by Valley Gadfly | Oct 20, 2025 | Valley Gadfly
Once our days start to get shorter and sleepless nights get longer, we know the leafless, frostbitten, and dreary days of November have come. No sun, no moon, nor proper time of day.
The very heart and hearth of the month is Thanksgiving, which stimulates the travel economy. Folks stream back to hometowns and family, boosting grocery store spending.
It’s the traditional food holiday between Halloween and Christmas. Here are our turkey trot choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment to make this a November to remember:
See the most beloved opera of all time, Verdi’s La traviata playing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Nov. 1-9. It’s the story of a 19th century Paris courtesan’s passionate love affair with a young nobleman. Information: 720-865-4220.
Singer Mende Harston and the Queen City Jazz Band do jazz and blues numbers from WWI to the 1930s at Dazzle Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
Hear the music of violinist and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird playing with the Symphony at Boettcher Hall Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Hungry or thirsty? Sam’s No. 3 in Glendale offers a full menu — literally more than 100 items — for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Or, just stop by to relax and enjoy a cold beer, cocktails, or milkshakes with neighbors. Information: 303-333-4403.
Planning a new build, remodel, or home addition? Marlena Design Group helps design, select, specify, and manage interior-exterior finishes. They work with homeowners, builders, and investors on projects. Information: 720-335-8202.
Participate in a full day of banjo workshops and concerts at Swallow Hill Music’s annual BanjoFest Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
Canadian singer and music producer Bryan Adams who has sold 75-100 million records entertains in the Ball Arena Nov. 24, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-405-1100.
Lead vocalist Justin Pierre and Minneapolis rock band Motion City Soundtrack plays the Fillmore Auditorium Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Attend the Denver Heart Ball at Wings Over the Rockies November 12, 6 p.m. This fun night of fundraising will help people to live longer, healthier lives. Sponsors will be celebrated, and heroes will be honored. The evening will include a live auction, live music, and lots of fun living’. Information: 303-801-4633.
The last full month of fall, November bids us to appreciate the transition from fall to winter. As Sir Walter Scott put it, “November’s sky is chill and drear; its leaves red and sear.”
The eleventh month of the calendar year, November begins the changeover from fall to winter. It is the month of calm before the storm of winter, Christmas, and New Year’s plans.
November has come, no shade, no shine, no leaves, no flowers, just turkey, talk, and tangy weather. How did the turkey get home for thanksgiving? It took the gravy train.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 22, 2025 | Main Articles
Furious Growth Has Bulldozer-Cranes In The District Again; But Citywide Sales Taxes Keep Dropping
by Glen Richardson
Line Of Fire: Mayor Mike Johnston reveals that he has laid off 171 city workers at a Denver press conference.
Cranes In Creek: With Cherry Creek North’s latest development boom, cranes are again being used to hoist, move, and lower heavy loads.
Political Ploy: Deputy Parks & Recreation Director Scott Gilmore was among city employees laid off. His wife, Councilmember Stacie Gilmore, says, “it was an act of political retaliation.”
Super Single Site: This eight-story 201 Fillmore office building will have first floor retail, an outdoor terrace on the second floor, plus a rooftop patio.
Land Banked Plot: The four-tenant strip from 3035 to 3041 E. Third Ave. where Cucina Colore is located recently sold but the buyer doesn’t have development plans.
Third & Milwaukee: The eight-story Oasis Apartments project is underway at 299 Milwaukee St in the district. The building will have 25,000-sq.-ft. of ground-floor retail.
As downtown continues to struggle — $600 million less commercial construction in 2024 — Cherry Creek North’s latest construction surge is pushing the district into becoming the epicenter of metro Denver.
Cherry Creek attracts major real estate investment, with developers managing to pre-lease buildings long before the projects reach completion. Six major site projects are currently underway and another eight are in the pipeline, securing Cherry Creek’s position as one of the most sought-after commercial real estate submarkets in Colorado and the country.
