The Denver North Star April 15 2023 Online Edition

COMMUNITY

Highland Neighborhood Monastery Sisters to Move to Byers

PAGE 3

Labor Intensive: North Denver Marches in Honor of César Chávez

Historic Designation Status for La Raza Park Headed to City Council

By Miranda Ericksen

City Councilwoman Amanda P. Sandoval, along with Becca Dierschow, principal planner for Denver Landmark Preservation, held a community meeting recently to discuss the details of their collaborative proposal to assign a historical designation to La Raza Park, located at 1501 W. 38th Ave.

Denver’s Preservation Ordinance, originally enacted in 1967, “helps preserve, enhance and encourage the use of structures and areas of the city with historical, architectural, cultural, and/or geographical significance.” As of this year, there are 357 distinct landmarks in Denver with historical designations.

Proposals for historical designations may be initiated by the owner of the property, the Community Planning an Development department executive director, City Council members or a minimum of three Denver residents as a group.

The proposal for La Raza park originated from Sandoval and her office as she said she understands the importance of the park to her constituency. Sandoval and Dierschow are hopeful that the designation will illuminate how the site was used by past generations as well as instill a sense of pride and cultural understanding both now and into the future.

More than 100 people marched on César Chávez Day from Regis University to the eponymous park along Tennyson Street.

Many of the participants represented local labor unions, including the Service Employees International Union, the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters and others. Aztec Dancers from Grupo Tlaloc participated in the march as well.

The event has been hosted by the César E Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver since 2002, which honors Chávez for his work in seeking fair labor conditions for migrant and farm workers. Photos and text by Eric Heinz

Sworn Police Officers Return to High Schools; North Poll Shows Mixed Feelings

The park is historically and culturally significant to the Denver community as its kiosko is considered “a sacred ceremonial space for the Chicano community with ongoing significance,” Dierschow said.

Proving the cultural significance of a landmark has become one of the newly added criteria for evaluation of landmarks upon which proposals of historical designation are considered. The requirements for historical designation include structural integrity, 30 years or more in age or of exceptional importance, and the meeting of at least three out of 10 additional criteria.

TRANSPORTATION

RTD Board Waits to Finalize Changes to Code of Conduct

PAGE 7

Following the shooting of two officials in March at East High School, Denver Public Schools recently voted to return sworn police officers to high schools throughout the district through June 30.

The decision was made during a recent closed session in which the board voted unanimously to return the officers to the high schools.

German Echevarria, the principal of North High School, declined to comment at length on the matter and referred The Denver North Star to the materials DPS has sent out regarding the assignments of officers.

“We are scheduled to have an assigned officer upon the return of spring break,” Echevarria said. “Not sure what the plan is for the (school year) ’23-24.”

However, Echevarria was able to share a recent survey given to North High families and students.

By Eric Heinz See OFFICERS,

According to the survey, about 79% of families responded that they wanted the officers back in schools, and 32% of students said they want them back, 19% said they do not want them

back and nearly 50% said they were unsure.

DPS Superintendent Alex Marerro said prior to the board vote that he knew he was overstepping his authority in making the decision to have armed officers return to high schools, but the board said, subsequently, that it favored that move.

“The Board of Education supports the decision of Superintendent Marrero to work in partnership with local law enforcement to create safer learning spaces across Denver Public Schools for the remainder of this school year,” the statement read. “In addition, we will continue to work collaboratively with our community partners including law enforcement and our local & state legislature to make our community safer.”

The resulting incident from East High, however, has caused some parents to sign a petition to recall all the members of the DPS Board of Education after it voted in 2020 to remove armed police officers at their schools following the George Floyd protests for racial justice.

“A critical role of the school board is to develop effective policies and review them periodically. The Board has failed to deliver,” a statement from the

Page 11

The additional criteria are associated with the historical or cultural significance, distinct architectural style or well-known architects, innovative or artistic craftsmanship, and familiar or distinctive characteristics of the structure.

Recently, three criteria were added to the list, including: The property must be representative of an era of culture or heritage that allows an understanding of how the site was used by past generations; be a physical attribute of a neighborhood, community, or the city that is a source of pride or cultural understanding; and be associated with social movements, institutions, or patterns of growth or change that contributed significantly to the culture of the neighborhood, community, city, state or nation.

The intent of the La Raza proposal is to “honor the Chicano, Latinx and indigenous residents of Denver, who may not be named but still contributed to Denver as it is today,” said Dierschow. This collaborative proposal was the culmination of over two years of See PARK, Page 11

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Sandoval Defeats Challenger in City Council District 1 Race

By Eric Heinz

Councilwoman Amanda P. Sandoval is headed to a second term on the Denver City Council.

Sandoval received 82% of the vote. Her challenger, Ava Truckey, received 18%.

“I am honored to serve our community for another four years,” Sandoval said in a statement to The Denver North Star. “I look forward to tackling the issues that face northwest Denver and preserving the unique character of our neighborhoods.”

“Thank you to everyone that supported me and our campaign. I’d like to give a special thanks to Ava Truckey who brought the important issue of mental health to the conversation,” Sandoval continued. “She was a gracious and classy candidate.”

Turkey said in her concession said she was grateful for the opportunity to run for City Council, and pointed out that she did so on less than $2,000 in support of her campaign up against more than $132,000 in opposition.

“We changed the conversation, made some

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people sweat, changed minds and taught me and everyone else that we can change the way the political space looks,” Truckey said, adding that can include, “A poor person, someone without a formal education, no political or policy background, formerly unhoused and a single parent, a person that relies on social supports.”

Truckey said she is going to continue to work with grassroots organizations to accomplish some of the goals that she would have like to on council.

“Congratulations to Councilwoman Sandoval and the opportunity granted to her by our community,” Truckey said. “I look forward to seeing the progress she makes for the people of District 1. I look forward to more conversations with her, and with our community, to make this district and this city a place where all of us can thrive.”

PARK HILL GOLF COURSE EASEMENT MEASURE FAILS

Voters shot down the measure that would have removed the conservation easement and allowed Westside Investment Partners and The Holleran Group, as well as various other partners, to develop housing and retail.

The measure failed with about 59% of voters opposed to and 41% in favor of removing the conservation easement.

“The Park Hill Golf Course will forever be a case study in missed opportunities,” according to a statement provided by Westside Investment Partners to The Denver North Star. “With historically low turnout, Denver has rejected its single best opportunity to build new affordable housing and create new public parks. Thousands of Denverites who urgently need more affordable housing are now at even greater risk of displacement.”

The developers stated the conservation easement is clear: The land will have to return to a privately owned, regulation-length 18-hole golf course. They stated the site will immediately be closed to public use or access with no housing, community grocery store or public parks allowed on this site.

“Westside Investment Partners and The Holleran Group are grateful to every partner, community organization, volunteer and voter who campaigned for a brighter and more affordable Denver,” the statement read.

