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Intimate dining is not entirely new to Denver. Chefs counters and micro-restaurants (like Cart-Driver and Work & Class) have pushed Mile High patrons to get cozy. But Beckon, the sister restaurant to Call opening this week on RiNo’s Larimer Street, is not only exceptionally tiny — it only seats 17 people — it’s also requiring a lot of trust from its diners.
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Everything is done a little bit different inside this 900-square-foot former home. Instead of two-tops, there’s only one large rectangular chef’s counter. Here, guests are seated along its three sides in the shape of a giant staple, forcing all eyes to be riveted towards the middle of the room. Within the center space, chefs dance between one another while plating, cooking and preparing nearly all of the food — only a small dish pit is left out of sight. Waiters hug the periphery, only interjecting to pour a glass of wine, fold a napkin or answer a question. The whole coordinated effort feels less like restaurant dining and more like a formal dinner party meets performance art. It makes sense that reservations are called “tickets,” with a pre-determined cost ($95 for the eight-course meal, with an additional $65 for a wine or beer/cider pairing). Additionally, the structure of the nightly service feels very theater-influenced as it only has two seatings — one at 5:30 p.m. and the other at 8 p.m.
Beyond the synchronization of the evening, the drama of the meal naturally comes from the food — which is only revealed to you plate by plate. No menu, beyond that of an a la carte drink list, is available until the very end of the meal. (People with allergies and restrictions fear not — you can make any dietary needs known when you book your ticket).
“We’re doing something that’s not being done in Denver,” said co-owner Craig Lieberman, who is also the owner of the next-door cracker company 34 Degrees. “But we don’t want to take ourselves too seriously, we still want it to be approachable — we are in RiNo.”
The vibe of the neighborhood does seep in — mainly on the walls where you’ll find a mural by local artists Sandra Fettingis. The black paint laced with stencil work makes the room feel both charred and raw — giving it just enough edge to feel at home in the artsy neighborhood. This can’t be said of the food which, due to the Scandinavian influences of executive chef Duncan Holmes, is still unseen in RiNo.
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Holmes, an alum of the award-winning Frasca, brings his love for high-quality ingredients with precise execution to the small space. In partnership with director of experience, Allison Anderson (also from Frasca) and Mercantile’s former sommelier Zach Byers, the trio create an elegantly simple experience that is at times decadent and complex in its own delicate way. Take the bread, for instance. At first, it tastes like nothing more than a delicious house made whole wheat. But after a while, you’ll recognize something so oddly familiar about it that it’ll either hit you right away or drive you mad trying to place it. For those of us who grew up around aspen trees, you’re likely to be the former as the flour is made from the bark of the iconic Colorado tree and gives it a literal woodsy taste.
Nothing was quite as magically revealing as the bread — but there were plenty of dishes that were equally as satisfying. Both the creamy polenta with white truffles and hazelnuts and the langoustine in a foamy butter sauce made that category whereas the whole roasted Squab dressed in a chocolate lingonberry compote and the coffee roasted chicory had me analyzing every note. Even the dessert left us guessing (later we found out the floral notes came from a thinly sliced raw piece of a fruit called a Buddha’s Hand).
Like any good performance, the night was full of surprises — even though at times they were subtle. The attentive staff and expert-paired wine kept the pace of your typical high-end meal but the intimate atmosphere made it feel just that much more special. And much like its sister and next-door neighbor — Call — Beckon is bringing something new to the dining scene. But even if the restaurant is pushing some pre-conceived notions of what it means to eat out in Denver — their attention to detail and hospitality show that they are going to take your trust with great care.
Beckon is located at 2843 Larimer St. Denver and opens Wednesday, November 21. Tickets are available for purchase here.
All photography by Brittany Werges, unless otherwise noted.
Beckon Combines Dining with Performance Art at Tiny 17-Seat, Ticketed Restaurant Intimate dining is not entirely new to Denver. Chefs counters and micro-restaurants (like Cart-Driver and Work & Class) have pushed Mile High patrons to get cozy.
#303 Magazine#Allison Anderson#Beckon#Beckon Denver#Brittany Werges#Call Denver#Chefs Counter Denver#Duncan Holmes#kyle cooper photography#Private Dining Denver#Scandinavian Denver#Ticketed Dinner Denver#Zach Byers
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"Dior: From Paris to the World" exhibition at the Denver Art Museum, from 19 November 2018 to 03 March 2019. Christian Dior Haute Couture by John Galliano, Spring 1997 collection. Photo credit: Brittany Werges/303magazine
#Dior#John Galliano#Galliano#Christian Dior#Christian Dior by John Galliano#John Galliano for Dior#fashion#haute couture#couture ss97#fashion exhibition#exhibition#dior exhibition#Dior: From Paris to the World#Denver Art Museum#fashion photography
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Author Armani Lee - 303 Magazine
Author Armani Lee
303 Magazine
Armani Lee and Brittany Werges. November 5, 2018. Denver Fashion Week (DFW) presented by Mile High Luxury Real Estate has begun. At a brand new location, the first day kicked off yesterday inside Lumenati Productions with the Children's and Teen ...
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Here’s What Denver is Doing to Achieve its 2020 Recycling Goal
Denver is lousy when it comes to recycling.
Compared to its peer cities such as Seattle, Washington, and Austin, Texas, Colorado’s capital recycles less than half of what they do, according to a 2016 report by Eco-Cycle. And if you look at the entire nation as a whole, Denver residents recycle 14 percent less of their overall waste than the national average.
There are multiple reasons for why this perceived “green” city is so bad at maintaining that reputation. For one, Denver residents are not afforded convenient and consistent recycling and composting services. The city does not require apartment complexes with seven or more units to provide recycling carts to its residents — and most don’t. This leaves a large portion of Denver’s population with two options for disposing of their waste — either bag up all of their recycles with their trash and just throw them away or drive their recycles to a drop-off center.
Also, not all businesses in Denver are required to recycle, and for those that do, there isn’t much being done to track that data. That’s huge considering Denver businesses generate around 55 percent of the city’s municipal waste, according to a report from the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) and Eco-Cycle.
Since the alarming report was published, Denver has started to take initiatives toward making the city more environmentally sustainable. As a result, Colorado adopted its first set of statewide recycling goals. Prior to that, Colorado was one of only 12 states that did not have such goals. Even so, Mayor Hancock’s goal to increase Denver’s recycling and composting rate to 34 percent by 2020 seems far-reaching considering where the city currently ranks in its recycling practices. In 2015, Denver recycled only 18 percent of its waste. The city made a two percent jump the following year, which means that rate of growth will need to increase if there is any hope of reaching 34 percent by 2020.
Photo courtesy of Denver Recycles on Facebook.
Last November, Denver expanded its compost routes, making every neighborhood in Denver eligible to receive composting services. That doesn’t mean that every household in the city is already taking advantage of them, though. There are about 176,000 households in Denver that are eligible to participate in the city’s composting program, but only about 12,000 of them actually do, according to Denver Public Works. It seems that although Denver’s Solid Waste Management added six new compost routes in 2017, which now allows every neighborhood to be eligible to receive their services, the quarterly price of $29.25 could discourage people from using them when curbside trash disposal and recycling services are now “free” (figured into their taxes and not fee-based). According to Charlotte Pitt, the manager at Denver Recycles, there is a lack of education and incentives that propel the disparity of those who recycle and compost and those who don’t.
“Currently, about 50 percent of what Denver homes throw away is organic material that could be composted,” she said.
This creates a huge opportunity for Denver to become a sustainability leader, but that’s only going to happen if the city is able to educate and incentivize its residents to recycle and compost. Denver Public Works (DPW) and Denver Recycles are diligently working to push educational initiatives to teach people about the importance of diverting their waste.
“Composting is critical to working towards zero waste, and that’s why DPW is so focused on growing this program,” said Pitt.
In a city that is seeing an increase in the number of apartment complexes being built to accommodate the rise in housing demand, this is a major area of focus for government officials working toward Mayor Hancock’s 2020 sustainability goals.
