Since Colfax Avenue first showed up on Denver maps 150 years ago, the street has been the destination of many a traveler. Miners used it as a gateway west to find gold. Later, road-trip vacationers and businessmen routinely stayed over at one of dozens of iconic motels along the route.
In the mid-to-late 1900s, life on Colfax became a different type of experience. In the 1970s, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner dubbed Colfax the “longest, wickedest street in America,” where drug dealers and ladies of the night hustled their wares. In recent years, Colfax has undergone another transformation, home to hip bars and restaurants and a multitude of independently-owned businesses. Two years ago, construction began on a massive Bus Rapid Transit project. The stretch of Colfax through Park Hill — from Colorado Boulevard to Quebec — is torn up, creating all kinds of headaches for drivers and business owners. Our travel advice? Do not let this stop you from spending a few days enjoying this randy old street. There are plenty of restaurants offering superb food, and many fun shops to explore. And every single one of their proprietors can sure use your business. Here’s a loose itinerary for your visit (with a nod to the New York Times -inspired approach to travel.
Day 1
The La Vista Motel, at 5500 E. Colfax Ave., is your home base. The 1950s-themed motel reopened last
year after extensive renovations. And it is swell. After checking in, have a cocktail in the motel’s El Piñon bar or head to one of several establishments nearby — the Knotted Root or The Owl Saloon are two options for a refreshing beverage. Dine at one of numerous nearby restaurants. Feel like a classy Italian experience in a renovated mid-century muffler shop? Go to Benzina. In the mood for Ethiopian? Check out one of several options — Abyssinia, Queen of Sheba, and Lucy’s.
Shifting Sands At Mosaic Campus
Another possibility is Phoenician Kebab, for Mediterranean fare. Asian options include the recently opened JP Nori Sushi II, or the more established Jett Sushi. In the mood for Mexican or Central/South American fare? Pick from Yaqui Tacos Tequila Mescal, Supreme Chicken, 7 Leguas, La Finca and El Tamarindo.
If you are having a hard time deciding, remember,
Continued on page 8
Former Dorms To House People Exiting Homelessness; St. Elizabeth’s School Closing
By Cara DeGette | GPHN Editor
Two long-empty dormitories on the Mosaic Community Campus will be converted into apartments for people who are exiting homelessness.
Archway Communities announced last month plans to take control of the buildings. The Denver Housing Authority had purchased the former dorms — Triangolo Hall and Gaebe Hall— in 2021 with the intent to repurpose them into affordable housing for seniors. However, the three-story brick structures have sat empty ever since.
Mosaic Community Campus, in southeast Park Hill at Montview Boulevard and Quebec Street, was formerly Johnson & Wales University. The campus closed five years ago. Several groups now occupy parts of the campus.
Archway Communities, which owns and operates numerous affordable housing programs in Colorado, renovated four of the dorms on the campus’s north side. The project, completed in 2024 and 2025, includes 154 affordable housing apartments with a variety of support programs. An estimated 40 percent of the residents are children.
In addition to Archway, other campus groups currently include Denver School of the Arts, St. Elizabeth’s School, The Kitchen Network, Work Options, Dirt Coffee, the Helping
Hen Cafe and Emily Griffith Technical College. St. Elizabeth’s, a private K-8 school in the former Treat Hall, is closing at the end of the school year. The Urban Land Conservancy owns the building — which is on the National Historic Registry — and has not announced any potential new tenant.
The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) purchased Triangolo and Gaebe halls in 2021 for $9.5 million, but left them empty. In fall, 2023, the mayor’s office hatched a secret plan to temporarily house 72 migrant families in the old dorms. Neighbors, community leaders and other elected officials roundly dinged the mayor and his administration — not because of the plan to house migrants, but for a lack of transparency. After several months, DHA nixed the plan in large part due
to the poor condition of the buildings. Last month, Sarah Blanchard, Archway’s director of development and real estate, presented an overview of the new plan for Triangolo and Gaebe halls during a meeting sponsored by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Blanchard said Archway plans to renovate the two former dorms into 58 units — including 35 one-bedroom apartments, 15 two-bedroom apartments, and 8 three-bedroom apartments. The housing, she said, will be for people exiting homelessness, and Archway will partner with the organization Willpower to provide mental health and other services to residents. Archway is in the process of securing funding for the project and Blanchard estimated completion in 2028.
Several neighbors at the meeting questioned how and why the project morphed from its original conception. Jim Korn, a GPHC board member who represents the area that includes Mosaic campus, noted there is a tremendous need for affordable senior housing. In addition, Korn and others expressed concern that Mosaic officials have not been forthright with neighbors about the new plan. “Communications … have been kind of dismal,” he said. ✦
A crowd gathered on Feb. 2 at the La Vista Motel at Colfax and Hudson Street for an arch-raising party. The arch is a design feature of the Bus Rapid Transit project currently under construction on Colfax, which marks the southern boundary of Park Hill. Photo by Reid Neureiter
Gaebe Hall. File photo
[ HAPPENINGS ]
No Kings Day Is March 28
P A R K H I L L S M I L E
DR. TOM GENT, DDS
Last year’s No Kings rallies drew millions of people to protest the policies of President Donald Trump and his administration. Organizers plan to build on that momentum with another No Kings Day on Saturday, March 28.
As of press time, protests have been announced in 16 locations across Colorado, including urban areas of Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, as well as small towns of Lamar, Gypsum, Telluride, Walsenburg, Bailey and many others. Several No Kings rallies were held in Park Hill last year, with the biggest draw at the corner of 23rd and Dexter in front of Turtle Park. According to organizers, “When our families are under attack and costs are pushing people to the brink, silence is not an option. We will defend ourselves and our communities against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence. America does not belong to strongmen, greedy billionaires, or those who rule through fear. It belongs to us, the people.”
Check out nokings.org for additional locations for protests in Colorado and elsewhere, as well as additional resources — from knowing your rights to how to protect yourself (physically and digitally) before, during and after protests.
Spring Fling With The Animals
The Urban Farm’s free Spring Fling! is happening on Saturday, March 28, complete with an egg hunt, lots of animals and a parade. The Urban Farm, east of Park Hill at 10200 Smith Road, is a community farm and educational center that provides urban youth opportunities to learn hands-on about agriculture. The Spring Fling runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Besides the egg hunt, other planned activities include animal parades with the Easter Bunny, bounce houses, hands-on crafts and live music. Check out theurbanfarm. org/springfling for a full schedule.
All Decked Out For Prom
The Prom Dress Exchange’s 27th Annual Prom Dress Event is scheduled for Saturday March 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1500 E. 128th Ave. in Thornton.
New and gently used prom dresses will be offered to local high school students for just $10. The organization currently has an inventory of over 1,000 dresses
WHO WE ARE
Editor: Cara De G ette
Ad Sales: Melissa Davis and Denise Fisher
Art Director: Kathy Conarro
Distribution: Sheldon Sidney Mikesell
HOW TO FIND US
Voicemail: 720-287-0442
Email: newspaper@greaterparkhill.org
Address: 2823 Fairfax St. Denver, 80207
Website: greaterparkhill.org
Facebook: facebook.com/greaterparkhillnews
Twitter: @parkhillnews
CONTACT US
STORY TIPS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Cara DeGette: 720-979-4385, editor@greaterparkhill.org
ADVERTISING INFORMATION:
Melissa Davis: ads@greaterparkhill.org
Denise Fisher: sales_denise@greaterparkhill.org
Deadline for submissions is the 15th of every month
and is actively seeking more plus-size donations, sizes 15 and up.
The Prom Dress Exchange has been instrumental in ensuring that every young person who wants to attend prom has access to a beautiful dress. Since its inception in 1999, the organization has provided dresses to thousands of high school students. With the average total cost of prom ranging between $900 to $1,200, the Annual Prom Dress Exchange helps make prom accessible to everyone.
People who want to donate new and gently used prom dresses size 15 and up can drop them off at the following following nearby Tide Cleaners locations:.
• Cherry Creek store: 201 University Blvd.
• Arvada store: 11652 W 64th Ave.
• Highlands Garden store: 4500 W. 38th Ave.
Help Plan Park Hill
What do you want to happen in the north area of Park Hill over the next 20 years? Just as important is, what do you want not to happen?
Denver’s Planning Department has kicked off a formal process for a plan to encompass North Park Hill, Northeast Park Hill, Clayton, Cole and Skyland — all of the neighborhoods that are close to the new Park Hill Park at 35th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The plan will guide Denver’s decisions for the area in the next two decades or more.
The city has set up a website, at tinyurl.com/NearNortheastPlan, where residents can learn more and take a survey to help kick-start the plan. People can also apply to serve on an advisory committee that will meet at regular intervals throughout the process and oversee the planning efforts. Among the survey questions: What is one idea that you have that will help improve your neighborhood in the next 10-20 years? What do you like most about Near Northeast Denver and your neighborhood? What are you concerned about in your neighborhood now and in the future? (The survey also asks for age, gender, race/ethnicity, household income. If those questions are off-putting, people can opt out of answering those questions.) ✦
The Greater Park Hill News is published by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC) on the 1st of each month. Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. makes no warranties and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily the opinions of GPHC. GPHC does not necessarily endorse the companies, products or services advertised in The Greater Park Hill News unless specifically stated. GPHC reserves the right to run any advertisement.
Circulation is 13,000 and is distributed in the Park Hill Area by neighborhood volunteers.
The Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., is a volunteerbased registered neighborhood organization that: promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill; provides resources, information and advocacy; and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation.
This newspaper is made possible through the support of our advertisers and members. If you are not already a member, please consider joining the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.
