, our readers and advertisers, for supporting the Washington Park Pro le over its ve decades in print. We’re proud to have played a role in telling the stories that have shaped this community. We couldn’t have done it without you.
We also encourage you to visit coloradocommunitymedia.com for local news you can’t get anywhere else in communities across the Denver metro area. Finally, we’re always open to new ideas and partnership opportunities – email me at brooke@ntln.org to get the conversation started!
Construction on East Colfax is well underway. PHOTO BY MERYL PHAIR
As this is the last edition of the Washington Park Profile to be printed by Colorado Community Media, we wanted to pay homage to the longtime local newspaper by featuring some of past editions of the Profile. PHOTOS FROM COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA ARCHIVES
DIRECTOR’S COLUMN
Brooke Warner
BY CASSIS TINGLEY
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
As this is the nal edition of e Washington Park Prole, we wanted to leave our readers with some helpful resources.
Health
1. Denver Health Main Campus
Address: 777 Bannock St.
Denver Health’s main campus hosts an urgent care center, emergency room, a variety of primary care, a prenatal unit and a mobile women’s health clinic.
2. WellPower
(previously Menal Health Center of Denver)
Address: 4141 E Dickenson Place
WellPower o ers a variety of mental health services to Denverites. is location is home to Wellshire Behavioral Services and Emerson St. for Teens and Young Adults (temporarily).
Community Orgs
1. NOON Neighbors of Overland North e NOON Facebook group is a neighbor-led forum designed to give residents of the Overland North neighborhood a space to connect and build community.
2. Overland Park Neighborhood Association OPNA is a registered neighborhood organization founded to build community and advocate for Overland residents, workers and property owners to local, state and federal government. You can get in contact via email to OPNAinfo@gmail.com.
3. West Washington Park Neighborhood Association WWPNA is a registered neighborhood organization aiming to address livability issues including zoning, transit and public safety in the West Wash Park area.
You can see the organization’s seasonal newsletters and upcoming events on their website.
4. Washington Park East Neighborhood Association WPENA focuses on fostering community in East Wash Park through advocacy on local issues, organizing neighborhood events and keeping up with community news. You can nd events on the organization’s website. e association is registered with the City of Denver.
5. Friends and Neighbors of Washington Park FANS is volunteer-led organization dedicated to the stewardship of Washington Park. FANS o ers educational environmental activities, volunteer opportunities and a newsletter within and covering Wash Park and is registered with the city of Denver. You can join their email list on their website to learn more about upcoming events.
6. Bonnie Brae Neighborhood Association BBNA is a registered neighborhood organization geared towards building community in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood. You can contact the board at board@bonniebrae.org.
7. University Neighbors Neighborhood Association UNNA is a volunteer-led organization aiming to address zoning and land use policy in the University neighborhood and manage community relations with the University of Denver. e organization is registered with the City of Denver. You can get in touch at mpkennedy1@ aol.com.
8. Rosedale Harvard Gulch Neighborhood Association RHGNA is a registered neighborhood organization focusing on building community in the Rosedale Harvard Gulch area. RHGNA hosts quarterly meetings and publishes weekly “news ashes,” which you can sign up for on their website.
9. University Hills North Community UHNC is a registered neighborhood organization aiming to ad-
dress community issues like zoning and development. e board holds monthly meetings which are open to the public. To get in touch, you can email president. UHNC@gmail.com.
10. University Park Community Council UPCC is a community organization dedicated to improving the University Park community by addressing safety, historic preservation and zoning. e organization is registered with the City of Denver and hosts monthly food truck nights each summer. You can sign up for email updates on their website.
The Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center has something for everyone.
BY TIM WEIGHART
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e broader Washington Park area provides more walkable communities and solid infrastructure than many parts of Denver, but there is still a lot of work to be done in the neighborhood. In the years to come, residents can look forward to projects that provide more e cient bus lines, safer roads, and opportunities to provide input on the area’s future connections with downtown and other signi cant parts of the city.