It’s important to note that Denver is not currently battling a landfill space crisis, which has in other states caused a shift toward an increase in better waste diversion practices. Residents haven’t been met with the stark news that their landfills are full…yet. So they are completely removed from the grim reality that improper waste disposal is having on the environment in which they live.
Photo courtesy of Denver Recycles on Facebook.
In late summer of 2018, DPW will launch a new program to make it more convenient for Denver residents to recycle. Homes that are not already subscribed to the city’s no-fee, opt-in recycling program will automatically be delivered recycling carts that they can fill up and leave at the curb for pickup. Denver Recycles and Solid Waste Management will deliver the carts to homes with less than seven units. And then DPW and The Recycling Partnership, a national recycling non-profit that works to improve residential recycling, will offer them educational crash courses on how to divert more of their waste into the recycling bin and why it is so important to do so. DPW found that many residents who do recycle aren’t actually recycling everything that they can from their overall waste.
What makes it particularly difficult to increase Denver’s household recycling rate is that non-composting/recycling disposal of household waste in Denver is very inexpensive. The city collects over 256,000 tons of trash at Denver homes each year, and roughly half of that is organic material that could be composted, according to the City and County of Denver. It seems people would rather forego the city’s composting fees and just dispose of all their waste in the landfill because it’s cheap and easy.
Something the city has been talking about for a few years now but has yet to implement is a “pay as you throw” trash service. That means the more trash you throw away, the higher your bill will be. Recycling and composting rates would be offered at more attractive rates, which would encourage people to divert their waste away from the landfill. Pitt from Denver Recycles didn’t say that the city is still considering this option as they move into their 2019 budget, but she did say that other cities who have implemented it have seen increased diversion rates.
Zero Waste Market. Photo by Brittany Werges.
While the government and the city are working to better Denver’s recycling and composting practices to achieve a 34 percent recycling rate by 2020, there is still more that needs to be done if the city wants to meet that diversion rate. Some local businesses are aware of that and are starting to tackle the issue themselves by encouraging their customers to contribute to landfill diversion. Places like Zero Market, which is Denver’s first zero waste market, sell a wide variety of bulk ingredients to customers who bring their own containers to refill. Some food halls in Denver are also leading the charge by encouraging Denver residents to change they way they dispose of their waste. Places like Zeppelin Station and Stanley Marketplace all have a good reputation when it comes to their recycling and composting practices. And if you happen to stop into an Illegal Pete’s in Denver, you will now be served with 100 percent recyclable and compostable products.
“Working with Eco-Products out of Boulder we have replaced all of our service items with either recyclable or compostable products,” said Illegal Pete’s chief operating officer, Dan Klehm. “We will be continuing to look for additional opportunities to reduce our waste in our kitchens and through better restaurant design. We are hopeful that our industry can continue to lead positive change by demonstrating responsible business practices.”
Recently, Eco-Cycle crafted a letter addressed to Mayor Hancock for Denver residents to sign that pushes for better recycling opportunities and resources. It urges him to “make composting a top priority” in his 2019 budget and allocate funds to offer recycling services to all Denver households and reward those households that reduce their waste by recycling and composting.
So how can the city of Denver further incentivize proper waste diversion practices for its residents? According to Pitt from Denver Recycles, Denver could benefit from taking notes from other cities that do practice effective waste diversion.
“Communities that have aggressive zero-waste goals typically use an array of tools for capturing the low hanging fruit to getting down to the nitty gritty for last few percentage points,” she said.
She offered six “industry best practices” that Denver could use to make recycling and composting appealing and accessible to its residents. They are listed below.
1. Provide access to easy to use services.
2. Educate residents about effective waste diversion practices.
3. Implement utility-style fees for services, or “pay as you use” fees.
4. Create mandatory recycling, whereby fines are given if recyclables are found in the trash.
5. Enact disposal bans at the state level.
6. Draft producer responsibility programs which would include fees and take backs.
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Overall, a lot needs to be done to achieve the Denver 2020 goal. And while the city needs to create more incentives for the population at large, all Denver citizens and private businesses can take up the charge on their own to help reduce our collective waste. To get you started, check out the city’s website or go here for some more tips.
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Yo-Yo Ma is arguably the most famous modern classical musician (although we doubt many would argue with us). The French-born, Chinese American cellist gained a name for himself first through his incredible musical talent. But more recently his humanitarian efforts have become equally impressive. Named a UN Peace Ambassador back in 2006, Ma has since lived up to his title by combining his passions on his recent tour.
For his stop in Denver, Ma not only played a historic Red Rocks show — but also partnered up with the Governor’s office to create a day of discussion throughout the city to talk about refugee integration, food security, homelessness, urban growth and displacement. His Denver visit marks the start of a two-year social impact initiative for Ma in conjunction with his tour. Along with his day of discussion, Ma stopped at Youth on Record — a local non-profit that supports at-risk kids through the power of music — for a special performance.
During his brief but impactful show — Ma performed in response to Ana Karina Casas Ibarra’s story about the plight of her undocumented brother. The tear-jerking story and harrowing reply was truly a one of a kind experience especially because Ibarra was accompanied by Stan Garnett, who was Boulder’s District Attorney during the time of her brother’s deportation. Following Ma’s solo performance, he was joined by a children’s orchestra via El Sistema — another youth and music non-profit. While very different, each portion of the brief show were beautiful expressions of empathy and hope.
“Bringing music to the people is part of our community activation work at Youth on Record,”Jami Duffy, Executive Director / Youth on Record. “When you combine that with our social justice work, there’s not a better musician (Yo-Yo Ma) to collaborate with. He believes what we believe; that culture and the arts are essential to community building. The opportunity to share our stories and music with such an amazing musician and humanitarian was a dream come true.”
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[PHOTOS] Yo-Yo Ma Takes Over Denver with Music and Activism Yo-Yo Ma is arguably the most famous modern classical musician (although we doubt many would argue with us).
#303 Magazine#Brittany Werges#red rocks#Yo-yo Ma#Yo-yo Ma concert#Yo-yo Ma Denver#Yo-yo Ma Red Rocks#Yo-yo Ma solo#Yo-yo Ma Youth on Record#Youth on Record#Zena Ballas
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Although its name may suggest a dark and secretive place, the brand new Death & Co is a far cry from the intimate bar that opened in New York City’s East Village over 11 years ago. For Denver, the NYC staple has swapped out its snug quarters and dim lighting for the massive sunlit lobby of The Ramble hotel. There’s even a daytime cafe as well as a rooftop bar where co-founder Alex Day jokes they’ll eventually fill an inflatable pool with rosé. This echoes a similar trend their neighbor, American Bonded, is testing out — but theirs involves a slushy machine (I digress).
READ: American Bonded is Ready to Introduce Denver to a New Type of Cocktail Bar
Both spots, which are arguably run by the forefathers of the modern speakeasy, are now allowing for a little more sunshine and fun.
“Daylight is new for us,” said David Kaplan, one of the three Death & Co-founders. “But we wanted to see what it looked like when Death & Co goes outside.”
Photo by Brittni Warshaw
According to the team, Death & Co is more of an idea and it doesn’t have to exist within the original walls they built. But even though they’ve had a decade to mull over what that means exactly, it still can be a bit elusive when put into words.
“We haven’t figured out a perfect sound bite yet … but it’s really about giving a shit,” said beverage director, Tyson Buhler. Kaplan agreed, explaining that ultimately it’s about being able to perfect their craft but in a wide range of contexts.
“It’s not that the drinks themselves are more casual. Just as much science and prep and ridiculous labor goes into [these cocktails],” said Kaplan.
You can see this at the bar where you’ll still find drinks that are perfect for moody lighting and close conversation (like the Vaquero ($16) made with mezcal, reposado, corn husk and cacao) next to cocktails inspired by warmer climates or ones with low/no alcohol meant for a patio. We especially enjoyed the Windjammer ($16) a take on a tiki drink made with Jamaican rum, bourbon, banana, ginger, lime and a chamomile dusting. However, instead of a traditional totem tiki glass, it comes in a cast iron mug shaped like a pioneer man — which is one hint that the Death & Co team hasn’t traded all of its former tricks.