Or, as the Denver Infill Blog bluntly put it: “If developers and office workers get weak at the knees when they think about Downtown Denver’s office and retail market, post-pandemic, they’re-voting with their feet in favor of Cherry Creek.”
Unfortunately for city employees the opening of the projected stores and their sales tax revenue will not come fast enough to save their jobs.
Reduced City Workers
It’s been 14 years since the last major layoffs of city employees, and it is the first time in living memory that the firings were not based on seniority to the dismay of city employee unions. Workers of all ages have been laid off, including about 20 who served more than 15 years with the city.
Perhaps the most surprising layoff was that of Scott Gilmore who spent more than a decade as the deputy executive director of Denver Parks & Recreation. He is the spouse of City Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore who accused the City Administration of acting in political retaliation against her.
One hundred and seventy one were laid off while another 665 open positions or 7.6% of the total city workforce were eliminated. Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure was hard hit with 31 people losing their jobs. The largely reviled Community Planning & Developm
Sears Site Makeover: Rendering of building planned at the recently demolished Sears site along 1st Ave. as you enter Cherry Creek North.
ent lost 19 employees. Those two agencies’ cuts may reflect the City’s apparent decision to let private developers control much of the city’s future development.
Unless places like Cherry Creek up the continuing slide in city wide sales tax revenues, more city employee layoffs can be anticipated in the future.
Citywide Benefits
Cherry Creek’s prosperity, of course, spreads benefits to all of Denver. The area employs more than 16,500 workers and is one of the top drivers of retail activity in Denver.
With a high concentration of small and local businesses, it’s no wonder Cherry Creek is the region’s go-to shopping destination. Indeed, retail sales tax is a significant source of revenue to the City of Denver at $60.1 million in 2024. Adding up all tax revenue sources, Cherry Creek contributed more than $115 million to Denver in 2024.
Amid the latest development boom, the City & County is hosting monthly construction coordination meetings with Cherry Creek contractors. Streets affected include North University Blvd. to North Steele St. and 1st Ave. to 3rd Ave. Officials work with contractors to cross-check and coordinate specific street projects within the district. Goal is to not have streets inaccessible to motorists or pedestrians at any one time. Parking, however, is often limited and lane closures are likely.
Low Office Vacancy
While Cherry Creek is a standout submarket in many ways, one of our brightest areas of “exceptionalism” is office real estate.
With an extremely low office vacancy rate of 6.6% in 2024 — down 0.6% from 2023 — Cherry Creek is bucking the national trend of rising vacancy.
The U.S. saw its average office vacancy rise to nearly 14% in 2024. Upshot: Cherry Creek is setting an example for the nation of what “back to office” success looks like. Nowhere is the potential for a strong future for Cherry Creek clearer than new developments.
Sears Site Sway
The largest Cherry Creek redevelopment location is the recently demolished Sears —the store sat empty from 2010 — and Crate & Barrel buildings. The project is adding a new eight-story building to the street wall along 1st Ave. as you enter Cherry Creek and a smaller office building to the intersection of Clayton and 1st. There will be 453 homes and a live-work-play community known as “Cherry Lane.”
The development will feature 379 apartments and 59,000-sq. ft. of office space, according to developers. The parking garage on the block is being renovated, with several floors added to the top of it. There will also be more than 132,000-sq. ft. of luxury store space on the ground floor, as well as a rooftop space open for lease.
“When Cherry Lane is completed, we will have created the anchor for Cherry Creek,” claims Matt Joblon, founding partner and CEO of BMC Investments. He asserts the site will set a new standard for high-end street retail, restaurants, elevated living, and community gathering spaces.
East Side Growing
While much of the building action has been on the west end of Cherry Creek, completion of Modera Cherry Creek — five stories with 95 apartment homes — adds a new eastern extension to the district’s development boom. In a neighborhood where residents live in townhomes and duplexes, apartments are needed. The site has studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. They add a somewhat lower-priced entry point for a household to begin living within the district.