Graceful Hovercrafts
2/18/26, 1:39 PM
Hummingbirds are native to the Americas and are the only birds that can fly in different directions.They can hover forward, backward, sideways, in mid-air and even upside-down. There are approximately 375 species of hummingbirds, though only four types are commonly spotted in Colorado. They will be migrating back from their winter habitats in Mexico and Central America in the next month or two, so get your feeders ready for these tiny acrobats. They will be thirsty after their long flights.
Photo by Mark Silverstein
- Park Hill Album (Park Hill Stats) latest (12).png
Big Party At Bluff Lake
More than 100 Bluff Lake Nature Center supporters gathered on Feb. 14 for the grand opening celebration of $8.75 million worth of upgrades to the urban nature sanctuary just east of Park Hill. The project includes a net-zero building with a community space and multi-use classrooms. A new accessible ramp trail into the open space area was also built. From left, Bluff Lake Nature Center’s Chira Noce, David Smith, Rachel Hutchens, Lisa Pera and Leila Regan-Porter do the ribbon-cutting honors. Photos by Mark Silverstein
The Road To November
March Caucuses Leads To June Primaries. Expect A Few Bumps Along The Way
By Penfield W. Tate III | For the GPHN
March 3 is caucus day in Colorado. Caucus — it is an odd word with roots reportedly in U.S colonial times that the British used to describe clubs or private meetings where political matters were discussed. Other scholars attribute it to the Algonquin tribe as a variation of the word cawassough — meaning advisor or orator. Still others believe it is a variation of the word caulkers — referring to shipbuilders in the 1800s.
Regardless of origin, caucus has a unique significance in Colorado politics. It describes the start of the process for selecting political party candidates. Colorado is one of just seven states that allows candidates to access the ballot either by caucus or petition.
Both Democrats and Republicans will caucus in Colorado on March 3, followed by the March 14 county assembly for Denver Democrats. (As of this writing the Denver Republicans’ website doesn’t specify the date for its county assembly.) State assemblies are March 28 for Democrats and April 11 for Republicans. Primary elections are June 30. The midterm general election is Nov. 3. The caucus process is significantly important to political parties, as it gives them more control of who will end up on the ballot. Both major parties are often guilty of using what is considered an “insiders” game by putting a finger on the scale and “recommending” that candidates access the ballot by caucus. The other option — collecting qualified petition signatures — is often considered the easier path, but candidates then risk losing institutional party support.
on 22 different candidates to figure out who to support. It’s going to be a popularity contest — one that is impossible to predict the likely outcome.
In truth, most politicos don’t think the GOP victor matters much. It’s been 12 years since Colorado elected a Republican in a statewide race — and 24 years since the last time a Republican, Bill Owens, was elected governor.
Weiser versus Bennet
So let’s consider the Democrats. Phil Weiser, currently Colorado’s Attorney General, was the first major candidate to announce his run for governor, on Jan 2, 2025.
Three months later, on April 11, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet declared he was also running. Other would-be candidates dropped their notions of running, and endorsed Bennet. Initially, many saw the race as Bennet’s nomination to lose. But time appears to have changed that notion.
Weiser is perceived as the favorite of local political veterans and activists. Much of his on-the-ground work for the past eight years has been fighting for Colorado against the Trump Administration. His policies focus on affordable housing, environmental protections, clean energy, public safety and lowering the cost of living. See philforcolorado.com
Right now candidates for many offices — governor, attorney general, congress and others — are burning up the phone lines to get their likely supporters to the caucuses as a show of strength.
Typically, caucuses were attended by those who have been party activists for years. In 2008 then-candidate Barack Obama reshaped the Colorado process. On a snowy night in Denver, hundreds of first-time attendees turned out to caucus, with the sole purpose of making him the Democratic presidential nominee. This cycle, there is no candidate driving that kind of support. Still, the evening should be interesting.
24 years since Bill Owens
Overall, this year most pundits are predicting a rough election cycle for the GOP due to the policies of the Trump administration. Rather than focusing on substance, most Republican candidates are defining themselves on varying levels of support for Donald Trump.
No fewer than 22 Republicans are running for Colorado governor. Of those, State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and former U.S. Representative Greg Lopez are considered party favorites. But then again, that depends upon to whom in the party you pose the question. Few Republican voters are going to study up
Bennet is perceived as the favorite of the national and Democratic Party establishment. His message has focused on job creation, affordable healthcare access, more money for public education, clean energy and infrastructure improvements. See michaelbennet.com
Reporting fundraising totals can be unreliable because the numbers change daily, but Weiser has surprised many with his fundraising prowess. His campaign has raised over $4.5 million. His super PAC, Fighting for Colorado, has $527,000 on hand — with most of his money coming from an aggregation of small in-state donors.By contrast, Bennet’s current totals show he has raised $3.5 million. His super PAC, Rocky Mountain Way, has over $3 million on hand — primarily from national and out-of-state sources.
Many will say that not much substantively divides Bennet and Weiser. I don’t subscribe to that point of view. I will focus more on this governor’s race and other statewide races in future columns.
In the meantime, happy caucus.
Penfield W. Tate III is a longtime Park Hillian who served in the Colorado House of Representatives and in the State Senate. Currently an attorney in private practice, Tate serves on a number of nonprofit boards and is a frequent panelist on PBS 12 ‘s Colorado Inside Out.
Sidewalk Love Poems
I’ve just returned from my afternoon walk on a 65-degree February afternoon, where I found another story on the sidewalk. It is a pictorial essay (or maybe a poem?) that lifted my spirits. For the last year a friend in St. Louis and I committed to sharing a picture a day with each other as a way to keep in touch. It was also a little artistic experiment to see if we could discover some little joy or solace in the world around us to keep our spirits afloat while navigating our lives through the turbulent political waters of our times.
I have captured so many heartening and creative images around Park Hill on my daily walks with my dog. They are glimpses of the little things I found that made me giggle or wonder or take pride and comfort in the neighborhood where I live. The picture I am sharing with you achieved all three of those ends.
— Edna Nichols, Park Hill
It’s Not That Hard
Since [my wife] Nancy and I live on Locust Street, we are very close to the intersection of East 17th Avenue Parkway and North Monaco Parkway. Recently I went out for a walk, and I decided to include the east side of Monaco as part of my walk. I stopped by the two houses at the north end of the block and tried to imagine going 80 miles per hour or faster along 17th Avenue. Then I walked west across northbound Monaco and entered the median. I had never noticed before that the part of that median has no landscaping other than grass. No trees or shrubs, no human-built maintenance facilities.
If I went 80 miles per hour eastbound and stayed within the alignment of the traffic lane on 17th, I would “drive/fly” over that grass and cross the pavement and curbing for northbound Monaco. Only then would I encounter my first obstacles — the boulders placed by the property owners at the very front of their property. Without conscious thought, I heard my mouth say to me, “This is way too easy and straightforward. We just need some protective landscaping — perhaps a grove of small trees and bushes, and perhaps a very few larger trees in that median.”
I realize the two parkways are historic landmarks with restrictive design constraints placed on them about 125 years ago. I think elected officials and staff, perhaps with consultant help, can figure it out. As part of the revised design, I would suggest either four-way stop signs or traffic signals at the intersections of Locust Street and 17th Avenue. I suggest a similar configuration at 17th and Krameria Street. That may not stop every 80 miles-per-hour daredevil, but it should slow down most of them. Am I being naive?
I would say it’s time to ask some landscape architects and/or architects for some help. Like my mouth was trying to tell my own brain during my walk, “It’s not that hard.” I’d sound too condescending if I volunteered our youngest granddaughter to redesign this intersection. She’s only two days old. We can do this; really, we can.
— Brian Hyde, Park Hill
Meet Matt And Sam
My name is Silas Olson. I’m 8 and in third grade and I go to Park Hill
Elementary school. I’ve been making comics since I was in preschool. In October, 2025, I made a strip called “Matt and Sam.” And now I want to send it to a newspaper. I think kids would read the newspaper if there was a comic in it, and [it] would make the newspaper a lot more interesting.
— Silas Olson, Park Hill
We love your letters, and we give preference to those that address an issue that has been covered in the newspaper, or a topic that is Park Hill or Denver-specific. Send letters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and include your full name and the neighborhood in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue.
Looking east at 17th Avenue at Monaco. The house that has been crashed into multiple times is directly ahead. The naked landscape in the parkway median could easily be filled with protective trees and bushes. File photo
Skiing Rocks
Dismal Snowpack Takes A Toll In
The High Country
Story and photo by Reid Neureiter | For the GPHN
Snow and ski conditions in the Colorado mountains have been described as some of the worst in recorded history, with meager snow totals leaving icy, rocky trails where skiers would normally be experiencing soft powder.
John Dapper, a Park Hill resident who is a dedicated downhill skiing enthusiast, usually tries to get his first turns in by November. But this season, he delayed skiing until Valentine’s Day weekend, when he ventured out to explore Breckenridge’s meager offerings.
“It looked like October conditions,” said Dapper, who brought his rock skis (older skis that he does not mind tearing up by hitting rocks or tree limbs). The slopes on Friday, Feb. 13 were “twigs and rocks,” he continued, “and after three inches of snow fell over-
The Beautiful Game
Women’s Pro Kicks Off Soccer
By Bob
Boyle
| For the GPHN
night on Friday evening, it was twigs and rocks covered with some snow.”
Keystone finally opened its popular high-altitude Bergman Bowl to skiers in early February, but dirt, rocks, and tree limbs were prevalent when this reporter visited on Feb. 7.
Reports are mounting that mountain communities are suffering because of reduced visitation this year due to lack of snowfall, with Vail Resorts reporting hotel bookings down 20 percent in Western states. On the bright side, a late-February snow dump brought some needed relief. And, because fewer people are skiing and boarding this year, the traffic snarls on I-70 have not been as bad as usual. ✦
Season This Month
Mile High City soccer aficionados will have much to cheer about.