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Overall, there is still something a little macabre about the place. Maybe because the decor — which one writer described as 17th-century France meets the Wild West — has a distinct feeling of a place gone-by. Couple that with American lore of haunted hotels and a part of you may feel like you’re in a turn of the century murder mystery or inside a really fancy game of Clue. But if you go upstairs it’ll become immediately clear that Death & Co’s original aesthetic hasn’t gone far.
“We haven’t given up our dark little room,” said Kaplan. Suite 6A — set to open sometime by the end of the month — is where you’ll find the traditional Death & Co experience. Small, cozy and intimate surroundings paired with creative cocktails made with rare ingredients and elaborate presentations — Suite 6A will be the place the Death & Co bartenders experiment with new ideas. The 20-seat space located on the mezzanine can be booked ahead of time or you can walk-in and take your chances.
These compartmentalized spaces inside The Ramble are a big part of the new Death & Co — which services the entire hotel. This includes the daytime cafe DC/AM — located on the western side of the hotel lobby. The cafe and espresso bar offers up coffee from Denver’s Middlestate alongside a full breakfast menu filled with items like an egg sandwich ($7), smoked honey yogurt ($10) and breakfast plates like the bacon okonomiyaki ($9) with zucchini kimchi, cured egg, trout roe and scallions. The menu is imagined by a team of culinary experts including chef Wes Hamilton (former culinary director of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort) and executive sous chefs Kathryn Caine (former executive chef of The Populist) and Quincy Cherrett (former executive chef of The Kitchen in Jackson Hole).
The chefs will also service the lobby and hotel with a wide range of dinner items including a killer dessert menu. We’d highly recommend the fava bean agnolotti ($18) which will be instantly recognizable to fans of The Populist as well as the fabulous olive oil cake ($12) with smoked honey ice cream and almond caramel. The Garden — aka the aforementioned rooftop — will be the hotel’s “pool bar without the pool” when it opens mid-May. It’ll be available to hotel guests all day and open to bar patrons later in the afternoon and on the weekend for brunch.
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If you head back downstairs, there’s yet another component to the partnership between the hotel and the bar. Vauxhall is an event/ theater space that comes with its own Death & Co bar and will be used for private and public events. All programmed through The Ramble, the hotel expects to highlight film, live performance, comedy, art exhibitions and more. Upcoming events include a design showcase with neighbors Topo Designs on May 11, a listening party with Denver’s Vinyl Me, Please on May 26 and a RiNo First Friday showcase on June 1. As an independent hotel, the space also hopes to give back to its community by providing the area and hotel rooms for local non-profits like Volunteers of America, PlatteForum and the RiNo Arts District. Similarly, Death & Co is continuing its tradition of giving one percent of all of its proceeds to a local charity — although the exact one is still TBD. Featuring its own private entrance off Larimer street and a soon-to-come marquee, Vauxhall aims to be a place of its own while providing a taste of what’s next door.
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If you ask the team behind Death & Co, what the main question they get about the new spot is — it may or may not surprise you.
“To everyone else, it’s like why Denver? And I’m like, have you been to Denver? Denver is fucking awesome,” said Kaplan. Now with Death & Co finally open in Denver, we’re expecting a lot of people to stop asking and start agreeing.
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NYC’s Famed Death & Co Comes to Denver with Three Bars, a Cafe and More Although its name may suggest a dark and secretive place, the brand new Death & Co is a far cry from the
#303 Magazine#Alex Day#Brittany Werges#Cocktail bar#Cocktail bars RiNo#David Kaplan#Death & Co Denver#Death & Company#Death and Company#Death and Company Denver#Hotel bar Denver#Ravi DeRossi#rino#The Ramble#The Ramble Hotel#The Ramble Hotel Denver
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Stanley Marketplace to Add New Pizza Concept From Paul C. Reilly Come this fall, chef Paul C. Reilly, Aileen Reilly, and JP Taylor, Jr. — partners at beast+bottle, Coperta and Pizzeria Coperta — will bring a new pizzeria to the Stanley Marketplace.
#303 Magazine#Aileen Reilly#Aurora Pizza#Brittany Werges#JP Taylor Jr#Paul C. Reilly#Stanley Marketplace Pizza#Stanley Marketplace restaurants
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Denver’s cocktail scene is one of the best in the nation — and the nominations from the 13th Annual Spirited Awards just further proves it. Today three bars in the Mile High City were placed on the prestigious shortlist to receive major awards. It includes Citizen Rail at Kimpton Hotel Born for Best Hotel Bar (USA, Central), Occidental Best High Volume Cocktail Bar – USA (West) and Death & Co for Best New Cocktail Bar – USA (West). Oak at Fourteenth in Boulder also received a nod for Best Restaurant Bar (USA, Central). It’s not the first time Denver has made this list, most notably Williams & Graham has taken home several awards — but this time its more casual sister Occidental is receiving the praise.
READ: The Art of Competitive Bartending with OAK’s Scott Ruggiero
You may have noticed Denver is listed in both west and central categories — which means our geographical location is as advantageous as it is confusing to some national organizations. It’s cool, we get it all the time. Hopefully, it just means more awards for us.
The winners will be announced will be made next week on June 12 so stay tuned for updates. Go here to see all the nominations
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Three Denver Bars Snag Nominations At The 13th Annual Spirited Awards Denver's cocktail scene is one of the best in the nation — and the nominations from the 13th Annual Spirited Awards just further proves it.
#303 Magazine#Annual Spirited Awards#Award Winning Bars Denver#Best Cocktails Denver#Brittany Werges#Citizen Rail Denver#Cocktail bars Denver#Death & Co Denver#OAK Bar Denver#Occidental Denver
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Jenny Lewis Talks Death, Break Ups and Bill Murray Before Denver Show
Jenny Lewis Talks Death, Break Ups and Bill Murray Before Denver Show
Jenny Lewis holds a singular place in the world of indie music. As one of the first and most important female voices to emerge from the male-dominated genre of the early aughts — Lewis always carved a path for herself by creating songs through intimate storytelling. However, for a long time, it wasn’t exactly clear whose stories they were or how exactly they connected to Lewis’ real life.
Because…
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#303 Magazine#Brittany Werges#jenny lewis#Jenny Lewis 2019#Jenny Lewis Concert Denver#Jenny Lewis Denver#Jenny Lewis Interview#Jenny Lewis Interview 2019#Jenny Lewis Show Denver#kyle cooper photography#On the Line Jenny Lewis
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If you’re new to the inner workings of local government or have binged watched one too many Parks and Rec episodes, you probably have at least one misconception about City Council. But whether you have an under or over-inflated view of the City Council race — it’s vitally important you educate your vote. Because not only does your elected leader in your district make major decisions in the city, they are in many ways your direct contact and representation for most things happening in Denver. So let’s break down the basics.
READ: A Guide to the Mayoral Candidates and Initiatives on the 2019 Denver Ballot
The Basics: Who Can Run?
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The incumbents (from top left: Christopher Herndon, Wanye New, Kendra Black, Albus Brooks, Kevin Flynn, Paul Kashmann, Stacie Gilmore, Robin Kniech, Mary Beth Susman). Photography by Austin Cope, Heather Fairchild, Kyle Cooper and Giacomo Difranco.
To run for City Council you don’t need any particular educational or experience but you do need to be a US citizen, who’s at least 25 years old and has lived in Denver for two years, with one of those years being inside the district they are running for.
There are 13 city councilors with 11 from equally populated districts and another two who are elected at large (who oversee the whole city). City councilors are publicly elected every four years and usually do not run with an affiliation to a party — although in Denver they are often registered Democrats.
Their terms are four years and with a max of three terms. They are full-time city employees with a salary of $91,915 for 12 members and $102,928 for the Council President — which is elected by city councilors, not the public.
For this City Council election, there are over 40 people in the running. For any race, if no one gets a majority vote (over 50%) there will be a runoff election between the top two vote-getters on June 4.
What district do I belong to?
A map of Denver districts. Provided by Denver Community Planning and Development.
You can find your district here on this map. District maps have to be drawn at least once every 10 years according to the most recent US Census data. It was last redrawn in 2012 and became effective for the election in 2015. We’re up for a new US census in 2020, so the next map will look different.