The biggest potential redevelopment site on the east-end of central Cherry Creek is the northwest corner of Third Ave. and St. Paul St. where restaurant Cucina Colore is located. The Italian restaurant has operated there since 1994 and has multiple years left on its lease.
There are a total of four tenants along the 7,000-sq.-ft. street plot from 3035 to 3041 E. Third Ave. The 0.43-acre site recently sold albeit the local buyer says they have no immediate plans to redevelop. “We’ll probably just land bank it for the time being,” they said. The site is zoned for up to four stories.
Fillmore Office Bldg.
The largest single site currently under construction is the 201Fillmore office building. Completion is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026, albeit it appears site work could finish sooner.
At eight-stories, it will total 140,000-sq.-ft. with first floor retail, an outdoor terrace on the second floor, plus a rooftop patio. There will be five levels of below grade parking for both office and retail use.
Restaurant “The Henry” — with locations in Phoenix, Miami, and Dallas — will feature a restaurant and a bar on either side of the lobby. The bar will be situated on the lobby’s north side, while the restaurant will be on the corner of 2nd Ave. and Fillmore St.
Milwaukee Oasis
Another eight-story project underway in the district is The Oasis Apartments at 299 Milwaukee St.
Located on one of the last large parcels in the neighborhood, this residential building will add 158 high-end apartments. The building will have 25,000-sq.-ft. of ground-floor retail plus 277 parking spaces.
Moreover, the project will add a 6,000-sq.-ft. public park with fountains on the corner of Third Ave. and Milwaukee. It will span nearly the entire west side of Milwaukee between Second and Third Ave. Vertical construction is expected to begin early next year, with completion projected in 2027.
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 22, 2025 | Main Articles
Spooky Trunk Or Treat Returns; Halloween Parade Hikes On Broadway
by Glen Richardson
Ghostly Gardens: Denver Botanic Gardens has indoor displays such as this, plus Open Air Scare Oct. 10-12, 17-19, & 30th.
Perfect Pumpkins: Pick your perfect pumpkin during Four Mile Park’s annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Oct. 18-19.
Fright Friday: Fearsome holiday falls on a Friday this year. The last time Halloween fell on a Friday was in 2014.
Trunk Or Treat: Plan to take the family to Glendale’s Halloween Trunk or Treat at Infinity Park Oct. 13, 4:30 p.m.
Black cats will prowl and pumpkins will shine on Halloween 2025. That’s because the frightening, fearsome holiday falls on a Friday this year. The last time Halloween fell on a Friday was in 2014.
This year’s “Fright Friday” is sure to send shivery shivers down your spine. Ghosts and goblins will ring your door chime. Beware and be scared! It’s a night when anything can happen.
You’re not going batty; the moon does hang low in the sky like a ghostly lantern. Dogs guard, and cats watch during grave’s delight night. Ghosts and demons frighten people the most in local cemeteries. Around Halloween, some locals even claim to hear footsteps and voices when visiting boneyards.
Trunk Or Treat
Get an early start to this year’s Halloween holiday happenings by taking the family to Glendale’s Halloween Trunk or Treat at Infinity Park Oct. 13, 4:30 p.m. No, it isn’t Friday the 13th, but there are games, a costume contest, plus candy for the kids. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket and chairs. Food trucks will be on site. Free parking is in the P1 lot at the NE corner of Kentucky Ave. & Cherry St., in Glendale.
The evening includes Movie Night featuring the film Monsters, Inc. starting at
Parade On Broadway: Denver’s 9th annual Halloween parade steps off on Broadway, October 25, beginning at 6 p.m.
6 p.m. It’s a great film because of its original and creative concept, which reverses the typical monster-under-the-bed trope to show monsters who are afraid of humans and power their city with scream energy.
The movie features strong, well-developed characters like Mike and Sully. Plus, a humorous and witty script has memorable one-liners. The groundbreaking animation still impresses today. It’s a heartfelt story with relatable themes of overcoming fear, the power of laughter, and combating fear of the dark.
