Author: Janna Goodwin

Facebook Livecast of the March 20 Mayoral Candidate Forum here

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These candidates are on the 2019 ballot: Lisa Calderón Jamie Giellis Michael Hancock Kalyn Rose Heffernan Chairman Seku Penfield Tate The following candidate did not submit the required signatures to appear on the ballot but can still collect write-in votes: Kenneth Simpson All of the above appeared at the March 20 Mayoral Candidate Forum at Denver’s Manual High School auditorium. Here are the questions that were posed: What might you say to developers who propose projects that could bring in significant short-term money, but might not align with the long-term vision and needs of the City? What will you do to ensure that Denver’s neighborhoods remain in-tact during this time of growth? What is your plan for addressing the City’s transportation challenges, including increasing access to affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly alternative transportation throughout the City? What specific policies would you advocate for to prevent displacement of longtime residents and small businesses as demographics change and property values increase? Denver’s recycling rate is significantly below the national average: What can the City do to address better recycling, composting, and trash collection? What are your views about crime in Central Denver, and how do you propose to keep our neighborhoods safe? What is your commitment to ending veteran and chronic homelessness in our community? Do you believe that is possible? The Facebook Live video of the event can be (somewhat seen– poor lighting– and easily heard) HERE. Thanks to all who participated!  

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Notes from Wed. Feb. 20 police/crime meeting

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At tonight’s City Park West Neighborhood Association meeting (Russell Pavilion, St. Joseph’s Hospital) twenty-five neighbors joined board members, Community Resource Officer Austen Munson and Lt. Tony Gallowa for a conversation about crime in the area. Officer Munson said that crime activity is up 60% (property crime) and 30% (people crime). One noted recent pattern is that someone will meet a buyer for a cell phone (a CraigsList transaction) and be attacked and robbed. Officers suggest any such exchanges happening at the police department: if you do a CraigsList exchange of property for money, do so even in the lobby of the PD. Concerns were voiced about increased activity, especially gunshots overheard, but also collections of bicycles chained to property around homeless encampments. Citizens can take photos of the bike caches and send to the police. (Also: make sure your own bike has a VIN number and that you know it). Officer Munson said to call 3-1-1 for non-urgent concerns. For urgent concerns (emergencies) call 9-1-1. Mainly people seem to want more information about the nature of criminal activities and what kind of follow-up is happening; the officers point out that ongoing investigations can’t be discussed in any detail. Community Advisory Meetings: Third Thursday mornings of every month at 10 a.m. the Commander at District 6 holds a monthly Community Advisory Meeting for neighbors to address specific concerns. Location is 1566 Washington. A technology called ShotSpotter is in use by DPD. ShotSpotter can “hear” the difference between shots and fireworks and can pinpoint to within 15 feet the location of the shot. Denver Police are on Twitter @DenverPolice. The Community Crime map is useful: www.communitycrimemap.com People wondered about what signs to look for to better understand what kinds of activity are happening in their neighborhood (e.g. gangs) but the officers said there’s not a particular sign to look for—just increased suspicious activity. Call it in. One participant disagreed that increased police presence has increased in neighborhoods where gunshots and drug deals are frequent (specifically the 22nd Street area). She is out in the neighborhood a lot, and doesn’t see police officers. District 6 phone: 720-913-2800 Community Resource Officer Austen Munson: 720-913-2906

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Crime and policing City Park West: February 20, Russell Pavilion, Mary Brewer room

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City Park West neighbors welcome a conversation with the Denver Police Department immediately following the monthly CPW neighborhood association monthly meeting. Austen Munson, the Community Resources officer from District 6, will join us. Officer Munson will not comment upon specific ongoing investigations, but can fill us in on neighborhood crime statistics, activities, responses and resources. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 6:45 p.m., Russell Pavilion (Part of St. Joseph’s hospital, this building sits on between 18th and 20th streets on the West side of Humboldt Street). Mary Brewer Conference Room  

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Season’s Greetings and updates

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The City Park West RNO met November 19th. Topics were the RNO’s immediate concerns (establishing and publicizing a regular meeting time and place TBD, identifying all current, active board members as part of updating our website; filing for 501C3 status). We also reviewed ongoing local issues and questions and considered our role in facilitating community communication. We set a loose agenda for our first meeting of 2019 (to be held January 16, 6-7 p.m. at the Vine Street Pub, 1700 Vine St, Denver, CO 80206. As the organization is still relatively new, your board is working hard to establish structural foundations while we begin advocating for more frequent and participatory community conversations and stronger relationships among residents, organizations and businesses and our city representatives. We wish you Happy Holidays, however you may choose to celebrate and spend these (surprisingly balmy) winter weeks ahead.

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September updates

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IMG_1443September, 2018

Greetings! The CPW RNO board met at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at Thin Man/St. Mark’s Coffeehouse. In attendance were Mike Fatica, Janna Goodwin, Jo Untiedt, Allison Osborn, Patricia Chapman, Brendan Cady and Alyssa Knutson.

Part of the discussion concerned the RNO itself, which is renewing its membership, reviewing its structure and status…and finding its legs. Key questions involve incorporation (or not), fiscal management and neighborhood/member representation in related, City-wide organizations and initiatives.

CPW President Mike Fatica and Board Member Jo Unteidt recently met with District 9 Councilman Albus Brooks, who (among other things) advised participation by CPW/RNO members in Inter Neighborhood Cooperation (INC).

  • INC represents 20 RNOs and can strengthen our neighborhood’s communication with the City. We do not currently have representation on that body. They meet on the second Saturday each month.

Councilman Brooks also recommended that CPW encourage neighbors to familiarize themselves with Denveright and the Sherman Street proposed rezoning/development (and its impact the corridor on Sherman from Colfax to 20th Street)– and to get involved.

  • CPW/RNO will plan a community meeting to discuss the proposed rezoning and development (TBA, in October; watch for info on Facebook and for a flyer in your mailbox).

Other topics included a follow-up on a Denver Post story about the mitigation of groundwater concerns at the site of the City Park Golf Course project.

  • A letter to the CPW RNO from Director of Public Information Nancy Kuhn, Denver Public Works, confirmed that testing at the site revealed levels of manganese in groundwater that were below allowed levels for drinking water but higher than allowed for release into storm sewers (so the water is now being filtered). Low levels of uranium were found which did not exceed allowable levels for drinking water or for filtration, so the only filtering being done is for manganese. No information contradicted that which was reported in the Denver Post article and there appears to be no cause for concern.

Topics the board has not entered into in-depth but which have been on the table included:

  • The I-70 redevelopment impact on York St and the surrounding areas—how traffic has been negatively impacted, and also the noise variance.
  • The proposed redesign of the Dustin Redd playground in City Park

Want to find out more? Contact us HERE!