What does the council do?
City Council has a wide purview. But mainly, they make laws, approve city contracts, create and approve budgets, determine how land is used and adopt City plans (like the freshly passed Blueprint which will guide Denver’s growth over the next 20 years). Overall, they tackle a lot — Denverite breaks it down nicely here.
They also have the power to investigate City employees and agencies. As a result, they are the counterbalance to the Mayor’s Office — essentially they are the legislative branch whereas the Mayor is the executive branch. Currently, Denver’s system has a “strong” mayor meaning that office sets the tone for the city with budgets and can make major appointments. This is one big topic for debate both in this race and the mayoral race — as some believe this is an effective, streamlined system whereas other worry it can create unethical appointments and centralized power.
Essentially City Council, in many ways, shapes how Denver will grow, change and function. If you want to keep track of what they are doing you can attend and speak at their Monday meetings and track legislation here.
Note: You only vote for the councilors in your district and the At-Large nominees. So no need to read the entire guide (unless, you want to).
At Large
Denver Skyline. Photo by Kyle Cooper
Where: All 11 Districts in Denver, from the airport in the East to Sheridan Boulevard on the West. See the map here.
Defining Aspects: Denver, as a whole, has grown explosively during the last four years. With that growth, we’ve gained more jobs and money, but we’ve also started to push out long-time residents from their homes and neglect the growing homeless population. The at-large representatives can have significant influence over the decisions that change the direction of our city’s policies, partnerships and ordinances.
District Issues: The issues in the District-At-Large are the same for the Mayoral race — concern over the unchecked growth of the city that affects the housing and job markets, a desire to improve the public transportation system and a push toward more aggressive sustainability goals. Many of the candidates for the two at-large positions are also speaking out about inclusivity in politics as well as in other city services, focusing on immigrant, LGBTQ+ and non-white equity.
Also read: Denver Post’s Q&A, Denverite’s breakdown
Who’s running
Incumbents: Robin Kniech and Debbie Ortega
Robin Kniech – read our profile about her here.
For: Empowering women, environmental standards, immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights, equity in housing and jobs.
Against: Unbridled development (she was the first to sponsor a fee for development during her last term), focusing on high-paying tech-industry jobs instead of middle class jobs, lack of free access to compost and recycle services in all neighborhoods
Debbie Ortega
For: Prioritizing existing city services before adding more, advancing sustainability initiatives, socio-economic diversity in housing, protecting neighborhoods from violence
Against: “Rubber stamping” of issues (meaning she won’t vote on something just because everyone else who is superior to her does), poor public transportation/ infrastructure and the affordable housing crisis.
Johnny Hayes
For: Advocating for children and the deaf community, supporting the arts (he is an artist, writer and musician himself), renter’s rights and remembering Denver’s rich history.
Against: Stale decision-making in politics, the lack of representation for creatives, limited accessibility in cities for deaf populations and development with gentrification.
Jesse Parris
For: Supporting African-American owned businesses in Denver, attainable housing, relief from food deserts and inclusivity for all sexual orientations, races and genders.
Against: Urban camping ban, discrimination, elitism in politics
Tony Pigford
For: Livable wages and paid family leave, affordable housing that includes rentals as well as first-time homeowners, civil rights especially when it comes to being Latinx or African-American in Denver and a Green New Deal for climate change.
Against: Overcrowding and underfunding of public schools, lack of equality for everything from professional sports teams to jobs, growth without community involvement.
Lynne Langdon
For: It is unclear what exactly Langdon stands for since she doesn’t have her stances posted on her website. But, from an interview with Denverite, Langdon reportedly supports “amplifying RTD’s advertising budget” to help persuade more people to use public transportation. Also, Langdon is in favor of the camping ban. A video from Denver Decides might help with some of her other views.
Against: Langdon reported she does not approve of supervised use sites, and she doesn’t support homeless individuals sleeping in public areas. In her Q&A with the Post, she explains she is against fracking.
District 1
Sloan’s Lake. Photo by Kyle Cooper.
Where: Chaffee Park, Regis, Berkeley, Sunnyside, West Highland, Highland, Sloan Lake, Jefferson Park, West Colfax (see district map here).
Defining Aspects of the District: Traditionally considered the North Side of Denver, District 1 is filled with historic residential neighborhoods and the frequently-used Sloan Lake park. With the Tennyson Creative District and West 32nd Avenue, this area is pushing for local businesses and pedestrian traffic.
District Issues: Residents in District 1 are most concerned with unbridled development and the decreasing availability of affordable housing for the middle class. As a historically residential-centric area, the main issues revolve around quality of living, and aside from affordable housing, this includes general public safety as well as ease of transportation. Most candidates are zeroed in on improving and increasing the few public transportation options currently available within District 1 and between the district and the rest of the city.
Also read: How West Colfax Will Change in the Next 5 Years, Denver Post’s Q&A
Incumbent: Rafael Espinoza is no longer running for this City Council seat. But, if you’d like to know more information about him during his term in District 1, read our profile on him here.
Who’s running
Victoria Aguilar
For: Affordable housing, mental and behavioral health services and protecting the history of the North Side.
Against: Rapid development and working without community input.
Sabrina D’Agosta
For: Improving transit and mobility while focusing on environmental standards, affordability in renting and owning homes, a strong local economy with jobs and safer communities.
Against: Unchecked growth with little foresight (like not including parking spaces for new developments)
Scott Durrah
For: Cannabis — both in reaping the benefits of marijuana taxes as well as educating others about the medical and recreational effects. Also focused on small business owners (as a small business owner himself) and the lack of public transportation which connects the different neighborhoods in the district.
Against: Lack of communication between neighborhoods and districts, vehicular travel as primary transportation
Praj Kulkarni
For: Champions the idea of a working middle class who can afford their neighborhood
Against: Focusing too much on tech-industry related jobs and building new developments instead of repurposing unused “big box” stores.
David Sabados
For: Renter’s rights, transportation solutions and affordable housing. He’s strongly in favor of Accessory Dwelling Units, or secondary structures constructed on private property that can be sublet or rented, allowing homeowners an additional revenue source.
Against: Developers building expensive high-rises and the lack of understanding or enforcement of renter’s rights.
Amanda Sandoval
For: Smart development which includes limits on security deposits for renters, apprenticeship positions at construction sites and speed limit reductions in residential neighborhoods. Sandoval also has more specific ideas around environmental sustainability, including more trash and recycle receptacles at public parks and a few capital improvement projects.
Against: Disappearance of green space to developers, unbridled zoning laws and the increased crime rate in District 1.
Michael Somma
For: A better sense of community and safety in North Denver, affordable housing and better public transportation — the last one pivots on the idea that we should adopt electric streetcars in order to have fast results while we wait for major transportation infrastructure improvements.
Against: The status quo approach to homelessness, transit plans that “sound good on paper” but don’t have tangible results and the lack of community that has come with expansion.
District 2
Kevin Flynn. Photo by Austin Cope.
Where: Marston, Fort Logan, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, Bear Valley (see district map here).
Defining Aspects of the District: Mostly composed of suburban real estate, District 2 has been on a slightly different page from the rest of Denver since the 1950s. The average age for most of the neighborhoods is over 50, and the main defining characteristics are the lakes and green spaces that pepper the area. District 2 also includes the Fort Logan National Cemetery, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
District Issues: Although District 2 doesn’t face the same issues in regard to gentrification and development as other Denver districts, the incumbent Kevin Flynn has made a point to work hard on budget oversight and transparency with the city as a whole. As a district with an older population, District 2 is usually concerned about affordable living (especially when the citizens are on a fixed income) and keeping the house or land that their families have probably owned for generations. Residents often speak about the importance of their parks and green spaces, and that relates to the protection of those spaces from development, pollution and climate change.
Incumbent: Kevin Flynn. He is the only candidate running for District 2. Read our profile on him here.
District 3
Sun Valley public art project funded by IMAGINE 2020 in 2018 by Birdseed Collective. Photo by Kyle Cooper
Where: Villa Park, Sun Valley, Lincoln Park, Barnum, Barnum West, Westwood, Mar Lee (see district map here).