AT-LARGE COUNCIL RACE RESULTS

The at-large City Council candidate race was extremely close, but the winners are cur-

rent state House Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, who received about 20% of the vote, and Sarah Parady, who received about 18% of the vote.

The closest other two candidates are Penfield Tate and Travis Leiker, who both have under 16% of the vote. There is no run-off election for the at-large seats, so the two candidates who have the most votes at the end of the official tally will be elected to council, despite not gaining 50% of the vote.

MAYORAL RESULTS

In a crowded field with 17 candidates, Mike Johnston received the most votes, about 24%, with Kelly Brough coming in second with about 20% of the votes. Those two are heading to a run-off June 6.

OTHER MEASURES

Measure 2M asked voters whether to strike out a long section of the city’s charter and replace it with an order for the City Council to draft a new set of responsibilities for the Board of Adjustment that includes appeals for when someone alleges a decision error made by an administrative official, variances from the strict application of zoning regulations and a set of exceptions to those rules.

2M passed with about 75% of the vote.

Councilwoman Robin Kniech previously said an amendment to modernize the Board of Adjustment’s work could come before the council by June. That would include changes to the appeals process, variances to the city code, and a guide for policies and procedures.

Measure 2N, which passed with about 67% of the vote, asked voters whether only property owners in Denver can bring a protest on a zoning district, but it does not apply to historic or business improvement districts or any other special district.

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People came to drop off their ballots by drive-thru and at the box or to vote in person on April 4 at Highlands Recreation Center.

PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ

Poll workers received ballots from people driving up in their cars.

PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ

“Thank you to everyone that supported me and our campaign. I’d like to give a special thanks to Ava Truckey who brought the important issue of mental health to the conversation, she was a gracious and classy candidate.”

– Amanda P. Sandoval

Council

Highland Neighborhood Monastery Sisters to Move to Eastern Arapahoe County

By Eric Heinz

After more than 35 years of quietly occupying the St. Patrick’s Church in the Highland neighborhood, the cloistered sisters of Capuchin Poor Clares Our Lady of Light Monastery are looking to move to Byers in eastern Arapahoe County.

The sisters are trying to raise another $2 million for a sanctuary on 100 acres of land that have already been donated. The land will be divided among the sisters, Capuchin friars and the benefactor who provided the land, as well as the new church.

St. Patrick’s is owned by the Archdiocese of Denver and will revert back to it once the sisters leave, said a Sister Maria of the monastery.

“The main reasons (for moving) are the major repairs needed for the building, and being non-functional especially for mobility of our elderly sisters, and the drastic change in the neighborhood environment becoming less and less suitable for our monastic way of life,” Sister Maria said.

According to a statement from the monastery’s website, the current building contains uneven floors and stairs, and a basement that is unusable due to humidity and asbestos. They are also unable to make necessary upgrades to the building for people with mobility issues.

The sisters live a cloistered lifestyle, meaning they are essentially separated from the rest of the surrounding environment. The kitchen of the monastery as well as some of the windows throughout the facility are shielded with blinds or drapes.

“We believe that the new location will provide an atmosphere of silence, appropriate to our contemplative way of life,” Sister Maria said. “We will be out of the town of Byers, but close enough for the basic needs of our daily

life. We will have open space to provide both privacy and the separation from the hustle and bustle of the crowded neighborhoods of the big city.”

Sister Maria said the building has been planned on a single story so all the spaces are accessible to all the sisters.

“We are planning a simple but functional structure, in accordance with our Franciscan spirituality,” she said.

It is not a short commitment to becoming a full-fledged member of the monastery. It takes a minimum of nine years, with five years of temporary vows, before becoming a full “member of the Order.”

Additionally, sisters must be practicing Catholic women between the ages of 18 and

35 upon entry and have either never been married or annulled any pre-existing marriage and have no dependent children. They must also be free of debt and have received a GED or high school diploma.

Sister Maria said the sale of the cookies and other items, such as rosaries, will help cover the costs of daily needs, utilities and other expenses, but for the new monastery projects they are relying mainly on donations from individuals and organizations.

The sisters hope to move by the summer of 2024. Currently 10 members live at the Denver monastery, eight professed sisters and two women who are in the discernment process, but the Byers facility could house up to 13 members, Sister Maria said.

Our Lady of Light Monastery recently announced they intend to move to a $2 million facility that will be built in Byers.

PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ

Arrupe Jesuit Seniors Show Entrepreneurial Skills at First Regis Pitch Event

By Sara Knuth, Regis University

Arrupe Jesuit High School seniors competed recently in the inaugural Entrepreneurial Innovation pitch event, hosted by the Regis University Innovation Center with support from the university’s Anderson College of Business and Computing. The winning student business, which was selected by a panel of judges, was the eco-friendly tote bag startup Enviobag founded by seniors, from left, Briana Renteria Lopez, Alexa Lucero, Malia Ahmad, Vanessa Trevizo and Samara Renteria Lopez.

Abiodegradable tote bag intended to combat the environmental hazards of plastic bags.

An app that encourages users to tell authentic stories based on their locations.

A reversible suit that doubles clothing options for young professionals.

And a health care app that gives low-income patients easy access to health resources.

Those were the business ideas pitched by 18 Arrupe Jesuit High School seniors recently as part of the inaugural Entrepreneurial Innovation pitch event, hosted by the Regis Innovation Center with support from the Anderson College of Business and Computing.

The event, which brought a crowd of families and supporters to the Mountain View Room of St. Peter Claver S.J. Hall, was the culmination of many hours of classwork by Arrupe students in the new Entrepreneurial Innovation class, formed in partnership with Regis.

As part of the class, each student is enrolled in Regis, earning college credit transferable to any university in the United States.

A panel of judges selected a winning product pitched by the seniors that will go on to compete against other startups during the Regis Innovation Challenge, scheduled for 5:30-8 p.m. April 28 in the Mountain View Room of Claver Hall.

The winner was the Enviobag, a tote made from hemp that is 100% biodegradable. Business founders and Arrupe seniors Malia Ahmad, Vanessa Trevizo, Briana Renteria Lopez, Samara Renteria Lopez and Alexa Lucero said the bag will last 20 to 30 years when properly cared for but begins decomposing after only two weeks when left outside.

Colorado recently implemented a new law that requires stores to charge 10 cents per plastic bag. In 2024, stores may only offer recycled paper bags for 10 cents, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue.

“We were brainstorming what are ways that we could, like, just benefit society, and think about not only ourselves, but other people,”

Samara Renteria Lopez said. “Not only is it not going to impact the environment, but it's also biodegradable, but it's also going to be really … useful for any consumer.”

Ruben Martinez, a Regis alumnus, affiliate faculty member and Arrupe director of marketing, taught the Entrepreneurial Innovation course, which was adapted from a Regis Master of Business Administration course. Martinez said the course showed the tenacity of each student.

“They're very dedicated, and you had to show up early for the classes. This is on top of all the other stuff, right? This is for college credit,” Martinez said. “So, they've got a million other things, and they showed up early to school so they can do the class … so, it really kind of shows the dedication and the hard work that they have.”

