All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1960 • Volume 59, Issue No. 4 • April 2020
There was just one thing certain in a month of uncertainties: as Colorado announced strict emergency regulations designed to halt the spread of the coronavirus, local businesses suddenly – in many cases literally overnight – found themselves in a world of hurt.
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Editor, GPHN
In mid-March, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered all restaurants, bars, gyms, salons and spas, performance and music venues, movie theaters, and casinos closed for normal, public use, at least through April 30. (Grocery stores, convenience stores, food pantries and pharmacies remain open.) The governor underscored that delivery, pickup, takeout and drive-throughs are not just okay but encouraged. The impact to many
Earth Day At 50: Celebrating Mama Earth
Local Business Owners Share What They’re Doing, How They’re Doing
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By Cara DeGette
No Need To Be Stir Crazy. It’s Springtime In Colorado
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Local Businesses Hit Hard By Coronavirus
Love In The Time Of Corona
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Fighting For Survival
was instant, and devastating. Paul Sullivan, owner of Esters at Oneida Park, said the restaurant went from a staff of 70 to just six coworkers. Sales, he said, are down almost 100 percent, and he had no idea what the future looks like. “Obviously, this has been a difficult situation for a lot of small businesses, and we are no different,” Sullivan said. “We appreciate the support of the neighborhood and community in this difficult time.” For now, Esters – like many other local restaurants – is continuing to operate without sit-down service, offering daily takeout, delivery and curbside pick-up. In late March, Todd Snyder, who three years ago bought and renovated the business block of Oneida Park Center, described the sudden shut-down as “chartering unnavigated waters.” “We’re coping over here and don’t know how to react just yet,” Snyder said. “Right now we’re working on gathering information and potential options for tenant and landlord relief.” One of the unknowns, Snyder said, is how much, or even whether, insurance will cover the losses. Many policies do not in-
INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 2
In March, Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Executive Director Lana Cordes presented Park Hill resident Greg Barnes with a $50 gift certificate to Ciji’s Natural Pet Supplies on Kearney. Barnes was the winner of the January GPHC membership drive and chose Ciji’s as a local business he supports. Cordes and Barnes were careful to engage in social distancing during the interaction. Photo by Cara DeGette
Readers Weigh In On The Times That Try Us
UPCOMING GPHC MEETINGS Monthly community meetings are cancelled until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak.
RAW POLITICS Penfield W. Tate III
Shake, Rattle and Roll How The Coronavirus Is Impacting Colorado’s High-Profile Senate Race By Penfield Tate III For the GPHN
One Last Ride Story and photo by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
On Saturday, March 14, a group of elite and amateur cyclists took advantage of the moderate late winter weather to get in a 40mile training ride on the plains just south of Denver International Airport, past the hamlet of Watkins. The FDR or “Frustrated Dads’ Ride” has historically departed every Saturday morning promptly at 8 a.m. (7 a.m. during the
spring and summer) from the Cycleton bike shop in Stapleton for a brisk racelike group ride. That involves close drafting, race-tactics, and sprints, with average speeds sometimes exceeding 25 mph. The March 14 ride may be the last group ride for a while. The next day, the national organizing body for cycling, USA Cycling, issued a statement “recommending cancellation of all sanctioned events immediately and calling on all race and event directors, clubs, coaches, athletes, and members to
postpone or cancel all scheduled races and events immediately. This includes any gatherings such as group rides, in-person group meetings, etc.” Following USACycling’s lead and recommendations of Colorado and Denver health officials, Michelle Henry, a Stapleton resident and sometimes organizer of the FDR ride, announced that no additional group rides would be scheduled for the time being. “In any case, get outside, ride your bike, be responsible,” Henry posted on the group’s Facebook page. “Think about who you are with and where they have been and who they are with or might be with. Be responsible. See you outside more than 6 feet away from me.”
Coronavirus. It has changed our world and our country in a way most of us have never seen before. As of press time, nearly 500,000 people had been infected around the world. The only certainty is that the numbers will grow exponentially. Infected or not, we are all affected. Thousands have died, and the death toll will continue to rise. Entire countries have closed their borders. Travel restrictions are in effect. The stock markets are in freefall. Stores are being stripped bare, with people panicking and buying as if preparing for a medieval siege. It is PENFIELD W. instead a medical siege. TATE III State and local governments are responding more quickly than the federal government, which waited until mid-March to acknowledge that the situation is “very bad” and may be with us until July or August. There is a rush by Congress to pass stimulus and continued on page 11