by Valley Gadfly | Feb 18, 2026 | Valley Gadfly
Valley Gadfly
Time marches on: We’ve arrived in the no-man’s-land month of March. Indeed, this is the month when we spring ahead and lose an hour of sleep. The month is all about transitions.
March in Denver is known for high variability; it can be sunny and 70°F one day, and drop to 10°F the next. It’s Denver’s snowiest month, averaging 8.5 to 11.5 inches of snowfall.
In March of last year (2025), Denver recorded a warmer-than-average mean temperature of 45.8°F. Here is our fall in and count off choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment:
There’s trouble in River City, and you won’t want to miss Meredith Wilson’s six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man. Production is in DCPA’s Buell Theatre, March 1, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Catch Israeli-born jazz guitarist Christian Loffer — with 10 award-winning albums —playing at the Bluebird Theater March 8, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Are you ready to rock & roll? Kentucky country-rock band Ole 60 plays folk and country in the Mission Ballroom March 12, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Looking for a platter of shellfish for lunch or dinner? Cherry Creek’s Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood on 2nd Ave. is a neighborhood favorite. Try the yummy and unique lobster stuffed Knuckle Sandwich. Information: 303-333-2462.
Thinking about sending your kids to summer camp? Iliff’s Summer Adventure Day Camp — kindergarteners through age 12 — includes field trips, organized sports, arts-crafts, along with STEM activities. Information: 303-757-3551.
Mexican-born stand-up comedian Felipe Esparza who won Last Comic Standing plays the Paramount Theatre March 14, 7 p.m. Information: 303-623-0106.
DJ-electronic music producer Crankdat — whose remixes have earned millions of plays — entertains at Red Rocks March 27, 7 p.m. Information: 720-865-2494.
Milan’s Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil, with guitarist Marco Coti-Zelati, plays Summit Music Hall, March 31, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-487-0111.
Attend the St. Baldrick’s Cancer Foundation fundraiser at Chopper’s Sports Grill on South Madison St. in Cherry Creek March 7, 1 to 5 p.m. In its 25th year, funding gives hope to babies, toddlers, children, teens, and young adults diagnosed with cancer. Contact Ryan Leopando for information: 720-277-8082.
March has glorious days of 60-degree weather. But alas, the accompanying wind will blow your winter coat off. Still, the sunshine will make you think of crisp mountain air.
Blossom by blossom, spring is beginning. March on, it’s a command. Do not tarry, spring growth and warmer weather means Spring fever’s restlessness and daydreaming.
Why is spring such a great time to start a gardening business? Because you can rake in the cash. Do you know why the computer went to the beach on spring break? To surf the net!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Jan 16, 2026 | Glendale City News
From Botanic Garden’s Orchid Showcase To Sista Soul At Dazzle, There’s Loving Possibilities
by Glen Richardson
Thanks to love songs, poetry, music, movies, and art, the language of love seems to be constantly expanding, and what better time to brush up on the myriad ways to express your love and affection than this year’s holiday?
Glendale-Cherry Creek, and metro Denver offer a romantic, picture-perfect place to celebrate your love relationships. There’s a variety of romantic events and date activities all month long. Choose from music and performing arts, plus places to dine with your partner, kids, family, or loved ones to show them how much you care.
For romantic things to do with your loved one this month, the Denver Botanic Gardens offers great choices. Make a date to view exotic orchid blooms during the Denver Botanic Garden’s Orchid Showcase Feb. 10-17, 9 a.m-5 p.m.
Captivating Colors
Musical Glamour: Pink Martini and the Colorado Symphony entertain at Boettcher Concert Hall Feb. 13-14.
Pops of purple, bursts of buttery yellow, flashes of fuchsia — orchids are bright, charismatic, and just a little strange. These botanical wonders are as diverse as they are dazzling, and their vibrant blooms are the perfect antidote to the winter blues.