Judges also heard pitches from other innovative Arrupe businesses: health care app La Amistad, reversible suit company Suitable and storytelling app Where You App.

The project started when Martinez and Innovation Center director and Regis professor Ken Sagendorf discussed the possibility of bringing the course to Arrupe.

“We started dreaming big dreams. And we do have a big giant expansive dream, but this was the pilot to get everything off the ground,” Sagendorf said. “And so, we wanted to make sure that the students get credit for it. That's going to transfer to any college in America. We wanted to make sure that ultimately the students and their families feel like they have a home here.”

For Arrupe leaders, the family connection is key.

“This is a celebration, for sure, of the kids’ accomplishments,” said Arrupe Principal Rev. John Nugent, S.J. “They've spent a lot of time on it and put this stuff together. But I'm exceedingly grateful for parents’ trust in our school, for parents really encouraging their kids to go for something that's entrepreneurial.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF REGIS UNIVERSITY

“They've spent a lot of time on it and put this stuff together. But I'm exceedingly grateful for parents’ trust in our school, for parents really encouraging their kids to go for something that's entrepreneurial.”

– Arrupe Principal Rev. John Nugent, S.J.

only is it not but it's also be really … alumnus, affiliate director of marInnovation Regis Mascourse. Martenacity of you had to is on top for college got a milup early to they can do so, it realshows the and the that they also heard from other Arrupe health Amistad, suit compaand stoapp Where project started Martinez and Regis profespossibility of dreams. And we dream, but this the ground,” wanted to make it. That's America. ultimately the they have connection sure, of the Arrupe Prin“They've spent stuff togethfor parparents really something

MCA Denver Announces Spring Season at the Holiday Theater

By Toni Tresca

Following a series of improvements to the interior and technical systems of the Holiday Theater, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver) has announced plans for more than 30 public programs in the space through the summer.

“Since opening last year, MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater has become a dynamic home for multiple forms of creative expression, including original productions, live music, film screenings, artist talks and serial programming, as well as performances and events presented by other cultural organizations,” said Sarah Kate Baie, MCA Denver’s director of programming.

The MCA Denver was established in 1996 to celebrate contemporary art in the center of Denver by philanthropist Sue Cannon, Marina Graves, Mark Sink, Dale Chisman, Lawrence Argent and other locals. The nonprofit presents a wide range of exhibitions, events, lectures and parties.

Under the leadership of Cydney Payton, the museum opened a permanent location, now called the Fries Building, at 1485 Delgany St. in October 2007. And, just last year, under the directorship of Nora Burnett Abrams, the organization began leasing the Holiday Theater in Denver’s Highland neighborhood.

“We’re at the beginning of our journey at the historic Holiday Theater,” said Abrams in a statement. “In the months and years ahead, our goal is to create a new, long-term hub for the arts in Denver’s Northside neighborhood and generate new opportunities for innovative, community- and artist-driven programming and creative partnerships.”

Due to a historic agreement with the Denver Cultural Property Trust, the MCA is renting the Holiday Theater from the trust, which purchased the space in August 2021 for $5.1 million. The trust, a nonprofit organization run by the local development company Continuum Partners, was founded to provide the neighborhood's cultural community with more equitable housing options.

Mark Falcone, the founder of Continuum Partners and a longtime donor to the MCA, is in charge of the Denver Cultural Property Trust. Falcone established the trust to purchase and lease the theater to the MCA Denver so that it could function as an accessible space for artists.

“The theater being preserved is a beautiful gift,” Baie said. “Often when theater spaces are sold, they are turned into any number of things that aren’t publicly usable. The Holiday Theater’s long proximity to the neighborhood has made the theater a part of the fabric of the community. When we first moved into the theater, many people talked to us about their experiences watching movies and listening to music in the space. It was really important for us to honor the legacy of the building.”

The museum is the most recent tenant in the space, which has been a staple in the area for over 100 years. The building was built in 1914 and named the Egyptian Theater in 1926 before being renamed the Holiday in 1953.

The space is historically significant as it was one of the first theaters in Colorado to present Spanish-language films, which were featured in the venue from the 1960s through the 1980s. Over its 107 years of operations, it has been a Peruvian restaurant and a church, and MCA Denver has hosted artist talks and other programming in the theater since 2015.

“When we took over the lease at the Holiday, we assembled a group of neighbors called the Holiday Advisory Cabinet to meet new people, form new partnerships and identify new opportunities. They continue to be our guides, and we worked closely with them on programming and renovations.”

– Sarah Kate Baie, MCA Denver’s director of programming

“When we took over the lease at the Holiday, we assembled a group of neighbors called the Holiday Advisory Cabinet to meet new people, form new partnerships and identify new opportunities,” says Baie. “They continue to be our guides, and we worked closely with them

on programming and renovations.”

The Holiday Theater closed from December through February for a series of upgrades, “including newly refurbished and upholstered vintage theater seats, a new row of accessible seating, an upgraded projector, lighting, and sound equipment, as well as new paint and carpet,” according to a recent statement.

With the help of private donations and the Community Revitalization Grant given out by Colorado Creative Industries, MCA Denver is now able to offer more comprehensive programs and give visitors a better overall experience.

Beginning on March 21, MCA launched Cinema Azteca, a weekly film series that will present a fresh outlook on Mexican and Latin-American cinema. Its new series Icons debuted on March 27 with a conversation between Swoon, a street artist, and MCA Denver Ellen Bruss Senior Curator Miranda Lash. The following week, Icons brought in Jad Abumrad, the creator and former host of Radiolab, for a dynamic talk.

Abrams will talk with co-author and New York University associate professor Amy Whitaker about their newly released book “The Story Of NFTs: Artists, Technology, And Democracy” on April 17. On a rolling basis, additional details and tickets for future programs will be made available on the MCA website.

“We are so excited to reopen the theater after a few months of changes to the interior with a jam-packed schedule of thought-provoking and one-of-a-kind programs,” Baie said. “If you’ve come to know MCA Denver over the years as a museum that punctures pretentiousness with offbeat, thoughtful, creative and unexpected year-round programming, our plans for spring 2023 and beyond are among our most ambitious yet.”

More information can be found at mcadenver.org/holiday-theater.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HOLIDAY THEATER / MCA DENVER

The Holiday Theater at 2644 W. 32nd Ave.

Development Near Freight Rail Policy Revisited After Ohio Disaster

By Ernest Gurulé

When a freight train more than a mile long went off the tracks near East Palestine, Ohio, two months ago, it got the nation’s attention. The train, owned by Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern Railway, created a public health emergency for a community that, outside of Ohio, few even knew about.

But the incident also sparked a national conversation about the safety of trains carrying hazardous cargo that routinely pass through cities big and small every day, including Denver.

At-large Denver City Council member Debbie Ortega has been talking about the movement of hazardous materials through the city via interstate and rail for years, particularly in the Globeville, Elyria and S wansea neighborhoods.

