Your Guide to Community, Politics, Ar ts and Culture in Nor th Denver DenverNorthStar.com
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Volume 3, Issue 4
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January 15, 2022-February 14, 2022
Ramblin’ Around North Denver
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ALWAYS FREE!
More ADU Rezoning On Tap for North Denver The March of the ADUs Continues
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PUBLIC SAFETY COVID in the Community PAGE 2
KIDS & EDUCATION School Choice PAGES 4 & 5
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HIGHLAND RAMBLERS
The Highland Ramblers are one of the North Denver's best known local bands, bringing "dad-grass" to venues across the community, including this 2017 concert in Jefferson Park. By Jill Carstens
W KIDS & EDUCATION NHS Sports PAGE 7
COMMUNITY North Denver remembers Alicia Cardenas PAGE 9
POLITICS 65+ population and the legislative session PAGE 11
COMMUNITY North Denver's Most Internationally Known Former Resident PAGE 12
By Bill Menezes est Highland and Regis are the latest two North Denver neighborhoods targeted for possible rezoning to facilitate construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on existing residential property lots. District 1 Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval is in the planning process that eventually could lead to City Council consideration of the change, seeking comment from neighborhood residents and scheduling town hall meetings for public discussion. As was the case with other Denver neighborhoods where similar rezonings have been approved or are pending, the proposed change means property owners would not have to request individual rezonings from the City Council to enable construction of ADUs, which are secondary dwellings on a residential property with an existing house. Existing requirements such as construction permits and inspection for code compliance still would apply. ADUs, which in years past have been called by such names as carriage houses, granny flats or in-law apartments, have become a popular legislative solution to foster construction of more homes at a time that limited housing stock has helped push Denver home prices skyhigh. In North Denver, Chaffee Park and Sloan’s Lake were the first neighborhoods to get such rezonings, with potentially 1,742 lots affected in Sloan’s Lake alone. East Colfax won ADU rezoning approval on Dec. 20, with others pending at year’s end for Villa Park, Barnum and Barnum West. Support for ADU construction to address housing availability is not unique to Denver. Jurisdictions in high population states such as California, Connecticut, and New York and pricey housing markets such as Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas, have passed legislation to foster ADUs dating to the 1980s. A 2020 study by the federal mortgage financier Freddie Mac found that the national share of active for-sale listings with ADUs had grown to 6.8% in 2019 from just 1.6% in 2000. Proponents state that ADUs not only increase the amount of available housing, much of it typically rental units, but also help increase density of urban neighborhoods as a gentler alternative to duplexes or large multi-dwelling buildings—development of which has been a sore spot in many North Denver neighborhoods over the past 20 years. With an aging population, ADUs also can provide a way for retired residents to remain on their current properties either by supplementing their income with a rental ADU or by moving into the ADU and renting out their main house. But as with any housing-related issue in Denver, residents have been wary of
hen Andy Carlson moved here from Chi- first and if a gig does not receive a unanimous ‘Hell yes!’ cago in the mid-2000s he chose North then we don’t do it,” reflects Carlson when asked about Denver specifically as his neighborhood their longevity. Sustainability includes the fact that they after years of visiting friends here, many of whom were are all good friends and are connected to this area. The also musicians. Ramblers often play fundraisers, such as Brown Gets Carlson had cultivated his music interests back in Down for Brown Elementary, where they connect with Chicago, participating at the Old Town School of Folk, other local musicians. “We hope to keep alive the mindsimilar to Denver’s Swallow Hill. There he learned the ful community that attracted us to this neighborhood in history of the jug band and roots songwriting style, the first place, despite all of the changes,” adds Carlson. The Ramblers keep things fresh by constantly creating valuing story and elements of social commentary while new material, recording and playing at new spots. Keepfueling his ongoing songwriting skills. These North Denver friends gathered for regular ing things light is a priority. A philosophy of “strong and Wednesday jam nights, taking turns at each other’s wrong” holds things together–embracing imperfections as part of the creative process and homes and eventually forming keeping stresses low. The Highland Ramblers. “We “We hope to keep alive They all enjoy playing outdoor entertained many names for the the mindful community venues such as Music in the Park band but ‘ramblin’ in the Highlands’ stuck!” says Carlson. The in Jefferson Park. The Ramblers that attracted us to this group has shuffled members just played a free show during the panneighborhood in the first demic at the neighborhood Art a bit, but there is a great likelihood that you might have had a Walk North Denver event in 2020, place, despite all of the Rambler as your neighbor at one drawing an appreciative, live muchanges,” adds Carlson. sic-starved crowd. Favorite neightime or another. They have been borhood venues include Local 46 playing together and living in or near the Highlands now for about 14 years. During that and The Grateful Gnome. Some of their original gigs time their lives have given way to married life and chil- happened late night at Highland Pacific, now closed, dren, recently signaling the term “Dad-Grass.” where they were known for passing around the mic If you haven’t been to a Highland Ramblers show you’d and providing the audience with instruments. They rebe hard pressed not to let yourself get up and dance, or member great times at the Tennyson Tap, which closed at the very least, tap your toe. Their enthusiastic style is during the early pandemic. Carlson expressed great appreciation for the bands’ infectious and happy, blending the genres of blues and folk integrated with fundamental bluegrass. When I opportunities over the last decade and a half and wants first saw them they utilized several authentic handmade to spread the love by helping promote the rest of the taljug band instruments, including the jug, the washboard ent in the neighborhood. They enjoy shows shared with and the washtub bass. The presence of dobro, banjo and local musicians Old Fuss & Feathers, a bluegrass-inharp with great harmonies make this a uniquely Colo- spired duo, and Odessa Rose, a swing-jazz group with rado band. Their original songs blend humor with the a western bent. occasional serious subject. The song Lyons, for example, While COVID can limit their live performances, The seems to be empathizing with the great losses incurred Highland Ramblers continue to work on their craft and by the terrible floods during the fall of 2013. Other songs write new material. Carlson is also enjoying fostering his reflect life in the Highlands, becoming parents and the almost 12 year-old daughter’s interest in playing the ukulele and the guitar. We might have a Highland Ramblers effects of gentrification. They are a humble, intentional group of guys who 2.0 someday! Check out the Ramblers at a North Denver venue or don’t like to take things too seriously. “Sustainability has been one of our goals as a group. Our personal lives come online at highlandramblers.com.
See ADU, Page 15