Denver’s new professional women’s soccer club, Denver Summit FC, kicks off its inaugural season on March 28 at Empower Field at Mile High downtown.
April delivers a doubleheader: the U.S. Women’s National Team faces Japan at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park north of Park Hill on April 17. That game will be followed by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami hitting Empower Field for the Rapids 30th Anniversary Match the next day.
Then comes the main event: this summer’s 2026 World Cup. Although Denver isn’t an official host city, the U.S. Men’s National Team plays crucial group stage matches versus Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, Australia (in Seattle) on June 19, and a yet-to-be-determined opponent on June 25. All these games build toward the World Cup Final on July 19.
Soccer unites communities across language, culture, and background. In the coming months, return to these pages for more information on ¡GOLAZO! A Soccer Film Festival that will be co-hosted by SOCCER ELECTRIC and Denver Film — as well as coverage about local players, student athletes and soccer advocates, clubs and nonprofit heroes working to make the beautiful game accessible to all. As it turns out, all you need is a ball.
Questions, ideas, suggestions? Contact Bob Boyle at connect@soccerelectric.com
No Protections For Big Oil
Reject Legal Immunity For Fossil Fuel Polluters
By Tracey MacDermott | For the GPHN
Have you noticed the unseasonably warm weather in Colorado? What about the lack of snow on our mountaintops and throughout the Denver Metro area? The state is undergoing one of the driest and warmest winters on record. Our ski industry is suffering, and the lack of snowpack poses significant risks to the water supply.
Vail Resorts reported significant declines in Colorado through early January, with ski shop sales down 20 to 30 percent compared to a typical winter. Vail is projecting a 6.8 percent decline in total revenues.
Last month the Winter Olympics took place in Milan and Cortina, Italy. It has been 70 years since Cortina held the Winter Games.
From 1956 to now, the average February temperatures in Cortina have increased by 6.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
What do you do if you know your product could lead to climate disasters? In this case, you create a misinformation campaign.
For decades, the oil and gas industry led a well-funded misinformation campaign regarding climate change.
In 2021, The U.S. House of Representatives’ Oversight Committee wrote to ExxonMobil chief executive Darren Woods, noting its concern that “to protect … profits, the industry has reportedly led a coordinated effort to spread disinformation to mislead the public and prevent crucial action to address climate change.”
The number of reliable locations to host the Winter Olympics has gone down from 93 potential sites to only 52.
This is not the only statistic that should raise concern for the future of the Winter Olympics. The number of reliable locations to host the Winter Games has already gone down from 93 potential sites to only 52. By mid-century only four of those potential host sites will have enough natural snow to host the Games.
Fossil fuels are the primary force driving climate change. The United Nations estimates that fossil fuels account for 68 percent of total greenhouse emissions. Considering this information, should oil and gas companies be exempt from legal responsibility? If you are thinking no, check this out.
Fossil fuel companies are collaborating with members of Congress and the White House to shield themselves from future lawsuits. They aim to establish legal immunity for fossil fuel polluters so as to absolve them of any responsibility for climate disasters.
As early as the 1950s and 1960s, oil industry executives — through their own funded research — knew about the greenhouse effect.
Per the Journal of Science, “in 2015 investigative journalists discovered internal company memos indicating that Exxon oil company has known since the late 1970s that its fossil fuel products could lead to global warming with dramatic environmental effects before the year 2050.” Additional documents show that the U.S. oil and gas industry had actually known of these dangers for decades.
50 Million Pounds
Which brings us to 2026. The Climate Reality Project (CRP) notes that the U.S. endured 23 extreme weather and climate disasters, resulting in 276 deaths. Yet, while American families are paying the price for extreme weather events, oil companies continue to profit — and are working to skirt legal and financial accountability. The CRP reports that with an industry-friendly administration in power, fossil fuel lobbyists are now plotting with members of Congress and the White House to shield Big Oil from lawsuits and prevent states from taking climate action.
Shouldn’t communities have the right to hold these companies liable for damage from climate-related disasters? What can you do? Sign the petition at the following link urging Congress to reject legal immunity for fossil fuel polluters that fuel climate disasters: tinyurl.com/PayForClimateDisasters What else can you do to help the climate? Stay engaged. We need to pay attention to the industry’s efforts to avoid accountability for the damage it causes. And finally, do not forget to water your trees. They need extra care during these unseasonably dry periods.
Tracey MacDermott is an at-large board member of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017. She chairs the Sustainability Committee for the Business and Professional Women of Colorado and the National Federation for Business and Professional Women. Email her at traceymacdermott@gmail.com
We Don’t Waste Aims To Get Food Into People, Not Landfills
By Mark Kuhl | For the GPHN
We Don’t Waste has been recovering quality unused food in Denver since 2009, gathering food from grocery stores and restaurants that would otherwise have been sent to the landfill. The food is then transported to more than 100 hunger relief organizations, including soup kitchens, school food pantries, shelters and food banks. We Don’t Waste also brings mobile food markets to food deserts. The company says it’s recovered more than 50 million pounds of food since 2009; three years ago their operations had grown to the point where they moved into its 30,000-square-foot food recovery hub at 6090 E. 39th Ave. They will only pick up food from existing partners. But if you have excess, they will accept donations of sealed and unused foods. Call 720-943-2690 for details.
Mark Kuhl is an environmental advocate who lives in Park Hill with his family. His handy tips and news about recycling household items appear every month in these pages. A directory of his past columns for recycling everything from paint to Styrofoam to shoes is at greaterparkhill.org/sustainability/recycling-directory/.
This spring and summer,
Bare rock slope at Keystone’s Wayback Lift on Feb. 7.
NWSL file photo from last season by Luke Chavez.
you have two more nights — plus two days — to explore the multitude of gastronomical offerings.
Day 2
Start with a quick jolt of coffee at the motel, or head out for bite of breakfast. VIVA! Mexi has a delicious selection of pastries and breakfast sandwiches, plus specialty coffee drinks. Park Hill Hub also serves tasty pastries.
For a full-on breakfast complete with Pulp Fiction-diner vibes, eat at the Ranch House Cafe. Another excellent sit-down option is La Fillette, with pastries, omelettes and other French fare. Now fortified, get ready for some serious exploring. The shops along this stretch of Colfax are varied and eclectic. A couple of times a year, a consortium of mer-
chants — including Park Hill Treasures, Antiques, Etc., the Local General, Ceramics In The City, The Shop Outpost, Ed Moore Florist, Moss Pink Floral and Mod Livin’ — team up with local restaurants and bars for Sip & Stroll events. (One of these involved dressing up in caftans and curly red wigs à la Mrs. Roper of Three’s Company fame.) You can create your own personal Sip & Stroll, taking time to explore the shops along the Fax between Monaco and roughly Cherry Street. Caftan is optional.
There are numerous lunch options along the way — Tessa Delicatessen is a taste thrill. Ditto CousCous Hice. Ditto The W. The recently opened BOXBOX, serves a wide array of fresh salads bento box-style, from pasta to chicken to veggie-style. For dinner options, see Day 1 for sugges-
HAKALA
Dr. Kate received a BS in dental hygiene in 1982 and her DDS in 1989 , both from the University of Colorado. A second generation dentist, she proudly provides up-to-date technology with old fashioned care and concern. 425 Cherry St., #100
tions (or check out other options in the restaurant guide in the next four pages).
Day 3
This is where your schedule gets a bit flexible. You may be planning to attend a wedding, a party, or a family event nearby. City Floral or Ed Moore Florist are good stops for host gifts. Or, if you’ve got no pressing obligations, consider spending a few hours at nearby City Park. Check out the Denver Zoo. Take in an IMAX film or the exhibits at the Museum of Nature and Science. Kids love the Nature Play outdoor area. Kick back for a picnic in the park (stock up with supplies ahead of time at Marczyk’s specialty store, Tessa and/or BOXBOX).
Another option is to plan your picnic — and check out the bison herd, deer and other wildlife — at the Rocky
Dr. Kate Hakala and her staff are pleased to welcome Dr. Firas Habas to the team. Dr. Habas is a graduate of Marquette Dental School and has received advanced training in the U.S. and Switzerland.
Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, 7.7 miles from the La Vista Motel. There are plenty of good hiking trails to work up an appetite.
Other diversions may include a stop at the Tattered Cover bookstore, on Colfax a couple of miles west of Park Hill. The old-school Twist and Shout carries new & used vinyl. The Sie Film Center shows independent films and documentaries. The Bluebird Theater, also on Colfax west of Park Hill, is a live music venue in a historic old theater.
At the day’s end, head back to Colfax for your last supper. Top off the evening with a nightcap at Mozart’s Lounge, at the R & R Lounge, or the Abbey Tavern.
Hoist a cheer to Colfax, the toast of the town. ✦
At left, get ready for some sweet dreams at the La Vista Motel. On the right, several Colfax landmarks. Photos by Reid Neureiter
From left, the bar at the Knotted Root, sign of a Supreme Chicken, Mrs. Ropers at Yaqui Tacos, inside El Piñon.
Colfax, continued from page 1
EAT & DRINK
A Guide To Park Hill Restaurants, Cafes & Bars
It’s March — time to explore the culinary delights of the neighborhood. Welcome to our second comprehensive guide of food and drink in Park Hill. From Colfax Avenue to Interstate 70, Colorado Boulevard to Quebec Street, our neighborhood is filled with and surrounded by scores of independently-owned restaurants, coffeeshops and watering holes.
The 75-plus establishments listed in the following pages include restaurants owned by James Beard-nominated chefs, longtime neighborhood favorites, and new arrivals.