Alameda Lane Repurposing Project
After Denver’s Department Of Infrastructure (DOTI) restricted left turns from Alameda Avenue onto Corona Street in 2020, they found that car crashes at Alameda & Corona became signi cantly less common. Encouraged by the results, the department has gone on to implement a plan to reduce crashes from Lincoln Street to Franklin Street on Alameda, an area that has had an espe-
cially high rate of preventable crashes in recent years.
e Alameda Lane Repurposing Project aims to make transit on the road safer by changing one westbound travel lane into a lane for left turns only. e project will also add more obvious indications that left turns are restricted at Corona and install interim medians at crosswalks so that pedestrians can cross more safely. Construction will begin for the project within the next few months.
Monaco Parkway Over Cherry Creek Bridge Replacement
Work to replace the Monaco Parkway bridge over Cherry Creek and rehabilitate the surrounding area began last October, and is anticipated to be completed in early 2026. e project will replace the 60 year old bridge with a new structure that will also connect to both sides of Cherry Creek Drive.
e new bridge will have wider sidewalks for bikers and pedestrians, and Cherry Creek Trail will be repaved dur-
ing the project. Drivers in the area should be prepared for various turn restrictions and detours during project implementation, and pedestrians on Monaco Parkway sidewalks and Cherry Creek Trail
will be provided with detour routes until the project is completed.
This map shows the Monaco Parkway over Cherry Creek Bridge Replacement Project.
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Stay organized, enjoy the adventure — here are some spring break travel tips
Spring Break is almost here, and whether you’re heading to a resort, a cozy Airbnb, or an o -thebeaten-path adventure, preparation is key to keeping stress at bay.
Our friend Jenn Tims over at Move 4 Moments has mastered the art of making travel smoother, and we’re here to share her best tips to keep you organized—especially when heading abroad with kids in tow!
Before You Leave: Essential To-Dos
Check Your Phone Plan – Contact your provider to see if you need an international plan or if Wi-Fi calling will be enough.
Passport Prep – Snap a pic of your passport barcode and scan all important documents (IDs, passports, insurance cards) to a Google Drive folder. Print extra copies and give access to a trusted family member.
Consider Travel Insurance – Many credit cards like American Express include built-in travel insurance, or you can purchase a plan through your booking provider.
Check Booking Flexibility – We love Southwest & Marriott for their generous cancellation policies (free up to three days prior!).
Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees – Check your credit card for hidden charges and notify your bank before traveling.
Have Some Cash on Hand – While credit cards are widely accepted, some experiences like golf carts (Isla Mujeres) and jetski rentals (Cabo) are cash-only. Be wary of ATM fees—once in Isla Mujeres, it cost $27 just to withdraw cash!
Hold Your Mail – Use USPS.com to pause mail delivery while you’re away.
Enlist Help at Home – If you’re using a home service like TULA, schedule them to handle trash pickup, package collection, and plant watering. Some families even Airbnb their home while traveling (a great way to o set vacation costs!).
Packing Smart: What You Really Need
For Everyone: Pack a carry-on with essentials
Columnists & Guest Commentaries
Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Profile. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.
Email letters to eric@cotln.org
Deadline 5 p.m. on the 20th of each month for the following month’s paper.
‘A
WCORRECTIONS
Colorado Trust for Local News asks readers to make us aware of mistakes we may have made.
Email linda@cotln.org if you notice a possible error you would like us to take a look at.
LIFE BALANCED
(swimsuit, cover-up, medications, skincare) in case luggage is delayed.
e’re a couple months into the new year and if you’re feeling anything like me, it’s been a bit of an overwhelming one so far.
Maybe what you need is a new fantasy book to escape into, and “A Broken Blade” by Melissa Blair might be the right t. In this rst book of the Hal ing Saga series, we meet Keera, the top spy and assassin for the king of Elvarath. She’s a halfling, born of two races, elf and human, and the king has enslaved her people for centuries after effectively killing or exiling all magical folk. Now, she and all hal ings are property of the king, forced to serve him. She copes with the nature of her enslavement through self-harm and alcohol.
copes
When a mysterious gure known as the Shadow starts to move against the kingdom, she must travel into the realm of the Fae to hunt him. As she searches in the Fae realm, Keera discovers that not everything is as it seems. Upon meeting the Shadow, she realizes partnering with him could help free her people. She would have the alibi of being the king’s assassin but would be able to help coordinate strategic moves against the Crown.
