by Regan Bervar | Dec 17, 2024 | Travel
by Regan Bervar
Walkable: Cherry Creek North is a walkable neighborhood with 600 stores from which to choose.
Denver has no shortage of sprawling neighborhoods across the city, and Cherry Creek North is no different. With hundreds of retailers, and a strong emphasis on small businesses, the district is home to a number of commerce stores and residents alike. With 300 days of sunshine in Denver, chances are it’s a good day to walk the tree-lined streets of Cherry Creek North.
Cherry Creek North has over 600 businesses, with 90% being small or micro businesses. According to Lisa Voss, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Cherry Creek North, Cherry Creek North is more than just a 16 block area, but a neighborhood, a community, and central vibrant district.
“You’ve heard the term the 15 minute city,” Voss said. “We’re not really a city per se, but we are a bit of a 15 minute neighborhood. What that means is everything can happen here. We’re loaded with merchants and services and all kinds of fun, but we also have a post office, a library, and an elementary school.”
Cherry Creek North emphasizes community, safety, and a diverse array of retail and service offerings, and the shop owners in the area bring a sense of community to the neighborhood, with 220 of the 600 businesses being retail and service businesses. According to the small business report, 90% of those 220 retail and service shops are small businesses, and 64% go even further, and are micro businesses with 10 employees or fewer.
“We have what I believe is the largest collection of small and local businesses in one area, probably anywhere in Colorado, so we super celebrate them,” Voss said. “Of course, along with all of our businesses, they’re all very important to us and serve the community in so many different ways, but the ability to really love on small and micro businesses is just really powerful. Small businesses make this beautiful country of ours go round.”
Natalie Statser is the manager of Organic S
Organic Squeeze: They have started their Healthy New Year Campaign with different options for cleanses and promotions to kick off a healthy start to the New Year.
queeze in Cherry Creek North, which opened just over two months ago. The Oklahoma-based company has expanded to open their first branch in Colorado, and found Cherry Creek North to be the perfect location, as the walkable and health-conscious community aligns with their philosophy. Although the company has been together for 11 years, their Denver location is their first out-of-state branch. With their slogan of “healthy tastes better” and their commitment to 100% organic, whole food ingredients, they have felt right at home in the Cherry Creek North community.
“Everyone’s super friendly, they’re active and care about health, wellness, and moving their bodies,” Statser said. “We’re very happy to have expanded here and it matches what our brand offers to people’s lifestyle. It’s a gorgeous neighborhood, I don’t know who wouldn’t want to be in Cherry Creek.”
Statser at Organic Squeeze says that the location is an amazing aspect of the business’ expansion to Colorado, and the people in Cherry Creek are vital to their operations. “Everyone’s very health-minded and lives an active lifestyle, and that makes it really easy for us,” Statser said. “We are 100% organic, and we are really big on doing things better, even if that’s just a little bit better each day. That means
Wine: Vineyard Wine Shop started in 1971 and has had a Wine of The Month Club ever since.
providing easy access for people to have healthy, wholesome foods, and cultivating an environment where it is family friendly and efficient with people’s time.”
Coming up at Organic Squeeze, you can look forward to their Healthy New Year Campaign with different options for cleanses and promotions to kick off a healthy start to the New Year. You can also find them doing pop-ups in local gyms and on their new Organic Squeeze app that makes online ordering for their house-made goods and smoothies a breeze.
A couple of blocks away on Fillmore Street, Cliff Louis is a local business owner in Cherry Creek North, and owns Vineyard Wine Shop which has been in business for 53 years. For the 43 years that Louis has been at Vineyard Wine Shop, he has had a unique look at how the neighborhood and its businesses have changed over the years. The impact of grocery stores selling wine has taken a hit on his local wine sales, but the sense of community you get from a small business is unmatched.
“Our philosophy is we make friends, not money,” Louis said. “Everyone is happy [who visits] and anyone who comes in the store gets personal attention. It’s not like a grocery store where you just grab it off the shelf, we’re a pretty classic, small mom and pop business with a great staff that knows all sorts of things about wine.”
Vineyard Wine Shop was started by Robert Wilson in 1971 and has since expanded from just the basement to the entire building as Louis took over. He values the community aspect of Cherry Creek North, with its mix of local and national stores.