Dive into the captivating world of orchids on view in the Botanic Garden’s Marnie’s Pavilion and the Orangery. You’ll view hundreds of spectacular blooms from all over the world, including specimens from the Gardens’ collection. The Orchid Showcase is a visual feast of shapes, color, and texture, not to be missed in the dead of winter.
Connect with your kids during the Garden’s Make & Take Valentine event, Feb. 10-14. You’ll learn the shapes, textures, and colors of dried flowers, leaves, and seeds, plus how to use them to decorate a Valentine’s Day ornament. Information: 720-865-3500.
Pink Martini
Spend time with your Valentine enjoying Pink Martini and the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall Feb. 13-14, 7:30 p.m. Brimming with “fizzy spirit and breezy sophistication,” Pink Martini is a glamorous and global phenomenon.
The exhilarating evening will feature a mix of Brazilian samba, Parisian café music, cabaret, and vintage jazz. The show will feature Storm Large as lead singer.
Romantic Recital: Grammy winning soprano Heidi Melton sings “Love Stories,” at the Newman Center Feb. 13.
Now in their 31st year of performing, Pink Martini was founded by bandleader-pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale in 1994 to provide beautiful and inclusive performances at fundraisers and galas. The musical style was inspired by Latin, big band, classical, and the Golden Age of Hollywood. With the Colorado Symphony and Christopher Dragon on the podium, this promises to be a Valentine’s Day weekend to remember. Information: 720-865-4220.
Sista Soul At Dazzle
Titled “Reflections of Love,” Sista Soul and her band plays a blend of R&B and soul with modern hip-hop, as Dazzle celebrates Valentine’s Day Feb. 13, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Backed by her band, she delivers a captivating mix of R&B grooves, heart-stirring ballads, and timeless classics that invite you to sing along and reminisce. The evening features tracks from her Grammy album Soul Reflections, plus fan favorites from Celebration, and iconic R&B songs, along with a few surprises.
With a voice that is both powerful and tender, Sista Soul transforms each performance into a deeply moving experience filled with love, healing, and joy. This Valentine’s weekend, head for Dazzle in the DCPA complex on 14th Street to feel the music, share the moment, and leave with your heart full and your spirit lifted. Information: 203-839-5100.
Soprano Melton
Love Jogging: If running is your love language, participate in the Valentine’s Day 4 Mile at Wash Park Feb. 8.
On the eve of Valentine’s Day, join Grammy winning soprano Heidi Melton and pianist Sahar Nouri for “Love Stories,” a recital of passion, longing, and devotion. Performing in the Hamilton Recital Hall at the Newman Center, the program features Wagner’s radiant “Wesendonck Lieder” alongside other works that explore the many shades of love Feb. 13, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
With a voice that is “big, gleaming, and tonally resplendent,” Melton has sung at the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Deutsche Opera Berlin, plus many more. She has also performed with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Scottish Symphony, and many others.
Iranian pianist Sahar Nouri, has been Music Director of Lamont Opera Theater at the University of Denver since 2019. She has also served at Opera Colorado as chorus master-assistant conductor since 2016.
Dakota Blonde Concert
Sweet Sounds: Dakota Blonde — dubbed the “Front Range darlings,” — do their Valentine Concert at Swallow Hill Feb. 14.
Dakota Blonde — dubbed the “Front Range darlings,” — do their annual Valentine Concert at Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Made up of Mary Huckins, Don Pinnella, and Tony Raddell, they have received honors for their songwriting, CD projects, and performances across the country and internationally. Information: 303-777-1003.
Also known as “the sweetest acoustic sound around,” the group met through their careers in Music Therapy, working with children and adolescents. All three come from musical families, and their charm stems both from the music they play and from the family feeling they bring into any concert hall or venue. Their shows are very personal and sincere.
