All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1961 • Volume 58, Issue No. 3 • May 2019
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PARK HILL CHARACTER
Best Residen
nity tial Commu
• Volume Since 1961
June 2018 No. 6 • 57, Issue
INSIDE THIS
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& Recreation Denver ParksSupport For Fairfax AnnouncesSwap ... Again Park Land
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East Basic Joy: The Angels Win Game Ultimate
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of Summer Begins Adventure At The Library
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Raw Politics: Goodbye , Legislature Hello Silly Season
In Action
Bison herds of accessible two easily also commonly There are iconic bison, Colorado’s on page 15 continued
GS GPHC MEETIN UPCOMING 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m.in June is no meeting Thursday, St. (There at 2823 Fairfaxare welcome to attend. July.) All
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$25 milpassed a Pro-what? out Denver voters adjusted annuallya In 2005, have played images tax increase, protests to help fund plenty of lion yearly The money was system called Strikes and nation, with for higher pay. for inflation. salary payment into effect in across the agitating Public Schools teachers new teacherThis system, put to increase showing Denver, Denver Teachers Aspromised ProComp. careers Here in an increase January 2006, pay over their Denver Classroom base the fall to for and the teachers’ agreed in give bonuses.levies more sociation to the base salaryApril as well as in the tax of $1,400 More recently, on is included Currently, classes milmillion that teachers. than $30 approximately $330 schools cancelledteachers salaries. 27, many of Colorado. Wearing a total of for teacher as thousands lion allocatedversion of ProComp state of classrooms to their walked outthey marched to the This first according better funding red for ed, Garden Walk and education great memories. paid teachers dent to Park Hill or other watching their of experience additions Capitol demanding DPS superinten years some joy of potential their childhood To The 2018 develLYNN the birds, for schools. along with it is the levels, with professiona l were Welcome For others to life, and watching Tom Boasberg, joined to advocate KALINAUSK AS base pay for around. s. Bonuses serve” By Jean ErcolaniChair “acyard come and bees flutter to board members, for education. curand evaluation Marketing money are call themselvesothers butterflies opment for working in “hard Garden Walk for more the scenes, there s bewhile staff subjects is around Some gardeners allocated difficult-togardeners,” Behind negotiationto renew and Garden Walk for inteaching cidental professiona l landscapgrowth. Park Hill schools, Here’s DCTA to student in 2006 were aurently ongoing The 2018 you are looking have used guide the way. and the Professiona l ComWhether a day and according few of Teachthe tween DPS hired starting An agreeers to help insight into a the corner. just want to enjoy for Teachers enrolled in ProComp.option to or Teachers. which is beautiful extend ProComp, the a little more and their passion spiration through System for not tomatically in the system had pensation be made by January, DPS and spaces. our gardeners outside walking June 24 will which already must outdoor on ers Sunday, ment deadline the inspiwonderful gardens, . of opt-in. What was design? the extended again,” disappoint had the pleasure Question: the the deadline Pamela DCTA agreed. your garden inspiraI recently the gardeners not extend ProComp2 ration for DCTA reviewed their a few of ac“We will Executive Director said their that inat DPS and meeting forth an them about One couple time they looked In 2008, rolled out ProComp2 says DCTAIf DPS cannot putshe adds, “we talking with capped base first and but and the a than system bonuses by then, on page 12 Shamburg. tion started ly, a common special spaces. with more can include proposal continued the creased potential ceptable a job action that for teachers Not surprising passion for For some it More money overall in DPS. pay increases acand less will take of trait is thenature and wildlife. of teaching a series of yearly bonuses pay. 14 years remind them strike.” are planning For example, outdoors, their yard that one-time a teacher’s base in went to DPS teachersnow and then. things walk into is increasing towards tions between which teachers on page 11 – took place – during continued walk-ins group, holding signsthe month of a school as mornings during on Tuesday high schools. May at several
The Number
Happy Birthday To Us!
