Surf’s Up
When Life Served Lemons To Eliot Lundt, He Decided To Sell Peaches Instead
By Cara DeGette | GPHN Editor
Eliot Lundt had a pit in his stomach.
Here he was, up in Wyoming. He had just graduated from East High School and had taken what sounded like a dream summer job as a fly-fishing guide. When Lundt arrived, well, let’s just say the job didn’t live up to its hype.
The guy running the outfit had told Lundt he’d have a place to stay, in a trailer with some other guys. He didn’t. So Lundt lived in his car.
The guy told Lundt that he’d be driving the shuttle at first, while he was improving his fly-fishing skills. The pay, the guy said, would be 50 bucks for each shuttle — five per day. It turned out to be more like two or three shuttles per day. And, it also turned out that Lundt had to split the 50 bucks with another fellow, who was also driving customers to the fishing spots.
Lundt was shuttling people, in his car, 100 miles or more every day. He was practicing his fly-fishing as much as possible, and he liked that just fine. He met some interesting people. But he was paying for his own gas, he was bathing in the river, and, after buying groceries, he was basically back at square one every day. He did this for three weeks. And then he discovered he had a new roommate: a mouse had taken up residence in his car. The scratching noise at night was no bueno. It was the proverbial last straw.
“I said, OK, I’m coming home,” Lundt says. “I am not living in the car with the mouse.”
No Phone Zone
“Peaches, you’re driving me crazy. Peaches, you truly amaze me. Tweedle-dee, tweedle-y duh-uh-um, you made my heart come all undone.”
— From the demo track Peaches, recorded by Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson in 1968
All Summer Long
Back in Park Hill, Lundt cleaned out his car and got the mouse trapped. He wasn’t sure of his next move. He was heading off to Western Washington University in the fall, but he needed a summer job. His dad wondered, what about selling peaches?
Eureka! “Oh, I love Palisade peaches,” Lundt says. Like most Colorado kids, Lundt grew up munching all summer long on Western Slope peaches. With glorious names like Redhaven, Glohaven and Cresthaven, they disappear fast.
Lundt compiled a long list of orchards and started cold-calling. Clark Family Orchards offered him a
DPS Adopts A Ban On Personal Devices For Students. But How Will It Be Enforced?
By Quinn Brush | GPHN Intern
For many Denver Public Schools students, the kickoff of the new school year on Aug. 24 will harken the days of the classrooms of their parents. No cellphones, no personal devices, no smart watches.
Will there be scenes like from Saved By The Bell, or maybe The Breakfast Club?
In June, the DPS school board unanimously voted to adopt a bell-to-bell ban on cellphone use for all grades. The policy extends to all personal devices — including smart watches, wireless headphones, personally-owned tablets and laptops, and non-district-issued computing devices.
DPS is one of five of the state’s largest districts that has adopted a total ban on cellphone use for all grades.
The ban applies while students are in school buildings. (Some high schoolers have free periods during the day or leave campus for lunch; the restrictions would not apply during those times.)
The policy was prompted by a new state law, passed last year, requiring all of Colorado’s 179 public school districts to adopt individual policies addressing the use of cellphones and electronic devices in schools.
As reported by the online education news source Chalkbeat, DPS is one
of five of the state’s largest districts that has since adopted a total ban on cellphone use for all grades, from the beginning to the end of the school day. (Other districts with a total ban include Boulder Valley, Colorado Springs D-11, Pueblo D-60 and Mesa County). Many other Colorado districts have adopted less restrictive policies, including allowing high school cellphone use for different grade levels and banning only during instructional times.
Many educators, as well as parents and students, contend that the increasingly widespread in-school use of cellphones and other devices distracts from learning. There are also equity concerns, as wealthier students often have access to electronic learning tools that other students do not have.
If the results of a DPS poll in May are any indication, the ban will likely be far less popular among students than adults.
Of 7,000 people who responded to the survey, DPS reported that 61 percent of adults (administrators, teachers, staff and parents/guardians) supported a bell-to-bell cell phone restriction.
A whopping 97 percent of the student respondents strongly opposed a complete ban. Approval from all groups was stronger by about 20 percent when asked whether they would support in-class bans only.
At press time, it isn’t exactly clear how DPS’s new policy will actually be enforced in the district’s 198 schools. It doesn’t specify whether students will be required to surrender their devices, or simply follow an honor system. The policy isn’t clear on whether rules will differ from building to building, or be applied consistently between elementary, middle and high schools. While many parents and students agree that cellphones can be distractions in classrooms, many have concerns about cutting off family communications during the school day – especially in cases of emergencies, such as school threats and lockdowns.
During their June meeting, DPS board members instructed Superintendent Alex Marrero to ensure the restrictions do not impede the ability for students to reach their parents or guardians in cases of emergency.
Marrero is expected to present an update on the rollout of the ban in October. ✦
Cara DeGette contributed to this report.
Riding the wave: Park Hill Peach Boys Founder Eliot Lundt, with a box of Western Slope beauties. Photo by Cara DeGette
Day Of Legends Is Aug. 8
The Park Hill Day of Legends is Saturday, Aug. 8 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Skyland Park. The annual all-day celebration of community is sponsored by the Park Hill Pirates youth football organization. The family-friendly event includes a variety of free activities, including rivalry football/flag scrimmages, cheer performances, youth activities (bouncy castles, face painting, crafts, snow cones, etc.), music, food trucks, spirits and more.
In addition, numerous leaders will be honored during the day for their longstanding contributions to improving the community. More than 2,500 people are expected to attend, with 60 community partners and vendors. Skyland Park, next to Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center, is at 5600 E. 35th Ave. Everyone is welcome.