Broadway Parade
For charming, family-friendly fun, plan to attend the Broadway Halloween Parade hosted by the Broadway Merchants Association and City Council District 7. The 9th annual parade steps off on Saturday, October 25, beginning at 6 p.m.
The parade attracts more than 30,000 people — many in creative costumes — to see the pageantry and view the floats. The parade runs along Broadway from 5th to Alameda. Viewing areas are available along the entire route on both the East and West sides of Broadway.
It features a variety of spooky floats, cars (including a flame-shooting 1971 Cadillac Fleetwood Hearse), lively bands, and marchers. Event organizers say the parade spotlights the good in the neighborhood, connecting people to businesses they never would have known were in the area. Viewing areas are available along the entire route on both the East and West sides of Broadway. Many of the restaurants and bars along Broadway say the parade is their busiest night of the year. Be wise and get there early for best viewing and a spooktacular good time for all ages.
Four Mile Park
Enjoy the annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Four Mile Oct. 18 & 19th, followed by Halloween Haunt on October 28th, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. At the Harvest Festival you can pick your perfect pumpkin. There will be 40 vendors on site, plus live music and performances.
Haunted Halloween will be in a heated building and heated tent. This enchanting evening features creepy crafts, pumpkin decorating, face painting, crawly critters, and games to fascinate both kids and adults. Don’t miss the double feature — Halloweentown & Halloweentown II, Kalabar’s Revenge — under the tent.
Hankering for even more chills and thrills? Join the women of Denver’s XX Paranormal Communications as they investigate Four Mile House Oct. 31, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. You’ll wander the grounds of the 1859 historic house, and learn about the lives of those who once lived there. Moreover, in the Bee House you can speak with the spirits who remain. A unique evening of history and mystery.
Botanic Gardens
Celebrate 10 years of magic at Denver’s most luminous Halloween celebration, Glow at the Gardens™ annual Open Air Scare Oct. 10-12, 17-19, & 30th from 5:30-10:30 p.m.
The spooky outdoor event features hundreds of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns lighting the way through the garden’s dark paths. A perfect spooky experience for a date night, a friends’ outing, or family fun (especially for older kids and teens!).
The Botanic Gardens are stunning in the daylight, but at night they come alive with glowing displays and soft, atmospheric lighting that guide you through each eerie stop. Along the way, storytellers share the chilling tales of the gardens’ legendary ghosts, making the experience both spooky and fun.
Boettcher Concert
If you are a music fan or concert-goer, don’t miss the Colorado Symphony’s Halloween Spooktacular at Boettcher Concert Hall Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m.
A spooktacular event for all the boys and ghouls, this family-friendly concert features spooky classical favorites alongside music from films and television. Costumes are encouraged, making this a ghastly good time for every little monster and their mummy.
Featuring witches, pirates, and skeletons, you’ll hear music from Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath (Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique) plus Danse macabre (Saint-Saëns). The afternoon also includes The Flying Dutchman Overture (Wagner), and the Medley from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Bloody Mary Festival
Finally, taste the craftiest, most delicious Bloody Marys at the 9th annual Bloody Mary Festival at RealWorks October 26, 12:15 to 2:20 p.m. Featured are unlimited Bloody Marys, food and drink samples, plus one vote for the People’s Choice Award. Event includes selections of the best Bloody Marys from the metro area’s finest bars, restaurants, and craft bottled mixes.
Also included are food tastes for local eateries. But if you’d rather skip the lines and the crowds, you can always head to Sam’s No. 3 in Glendale or downtown.
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 19, 2025 | Valley Gadfly
Brisk and cool, October is the first sign that the year is coming to an end. Time to gather your thoughts, find your inner peace, and appreciate the exquisite beauty of life and nature.
What we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits. This is the year’s last, loveliest smile. The perfect time of year for taking a long stroll outside to enjoy the mellower season.