Many independently-owned establishments and local chains have been strug-
Benzina
4839 E. Colfax Ave.
(303) 399-2352, benzinadenver.com
Upscale Italian in a renovated former muffler shop. Features seasonal salads, appetizers, Neapolitan-inspired pizza, handmade pastas, and entrees. Brunch on weekends. Italian restaurant and bar
Stoner’s Pizza Joint
4565 E Colfax Ave,
order.stonerspizzajoint.com
Pizza joint dishing up pies, calzones, wings, salads, desserts. The W 5001 E. Colfax Ave.
(720) 902-4811, thewdenver.com
Craft burgers, wraps, salads, happy hour. Full bar with a range of cocktails, wine selections and local beers. Restaurant, bar
Jett Sushi
5007 E. Colfax Ave.
(303) 333-5007, jettsushi.net
Pan-Asian fare includes traditional and specialty sushi rolls like the spicy mango roll and Jett roll. Menu includes ramen, rice dishes and other Asian favorites. Open for lunch and dinner every day. Restaurant and bar
Nuggs
(720) 465-9473, nuggsicecream.com
5135 E. Colfax Ave.
All the ice cream flavor classics, from birthday cake to Palisade peach. They also sell ice cream cakes, ice cream tacos and banana splits. Indoor seating and large patio area. Ice cream
Abbey Tavern
5151 E. Colfax Ave.
(303) 321-5151, theabbeytaverndenver.com
The place to go for the next big soccer match, or to chill with friends over a mug of Guinness. American bar classics like quesadillas and wings, as well as English and Irish-inspired fare. Neighborhood pub
Couscous Hice
5325 E. Colfax Ave.
couscoushice.com
Couscous bowls, pastillas, and sandwiches. Moroccan
gling in today’s uncertain economy. Those directly on Colfax Avenue have been hit with a double whammy — forced to coexist with the relentless intrusion of the Bus Rapid Transit construction. They need your support, and your business. Enjoy the pullout guide now — and save it for reference in the year ahead. Contributors include newspaper interns Stefany Castilla and Sahra Castilla, as well as photographer Reid Neureiter.
— Cara DeGette,
Editor
The Juicing Tree
1504 Ivanhoe St. (720) 509-9055, juicingtree.com
Cold-pressed organic juices and nut milks. Cleanse packages and health-focused snacks. Juices, beverages
Park Hill Hub
1502 Ivanhoe St. (720) 669-4847, parkhillhub.com
Small coffee and tea shop with a shaded patio. Breakfast sandwiches, burritos, wraps, baked goods. Coffee, breakfast, pastries
Long Table Brewhouse
Abyssinia
5707 E. Colfax Ave. (303) 316-8830
Ethiopian restaurant and bar
Phoenician Kabob
5709 E. Colfax Ave. (720) 477-0046, pkabob.com
Open since 2008, menu includes shawarmas, kababs, gyros, salmon dishes, hummus, traditional salads and more. Full bar. Mediterranean restaurant and bar
Mugi Ramen and Poke
5979 E. Colfax Ave. (303) 993-8645, mugifood.com
Ramen, rice and noodle bowls
Fiction Brewing
7101 E. Colfax Ave. (720) 456-7163, fictionbeerdenver.com/fiction-beer-company-locations
Beer and books in their taproom. They hold a monthly book club and offer an Ex Libris membership for regulars. Check out the bar constructed of books. Brewery
Queen of Sheba
7225 E. Colfax Ave. (303) 399-9442, queenofshebadenver.cafecityguide.website/#about
Cozy Ethiopian restaurant tucked into a strip mall. A longtime favorite for those in the know, featuring fresh, quality ingredients and an outgoing chef/owner. Ethiopian
Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant
7401 E. Colfax Ave. (720) 465-9883
Vegetarian, vegan and meat dishes, plus beer, wine and cocktails. Ethiopian Pablo’s Coffee
7701 E. Colfax Ave. (303) 722-7779, pabloscoffee.com
House-roasted blends from a variety of Fair Trade coffee sources. Coffeeshop
Neighborhood gathering spot serving craft beer in a renovated 100-year old building whose prior tenants include a Piggly Wiggly and a coffin manufacturer. Brewhouse
Copper Door Coffee
2890 Fairfax St. (303) 320-5971, copperdoorcoffee.com
Serving coffee and tea drinks, plus breakfast burritos, sandwiches, pastries and more. Coffee shop
Yuan Wonton
2878 Fairfax St. No website
James Beard award-nominated Chef Penelope Wong crafts scratch-made dumplings and other Asian fusion dishes. The space is shared with Sweets and Sourdough. Asian
Sweets and Sourdough
2878 Fairfax St (303) 320-5642, sweetsandsourdough.square.site
Women-owned bakery. Sourdough loaves, bagels and croissants, as well as burgers and sandwiches. Bakery
Trellis Wine Bar
2868 Fairfax St. (303) 285-9463, trelliswinebar.com
By-the-glass wines, flights and tastings, and charcuterie snack options. Bar
Sexy Pizza
2846 Fairfax St. (720) 923-2223, sexy.pizza
Thin-crust pies, wings, salads and more. A portion of sales supports philanthropy and sustainability efforts. Pizza, Italian
Em’s Ice Cream
2829 Fairfax St. (617) 388-5349, emsicecream.com
Ice cream made with premium ingredients, non-GMO with no stabilizers or food coloring. Open in the warm months. Ice cream
Bistro Barbès
5021 E 28th Ave. (720) 398-8085, bistrobarbes.com
Currently
Neko Ramen & Rice
SOUTH SIDE COLFAX (WEST TO EAST)
9 Thai Restaurant
4122 E. Colfax Ave.
(303) 993-6342, 9thairestaurant.com
Pad Thai, noodle bowls, curries, steamed dumplings and more. Vegetarian and vegan options. Thai
7 Leguas Mexican Grille
4550 E. Colfax Ave.
(303) 322-4431, 7leguasmexicangrille.com
Classic Mexican, with complimentary chips and salsa. Fajitas, burritos, enchiladas and more. Full bar. and small patio. Restaurant and bar
Town and Country Market
4300 E Colfax Ave.
(303) 377-9489
Grocery and garden center with a focus on fresh salmon and other seafood.
Lilac Coffee Express
4736 E. Colfax Ave.
lilaccoffee.com
Drive-through coffee. Closed Sundays. Coffee shop
Viva! Mexi Coffee Shop
4900 E. Colfax Ave.
(720) 327-0267
Specialty coffee drinks, in-house pastries and other dishes, with a Latin American vibe, music and art. Coffee shop and cafe City Donuts
4918 E. Colfax Ave.
(720) 485-5706, citydonuts.net
Serving up all the classics. Donuts
The Chili Shack
4990 E. Colfax Ave.
(720) 693-9861, chili-shack.com
Burritos, tacos, enchiladas, plus hamburgers, quesadillas and birria. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mexican
The Owl Saloon
5026 E. Colfax Ave.
(720) 379-5085, theowlsaloon.com
Full bar, with food menu including pizza, sandwiches, hot dogs and baked tots. Karaoke Wednesdays and Saturdays. Neighborhood bar
BOXBOX
5038 E Colfax Ave.
303-558-6385, orderboxbox.com
Serving fresh and healthy salads — from chicken to pasta to veggie — boxed Bento-style for one or more. Salads, take-out
Marczyk’s
5100 E. Colfax Ave. (303) 243-3355, marczykfinefoods.com
High-end grocery featuring locally-sourced and specialty produce, meats, seafood, cheeses, baked goods and more. Prepared fresh and frozen foods. Grocery/deli, local chain
The Knotted Root Brewing Company
5126 E Colfax Ave. (303) 258-5799, knottedrootbrewing.com
Artisan brewery in a former dive bar. Now a classic lounge with a pool hall, patio, movie room, music room, snacks. Brewery
Supreme Chicken
5410 E. Colfax Ave. (303) 955-7367, no website
Charcoal-grilled chicken, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tortas. Large patio. Mexican
Catfish King
5454 E Colfax Ave. (303) 484-8683, catfishking.toast.site
Southern classics, including catfish, hot links, barbecue, chicken and shrimp, with all the sides. Soul food restaurant
El Piñon
5500 E Colfax Ave. (303) 309-3209, elpinon.co
Cocktails, wine and coffee shop inside the newly renovated vintage motel. Bar, coffee shop
Tessa Delicatessen
5724 E. Colfax Ave. (720) 746-9138, tessadenver.com
Hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, salads, breakfasts include French toast with blueberries. Full bar. Restaurant and deli
ONEIDA STREET
Famous Philly Cheese Steak & Wings
2200 Oneida St. (303) 333-5600, famousphillycheesesteak.com
Classic Philly cheesesteaks. Order at the counter. Casual Illegal Pete’s
2230 Oneida St. (720) 674-2980, illegalpetes.com
Burritos, fish and other tacos, taquitos, quesadillas and more, made to order
assembly-line style. Full bar. Mexican
La Finca
5910 E. Colfax Ave. (719) 881-8475, lafincaco.com
Colombian restaurant and bar
Yaqui Tacos, Tequila, Mezcal
5922 E. Colfax Ave. (303) 937-6429, no website
Traditional tacos, burritos and quesadillas, plus vegetarian dishes and homemade salsas. Mexican restaurant and bar
Marco’s Pizza
6160 E Colfax Ave. (720) 961-5200, marcos.com
Specialty or custom pizzas for takeout or delivery. Pizza
Little Dragon 1305 Krameria St. (303) 322-0128, littledragondenver.com
Spicy Thai II and Sushi
2235 Oneida St. (303) 388-6300, spicythai2235oneida.com
Sushi and Asian standards, including curry, rice and noodle dishes. Full bar. Dine in or take out. Asian
Torpedo Coffee
2231 Oneida St. (720) 459-7533, torpedocoffee.com
Coffees and teas, along with a variety of breakfast burritos, sandwiches and pastries. Coffee shop
DANG Soft Serve
2211 Oneida St. (720) 550-8834, dangsoftserve.com
Soft serve ice cream with all the toppings. Rotating flavors include vegan options. French fries and fried chicken are also on the menu. The store holds regular events, including live music and Bingo. Ice cream
Esters Pub
2201 Oneida St. (303) 997-4173, estersdenver.com
Craft beers and American-style pub fare, including sandwiches, salads and coal-fired pizza. Weekend brunch and large screens for game day/night. Covered patio. Restaurant and bar