Beautify
Park Hill Aug. 22
If you’ve got a spare pair of hands, head over to Martin Luther King Recreation Center on Saturday, Aug. 22, for a huge trash cleanup in the northeast part of Park Hill. Volunteers should show up at 8 a.m. at 3880 Newport St. The group will fan out through the neighborhood between Monaco Parkway and Quebec Street, and MLK Boulevard and Smith Road. Trash can be a problem in this area of the neighborhood, as it’s high-transit and heavily industrial. All trash pickup materials will be provided, and the work will be finished around 10 a.m. This is the second of three planned trash pickup projects being coordinated this summer and fall in this area by Park Hillian Kevin Hallman. (The final cleanup date is Oct. 17.) Email him at kevinandtessa2023@ gmail.com to sign up.
Cats, Get Ready To Strut
The annual Park Hill Cat Tour is Sunday, Aug. 30. The wildly popular event, now in its third year, features felines of all sizes and breeds — who are ready to either preen for the masses or run away and hide.
Here’s how it works: Tourists gather at a predetermined spot (this will be provided when they RSVP, at parkhillcattour.wordpress.com). Several tour guides then lead the tourists along predetermined routes looking at (and for) participating cats, whose owners have registered them to participate. Some tourists wear kitty-themed outfits and carry hand signs. The organizers encourage this behavior. This year, there are two guided tours, beginning at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., The first route (the “West Route”) is between Holly and Locust streets, from 22nd to 26th avenues. The second (the “East Route”) stretches from Magnolia to Poplar streets, from 22nd to 26th avenues. The tour is free.
Planning 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 be used to guide decisions that Denver will make for the area for at least the next two decades.
The city has set up a website — at tinyurl.com/NearNortheastPlan — where residents can weigh in with
their priories on subjects such as land use, housing, transportation, parks, recreation and social spaces. Sign up for updates, and submit your questions or comments.
City Park Alliance Golf Tourney
The 6th Annual City Park Alliance Charity Golf Tournament is set for Monday, Sept. 14, at the City Park Golf Course. Start time is 8 a.m. Registration is at this link: city-park-alliance-golf-tournament. perfectgolfevent.com
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
Shana Kirk: sales_shana@greaterparkhill.org
Deadline for submissions is the 15th of every month
Messiah Fall Fest Sept. 26
Save the date — Saturday, Sept. 26 — for Messiah Community Church’s fall festival. The free festival, from 3-6 p.m., will feature music, games and activities for kids, plus autumn treats. Admission is free. Messiah is a progressive Lutheran church at 1750 Colorado Blvd., promoting love, justice, and welcome to all.
Home Tour & Street Fair Sept. 27
This year's Park Hill Home Tour and Street Fair is Sunday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The daylong event includes a ticketed tour of numerous homes in the neighborhood, plus a free street fair with local vendors, live entertainment, kids activities, a sustainability zone, food trucks and a wine & beer tent. parkhillhometour. org. Check page 13 for additional info. ‘I Voted’
Sticker Contest
Calling young artists for democracy!
The Colorado Secretary of State’s office is holding an “I Voted” digital sticker contest. The winning design will be used for the Nov. 3 midterm elections on social and other media. Deadline to submit entries is Sept. 4. The contest is open to all Colorado high school students ages 13 to 18. Artwork submitted must be nonpartisan and original— no stock or borrowed images. Winners will be determined by a vote of the staff of the Colorado Secretary of State’s office. Check out coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/votedSticker/contest.html for all the rules and the form for submitting entries.
Submit your Happenings to editor@greaterparkhill.org. Deadlines are the 15th of the month, for the following month’s issue.
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.
August 2026
The Greater Park Hill News
Park Hill Day of Legends file photos by Cara DeGette.
From the 2024 Park Hill Cat Tour. File photo by Cara DeGette
Light And Bright
Glistening Green Tanagers are brilliant emerald green, with a few patches of bluegray and a spot of orange. Both sexes look alike, although the female’s plumage is a slightly more subdued shade of green. These stunning little birds are found exclusively in Ecuador and Colombia, where this one was spotted. Active and acrobatic, Glistening Green Tanagers often hop around on tree branches and hang upside down, snagging insects from the undersides of foliage. Photo by Mark Silverstein
Hollywood-style sidewalks, like the one shown here, are less than three feet wide. Denver’s current standard calls for at least five feet wide, with an eight-foot hell strip between the sidewalk and the street.
Photo by Cara DeGette
Call The Mayor Already
"Never let the best become the enemy of the good."
Regarding the sidewalk coverage in the June and July issues, the City of Denver seems to have lost sight of what the sidewalk improvements project was actually intended to accomplish. The goal, in most voters’ minds, was to repair and widen existing sidewalks.
Somehow the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) has morphed this into a mandate to make all of Park Hill look like southwest Park Hill. Irrespective of street width or house setbacks, all sidewalks must be 5 feet wide and be separated from the pavement by an 8-foot "tree lawn.” This is bureaucratic overreach. Has DOTI never heard of "grandfathering"?
I would suggest that Park Hill residents not waste their time trying to influence DOTI. Departments like this only follow rules and directions but do not make policy. Ultimately this will be a political decision made by the mayor. So unless you want DOTI to impose a one-size-fits-all cookie cutter solution to the sidewalk in front of your home, you should write, email, and call (all three) the mayor to let him know your opinion. Be respectful, but be firm.
— Guy Wroble, Park Hill
Keep An Open Mind
As an 11-year North Park Hill resident, it has been disheartening to see the swift opposition to the city's sidewalk program in the last two issues. We all love this neighborhood for the proximity to wonderful parks and trails, diverse neighborhood commercial centers and great schools. I have long enjoyed the landscapes cultivated by my neighbors that I could never achieve in my wildest dreams.