Several railroads travel by Northwest Denver residential areas as well, such as near Millennium Bridge across from LoHi.

In a recent City Council committee meeting, Ortega revived a proposal from 2021 that would deny permit applications for development within 100 feet of a freight railway unless the application contains certain attestments, including an evacuation plan and mitigation measures.

In a presentation, Ortega stated there are 1,465 household units in Denver within 150 feet of railroads, with another 22,163 within 1,000 feet and 75,030 within a half-mile.

Four “public assembly locations” are within 100 feet or railroads, 10 are within 1,000 feet, and 58 are within a half-mile. Some of them include Mile High Stadium, Coors Field, Ball Arena and Elitch Gardens.

Additionally, Ortega provided data from

the Denver Office of Emergency Management that stated between 2011 and 2015, the number of railroad shipments carrying hazardous materials tripled one year and quadrupled another.

The committee postponed the proposal to deny permits near railroads with conditions to a later date that has not yet been scheduled.

Steve Long, a transportation and civil engineer at Metro State University, said their location and rail activity are more coincidence than design.

“You have to remember how the system was built,” he said. “The railroad was there long before the communities. Railroads were traveling across the Great Plains and there were no highways there, it was isolated. Cities built up around them.”

Long said “nothing is going to be perfect,” when it comes to railroad shipments of hazardous materials, and that he wasn’t surprised that the disaster in Ohio happened.

Regardless of who came first, said Ortega, if a dangerous accident happens in Denver as they have many times across the country, there needs to be a plan and residents need to know it.

“We must assure residents have clear evacuation routes … and that city agencies have the power and responsibility to review developments near rail lines to assure steps are being taken to mitigate risk,” Ortega said.

She also said she wants the confidence of knowing that the city and residents will be made whole in the event of a hazardous waste derailment.

Despite periodic accidents, Long said, it’s his opinion that rail is still the safest way to move dangerous cargo.

“Trucking on the highway is a lot more hazardous (than rail),” he said. On the highway, because of the proximity to others, he added, there’s a higher chance of human error.

Although most people never think about it, the amount of goods, including chemicals, moved by rail is vast. It is estimated that freight moved by rail, more than 2 trillion tonmiles annually, accounts for more than 40% of all freight moved across the country.

Included among this freight are highly toxic, highly combustible materials like chlorine, fertilizers, even rocket fuel. Each of these substances presents a huge potential environmental threat. But also, according to one Denver engineer, a threat that is quite manageable.

Neither defending nor railing against the industry, Long said “railroads are private

companies … they have to meet regulations.”

Long said federal inspections of railroad companies are essential to ensure they are meeting all federal standards. Still, the government is considering filing criminal charges against individuals involved in the derailment.

The American Association of Railroads says that “99.9% of all (hazardous materials) moved by rail reaches its destination without release caused by train accidents.” Still, when accidents like the recent Ohio derailment occur, there is no denying that serious problems can result.

In East Palestine, a community of 4,700, the train derailment caused a spillage of chemicals exceeding EPA levels for safety. Soil samples showed dioxins, which are potentially dangerous chemical compounds that can remain in the environment for long periods of time, were released.

The accident in Ohio has been blamed on what government inspectors call an overheated wheel bearing. The National Transportation and Safety Board said by the time anyone knew of the bad wheel, it had reached a temperature above 200 degrees and the train was already going off-track.

The East Palestine accident may be the most serious derailment of 2023, but it’s not the only one. Derailments have occurred in Alabama, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

Colorado University System

Continues to Proudly Lead

By Wanda James

My first three months serving as the regent for District 1 of the Colorado University System have been the most exhilarating experience of my life.

It is truly a great privilege to meet with students and faculty members who represent the essence of higher education.

Serving as an agent of diversity, equity and inclusion has shown me how crucial representation is and how it fosters progress. At CU, we are making a difference, and I am committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or any other aspect of their identity.

CU Boulder, my alma mater, recently inaugurated the Center for African and African-American Studies.

CU Boulder matched $1 million in private

DACrisis

By Eric Heinz

Denver Cann about powerful that taken

funding for the new center, which opened on the first day of Black History Month. The center's founding director, Professor Reiland Rabaka, expressed that "a dream long-dreamed has materialized and become reality" through the center's launch, also known as "the CAAAS."

Advocating for diverse voices and telling powerful stories in higher education has been my favorite part of serving as your regent. I am proud to announce the hiring of Jeff Howard as Vice President of Communication in the system administration.

Mr. Howard is the only Black vice president at CU, and his talent is exceptional. However, we need to do better, and I am actively having outreach conversations at all administrative levels at CU to evaluate their diversity, equity and inclusion plans.

See UNIVERSITY, Page 8

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PHOTO COURTESY OF WANDA JAMES

“We must assure residents have clear evacuation routes … and that city agencies have the power and responsibility to review developments near rail lines to assure steps are being taken to mitigate risk,”

– Debbie Ortega, At-large Denver City Council member

Railroads that run alongside the Sunnyside and Chaffee Park neighborhoods carry tons of hazardous materials near homes and businesses each day. A Denver City Council member is looking at prohibiting development within 100 feet of freight railroads.

PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ

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RTD Board Waits to Finalize Changes to Code of Conduct

By Jill Carstens

The RTD Board of Directors recently decided to postpone a vote on amendments to its code of conduct and will seek public comment on them through June 2. The proposed amendments to the transportation district’s code of conduct were advanced to address growing issues on trains and buses and include suspending repeat offenders.

Initially, some of the most controversial proposals would have restricted how long people can travel on RTD’s system on one fare and limited the use of electricity on the train platforms.

Groups and individuals criticized the proposed amendments during a recent RTD Safety and Operations Committee meeting, as they said the changes would add to the overall challenges of Denver’s homeless and disadvantaged populations, many of whom are transit’s most regular riders.

There were two opposing opinions reflected in the meeting, in which committee members applauded RTD Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald’s work on the document. But after people made comments about the proposals, several committee members were hesitant to push them through.

“If you take away the use of electrical outlets, our disabled population can’t recharge their phones and wheelchairs,” said Jaime Lewis of the Colorado CrossDisability Coalition.

At the same time, many suburban transit riders complained about groups loitering while charging phones at these outlets and doing hard drugs on the platform. The safety of Denver Union Station seemed to be the brunt of many concerns.

Several lower downtown business owners commended the proposed amendments to the code of conduct, hoping they would help curb drug use, loitering and public urination, say-

ing their employees have not felt safe on their trips to downtown.

Conversely, Molly McKinley with Denver Streets Partnership criticized the limitation of duration of rides, acknowledging that many homeless seek refuge on the buses and trains in colder weather. She called the changes “not welcoming” and said the board was rushing to approve the code of conduct before adequate public comment occurs.

“We cannot be the backup plan for the unhoused, but if a passenger has paid their fare, they should be able to ride respectfully,” said Director Michael Guzman of District C, which covers North Denver.

The nuances of the proposed amendments between a person resting their eyes while riding compared to another rider sleeping on multiple seats or the floor were addressed.