Defining Aspects of the District: District 3 encompasses some of the lowest-income neighborhoods in Denver. But, the proximity to Downtown, as well as the inclusion of the Mile High Stadium makes this area seductive to developers. Historically District 3 has been comprised of immigrants. First it was mostly Jewish — but Irish, Italian and Latino families have made it home ever since. It is also home to the Art District on Santa Fe, the Westwood/Morrison Road Cultural District and the Little Saigon Business District.
District Issues: The location of District 3’s neighborhoods — just across I-25 from Downtown — make unfettered development and gentrification a major concern for everyone who already calls it home. Meow Wolf’s new 90,000 square-foot art exhibition is currently under construction in the Sun Valley neighborhood and the Broncos’ stadium plans to build housing and retail in one of the parking lots, causing some to worry about the preservation of District 3’s rich culture. Rising living costs have been problematic, as well as lack of access to green space, public transportation and pedestrian safety.
Also read: How Sun Valley Will Change in the Next Five Years, How Meow Wolf Plans to Support Denver’s Community and Combat Gentrification, Denver Post Q&A
Incumbent: Paul Lopez. He is not running for City Council because he has reached is term limit, although he is running for Clerk & Recorder. For more information about him, read our profile on him here.
Who’s running
Veronica Barela
For: Reviving the Revolving Loan Fund for small businesses, standing for civil rights, equalizing the ratio of wages to rent and taking a proactive approach to climate change (saying that “everyone deserves a healthy neighborhood to grow up in.”)
Against: Displacement of existing community members because of rising home prices (both renting and owning), declining air and water quality due to avoidable pollution and civil rights abuses (she opposes the urban camping ban).
Annie Martinez
For: Access to low-income housing, growth within the community in the sense of more access to parks and grocery stores (much of District 3 is considered a food desert) and support for seniors and the elderly.
Against: The “school to prison pipeline,” curbing gentrification but not growth and the urban camping ban — she has called it unconstitutional.
Raymond Montoya
For: Infrastructure improvements including fixing the sidewalks, streets and bridges that connect West Denver, higher wages on typically lower-earning or minimum wage jobs, bettering the police-to-community relations and inclusivity to all genders, races and backgrounds.
Against: Homeless sweeps or temporary solutions to the permanent problem of homelessness, development with displacement and a lack of recreational, educational and other opportunities for the local youth.
Jamie Torres
For: Educating local community members about the resources that already exist to help with development concerns, fostering a strong immigrant population, ensuring safety for pedestrians and supporting local artists.
Against: Intolerant safety officials (like police officers), lack of budget for multi-modal transportation, exclusive laws or regulations that isolate immigrants and certain predatory practices of developers.
District 4
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Where: University Hills, Hampden, Hampden South, Wellshire, Southmoor Park, Kennedy, Goldsmith (see district map here)
Defining Aspects of the District: District Four is a mix of residential homes and large swaths of big box stores and strip malls. Despite having the second most light rail stops, it is defined by car culture, highways and busy thoroughfares.
District Issues: District 4 is the land of strip malls and parking lots in Denver. It’s also defined and dissected by major streets and highways like I-25 and Hampden Avenue. As a result, the people in District 4 want to make it more walkable by improving sidewalks, adding bike lanes and making crosswalks safer. Additionally, District 4 wants to bring in more local retail and restaurants to counterbalance the big box stores and chain restaurants that dominate the area. There is also a debate on parking lots. The incumbent Kendra Black wants to reduce the amount of available parking to counteract the current car-culture and bring in better planned developed like Glendale’s CityScape, but developers and some residents are reluctant.
Also read: Denverite’s profiles, Denver Post’s Q&A
Who’s running
Incumbent: Kendra Black (Read our full profile here)
For: Increased local retail and restaurants, smart, planned and innovative development that increases community and walkability while maintaining character, improved sidewalks and crosswalks for pedestrian safety and protecting while creating more green spaces with a focus on the Highline Canal and a new park in University Hill.
Against: Car culture, big parking lots, more big boxes stores and cookie-cutter development, Initiative 300
Colleen Zahradnicek
For: Affordable housing, improved infrastructure for roads, sidewalks and bike lanes, increased walkability and pedestrian safety, multi-modal transit, increasing city employee wages for working families, transparency in local government and combating climate change
Against: Corruption in local government and low transparency for elected officials, inefficient spending, abusive and predatory leasing practices for renters and seniors.
District 5
Photo courtesy of Lowry Beer Garden on Facebook.
Where: Monclair, East Colfax, Hale, Lowry Field, Hilltop, Windsor, Washington Virginia Vale (see district map here)
Defining Aspects of the District: District 5 is home the Montclair Recreation Center and the Schlessman Library; as well as two fire stations, two hospitals, 12 schools, 22 parks and the Highline Canal. The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum lies within this district as well as Colorado Free University and a charming Town Center with Denver’s first beer garden. The average demographic of homeowners within this district is still pretty affluent, with the average income being around $60,000 and the overall majority of citizens being white (about 73%.) East Colfax defines its northern border making it a dense district with an eclectic set of issues. East Colfax has been a historically relevant part of Denver — and national — history.
District Issues: Because of its density, District 5 main issue has been cited to be traffic control and overall transportation mobility, specifically on East Colfax. Over 22,000 individuals use the bus system on East Colfax and it has been heavily criticized. Rerouting and revamping the public transportation system is a priority for this district. Gentrification and affordable housing are still big markers of the area, with neighborhoods increasing in value and pushing out many residents. East Colfax is a historic part of Denver and therefore the upkeep of East Colfax is an important issue that runs through several districts including five. The main takeaway for East Colfax is the desire to keep its original aesthetic — often referred to as “gritty” — while still increasing development and making it a safer area of Denver to visit.
Also Read: How East Colfax Will Change in the Next 5 Years, Denver Post’s Q&A, 5280’s District Guide
Who’s running
Incumbent: Mary Beth Susman (Read our full profile here)
For: Restructuring public transit (micro transit, separate mobility department), the upkeep and safety of East Colfax, economic development, urbanism, affordable housing, Urban Camping Ban
Against: Rezoning (unless for developmental purposes), Involuntary displacement
Michele Fry
For: Transparent and accountable government (specifically for development funded by tax-payer money), campaign finance reform, Source of Income Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, affordable housing, minimum wage increase
Against: Tax Incremental Financing and other incentives given to corporation and developers, urban camping ban
Stephen Replin
For: Slowing new development (he told the Post he wants a two-year moratorium on new building permits), working with RTD to use smaller buses during non-peak hours while reducing fares and affordable housing
Against: New development (especially small studios in high rises), higher minimum wage, Initiative 300
Amanda Sawyer
For: Restructuring development to be more community focused, increased funding and allocation to police precincts in order to diminish crime, reallocate public transit funding to deal with the traffic congestion issue, environmental incentives, housing the homeless population appropriately, higher minimum wage
Against: Fracking, zoning that doesn’t account for parking or traffic, city contracts that don’t benefit Denver workers
District 6
Washington Park via Thinkstock
Where: Washington Park, University, University Park, Rosedale, Cory-Merril, Belcaro, Virginia Village, Indian Creek (see district map here)
Defining Aspects of the District: One of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Denver, District 6 is defined by its sweeping landscape of parks and pleasing brick-style houses. District six is also home to Washington Park, Virginia Village and University of Denver. District six is predominantly white, with 87% of its residents being white and in the higher income brackets of the city as a whole. Because of it also including the University of Denver, District 6 is collegial in population as well.
District Issues: Because of its affluence, District 6 has different issues than most. The population density around Colorado Boulevard has definitely raised developmental concerns, bringing with it the possibility for more homelessness. With that in mind, the district has tried to create preventative measures for the overcrowding.
