Sunnyside residents Shawn and Ben Johnson received wide-spread support for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to house Shawn’s disabled mom, until they faced the Board of Adjustment for Zoning Appeals (BOA). After three unsuccessful hearings before the BOA, the Johnsons are making their case public, … Continue Reading about North Denver Couple Denied Zoning Variance to House Disabled Mom: Subjectivity and Bias on Denver’s Board of Adjustment for Zoning Enters Public Spotlight
Main Content
Politics
City Council Adopts Program Requiring Landlords to Get Licensed: Many property owners leasing units will have to apply starting next year
Denver City Council President Stacie Gilmore frequently referenced a rental home in Green Valley Ranch that had multiple problems, such as mold and exposed wiring, which took seven months to fix. This is an example, she said, of why the city needs to require landlords to apply for licenses, so … Continue Reading about City Council Adopts Program Requiring Landlords to Get Licensed: Many property owners leasing units will have to apply starting next year
Community
Regis University To Host “Safe Outdoor Space” Site for Up to 60 Individuals and Couples
For Regis University, providing emergency housing for people experiencing homelessness is part of their mission as Jesuit Catholics and a service they can provide as a major landowner in North Denver. “Ours is a faith that does justice, a faith that calls on us to commit ourselves to combat … Continue Reading about Regis University To Host “Safe Outdoor Space” Site for Up to 60 Individuals and Couples
The Spirit of Phil Goodstein Continues: Longtime Historian Says He Would Like Apprentice to Help with Tours
Animatedly recalling the story of Denver’s own “Spiderman” or giving tours about the “ghosts” that dwell in the Mile High City, Phil Goodstein has extensive knowledge of all of them. Goodstein has been giving history tours since 1986. He has written more than 25 books about the city’s past and … Continue Reading about The Spirit of Phil Goodstein Continues: Longtime Historian Says He Would Like Apprentice to Help with Tours
West Area Plan Nears Final Stages, City Seeks More Community Input
Started in 2019, The West Area Plan is nearing its final stages and city planners are again looking for residents to give input on the future of their community. These plans encompass several neighborhoods and allow the city to look at aspects ranging from housing to transportation, to environmental … Continue Reading about West Area Plan Nears Final Stages, City Seeks More Community Input
Senior Assistance Center Helping North Denver Elders for 40 Years
Started in 1981, the Senior Assistance Center has helped Denver residents 55 and up get basic necessities, stay in their homes, chart their financial futures, and connect with their community. Forty years later, the staff has changed but the mission is the same: helping seniors in North Denver and … Continue Reading about Senior Assistance Center Helping North Denver Elders for 40 Years
May 2021 News Shorts
Tennis Court Improvements at Sloan’s Lake Anyone who has played on Sloan’s Lake tennis courts can attest that they need repairs: the courts on both the North and South sides of the lake show significant wear and several residents reached out to The Denver North Star asking us to look into the … Continue Reading about May 2021 News Shorts
Public Safety
It’s Not Your Ears. Gunshots in North Denver Have Increased
DPD ShotSpotter Alerts Rose More Than 470% in 2020 Compared to 2017 To the untrained ear, hearing the difference between the sounds of a car backfiring, fireworks going off, and gunshots can be … [Read More...] about It’s Not Your Ears. Gunshots in North Denver Have Increased
Education
Denver North Soccer Program Overcomes Adversity During Trying Season
The Denver North High School Vikings Men’s Soccer team came up just short in their quest for the first state championship in program history. Fifth ranked North lost 1-0 to No. 2 Windsor in the 4A title game on a goal with 17 minutes remaining in regulation last Sunday. “We started off the game very […]
Community, Electeds Meet About Future of Colfax Elementary and Smaller Schools
In 2016, Colfax Elementary’s enrollment was 319 students. This year, it’s 248, a decrease of over 22%. Concerns about the drop prompted the West Colfax Association of Neighbors (WeCan) to organize a discussion not just about Colfax, but the future of other smaller schools as well. Parents, community members, teachers, Denver School Board member Brad […]
DPS Announces Three Finalists for Superintendent
Denver Public Schools’ superintendent search is nearing completion, with three finalists announced earlier this month. 85 applicants applied for the position. Following the announcement last November that Susana Cordova was stepping down to take a position in Texas, the district hired an independent search firm to assist in the process. The three finalists (biographies and […]
DPS Students Advocate For More Influence In Their Education
A group of students from across the city have created a Student Bill of Rights of “Student Visions, Rights, Rules and Desires,” presenting to the DPS Board of Education on April 22nd. While students who spoke came from different schools and backgrounds, the message from across the district was clear: students feel like they need […]