Chinese take-out with all the classics. In the King Soopers strip mall. Chinese
La Fillette Bakery
6217 E. 14th Ave.
(303) 355-0022, lafillettebakery.com
Serving breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Full bar and patio space. French bakery and restaurant
JP Nori Sushi II
1401 Krameria St. (303) 900-3988, jpnorisushi.com
Japanese restaurant featuring extensive sushi menu, including special rolls; classic dishes including teriyaki, tempura and Bento boxes. Japanese
Mozart’s Denver
1417 Krameria St.
(303) 353-2320, mozartsdenver.com
Karaoke on Thursdays and Sundays. Trivia on Wednesdays. Neighborhood bar
Ranch House Cafe
7676 E Colfax Ave. (303) 333-8328
Old style diner, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. American, Mexican
Restaurante El Tamarindo 7700 E Colfax Ave. (303) 320-5490, restauranteltamarindo.com
Pupusas, garnachas and other Central American fare. Full bar. Central American
TacoMex Colfax
7840 E. Colfax Ave.
(720) 693-9904, tacomexcolfaxco.com
Burritos, tacos, gorditas and other favorites. Mexican
23RD AVE.
VIVA! Mexi
Esters
D bar Bakery & Cafe
7302 E. 29th Ave.
(720) 639-2489, dbardenver.com
Breakfast, lunch, coffee and baked goods. Bakery Little India
7352 E. 29th Ave. (303) 665-7070, littleindiaofdenver.com
Masalas, curries and tandoori dishes. Many vegetarian options. Indian, full bar
Anthony’s Pizza and Pasta 7472 E. 29th Ave. (303) 398-2800, anthonyspizzaandpasta.com
New York-style pizzas whole or
by the slice. Salads, pastas and sandwiches. Pizza, pasta
Four Friends Kitchen
2893 Roslyn St. (303) 388-8299, fourfriendskitchen.com
Southern-inspired menu includes all the staples, plus Southern offerings like grits and beignets. Large rooftop patio. Lunch and brunch
BlueFin Sushi
7303 E. 29th Ave. (303) 333-4006, bluefinsushirestaurant.com
Sushi, udon and teriyaki dishes. Japanese, full bar
Fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, seafood, margaritas and more with a Baja vibe. Modern Mexican Etai’s Bakery and Cafe
7357 E. 29th Ave. (720) 818-5575, etaiscafe.com
Deli-style sandwiches, bowls and salads, juices and smoothies. Breakfast and lunch
High Point Creamery 7473 E 29th Pl. highpointcreamery.com Ice cream
KEARNEY STREET
Oblio’s Pizza
6115 E. 22nd Ave.
oblios.com
A longtime Park Hill family staple, Oblio’s has gone through several transformations but still serves up specialty pizza, pasta, salads and wings. Indoor seating, covered patio, lunch and dinner. restaurant and bar
Neighbors Park Hill 2202 Kearney St. (303) 321-1511, neighborsparkhill.com
Wines and cocktails, along with appetizers, small plates, paninis and more. Indoor seating and a patio in front. Bar and restaurant
Offers breakfast and lunch classics and sandwiches and a wide array of baked treats, including muffins, croissants, cook ies and cakes. Breakfast, lunch, bakery
Bistro Vendôme
2267 Kearney St. (303) 825-3232, bistrovendome.com
The James Beard Award-winning French restaurant serves classics, including steak frites, escargot and onion soup. Extensive wine and beverage menus. Weekend brunch. Upscale French Scoops Ice Cream
2247 Kearney St. (303) 830-3198, scoopsdenver.com
Locally made ice cream served alongside beer, wine and some snack options, as well as “doggie ice cream” for furry friends. Ice cream
Lucina Eatery & Bar
2245 Kearney St. (720) 814-1053, lucinaeatery.co
Latin fare in a colorfully decorated space. Weekend night speciality paellas and other dishes, as well as an extensive beverage program. Patio, indoor and bar seating availLatin, dinner only
Ruby’s Good Shoes
5405 E 33rd Ave.
(720) 760-8713, rubysgoodshoes.com
Breakfast and lunch, including chicken and waffles, benedicts, omelettes and other egg dishes, pancakes, sandwiches, salads. Brunch all day
Blazing Chicken Shack II
5560 E. 33rd Ave.
(720) 596-4501, blazingchickenshackii.com
Southern classics, including fried chicken, wings, oxtail, shrimp, pork chops, mac ’n’ cheese, cole slaw and collard greens, peach cobbler and pecan pie. Soul food
Mississippi Boy Catfish & Ribs
5544 E. 33rd Ave.
(601) 880-9828, mississippiboy5280.com
Fried catfish, hot links, baby back ribs and all the sides. Full bar. The airy space includes big screens to watch the game. Barbecue restaurant and bar
NOTABLES
4 Noses Brewing Company
4040 Dahlia St. 720-460-2797 4nosesbrewing.com/parkhill Brewery and taproom. Spacious patio and food trucks. Brewery
City Park Tavern
3181 E. 23rd Ave.
(720) 865-3410, cityofdenvergolf.com/city-park
Breakfast, brunch and dinner, including salads, burgers, sandwiches and pasta. Full bar. The clubhouse oversees City Park Golf Course, with unparalleled views of the downtown skyline. Casual American
Station 26 Brewing Co.
7045 E. 38th Ave.
(303) 333-1825, station26brewing.co Craft beers and live music inside an old firehouse. Food trucks outside. Brewery
Dandy Lion Coffee Co.
5225 E. 38th Ave.
No website; social media only
A plant-filled coffee shop in the industrial area of Park Hill. Guests can work from hanging swings and shop for gardening trinkets. Specialty rotating drinks. A variety of events are hosted throughout the year. Coffee shop
DIRT Coffee Bar
1785 Quebec St. (Campus Mosaic) (303) 635-6674, dirtcoffee.org
On the Mosaic Campus. Breakfast burritos, paninis and more, in addition to coffee drinks. Coffee shop
The Helping Hen Cafe
1785 Quebec St. (Campus Mosaic) (720) 668-0532, workoptions.org/the-helping-hen On the Mosaic Campus. Breakfast and lunch options include burritos and sandwiches, salads, burgers and other dishes. Breakfast and lunch
Mason’s Dumplings
9655 E Montview Blvd, (303) 600-8998, order.online/business/-233302
Handcrafted dumplings made from locally sourced ingredients. Chinese
The Baking Room
303-393-8269, 11690 E Montview Blvd.
Locally owned bakery.
The Spicy Radish
(720) 605-9389, thespicyradish.com Park Hill-based. Fully-prepared meals made from scratch and delivered to your door. Menus change weekly. Meal delivery
Ruby’s Good Shoes
Bistro Vendôme
Marbled, Flaky & Creamy
Park Hill Bakery Brings Home Top Honors In Croissant Contest
Story and photo by Reid Neureiter | For the GPHN
La Croissanterie, a bakery and pastry shop inside Ruby’s Good Shoes, last month brought home the coveted “Golden Croissant” award for Denver’s best croissant for 2026. The award came from the 5280 Pastry Co-op, a consortium of professional bakers.
Ruby’s Good Shoes, which opened last year, is an all-day breakfast and brunch restaurant at 33rd and Hudson, across the street from the old Holly Square. La Croissanterie’s head pastry chef, Rafael
de Jesus Rufino, won top honors for his combination of a classic croissant and special “Raffaello” — a marbled butter croissant with coconut namelaka cream, white chocolate-coated pecan and a white coconut dusting.
This year marked Denver’s third annual Golden Croissant competition. La Fillette, a French bakery and restaurant just south of Park Hill at 14th and Krameria, won top croissant honors the first two years. ✦
Chinese Long Life Noodles
Mary Lee Chin’s Winning Recipe Is Also A Celebration Of Community
Longtime Park Hillian Mary Lee Chin was surprised and delighted when her recipe for Chinese Long Life Noodles came up the winner in last year’s Alpine Bank Community Recipe Contest.
Chin, the board chair of the Denver Botanic Gardens, donated the $1,500 prize for the winning recipe to help build an education garden in the name of the Gardens’ beloved CEO,
Brian Vogt, who died last April. In Chinese tradition, Chin says, long noodles symbolize long life and are served on birthdays. “My dish isn’t just food — it’s a celebration of community.”
Long Life Noodles are ideal for groups. The recipe accommodates vegetarians and omnivores, spice-lovers and the spice-shy. Here’s
Long Life Noodles
By Mary Lee Chin
4 generous servings
Peanut Butter and Pepper Sauce
2 tablespoons peanut butter diluted with 3 tablespoons warm water
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
½ teaspoon cayenne (or more if desire spicy)
2 garlic cloves
2 scallions, green and white parts
Mix everything in a food processor or blender into a very smooth sauce
Noodle salad
1 pound whole wheat or regular spaghetti noodles, cooked, rinsed in cold water, drained
how it works: The host provides the cooked noodles, peanut sauce and the protein. Guests are assigned a simple topping to contribute… crisp vegetables, golden tofu, egg strips and bright herbs. Each person begins with a mound of noodles, then builds their bowl, layering textures, colors, and flavors, crowning it all with the savory, sweet and salty peanut sauce, or a whisper of soy sauce. ✦
Assorted toppings — suggestions
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, sliced
½ pound snow peas, stringed
½ pound sugar snap peas, stringed
2 cups spinach, rinsed, drained and chopped
½ cup green scallions, chopped
1 cup fresh bean sprouts, rinsed, drained
½ cup cilantro, chopped coarsely
1 cup of sliced, blanched asparagus
1 package firm tofu, cubed and fried in 1 tablespoon oil until golden
Other vegetables to try: Blanched narrow French green beans, sliced radishes, sliced celery, tiny blanched broccoli flowerets, salted peanuts.
