by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2018 | Main Articles
Travel Times Are Longer Than The Same Trip By Bus; Usually Uber, Lyft, Bike, Scooter And An App Are Faster
by Glen Richardson
Train To Plane Pain: The 22.8-mile spur from downtown to DIA was expected to speed regional airport travel. Plagued by software problems, however, flaggers keep returning to crossings along the A Line between Union Station and DIA.
Tracking Trouble: As train problems increased RTD has resorted to flying drones to keep light rail systems in reliable motion. The aerial machines monitor the conditions of rail tracks and alignments.
“Less traffic congestion and more commuting options will improve the region’s quality of life and make Denver that much more attractive to residents and businesses,” declared then RTD Chief Cal Marsella at Rapid Transit’s 2006 launch.
Denver’s light rails trains, however, keep getting off track or making switchbacks — train lingo for reversing directions.
In the dozen years since Denver sent its neighborhoods down the transit tracks, the endless headlines haven’t been affable. Consider just a few from the last 10 months:
- Disruptions Delay Airport Travel – Feb.;
- Two Men Rob, Fatally Shoot Man At RTD Rail Station – March;
- The A Line Stuck For Hours Friday – April;
- Riders On Several Denver Light Rail Routes Run Into Long Delays – Aug.;
- RTD To Close 4 Downtown Light Rail Lines For 10 Days – Sept.; and
- Pedestrian Hit By Train In The Baker Neighborhood Has Died – Oct.
Rail Squeal
The speed myth is that rail transit is rapid transit. When the time needed for station access, transfer, waiting, and delays are taken into account, local riders insinuate that by and large, “rail travel times are longer than the time required for the same trip by bus.”
Moreover, business travelers are discovering the same thing: “Overall, not a bad ride,” declared Phil, a New York businessman. But he’s quick to add, “If you are not in a rush and know where you are going. Yet, I coughed up the cash for a taxi to bring me back to my hotel as it was way quicker and more convenient since I had a flight to catch.”
In addition to the speed concern, light rail ridership is increasingly being tied to competing alternatives. “If you have a car, a bike or a scooter on an app in your hand, and it’s right there, why not use that?” asks Jeff, who admits to being an area yuppie. His point: “You don’t have the indignity of being stuck at an RTD Park-N-Ride or on the side of the road for a bus that never comes.”
Riders Slump, Rates Jump
RTD’s rail service in Denver includes eight light rail lines plus two commuter rail lines. Light rail serves downtown Denver from the west (W Line), southwest (C and D Lines, along US 85), and southeast (E, F, and H Lines, along the I-25 corridor). Most light rail lines operate every 15 minutes or less throughout the day, including evenings and weekends. Light rail lines serve either Union Station or 16th & California-Stout Stations at either end of downtown Denver.
Transit ridership fell in 31 of 35 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. last year, including less than expected in Denver. As ridership slumps, rates will jump in Denver. With fewer riders than expected, RTD is raising the rates charged passengers effective January 1. A one-way ride from DIA on the A Line jumps from $9 to $10.50. Local fares increase to $3, up 40-cents and regional fares go up 75-cents to $5.25.
Denver averaged 67,500 weekday boardings last year, ranking the city seventh behind both Portland and San Diego. As a contrast reference, San Francisco’s Embarcadero averages 162,500-weekday boardings.
Commuter Rail Venture
The A and B Lines along with the G Line when it eventually opens, are RTD’s first foray in commuter rail. The trains are much heavier and go faster than the agency’s light rail — up to 79 mph. The lines are being built and operated by a private consortium known as Denver Transit Operators. The Transit Operators and their subcontractors are all under contract to RTD.
RTD has trumpeted the A and B Lines for being the first commuter rail lines in the country to integrate a PTC system (Positive Train Control) into its construction. The system, however, has had a shaky start, including with the PTC-controlled wireless crossing gates that have constantly led to flaggers being stationed at grade crossings. Insinuations have been made that the malfunctioning PTC system may be due to a bad design of the A Line itself.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requires a minimum warning time of 20 seconds before a train enters the crossing. The A Line timi
ng is often a great deal beyond the requirement. This is the foremost reason why the planned RTD G Line is delayed.
Delays, Lawsuit
Metro leaders in Denver’s north and western suburbs have constantly complained because of the delays associated with the rail lines promised in the 2005 FasTracks vote. RTD initially set an opening of this year (2018) when construction began on the North line four years ago. The 13-mile line will carry passengers between Northglenn and downtown’s Union Station.