Megan Trask and Cody Galloway
Extra Shoes – Learned the hard way when my kid’s shoe got caught in an escalator in Mexico—sandals break, sneakers rip, and new shoes mean blisters. Always pack a backup pair!
A Way to Get Wet Swimsuits
Home – If you swim on travel day, use the towel trick to dry suits or pack a reusable waterproof pouch.
Bug Bracelets and Sunscreen – Some destinations require reef-safe sunscreen, like Isla Mujeres.
Portable Phone Charger – For long days of sightseeing or navigating airports.
Crossbody Bag or Sling – Hands-free is the way to go, especially for busy airports and markets.
e Canvelle sling bag is a favorite!
For the Kids: Download movies before the ight or check the airline’s entertainment options.
Travel stroller & snacks – Customs lines in Cancun can be a breeze or a two-hour wait—snacks and a lightweight stroller are lifesavers.
Pool bag essentials – Sunglasses, goggles, hats, and any must-have toys.
A Backup Out t in a Ziploc – Accidents happen, and having a fresh set of clothes is a game-changer.
Dining, entertainment: maximizing fun
Make Reservations Early – Some resorts require reservations for special dining like hibachi. If you miss out, try this: have an early bu et dinner with the kids to curb hangry meltdowns, then enjoy a late-night specialty dinner when more slots open up. Bonus: Kids eat way more on vacation thanks to all that swimming and adventuring!
SEE BALANCED, P7
Broken Blade’ is a mesmerizing fantasy
PT postpregnancy can help prevent pelvic floor disorders
PWOMEN’S WELLNESS
Dr. Terry Dunn
elvic oor disorders are often a result of childbirth, yet many symptoms may be preventable. Because of the rapid changes to the body during pregnancy, physical therapy is recommended to reduce the longterm e ects that may be attributed to postpartum pelvic oor dysfunction. e pelvic oor muscles support the uterus, bladder and rectum. After childbirth, symptoms such as frequent or urgent urination, pelvic soreness or pain, urinary or fecal incontinence and back pain should go away after six to eight weeks. If you are still experiencing these symptoms, it might be time to see a pelvic oor physical therapist. If these issues are not addressed, it can lead to quality-of-life issues in the areas of physical, social, emotional and sexual health. Often, women think these issues are normal, but they are not issues they have to live with for the rest of their lives. By seeing a pelvic oor PT, they can assess your pelvic oor muscles and provide you with a variety of exercises to work on these muscles. It is important to get assessed by a medical professional since the exercises are not a one-size- ts-all for all women. is kind of treatment can be helpful at any time as a preventative measure. PT can be e ective in managing the progression of pelvic oor disorders by reducing trips to the bathroom, greater mobility and reduced fall risk later in life.
Physical therapy can start before the delivery of the baby and start again one to three days afterwards or later in life to strengthen these muscles. Fewer sessions are needed with the physical therapist when treatment is started sooner rather than later, according to research from the Mayo Clinic. ose who do not have physical therapy may not notice symptoms until they return to tness and other activities. Others may not notice symptoms until they are 40, 60, or 80 and may never have symptoms. As a preventative measure, pelvic oor PT can be a simple option to minimize issues.
For more information on pelvic oor disorders, visit urogyns.com.
Dr. Terry Dunn is the owner of Foothills Urogynecology, a Denverbased practice specializing in women’s health. To learn more, visit www. urogyns.com.
BALANCED
Check for eme Nights – Many resorts have special events like white parties, bubble parties, or cultural nights. I always pack themed out ts in our carry-on so we can dive straight into the fun if our room isn’t ready.
Scope Out Kids’ Clubs and Activities –Most family-friendly resorts have kids’ clubs, but hours vary. Knowing in advance means you can plan downtime (or sneak in a spa treatment!).