These landscapes can come with an extreme trade-off, especially for those of us further north in the neighborhood. I loathe the single-file march my family must make to visit Fairfax Street, pressed up against vehicles with mirrors extended onto the sidewalk, trees and bushes drooped across our path and the occasional entire street inaccessible unless we walk in the street. I greatly appreciate the new attached sidewalks on 29th Street near Fairfax. They are not built to the city standard, but they exist and they are used by many. Clearly, these types of exceptions already exist and will continue to occur all over the city, as there is much work to be done.
In the absence of clear information from the city, it is understandable that people may jump to conclusions reflecting worst-case scenarios. But our community newspaper too often wears its disdain for city leaders on its sleeve. While high skepticism of DOTI is warranted, it is a missed opportunity to not
Turtle Park, at 23rd and Dexter Street, is currently closed for renovations. Denver Parks and Recreation initially advertised it as a $1.4 million project; its website currently shows the cost at $850,000. The park is surrounded by a privacy fence. Through a crack, a new play structure can be seen atop an expanse of artificial turf. As the photo at left shows, an expanse of live grass is also at the park.. Though the city is under Stage 1 drought watering restrictions, the lush green lawn was being watered in the middle of the day on Friday, July 24 — as temperatures climbed into the high 90s. PhotosbyCaraDeGette
Stay Off The Fake Grass
I live in the Montclair neighborhood and am a landscape designer.
I read the Munching On Fake Grass news article in last month’s Greater Park Hill News (online at greaterparkhill.org/news-munching-on-fake-grass). I am vehemently opposed to synthetic turf and was surprised to learn that the Parks and Rec. Department is opting for this material for Turtle Park. This sets a sad precedent for all Denver playgrounds.
I would like Parks and Rec to reconsider their use of synthetic turf and instead have them employ natural wood mulch as their standard.
— Anne Canon, Montclair
share the voices of neighbors who have already benefited from new sidewalks. As someone who has to navigate our inadequate sidewalk network daily, I have to believe there is a way to balance landscaping and a walkable city. I start with an open mind to engage with the city and our community as the sidewalk program is rolled out.
— Matt Wempe, Park Hill
In For A Rough Ride
There have been lots of comments in the vein of “this isn't what we voted for” in discussions of the sidewalk replacement program. There is a great deal of confusion about what was voted for. What did the writers of the measure envision? Did they just not know what would happen? Did they know and not say anything about how their plan would be implemented? Did they consult with DOTI?
Whatever the answer, it's a horrible way to shape public policy and will haunt Denver property owners for years to come. Coupled with DOTI's knack of looking at a problem, complicating that problem, and then making it worse, we are in for a rough ride. Sidewalks need to be safe to use for all. We all know that, but does DOTI's vision of 5, 6 and 8-foot-wide sidewalks accomplish that or make the sidewalk program infinitely more expensive? There needs to be some common sense applied to the process. And it would be nice if DOTI could come up with a plan that would start by putting sidewalks in where there aren't any before retrofitting what is already in place?
— Gary Martyn, Park Hill
Editor’s Note: The June news story, Sidewalk Surprise, details many unanswered questions over the city’s Sidewalk Program. It can be read online at greaterparkhill.org/sidewalk-surprise. The July follow-up, Sidewalk Spill-Out, is online at greaterparkhill.org/newssidewalk-spill-out. Check back next month for more coverage on this topic.
A Real Page-Turner
Thank you for being such an incredible neighborhood organization. I've lived in Park Hill and Mayfair for 20 years and truly appreciate everything you do to keep our community connected and vibrant. I especially love the Greater Park Hill News every month. As a Gen Xer, I still enjoy reading a physical paper cover to cover with an iced tea. It keeps me engaged in a way online newsletters never do. Thank you for creating something so worthwhile!
— Sarah Merrill, Mayfair
Come Get Your Hands Dirty
It’s August, and the City Park gardens look beautiful. More than 50 of us tend the gardens for at least an hour a week, and we still need volunteer gardeners to help keep the flowers and their beds looking lovely. No gardening experience? No problem! If you enjoy being outdoors and want to help keep City Park beautiful, we'd love to have you join us. Our volunteers spend just a couple of hours a week, as their schedules allow, during late spring, summer and early fall. Together, we care for the roses, annuals and perennials (and combinations of both), and we help keep the flowerbeds looking their best. Whether you prefer working alongside others or gardening on your own, there's a place for you. The results of our volunteers' efforts are enjoyed by everyone who visits City Park. Come
dig in, meet new people, enjoy the fresh air, and help make a lasting difference in our community.
To learn more or to join, contact Jackie June at jjdenco5008@gmail.com. We hope to see you in the gardens!
— Sally Kennedy, City Park Adopt-a-Flowerbed organizer Rules Of The Road
I am writing to ask people to please slow down driving around in and through Park Hill. The trucks and cars just fly down side streets. If a child, cat, dog, jogger or walker stepped out in the street, they’d be killed. I just watched a neighbor going at least 35 MPH down Forest Street. Amazon trucks fly!
On a positive note, I’d like to comment how polite and respectful Park Hill drivers often are. When two vehicles are approaching each other on a narrow street with cars parked, we often wait and allow the other car to safely come through. Then that driver waves to say “thank you,” and the other waves back to acknowledge. I don’t see this in the other older neighborhoods.
I love Park Hill. I often say, we live in a small town in the middle of a big city.
— Lynn Maedel, 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.
Long
And Storied History At 4628 E. 23rd Ave.