RTD now estimates its future northern suburb commuter rail line won’t open until the spring of 2020, a delay of approximately six months beyond the estimate made last year of late 2019. Northglenn’s Mayor Carol Dodge isn’t surprised by the most recent delay. “We figured it was going to be 2020, because they really haven’t kept their promises on many of the openings.”
Delays and other problems with Denver’s A Line have resulted in a September lawsuit against RTD by Denver Transit Partners. The suit accuses RTD of “breach of contract, violation of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing” and seeks “declaratory relief against the district’s refusal to accept changes in law and unforeseeable circumstances,” according to Waukesha, Wis.-based Trains Magazine. The magazine article quotes The Denver Post as saying the group of private companies are suing RTD for “tens of millions of dollars.”
Management Matters
Critics suggest many of RTD’s problems are a result of “train operations and management.” They related Denver’s problem to the procedures and related equipment enabling a coherent operation of the different structural subsystem, both during normal and degraded operation. In particular they refer to train driving, traffic planning and management.
In March CPR News reported incidents of speeding, blown red signals and even derailments in the maintenance yard. Interviews by CPR’s Nathaniel Minor with former and current engineers cited “a constant push to remain on time, tired operators and low wages that contribute to high employee turnover and, subsequently inexperienced engineers.”
The broadcast came shortly after RTD named Michael Ford its new chief operating officer in February. In the new position created by the agency, Ford is to “work with train operators, mechanics, and support staff to ensure the agency’s operations are reliable, safe and clean.”
Beauty & The Beast: Denver’s Union Station is an architectural marvel. All RTD needs to do now is solve its operational issues and get trains operating on time without delays.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2018 | Feature Story Bottom Left
DeGette Announces Run for Democratic Whip
By Congresswoman Diane DeGette
I am running to serve our caucus as Democratic Whip and hope to count on your support.
Thanks to your tireless work and the energy and enthusiasm of Democratic voters across the country, we will enter the 116th Congress with a Democratic House majority for the first time in eight years. This will be an awesome responsibility as we fight to deliver on the promise of bold action for the American people – even while Republicans continue to hold the Senate and the White House. In this tough environment, I am confident my years of whipping experience will help us win the key floor votes that we will need to advance our agenda.
Success for House Democrats in the coming years will require strong unity to stand for our core shared values, while appreciating we only reach that unity by understanding the perspective of every member and his or her district. The Whip must empower each member of our caucus to serve as a full partner, bringing his or her energy, passion, and expertise together with others’ to meet our common goals. It will also require the institutional knowledge and legislative savvy to go toe-to-toe with Senate Republicans and the White House.
Having served for seven congresses as Chief Deputy Whip, I have a strong track record as an effective strategist, precise vote counter, and experienced, bipartisan negotiator. I have passed major bipartisan bills, like the 21st Century Cures Act, rallied Republicans to support ethical stem cell research, forged agreements in our caucus on the Affordable Care Act, and held Democrats together on close energy and environmental votes. For nearly two decades as co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I have whipped countless tough votes in an effort to successfully stop the Republicans’ radical anti-choice agenda. You can count on me to deliver for our caucus.
We also must do more to ensure our leadership reflects the diversity of the caucus and our constituents. Eighteen years ago, our caucus voted to elevate a woman to the top levels of leadership, and it is past time for us to do so again—I would be only the second woman to hold this post. I would also be the first Whip from the Mountain West, and our path to a lasting majority must include broadening the caucus’ geographic appeal.
As Whip, I will reinvigorate all aspects of the current operation to ensure we draw upon the full potential of our members. This means bolstering the existing operation to more deeply involve bill sponsors, issue experts, and committee chairs and members when a bill moves to the House floor. It also means partnering with our messaging arm, so that our work resonates throughout the country and shows the American people that our actions can live up to our words.
I will continue to campaign on behalf of Democratic candidates across the country, from the most vulnerable incumbents to promising new challengers. I also understand the responsibility the Whip has to raise the money necessary to communicate effectively. I have raised millions for candidates and the DCCC, and I was on the host committee for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, which raised more than $60 million.
This is an important moment for our caucus to move smartly on behalf of the American people. Together, we can protect American values and enact positive change for the country that rallies the public to our cause. I look forward to discussing how I can work with you as Democratic Whip during this effort.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2018 | Travel
by Glen Richardson
Holidays Aglow: The holidays are about candy canes and lights all aglow plus the hearts we touch with the gifts we give and the care we show.
Festive Blast: Annual Tuba Christmas is a heartwarming way to blast the Bah-Humbugs away during the holidays. Many of the region’s tuba players are at the DCPA complex Dec. 16, 12:30 p.m.