Fitzgerald said the “no-napping” policy and suspensions were put in place to target

DA to Address Fentanyl Crisis at Local Schools

By Eric Heinz

enver District Attorney Beth McCann is trying to spread the word about the dangers of fentanyl, a powerful opioid produced for sedation, but that taken as a recreational drug can be fatal.

“Needless to say, we’ve seen a shocking increase in the number of cases that we're filing involving fentanyl distribution and possession,” McCann said.

In 2020, the District Attorney’s Office filed 133 cases related to fentanyl, whether for possession or distribution.

That number rose to 350 in 2021 and nearly doubled to 691 in 2022.

Since February, McCann said her office has filed 111 cases related to fentanyl.

McCann said the drug is potent enough on its own and is desired to be pure by those who use it. She said sometimes the drugs will be labeled incorrectly and someone who thinks they’re getting a different kind of drug could wind up taking fentanyl.

“They (the police) are not seeing as many drugs that are combined, like people talk about lacing cocaine or meth or something with fentanyl,” she said. “They're actually just seeing pure fentanyl that's combined with typically like Tylenol or some filler, but it's really fentanyl. That's the drug that's in there.”

McCann said a Drug Enforcement Agency expert informed her office recently that four out of 10 fentanyl pills the agency has tested had potentially lethal amounts of the

drug in them.

“We are talking to some of the high schools about the dangers of fentanyl and consumption of fentanyl, including students and parents, to help people understand that it is everywhere in the city and very dangerous because it has such potential to be lethal,” McCann said.

Under a new state statute that allows prosecutors to charge dealers, McCann said she is encouraging the Denver Police Department to investigate overdoses as homicides.

“If we can trace the person that sold the drug to the individual that overdosed and died, we can charge now, under the new statute, distribution resulting in death,” she said, adding there’s another bill in the state Legislature that would make it easier for medical examiners to clearly determine fentanyl as the primary cause of death, whereas it’s difficult to do that now because someone might have a range of drugs in their system.

Another bill McCann said she supports is the “Overdose Prevention Center Authorization,” which would allow municipalities to “authorize the establishment of life-saving overdose prevention centers.” That bill has already been passed by the state House.

An event about fentanyl awareness will take place at 6 p.m. on April 26 at North High School, hosted by the Denver District Attorney’s Office.

chronic offenders. Some of those policies have since been amended from the original proposals. He said that while a suspension for some people is drastic, the measure is meant to be a diversion tactic before an arrest might occur and would be used as a tool to cut down on the more severe behaviors.

Director JoyAnn Ruscha of District B, which includes parts of Park Hill, Central Park and Denver International Airport, said simplifying the language in the document would help clarify the details of the code of conduct’s proposed amendments.

There was a difference of opinion as to whether the amendments were fair to all persons in all districts, suburban and urban.

Director Marjorie Sloan of District M, which includes parts of Lakewood and Golden, suggested RTD could open the amendments up to further public comment before finalizing the code. She offered that the code

of conduct’s purpose is as a tool for RTD to improve the safety of all rather than restrict certain riders.

Acknowledging that many issues were connected to homelessness, Director Ian Harwick of District L, which primarily covers Arvada, pointed out that providing more outreach coordinators, who offer resources in housing, employment and other services, could reduce the need to call a security officer. Currently, RTD has contracted one outreach coordinator.

Fitzgerald said he has asked for more outreach coordinators to be hired with the approval of the amended code of conduct.

Director Kate Williams of District A, which includes areas near the Denver Country Club and Glendale, reminded attendees that the code of conduct is a “living” document and approving it to go forward to the full board would not prevent it from being worked on in the future.

Director Doug Tisdale of District H, which includes Greenwood Village and Highlands Ranch, strongly disapproved of postponing the approval and warned his peers not to succumb to the “the heckler’s veto.”

After a recent regular RTD Board of Directors meeting, approval was postponed to June 2 to allow for further public input.

“We have taken a step back to reset and further engage with our community,” Guzman said. “We are calling it, ‘Respect the Ride.’ I am asking my community, you — yes, you, dear reader — please give feedback to the board and the agency through this process so we can make the most informed decision.”

To provide your input on the changes to RTD’s code of conduct, visit a link available in this article at denvernorthstar.com or at surveymonkey.com/r/K35ND66. The page is provided in English and Spanish.

“Carousel

The RTD Board of Directors voted to host public comment on a series of amendments to its code of conduct, which could include a way to suspend offenders. Pictured, a security guard speaks with patrons at Union Station.

PHOTO BY ERIC HEINZ

PHOTO COURTESY OF BETH MCCANN

Support Abounds for Talking about Death

When I run into someone who wants to talk about a recent topic in The Gray Zone I like to ask, in turn, about their ideas for the column.

KATHRYN WHITE

And so it went one day at Convivio Café on West 38th Avenue.

“How about writing about death cafes?” my neighbor Judy suggested. “Google it and let’s talk.”

Swiss sociologist and ethnologist Bernard Crettaz began hosting “cafés mortels” after his wife, anthropologist Yvonne Preiswerk, died in 1999. In the U.K. a little over a decade later, Jon Underwood and Sue Barsky Reid formalized the concept by creating Death Cafe, a volunteer-led social franchise to “increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.”

Death cafes are guided get-togethers — often between strangers — to discuss topics connected to death. Since 2011, Death Cafe has hosted over 15,000 death cafes in 83 countries.

When I met back up with Judy (who prefers to use her first name in this story), it became clear how beneficial thinking about death — and planning for her own — has been.

“I just turned 81,” Judy said. “If I have 10 more years, that’s not a lot of time. It’s not dinner table conversation. But it’s there, and you have to plan for it.”

“Unless you don’t,” I chimed in.

“Right,” Judy said. “And then you leave a big mess for people behind you.”

Conversations about death have given Judy the chance to move through a detailed list of considerations, from the types of music she’d like to listen to in her last days to how she wants her daughters to support her if she is ever diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“The death cafe gives me a legitimate place to talk about all this,” she said.

Reva Tift, MA, has hosted death cafes for 10 years and hosts the one Judy attends. Tift was drawn to Death Cafe as a result of experiencing her own family’s way of relating to the dying process. Her father’s death was a challenging time that allowed her to see her family’s biases.

For Tift, a death cafe “expands us to hear that there are different viewpoints outside of our own or our family’s.”

“We now have different resources for what we can choose for our body when we die,” said Tift. “We could choose to die at home with death doula support or hospice support. We could choose to die in the hospital. These are choices, if we plan ahead. When we see that we can meet death more on our own terms, that

Continued from Page 6

Your CU regents are working hard to address affordability issues that have significantly impacted enrollment and graduation rates in recent years. No student should go to college and not finish because they cannot afford it. I want all students to enjoy their experiences at our campuses without stressing over tuition fees. This is a crucial aspect of inclusion, and we are making strides to achieve this goal.