Last month’s Treasure Hunt graphic illustration featured the building at 4628 E. 23rd Ave. The address, currently home to the Honey Hill Cafe, has been home to many businesses over the years. Those highlighted included Bergland & Mueller Drugs, Daisy’s Dry Goods & Gifts, the Park Hill Pharmacy, Bobby Dazzler bakery, Adagio Bakery & Cafe, and Spinelli’s Bakery & Ice Cream. Other businesses that have called that space home include the garden store of Shop-Rite, Park Hill Thrift Shoppe, the Mattie Springfield School of Dance, a karate studio and The Dancer’s Advantage. Many memories have been made on that corner. — Editor
good wholesale price. He and his dad made the drive to Palisade, filled the car to the roof with boxes of peaches, and hauled the bounty back to Park Hill.
And so, the Park Hill Peach Boys was born.
at the Stanley Marketplace, City Floral, the Edgewater Public Market, and the Cherry Creek Farmer’s Market. He’s hired a Peach Boys pit crew to help handle sales.
SHOP
Visit our booth at the Park Hill Street Fair for vintage Halloween costumes and fall decor
PARK HILL TREASURES
That first summer, Lundt racked up 25,000 steps a day knocking on doors in Park Hill, leaving flyers to advertise his peaches. He sold all his boxes and drove back to the Western Slope for more. He set up a stand in City Park next to the police station, sold peaches … and got kicked out after a week. (He learned the hard way you need a permit to operate in the park.) He set up a roadside stand on Montview near Bellaire; it was an instant hit.
“Park
Hill Peach Boys is built around fresh fruit, responsible choices, and the simple joy of handing a neighbor a perfect peach.”
Since that first summer, Lundt has refined and expanded Peach Boys’ operations. Last year he was selling more peaches, but he didn’t have cold storage — a fairly critical component when you are dealing with fruit that has a relatively short shelf-life.
So he transformed the family’s dining room on Ivy Street into a makeshift cold storage, with clear plastic tacked to the walls and a mobile AC unit keeping things chilly. Dozens of boxes of peaches were stacked to the ceiling. (Yes, Lundt’s mom and dad are good sports. “Really, they’ve always supported me with everything I’ve gotten into,” he says.)
Good Vibrations
This third year, the operation is really humming. Lundt rents a cold storage facility, at I-25 and I-70. He has contracted to have the peaches delivered, saving him from eight-hour round-trip drives to the Western Slope to transport them himself. He’s got several roadside stands up and running around town, including
He’s got a clever logo and a nifty website — parkhillpeachboys.com, which some college buddies helped him get set up. The website lists the various types of peaches that are available, depending on the month. It also includes a section highlighting the company’s values, including a commitment to planet-friendly packaging and carbon-conscious delivery.
“Park Hill Peach Boys is built around fresh fruit, responsible choices, and the simple joy of handing a neighbor a perfect peach.”
In September, when peach season is done, Lundt, now 21, will head back to Washington for his final year of college. He’ll have enough spending money to last him through the school year, plus a little left over. He’s studying environmental science; his dad is an environmental scientist, and he’s thinking that might ultimately suit him as well.
“My parents always tell me I need to get a job to help make the world a better place,” he says. “So I think that I won’t go into geology to become an oil and gas engineer. And I don’t have the personality to be a lawyer.”
After graduation, Lundt plans to return to Park Hill for another tour with the Peach Boys. He may eventually decide to sell the business, but that’s a decision that is probably a few years down the road.
“For now its great to be coming home in the summer, working for myself and making people happy with peaches,” he says. ✦
Turtle Park continued from page 1
The Park Hill Peach Boys handed out 300 peaches at the Park Hill 4th of July Parade. Photo courtesy of Eliot Lundt
Eliot Lundt gets his Western Slope peaches from Clark Family Orchards, and from Mesa Park Fruit. Photo by Cara DeGette
Fighters, To Your Corners
The Matchups Are Set. Get Ready For Some Serious Sparring To The Nov. 3 Final Bell
By Penfield W. Tate III | For the GPHN
The preliminaries are over. It is time for the main events.
Colorado voters have set the stage for the November General Election. Let's take a look at what they did, and anticipate what we may see in the months to come.
Colorado counted 4,024,717 active voters in this primary cycle — with more than twice as many unaffiliated than Democrats and Republicans combined.
The primary turnout was 39 percent statewide — 1,444,265 ballots were cast. The highest percentage turnout was in
Michael Bennet for the Democratic nomination by a 13 percent margin — the size of which shocked many.
Weiser now faces Republican Victor Marx, whose roughly 2,500 vote margin over Barb Kirkmeyer was not settled until nearly a week after the election. Given the personalities of the candidates we saw during the primaries, the Marx–Weiser contest promises to be a raucous one. Marx (victor2026.com) will lean into his conservative base and Weiser (philforcolorado.com) will tout his experience, particularly as Attorney General.
tiny Jackson County, with 59.6 percent (580 total votes). Denver City and County led the way for most votes cast — 178,068. Jefferson County was close behind, with 169,345 ballots returned. What these numbers tell us is that in the Nov. 3 General Election, all of the statewide candidates will be crafting messages for the unaffiliated voters — the people in the middle. The partisan positions needed to win primaries will be subordinated to messages and themes that resonate with a broader audience.
The cast of characters
The statewide race that drew the most attention was for governor. Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated U.S. Sen.
In other statewide races, Democrat Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzales (amandaforcolorado.com) beat former legislator Jessie Danielson for Secretary of State. Many considered that a surprise. Gonzales now faces Republican James Wiley (wileyforcolorado.com), who ran unopposed in the primary. This will be an interesting race to watch, with potentially national overtones and maybe even outside money. She is an experienced election official who worked to help establish many of Colorado’s current election laws and practices. Wiley wants Colorado to return to one day, in-person voting with paper ballots and onsite voter ID. The contrast could not be sharper.
