by Valley Gadfly | Mar 21, 2023 | Main Articles
Hippity Hoppin’ Down The Bunny Trail To Easter, Rebirth, New Life, And Spring’s Egg’stra Special Season
by Glen Richardson
Easter Brunch Bunch: Families celebrate the holiday at indoor-outdoor restaurant gatherings, including brunch in the regal 19th-century dining room at the Brown Palace Hotel downtown.
Colorful Easter Character: The Bible makes no mention of this long-eared, short-tailed character, nevertheless, the Easter bunny is a prominent symbol of Christianity’s Easter holiday.
Easter — April 9 this year — has become a charming Cherry Creek Valley tradition bringin’ baskets full of fun spring things to do ranging from egg hunt extravaganzas and bunny bolts to scrumptious spring feasting. Along with Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks and city-wide church services, the holiday is anchored by Passover which starts at sundown April 5 and ends April 13.
The holidays coincide with “Bud-Bust” — tell-tale signs that spring is upon us — as the Valley revives and reinvigorates after the colder months. Bees start buzzing as grass begins to grow again and flowers bloom.
From church services and colorful events to Easter eating, the Chronicle has found copious choices beyond dying eggs to keep you hoppin’ into spring:
Easter Services
Red Rocks Sunrise Service
Service is at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Mor
Hatching Hunts: A tradition since 16th-century Germany, children search for decorated eggs a various Valley sites including Glendale’s Infinity Park Turf Field and Four Mile Historic Park.
rison, April 9. Gates open 4:30 a.m., pre-worship music at 5:30 a.m., service begins at 6 a.m. Speaker is Father Michael Nicosia, Priest at the Ecumenical Catholic Communion, Aurora. Music is by Blood Brothers, a folk, country, and worship music quintet. Information: 303-825-4910.
Augustana Lutheran Church
Located at 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Augustana’s Easter Garden will be in full bloom with music by the Easter Brass and Augustana’s Chancel Choir, 8 a.m.
April Showers Spark Flowers: Rain showers spark the beginning of flowers and plants to really start blooming. Symbolizing a fresh start, daisies and sweet peas are the flowers of April.
Information: 303-388-4678.
Catholic Basilica Of The Immaculate Conception
Holy Week at the Basilica on the corner of Logan St. and Colfax Ave. has the church’s most beautiful liturgies. Holy Saturday Vigil is 8:15 p.m., Easter Sunday Mass is at 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-831-7010.
Saint John’s Cathedral
Cathedral is seat of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado at 1350 N. Washington St. Service is at 10:30 a.m. with music by St. John’s School & Adult Choir. An Easter egg hunt follows from noon to 12:30 pm. Information: 303-831-1350.
University Park United Methodist Church
Church located at 2180 S. University Blvd. has 7 a.m. sunrise service on the Colgate Lawn followed by traditional worship in the sanctuary 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Information: 303-722-5736.
Assumption Of The Theotokos Cathedral
Greek Orthodox Easter — celebrated Sunday after Passover’s first full moon — is April 16 at the Cathedral in Glendale. Divine Liturgy, 9:30-11 a.m., ritual Greek Easter Dance (Cretan), 12:30 p.m.; Pan Orthodox Vespers, 5 p.m. Information: 303-388-9314.
Passover
Spring Services: In addition to Easter Sunrise Services at Red Rocks, St. John’s Cathedral (pictured) and churches city-wide celebrate with special services, music, and the ringing of church bells.
Judaism Your Way
Community Seder at Denver Botanic Gardens April 8, 5-8 p.m. Rabbi Caryn Aviv and Amanda Schwartz led Seder will feature High Holiday songs and Seder classics. Information: 303-320-6185.
Temple Emanuel
Passover day one service is April 6 followed by Young Family Pesach April 12. Temple’s Passover Seder is a buffet style dinner catered by Cohen’s Cuisine in the Social Hall April 5, 6 p.m. Seder will be led by Rabbi Joseph Black, Cantor Elizabeth Sacks, and Rabbi Emily Hyatt. Information: 303-388-4013.
Easter Egg Hunts
Glendale Sports Center
Egg Hunt is April 1 at Glendale’s Infinity Park Turf Field, 10 a.m. Hunts are for kids in three age groups: ages zero-three; four to six; and seven to age 12. Parking is available on the northeast corner of Kentucky & Cherry. Information: 303-639-4711.