June 1 Soiree To Mark 50 Years For GPHC, Inc. By Colette Carey GPHC, Inc. Board Member
A half-century ago, what ultimately became the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. neighborhood organization formed to advocate for neighbors, promote diversity and inclusivity and be a general force for good. On Saturday, June 1, GPHC, Inc. is throwing an enormous block party, to celebrate the milestone. Neighbors from across Park Hill and beyond are invited to the free celebration, for food, drinks, history, and fun. The party will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Technically, GPHC, Inc. began its existence as the Park Hill Action Committee in 1956. In that era, Park Hill was the first neighborhood in Denver — and was a model for the nation — to resist the blockbusting that occurred when black families started moving into neighborhoods that had been previously been inhabited mostly by white families. Rather than go along with what is also called “white flight,” many Park Hill residents joined together to integrate the neighborhood. On Sept. 29, 1969, PHAC merged with the Northeast Park Hill Civic Association, which had been working on behalf of residents located north of what is now Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard. Former Park Hill resident and Colorado Gov. Roy continued on page 9
event he has won for the last two years. Little, pictured above leading on the pink bike, also has won Colorado state cycling championships in the road race and continued on page 17
Meet Director Lana Cordes: Dancer. Traveler. Mom. Lover Of Park Hill.
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As the winter turns to spring and the snow starts to melt in the high country, many Park Hill residents turn to cycling
for exercise. But for one Park Hiller, the advent of the cycling season means serious two-wheeled competition. Justin Little, 45, lives on Cherry Street and is the reigning over-40 Colorado state cycling champion in the time trial – an
Calling All Floats And Marching Bands: Uncle Sam Wants YOU!
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For The GPHN
Fighting For Education Equity: An Update On Wins And Snubs For Local DPS Activists
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Story and photos by Reid Neureiter
GPHN Wins Top Honors For News, Photos, Columns
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Park Hill Champion Cyclist Justin Little Credits Success To Vigilance and Luck
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A Garden
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ISSUE
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’s About Denver All the News
It’s May. Be Kind To Yourself, Your Pet, And Your Vet, Every Day
UPCOMING GPHC MEETINGS Thursday, May 2 and Thursday, June 6 at 2823 Fairfax St. at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
2019 Park Hill Garden Walk is June 23 The Dahlia Campus for Health & WellBeing, with its 40,000 square feet of urban gardens, therapeutic gardens, aquaponics and more, is one of the many gardens participating in the 2019 Park Hill Garden Walk on June 23. The Dahlia Campus, at 3401 Eudora St., opened its doors in 2016 and has established itself as a critical resource and model for innovation in the community. A complete story about the campus, as well as additional photographs and information 2019 GARDEN WALK about this year’s Park Hill Garden Walk, is on page 14.
Just Vote Already! Denver’s Municipal Election Day Is May 7 By Cara DeGette Editor, GPHN
Campaign season in Denver has been red-hot this spring. Citywide, there are 52 candidates running for Mayor, Clerk & Recorder, Auditor and 13 City Council positions. In any of the races, if one candidate does not win more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two contenders will face off in June runoff elections. In District 8, which includes Park Hill, Stapleton, East Colfax and Montbello,
five council candidates are challenging incumbent Chris Herndon. They include Miguel CeballosRuiz, LaMone Noles, Erik Penn, Blair Taylor and Patrick Thibault. Citywide, five candidates are taking on the incumbent mayor, Michael B. Hancock. They include Lisa Calderón, Stephan “Seku” Evans, Jamie Giellis, Kalyn Heffernan and Penfield Tate. Ballots were mailed to all registered voters on Monday, April 15. They must be re-
turned by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7. If you still have your ballot sitting on the counter, don’t risk popping it in the mail at this late date. Instead, fill it out, and drop it off at one of many nearby voter locations. Check out the website DenverDecides.org for info on where to drop off ballots – or where to vote in person if you prefer that method. Didn’t get a ballot? Or did you accidentally spill coffee, or maybe wine on it? Not to worry. Stop by Denver election headquarters downtown at 200 W. 14th Ave. for a replacement. Not sure who to vote for? Check last month’s issue at greaterparkhill.org for stories about and links to additional information about local races and issues. Remember, if you don’t vote, you can’t complain!