In the race for state Treasurer, Republican Kevin Grantham (citizensforkevingrantham.com), currently a Fremont County Commissioner, will square off against Democrat Jeff Bridges, a state senator (bridgesforcolorado.com.). Both were unopposed in their primaries. This race is difficult to read, as neither did
much campaigning in the primary season.
The Colorado Attorney General race pits Republican Michael Allen, district attorney for El Paso and Teller Counties (michaelallenforcolorado.com), against Jena Griswold, the winner in a four-way Democratic primary (jenaforcolorado. com). Griswold, who is currently Colorado's Secretary of State, captured a stunning 44 percent of the vote — none of her opponents topped 20 percent. Many see this race as a steppingstone for Griswold. It will be interesting to see how she fares against an opponent who is a more experienced attorney and an experienced candidate. This promises to be interesting — if the candidates do not make it too technical.
In CD 1: How and why?
The outcomes of the statewide races will have the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives. But the race everyone is buzzing about is one that drew national attention and television coverage. In Denver’s 1st Congressional District primary, newcomer Melat Kiros (kirosforco.com) stunned the political establishment by defeating 30-year incumbent Diana DeGette in a three-way Democratic primary. And it was not particularly close, a 13-percentage point win. The third candidate, Wanda James, garnered just 7 percent of the vote.
Local and national media are now asking the questions: how and why?
Was this an anti-Trump vote, protesting that DeGette has not done enough to oppose the president? Was it an anti-incumbent vote, saying it was time for her to leave? Was it heralding the ascendence of the Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) movement in Colorado, styled after New York Mayor Zohran
Mamdani? Given Colorado’s history and general political climate, it is probably more of the first two and less of the third. But clearly it was a perfect storm for Kiros.
The backlash to the self-proclaimed DSA candidate has begun. After the primary, Dr. Shimon Blau collected 2,200 signatures in a three-day sprint, in an effort to qualify as an independent candidate to challenge Kiros. Blau’s opposition — a sentiment shared by many in the community — was spurred by alleged antisemitic comments made by Kiros. Blau’s efforts paid off, and he indeed qualified for the ballot.
It will be interesting, to say the least, to see the matchup between Kiros, Blau, and Republican Christy Peterson (christyforamerica.us) in the General Election. Ironically, expect to see tons of outside money pour into Kiros’ campaign — after she charged DeGette with being a big money incumbent.
Denver may be a Democratic stronghold, but expect Peterson to generate some national attention — and money — as she will certainly take aim against what she will try to define as a “communist/socialist” faction. I have a feeling this race will be a doozy and will be fun to watch.
There are plenty more races to talk about in the months to come. The fun is just beginning.
Penfield W. Tate III is an attorney, a frequent panelist on PBS 12 's Colorado Inside Out and a leader of SOS Denver’s 2023 fight to make the former Park Hill Golf Course open space. He represented Park Hill in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1997 to 2000, and in the State Senate from 2001 to February 2003. Penfield and his wife Paulette live in the neighborhood.
Phil Weiser Victor Marx
In the predawn hours of July 11, in Bergen Park near Evergreen, thousands of bicyclists tightened their shoes, filled their water bottles, and made one last stop at the porta-potty before mounting their two-wheeled steeds to begin a 120-mile journey through the central Rockies. Their final destination? Avon, just past Vail.
The Triple Bypass crosses three high mountain passes — Juniper (11,049 feet above sea level), Loveland (11,990 feet), and Vail Pass (10,662 feet) — and requires more than 10,000 vertical feet of climbing to complete.
Park Hill resident Robert Bell, 45, a first-time participant, called the ride a “real Colorado course, a Colorado staple” with beautiful scenery, mountains, and high elevation.
“If you ride a bike, you have to do it at least once,” said Bell, who lives at Fairfax and 18th Avenue.
A former collegiate distance runner,
Bell did more than just complete the course. He finished with the fourthbest time of all the riders – six hours and 52 minutes, averaging more than 17 miles per hour. By comparison, the average fit rider takes between 10 and 11 hours to finish the course.
The Triple Bypass started in 1988 with about 30 riders. This year, 4,100 cyclists participated. The size, and the logistics of moving thousands of cyclists safely through the mountains, requires coordination of hundreds of volunteers.
On the morning of the ride, the Colorado State Patrol closed to automobile traffic both Highway 103, which climbs Juniper Pass, and US Highway 6 over Loveland Pass.
“We have nearly 20 permitting agencies, from the Colorado State Patrol, US Forest Service, local police and county sheriffs, state and county agencies, CDOT to school districts,” said Jennifer Barbour, the CEO and executive direc-
tor of ShiftEvents, which organizes the ride. “It a massive lift to go through four counties and several towns.
“Some folks complain that it’s an inconvenience [to close the passes], but it’s a once-a-year event and for the safety and experience, we wouldn’t host it without closures.”
More than 500 volunteers from two dozen-plus nonprofit groups were enlisted to direct cyclists along the course and to work at the aid stations distributing Rice Crispy treats, pickle juice, Coca-Cola and watermelon slices. The ride even had two different sets of bagpipers entertaining the cyclists as they crossed Juniper and Loveland passes.
“The heat was a bit challenging, but the determination of people from all 50 states continues to amaze me,” Barbour said.
Bell’s training partner, Jordan Sher, 49, who lives in the Crestmoor neighborhood south of Park Hill, has been
cycling for 25 years and has done the “Triple” more than 10 times.
Sher said he finds the ride to be “one of those quintessential Colorado experiences. It’s a perfect summer adventure.” But it is difficult, even for elite-level cyclists. This year, Sher was, as he described it, “on the struggle bus” and was even tempted to quit — especially when his friend Bell “took off like a bolt of lightning and crushed the course.”