Four Mile Historic Park
Hunts April 8 are at 9 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m., beginning with Puppet Shows at 9:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Morning Little Kid Egg Hunt is at 10 a.m. followed by Big Kid Hunt at 10:30 a.m., shadowed by a Magician at 11 a.m. Doors close at noon. Afternoon hunt doors open at 1 p.m., Little Kid hunt is at 2:15 p.m., Big Kid Hunt 2:45 p.m., with Magician at 3:15 p.m. Afternoon hunt closes at 4:30 p.m. Victorian Egg Rolling Contest, Musical Egg Chairs & Crafts all day. Information: 720-865-0800.
Stapleton Egg Scramble
The Stapleton Master Community Assn. annual scramble is April 1, 10 a.m. The first scramble is for children six and older (Parents not allowed); followed at 10:15 a.m. by ages zero to five, parents allowed. Information: 303-388-0724.
Easter Brunch
Bistro Vendome
Relocated from Larimer Square to 2267 Kearney St. in Park Hill, restaurant is expected to again feature Easter brunch. Anticipate omelets, Crepe Vendome, other popular selections, and their Chocolate Croissants. Information: 303-825-3232.
Edge Restaurant
Hop over to the Edge Restaurant & Bar in the Four Seasons Hotel downtown April 9, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Featuring a raw bar, appetizers, salads, several entrée options, plus a carving station. Information: 303-389-3050.
Ellyngton’s
Appreciate breakfast and Easter brunch in the restaurant’s regal 19th-century dining room at the Brown Palace Hotel. Choices include waffles, pastries, omelets, salads, sushi, grilled meats, many more choices. Information: 303-297-3111.
Fire Restaurant
Experience brunch in one of the most desirable indoor-outdoor Easter settings at the ART Hotel on Broadway, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Spring omelets, much more, plus a Bunny Menu for the kids. Information: 720-709-4431.
Local Jones
For a tasty holiday morning in Cherry Creek North, do brunch at this classic bistro in the Halcyon Hotel. Always delightful, choices usually include cinnamon rolls, roasted lamb shank, and more. Information: 720-772-5022.
Washington Park Grille
Enjoy a laidback ambiance at this Old S. Gaylord St. eatery with low-key dining room, lounge, and patio. Warm atmosphere with yummy choices such as waffles, omelets, a crab benedict, and more. Information: 303-777-0707.
Easter Dinner
Culinary Dropout
Eatery on E. 9th Ave. is offering two additional items on Easter weekend plus the regular menu. Standard items include Rainbow Trout, Squash Ravioli, and Fried Chicken. Information: 720-799-0190.
Humboldt Kitchen
Serving a special Easter Dinner featuring Herb Roasted Prime Rib from 3 p.m.-8 p.m. A holiday brunch is offered from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The regular menu also available. Information: 303-813-1700.
Le Bilboquet
Restaurant on corner of 3rd Ave. & St. Paul in Cherry Creek offers dinner on Easter, plus a buffet. Last year’s choices were grilled chicken, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and Mac & Cheese. Information: 303-835-9999.
Monaco Inn Restaurant
Serving noon to 8 p.m., restaurant is featuring Colorado Spring Leg of Lamb with Greek potatoes, Greek Salad, and Avgolemono Soup. Menu also has other Greek & American specialties. Saganaki appetizer, plus homemade baklava or galaktoboureko for desserts. Information: 303-320-1104.
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 22, 2023 | Valley Gadfly
Top ’o’ the Month to Ya’: March is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. But we think of it as the beginning of spring, as March brings the Full Worm Moon and Daylight Saving Time.
March 12 is the start of Daylight Savings, which begins at 2 a.m. that day. Hint: Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set the clocks one hour ahead, or you’ll find yourself late for everything.
Here are our Irish spring choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment so your heart will be light and happy, your smile big and wide, plus your pocket has a coin or two inside:
3 With his 21st studio album out, Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band bring music of 15 soul music greats to the Ball Arena, March 2, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-405-1100.
3 For a Celtic Awakening, listen to Denver Brass’ Irish tenor sing Emerald Isle melodies at the Newman Center, March 10-12, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
3 March downtown to see step dancers, floats, and marching bands at annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 11, stepping off at 9:30 a.m. Information: 720-577-6884.
3 View over 30 Israeli-Jewish films with “talk backs” during Denver Jewish Film Festival in the Wolf & Pluss Theatres, March 11-19. Information: 303-316-6360.