They will be joined for the concert by “The Valentine Band,” made up of some of Colorado’s finest musicians. The group includes Ernie Martinez, Gordon Burt, and Kristi Bartleson. Recently honored as the International Western Music Association’s Instrumentalist of the Year, Martinez plays mandolin, banjo, and dobro. Gordon Burt is on fiddle and viola. He has played, toured, and recorded with many Colorado artists. Harpist Kristi Bartleson has performed with the Eastman Symphony in Carnegie Hall and for the Heidelberg Opera Festival in Germany. She has also played with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and with the Colorado Ballet.
Other Options
Love Blossoms: Make a date to view exotic orchid blooms during the Denver Botanic Garden’s Orchid Showcase Feb. 10-17.
There’s also a Valentine’s Day Concert playing the best of Mozart and Beethoven at Trinity United Methodist Church February 6, 6:30 p.m. In addition, Wings Over the Rockies features string quartet the Range Ensemble on Feb. 15, 6:15 and 8:30 p.m.
Guitarist and vocalist Lorian Bartle celebrates Valentine’s Day playing popular traditional and classical favorites at the Lone Tree Arts Center Feb. 19, 1:30 p.m. Information: 720-509-1000.
If running is your love language, you won’t want to miss the Valentine’s Day 4 Mile at Wash Park Feb. 8, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Event includes a Cupid’s Kids Fun Run. A costume contest begins at 10 a.m. followed by awards.
by Valley Gadfly | Jan 16, 2026 | Valley Gadfly
Aahh February! Welcome to the month of love, laughter, and beautiful surprises. Spring stands at the gate with her finger on the latch. It’s the month when we celebrate romance.
At the heart of it is Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14. It’s a day dedicated to expressing love through heartfelt gestures, thoughtful gifts, and quality time with those we love.
The year’s shortest month is named for Roman purification rituals. It also features Super Bowl Sunday. Here are our tease and freeze choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment:
Experience the thrill of the roaring 20s, as the Colorado Ballet does F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. With original score by Carl Davis, show is at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Feb. 1-8, 7 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Enjoy the music of Israeli-born jazz guitarist Gilad Hekselman — with 10 award-winning albums — playing Dazzle Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
Singer, bassist Mashell Ndegeocello entertains by singing-playing funk, soul, jazz, and rock at the Newman Center Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Looking for a V-Day or any day dining spot with a friendly staff and remarkable service? Jimmy’s Jersey Street Café is a culinary institution with a standout menu of Italian comfort foods and wine in a cozy setting. Information: 720-328-9481.
Want your kids grades K to 8th grades to participate in no-contact winter indoor rugby? Start them on Saturdays in February with the Glendale Raptors at the Glendale Sports Center. Information: GlendaleYouthRugby.com/winter-rugby.
Colorado’s “Front Range Darlings” Dakota Blonde perform their annual Valentine Concert in Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Catch the witty Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 — a romp filled with humor —playing at Boettcher Concert Hall, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Instrumental band Drama and vocalist Via Rosa entertain with rock and electronic music at the Mission Ballroom, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Attend the elegant 14th Annual Kaleidoscope Gala at the Ritz-Carlton February 21, 5 p.m. Benefiting Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, event supports sick children, infants, and their families. Assistance includes everything from rent payments to donor milk for premature infants. Information: 720-644-8767.
February can often seem like a difficult month. It’s the last month of winter, so you are likely fed up with waking up on cold, dark mornings, and driving to work in the dark.
Many of us feel like February is just January pretending it’s still cold. Yet, in the heart of winter, February brings warmth and love. There’s everything to hope for and nothing to regret.
Roses are red, violets are blue. If you think finding love is hard, try getting a reservation on Valentine’s night. What did the hamburger buy his sweetheart? An onion ring.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com
by Valley Gadfly | Dec 15, 2025 | Main Articles
Bond’s $1 Billion Package To Fund Streets, Bridges, Parks, And Playground
by Glen Richardson
Walk The Walk: Santa Fe Art District —home of the First Friday Art Walk — will receive just over $29 million in bond funds.
Denver voters approved the November 4, 2025 Vibrant Denver bond package, giving the city $950 million of long-term debt to pay from projects citywide.