Winter Warmth: One way to have fun and enjoy shopping is at holiday markets. Cherry Creek’s Winter Fest on Fillmore features outdoor fire pits and hot chocolate Dec. 8.
Holidays! Holidays! Holidays who can’t wait for them? Yes, the holidays are here and what an exciting time of the year for kids and adults alike. The holidays are about enjoying time with family and friends. Many of us decorate our homes and places of work to cherish the season with Christmas trees, Hanukkah lights, garland and candles.
Dancing With Joy: Entertainment fills the season with joy and Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum is one of the season’s most popular. This year’s dancing is Dec. 1-6.
Here’s our holiday guide of heartwarming ways to chase the Bah-Humbugs away and enjoy shopping, having fun and celebrating this most wonderful time of the year:
Holiday Events
White Christmas Ball: Dance to big band music at this 1940s event among vintage vehicles, sleighs and Christmas trees in the Hyatt Convention Center, Dec. 1.
Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum: A beautiful display of dance, live music and storytelling at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dec. 1-16.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: A timeless holiday tale filled with song, dance, snow and holiday cheer in the Buell Theatre, Dec. 5-15.
A Classical Christmas: The Colorado Symphony performs arrangements by Handel, Mozart, Holst, Barber and Berlioz at Boettcher Concert Hall, Dec. 7-8.
Great Russian Nutcracker: Moscow Ballet brings performers, hand-painted sets, snow maidens and nesting dolls to the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 7-8.
Ten Tenors: Australia’s tenors join the Symphony for operatic versions of White Christmas, Joy to the World and Feliz Navidad in Boettcher Hall, Dec. 9.
Cirque Stars: Holiday cirque stars fill the Paramount Theatre with magic, circus acrobatics and music Dec. 16.
A Colorado Christmas: Warm sounds like Sleigh Ride, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Nutcracker fill Boettcher Hall with festive tunes, Dec. 14-16.
A Legendary Christmas: Crooner John Legend sings and plays songs from his newly released holiday album at the Bellco Theatre, Dec. 15.
The Nutcracker: Take the family to Ballet Ariel’s imaginative, beautiful version of toy soldiers and Sugar Plum fairies at the Lakewood Cultural Center Dec. 15-27.
Tuba Christmas: Tap you
Nutcracker Soars: The Valley’s favorite holiday tradition, Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker has performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Nov. 24-Dec. 24.
r toes to your favorite holiday tunes played by many of the region’s tuba players at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Dec. 16.
Celtic Woman Christmas Tour: Multi-platinum all female Irish musical group is accompanied by the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher, Dec. 17.
Brian Setzer Orchestra: The 19-piece Grammy winning orchestra brings its 15th Anniversary Christmas Rock Tour to the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 17.
Holiday Brass: The Colorado Symphony Brass plays carols, classical favorites, jazz transcriptions and movie holiday music at Boettcher, Dec. 19.
Appalachian Christmas: The Mark O’Connor Band plays country, pop, bluegrass and chamber music at the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 20.
Too Hot To Handel: Guest soloists Cynthia Renee Saffron & Lawrence Clayton join the Symphony Chorus for R&B-infused concert at Boettcher, Dec. 21-22.
A Magical Cirque Christmas: Holiday cirque features magic, circus acrobatics, comedy, live music and caroling at the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 26.
Songs For The Season: New York singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson croons songs from her new holiday album accompanied by the Symphony at Boettcher, Dec. 30.
A Night In Vienna: The Colorado Symphony plays a selection of polkas, waltzes and marches to waltz you into the New Year at Boettcher, Dec. 31.
Holiday Markets
Holiday Flea: Weekends of shopping on the plaza at Denver Union Station, Dec. 2, 7-9 & 14-16. Regional artists and craft people sell clothing, jewelry, art & foodstuffs.
Improper City Makers Market: An art-focused pop-up shop with live music, food trucks at 3201 Walnut St., Dec. 7.
Winter Fest On Fillmore: Entertainment, face painting around outdoor fire pits with hot chocolate and refreshments for Cherry Creek North shoppers, Dec. 8.
South Gaylord Holiday Fest: Shop historic street while listening to the Original Dickens Carolers and donate to the Santa Claus Shop, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 8.
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair: Shop for fashions, accessories, home décor, art and food from 150 artisans in the McNichols Bldg., Dec. 8-9.
Shopping Districts
Cherry Creek Shopping Center: Shop 160 stores including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, plus live music and holiday entertainment.
