All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1961 • Volume 56, Issue No. 10 • October 2017
INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 2
Shake-Up At East High School, But Questions Remain
PAGE 7
Editor, GPHC
Colfax Avenue, traversing along the southern boundary of Park Hill, is 26.1 miles long, the longest commercial street in the United States. The street was named in honor of Schuyler Colfax, the long-ago Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives when the 13th Amendment was ratified. Since Colfax Avenue first showed up on Denver maps 150 years ago, the stretch has been the destination of many a traveler –
from miners who used it as a gateway west to find gold, to vacationing families and businessmen who stayed at one of dozens of iconic motels along the route, to prostitutes and drug dealers hustling their wares. In the 1970s Playboy’s Hugh Hefner dubbed Colfax the “longest, wickedest street in America.” In recent years, Colfax has undergone another transformation, with hip bars and restaurants and a multitude of independently owned businesses. But for all its fame, Denver’s original main continued on page 11
On Sept. 21, Clayton Early Learning announced plans to sell the 155 acres of land that currently comprises the Park Hill Golf Course to the City of Denver, for $20.5 million. The historic Clayton Campus, at Colorado Boulevard and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, was founded more than 100 years ago and has served as an orphanage, and more recently as a preschool serving vulnerable populations. The Clayton Trust
also owns the Park Hill Golf Course land, which stretches roughly from Colorado Boulevard east to Dahlia Street, and 35th Avenue north to Smith Road. Several months ago Clayton President and CEO Charlotte Brantley announced the golf course was a money-losing proposition and that Clayton would seek input on how the land could be best used. After the purchase deal with Denver was announced, the city did not detail its plans
Top: East Colfax, circa ~1930. Photo credit: Western History and Genealogy Dept./Denver Public Library; Above: Hilarie Portell, executive director of Colfax-Mayfair BID, on Colfax at Fairfax, circa 2017. Photo by Cara DeGette
– including whether it will pursue development or preserve the land as open space. Rather, Clayton Early Learning, via the Denver-based public policy and communications consulting company CRL Associates, noted that the “community visioning process” currently underway will continue. For background and insider insights on the community process to date, turn to page 4. -- Cara DeGette
Cash In Mind: The Sky Is The Limit Oct. 16 Forum To Highlight School Board Campaign Finance, Ballot Issues By Sally Augden League of Women Voters
A large chunk of everyone’s state income and local property taxes goes to support public schools, making it incumbent, one would think, on voters to pay close attention to the election of school board members who will be spending their money. Yet school board races are notoriously ignored by many, especially those who do not have children in school. And, few people know that there are no campaign limits for school board elections in Colorado. Nor do they really know who is funding these campaigns. This information applies not only to the city of Denver, but to all school board races in Colorado. On Monday, Oct. 16, at 5:30 p.m., the League of Women Voters of Denver will hold a public briefing at Montview Boule-
Home Tour & Street Fair Wildly Exceeds Ticket Goal
UPCOMING GPHC MEETINGS
$20.5 Million Hole In One Denver Buys Park Hill Golf Course; Future Of Property Uncertain
Thanksgiving Meal Boxes Will Exceed 300 This Year
PAGE 15
By Cara DeGette
The Hot Issues: Q&As With DPS School Board Candidates
PAGE 12
Will Denver Voters Give This Old Wicked Street Some Love On Nov. 7?
PAGES 8-10
Life On Colfax
Earth Matters: Humans Preserve Park Hill’s Legacy
vard Presbyterian Church on the funding directs her own agency, Democracy TNG, of school board campaigns. offering programs and workshops on deThe forum falls three weeks mocracy, education and civic embefore the Nov. 7 mail balpowerment. lot election for four of seven She will be speaking on the isDenver Public Schools board sues surrounding school board members. Up for election incampaign finance - outside spendclude an at-large member and ing, contributions to candidates two representatives whose and disclosures. She was part of the districts represent portions team that worked on the state legisof Park Hill (DPS candidate lation in 2016 to change reporting Q&As appear on pages 8-10 of Campaign finance ex- deadlines for school board races. this issue, including a question pert Peg Perl will be The League will also briefly covabout top campaign funders). the guest speaker. er ballot issues to be on the Nov. 7 Ballots will be mailed in midballot, including the Denver’s $937 October to all registered Denver voters. million bond measure. Brochures detailing Guest speaker Peg Perl was most recently the pros and cons of proposals will be availsenior counsel for Colorado Ethics Watch, able. a nonpartisan organization focusing on Montview Boulevard Presbyterian government ethics, campaign finance, fair Church is at 1980 Dahlia St. The public elections, and open records. She currently briefing is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Oct. 5: Park Hill Golf Club, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2: 2823 Fairfax St., 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend
GPHC Annual Meeting Oct. 5 Catch Up With Friends; Get Updates On The ‘Hood By Cara DeGette Editor, GPHC
It’s October, and that means it’s time for the annual meeting of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. Every year the volunteer-based Registered Neighborhood Organization sponsors an annual meeting, to provide members and neighbors with a general update on work done over the past year, and plans for the year ahead. Founded in 1961, the GPHC’s mission is to promote the character and vibrancy of Park Hill; provide resources, information and advocacy; and help preserve quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation. The annual meeting is Thursday, Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Park Hill Golf Club, 4141 E. 35th Ave. It is open to the public, and everyone is welcome. GPHC members will also vote for their representatives in even-numbered districts year. (Only active members may vote, but you can join or renew your membership at the meeting.) For more information about GPHC, including information about membership and how to join, and current officers and board members, check out page 16. The district map is also on page 16, or check it out online at greaterparkhill.org/about-us/neighborhooddistrict-map/. For more information, contact Sierra Fleenor at 303-388-0918.