Take It Slow – It’s tempting to schedule back-to-back excursions, but kids need downtime. A relaxed beach evening can be just as magical as a packed itinerary.
Indoor & Rainy Day Backup Plan – Even tropical destinations get rainy days. Look for resorts with playrooms, arts & crafts, or movie nights. Downloading a few extra games or shows can save the day, too!
Transportation, safety
Airport Transfers – Many hotels o er shuttles, but always con rm details in advance.
Car Seats – We bring our in atable travel car seat for exibility. Some shuttle services claim to provide them but don’t always follow through.
Know Your Arrival Plan – If you land late, having a change of clothes handy means you can freshen up and hit the resort festivities right away.
Set Expectations with Kids – Before you go, chat about resort rules (staying close, trying new foods, sharing activity choices). It helps prevent meltdowns later!
Final thoughts
Whether you’re headed to a beach resort, a city escape, or a family road trip, the key to stress-free travel is preparation. A little planning now means more time to relax and create amazing memories. And don’t forget—this is your vacation, too! Sneak in some “me time,” whether it’s a sunset cocktail, a quiet co ee on the balcony, or a quick solo stroll along the beach.
Megan Trask and Cody Galloway are Denver residents and co-founders of TULA Life Balanced. Learn more about their business at tulabalanced.com. is article was written in collaboration with Jenn Tims of Move 4 Moments, a contributor to TULA Life Balanced .
PROJECTS
Colorado Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit Project
Now that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program is being implemented on East Colfax, Denver has begun plans to integrate the citywide Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program into other major Denver bus lines, including the stretch of Colorado Boulevard between 40th/Colorado Station and Southmoor Station.
By having more designated spaces for passenger pickup and making public transit so much safer, developers hope to cut down on the number of cars in the city and in turn provide more space for pedestrians and bikes, green spaces, and other opportunities for civic and economic growth. Construction on the Colorado Boulevard BRT will likely begin after work on East Colfax begins to wrap up in 2027.
New Denver Downtown Area Plan
Ever since 2007, the Downtown Denver Partnership has been guided by the Downtown Area Plan to determine which projects they should prioritize to help improve downtown. is plan has inspired many of the projects completed within the last eighteen years, including the work that is currently being done on Civic Center Park. e partnership began creating an updated plan last September with collaboration from Denver’s Community Planning and Development team, among other local nonpro ts and organizations. e team is nearing the end of their discussion on the big ideas that they want to implement downtown, and are hoping to continue making downtown more interconnected and accessible to adjacent neighborhoods, including Washington Park. Residents can provide their own input and feedback regarding the plan by sharing their comments through the project web page, attending and speaking at the Partnership’s public events, or visiting the Area Plan Community Studio for an individual appointment.
Blair, a member of the Anishinaabe tribe, originally published her book anonymously. It quickly gained traction on social media as readers attempted to nd the author. In “A Broken Blade” she has created the beginnings of a beautiful and intriguing fantasy world. Readers are taken into a land full of magic, danger, and politics, but
they will also see some of Blair’s personal history and experiences as both a queer and indigenous person shine through the story. emes of colonization and resistance are central to the plot, and some heavier moments dealing with self-harm and self-hatred are also present. As Keera begins to nd a sliver of hope and maybe even some friends after decades of loneliness, the book ends! e good news for readers is that all four books in the series have been published, with the nal installment released just last month,
so there is no wait to see what happens next in the story. If you are looking for a book that is both a good escape and an empowering call to ght back, check out “A Broken Blade”.
“A Broken Blade” can be found at your closest Denver Public Library location or as an eBook at denverlibrary.org. Already read it? Check out these read-alikes: “ e Road of Bones” by Demi Winters, “ e Dead Cat Tail Assassins” by P. Djeli Clark, or “To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods” by Molly X. Chang. Looking for something creative to do?
Try checking out the ideaLAB at Central! Come check out the makerspace during “Open Lab” hours with a project in mind and with a variety of tools, machines, and craft materials, you can bring it to life. Sta are also available to assist you if you need it. Hours of operation are 1-5 p.m. Sundays, 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays through ursdays.