The bond bucks will pay for repairs and improvements to roads, bridges, parks, playgrounds, and community spaces without adding new taxes. Mayor Mike Johnston says the package will “create 7,000 new jobs, and generate $1.8 billion in economic activity.” The city is expected to pay off the debt over six years.
The most funding — about $441 million — will go toward transportation and mobility, meaning streets, bridges, and traffic safety improvements. Here’s a look at the projects having the most impact near Cherry Creek North and the Village of Glendale:
Signals, Crosswalks
Big Bucks Change: With $89 million of funding, the eastern portion of the 8th Ave. Viaduct will be removed.
Funding to make traveling through the intersection at 1st Ave. and University safer is budgeted at $5,700,000.
Signal improvements and geometric changes are among the modifications planned. One of Cherry Creek North’s busiest intersections, designs aim to improve safety for people driving, walking, bicycling, and taking transit.
Pedestrian crossing safety improvements citywide will get $3 million. Crosswalk markings, signage, and rapid flashing beacons will be funded.
Santa Fe Upgrades
Upgrades to Santa Fe Drive through the heart of the Santa Fe Art District from 6th Ave. to 13th Ave. is budgeted at $29,085,000. The district comes alive each month as thousands descend upon the street for the First Friday Art Walk from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Wider sidewalks, landscaping, and improved public spaces are planned. Aimed at improving the experience for people walking on Santa Fe, it also seeks to improve safety, while enhancing the district’s identity, history, and culture.
Projects along east-westbound Evans Ave. are budgeted for $18 million. Improvements will design and construct enhancements to signals and pedestrian crossings. Work will be on Evans Ave. from Colorado Blvd. to S. Downing St. and I-25 to Quebec St. Another $1,500,000 will fund neighborhood road safety projects. The project will prioritize, design, and construct improvements on nearly a half-dozen streets. Traffic calming — physical design, signs, and painted markings, and pedestrian safety enhancements — will be constructed on Holly St., 6th Ave., 8th Ave, Uinta St., and Exposition Ave.
Cherry Creek Bridges
Go Broncos: The Denver Broncos plan to make Burnham Yard — less than a mile from Empower Field — their new home. Photo: Gabriel Christus
Denver’s two bridges over Cherry Creek are funded with $29,375,000. Both the Lincoln St. and the 6th Ave. bridges are over 65 years old, and at the end of their serviceable lives.
Both are in poor condition, and on the verge of being load posted with restrictions on emergency vehicle access. The two structures carry major arterial roads through a heavily traveled part of the city.
Moreover, they provide a critical connection to the Denver Health complex. Both are designated as emergency response routes. Replacement of the two deteriorating bridges is critical to maintaining safe and reliable connections.
6th Ave Viaduct
Bond Business: Mayor Mike Johnston talked up the bond initiative prior to the November 4th voter approval. Photo: Kevin J. Beaty
Repairs and access improvements for the 6th Ave. Viaduct are allocated at $50 million. The 6th Ave. Viaduct is one of the busiest roads in Denver’s central core, carrying about 64,000 vehicles a day. It is a critical east-west connection that supports the movement of people and goods between the city, region, and the state.
Piers have deterioration with no load idleness and have high criticality and consequences of failure. Failure of the bridge — or even load rating it — would have major consequences for the region.
Funding will complete structural repairs; create additional connectivity and access points. It will also fund pre-design for the future replacement of the bridge. The project also provides funding for emergency repairs — deck repairs and joint replacements — plus work to maintain connectivity, capacity, and efficiency of the transportation network in the near-term and into the future. Moreover, it will help the city reduce its liability and risk associated with the viaduct.
8th Ave. Viaduct
Boettcher Bucks: Bond funding earmarks $20 million for improvements at Boettcher Concert Hall in the DCPA complex.
The 8th Ave. Viaduct, with $89,200,000 of funding, will leave the western portion of the viaduct and remove the eastern portion. The eastern portion will be reconstructed as an at-grade roadway after it ramps down over the Consolidated Main Line.