1 pound chicken breast, poached and sliced or
1 pound shredded store-cooked rotisserie chicken
2 eggs
1 tablespoon oil
Beat eggs. Heat skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking oil. Pour in enough egg to make a thin pancake. Cook until the bottom is set, and flip over to cook the other side. Repeat until all egg is gone. Cool. Cut into strips.
To serve:
Place noodles in a large bowl. Surround with platter or dishes individually holding the rest of the noodle salad ingredients. Each person places a mound of noodles in the center of individual dinner plates. Then, they help themselves to the rest of the ingredients as desired. Top with peanut and pepper sauce.
A strawberry cream croissant and a sausage, eggs and biscuit plate at Ruby’s Good Shoes Restaurant and Bakery.
Mary Lee Chin, with noodles. File photo
Ghost Food
A Nod To Notable Local Restaurants And Watering Holes Of The Past
By Cara DeGette | GPHN Editor
Matchbook covers served as handy advertisements for restaurants and bars. The Beacon,
Restaurants, nightclubs and dives are the places where memories are made. They are where families convene to celebrate birthdays and holidays and special times. They are where first dates are often remembered forever (especially depending on the outcome). They are where friendships are sealed and bonded over time. For all these reasons, restaurants and bars may close, but they never fade away.
Tante Louise — the classic Denver French restaurant at Colfax and Eudora — has been closed for 21 years. It has since been home to the Cork House, DJ’s Colfax Cafe and Park Hill Sushi. VIVA! Mexi coffee shop opened in the space in 2024, offering coffees and pastries and music and art markets with a Latin vibe.
Just up Colfax, Mataam Fez provided an exotic escape to Morocco. Guests took off their shoes and ate while lounging among the cushions on the floor. They ate sumptuous multi-course meals with their fingers, surrounded by exotic belly dancers. Waiters spritzed patrons with rose water to start the meal and finished by pouring peppermint tea into cups that were balanced on their toes. The restaurant closed eight years ago after a 42-year run; its building is still boarded up.
Another blast from the past: the 94th Aero Squadron just south of the old Stapleton Airport. Generations of Park Hillians have memories of dining at the World War I-themed aviation restaurant, while watching planes take off and land through huge windows overlooking the runways. The
restaurant closed in 2003, after the airport moved and became DIA.
What now-middle-aged Park Hill kid doesn’t remember going to the Drumstick on Colfax and watching the miniature train chugging overhead through the restaurant and through the walls?
In the “If these walls could talk…” category is 6000 E. Colfax. Over the years the address has been home to at least one restaurant and many a bar: The Chat & Chew (1948-1956), Hy’s Rendezvous (1957), Club 6000 (from 19581960), The Embers (1961-1966), Peacock Alley (1967), The Rest of the Week (1969-1972) and the Tipsy Tiger topless bar from 1975 until Platinum Cleaners took over the space sometime around the turn of the century. City Floral recently renovated the building for a plant center called The Greenhouse. Plenty of other spaces have also been a revolving door for restaurants: Goose Sorenson closed his popular Spanish/Mediterranean restaurant, Solera, in 2018, after 16 years. The spot, at 5410 E. Colfax, became Hank’s BBQ, and then Street Feud. Supreme Chicken opened there in 2024. Over in the Oneida Park business block, Illegal Pete’s now comfortably fills the space that was once home to, in quick succession, Table Top, Desmond, then Red Sauce. A few blocks away on 23rd and Kearney, the longtime home of the beloved Tables restaurant, has been filled by Bistro Vendome, which moved to Park Hill from Larimer Square two years ago. And, in a final trip down memory lane,
longtime Park Hillians still talk about the east side of the block of Fairfax Street between 28th and 29th Avenue — the former “Soul Food Row.” That side of the block is now built out with townhomes, micro-units, a pocket park and a multitude of businesses, including several restaurants, a coffeeshop and wine bars. But long before gentrification, the stretch housed the AA Fish Market and Restaurant, Brooks Smokehouse Bar-
[
TREASURE HUNT ]
B-Que, Joseph’s Southern Food and Dottie’s Social Club & Restaurant. A more recent restaurant on that block (think 2010s) was Latke Love — which has since moved to Littleton. What restaurant or bar do you miss in or around Park Hill? What was your favorite memory or item on the menu? Share your stories in a letter to the editor for an upcoming issue of the newspaper. Send submissions to editor@greaterparknews.
Hy’s Rendezvous and the Denver Drumstick were all Colfax landmarks in their time.
Thane Benson is an award-winning Park Hill-based comic book writer, artist and game designer. This regular feature, Treasure Hunt, highlights different neighborhood architectural landmarks every month. Check out some of Benson’s other projects at thanebenson.com or on social media @thanebenson.
Come On Outside!
Springtime Is Here; Let The Library Visit You
By Leslie Williams | Pauline Robinson Branch Librarian
We’re coming upon our favorite season, when we get to meet our neighbors outside of the library. We get to be in the community and talk about our services, give away books and sign you up for a library card.
During this school year, we’ve been at Hallett Academy every other Tuesday after school checking out books for the students. On March 28, we will be at the 25th Annual Health Expo sponsored by the Center for African American Health.
The free event will be at the DoubleTree Hotel on Quebec and Martin
Luther King, Jr. Boulevard from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Come by and say hi!
We would love to come to your next outreach event. Contact our outreach services department at denverlibrary. org/mobile-services to schedule a visit. The website has a lot of information about outreach, our bookmobiles and our home delivery program. All Denver public libraries come out to events if we have the staffing and capacity. Summer and fall events are very popular, so connect with us early. Whether it’s outside or inside the library, hope to see you soon!
March Library Programs
Note: All Denver libraries are closed on March 30 to observe Cesar Chavez Day.
PARK HILL BRANCH
Baby Storytime | Thursdays beginning March 12, 10:1510:45 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes, and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their parents or caregivers.
Toddler Storytime | Fridays beginning March 13, 10:1510:45 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes, and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers.
Aligned Decision Making: Life, Illness, Death Saturday | March 7, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., AGES 18+
How do you make decisions based on your values? Practice critical thinking skills through varied scenarios in a supportive environment.
Death Café | Monday, March 9, 2 - 3:30 p.m., AGES 18+
Death Café is an international movement that invites people to gather, normalize conversations around death — to make the most of LIFE. Respect for all
views is a priority.
Laughter Yoga | Wednesday, March 11, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy playful laughter exercises interspersed with gentle breathing and stretching. Strengthen the immune system, increase tolerance to pain and combat the negative effects of stress. Accessible to people of all fitness levels.
Family Book Celebration | Thursday, March 19, 4 - 5 p.m.
A monthly book celebration for kids in K-5. This month, read books about artist Vincent Van Gogh, then come to the library to celebrate him with activities.
No-Strings-Attached Book Chat | Saturday, March 21, 11-12:30 p.m.
Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.
Discover Walk | Wednesday, March 25, 11-noon
Discover the labyrinth outside Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church as we do a grief-focused meditation walk based on the writings of Francis Weller.
We will meet on the front porch of the Park Hill Branch Library and cross the street together.
Special Storytime with Rocky Mountain Aardvarks | Friday, March 27, 10:15 - 10:45
Music for Aardvarks is based around original songs, rhythms and chants ideal for ages 18 months to 5 years.
End-of-life choices: Decision-making for Death | April 4, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Explore concepts and options available to you including death doulas and end-of-life options.
PAULINE ROBINSON BRANCH
Toddler Storytime | Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their grown-ups. *no storytime on March 31
Drop In Tech Help | Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m.
Need help navigating the internet, email, or social networks like Facebook? Have questions about your phone or tablet? Want to know how to access eBooks on any device? Drop by to get your questions answered.
Kids Create/Art Works | Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m.noon; Tuesdays March 10, 17, 24, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Explore open-ended art, craft, and building materials. Grownups are encouraged to join younger participants or kids needing extra support for a fun, inclusive experience. Ideal for early learners.
Tween Hangout: Game On | Wednesdays, March, 4, 11, 18, and 25 4:30-5:30 p.m. Play games your way. Tweens pick the fun in this relaxed, no-pressure hangout. Meet other tweens and make new friends in a fun, welcoming space. Ideal for ages 9-13.
Snowy City Scene | Thursday, March 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Learn to draw a snowy city painting with a starry night sky and colorful buildings using weton-dry painting technique. Ideal for ages 7-12.
Intro to Artificial Intelligence | Thursday, March 12, 1:30-3 p.m.
Curious about artificial intelligence and how it’s shaping the world around us? Join us for an engaging, beginner-friendly session.
Build and Paint a Birdhouse | Thursday, March 12, 4:30-5:30 p.m
Celebrate Spring by building and painting wooden birdhouses. Ideal for ages 7-12.
Powwow Crafts | Thursday, March 19, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Celebrate indigenous culture and the Denver March Powwow. Weave on a mini loom or decorate a paper jingle dress. Ideal for ages 7-12.
Giant Paper Snowflakes | Thursday, March 26, 4:305:30 p.m.
These large decorative snowflakes are easy to make and will look really impressive hanging in your room. Ideal for ages 7-12.
Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, March 28, noon to 1:30 p.m. All are welcome. Please call the branch at 720-865-0290 for this month’s book title.
Greater Park Hill has two public libraries: The Park Hill branch library is at 4705 Montview Blvd. and the Pauline Robinson branch library is at 5575 E. 33rd Ave.
Paco and Jesse at last year’s annual Fish Fry at the Dahlia Campus of Health and Well-Being. Photo by Jesse Elston
The Sneezing Season
By Margot K. Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ | For
Note: This is an updated article to one I originally wrote 10 years ago. No longer are my daughters living at home, but I clearly remember the winter-into-spring allergy snuffles of both them, as well as one of our dogs.
Allergies are a complex response by the immune system inappropriately. They are multi-factorial and certainly not predictable or preventable. First, let’s consider the hidden dangers in pet foods and products for children and adults with food allergies. In March, 2016, Dr. Amy Goulart, a mother and veterinarian, wrote about her then-toddler son’s health journey with severe allergies to milk and peanuts, as well as mild reactions to eggs and tree nuts. Food allergies in children are common and continue to rise, now affecting one in four children. As parents we have all had to be vigilant for our own — as well as other — children at any event involving food.
The allergies alone were not what caught my eye, as I was reading Dr. Goulart’s report. It was the concern about all things in a household — including pets and their food and treats. Dr. Goulart realized that these products were potential household hazards for her son. Many dog and cat foods contain casein or whey protein (both forms of milk) and also can contain other proteins affecting allergic humans such as beef, eggs fish, soy, wheat, corn and nuts.
Human food labeling regulations do not apply to pet food and treat products. Many chew treat products can be coated with protein or whey for palatability. If you have a human in the house with severe allergies and do not see a risky ingredient/s in the label list, call the manufacturer to get full details.
Allergen exposure to humans from a pet comes from direct handling of product/s or “indirect” from exposure to allergen/s via saliva — and with toddlers in the house, direct ingestion. Direct is easy to manage,
but saliva exposure can last several hours.
The takeaway message for parents of children with allergies is not to panic. None of the potentially risky ingredients make a product bad; they are reasonable ingredients to provide nutrition or taste to a product. Just be aware if your family has allergy concerns. Now for a quick debunking of a few persistent allergy myths:
• Grain-free foods are not hypoallergenic. The most common food ingredient to which a pet’s immune system can develop allergies from are proteins.
• Grain-free foods are not appropriate for all dogs. Age, breed, underlying disease or a predisposition to obesity can make the high calorie, high fat and high protein composition of a grain-free food inappropriate for individual animals. Your veterinarian can guide you to good choices for your individual pet.
• By-products and fillers are not all bad. Every ingredient in a pet food is researched and there for a specific reason or role. Some ingredients may play a dual role in providing nutrients, as well as creating an enticing “mouth feel” or taste. By-products are simply the parts of animals or grains that are not consumed by humans. For example, if chicken drumsticks were undesirable, then they would be considered a by-product. Those by-product ingredients are an important source for carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other essential micro-nutrients.
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. This column was adapted from an article on the Pet Talk at vetmed.tamu.edu/ news/pet-talk; Nutritional Needs: A Guide to Selecting Cat Food. For more information, visit parkhillvet.com.
Why You Show Up
Northeast Planning And Changes At Mosaic: The Time Is Now To Be Involved
By Colette Carey | Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.
By the time this column hits newsstands, retail locations and your front porch, hopefully we would’ve gotten some much-needed moisture. It’s difficult to talk about what’s coming up for spring when we really haven’t had a winter, but let’s dive in anyway.
Our February community meeting featured informative presentations on two important projects shaping the future of our neighborhood – each project at opposite ends of Park Hill. The speakers received many questions from the floor.
First, Abner Ramos Salcedo of the city’s planning department spoke to the crowd about the kick-off of the Near Northeast Area Plan and the community input process. This plan will guide Denver city government on decisions regarding growth, housing and the overall quality of life for neighborhoods surrounding the new Park Hill Park in the far northwest section of Park Hill.
As we learned most recently with another of the city’s planning efforts — the East Area Plan, which included rezoning Colfax and installing the Bus Rapid Transit —the time to get involved is early in the process. That means now.
If you live in Park Hill’s north end and want to stay abreast of the process — or if you want to get involved in a more official capacity — check out denvergov.org/nearnortheastplan.
Next, Sarah Blanchard of Archway Communities spoke about upcoming changes to the two southernmost dormitories on the Mosaic Community Campus at 17th and Pontiac Street. Archway recently acquired the two dorms, which have stood empty for several years, from Denver Housing Authority (DHA). Originally, DHA’s plan was to create low income housing for seniors. Archway’s plan for the two dorms is to provide supportive care and housing for people exiting homelessness. Both are desperately needed, but these changes have not exactly been communicated in a transparent way to neighbors living nearby. There are many changes on tap for the campus — home of the former Johnson & Wales University — that differ from original plans presented to the neighborhood. Make sure to check these pages for critical information about what’s afoot in coming weeks and months.
Mardi Gras Madness
GPHC, Inc. board member Dr. Terry Brewick and his husband Rick (inset) threw a Fat Tuesday fundraising party at their Park Hill home to benefit the GPHC Emergency Food Pantry and the Greater Park Hill News. In the main photo, from left, Executive Director Colette Carey, with board members Jacqui Shumway, Nam Henderson, Mona Estrada, Maria Flora, Brenda Morrison and Brewick. Photos by Cara DeGette
Again, it’s time to be involved and informed.
On the docket for the March community meeting is what I’m sure will be a lively discussion on the upcoming Colorado Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit.
Also, on the lighter side, we’ll have a representative from “Lemonade Day” — which takes place on May 16. The goal is to teach kids to be entrepreneurs by supporting their business
The following organizations and individuals donated to and volunteered with Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. last month:
INDIVIDUALS
Sylvia Aldena
Barbara Allen
Harmon Alpert
Alice and Marc Applebaum
Penny Ashley-Lawrence
Catherine Battaglia
Cristina Bejarano
Howard Belon
Holly Bennett
Carolyn Benoit
Yvonne Bokelman
Sharon Ann Burke
Jennifer Calderone
Inga Calvin
Phil amd Teresa Campbell
Marty Caplan
Anthony Caravella
Sara Carlson
Keith Combs
Elizabeth Congdon
Todd Cooper
Kristy Corcoran
Lana Cordes
Aimee Corrigan
Peggy Cuciti
Jessica Dapper
Christine Davidson
Alecia Davis
Joel Dice
Carolyn Dooling
Kerry Dougherty
Martha Douglas
Saundra Dowling
Sheila Duffy
Robert and Beth
Duncan
Jennifer Dyer
Anna Engein
Luann Erickson
Steve Farley
Michelle Ferguson
Ben Fiedler
Connie and Rob Friesen
Lee Fisher-Rosenberg
Peg Fleming
Oldham
Anne and Joe Frank
Joshua Freedman
Mike Freehling
Richard Galaty
Duane Gall
Bobbi Gillis
Dan Goe
Andea Gordon
Andrea and Phil Gordon
Shriram Gurumoorthy
Erica Gutierrez
Lisa and Charles Haddox
Heather Haller
Lisa Halstead
Simon Hambidge
Kathryn Hamer
Linda & Charles Hamlin
Amy Harris
Shanta Harrison-Sullivan
Duke and Pam Hartman
Pamela Healy
Richard F Hennessey
Team Hetterich
Rachel Hinkley
Ellen Hokanson
Barbara Homs
Carolyn Hoste
Romi Howell
Jody Igo
Amy and Megan Ivy
Elle Jackson
Daniel Jacobson
Diane Jankowski
Julie Ann Jenson
Quintin Johnson
Matt Jordan
Sharon and Chris Kermiet
Aaron Kessler
Liz Kiefer
Jon Kinning
Wendy and MIchael
Klein
Jane W Klever
Robb Kolstad
Michael Lieberman
Lucy Loomis
Mary Jo Lorenz
Natalie and Pat Love
Deborah A MacNair
Jennifer Mahne
Linda Maich
Amy Makurumidze
Paula Marinelli
Richard McCanna
Robin McCarthy
Richard McClintock
Margaret McCormick
Janice McGuire
Babette and Randy
McQueen
Judith Metcalfe
Kerry Mierau
Laurel Mohr
Mashawn Moore
Becky Morris
Harriet Mullaney
Gayle Mylander
Chris Nielsen
Danielle Okay
Patty Paul
Gordon Phair
Amelia and Cory
Portnuff
Samantha Lehni
Reeves
Susan Rein
Mark Rhine
Jeffrey Roberts
Krista Roberts
Cathy Rock
Sarah Romer
Joan Root
Audrey Rupnow
Bridget Russell
Louann Sakala
Mary Salsich
Christina Sanford
Stu and Shelly
Scales
Kathleen Schettler
Lynn M. Shults
Elaine Selsberg
Barbara Sharp
Peter Skram
Don Smith
Jean Smith
Cheryl K Solko
Mary Soto
Paul Spaeth
Elizabeth Spohn
Mary Jo Stark
Mary Jo Starmer
Christopher Stewart
Amber and Russ Strickler
Adele Sykes
Tenzin Tashi
Penfield Tate
Blair Taylor
Sloane Thomas
Suzanne Thomsen
Pamela Tyrrell
Amy Van Vranken
Hannah Vogel
Warren Volz
Martin Voskuil
Jane Wainwright
Gavin Way
Alfred and Nancy Wellnitz
Kate Baldwin Wenzel
Nicole Wiederaenders
Jennifer Quinn
Williams
Anastasia Williamson
Stefanie L Winfield
Judy Wolfe
Kaitlin Wolff
Christopher & Momo Wong
Guy and Susan Wroble
John Wyszynski
Ellen Yu
Vanessa Zimmerman
Karen Zollars GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES
1600 Block Leyden Street
Abbey Tavern
Cake Crumbs Bakery and Cafe City and County of Denver
Colorado Gives 365 - Community First Foundation
Cure D’Ars Catholic Church
Dahlia Campus Farms and Gardens
Denver Presbyterian Church
Food Bank of the Rockies
Mayfair Liquors
Messiah Community Church
Oneida Street
Neighbors
Overture 9th & CO
Park Hill Branch
Library
Park Hill United Church of Christ
Park Hill United
Methodist Church
Spinelli’s Market
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Unity on the Avenue
Spiritual Center
Yeshe Nyingpo
Denver
ventures. Our great neighbors on Kearney Street are already engaged in similar efforts, and they’ll also be on hand to talk about the cool projects they have in the works.