Ashley Love is a librarian at Denver’s Central Library. She spends her free time gardening, hiking and reading long fantasy books.
BY JACQUI SOMEN
SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
e Underground Music Showcase (UMS) is a longstanding favorite in the Denver music scene and, according to the event organizers, is the largest and longest-running independent music festival in Colorado.
During the 2025 event, Denver residents and visitors can experience performances by more than 200 bands on four stages and in 12 venues. is year, the festival will be celebrating its 25th year. “ is year, we’re celebrating our 25year history while staying true to our history of introducing crowds in Colorado
to discovery bands and new acts,” said Jami Du y, co-manager of UMS.
e 2025 UMS lineup has yet to be announced, but 2024 acts included musicians like Los Mocochetes, e Mañanas, Wheelchair Sports Camp, Virgi Dart, Blankslate, iies, Mr. Knobs, Beasts of No Nation, Kayla Marque, Kid Astronaut, Nina de Freitas and Siembra Soundsystem.
e 2025 musicians will span genres and experience, o ering attendees an opportunity to discover new sounds and explore musical styles to which they might not regularly listen. For the 25th year of the festival, UMS will also showcase legacy artists who have been
involved in the festival throughout its quarter-of-a-century history.
As UMS continues to vet artists for the upcoming event, Du y said they are “looking for folks who are making highquality, interesting music from every genre,” and for artists who have a “commitment to their community.”
“We look for a wide variety of representation, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists and artists with disabilities,” she said.
About 80% of the bands will be Colorado artists, though artists from other regions are also featured. According to Du y, the 2024 event received applications from 2,000 artists from 46 states
and nine countries. UMS is also working with the Wyoming Arts Council to showcase ve Wyoming artists to help them “gain exposure beyond state borders and reach broader audiences.”
Each year since its inception in 2000, UMS has brought a unique music experience to Denver music lovers, but it is more than just a festival. UMS also serves as what Jami called a “container for community.” UMS is a place to listen to new music and also an event that nurtures local artists, fosters a sober-curious environment and provides resources for artists and attendees alike.
More than 200 bands are expected to perform during this year’s Underground Music Showcase. NIKKI A. RAE PHOTOGRAPHY
SHOWCASE
For the audience, UMS has gone to great lengths to create a safe space. e festival put together a three-year accessibility plan led by disability and accessibility advocate Jessica Wallach and activist, educator and emcee of Wheelchair Sports Camp Kalyn He ernan to improve how musicians and attendees with disabilities experience the space. e event also supports a sober-curious environment and will have sober bars serving non-alcoholic beverages throughout the festival. In 2023, the event partnered with Keep the Party Safe, an education and awareness campaign working to prevent or reverse fentanyl overdoses. At the festival that year, they distributed 1,860 fentanyl test strips and 1,596 doses of naloxone.
From paying a living artist wage to professional development opportunities and care lounges—substance-free calming spaces with snacks, a nap area and access to mental health providers—UMS is also dedicated to providing resources for artists. Participating artists will have access to a two-day conference, which UMS said provides “opportunity for artists to learn, network, and navigate career choices in the industry.” According to Du y, the 2025 conference will host elected o cials and philanthropists so they can hear directly from the artists what they need. e development of youth artists is at the core of the festival. UMS is co-owned by the non-pro t Youth on Record (YOR), an organization that implements music-centered programs that help young people from historically underresourced communities nd success and strengthen their community, and Two Parts, a Denver-based creative agency. Du y serves as the executive director of YOR, which has a partnership with UMS in which young people get opportunities to work at the box o ce, at merchandise stands or work on producing Underground at the Showcase, UMS’s o cial podcast.
UMS’s dedication to caring for the community in a way that supports attendees and artists while putting on a lively threeday festival featuring talented local artists is arguably the reason the festival is now entering into its 25th year. e 2025 lineup for Underground Music Showcase will be announced at the end of April. Pre-sale tickets are now available at undergroundmusicshowcase.com.
BY JASON GONZALES CHALKBEAT
Ella Smith understands the predicament that the administrators at their college, Colorado State University Fort Collins, are facing when it comes to diversity e orts.