We are also focused on creating a more inclusive campus culture by promoting diversity through events and programming, such as guest speakers and cultural festivals, and ensuring that all members of our community feel valued and welcome.

Moreover, we are committed to promoting equity through financial support for students from underrepresented backgrounds. We have established scholarships and financial aid programs to guarantee that all students have equal access to the education they need

begins of a lot of discussions.”

A poignant theme becomes: Am I living the life I want to be living?

Kari Allerton, a certified end-of-life coach, sees this in her work.

“The more comfortable you are in understanding that death is coming for all of us, the more fully you live,” Allerton said.

Allerton has hosted workshop-style conversations about death and provides one-on-one support that begins with imagining you have three months left to live.

“Who do you need to forgive?” Allerton said. “What do you need to let go of?”

Allerton and the client then meet for heart-to-heart conversations over five to seven sessions.

“People who go into death at peace with themselves and their life experience less suffering,” Allerton said.

In addition to revealing life’s unfinished business, conversations about death raise our awareness about changes to state law that created options unavailab le to previous generations.

For people of faith, it’s a chance to catch up on evolving religious guidance. And now, data are accumulating on the environmental impact of the growing range of choices.

“It’s hard to face your own mortality,” Allerton said. “People say they don’t want to be a bother. ‘Don’t fuss over me.’ But when a person’s wishes are unknown, it’s much harder for the people who are still living. They want to uphold your wishes. By having a plan and talking about it, you create peace for your loved ones.”

Stay tuned to The Gray Zone’s next installment to learn about a body composting conference that recently came to Denver, a local aquamation company and The Death Deck party game.

Reva Tift can be reached at tift@gmail.com. Kari Allerton can be reached at kari.allerton17@gmail.com.

Are there topics you’d like to hear more (or less) about in The Gray Zone? I’m currently following legislation impacting older adults in the Colorado General Assembly and, at the suggestion of a reader, looking into local endof-life topics and resources. Send your ideas to kathryn@denvernorthstar.com.

Kathryn has lived in North Denver since around the time the Mount Carmel High School building was razed and its lot at 3600 Zuni became Anna Marie Sandoval Elementary. She’s raised two children in the neighborhood, worked at several nonprofits, and volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter.

Universityto succeed.

Each of our campuses is unique and integrates into its communities to offer the best experiences for our students. Our flagship campus in Boulder is stunning and awe-inspiring, but our other campuses are just as impressive.

CU Denver, our metro hub, has some of our most driven and life-experienced students who strike a balance between work, family and education. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs provides numerous educational opportunities for veterans and collaborates with service members, which makes me proud as a veteran and regent.

Lastly, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus is a national leader in medical research and has made significant strides in advancing diversity and inclusion in the medical field through scholarships and recruitment programs.

It is an honor to serve as a regent of this remarkable university system, and I look forward to continuing to build on the progress we have made.

Wanda James was first elected to the University of Colorado Board of Regents in November.

A Family Affair

Late 1960s, a well-to-do Manhattan bachelor and his Gentleman’s Gentleman (butler), Mr. French, suddenly have their lives changed when they adopt the bachelor’s deceased brother’s children, boy and girl twins and a teen.

instinct was, that it was too soon to separate them, shares this with the principal confidently, and the twins are reunited in their kindergarten class.

JILL CARSTENS

This show was called “Family Affair,” and I was just a toddler when it originally came on screen. After a biking accident left me convalescing at home for several months recently, I rediscovered this show, playing it in the background while I attempted my physical therapy exercises.

The teacher/parent in me started to realize there was some great parenting coming from the bachelor, Uncle Bill, and Mr. French. These two men were quick to admit they knew nothing about child rearing, but they possessed humility combined with a deep willingness to learn and do right by these kids who had lost their parents.

In the first season of the show, Buffy and Jody, the twins, are very young and adorable. As they endeavor their first school experience, the teacher calls Uncle Bill in to have a conference. She shares that the twins spend all of their time together in the classroom on assignments and outside on recess, rarely integrating with other children. She insists it would be best to separate them into different classes.

Uncle Bill’s first instinct is that separating them would be a cruel thing to do so early in adjusting to their new lives in New York. He comes home to discuss the matter with Mr. French, a pattern that continues on the show and models what a mother and father might do when tackling a parenting challenge.

Mr. French points out that because they are novices and the woman principal is a professional perhaps they should follow her advice. After some consternation, Uncle Bill agrees and they separate the twins.

This is a difficult adjustment for the children and does not seem to enhance their abilities to make new friends. Buffy and Jody return home each day basically sad and depressed. Uncle Bill perseveres with tough love until he can’t stand it anymore. He goes back to what his original

As the show goes on, Buffy and Jody indeed end up making friends at school after they have ample time to adjust to their new life.

There are many other times in the show where Uncle Bill is faced with recommendations from experts, some perhaps stereotyping that he, being a single man, is not fit or equipped to make decisions about the children.

The ensuing result is that his decisions become influenced by love, which is informed by his instinct and knowledge of the children over time. In watching the show for a couple months, I came to really respect the evolving parenting style of these two men; they are intentional, loving, methodical and open to the lessons that mistakes teach.

Our parenting methods need to grow as our children grow. Deciding when to exert more discipline and put more responsibility on younger children is definitely a timing matter of development, but it also depends on a child’s unique personality and abilities at the given time.

As the show goes on, Uncle Bill and Mr. French grapple with issues such as how strict they need to be in making the twins clean up after themselves, indeed learning how able or not very young children are at this task. Conversely they are also faced with how much responsibility a teen, the older sister Sissy, can take on as well as the complicated nuances of her dating experiences.

Although Uncle Bill is a busy man, he learns it is imperative to juggle his time away from home in order to suitably tackle parenting issues while providing an attentive and loving environment.

For such an old show, I think it was ahead of its time. Showcasing a nontraditional family that is trying hard to “get it right.” Check it out for refreshing takes on tackling age-old parenting challenges.

Jill Carstens taught for 30 years and now enjoys writing for this publication! Email her with comments or story ideas at jill@denvernorthstar.com.

‘Mother of Strangers’ Shows Insight to Palestinian Youth

Mother of Strangers”

(2022) by Suad Amiry begins with a girl and a suit. Subhi, a 15-year-old mechanic, has dreams of someday marrying Shams, the beautiful 13-year-old daughter of one of the workers in his father’s orange groves.

The suit, of the finest English wool and costing more than he could hope to save over many years, is a gift from a grateful customer that Subhi intends to wear at his wedding.

This coming-of-age novel is based on a true story of a young man, his family, his friends and his true love set in 1947-1948 in the ancient city of Jaffa in what was then Palestine. The volatile political climate at the end of the British Mandate and the implementation of Partition forms the backdrop, as well as dictates the circumstances of the story.

Gifted in the repair of all things mechanical, Subhi is called in to fix the irrigation at the orange grove of one of the town’s most wealthy and powerful men after many other attempts at repair have failed. In return, he receives the custom-made suit that he imagines will open up his world in ways previously unimaginable.