Both Bell and Sher have one piece of advice for amateur cyclists hoping to tackle the Triple: Ride your bike.
“You can’t just get on a bike and hope to ride 120 miles at altitude without training,” Bell said. The Park Hillian says he has been riding between 200 and 300 miles a week to prepare for the Triple, as well as the Leadville 100 mountain bike race.
Whether it’s training a hard five hours a week, or a moderate 20 hours, Sher says, “do what’s possible, and you’ll get through it.” ✦
From left, Park Hill’s Robert Bell; riders passing Dillon Reservoir; Jordan Sher; spectacular views on the climb to Loveland Pass.
The Park Hill 4th of July Parade continued its march toward total world domination this year. For the first time, the event — filled with dancers and cyclists, karate-choppers, horses, marching bands, classic cars, politicos and more, was livestreamed on C-SPAN and 9NEWS.
Parade founder Justin Bresler and anchor (and Park Hillian) Kyle Clark emceed, spicing things up with factoids and tidbits about the neighborhood. (Bresler is on the left in the above photo, and Clark is at right. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is in the middle.) For example, a car crash scene in the Bruce Willis flick Die Hard 2 was filmed in 1990 at the corner of 23rd and Dexter. And in 2015, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl stopped into the Cherry Tomato restaurant for a bite.
Bresler and Clark also gave the Greater Park Hill News a nice shoutout (thanks, guys!). In an age when community newspapers are an endangered species, “[having] a strong newspaper that does independent enterprise reporting is really something special,” Clark said.
Photo above by Cara DeGette. Additional photos by Jonathan Phillips
What Is Your Climate Story?
By Tracey MacDermott | For the GPHN
It has been a blistering summer, and we still have hot August to navigate. Denver has imposed water restrictions, and the brown lawns are this season’s latest distinguishing addition to local landscaping.
If you have lived in Colorado all of your life — or even just a few years — you probably have a climate story to tell. Mine is watching the disappearing snowcapped mountains. Over the past few decades, the receding snowpack from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak occurs earlier, almost every year. It is so troubling, and it’s what I notice.
Maybe what bothers you is when your vegetable garden is not thriving as it should, or realizing you must run your air conditioning more frequently to stay comfortable. Hopefully, you are talking about these changes. They are palpable. In your conversations, you might encounter friends and family who still doubt that the climate is changing. However, you have data available at your fingertips that can help back you up.
Sadly, these extremes are becoming our new normal. Climate projections are that the state will continue to become hotter and drier — as well as experiencing hail and torrential rains. Unless we can figure out ways to reverse this, expect more heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and severe flooding.
As depressing as this may be, we need to keep talking about the changes around us. It’s the first step toward collective action. We may not all agree on how we arrived here, but many of us believe we must do something. Find common ground to work on solutions.
The receding snowpack from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak occurs earlier, almost every year.
Noted climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe is a great expert resource for insights, news and actions you can take. Through her newsletter — at katharinehayhoe.com — I learned about a climate website that shows each day how much Denver’s temperature (or anywhere else on the globe) has changed.
In one recent Hayhoe posting, I learned that Reuters had just launched an interactive globe, called Climate Monitor, that shows how much hotter (or colder) current temperatures are compared to what was typical on the same date between 1961 and 1990.
For example, in mid-July — at the time of this writing — Denver was 15.5° F above normal. Denver’s temperatures have broken records this entire year. We reached a whopping 20.5° above normal in March.
Some may claim that these extremes are just an anomaly. After all, this is an El Nino year, meaning warmer and drier conditions can amplify the impact of our weather.
Six years ago, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that since 1978, El Ninos have been forming farther to the west in the Pacific Ocean, where temperatures are warmer. This shift generates greater heat content, which is then transported eastward. The warming in the Pacific is expected to increase, leading to more intense events.
Our city leaders set the policies that determine municipal government’s response in a myriad of ways. Stay engaged in Denver’s planning processes. Demand more green space and green infrastructure for stormwater. Demand that Denver doubles down on expanding the tree canopy in underserved areas — including in parts of Park Hill.
In recent years. Denver has begun installing more rain gardens — including on Colorado Boulevard. This is great news. These rain gardens are depressed basins that are filled with native and low-water plants. They absorb and filter stormwater runoff. We need more of these throughout our neighborhood, particularly in flood-prone areas.
Consider adding a rain garden to your own property, and making other changes. Convert your middle driveway strip of grass to drought-tolerant plants. Make a plan to reduce your square footage of lawn. It will help our pollinators and beautify the neighborhood.
Convert concrete to permeable landscape. That helps increase the ability to absorb rainwater and reduce runoff.
Get creative. We have pushed Earth to the brink, but we do have the tools to tackle this crisis. And yes, it will take all of us.
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
The Drumroll, Please…
The Return Of One Book One Denver: This Year’s Citywide Shared Book To Be Revealed Aug. 7
By Leslie Williams | Pauline Robinson Branch Library
The 2026 One Book One Denver selection will be revealed on Friday, Aug. 7. Beginning that day, copies of the book will be available to check out at all Denver Public Library branch locations. Prefer to read or listen digitally? The eBook and audiobook will also be available through Libby, the free reading app available with a Denver Public
Library card.
One Book One Denver is more than just reading a book. It’s an opportunity to join a citywide conversation. Readers are invited to participate in a variety of programs inspired by the selected title, including the book reveal, community discussions and activities, and a talk by the author.
August Library Programs
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.
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? Drop by to get your questions answered and learn how to use tech more effectively.
Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, Aug. 22, noon-1:30 p.m.