On Feb. 14, the Trump administration issued a letter calling on schools to immediately end all race-conscious policies and programming or risk losing federal funding. e U.S. Department of Education’s O ce of Civil Rights said it will start checking for compliance Feb. 21.
But Smith, an organizer with the
CSU Student Coalition for DEIA, said it doesn’t make sense that the school began to make changes to DEI e orts last week when most Colorado universities haven’t. Smith and other students have organized rallies, sit-ins, and other protests.
“We really feel that CSU is engaging in preemptive compliance,” said Smith.
CSU Fort Collins and the CSU System leaders have said they need to respond to the Trump administration’s demands, even though they believe they’re already following the law.
In a letter last week, CSU Fort Collins President Amy Parsons said, without elaborating, that the school would “shift
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some employee job duties and human resources policies and processes, and we will make some changes to CSU’s websites to re ect the institution’s compliance with federal guidelines.” e University of Colorado System similarly removed DEI from its websites and rebranded departments soon after Trump took o ce.
CSU Fort Collins did not respond to a request from Chalkbeat about more speci c changes it plans to make.
Since President Donald Trump took ofce last month, universities in Colorado have had to adjust to a rapidly changing political landscape. Trump has tried to cut National Institutes of Health grants and rolled back support for HispanicServing and Tribal-Serving Institutions.
Now the Dear Colleague letter, which isn’t law, has made it clear that the Trump administration will seek to punish colleges and universities if they don’t comply with its expanded legal view of a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision banning race-conscious admissions.
e letter could have far-reaching consequences for virtually every aspect of campus life, including scholarships, extracurricular activities, graduation ceremonies and student housing. But the federal government has yet to provide school leaders with concrete guidance about what it views as unacceptable.
Combined, the Trump administration’s recent directives have created immense uncertainty about how far colleges and universities should go in accepting cuts and complying with the federal government’s demands — or if schools should ght back.
In a letter to the CSU System community last week, President Tony Frank questioned whether rolling back diversity efforts at the school is the right approach.
“Is this conclusion appeasement?” he wrote. “Or is it recognizing that to accomplish our mission and our goals, a di erent approach is needed for a di erent moment in time?”
In the letter, the Trump administration said that it’s illegal to use race or gender or sexual orientation as a factor in providing di erent support for students.
“Put simply, educational institutions may neither separate or segregate students based on race, nor distribute bene ts or burdens based on race,” Craig Trainor, the U.S. education department’s
acting assistant secretary for civil rights, wrote in the Feb. 14 letter. “Although some programs may appear neutral on their face, a closer look reveals that they are, in fact, motivated by racial considerations.”
College advocacy groups cautioned soon after the Trump administration’s letter that college and university leaders shouldn’t overreact.
Speaking on a webinar last week attended by 5,000 people from colleges across the country, Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, said college leaders should not engage in “over-compliance” or “anticipatory compliance.”
“To be abundantly clear, Dear Colleague letters are not law,” he said. If schools were compliant with federal law before the Dear Colleague letter came out, then they “are still in compliance with the law,” he said.
Universities evaluate impact
e majority of Colorado colleges and universities haven’t made changes since the letter.
e University of Colorado System has not announced further updates to its operations beyond the website changes. Spokesperson Christopher Sparks said in a statement the schools anticipate there may be additional guidance from the federal government. He added, “as with all of the recent directives released during this federal transition, the university will continue to analyze them to assess the potential impact to CU.”
A University of Northern Colorado spokesperson said in a statement that the school’s leadership team is discussing the letter and don’t want to speculate how it could impact the university.
A Metropolitan State University of Denver spokesperson said in a statement its programs are open to all students, no matter their race or gender. at includes ceremonies such as MSU Denver’s Native American graduation, spokesperson Tim Carroll said.
“We de ne ourselves by who we include, not who we exclude,” he said.
Fort Lewis College said in a statement that the school is con dent it currently complies with law.