Waltzing Into New Year: The Colorado Symphony plays polkas, waltzes and marches to waltz us into the New Year at Boettcher, Dec. 31.
Cherry Creek North: Home to 16 blocks of fashion stores like Andrisen Morton, Hermes, Lawrence Covell, Loro Piana and St. John.
Glendale: Premier shopping destination with a Super Target, World Market, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Staples, The Bookies and dozens of unique local shops.
Larimer Square: Shop one-of-a-kind stores in Victorian buildings along street with distinctive fashion and specialty boutiques in city’s oldest district.
Old South Gaylord: Shop the second oldest shopping district in Denver featuring quaint shops, fine art, fashion and unique gifts.
Downtown Denver: Central Denver’s best holiday shopping is at the Denver Pavilions and along the 16th Street Mall.
Independent Shopping
Adornments: Clothing, jewelry and accessories in a mix of art, fashion and luxurious fabrics in this true Cherry Creek boutique on 3rd Ave.
Bloom By Anuschka: Upscale florist and home furnishings store at 3rd and University offering chic floral arrangements, furniture & accessories.
Harriet’s: Contemporary Cherry Creek woman’s boutique selling casual elegance in women’s fashions including sweaters, scarves and handbags.
Saks Galleries: Family owned in Cherry Creek for over 50 years specializing in 19th to 21st century American & European oils, watercolors and bronzes.
Mariel: Upscale Cherry Creek boutique selling women’s clothing & accessories, including evening wear, shoes, hat and bridal gowns.
Flower Power: Exquisite independently owned flower boutique on E. Virginia Ave. creating everyday arrangements plus wedding, special event florals.
Arts at Denver: Longtime Old South Gaylord gallery showcasing original oil paintings by more than 30 Colorado artists plus designer jewelry.
Two Sole Sisters: High-end South Gaylord store selling seasonal handmade women’s shoes, boots, sandals and accessories.
Barbara & Company: Fashionable South Gaylord women’s clothing boutique selling designs from Europe, New York and Los Angeles.
Robert Anderson Gallery: Exceptional galley on E. Colfax offering unique photography, photomontages plus glass sculpture and paintings for the holidays.
LeGrue’s: Landmark Christmas and flower shop on S. Broadway is holding its retirement sale offering savings up to 60% off before closing.
Meininger Art Supply: Family owned Broadway candy store for artists selling paints, paint brushes, pens, paper, markers, color pencils and other art supplies.
Paradise Baggage Co: State’s largest luggage store on S. Broadway featuring a variety of luggage and travel accessories, plus luggage repair services.
The Bookies: Independently owned bookstore off Colorado Blvd. in Glendale with over 100,000 titles plus large selection of toys, games, puzzles and gifts.
Dardano’s: Longstanding, family-owned store specializing in comfort footwear, accessories and shoe repair on S. Colorado Blvd.
Colorado Gold Mart: Glendale store on S. Colorado Blvd. buying and selling vintage watches, new & used jewelry plus buying and selling precious metals.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2018 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Infinity Park Event Center is no stranger to orchestrating talent and production during events, but is now conducting its own Glendale Throwdown Showdown Talent Show. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
The Infinity Park Event Center will host a talent showdown this December, celebrating a decade of elevated events and bringing three nights of exceptional entertainment to the Front Range. General Manager Bobbi Reed says that while the landmark anniversary is certainly significant for the venue, the Throwdown Showdown is less about the Event Center’s 10-year birthday and more about producing an in-house event that will not just showcase the venue itself, but also provide exposure to a broader audience: “We wanted to do an event here that we produced, since typically we’re acting solely as a venue. We wanted to build on the brand that we’ve cultivated in the last 10 years,” she said. “This gives us an opportunity to expose the Event Center to a different audience — maybe folks that haven’t been here for a non-profit fundraiser or a corporate meeting or even a rugby game. It gives us a chance to expand our exposure; and doing that through something that is entertaining and fun is good for us and the audience.”
Working with Imprint Events, a national event planning organization with offices in Colorado, Las Vegas, and Florida, Infinity Park’s Talent Showdown will take place December 10-13, capitalizing on the same competition model as that of the seemingly endless popularity of recent television programming like American Idol, The Voice, America’s Got Talent, and others. Imprint organizes events for hundreds of clients annually, and has connections to the high-end talent, recruiters, and promoters that will make the year-end event at Infinity Park a smash for audience members. Reed notes that recruiting call-outs began in early November, and are open to any number of disciplines, ranging from dance troupes to comedians, magicians to bands — among others.