Incumbent: Paul Kashmann he is the only candidate running for District six (Read our full profile here)
For: As explained to the Post, he wants to create a separate Department of Mobility to help transportation and the environment, increasing funds and resources for Denver’s police, sheriff and fire departments, expediting Denver’s Road Home three-year plan to restructure shelters to tackle homelessness, higher minimum wage and preserving historic districts
Against: Accepting campaign donations from special interest groups or PACS, slow permitting, licensing, inspection and project review services for small businesses
Also Watch: Paul Kashmann’s Official Policy Video, Denver Post Q&A
District 7
South Broadway’s two-way bike lane. All photos by Brittany Werges
Where: Baker, Speer, Valverde, Athmar Park, Washington Park West, Ruby Hill, Platt Park, Overland, College View – South Platte (see district map here)
Defining Aspects of the District: District 7 is an urban-meets-suburban sprawl, with the Baker district and its commercial influence paralleling Washington Park West and Ruby Hill’s suburban concentration. District 7 was the home of Grandoozy, the new music festival of 2018 backed by Superfly meant to bring more prosperity to the district. Due to its demographic and geographic variety, District 7 has several different key issues that need to be addressed.
District Issues: With such an extensive plane of influence, District 7 has a lot of priorities. As with most districts experiencing a population increase, District 7 is prioritizing transportation and mobility, homelessness and housing, overall public safety as well as focusing on sustainability and the environment. There are specific neighborhoods within this district that are not equipped for public-transit — like Athmar Park having very few bus lines and poorly paved sidewalks for a walking commute to the nearest Light Rail.
Incumbent: Jolon Clark is the only candidate running for District 7. He has served as City Council President since 2018. You can learn more about his policies here.
For: Enhancing Parks & Recreation, improving transportation and mobility by restructuring RTD, adding bike lanes and improving sidewalks and overall infrastructure of roads and underpasses. Focusing on incentivizing better mental health and shelter for the homeless, increasing police force in order to create safer neighborhoods
Against: Involuntary displacement created by lack of equity in neighborhoods
Also Watch: Jolon Clark’s Forum,
District 8
The new Punch Bowl Social in Stapleton. It opened inside the former Aviation tower of the old Stapleton Airport. Photo by Brittany Werges.
Where: Stapleton, Montbello, East Colfax, North Park Hill, Northeast Park Hill, South Park Hill (see full district map here).
Defining Aspects of the District: District 8 is an economically and racially diverse area. It combines high-income neighborhoods of Stapleton and North and South Park Hill — making it one of the most affluent areas in the city — with lower income communities of Montbello, East Colfax and Northeast Park Hill. Household incomes range from as low as $37,000 to as high as $123,000. It’s mainly residential with bigger developments taking place largely in Stapleton.
District Issues: District 8 has a set of issues that are as wide-ranging as its citizens. In Stapleton, they are concerned about rapid development whereas East Colfax is in need of revitalization. North and South Park Hill worry about neighborhood speeding and infrastructure whereas Montbello is mostly concerned about affordable housing, homelessness and impacts of poverty. Overall, each section has a unique set of needs. But the district does have a shared goal of improving mobility and public transportation in the area. They seek to improve sidewalks, pedestrian safety to make the area more walkable and accessible for all of its residents. Affordable housing is also on their agenda as well as creating more jobs for low-income individuals through “workforce development, targeted hire and job training programs.”
Also read: How East Colfax Will Change in the Next 5 Years, Denver Post Q&A
Who’s running
Incumbent: Christopher Herndon. Read our profile here.
For: Youth empowerment and engagement through leadership programs, public safety through increased but responsible policing, affordable housing, senior housing and shelters for the homeless and community building through events.
Against: A police force not connected with the community, ending the current camping ban, decentralizing the power of the Mayor’s Office, and an “us vs. them” mentality when it comes to development and Denver’s growth.
Miguel Adrian Ceballos-Ruiz
For: Affordable housing through linkage fees, rent control and increased down payment assistance programs, supporting the working class through increased minimum wage and the support of bargaining rights of unions, improved access to health care via free shuttles, new clinics and urgent cares and environmental policies by creating a Green New Deal for Denver.
Against: Fracking, urban camping ban, Olympics, Central I-70 Project
LaMone Noles
For: As explained to the Post, she favors slowing down growth in Denver, delaying the approval of Denver’s Blueprint plan until after the election for City Council, increasing the minimum wage, more affordable housing and focused action on ending homelessness
Against: Gentrification, new development (wants a six to eight-month moratorium) and the current camping ban
Erik Penn
For: Affordable housing through a mix of housing options, improved transportation through improved infrastructure, higher minimum wage, more green spaces, more local retail options, investment in entrepreneurship, youth development programs and skill building and employment programs.
Against: Restricting development in single-family neighborhoods, the current camping ban, maintaining the status quo of centralized power in the Mayor’s Office.
Blair Taylor
For: More parks and open spaces and the increased protections of them, alternative transportation like solar-powered streetcars, electric trolleys and more express buses, more affordable housing via increased linkage fees and increased power of communities when it comes to development (specifically through Registered Neighborhood Organization and forum based zoning code), higher minimum wage for city employees
Against: Initiative 300 and maintaining the status quo of centralized power in the Mayor’s Office
Patrick Floyd Thibault
For: Increased affordable housing and better tracking of affordable housing units, a more robust transportation network, community inclusive development, improved care of senior citizens through improved sidewalks and more community healthcare options.
Against: Maintaining the status quo of centralized power in the Mayor’s Office, poorly planned development
District 9
RiNo. Photo by Brittany Werges.
Where: Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Five Points (includes RiNo), Cole, Whittier, Clayton, Skyland, City Park, City Park West, LoDo, Union Station, Auraria, Central Business District (CBD) (see full district map here).
Defining Aspects of the District: District 9 is massive. It encompasses everything from historic residential neighborhoods such as Whittier and Globeville to important cultural institutions like the Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Auraria Campus and the DCPA as well as important attractions like Union Station, City Park, Coors Field, Pepsi Center, Elitch Gardens, National Western Stock Show Complex and more. It is a hub of nightlife and culture as LoDo, RiNo and Five Points all lie within its boundaries. District 9 is also as diverse in its population as it is in its physical landscape.
District Issues: Since District 9 covers such a large swath of the heart of Denver, it also has a majority of the city’s issues. Like many other districts — affordable housing, how to combat homelessness and transportation all rank high. But because it encompasses so many different walks of life (and commerce), there’s large disagreement on how to combat those issues. Divisive projects like Central I-70 project and its impacts on City Park are a prime example of how heated a debate can get. Additionally, their outcome can also have a large impact on the city at large and the many places within the district that people tend to enjoy. For example, District 9 is home to many of the city’s homeless service providers, major transportation hubs like Union Station and large amount of Light Rail and RTD stops. So decisions on homelessness and transportation will weigh heavy in this area. For the residential side, the gentrification issue looms incredibly large. As the home to the city’s fastest growing area, RiNo, and the city’s most historic neighborhoods — debate on development and housing is paramount.
Also read: How RiNo Will Change in the Next Five Years, Denver Post’s Q&A,
Who’s running
Incumbent: Albus Brooks. Read our full profile here
For: Improved youth initiatives specifically by creating full-time cabinet-level position for My Brother’s Keeper program and youth workforce training programs, more affordable housing by creating a “Land Bank” through city-owned land where affordable housing can be built, improved transportation by completing funding for the Denver Moves plan, combating homelessness through employment via Denver Day Works and long-term housing solutions. Additionally, he supports Supervised Injection Sites to combat the opioid epidemic
Against: Ending the current camping ban, decentralizing the power of the Mayor’s Office and restricting development
Candi CdeBaca
For: Responsible growth by implementing tools that empower the community — i.e. Renter’s Bill of Rights and Community Bill of Rights for new developments, creating community-led land trusts, making co-ops and other community-based living options legal by revising zoning and occupancy codes (etc). Using innovation and private partnerships to modernize and connect the city’s transportation gaps without heavily relying on RTD. Making local government more efficient and transparent by streamlining agencies, using updated technology to increase local participation and creating accountability systems like a city council vote tracker and scorecards.