The 6th Ave. and 8th Ave. projects will benefit the Denver Broncos’ plan to build a stadium in the area. Denver officials, however, contend the viaducts need fixing nonetheless. The Broncos want the new stadium in Barnham Yard ready for the 2031 season.
The 8th Ave. bridge — it carries about 14,500 vehicles a day — is considered a couplet partner to 6th Ave. that’s essential to connectivity into Denver’s central core during 6th Ave. reconstruction. Work will provide sufficient clearance for Cherry Creek Trail users, and be built in accordance with floodplain requirements.
Boettcher Concert Hall
Bond funding earmarks $20 million to support maintained and improvement projects at Boettcher Concert Hall in the DCPA complex. Tasks include roof repairs, safety system upgrades, plus electrical and mechanical improvements.
The Denver Animal Shelter on W. Bayaud Ave., is allocated $10 million. Included are improvements of the existing animal shelter to mend spaces for dog kennels and-or runs, as well as enhancement to the lobby and clinic spaces.
The Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo, and Denver Museum of Nature & Science each receive $3 million. Funding will support repairs and improvements. Included are safety upgrades, roof repairs, plus electrical and mechanical improvements.
by Valley Gadfly | Dec 15, 2025 | Main Articles
Slight Metro Rent Rate Up-Tick Expected; Denver Ranks 20th Among Nation’s Rental Markets
by Glen Richardson
Unclear Market: The Denver rental market is in flux which has rental property owners of all price points concerned.
Denver’s year-end rents will surge slightly — forecasts to be up 0.8% — as 2025 comes to a close. The upbeat is being supported by an improving supply-demand balance.
Metro rental rates, however, are down $71 since the second quarter of 2024, and $46 lower than the same period in 2023. Denver ranks 20th among the nation’s metro rental markets, with median rent for a one-bedroom at $1,760.
Property management company Keyrenter Denver says, “The Mile High’s rental market lately is like trying to hit a moving target. Vacancy numbers, rent trends, and development stats are shifting fast. Many landlords are noticing the ripple effects firsthand with slower lease-ups, more tenant inquiries, and a noticeable change in momentum.”
Upturn In 2026?
Downtown Digs: CoLab Apartments on Osage St. downtown has units for rent ranging from $935 to $2,176.
As of October 2025, the average rent in Denver was $1,627 per month. The national average rent price in the U.S. is currently $1,629 per month, which puts Denver rent prices $2 lower than the national average.
According to MMG Real Estate Advisors, Denver’s rental market is expected to shift from softness in 2025 to a moderate rent recovery by early 2026. They forecast a 2% to 3% annual rent growth.
Mountain region cities have seen a significant drop in rent costs over the last year, with prices in Denver down more than most. According to a report by rental website Zumper, rent prices in the Mile High City have gone down by 7.3% since September 2024.
Supply Surge
Ventana Venture: The Ventana at Colorado Station has studios to 3-bedrooms with rates at $872 to $2,315 per month.
The first half of 2025 reshaped Denver’s rental landscape. Apartment vacancies climbed to around 7%, marking the highest level since 2010. The spike was driven by an unprecedented flood of inventory — 20,000 new units were delivered in 2024 alone, with another 8,000 hitting the market in early 2025.
As supplies surged, average rents fell by around 3.6% year-over-year, with figures ranging from $1,733 to $1,824, depending on location and unit type.
Cushman & Wakefield even ranked Denver’s second quarter absorption among the top six quarters ever recorded nationally. Denver’s appeal as a relocation destination is holding firm.
Mobile Market
Glendale Glamor: The Phenix at Infinity Park on E. Mississippi Ave. in Glendale has 1 & 2-bedrooms renting from $999 to $1,669 per month.
Renters in Denver aren’t staying put for long. More than half move to a new place in less than two years, making the metro one of the most mobile rental markets in the U.S., according to RentCafe.com.