3 Swing by Inga’s Alpine Tavern on St. Patrick’s Day for good pub grub while listening to the music of GT & The Sidewinders rockin’ Americana band playing from 7-10 p.m. Open 11 a.m.-2 a.m. serving craft cocktails, beer, wine, and creative bites. Information: 720-389-6203.
3 For interior plaster and drywall repair that’s done right and looks super, rely on The Wall Rebuilders. Now in their 24th year, Dan & Laura Pino are known for quality, speed of service, and honesty. Repair, remodel or fix anything. Free estimates. Information: 303-698-1057.
3 Enjoy musical magic as the Denver Young Artists Orchestra & Colorado Symphony play together at Boettcher Hall, March 15, 7 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
3 See singing, dancing, storytelling, food, and art by 100 Indian tribes during the March Powwow in the Denver Coliseum, March 17-19. Information: 303-934-8045.
3 Catch clarinetist Roger Campbell as he leads the hottest jazz band since the Swing Era playing at Dazzle@Baur’s, March 22, 7-8:30 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
3 Join the tribute, as the Colorado Symphony and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble honor Cleo Parker Robinson — the founder, artistic director & choreographer — for her storied accomplishments. Her 50-year-old institution includes Youth-Junior Youth Ensembles, a Dance Academy, plus an International Summer Institute. The Park Ave. West three-level historic facility seats 240 for concerts, recitals, dances, and theatre. A celebrated artist, cultural leader, and champion of the arts for nearly a half-century, she remains a pillar of the community to this day. The tribute is at Boettcher Concert Hall, March 30, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
St. Patrick’s Day is the main event in March and Irish eyes are smiling: Flowers will soon bud, and this month’s major holiday is just one huge social, minus gifts, and little stress. Leprechauns, laughter, and green, Oh my! Refreshing-tranquil green is linked to money and luck. The Cherry Creek Valley soon will again become our “Green Green Grass of Home.” As the Irish say, “To all the days here and after, may they be filled with fond memories, happiness, and laughter.” But, don’t press your luck by ironing four-leaf clovers!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 22, 2023 | Main Articles
With Lowest Vacancy Rates And Highest Office, Retail, And Multi-Housing Rents, Megaprojects Are Hijacking District’s Westside
by Glen Richardson
Whole Lot Of Wavering: Known as Clayton Lane, the site where Whole Foods and the former Sears store are located, continues to be Cherry Creek North’s most tentative development.
Billion Dollar Deal: East West Partner’s $1 Billion Cherry Creek West project is Cherry Creek North’s biggest project and will have the most impact on the district’s changing westside.
Developers are making bold moves to turn Cherry Creek North’s westside — where what remains of the district’s independent stores, spas, salons, and eateries — into sprawling mega developments. The push to “go big” represents both a growing demand and developer desire to land larger retail and housing tenants in mega mixed-use campuses.
Cherry Creek North has the lowest vacancy rates and highest office, retail, and multi-housing rents in metro Denver, making the district the Valley’s hottest market for investors and lenders alike. Moreover, Cherry Creek has become the leading leasing market in the Rocky Mountain region, attracting the highest demand for properties and spaces available for Lease and Sublease.
Consequently, the district is now one of the nation’s best performing submarkets. Here’s the latest on new megaprojects, plus an update on impending projects:
Coup At 210 University
A $67.7 million, 140,832-sq.-ft. office-retail joint development by Koch Real Estate Investment (KREI) and Corum Real Estate Group at 210 University Blvd. is Cherry Creek’s latest westside development takeover wave. The nine-story office building and attached garage — where US Bank and Baird are located — will remain intact.
But the companies plan to demolish the existing single-story retail buildings on 3rd Ave. — where Chinese restaurant Little Ollie’s has been located since 1997 along with the adjacent OBar — plus the next-door Paradise Cleaners. The development duo plans to build a four-story structure with 7,500-sq.ft. of ground floor retail space and three floors and 46,000-sq.-ft. of office space on the site. Construction won’t begin for at least a year, since leases for the restaurant-bar and cleaners require a year’s notice before termination.
The Sunflower Bank building — located next to the cleaners on the corner of Josephine and 3rd Ave. — was not involved in the purchase and won’t be demolished.