He takes a day off of work to pick up the suit and wears it on a tour of places he wouldn’t have access to while wearing his everyday clothes, like upscale cafes and intellectual haunts. Throughout the book, the suit is alway first and foremost in his mind, second only to his love for Shams.

At the month-long festival of Mawsim il

Nabi Rubin the previous year, Subhi saw Shams for the first time and he has thought of little else ever since. He even keeps a picture of a bride taped above his toolbox to remind him of his dream of marriage.

Complicating matters, though, is the fact that Shams comes from the peasant class, and Subhi knows his middle-class family will object to his marrying her. With il Nabi Rubin upon them again, Subhi befriends Shams’ brother and strategically finds ways to spend time with her, eventually sharing a first kiss.

As the official start of Partition approaches, however, Arab Palestinians flee in unprecedented numbers, including Subhi’s mother and sisters along with Shams and her family. What follows is Subhi’s quest to find Shams, reunite with his family and hold onto his suit while navigating the civil war unfolding in his country.

With doses of humor mixed in with the emotionally impactful losses, this is a book that evokes a lot of feelings. Deftly navigating the political landscape of the time, the author doesn’t shy away from political commentary, but it takes a back seat to the stories of the characters.

The portrayal of life during that turbulent time and place in history makes this a great read for Arab-American Heritage Month. Stop by the Smiley Branch Library in April for more books and activities celebrating Arab Americans.

Wendy Thomas is a librarian at the Smiley Branch Library. When not reading or recommending books, you can find her hiking with her dogs.

to separate confidenttheir kinderJody indeed they have the show recommendastereotypnot fit or the children.

decisions beinformed the children for a couple the evolving they are inopen to the grow as our more dison younger matter of develchild’s unique time. and Mr. how strict twins clean up how able or task. Conmuch reSissy, can nuances of he learns it from home issues while environment. was ahead nontraditional famright.” Check tackling age-old now enjoys with comjill@denvernorthstar.com.

The Highlands Art Festival

New!

June 10 & 11

The Highlands Masonic Lodge

3550 Federal Blvd., Denver, CO 80211 10am until 5pm

The first show of its kind in the Highlands, the Highlands Art Festival will serve the long time residents and new contemporary transplants, a fresh and exciting event centered around fine art and fine craft.

saw Shams of little else of a bride him of his is the fact class, and will object Rubin upon Shams’ brother time with approachin unprecSubhi’s mother her family.

find Shams, onto his suit unfolding in with the is a book navigating the author commenstories of turbulent this a great Heritage Month.

Library in April celebrating the Smiley recommendher dogs.

$1000

Art Fest shopping spree drawing! 3pm Saturday & Sunday Get a free drawing ticket from any artist!

Artwork by Melanie Unruh

Jewelry by Paula Romero

Paintings by Peter Freischlag

Newish Trails and Places to Bike This Spring and Summer

With summer on the horizon, Denverites love to get outdoors.

Especially with just shy of 5,000 residents already taking advantage of Denver’s e-bike rebate program, there are plenty of places to explore. Whether you’re on an e-bike or conventional bike, here is a list of some newer trails, bike lanes and destinations to ride to as it gets warmer.

39TH AVENUE GREENWAY

Denver’s newest trail, the 39th Avenue Greenway, was completed in 2020 as part of a flood mitigation project and features new public art installations and a meandering trail through some of the historic industrial areas of the Clayton and Cole neighborhoods.

It runs from Franklin Street to Steele Street. Families should be sure to check out the Nature Playground at 39th Avenue and Williams Street. The west end of the greenway at Franklin Street features a Dutch-style shared street or “woonerf,” complete with swinging benches, where Nowhere Coffee serves coffee Wednesday-Sunday mornings out of an Airstream trailer.

Stop by the giant red public art megaphones near Clayton Street, where you can talk to a friend across the floodway.

How to get there by bike: Take the South Platte Trail north from Confluence Park to 38th Street, go east on the sidewalk path on the north side of the road. After you go underneath the railroad overpass take a left on the sidewalk up toward Blake Street. Take a right on the Blake Street bike lane, and then a right on 40th Street, which will lead you to the Greenway.

ARKINS PROMENADE AND RINO

ART PARK

One of the newest parks and libraries in Denver lies along the east bank of the South Platte River in the Five Points neighborhood in the Rino Art District.

The former industrial area has been turned into a park and recreational area for both kids and adults. Climb the gangway ramp to 30 feet above the ground, where you can admire the views of the river or cross the cargo net high above terra firma.

E-BIKE REBATE

The next round of rebate vouchers will be available at 11 a.m. May 30. Additional tentative dates for e-bike rebates for the remainder of the year are July 25, Sept. 26, Nov. 28. More information is at denvergov. org by searching "e-bikes."

Meander your way over to the lawn at the adjacent Rino Art Park where, families can enjoy the playground or adults can relax on the lounge chairs overlooking the lawn. Before you go, stop by the Bob Ragland Library, Denver’s newest branch open Tuesday-Saturday, or the nearby Alto Gallery, open Tuesday-Saturday.

How to get there by bike: Take the South Platte Trail north from Confluence Park to 38th Street. Make a hard right, doubling back into the Park.

GATEWAY SEGMENT OF THE PEAKS TO PLAINS TRAIL

This is a great option for riders who want a longer ride. Opened a couple years ago, one of the newest trails in Jefferson County winds 1.75 miles through Clear Creek Canyon.

The trail starts on the western edge of Golden and gently climbs up between the canyon walls following the beautiful Clear

Creek, crossing over the creek several times on new bridges built for the trail. For the adventurous who want to stretch their legs with a quick hike, climb the steep stairs to walk along the Welch Ditch’s historic wooden water flume.

On the way back, stop for lunch and beverages at the Tributary Food Hall and Drinkery in Golden, opened in 2019.

How to get there by bike: Take Meade Street north in the Regis neighborhood just past West 54th Avenue to the new serpentine path that connects to the Clear Creek Trail.

My personal tory and Genealogy the Denver great resources, ing the public. dedicated borhoods. for those neighborhoods toric status. individual resource for At WHG maps which inally used any changes over time. blocks and help a researcher roundings

Take the Clear Creek Trail about 12 miles west all the way to and through Golden to the start of the Gateway Trail.

LAKESHORE DRIVE AND WEST

BYRON PLACE IN SLOANS LAKE PARK

In the spring of 2020, West Byron Place between Vrain Street and Stuart Street, along with Lakeshore Drive between Raleigh Street and West 17th Avenue, were closed to cars. They make for the perfect spot to teach young kids to bike, and you’ll often see young families doing just that on the weekend.

Lakeshore Drive has also turned into a favorite spot for people who rollerblade or roller skate. Afterward, stop by the rooftop patio at Odell’s Brewhouse at the corner of West 17th Avenue and Perry Street for pizza and view of the lake, where there is plenty of bike parking out front.