It’s the time of year when autumn finally feels like it’s kicking into high gear. Here are our cozy choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment to embrace the beauty of fall foliage:
For a marvelous start to the month, catch the Gabriel Santiago Orchestra playing jazz and Brazilian music at Dazzle, Oct. 1, 7 p.m. The orchestra delivers a sonic experience that is both intricate and deeply expressive. Information: 303-839-5100.
Don’t miss a night of acoustic music with Americana-Blues singer David Starr in the Tuft Theatre at Swallow Hill on Oct. 2, 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
From Beatles to Wings, to solo hits, hear the music that defines decades as Paul McCartney plays Coors Field on Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-292-0200.
Looking for tasty casual dining spot in Cherry Creek North? Try the café in Town Pump Provisions that also has a Little Man Ice Cream counter. The eatery serves sandwiches, salads & burritos 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: 303-535-7876.
Lowry Speaker Series hosts Little Rock Nine’s youngest member Carlotta Walls LaNier in the Eisenhower Chapel, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. Free and open to public, she talks about integrating Little Rock High at the age of 14. Information: 303-344-0481.
Catch Canadian electronic pop band Purity Ring starring multi-instrumentalist Corin Roddick at the Mission Ballroom Oct. 21, 8 p.m. Information: 720-577-6884.
Singer-guitarist Justin Furstenfeld and the Houston-based rock band Blue October entertain in the Mission Ballroom Oct. 24, 8 p.m. Information: 720-577-6884.
Country singer Lukas Nelson — front for Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real — plays at the Paramount Theatre October 31, 8 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Support A Splash of Pink celebrating its 25th anniversary at the Cable Center on Saturday, October 18, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event is presented by Empower and will feature an open bar, live music, plus a three-course dinner. Funds raised benefit Colorado breast cancer patients in need. Information: 303-669-3113.
Ah, October, a beacon of pumpkin spice lattes, cinnamon-scented candles, and Halloween décor. Moreover, we get breathtaking views of colorful leavers everywhere we look.
This month is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. With Mother Nature giving us a blanket of colorful leaves, plus a fresh crop of pumpkins in the patch, it’s a season to behold.
Autumn skies and pumpkin pies, fall is proof that change is beautiful. What’s the best type of joke to tell to an oak tree in October? Acorn-y joke. Oh, my gourd, I love fall!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 22, 2025 | General Featured
Denver Ranked The Fourth Most Popular For Dogs; Wash Park’s Furry Scurry Is Nation’s Largest Dog Walk
by Glen Richardson
Wading Woopie: Dogs love to run and play at off-leash dog parks, especially those such as Cherry Creek State Park that involves water. Photo: Cris Dornbusch
Dogtown Denver: The nation’s fourth most popular city for dogs with a dog population of 158,000, there’s one dog for every four people.
Denverites really love dogs, and few leave Fido behind when they’re going out on the town. It’s not what the “D” in Denver stands for, but it might as well be. The nation’s 2025 fourth most popular city for dogs, canines are great buddies for the Mile High City’s active lifestyle.
With an affinity for big dogs, Labrador Retrievers are Denver’s most popular breed. Other favorites include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, and Rottweilers. Denver’s total dog population is a whopping 158,000. Denver’s current people population is around 711,400, that’s at least one dog for every four people
Canines are celebrated here as loyal companions. Many local owners believe that dogs are a catalyst for a healthier, happier Denver. Besides, most pups, mutts, and pooches are incredibly cute. Moreover, it’s not uncommon for shoppers to be greeted at the door of retail stores by an excited dog. The city, of course, does have dog issues ranging from crowded animal shelters to attacks by off-leash dogs.
Holidays With Dogs
The holidays are even more special here because four-legged friends get to join in the fun. Many seasonal events and holiday light displays welcome dogs, making it easy to include them in your favorite traditions. From glowing gardens to festive parades, the city lights up with opportunities to celebrate together. Whether you’re exploring a walk-through display or strolling through a holiday market, you dog can be right at your side.