We meet on the fourth Saturday of every month. All are welcome. This month we will discuss Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
PARK HILL BRANCH
Baby Storytimes | Thursdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Whether you attend an event, share your perspective, or simply enjoy the book, you’ll be part of a citywide reading experience that brings people together through the power of stories.
Community-wide reading initiatives have been bringing people together for decades. The first large-scale program, If All of Seattle Read the Same Book, was launched in 1998 by librarian Nancy Pearl at the Seattle Public Library.
Since then, hundreds of communities across the
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their parents or caregivers.
Toddler Storytimes | Fridays, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers.
Death Café | Monday, Aug. 10, 2-3:30 p.m.
Death Café is an international movement that invites people to gather, normalize conversations around death — to make the most of LIFE. This is not a grief support group or counseling session. Respect for all views is a priority.
Laughter Yoga | Wednesday, Aug. 12, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
country have launched similar programs, using the concept of shared reading experiences to spark conversation, build connections, and foster civic engagement. Last year’s One Book One Denver selection was the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Stay True, by Hua Hsu.
Visit the Denver Public Library’s One Book One Denver website to learn more about One Book One Denver, including this year’s featured title, citywide events, and reading resources. The link is at denverlibrary.org/library-lineup/obod.
Enjoy playful laughter exercises interspersed with gentle breathing and stretching. You'll strengthen the immune system, increase tolerance to pain and combat the negative effects of stress. Simple, fun and accessible to people of all fitness levels. Let’s Make Some Coiled Baskets | Wednesday, Aug. 12, 19, 26, Sept. 2, 2-3:30 p.m.
This four-week Wednesday afternoon workshop series introduces the basics of coiled basketry and how it can be used as a drawing tool to create unique basket forms and sculptures. You will learn how to start and finish a basket, how to wrap and attach coils using colorful yarns, and how to create and finish basket forms. Registration required. Sign up at the library or at 720-865-0250. We encourage you to register only
if you can commit to the full fourweek schedule.
No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Read whatever you want, and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.
Level Up Tweens | Tuesday, Aug. 18, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Formally called the Tween & Teen Advisory Board, we meet monthly to share ideas, shape library events and help create a welcoming space for everyone.
Family Book Celebration | Thursday, Aug. 20 4-5 p.m.
Share favorite books and connect with fellow readers. All ages and abilities are welcome. Read the book or books in the series at home, then join us to participate in
fun activities. This month we will be reading and celebrating graphic novels with local graphic novel author and artist Thane Benson, who will lead an interactive writing and drawing workshop. Learn the fundamentals of graphic novel storytelling and create your own one-page graphic novel.
Drag Bingo | Saturday, Aug. 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Join us for a back-to-school BINGO event for all ages, hosted by the dazzling Shirley Delta Blow. Yasss Queen!
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.
Last year’s One Book One Denver selection was Stay True, by Hua Hsu.
My Mind’s On Sept. 27
The Park Hill Home Tour & Street Fair To Feature Five Homes, And
A Multitude Of Volunteer Options
By Colette Carey | Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.
While we sit in these dog days of summer, my mind is firmly set on the end of September: the 27th to be exact. That’s the date we’ve set for the 2026 Park Hill Home Tour and Street Fair.
As I write this, we are working on all the behind-the-scenes infrastructure for the big event, including endless permits, booth sales, sponsorship outreach and more. Home Tour Chair Heidi Cox, along with her team of Mo Phair and Lindsey Cramer, has done an amazing job lining up five beautiful and unique homes that will be featured on this year’s tour. I can’t wait to see them! By the time this issue hits your porch or newsstand, tickets will be on sale, and our seemingly endless quest for volunteers begins.
The scale of the event is large, and we need volunteers who can help set up, take down, and serve as home docents on the day of the tour. Volunteers are also needed for the all-day Street Fair on Forest Parkway at Montview. If you have high schoolers who need volun-
teer hours, helping out at the Street Fair is a great way to rack up some of those hours, while enjoying a fun afternoon among friends and neighbors. As of this writing, we are about halfway to our total goal of booth sales for the Street Fair. If you are looking to showcase your projects, talents, services or goods to hundreds of Park Hill and nearby Denverites, here is your chance.
Register your booth, sign up to volunteer, and snag your Home Tour tickets early, at parkhillhometour.org.
Mark your calendars and please, plan to join us!
Editor’s Note: Check out next month’s issue for a sneak peek into the five homes that will be featured in the Park Hill Home Tour, plus retail spots where you can buy tickets. Also next month: additional details about the Street Fair, including day-of information about the event.
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 303-388-0918 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
• At Large Shane Sutherland
• Blessed Sacrament Betsy Boudreau
• Park Hill UMC Jacqui Shumway
Barnstorming Over Park Hill
Barnstorming — in which stunt pilots perform loop-the-loops and acrobatic stunts like the one shown here — gained popularity during the Roaring 20s.
During the post-World War I era, flying circuses were all the rage after thousands of surplus biplanes (called Jennys) were sold at bargain prices to private owners, helping to awaken America to civil aviation. Charles Lindbergh reportedly got his start as a barnstormer, and some of the most famous daredevils were women, including Katherine Stinson and Bessie Coleman, an African-American woman who also fought segregation.
This photo of a daring air feat was taken around the time when Colorado was marking its 50th birthday as a state. The airplane is flying over Treat Hall at the former Colorado Women’s College (later Johnson & Wales, now the Mosaic Community Campus), in the southeast corner of Park Hill. The view is to the southeast, showing Park Hill in the foreground. Montclair and Aurora are beyond, with plenty of wide-open prairie land.
“Oneida Street and Montview are evident, as well as the historic residences,” notes Park Hill architect Marc Applebaum. “St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Stanley School can be seen at 13th and Quebec.”