Denver ranks 5th among the nation’s “move-easy” hotspots. In Denver, 53% of renters move to a different apartment within two years. That’s up 19% in five years, even as the renter population dipped slightly. The local housing supply grew by nearly 10%, giving renters more choices and flexibility.
In Denver, Gen Z renters (78%) move the most, though they’reswitching their homes slightly less often than before. Moreover, Millennials (60%) remain just as mobile as before.
Safety Comes First
Creek Contrast: Rental options in Cherry Creek North range from Clayton Lane where 2-bedrooms bring $3,800 to 205 Columbine St. where 2-bedrooms are $6,500.
Most renters’ ideal apartment is one that offers style plus suburban comfort (41%). That’s followed by mixed-use convenience (33%), and eco-friendly living (28%).
When choosing neighborhoods, renters say safety comes first at 54%. Walkability and proximity to shopping and public transportation are also high on their list.
Budget-friendly neighborhoods (40%) adds to rentability — whether quiet or lively — where affordability meets comfort.
Stiff Competition
Despite the softening in rent and rising vacancies, leasing activity has remained robust. MMG Real Estate Advisors and CBRE — a real estate service & investment company — reported nearly 6,000 net absorbed units in the first half of the year.
Data from Institutional Property Advisors and MMG shows that older apartment buildings and C-class condos — especially those without amenities or recent updates — are struggling the most.
These units face stiff competition from newer, more incentivized alternatives, and are often where vacancy has climbed the fastest. Rent compression in these segments has been sharper, and in some submarkets, leasing speed has slowed considerably.
Pipeline Shrinks
Buildup Boom: More than 8,000 new condo-apartment units hit the Denver market in early 2025, reshaping Denver’s rental landscape.
A key turning point this year is how Denver’s construction pipeline is finally shrinking, albeit from previously record-breaking levels.
Denver-based CoStar Group — a commercial real estate data & analytics company — says that while approximately 19,000 new apartment units were delivered in 2024, the forecast for 2025 was a sharp drop to around 6,600 completions.
Upshot: The oversupply wave is receding, but not overnight. With 2025 completions expected to be nearly two-thirds lower than the previous year, inventory pressure was expected to begin easing by the fourth quarter. That shift — if actual — sets the stage for stabilization and early 2026 rent recovery.
Upgrades Help
For rental property owners, the next six months will be ideal for making smart, cost-effective improvements that boost tenant satisfaction and property performance. Whether it’s replacing aging fixtures, improving curb appeal, or upgrading outdated appliances, small enhancements can set a property apart.
Owners, property professionals suggest, should reach out directly to current tenants and ask if there are any minor upgrades they would like, items such as fresh bathroom flooring or better lighting.
Sometimes, they point out, low-cost improvements are all it takes to encourage a long-term renewal. That they note, can save far more than a full turnover. That’s especially true in today’s competitive environment.
Occupancy Drops
Metro apartment supply jumped 1.67%, more than double the 0.75% increase recorded last year. For renters, that meant more listings to choose from. As a result, 57% of renters renewed their leases, 0.9% fewer than last year.
The added supply was enough to pull occupancy down to 91.8%, compared to 94.3% a year ago. This season, seven renters competed for each available apartment, down from 10 last year. Apartments leased in 41 days on average, compared to just 35 a year ago.
Denver’s Rental Competitiveness Index (RCI) dropped to 67.9, down from 78, showing that the market is still competitive but significantly less intense than a year ago.
Rental Rates
The vacancy rate in Denver is the highest in the metro at 7.7%. The metro vacancy rate — the percentage of empty apartments on the market — is higher than at any time in the past 15 years.
Near the end of 2025 there were a total of 440,521 rentable units on the market. Nearly 31,000 apartments were unoccupied on any given day. Most often, vacant units are ready and waiting for their next tenant. The higher the vacancy rate, the better the deal for renters.
Median rent in the city of Denver for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,653. Apartments built before the 1970s are averaging $1,586, while newer units with more amenities are averaging as much as $2,340 a month.