Against: Current camping ban, maintaining the status quo of centralized power in the Mayor’s Office, more luxury developments, allowing elected officials to accept gifts, trips and benefits and sale of city-owned land for market-rate development
David Anthony Oletski
For: As told to the Post, he supports first responders, oversight in the Mayor’s office, assistant for seniors and veterans, equality in neighborhoods across District 9 and a safer, cleaner and healthier district
Against: Higher minimum wage, ending the current camping ban, polluting waterways
Jonathan Woodley
For: Increasing the minimum wage, more affordable and equitable housing through income-restricted housing, renter and ownership control, zoning reform and increased linkage fees and more checks and balances in local government
Against: Supervised injection sites, maintaining the status quo of centralized power in the Mayor’s Office, corporate or special interest money in campaign donations
District 10
The new Civic Center Station. Photo by Kyle Cooper.
Where: North Capitol Hill, Capitol Hill, Civic Center, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, Cherry Creek, Country Club (see district map here)
Defining Aspects of the District: District 10 is home to the Golden Triangle, with most of the museums in the city being a key aspect of the district. District 10 also has some of the most famous spots around Denver, with the Capitol Building, Civic Center Park, Cheesman Park, The Botanic Gardens, Cherry Creek, Congress Park and important parts of East Colfax. In terms of residential areas, District 10 is home to both Capitol Hill, a destination for transplants, creatives and young professionals alike, as well as Cherry Creek, one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Denver.
District Issues: District 10 is home to Civic Center Park, one of the most popular areas for the homeless around Denver. Because of this, homelessness and affordable housing are at the forefront of priorities for this district. On the other side of the spectrum, District 10 also prioritizes upkeep and funding of the arts, with the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Public Library and several other staple locations for the arts being a part of the district. Because of its inclusion of the Civic Center Station, a relatively new hub for public transportation, transportation as a whole is also an important issue within this district. As a large outdoor venue for events like the 4/20 celebration, political rallies and Pride, residents have also raised concerns regarding trash and congestion around Civic Center Park.
Also Read: Denver Post’s Q&A, How East Colfax Will Change In The Next 5 Years, Vandals Deface Tree of Transformation in Civic Center Park
Who’s running
Incumbent: Wayne New (read our full profile here)
For: Re-zoning based on transparency with the intent to represent the residents of each neighborhood and the overall character of the location, remaining with the budget and financial plan he first drafted in office because of its balance between being cost-effective and still improving important services around the district, a more aggressive approach for affordable housing and homelessness citing that the funds allocated are not sufficient for the problem, and the Urban Camping Ban
Against: Raising the minimum wage any more than the state-wide initiative of $15 an hour by 2021 because of the effect it might have on businesses.
Antonio Amable Mendez
For: Tackling the opioid epidemic, increasing our recycling initiative, enforcing more transportation laws in order to decrease accidents, increasing funding to the RTD to create more public transit options, higher minimum wage for the city of Denver, more stabilization in policy for individuals being pushed out of their homes by the rising cost of living, diverse representation
Against: Urban Camping Ban, gentrification, the district being represented by someone who he believes doesn’t understand minorities.
Chris Hinds
For: The “20-Minute Neighborhood” plan, where food and everything we need to thrive as parts of the district is a 20-minute walk or bike ride away (no cars) in order to protect the environment and also decrease transit congestion. Representation by advocating for all voices within a community, especially minorities. Functional sidewalks and infrastructure to incentivize pedestrian traffic instead of car traffic, a housing-first policy for the homeless and an increase in the minimum wage.
Against: Urban Camping Ban, Current permit and development processes because he believes they do not incentivize the development of affordable housing.
Tony Smith
For: Historic preservation, especially in a district compiled of such important historical landmarks. Neighborhood development, backed by urban planners and organizations specializing in city planning to help with the overarching issues of transportation and infrastructure. Putting Denver’s many health and wellness programs at the forefront of people’s minds in order to incentivize healthier overall lifestyles. Increased affordable housing, better renter’s bill of rights, more funding for homeless shelters and programs to fund permanent homes.
Against: “Right To Survive” initiative based on safety concerns
Also Read: Denverite’s article about a lawsuit filed against incumbent Wayne New and the city
District 11
Denver International Airport photo by Danielle Webster.
Where: Montbello, Parkfield, Gateway-Green Valley Ranch, High Point, DIA (see district map here)
Defining Aspects of the District: Most of District 11 contains the land surrounding Denver Airport, from the Peña Boulevard exit on I-70, which means that the airport and its priorities are often at the forefront. However, Montbello is one of Denver’s largest neighborhoods and houses over 30,000 residents, so District 11 is certainly not singularly for the airport.
District Issues: Because of the inclusion of the airport, District 11 is often undervalued and the diverse residents tend to be forgotten. Some of their main concerns have to do with lack of mobility, lack of community resources like grocery stores and the mundanity of the suburban sprawl. Montbello was historically separated from the rest of Denver by Stapleton Airport, which is now redeveloping, so many community members are looking at ways to improve connectivity with the rest of the city.
Who’s running
Incumbent: Stacie Gilmore. Read our profile on her here.
For: Beautification of parks and green space, workforce investments (she secured over $500,000 toward these during her last term), affordable housing, public-private partnerships and transportation and infrastructure improvements.
Against: Discrimination in housing, rising retail costs that affect small businesses, lack of access to livable wage jobs and food deserts.
Christine Alonzo
For: Fighting to protect the environment, representing the Latinx community (some of her videos on her campaign website are spoken in Spanish), pushing for family services, improving education resources for the youth and maintaining a minimum wage above $15 per hour.
Against: Pollution and environmental degradation, high cost of existing public transportation and lack of overall public transportation, non-livable wages, skyrocketing house prices.
A User-Friendly Guide to The City Council Election If you’re new to the inner workings of local government or have binged watched one too many Parks and Rec episodes, you probably have at least one misconception about City Council.
#303 Magazine#At Large Denver#Brittany Werges#camila biddulph#City Council Denver#City Council Denver Candidates#City Council Denver Election#Cori Anderson#District 1#District 10#District 11#District 2#District 3#District 4#District 5#District 6#District 7#District 8#District 9
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If there’s one thing that can make the on-going airport construction a little less stressful — it’s more beer. Fortunately, two of Colorado’s most renowned craft breweries are ready to serve up pours of their award-winning beers this month at DIA. First up, Denver’s Great Divide just cut the ribbon on its new brewhouse and first ever restaurant located in Concourse C.
Dubbed the Great Divide Brewhouse and Kitchen, the new spot features its full line-up of craft beers, alongside a rotation of small-batch and seasonal brews. Also in honor of the new restaurant, they also released a new beer call Amelia Mary Blonde Ale. If you’re craving a cocktail, you’ll get the best of both worlds as some still feature Great Divide’s beer such as the Chairlift which includes Colette Farmhouse Ale.
Photos courtesy of Great Divide.
As for the food, Great Divide is working with HMSHost — a company that works with airport restaurants around the world. But despite the corporate partnership, Great Divide is touting the menu as chef-driven with beer-infused menu items like Yeti braised short rib tacos and Farmhouse Ale chicken. Small plates such as Colorado lamb meatballs, zucchini frites, bison chili, as well as a breakfast menu featuring breakfast burrito and chicken and waffles, round out the menu. Like many other airport restaurants, there will also be a grab-and-go section for drinks and snacks.
“Great Divide opened in 1994 and ever since DIA opened in 1995 we’ve been interested in having a location there,” said Great Divide Brewing Co. founder, Brian Dunn. “It feels great to see it finally come to fruition with our partner HMSHost! Great Divide has been in the Denver community for 25 years and having the Great Divide Brewhouse and Kitchen on Concourse C supports our strategy of being a strong regional brewery with a focus on our own backyard.”
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For New Belgium, the grand opening of its new hub comes next week on April 18. Similarly, the Fort Collins born brewery is also opening a restaurant and taproom hybrid. Located in Concourse B, it’ll feature 20 draft beers with iconic beers like Fat Tire Amber Ale and Voodoo Ranger IPA anchoring the selection, alongside seasonal and limited releases and their legendary wood cellar beers. It’ll also have beer-centric cocktails.
As for the menu, New Belgium went with local chef Paul C. Reilly — the executive chef and owner of beast+bottle, Coperta and Pizzeria Coperta — to develop to its offerings. Although the menu hasn’t been released, knowing Reilly, the menu will likely focus on seasonal ingredients with an Italian bend. This new spot, unlike Great Divide, isn’t the first location for New Belgium in DIA. Rather, the brewery has a hidden spot way in the back of Concourse B that may only be familiar to United patrons who have small regional departures. This new location, more centrally situated, will likely expose more people to what New Belgium has to offer.