The talent shows themselves will be held in Infinity Park Events Center’s 8,600 square foot International Ballroom, a space with accommodations for any number of performance types. In addition to elegant venue space, the ballroom includes state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities, including unique 360-degree surround screens, LED lighting, and in-house audio production. With capacity for 1,200 guests, there is never a bad seat in the ballroom. Reed expects that the Talent Showdown will likely become an annual event, and that the multi-day organizational model is designed specifically to build excitement for a crowd that might not typically find themselves at Infinity Park: “It’s all about spreading the brand. We don’t typically produce events, we’re more like real estate for rent, so this is an opportunity for us to put something on that will reflect positively on Infinity Park, on Glendale. This is something that we want to do for many years,” she said. “This is a chance for people to come and do something fun. It gets lots of people in here to see something different. We’re expecting some top-notch performers: the entertainment won’t be just the competition, but the acts themselves.”
Competition will consist of nine unique preliminary acts on each of the opening nights, with audience members deciding finalists via a mobile app designed specifically for the event. Ticket sales launched in early November, and everyone interested can visit the Infinity Park Event Center website to purchase. Multi-night tickets are available for a special rate. What’s at stake for participating talent contestants is considerable. Exposure through the wide-ranging web and social media reach of Infinity Park is perhaps the largest draw, but the likely presence of recruiters and talent scouts will only further that chance at exposure. All contestants selected to compete on finals night will be awarded nominal prizes, and the top three performers will receive additional prizes, some including cash.
Guests have a lot to look forward to. In addition to 18 separate acts over the first two nights, an additional showdown for the finals, exposure to regional talent, and available food and drink at one of Colorado’s premier entertainment venues, first-time attendees will get to experience three evenings of fun at Infinity Park Event Center. For a closer look at what Infinity Park has to offer, for updates on the talent participating in December’s Throwdown Showdown, and to purchase your tickets for the event, visit http://infinityparkeventcenter.com.
Please send audition tapes, bios and photos to auditions@imprintgroup.com. Questions? Call 303-623-1492 for more information. Application deadline Wednesday, November 21.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 19, 2018 | Editorials
Jamie Giellis
The 2018 statewide elections in Colorado are over. While a blue wave may not have occurred nationwide it certainly did happen in the Centennial State. Republicans not only didn’t win the governorship it lost all statewide offices it held including Attorney General, Secretary of State and Treasurer by wide margins. In Denver all the sales tax hikes were approved as prognosticated in our August 2018 editorial. Statewide the voters shot down new taxes for education and roads although Denver voters likely would have approved both.
We Denverites love our taxes, perhaps reflecting the fact that Denver is home to a very significant number of federal, state and local employees. But we also demand value for our money which many feel we are not getting from our governing city government. Neighborhoods are being destroyed with inappropriate and endless high-density projects, parking downtown has become an arduous chore at times and our roads are increasingly jammed with no relief in sight.
It would appear that many citizens of Denver have had it with Michael Hancock who is viewed as a clueless puppet of high-density developers. The publicity of the mayor’s sexual harassment of police officer Leslie Branch Wise, and his use sub silencio of taxpayer money to pay her off, has been the last straw for many in the city.
Four years ago, not a single person qualified for the ballot to oppose Hancock’s re-election. The situation has dramatically changed today with at least three highly qualified candidates willing to take on his Honor. Last month we identified two of those individuals — Penfield Tate and Lisa Calderon. Since then another highly qualified candidate has entered the ring — Jamie Giellis.
Giellis, age 41, is the president of the River North Art District. She has b
Large scale apartment project on Speer Boulevard.
een identified by The Denver Post as an important force in the development of RiNo, South Pearl Street and the Golden Triangle in her role as founder of Centro which specializes in urban planning.
Urban planning is exactly what has been sadly lacking for the last eight years as can be seen by the virtual destruction of what was one of Denver’s most scenic roadways — Speer Boulevard. Massive condo and apartment buildings crowd the roadway with no setback and totally devoid of any open areas and trees.
As Giellis correctly noted: “A broad vision for Denver is missing and the current mayor has been responding to, and not necessarily planning for, all the issues that come along with quickly growing urban areas.”
As far as we are concerned the more qualified candidates for mayor the better. Under Denver’s Charter if no person reaches the 50% level in the first round of voting there is a runoff between the top two candidates.
It is not that Hancock will be easy to defeat. Those that control the mayor have been raising large sums of money for his re-election, from the high-density developers and other lowlifes that have been raping Denver for fun and profit for years. But the voters of Denver may, at long last, have become disenchanted with Harasser-in-Chief and all the money in the world will hopefully not save him.