A century later, as Colorado readies to celebrate its 150th year as a state, the landscape has changed dramatically — a stark reminder of the ramped up development that continues its onward march. Photo credit: The Tom Noel Collection
TREASURE HUNT ]
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.
[ GPHN CLASSIFIEDS ]
CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
Reading Volunteers needed to share reading with students in kindergarten through 6th grade during school hours. One hour a week. Books and ongoing training provided. Contact: Pil2011@partnersinliteracy.org
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
Masonry Services — Brick, Stone, Concrete repairs, restoration, tuckpointing, chimneys, retaining walls, city sidewalks; planter boxes. 303-907-9223/ skmehaffey@gmail.com
PAINTING
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 experience. Mr. Chimney and Home Masonry Repair. Call Chuck Bahnsen 303-948-7999
VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES
We eulogize people—in our words. Why not capture their stories—in their words. As a TV journalist, I interview and create personal video documentaries and life achievement videos for families and businesses. Life Story Films. 303-829-9200. vimeo.com/ markherlinger/lifestories WINDOWS
Complete wood window restoration. Custom wood storm windows and screens. General painting, restoration and handyman services for your charming old home. Contact Matt 479-871-8140
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
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.
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 for updates.
Park Hill Community Bookstore
Established in 1971. Denver’s oldest nonprofit bookstore. Used and new books. 4620 E. 23rd Avenue. 303-3558508. Members and volunteers get discounts and book credits. Check parkhillbookstore.org for hours of operation.
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.
Submit your neighborhood events and resources to editor@greaterparkhill.org Deadlines are the 15th of the month, for the following month’s issue.
Out With The Old Where To Recycle Worn, Torn And Stained Clothing
By Mark Kuhl | For the GPHN
Many outfits will gladly take your lightly worn clothing for resale in thrift shops, but only a few will also take worn-out clothing and textiles to be recycled.
The clothing company H&M has a few stores nearby (downtown, Cherry Creek and Northfield) that accept any textiles you have, in good shape or not. Head to an H&M and drop the rejects in a garment collecting box, which is usually next to the cashier, and you’ll be rewarded with a voucher for store discounts.
In addition, Madewell in Cherry Creek will take denim jeans in any shape — and will thank you with a voucher for $20 off a new pair of Madewell jeans.
If it’s inconvenient to drop off your worn clothing, you can purchase bags from RETOLD (retoldrecycling.com). Fill them and ship them back for reuse and recycling. Finally, if you subscribe to Ridwell, their “Threads” program will pick up used and worn-out textiles.
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.
Kidneys Filter For Life
Improved Tests Help Detect Serious
Problems Earlier
By Margot K. Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ | For the GPHN
Mammals’ body systems are amazing – they are integrated to create such a symphony of functions.
Two little bean-shaped organs, the kidneys, are among the most important and resilient, but aging and other insults are not kind to them over time. For our pets, we know that one in 10 dogs, and three in 10 cats, will develop chronic kidney disease in their lifetime, shortening their time with us.
Kidneys filter blood to process out protein waste products and excrete them into the urine. They balance body water and maintain proper levels of certain electrolytes, salts and acids that allow cells to function properly throughout the body. They also manufacture three essential hormones:
1. Erythropoietin: Stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.
2. Renin: Regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.
3. Calcitriol: The active form of vitamin D, which helps absorb calcium to keep bones strong.
Kidneys are primarily a collection of tiny filtration units called nephrons, roughly 1.3 million per organ. Very simplistically, each nephron has areas that are extraction filters for blood that pull water and waste products out. Vital nutrients and water are reabsorbed back into the blood. Over time, many things can cause either acute or chronic injury to a nephron until it no longer can do its work. We cannot see those changes in laboratory values until greater than 50 percent of function is compromised. When we start to see slow value changes for measures in the blood and urine, we call it chronic kidney disease.
Disease can manifest in many forms, including infection, obstructions, cancer, kidney stones and more. The loss of nephrons is typically undetected over time because those that remain can become “super”
nephrons and carry a huge workload. Until 10 years ago, we could only detect changes in the primary renal biomarker, creatinine, when kidneys were functioning at only 25 to 33 percent of their capacity.
IDEXX, the largest global veterinary laboratory system, added two new tests in the past several years that measure changes in glomerular filtration rate and detecting injury within the nephrons. This allows us to detect serious problems much earlier — which is great news for owners and pets.
So, what does it look like if your cat or dog is developing kidney disease? The symptoms can be quiet and subtle — or big and dramatic, and can include:
• Weight loss
• Decreased energy
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Increased water consumption with increased urination
• Bad breath with a chemical odor What can be done preventatively?
The biggest step in prevention is regular veterinary examinations, especially as your cat or dog gets older. We recommend that senior pets be seen every six months, with at least annual testing of blood and urine.
The new screening diagnostics can trend the changes in kidney function and allow us to stage the degree of disease present. We can see changes — such as anemia or infection — in the complete blood count. Collecting a urine sample is also essential for screening for infectious issues and for monitoring the functioning of the kidneys.
The best news: Once diagnosed, there is much that can help slow chronic kidney changes to maintain a good quality of life.
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St.
Shimmer And Strut
Sunflower Seed Fruit Flies, along with other types of fruit flies, are often called Peacock Flies because of their beautifully-patterned, smoky-colored wings. At all of 1/4-inch long, these fruit flies are relatively large — as fruit flies go. They develop in the seed heads of sunflower plants, and they bore into their stalks. But they aren’t considered serious pests, and usually cause only minor damage. This fruit fly was photographed at Bluff Lake, east of Park Hill, by Mark Silverstein.