Clayton’s Second Phase: Broe Real Estate has commenced work on the second phase of street’s $200 million redevelopment. Work has started on this eight-story, 175,000-sq.-ft. building.
Josephine St. Changes
Directly across 3rd Ave., Elevation and Edgemark Development have already started construction on a six-story, 70,000-sq.-ft. mixed use building. The location’s first-floor will feature retail space wrapped around the corner of 3rd & Josephine. The upper-floors’ step-up design has 50,000-sq.-ft. of tenant space that will vary from 16,000-sq.-ft. on the second floor to 5,000-sq.-ft on the top-level. The project is on the half-acre site where floral-home furnishing store Bloom was located and includes a portion of parking lot space leased to Hillstone Restaurant.
The site at 2nd Ave. and Josephine — where Whole Foods and the former Sears store are located — remains the westside’s most tentative site. Known as the Clayton Lane project, the collection of buildings between East 2nd Ave. from Josephine to Detroit streets was purchased by OliverMcMillan (later acquired by Brookfield Residential) and Invesco Real Estate for $116.7 million in 2016. Initial plans called for demolition of Whole Foods, the adjacent parking structure, and the former Sears store. They were to be replaced by 173,105-sq.-ft. of retail space and 527 residential units between Clayton and Josephine.
News media reports at the beginning of 2023 hinted that “after years of false starts, things might finally get moving in the massive Clayton Lane development.” Those reports, nonetheless, acknowledged, “it’s unclear if the owners plan to sell completely or in part, or are simply looking to bring another firm into the partnerships.” Even if major changes take place, demolition and new construction is likely two to five years away.
$1 Billion Mall Project
That puts the $1 billion East West Partners’ mixed-use development dubbed “Cherry Creek West” as the biggest project with the most immediate impac
Going, Going, Gone: Newly revealed $67.7 million 210 University Development will demolish Little Ollie’s, OBar, and Paradise Cleaners along the west end of 3rd Ave. in coming year.
t and influence on Cherry Creek North’s changing westside. Construction is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2024, with the first building ready for occupancy in 2027. Already in the starting stages, the massive site is likely to be completed in 10 years.
The 13-acre site — bordering University Blvd., the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, and Cherry Creek North Dr. — will be composed of seven 12-story tall buildings housing a combination of offices, condos, and apartments. The massive development will span from University Blvd. to Clayton St. and 1st. Ave. to the Cherry Creek waterway.
Plans include a “public plaza” with green space for concerts and events; a market square; a dedicated two-way bike trail; and above- and below-ground parking. Some neighbors are concerned the plans will lead to traffic congestion, with fewer places to drive and a lack of parking. Others say there won’t be sufficient affordable housing.
Clayton’s Second Phase
Sandwiched in the westside’s middle section is Broe Real Estate Group’s $200 million Clayton Street redevelopment. The completed and fully leased phase one projec
t on the corner of 2nd Ave. and Clayton is 76,000-sq.-ft. and rises eight-stories. The developer — who owns most of the east side of Clayton and has its headquarters on the street — has commenced work on the second phase located at 250 Clayton. It is another eight-story project, this one totaling 175,000-sq.-ft.
Along the westside’s eastern-most street, Schnitzer West is launching an eight-story office project at 201 Fillmore St. The development company paid $108 million for the Men’s Wearhouse site, a new Denver record price per square foot. Landlord for the property was Barry Hirschfeld. The 2nd Ave. and Fillmore project will feature 140,000-sq.-ft. of mixed-use space, with 132,000-sq.-ft. being office space. All of the office space has been pre-leased. There will be 8,500-sq.-ft. of retail space on the ground floor. Five levels of below-grade parking will accommodate more than 240 vehicles.
Down the street at 255 Fillmore — a site that has been a parking lot since it was purchased by BMC Investments in 2019 — construction is underway for a seven-story mixed-use project that is expected to be completed as soon as the third quarter of this year. The project will have six floors of office space and 9,500-sq-ft. of ground-floor retail including French-Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial.
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 22, 2023 | Main Articles
Calling All Denver Irish Leprechauns, Four-Leaf Clover Wearers, It’s Time For Wearing Of The Green
by Glen Richardson
Casey’s Cuisine: Shepherd’s Pie is among Irish menu choices at Casey’s Bistro & Pub in the Lowry Town Center. Restaurant also has Irish Whiskey Chicken, Bangers & Mash, plus Irish Nachos.
