All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1960 • Volume 63, Issue No. 2 • February 2024
Inside This Issue PAGE 4 PAGE 12
For the GPHN
The Professional Bull Riders organization or “PBR” brought its top riders to the Denver Coliseum for three nights of heart-stopping performances from Jan. 8-10 at the National Western Stock Show. Park Hill resident Ellie Wroble Re
and her husband Chris had front row seats for the Jan. 8 preliminary rounds of competition. “It’s not January until I go to the Stock Show,” said Wroble Re. “I have gone almost every year of my life and I love that every day has a different focus. As a city resident, but someone who would love to live on a farm, I learn something new every year.”
And about the bull riding, during which a cowboy tries to hold on to a raging 1,800-pound animal for eight mandatory seconds needed to achieve a “qualifying ride,” Wroble Re had this to say: “[It] is an insane display of strength and athleticism. I spent the evening partly horrified, somewhat continued on page 11
Colorado House District 8 candidates, from left: Kwon Atlas, Victor Bencomo, Lindsay Gilchrist and Sharron Pettiford. The winner will succeed term-limited Rep. Leslie Herod.
Donkey Season Denver District Attorney and House District 8 Races Heat Up Staff report
Letters To The Editor: Readers Are Fired Up This Month
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Holding on at the PBR Velocity Tour bull riding finals.
Story and photos by Reid Neureiter
In the DA’s race, Leora Joseph, currently the director of the state’s Office of Civil and Forensic Mental It’s 2024 — another pivotal presiHealth, has raised the most camdential election year. But closer paign cash so far — $201,867 as of to home, the June 25 Democratic Jan. 16. (Joseph’s website is leoraprimary election will be the likely fordistrictattorney.com) decider in two important races. Former civil rights attorney Lisi After serving two terms, Owen, who grew up in Park Denver District Attorney Hill, is also running. As of Jan. Beth McCann announced ElEctions ‘24 16, her campaign has $17,596 her decision to retire this in contributions, plus $14,799 year rather than run for a in loans. (Owen’s website is third term. And Leslie Herod, owenforthepeople.com) who currently represents District Since joining the race late last 8 (which includes Park Hill) in the year, John Walsh, the former U.S. Colorado House of Representatives, Attorney for Colorado, has raised is term limited from that office. $183,564. He has secured endorseNumerous Democrats are vyments from numerous high-profile ing to replace McCann and Herod. politicos, including former Denver Since Denver is a liberal stronghold, DA and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, as whoever wins the June primary is well as McCann. likely also the winner come NovemSince his Nov. 2 announcement, ber. In fact, so far no Republican has two other candidates — Zach entered either race. McCabe and Matt James — have For the GPHN
ElEctions ‘24
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Witnessing Eight Seconds Of Pure Adrenalin
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Wild Ride
Drought, Wildfires & Fracking. Quick, Call The Governor Democracy Lovers Unite: It’s Caucus Time!
Dreaming Of Summer: Kids Camps In And Around Park Hill Black History Month Comes To Life At The Library
Upcoming GPHC Meetings Community meetings are conducted on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., except for July and December.
Meetings are held in person at 2823 Fairfax St. People can also attend via Zoom at greaterparkhill.org/join-us/community-meetings The next meeting is Feb. 1. at 6:30 p.m. The March meeting is Thursday, Mar. 7.
Denver District Attorney candidates Leora Joseph, Lisi Owen and John Walsh. The winner will succeed Beth McCann, who is retiring.
dropped their bids and thrown their support behind Walsh. Walsh lives in Park Hill, as does current DA McCann. (Walsh’s website is WalshforDenver.com) Four Democrats are vying to replace Herod in the Colorado Legislature. They include: • Kwon Atlas, who previously worked as a senior advisor on community-based initiatives under former Mayor Michael B. Hancock and most recently an unsuccessful candidate for the city council. As of Jan. 16 Atlas had raised $1,270 in contributions. His endorsements include former Mayor Hancock, along with former Denver Parks and Recreation Director Happy Haynes, former House Speaker Terrance Carroll and CU Regent Wanda James. Atlas lives in Five Points. (KwonAtlas.com) • Victor Bencomo, a Navy veteran who served as president of the Giffords Gun Owners for Safety Colorado chapter. As of Jan. 16 Bencomo has raised $26,261 and secured endorsements from state Sen. Tom Sullivan, as well as state Reps. Judy Amabile, David Ortiz
and Lindsey Daugherty. Bencomo is a resident of Central Park. (VictorBencomo.com) • Lindsay Gilchrist is a Denver native with a long career working in public policy, including in the office of former U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy. As of Jan. 16, Gilchrist has raised $66,748 — by far the most of any candidate. She has secured endorsements from District Attorney Beth McCann (who previously represented District 8 in the Legislature), as well as state Sen. Chris Hansen, former Colorado First Lady Dottie Lamm and former Lt. Gov. Gail Shoettler. Gilchrist lives in Park Hill. (GilchristforColorado.com) • Sharron Pettiford, a social caseworker, labor organizer and political activist. As of Jan. 16, Pettiford has raised $3,785 in contributions. Her endorsements include state Sen. Janice Marchman, state Rep. Junie Joseph, Rev. Timothy Tyler of Shorter AME Church and Kevin Marchman, the president of the Northeast Park Hill Coalition. Pettiford lives in Park Hill. (Sharronforco.com)