How to get there by bike: Take the newly finished Perry Street neighborhood bikeway that runs from West 46th Avenue to West 20th Avenue. Or if coming from the east, take the newly finished West 17th Avenue protected bike lane, or the West 23rd Avenue bike lane and neighborhood bikeway, which has recently been extended to the west of Lowell Boulevard.

WASHINGTON PARK AND THE MARION PARKWAY PROTECTED BIKE

LANE

While Washington Park has been around for a while, the Marion Parkway protected bike lane was recently completed. The concrete protected bike lane running along Marion Parkway provides a much safer and comfortable connection between the Cherry Creek Trail and the Park.

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Just recently the city installed a dedicated bike and pedestrian crossing light at East Virginia Avenue to make crossing into and out of the park easier. The park has also closed off more of the biking and walking loop to cars, making it more comfortable to bike around for people of all ages.

Families, be sure to stop by the new Washington Park Playground, opened in 2019. Bring a flat slice of a cardboard box so your kids can enjoy sliding down the artificial grass hill.

How to get there by bike: From Confluence Park, take the Cherry Creek trail east to Downing Street. Take the Downing Street ramp up and turn left going south on the multi-use path. From there take a left on the Marion Street Protected Bikeway south into Washington Park.

Allen Cowgill is the City Council District 1 Appointee for the Denver DOTI Advisory Board.

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ALLEN COWGILL

39th Avenue Greenway

IMAGE COURTESY OF DHM DESIGN

The Northside: How Do We Know What We Know?

Denver is rich in organizations that help people do research about our city. Many are especially good when it comes to documenting the North Denver.

My personal favorite is the Western History and Genealogy Department (WHG) of the Denver Public Library. It not only has great resources, but a staff devoted to assisting the public. A whole section of WHG is dedicated to documenting Denver neighborhoods. It has preservation documents for those neighborhoods nominated for historic status. These include information on individual buildings and are an invaluable resource for those researching their homes.

At WHG are the Sanborn insurance maps which show what material was originally used to build a structure, as well as any changes in size, shape of materials over time. More general maps show streets, blocks and streetcar and bus routes. They help a researcher get a sense of how the surroundings might have changed over time.

Both Denver Public Library and History Colorado have been collecting stories related to our rich Latino history. History Colorado just held another public session that allowed Northsiders to share their family stories.

Knowing which resources are out there helps you put things into context. Historic Denver has its Discover Denver project, which is providing brief histories of Denver covering from 1858 to 2014.

The National Archives has archival collections on U.S. cities, including Denver. It is especially rich in maps and photographs.

There are also history aficionados who have Facebook pages and blogs, that house collections of stories and photos. Check out Mark Fitz’s Facebook group, Historic Denver Highland on Facebook.

Another one is John Bonath’s blog about art and history in Denver. My favorite article is his six-part saga about butchering a bison at his house in North Denver. Only after reading the article did I realize that my husband, Geoff, and I were part of the neighborhood group that had bought shares in those bison.

Check out this story and learn about

Park

Continued from Page 1

conversations with hundreds of members of the community surrounding La Raza Park.

These living histories included stories of racial injustice and sorrow told alongside tales of celebration of culture, generational solidarity, and overcoming political and social challenges from the past 100 or so years.

The stories have been missing from the narrative of Denver’s history, and the intent

Officers

Continued from Page 1

petition reads. “With the ongoing violence in and around our schools, the boards’ reversal, incoherence and uncertainty on school safety policies, and the continued tension and misalignment with current and past superintendents, Denver’s students, teachers and families deserve a new start.”

Some criticized having sworn police officers in schools as a way to target children who have behavioral issues, often those who are students of color.

Board director Auon’tai M. Anderson, who currently serves as vice president, vehemently opposed having officers at the schools and voted along with the board in 2020 to dissolve the program. He has been active on his Twitter feed in recent weeks responding to the backlash he and the rest of the board have received due to the earlier decision.

the Northside’s Italian community on his blog at johnbonath.com. John lives in North Denver and is an excellent fine art photographer.

Retired Denver Post reporter Dick Kreck wrote “Smaldone” to document the North Denver crime family.

Phil Goodstein wrote “Northside Story,” documenting Northwest Denver, one house, and one character, at a time. Another great resource is Colorado Humanities and Colo rado State University’s Colorado Encyclope dia which has many excellent shorter arti cles on people, places and events.

Links to research websites will be provided in this article at denvernorthstar.com. A list of select books can also help:

Anstey, Mary Therese with R. Laurie Simmons and Thomas H. Simmons, “The Fall & Rise of the Queen City of the Plains, 1893-1904,” Discover Denver.

Hunt, Rebecca, “Urban Pioneers: Continuity and Change in Two Denver, Colorado Neighborhoods, 1858-1997, doctoral dissertation, University of Colorado Denver, 1999.

Leonard, Stephen J., Thomas J. Noel, “Denver: Mining Camp to Metropolis, Boulder: University Press of Colorado,” 1990.

Simmons, R. Laurie, Thomas H. Simmons, “The Instant City—The Gold Rush and Early Settlement, 1858-1892,” Discover Denver, Historic Denver, 2016.

Simmons, Thomas H., R. Laurie Simmons and Mary Therese Anstey. “Tops Down and Bottoms Up Intervention—The Great Depression, Federal Relief Programs, and World War II, 1930-45,” Historic Denver, 2016.

Simmons, Thomas H., R. Laurie Simmons and Mary Therese Anstey, The World Class City-City Planning and Reinvestment, 1983-2014, Historic Denver, 2014.

Smiley, Jerome, Editor, “History of Denver with Outlines of the Earlier History of the Rocky Mountain Country,” Denver: The Denver Times, Time-Sun Publishing, 1911.

Dr. Rebecca A. Hunt has been a Denver resident since 1985. She worked in museums and then taught Colorado, Denver and immigration history at the University of Colorado Denver until she retired in 2020

of the proposal is to introduce them back into the ongoing conversation, according to the proponents.

If the proposal is approved, it will allow for applications for grant funding from the State Historical Fund, which is funded by gambling revenue from mountain communities and would provide money for maintenance and restoration.

The proposal is in a final draft state and is expected to be introduced in a City Council committee meeting in the near future.

Anderson was indirectly criticized by Board President Xóchitl Gaytán for recently sharing information that was discussed in a closed session, which allows governing bodies to meet in privacy, with certain required disclosures on any decisions the body has made.

“Individual directors of the DPS Board of Education have a right to free speech, and when they engage with the public, they are speaking for themselves and do not represent the views of the entire body,” Gaytán stated.

Anderson said in a statement on Twitter that he has a sibling who attends East High and that the shooting was a “personal matter” to him, and that he wanted to be transparent with constituents.

“I believe my constituents deserve honesty and transparency and I provided them with that and exercised my First Amendment right and now I’m being retaliated against,” Anderson said in one response on the social media site.

Whether you are in the planning stage of your dream pursuit or you’re looking to safeguard all that you’ve accomplished, I will meet you wherever you are in your journey. Let ’s talk about your plans, and how I can help you protect them