The meeting is Thursday, March 5, at 2823 Fairfax St. beginning at 6:30 p.m. Look for the final agenda in your inbox about one week prior.
Happy spring!
Who We Are, What We Do
The Board of Directors of GPHC, Inc. Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill, provides resources, information and advocacy, and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation. GPHC world headquarters is 2823 Fairfax St. If you have an issue you’d like to discuss about the neighborhood, reach out to your board representative. Representatives can be contacted via the main office, at 303388-0918 or info@greaterparkhill.org.
If you are interested in volunteering for a board position or serving on a committee, contact GPHC Board Chair Shane Sutherland at chair@greaterparkhill.org.
• Board Chair Shane Sutherland
• Treasurer Heather Shockey
• Secretary Bernadette Kelly
• District 1 Kevin Doyle
• District 2 Brenda Morrison
• District 3 Heather Shockey
• District 4 Currently Vacant
• District 5 Bernadette Kelly
• District 6 Currently Vacant
• District 7 Jon Bowman
• District 8 Nam Henderson
• District 9 Terry Brewick
• District 10 James Korn
• At Large Bruce Campbell
• At Large Mona Estrada
• At Large Maria Flora
• At Large Tracey MacDermott
• At Large Louis Plachowski lplachowski@gmail.com
• At Large Shane Sutherland
• Blessed Sacrament Betsy Boudreau
• Park Hill UMC Jacqui Shumway
[ GPHN CLASSIFIEDS ]
APARTMENT RENTAL
Beautiful 2 large bedrooms and 1 bath apartment in South Park Hill. See Zillow for pictures and information. 1523 Ivy Street #6 Call Patty 970-275-1575
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
26 YR Licensed General Contractor in South Park Hill and Lead-Based Paint Abatement Firm
All Phases of Remodeling. Small jobs OK! Mold and Mildew Remediation Power Spray Denver Dust, Off Exteriors Call Mark-303-921-3161 pikerprojects@gmail.com – All Remodeling usabatement@yahoo.com –Lead-Based Paint
GUTTERS
Gutter Cleaning, repairs, and replacement. Gutter Cleaning prices start at $150 – House, Garage, Porches, and walks. 303-907-9223/skmehaffey@ gmail.com
MASONRY SERVICES
Mason – Brick, stone, chimney
repair, historic renovation. Your Park Hill Expert. Fully Insured, free estimates. Call Ben @720670-0874
PREMIER PAINT WORKS since 1993. Denver’s Residential Paint Specialists. Int/Ext. Neat, conscientious craftsmanship by polite, respectful, honest & fully insured crew. Impeccable references. Call or text John at 720-849-3921.
Interior and Exterior Painting. Prep, power washing, professional. Owned and operated by Park Hill resident with over 20 years of experience. Free estimate. JR Painting 720-4857207 or jpabz04@gmail.com
PLASTER
We repair plaster and drywall, specializing in older homes. Now in our 27th year. The Wall Rebuilders
303-698-1057
www.wallrebuilders.com
ROOFING
Roofing: Repairs, Inspections, Flashings, Hail Damage, and reroofing licensed, bonded, and insured. Gutter replacement and cleaning. 303-907-9223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com
TUCKPOINTING
Over 25 years of experience. Fully insured. Mortar color and brick matching, broken brick replacement, cement chimney crown replacement. 12 years Chicago union
The Greater Park Hill News is hiring an enthusiastic Advertising Sales Representative. tinyurl.com/GPHNSales for the job description & details Send your resume to newspaper@greaterparkhill.org
[ GREATER PARK HILL RESOURCES ]
Active Minds
The organization’s mission is to expand lives and minds by providing outstanding educational programs. Check out free lectures on topics ranging from music to history, current events to foreign affairs, including in and near Park Hill. A schedule of upcoming events is at activeminds.com Art Garage
6100 E. 23rd Ave., artgaragedenver.com, 303-377-2353. The Art Garage is a nonprofit visual art community center whose mission is to offer arts-based programs that inspire, empower and promote creative self-expression by people of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels. Check out ArtGarageDenver.com for details. Blunders and Beers
Blunders and Beers is a Park Hill Chess Club that meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Longtable Brewhouse, 2895 Fairfax St., beginning at 6 p.m. All skill levels are welcome. Bring a board if you have one.
Denver Police District 2
3921 Holly St., 2.Dist@denvergov.org, non-emergency number is 720-913-1000. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1. Denver Public Schools
dpsk12.org
Check the website for resources and updates. Call the helpline at 720-423-3054 for support in many languages. Donations Resources
Thousands of our neighbors have been living unsheltered and are struggling for basic services. Thousands more are newcomers to Colorado, arriving with little to nothing. So many can use your help. Check out our online directory at greaterparkhill.org/spreading-the-love/ for organizations who accept donations — from clothes and furniture to bikes and baby essentials.
Faith Community
greaterparkhill.org/faith
Greater Park Hill’s faith community, home to over 30 places of worship in just four square miles, is as diverse and robust as the neighborhood itself. The GPHN maintains a list of Park Hill’s places of worship at the website above. Contact individual places of worship for information about their current state of operations.
GPHC community meetings are conducted on the first Thursday of the month, except for December and July. GPHC community meetings are conducted on the first Thursday of the month, except for December and July. The next meeting is Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. at 2823 Fairfax St. The April meeting is Thursday, April 2.
Check greaterparkhill.org/join-us/community-meetings/ for info on how to participate.
Libraries
denverlibrary.org
See the “At the Library” feature on page 15 for updates and resources offered by the Park Hill and Pauline Robinson branch libraries.
Northeast Park Hill Coalition
The Northeast Park Hill Coalition hosts its monthly meeting the second Thursdays of the month. Location varies. Check the group’s Facebook page @ Northeast Park Hill Coalition for updates.
Park Hill Community Bookstore
Established in 1971. Denver’s oldest nonprofit bookstore. Used and new books. 4620 E. 23rd Avenue. 303-355-8508. Members and volunteers get discounts and book credits. Open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Park Hill Peloton
A recreational group of road cyclists that roll from Park Hill once or twice a week. Check the current status of their rides on the Park Hill Peloton Facebook page.
Sie Filmcenter 2510 E. Colfax, denverfilm.org, 303-595-3456.
Free Zoom Tai Chi
Free Beginner Tai Chi Zoom
Classes every Friday at 9 a.m. Longtime Park Hillers Jacqui and Joe lead the class. Call their clinic at 303-744-766 or register online at TaiChiDenver.com. Walk2Connect www.walk2connect.com
Park Hill Sunrise Walking Trips happen every Tuesday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Meet in front of Honey Hill Cafe at 23rd & Dexter Street for a casual, conversational-paced community walk. Everyone is welcome.
Submit your neighborhood events and resources to editor@greaterparkhill.org Deadlines are the 15th of the month, for the following month’s issue.
Ball
Sipping And Skipping
Grass Skippers are butterflies of the subfamily Hesperiinae. They can be spotted all over the world (except New Zealand) in grasslands, prairies, meadows and open woodland. Skippers have stubby moth-like bodies, and can be orange, rust or brown-colored. They are named for their distinct flight pattern — quick darting motions that look like they are skipping through the air. Grass Skippers are considered fantastic pollinators, as they feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers, helping to promote the reproduction of plants. Photo by Mark Silverstein
[ GARDENS & VERSES ]
Welcome, Spring Preparing
For The Birds, Plants And Pollinators
Save the date! The 2026 Park Hill Garden Walk is Sunday, June 7. In the meantime, here are a few tips for tending your own garden as spring blows in.
• Prune shrubs that form their flower buds on “new” wood — growth that will occur in the coming spring — such as butterfly bush, clematis, hydrangeas, potentilla, roses and Rose of sharon.
• If you are creating pollinator habitat, prune bushes with hollow or pithy stems 4-6” from a branch or stem node.
• Get your soil tested, and amend with compost as needed.
• Continue watering your trees, shrubs and perennials when it’s above 40 degrees.
• Aerate your lawn.
• Cut back ornamental grasses and perennials, leaving three-inch stubs.
• As you start your spring cleanup of flower beds, remember many insect eggs and larvae are still in the leaves and stalks. Help retain them for birds by leaving leaves and stalks in a pile for another month or two.
• If you left last season’s plant stalks for pollinating insects, prune stems to heights from 8” to 24” as nesting sites.
• Transplant volunteer plants you wish to keep (or share with others!)
• Mid-month: Plant outdoor seeds for radishes, spinach, arugula, lettuce, leek and sorrel, as well as onion sets. Start indoors: sage, thyme, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.
• Plant cold hardy annuals, including pansies, ornamental kale and marigolds.
Garden Tips comes thanks to members of the Park Hill Garden Walk committee. The annual Garden Walk is a major fundraiser for Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Contact Paula Marinelli at paulagardenwalk@gmail.com to volunteer or suggest local gardens or artists for upcoming events.