Regis University Graduates Celebrate Milestone
During a school year where most interaction was confined to Zoom calls, graduates at Regis University came together one final time on a sunny, warm, Saturday afternoon to celebrate commencement. Although the ongoing pandemic made the celebration bittersweet, they still were able to find gratification in their accomplishments. When Veronica Valenzuela enrolled in Regis’s MBA […]
Arts and Culture
Smiley Branch Library Welcomes Back Customers after Renovation
After over a year of being closed to the public, Denver Public Library’s Smiley Branch Library looks forward to opening its doors again in late April. While access will initially be in a limited … [Read More...] about Smiley Branch Library Welcomes Back Customers after Renovation
Dining
Sunnyside Salsa Maker Talks Chilis, North Denver Murals
For Nick Sandoval, his salsa is about “flavor, balance, and heritage.” Sandoval grew up near 43rd and Clay, where his mother still lives. His wife grew up across the street from La Raza Park. “I’m a northsider … Continue Reading about Sunnyside Salsa Maker Talks Chilis, North Denver Murals
Transportation
After Two Fatal Crashes, Residents Call for Safety Improvements to Neighborhood Streets
Two recent fatal high speed car crashes at 32nd Avenue and Lowell, and at 26th Avenue and Vrain St. have had residents calling for safety improvements to neighborhood streets. City of Denver … [Read More...] about After Two Fatal Crashes, Residents Call for Safety Improvements to Neighborhood Streets
I-70 Sound Wall Improvements to Come This Fall: CDOT has enough to repair Tennyson to Lowell, rest of funding in question
If a fence falls along I-70, does it create a sound? Residents who live along the corridor say it certainly does, as the roaring of engines and freighter traffic is amplified without a sufficient … [Read More...] about I-70 Sound Wall Improvements to Come This Fall: CDOT has enough to repair Tennyson to Lowell, rest of funding in question
Health & Wellness
The One and Only Way to Return to Open
If you have read my column before, you know that I am dogmatically firm on the one single best sort of exercise, diet, and wellness practice that each and every human ought to be pursuing. There is no … Continue Reading about The One and Only Way to Return to Open
Welcome to The Gray Zone
Spring into Action: Focus on Fun and a Little Preparation
Denver Recreation Centers began a gradual reopening process on May 3, which means the Active Older Adults (AOA) program is also springing back into action. In North Denver this means classes and … Continue Reading about Spring into Action: Focus on Fun and a Little Preparation
what to read
Checking Out: Queen City
The ever-changing nature of Denver is a well-worn topic of conversation – anyone who has spent any time in this storied city has more than likely picked up some observations regarding Old Denver and … Continue Reading about Checking Out: Queen City
Views on Parenting
Michelangelo Was Rich
Many of us always assumed even great artists like Michelangelo lived a frugal, typical existence of the cliche starving artist. If the real story of Michelangelo had been common knowledge, solid … Continue Reading about Michelangelo Was Rich
Shaping Our Future by Remembering Our Past
China, Culture, Pianos, and the Bosler House
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recently raised concerns about China and its aggressive attitude toward the world. Everyone is predicting China is going to beat the USA on all fronts this year. I … Continue Reading about China, Culture, Pianos, and the Bosler House
Student Voices
AAPI Community Needs Proactive Community to Stop Hate
From the The Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance: Dear North community, Following the recent attack on several spas in Georgia that resulted in the deaths of eight people, six of whom were Asian American women, it is necessary to address and condemn this kind of hate. Although the government and media do not want to […]
Guest Opinion and Letters to the Editor
CU Denver Positioned to Lead
America’s higher education ecosystem faces many challenges. Declining state support, changing enrollment demographics, and increasing costs comprise the abyss into which many higher education leaders stare. Yet, America’s popular understanding of what it means to go to college is deeply mistaken, confusing the debate on how to move things forward and where to invest limited […]
Rental Registration is Meaningful, Positive Step Forward for City
By now you may have read that long term rental units in the city will be registered and required to have periodic safety inspections. If not, check out Eric Heinz’s writeup. While no legislation is perfect, this program is a meaningful step forward both to help the city address our housing crisis and to protect […]
May 2021 Letter to the Editor
I want to thank Councilwoman Sandoval for her comments in the article on ending the sale of flavored tobacco products in Denver. Her leadership is much appreciated. Flavored tobacco products are designed to draw in young people to a lifetime of addiction to nicotine. This is the business model of the tobacco industry. Addict people […]