Music Magic: Irish concerts are one of the charms during St. Patrick’s Day weekend. With more than a million records sold, Irish folk band Altan entertains at the Lakewood Center March 11.
Luck, charms, shamrocks, and shenanigans, Dublin days in Denver begins March 9 at 3 p.m. (weather permitting) when the city paints a green strip down Blake Street. From that day and after, St. Paddy’s Day events begin with just a “wee bit” O’ Blarney. The green stripe signifies the parade route and is followed by the Changin’ of Blake’s Street sign to Tooley Street, honoring 1970s Irish former District Attorney Dale Tooley.
All the days thereafter, according to Irish folklore, will be filled with fond memories, happiness, and laughter throughout St. Patrick’s Day on March 17.
Get ready for one of the nation’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day Parades on March 11, followed by days of revelry from shamrock-covered bars serving classic pub grub with music, drinking, and a whole lot of green. Embrace the luck and prepare for revelry and merrymaking with the Chronicle’s yearly guide to partying in green garb:
Concerts
Luck of the Irish, March 4-5: The Aurora Singers entertain with haunting ballads, lullabies, and songs to stir your Irish soul at South Middle School, Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Information: 303-343-3377.
Gobs O’ Phun, March 5 & 17: Brothers-in-law duo-duet Denis Sullivan and Martin Lambuth accompany themselves with guitar, bodhran, and harmonica at Swallow Hill’s Quinian Café, 7 p.m., and on St. Paddy’s Day, 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
Young Dubliners, March 10: Irish-American rock band and lead singer-rhythm guitarist Keith Roberts perform at the Soiled Dove Underground in the Lowry Town Center, 8 p.m. Information: 303-830-9214.
Celtic Awakening, March 10-12: The Denver Brass Celtic show with the Colorado Pipes & Drums, Wick School of Irish Dance, the Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers, and Irish tenor Todd Teske bring Irish magic to the Newman Center, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
Altan, March 11: The 1987 Irish folk band formed by lead vocalist Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh and her husband Frankie Kennedy and sold over a million records is at the Lakewood C
Popular Procession: Denver’s Irish parade is accompanied by Celtic Music Groups, Acoustic Bands, plus Irish Music Bands. Hip hounds march along with horses in the annual parade.
enter, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-987-7845.
Parade & Princess
Set to step off March 11 at 9:30 a.m., Denver’s St. Paddy’s Day parade is one of the largest in the country with nearly half a million people expected. Featuring Irish step dancers, marching bands, elaborate floats, and bagpipers, the Mile High version is legendary.
St. Paddy’s Swarm: Nearly a half million people are expected downtown for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 11. Irish marching bands, floats, and bagpipers annually draw state’s single largest gathering in one place.
Many claim it annually draws Colorado’s single largest gathering in one place.
If you’re attending, you’ll want to get a spot early since some people arrive by 6 a.m. to find a prime place for spectating. The parade launches from Wynkoop at 19th, turns down 17th in front of Union Station, and then turns NE down Blake St. proceeding all the way to 27th. Information: 720-577-6884.
Competition to be Denver’s next Irish queen — known as Queen Colleen — was set from Feb. 11, after the deadline for the Chronicle’s March issue. Currently Miss Colorado All American Girl, Molly Casey served as Queen Colleen for 2022. Born and raised here, she is 100% Irish and still visits her family’s homestead in Cork, Ireland.
Pub Grub
The Abbey Tavern: A bright, relaxing eatery on E. Colfax serving American breakfasts and brunch, patrons can also choose from an Irish Breakfast, a Corned Beef Hash Skillet, Irish Eggs Benedict, plus Shepherd’s Pie. Irish Bread Pudding is available for dessert. Information: 303-321-5151.
Casey’s Bistro & Pub: Located in the Lowry Town Center, this lively restaurant-bar’s menu includes Irish Nachos, Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, plus Irish Whiskey Chicken. Information: 720-974-7350.
The Irish Rover: This friendly Baker neighborhood pub on South Broadway is celebrating St. Paddy’s Day March 12-17. With a fireplace and huge rooftop patio, diverse food choices are always available. Irish selections include a Corned Beef Reuben, Shepherd’s Pie, and an Irish
Corned Beef Custom: Corned Beef & Cabbage has become a yearly St. Paddy’s Day Special at the Monaco Inn Restaurant. The hoped-for coming year fortune dish is being served for lunch and dinner March 17.