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“No matter the changes, we will continue providing the resources, support, and opportunities that empower our students and ensure faculty and sta have what they need to excel,” said Nardy Bickel, a school spokesperson.
And Adams State University President David Tandberg said his school remains committed to helping all students. e federal guidance, along with Trump administration changes seeking to shift grants and support, does create uncertainty for schools, Tandberg said. Adams State will keep operating as usual and review or make changes when necessary, he said.
“It’s always important for us to ensure that any of our programming, our policies, or our language re ects our commitment to serve all students and that we don’t discriminate against race, ethnicity, gender, or sex,” he said.
CSU students upset
With most schools taking a wait-andsee approach, the news that CSU is making changes has infuriated many students.
Smith, the CSU student, has helped gather over 3,000 signatures on a petition protesting the changes laid out in Parsons’ letter. Students have also organized a sit-in at the school’s administrative building and have a plan for more protests.
e student protest coalition has asked students to also check in at campus Cultural Resource Centers that provide specialized support to speci c communities, such as students with disabilities and those that are Native American.
Checking in to these centers with a student ID is a way to show the centers are popular and that a diverse group of students uses them.
e protesters feared the university would do away with the centers as part of the changes to DEI, but the school has said the centers are safe because they are open to all students. Smith said they have visited the Native American Center for tutoring and that the Pride Resource Center is a place they like to hang out with others.
Calli Watson, a senior at CSU, said the news from the CSU System feels terrifying and like the school has singled out safe spaces for students. Watson said Parsons could have been more outspoken about protecting students.
“It kind of leaves me disheartened,” said Watson.
Smith said they fear sta training about inclusivity is also under threat. Creating a university workforce that is more informed about di erent student needs makes everyone feel welcome on campus, Smith said. Smith reiterated that the school’s actions make it feel like CSU leaders are not going to bat for the community.
“It is heartbreaking, but not only that, it makes me sick to my stomach,” Smith said.
In his letter, Frank said reassigning DEI-focused employees into more general student support roles will allow CSU to keep its federal funding and retain those employees on campus. If not, it’s the system’s interpretation that “enforcement actions could well be taken — and do extremely serious damage,” he said.
Frank acknowledged in the letter that making any changes that could reduce support for CSU’s diverse students can be a source of pain and anger.
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He said that some argue the system should ght back, which might put CSU in the crosshairs of the new administration. He wrote that he worries that doing so would gamble federal funding “that is critical to supporting our students” College and university leaders nationwide have responded to the new administration in di erent ways. Over 200 have updated websites and policies since Trump’s inauguration, in part due to new state laws, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
In their letters, Frank and Parsons said
the CSU schools rely heavily on the federal money that comes in to serve all students. Federal funding makes up about a third of CSU Fort Collins’ budget “and includes funding for research, student programs, community partnerships and federal nancial aid,” Parsons wrote in her letter.
“To fail to begin to plan now in the face of the pace set by the Dear Colleague letter would, in my opinion, create a risk we should not take,” Frank said. Reprinted with permission from Chalkbeat, a nonpro t news site covering edu-
Colorado Community Media recently spoke with Denver City Councilman Paul Kashmann, who used to own e Washington Park Pro le.
As this is the last edition of the Pro le that will be printed by Colorado Community Media, we wanted to hear from the councilman as he re ects on the publication.
Editor’s note: is interview has been edited for clarity and space.
Colorado Community Media (CCM): Tell us about the earliest days of e Washington Park Pro le.
Paul Kashmann: “It was founded in late 1978 by a woman named Debbie Brown. Her married name is now Debbie Wiig. I started with (the newspaper) a couple of months after it was founded … as an ad salesman, because I was a salesman at the time, and then ended up writing a few articles because people wouldn’t hand their article in, and I also had a camera. So, I took some pictures, and it just started becoming a real symbiotic relationship. And after about three years, four years or so, Debbie wanted to step away and start a family. I sold the paper in 2014 when I decided to run for council.
I faced the same thing that everyone is facing now. e last few years, I was having to take money out of my pocket to meet the bills, and my pockets weren’t very deep.”