So, if you’re a fan of craft beer or have a tendency to get stuck with delays, DIA has a few new spots for you to post up and kill some time.
Great Divide is located at Concourse C near gates C32 whereas New Belgium is located in Concourse B near gates B32.
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Great Divide and New Belgium Bring New Outposts to DIA If there's one thing that can make the on-going airport construction a little less stressful — it's more beer.
#303 Magazine#Brewery DIA#Brittany Werges#Concourse B#Concourse C#Craft Beer Denver Airport#Craft Beer DIA#Great Divide#Great Divide Airport#Great Divide DEN#Great Divide DIA#New Belgium#New Belgium Airport#New Belgium DEN#New Belgium DIA
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Glazed & Confuzed Brings Doughnuts to Broadway Market
Glazed & Confuzed Brings Doughnuts to Broadway Market
Some sweet treats are coming to Broadway.
Glazed & Confuzed, the local doughnut shop, opened its second location at Broadway Market this week. It joins a growing roster of food vendors that hail from Aurora’s own Stanley Marketplace including Maria Empanada, Mondo Market and Logan House Coffee.
READ: A Sneak Peek At The New Broadway Market Opening On Friday
“We are very excited to have a new…
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#303 Magazine#Brittany Werges#Broadway Market Denver#donut denver#donuts denver#doughnut Denver#Doughnuts Broadway Denver#Doughnuts Denver#Glazed & Confuzed
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In the heart of beer town, a wine bar just opened.
Noble Riot — named after a legendary fungus that gives certain wines their sweetness — hopes to bring a bit of funkiness of its own to Denver. The new spot opened its doors on Tuesday with a promise to uphold the “reverence and revelry” of wine but only in the name of having fun. This grape dedication isn’t exactly widespread in RiNo, especially when you can throw a rock and hit a brewery. But with a growing number of local wineries and a sea of educated drinkers flooding Larimer almost daily — the hidden wine bar may hit a nerve.
Photo by Brittany Werges.
Owners Nicole and Scott Mattson aren’t strangers to forging their own path either. As founders of the popular jazz club and restaurant, Nocturne (located just around the corner) — the husband and wife duo are undoubtedly risk-takers. This go-around though, instead of re-igniting a passion for jazz in the decidedly young and trendy area, their focus is now on another love of theirs.
“We believe wine is about pleasure and discovery. Pretension should never be a part of the conversation” said Scott, who’s one part jazz musician, one part sommelier. “Guiding someone to that ‘ah-ha’ moment with wine fires us up big time. There are so many great flavors and sensations to be experienced, and Noble Riot was created to celebrate those experiences.”
For this new endeavor, they’ve struck up a partnership with Colorado Natural Wine Consortium founder Troy Bowen and veteran wine professional Joel Kampfe. As a result, the wine list is painstakingly curated. The team even went on a “research mission” to California last August in search of small producers. Those hand selected makers, along with a spattering of natural wines, will be exclusive to the RiNo bar. Their picks are similar to Nocturne’s nightly music — where singularity, energy and personality are key.
“Noble Riot is pouring wines created by hardworking farmers and winemakers from all over the world that create wines of great individuality and integrity. Every glass of wine we pour tells a story,” said Bowen.
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Broken down into a monthly zine, the wine list spans six pages. Many wines are by the glass, but all come by the bottle and prices range from $9 to $630 — although the average cost is much more moderate. A handful of cocktails make the menu and a select list of well priced, secret “Blindsider” wines come wrapped in paper so you can take a guess at what’s on the label. Thankfully there is also a robust and equally delicious list of snacks to fuel your drinking. There’s a Sexy Bread Service ($6) that lives up to its name with compound butter, honey and a dusting of powdered duck fat on a warm baguette. It goes great with a selection of rich cheeses and a damn good housemade ricotta. For adventurous carnivores, the pâtés, rillettes, salami and an elk tartare will satisfy. You can mix and match some of these selections to make a plate that ranges between $15 for three and $25 for seven.
Beyond their current selection, Noble Riot is already planning to expand beyond the space they inherited from greenlight LAB — the former bar that housed the spot. Once they get their expanded liquor license, the new bar plans to launch a “Flight Club” — an educational component that offers a series of wine classes and experiences for beginners and experts alike. This summer, they also hope to open a patio in the alley where patrons can enjoy the area’s defining street art and its steady flow of onlookers.
The small but cozy spot will likely act as an overflow for Nocturne on its more busy nights, so seating could become limited. Luckily, if you’re craving a glass and intimate conversation they also happen to take reservations. If RiNo’s taste for wine continues to grow, you may need one.
Noble Riot is located at 1336 27th Street, Denver and is open from 4 p.m. – midnight on Tuesday – Thursday and 2 p.m. – 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Nocturne Owners Open Noble Riot Wine Bar in RiNo Alley In the heart of beer town, a wine bar just opened. Noble Riot — named after a…
#303 Magazine#Brittany Werges#Nicole Mattson#Noble Riot#Nocturne#Scott Mattson#Wine Bar Denver#Wine Bar RiNo#wine denver#Wine RiNo
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The popular Cherry Creek restaurant, Departure, announced its own exit from the neighborhood this morning. Citing the sale of the adjacent Halcyon Hotel, Sage Restaurant Group (the owners of the Portland-based eatery) noted Departure was not included in the deal. As a result, the aviation-themed spot took flight on Sunday, March 10 with its last dinner service.
“We thank the Denver community for their loyal patronage over the past three years,” said Brent Berkowitz, Chief Operating Officer of Sage Restaurant Group. “Departure was a venue for celebrations large and small, where friends were made and lives were changed. Although an end, it is also the beginning of a new chapter – there are many exciting opportunities in the works.”
But there may be hope for fans of the modern pan-Asian spot yet — as the press release said Sage will scout locations for a potential revitalization of the nearly three-year-old restaurant. Considering the popularity and accolades the restaurant garnered (and not to mention it’s helmed by a Top Chef winner), a reboot may not be such a bad idea.
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Departure Closed in Cherry Creek and Is Now Looking for a New Location The popular Cherry Creek restaurant, Departure, announced its own exit from the neighborhood this morning. Citing the… 171 more words
#303 Magazine#Asian restaurant Denver#Brittany Werges#Cherry Creek restaurant#Departure Cherry Creek#Departure Closed
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Zeppelin Station is Getting a Hot Chicken Joint
Zeppelin Station is Getting a Hot Chicken Joint
Over the last decade, Hot Chicken has exploded across the US. Originated by Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack in Nashville (supposedly after a vindictive girlfriend coated the founder’s normal fried chicken in cayenne) the addictive preparation is now found coast to coast. Denver, aside from a few iterations, hasn’t fully caught on to the craze. That may change with this latest announcement.
All photos…
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#303 Magazine#Brittany Werges#Hot Chicken Denver#The Budlong#The Budlong Denver#The Budlong Hot Chicken Food Truck Launch#Where to get hot chicken Denver#Zeppelin Station#Zeppelin Station hot chicken
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Every year, 303 Magazine, along with Illegal Pete’s, Channel 93.3 and New Belgium, celebrate Colorado in honor of 303 Day (March 3). For the second time, we’ve done that by giving back to the people that make this place special. From musicians, to comedians, fine artists and even ventriloquists, we invite anyone and everyone that considers themselves a “creative” to get a portrait free of charge. The result represents a rich snapshot of our city’s DNA. Take a look to meet the faces of 303 Day.
Go here to see the full gallery.
Photography by Robert Castro, Rebecca Grant, Evan Semón and Brittni Bell Warshaw.
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[PHOTOS] The Faces of 303 Day Every year, 303 Magazine, along with Illegal Pete's, Channel 93.3 and New Belgium, celebrate Colorado in honor of…
#303 Day#303 Day 2019#303 Day Photos#303 Magazine#Brittany Werges#Channel 93.3#Illegal Pete&039;s#New Belgium#photos
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