Breakfast. Information: 303-282-4643.
Monaco Inn Restaurant: When Irish eateries began to shutter a dozen years ago, this South Monaco Parkway restaurant started offering Corned Beef & Cabbage as a St. Patrick’s Day Special. The dish quickly became a draw, and will again be the March 17th Special for lunch and dinner. Information: 303-320-1104.
Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub: An authentic slice of the Emerald Isle on Larimer St. near Coors Field, the kitchen serves Shepherd’s Pie, Banger’s ’n Mash, plus Irish Spring Rolls. Information: 303-291-6992.
Pub Places To Play
Clancy’s Irish Pub, March 17-18: State’s oldest and longest running Irish Pub has live music Fri., 8 a.m.-1 a.m;, Sat., 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Among outdoor headlines Fri.-Sat. are Bleed N Green, No B
ueno, and The Delta Sonics, plus dozens more entertaining inside. Information: 720-456-7320.
Keggs & Eggs, March 17: Annual St. Paddy’s Day morning concert hosted by rock station KTCL returns to Jackson’s Sports Bar across from Coors Field, 7 a.m. Singer Matt Maeson and bands Holdfast and Ripe entertain. Information: 303-298-7625.
Pig & The Sprout, March 17: Restaurant at 19th & Chestnut Place hosts 5th annual St. Paddy’s Day bar crawl with a $1,000 costume contest, 4 p.m. Information: 720-535-9719.
St. Paddy’s Day Block Party, March 11, 17-18: Live music and parties at the Gin Mill & Larimer Beer Hall noon-4 p.m. Sat.; 3-7 p.m. Fri. 17th & 1-4 p.m. Sat. 18th. Information: 303-295-0706.
Running Luck
Races & Irish Festival, March 12: Family 7K, 2 mile race-walk at Wash Park, 10 a.m. Post-race party with Irish music and dancers, plus Beer Garden. Information: rungreen7K.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Jan 19, 2023 | Main Articles
Property, Violent Crimes Soar Past New York City, Chicago; With 100 Cars Stolen Daily, Auto Theft Is Nation’s Second Highest
by Glen Richardson
Once amazingly safe, crime in the Mile High City is now worse than New York City or Chicago, and growing increasingly dangerous as the new year begins. Ranked on a scale of 1 (low crime) to 100 (high crime), Denver outranks New York City in violent crimes by 2.5 points. Denver’s property crime has doubled that in New York City. Chicago continues to edge Denver in Violent Crime (19.2 points), but property crimes in Colorado’s capital are 4.5 points greater than in the Windy City.
Denver’s violent crime rate has been rising over the last 10 years and especially the last two. Furthermore, police don’t believe the pandemic triggered the crime spike. Denver Police Department records show 6,810 aggravated assaults, robberies, and homicides through mid-December, up from just 4,924 in 2019. Property crimes during the same period totaled 42,100, up from 26,133 in 2019. Most come from just a portion of the city’s 78 neighborhoods. The higher-income neighborhoods located east of Broadway and south of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard have lighter violent crime numbers than Denver’s urban core and southwestern neighborhoods.
Auto theft is now an epidemic in Denver and the second highest in the nation. Denver Police Department data as of Dec. 5, 2022, showed auto theft had skyrocketed 71% compared with the city’s three-year average. The car theft rate in Denver is now averaging 19.8 crimes per 1,000 residents. Nearly 100 vehicles are stolen every day in Denver. Furthermore, Colorado now leads the nation in auto theft per capita.
Least Safe City
People wielding guns recorded 6,810 assaults, robberies, and homicides through mid-Dec. 2022.
Denver now also ranks as one of the nation’s least safe cities, according to data
from website WalletHub. The study analyzed 182 U.S. cities for home and community safety, natural disaster risk, and financial safety, then gave each city an overall score and reported the results. Denver is sandwiched in between Little Rock and New Orleans in terms of overall safety.
Colorado’s largest city ranked 166th for home and community safety, in between Baltimore and Fort Lauderdale. Denver’s growing troubles with elevated property and violent crime, low first responder recruitment, high homelessness concentrations, and growing drug overdoses played large roles in the low ranking. While Denver doesn’t have hurricane or earthquake risks, the city ranks extremely high for risks from wildfires, hail, and tornados. The website ranked Denver 139th for natural disaster risk.