While not every night is open to dogs, The Denver Zoo’s annual Zoo Lights hosts special nights for pups and their parents. Those evenings include access to the dazzling displays, photo-ops, and festive treats for both owners and their dogs. Keep an eye on the zoo’s event calendar to get tickets, since these nights tend to sell out fact.
The annual Winter Wonderland in Cherry Creek North offers a festive atmosphere with music, lights, and dog-friendly outdoor spaces. The area is decorated with glowing trees and art installations that make a great backdrop for holiday photos with your dog. You’ll enjoy the crisp winter air with your dog by your side.
Many of Denver’s holid
Halycon Hound: Dogs and their owners are given first-class treatment, and a host of amenities at the Halycon Hotel in Cherry Creek North.
ay markets and pop-up events are dog-friendly, especially those held outdoors. The Christkindl Market at Civic Center Park allows leashed dogs and offers a lively European-style holiday experience. Your pup can enjoy the sights and smells, while you browse artisan gifts, try seasonal treats, and enjoy live music. Markets are usually busiest in the evenings and on weekends, so plan accordingly if your dog prefers a quieter crowd. It’s wise to bring along water, treats, and waste bags.
Dog Friendly Places
Holiday Time: During the holidays dog owners are encouraged to give the gift of time and attentiveness to their dog(s).
The city has a selection of places where your best friend can go with you. Denver’s home to numerous locally crafted beers and most of the breweries have dog-friendly patios. Pizzerias, coffee shops, and sites serving some of Denver’s best hot dogs and burgers also welcome dogs, sometimes with special treats.
Shoppers are encouraged to explore stores and have a good time at many events and retail stores in Glendale and Cherry Creek. Dogs, for example, are invited to bring their owners along to Denver’s doggy social event of the year, Pets on the Plaza in Cherry Creek North. The event is a fundraiser for the Denver Dumb Friends League.
Bird Dog, a dog-friendly rooftop happy hour is held on the last Wednesday of each month at the Halcyon Hotel in Cherry Creek. Neighboring Glendale has five dog-friendly hotels. PetSmart’s Glendale location offers dog training. Classes can help your young pup or older dog learn to behave at home or on the go.
Dogs Versus Kids
How many of your friends have dogs versus kids?
Across the metro area, the number of “dog parents” is steadily climbing. Approximately 50% of Mile High’s residents own one or more dogs versus only 20% of metro homes with children under the age of 18.
In Glendale-Cherry Creek neighborhoods and across metro Denver, there are more people living with pups than human children. Simply stated, more and more people are choosing to raise pups instead of kids.
Furry Scurry
Furry Scurry in Wash Park is the nation’s single largest dog walk. The event raises money to help the Dumb Friends League care for 20,000 homeless dogs and other pets.
Held in May this year, dog lovers and
Shopping Spree Sidekick: Dogs are pampered in Cherry Creek, and many stores offer bowls of water or delectable treats. There are 11 dog-friendly shopping areas in Denver.
their four-legged friends enjoy a two-mile walk around beautiful Wash Park.
Dog demonstrations, contests, refreshments, plus food trucks attract dog owners to support Dumb Friends League’s mission of ending pet homelessness and animal suffering.
Dog Shows
Every year the Colorado Kennel Club — the club meets monthly on the first Tuesday of the month at Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital, 7:30 p.m. — hosts one of the largest conformation shows in the country. The show offers both agility and obedience performance trials, as well as barn hunt and dock diving.
Another premier dog event is Denver Dog Days held in September or October at Sloan’s Lake Park. MaxFund animal shelter is the 2025 beneficiary. It’s a fun dog show with a live DJ plus puppies available to adopt. The mid-season challenge for dog athletes features a 5K and 10K event, plus a half mile marathon. Courses wind northeast along the scenic Big Dry Creek Trail.
A new Dog Days of Summer was launched this year on Larimer Square featuring live music, splash pads, adorable dog adoptions, plus free goodies for dogs. Whether you’re a proud dog parent or just love being around happy dogs, it’s another way to spend a summer day full of smiles, splashes, and good vibes.
