All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1960 • Volume 61, Issue No. 5 • May 2022
NEWS
Compiled by Cara DeGette, Editor, GPHN
Off To the Races The Denver municipal election is still a year away, but candidates have already begun to jostle and position for high-stakes mayoral and city council races.
After three terms, Mayor Michael B. Hancock is term-limited from running again in 2023. The post-pandemic reality will leave the next mayor of Denver facing a sharp uptick in crime and drug addiction, a population of unhoused people that continues to increase, an extreme shortage of affordable housing, and widening systemic inequalities. So far, former candidates Marcus Giavanni and Ken Simpson, as well as activists Terrance Roberts and Jesse Parris, have announced plans to run for mayor of Colorado’s largest city. Others are likely to soon emerge. Lisa Calderón, currently the director of Emerge Colorado, is reportedly considering a second run for mayor. Other names that have been floated include former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce CEO Kelly Brough, House Speaker Alec Garnett and state Rep. Leslie Herod. At-large city councilwomen Debbie Ortega and Robin Kniech are both term-limited from running again next year, and several hopefuls have already announced candidacies in hopes to take their places. Travis Leiker, the president of the Capitol Hill Neighborhood Association and currently the senior director of development at the University of Colorado, has announced his candidacy, and has already begun to roll out several high-profile endorsees, including former U.S. Sen. Mark Udall and former Colorado state Rep. Anne McGihon. Jeff Walker, who is on the RTD board of directors, has also announced plans to run for an at-large seat. Walker has served on numerous board and commissions, including the Denver planning board and, most recently, the police reimagine task force. Also running is Dominic A. Diaz who, at 24, hopes to be the youngest member ever elected to the Denver City Council. continued on page 6
Walking The Walk
Former Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb and his wife Wilma Webb, with the new bronze statue of him at the municipal building downtown that also bears his name. The statue, by sculptor Ed Dwight and unveiled on April 5, is called The Walk of Mayor Wellington E. Webb. The name is a nod to Webb’s famous “Sneakers Campaign,” in which he walked through Denver neighborhoods introducing himself to voters, and ultimately into the mayor’s office. He served from 1991 to 2003, and was Denver’s first African American mayor. “I always believe we, the people at Denver, there’s nothing we can’t do when we do it to together,” Webb said in his remarks. See page 5 for more photos from the day, as well as a guest editorial in which Webb details his vision and advice for the now-closed Park Hill Golf Course. Photo by Bernard Grant
Inside This Issue PAGE 2
GPHN Wins 7 Awards For News, Features, Photography, Public Service
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Things To Do: Community Yard Sale, Alley Cleanups, Art Fest, Pottery Show And More
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Foxes, Other Wildlife Return To The Closed Park Hill Golf Course Land
East junior goalie Charlotte Eastman (#20) and senior defender Lily Najmulski (#10) protect the goal against Golden High.
East Girls’ Lacrosse Team Energized With New Coach Story and photos by Reid Neureiter For the GPHN
The East High girl’s lacrosse team is enjoying its season under new head coach, former CU Buff women’s lacrosse star Katie Macleay. On April 11, the Lady Angels lost a hard-fought home match to Golden High, 14-11, but rebounded two days later for a 10-9 win over Mullen High School. With a mid-season record of five wins and four losses, being over .500 represents a dramatic improvement over the 2021 COVID-affected season, when the East program
finished 1-9 with numerous games ending with lopsided scores like 20-2 (versus Regis) and 20-0 (versus Colorado Academy). East junior goal-keeper and Park Hill resident Charlotte Eastman attributes much of the improvement to Coach Macleay, who came to the University of Colorado in 2014 on a full scholarship from Annapolis, Maryland to play for the inaugural season of CU’s NCAA Division 1 varsity women’s lacrosse program. A top-rated player in high school, the 28-year old Macleay ended up starring all four years for the Buffs as a play-making
continued on page 11
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Scoop And Cradle
attack/midfielder. She ended her career having played 74 games (starting 72) scoring 97 goals and making 64 assists. Her senior season in 2017, Macleay helped lead the Lady Buffs to their first ever win over a Top 10-ranked team (Northwestern), a first appearance in the NCAA tournament, and finished as CU’s career leader in assists. After college, Macleay moved to the University of Nottingham in England for a master’s degree in film, television and media. Macleay also played and coached lacrosse for the University of Nottingham team. Goal-keeper Eastman, who lives on Krameria Street, is grateful to have a coach with so much experience and the desire to succeed. “She really wants the team to do well and believes really strongly we are
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East High junior midfielder Karsen Jorgensen sprints upfield with the ball against Golden High School on April 11.
Letters to the Editor: The Blight And Trash In Denver Is Unacceptable Flowers Won’t Be The Only Art On Display At The Park Hill Garden Walk
Upcoming GPHC Meetings Community meetings are conducted virtually on the first Thursday of each month. The May community meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. Link to attend at greaterparkhill.org/ join-us/community-meetings/ In-person meetings will return on Thursday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. See page 14 for details.