On the plus side, the Mile High City’s financial security ranks high. Of 182 cities, Denver ranked 62nd for financial safety. The city’s high concentration of high-income workers and rebounding post-COVID unemployment likely pushed the personal financial measurements higher.
Risky, Safe Spots
Hate Crime Rally: Colorado had more hate crimes in 2021 than any year since the FBI began tracking them in 1990. Photo is of Denver Asian-Pacific Islander hate crime rally.
Auto Theft Epidemic: Stolen vehicles are often wrecked and stripped according to local police. Chart, below, shows thefts per 1,000 residents from 2008 to 2021. From six per 1,000 residents in 2008, thefts jumped to 18 in 2021. At end of 2022 it’s at 19.8.
Five Points continues its multi-year streak as Denver’s most violent neighborhood. The Montbello, and Green Valley Ranch neighborhoods that straddle Interstate 70 rank second and third. The city’s urban nightlife center and public transit hub Union Station ranks fourth. Capitol Hill and Central Park (previously Stapleton) are fifth and sixth, trailed by East Colfax in the seventh spot. Most of Denver’s other high-violence neighborhoods are seated in the city’s southwestern edge.
Five neighborhoods have remained steady for violent crime: Washington Park West, Regis, Cory-Merrill, Clayton, and East Colfax.
The biggest news, though, is the drop in violent-crime counts for four of the five areas among the highest in overall offenses: Capitol Hill dropped from 163 in 2021 to 157 in 2022, North Capitol Hill from 104 to 85, and the Central Business District from 185 to 131. Union Station also dropped, albeit a single point, from 167 to 166.
The city’s south-end Wellshire neighborhood — at E. Hampden Ave. between Colorado Blvd. and University Blvd. — is Denver’s safest area. North Park Hill, Wash Park, Country Club, and Hilltop also recorded low violent crime rates compared to the city’s other districts.
Crime Surge Statewide
T
Busy Beat: Calls to potentially deadly crime scenes continue to surge in Denver. Officers are pictured at a September shooting next to the Carla Madison Center where two juveniles were hospitalized. Photo: Jeremy Sparig
he 2022 crime rate statewide was also up — averaging 530 crimes per 100,000 residents — with no relief in sight for the year ahead. While slightly lower than 2021’s peak, crimes in Colorado remained 7.3% higher than in 2019, and 20% higher than in 2008. Incidents of robbery, arson, car theft, vandalism, prostitution, and the purchase of stolen property continued to increase in 2022. Compared to other states, Colorado ranks first in motor vehicle theft and second in property crimes.
Concurrent with Colorado’s rising crime rates, since the start of the pandemic, incarceration in the state’s Department of Corrections facilities have dropped by 15.5%. Moreover, the number of offenders on parole declined by 14.1%, and the number of offenders on probation fell by 14.4%.
For the sake of public safety and justice for victims, law enforcement officials imply that a rise in crime should create a corresponding rise in arrests, convictions, and incarceration.
Hate Crimes Climb
Surge In Violence: Memorial where six people were shot on E. Colfax Ave. on Nov. 2, 2022. Photo by Denverite’s Kevin J. Beaty
Colorado had more hate crimes in 2021 than any year since the FBI began tracking them in 1990. There were 285 reported to the agency, up from 280 in 2020. Data for 2022 isn’t yet available. The state saw a 138% jump in reported hate crimes between 2018 and 2019, and an additional 23% surge in 2020.
In the last five years, three out of every 10 Coloradans experienced a hate crime. More: an October 2022 Hate Free Colorado survey found that most of those crimes go unreported. The survey also indicates that racial and ethnic minorities are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to experience hate crimes than white Coloradans. It also found that only 18% of hate crimes are reported to law enforcement and just 29% are reported to workplace managers or others in authority.
Collected statewide data indicates that 60% of hate crimes in the state are committed based on someone’s race or ethnicity; 20% due to sexual orientation; another 12% because of religion. Additionally, the FBI found the offender’s race was overwhelmingly white.” This is a wake-up call that more must be done at the local, state, and federal level to address the rise in hate,” warns Scott Levin, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.
Denver Vs. NY & Chicago Charts:
New York, NY Denver, CO United States
Violent Crime 28.2 30.7 22.7
Property Crime 24.9 50.8 35.4
Chicago, IL Denver, CO United States
Violent Crime 49.9 30.7 22.7
Property Crime 46.3 50.8 35.4