CCM: What would you say is one of the biggest stories you ever covered with e Washington Park Pro le?
Kashmann: “I think the biggest story was a continuing evolution of stories as Washington Park grew from just a working-class, family neighborhood to one of Denver’s more favored pieces of real estate. When I moved in, Wash Park was a bungalow neighborhood. You always had the occasional two-story Denver square and a couple other larger homes, but it was very largely a bungalow neighborhood. en in the 1980s, we started seeing the arrival of the early ‘pop-tops.’ People needed more room, and so they just (created) a second story, and they weren’t always very well-designed. Over the years, because of the location in the city and the location by the park, we started really seeing the community take o into the place it is now, where it’s a neighborhood where you need to have a good-sized income to move in.”
CCM: What was the newspaper’s relationship like with new and upscale businesses coming into the area?
Kashmann: “I think the relationships were excellent. It was a time where everybody needed their hometown newspaper to nd out what was going on in the area. We provided a reasonably priced option for neighborhood businesses to advertise to their surrounding community. So, it was a great relationship. We were always invited when South Pearl Street had its annual fairs, or South Gaylord Street. We were always asked to have a booth there to welcome the community.
I really grew to appreciate the challenges that small businesses face. You walk down Gaylord or Pearl Street today and I think people probably look at these relatively
fancy businesses and think they’re raking in the dough when the reality is, even in the best of times, they survive on quite a small margin.”
CCM: Can you tell us about some of the amazing people you worked with while at the Washington Park Pro le?
“If you go way back to the early days, a gal named Joan McCarthy, who was there for the very early issues, had a kind of an early day blog type of a piece called ‘Irmengard Boom-Boom.’ It was a chat piece about … the neighborhood and commented on latter-day pop culture.”
Eileen Abbattista, who wasn’t there at the earliest days, but came on not long thereafter, and she really added a social conscience to the paper where we started to get more politically involved. She was an early voice for environmental issues and social justice issues.
Tim Berland was my designer, and he was critically, critically important. Susan Dugan wrote about people of south Denver.
Joan Hinkemeyer did a gardening column for decades. A gal who has passed away, Diana Helper, did a University Park briefs column, again for decades. I could go on. So many people were so important in the growth of the paper.
I think the main thing is that I was at just the right place and time in that I was fortunate to nd a lot of people who were very interested in participating in creating something special with their neighborhood newspaper.”
CCM: Anything else you’d like to add? Kashmann: “I do think we created something special in the way of, maybe, it was a cut above what people were used to out of a neighborhood newspaper. And while my name was the one to get most associated with the paper, it really was a very fortunate coming together of a team of dedicated folks that just saw the value in what we were doing and helped create something special.”
RESOURCES
10. University Park Community Council UPCC is a community organization dedicated to improving the University Park community by addressing safety, historic preservation and zoning. e organization is registered with the City of Denver and hosts monthly food truck nights each summer. You can sign up for email updates on their website.
Art Centers
1. Art Students League of Denver
Address: 200 Grant St.
Art Students League of Denver o ers art classes, summer camps, studio space and exhibitions to Denver artists. Current exhibitions include “delecTABLE 2025,” “Food-tography” and “I Can Show You Better an I Can Tell You.” e league o ers classes in printmaking, ceramics, mixed media, sewing and other mediums.
2. Santa Fe Arts District
Address: Santa Fe Drive
Arguably the center of Denver’s art scene, the Santa Fe Arts District is home to a range of art galleries, second hand craft supply shops, antique malls, restaurants, tattoo shops and Museo de las Americas. e neighborhood’s artistic o erings fall between 3rd and 12th Ave on Santa Fe Dr. in the Baker neighborhood. Galleries and businesses stay open late for monthly First Friday Art Walks, a must for Denverites.
3. JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center
Address: 350 S. Dahlia St. e Mizel Arts and Cultural Center o ers creative programming in visual, literary and performing arts for Denver’s Jewish community and the greater Denver community. e Elaine Wolf eater is home to the Wolf eater Academy, which o ers acting classes and camps for kids. e center also o ers classes in art, comedy and ceramics to the public.