“The location and community for me is perfect; we’ve got all the new apartment buildings, condos, and office buildings coming in, so hopefully we’re becoming their neighborhood wine store.” Louis said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes here, for sure, but pretty much our business has not changed as far as scope. We were a wine store back in 1971 and we’re still basically a wine store today.”
Vineyard Wine Shop has offered their Wine of The Month Club since 1971, which sends wine of all sizes, tastes, and regions to members all over the country. It’s a great way to subscribe to support a small local business, but also get great selections and recommendations from your neighborhood local wine shop.
Organic Squeeze is located at 180 Steele Street. For more information, visit www.or ganic-squeeze.com. For more information on Vineyard Wine Shop, visit vineyardwineshop.com. They are located at 261 Fillmore Street. Learn more about Cherry Creek North at www.cherrycreeknorth.com.
Cherry Creek North is a gorgeous community with hundreds of retail, food, and hospitality offerings, with a strong emphasis on shopping small and supporting small and micro businesses. It’s a great place to catch lunch with a friend, do some holiday shopping, or just wander around and take in the scenery that has been carefully curated to be a safe and beautiful space for the community.
by Charles Bonniwell | Dec 17, 2024 | Main Articles
by Charles C. Bonniwell
Former IEC Commissioner Bill Leone
Denver District Court issued a devastating decision to the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission (IEC) in its almost 10-year multimillion dollar legal battle against the City of Glendale and by implication all home rule cities and counties in the State of Colorado. The court ruled in a decision written by District Court Judge Jill D. Dorancy that the IEC has no jurisdiction over Glendale or its elected officials and employees on ethics complaints.
The IEC was established by a statewide vote on an amendment to the state constitution ostensibly to adjudicate disputes over gift limitations to elected officials and others. But under Chairman Bill Leone (who has since left the IEC) it attempted to break free from virtually all constraints to become a super agency.
Assistant Attorney General Gina Cannan
The IEC had gotten the courts to rule that it was not subject to any ethics rules itself including those pertaining to open meetings and open records. It did so on the theory that since the IEC was adopted as a constitutional amendment it supersedes any prior constitutional provisions as well as any state laws adopted by the legislature. The IEC asserted that Its powers provided in its constitutional amendment could only be constrained by a future constitutional amendment adopted by a vote of the citizens.
To become a true superagency, the IEC had to expand its powers to hear disputes far broader than simply claims concerning gifts to politicians. Leone thought he had found a way to do that by use of subsection seven of the state ethics law, which provides that the IEC can hear claims on public employees of violations of any code of conduct, not just gift bans.
But the same does not apply “to home rule counties or home rule municipalities that have adopted charters, ordinances, or resolutions that address the matters covered by this article.” This exception was a major problem for the power-seeking Leone as the vast majority of Colorado citizens live in home rule cities and counties. Leone and legal counsel for the IEC, Assistant Attorney General Gina Cannan, needed a small home rule city to concede in a case that the IEC alone could decide whether a home rule city’s ethics code was adequate. If not adequate the IEC would have jurisdiction over it. The City of Glendale refused to fold, notwithstanding the fact that legal fees fighting the IEC are exorbitant.
In the end, the District Court ruled that the IEC did not have jurisdiction over the City of Glendale. It is assumed the IEC will waste even more money and time and appeal the decision to the Colorado Court of Appeals. Glendale indicates it hopes that the Colorado Court of Appeals will finally end the IEC’s costly power grab once and for all.
City of Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon stated with regard to the city’s legal victory: “The IEC exemplifies everything that is wrong and harmful about the administrative state in Colorado. Maybe Colorado can have a Department of Government Efficiency like the one they are doing federally to start to get rid of these state super agencies that are starting to drive people out of Colorado to states with less burdensome governments.”
The IEC has 49 days to file a notice of appeal to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
by Valley Gadfly | Dec 17, 2024 | Main Articles
City Council Approves Part Two Of Legacy Funds; Six New Neighborhood Parks Are Planned In 2025-26
by Glen Richardson
Ramble & Rove: With two formal flower gardens, tree-lined paths, and endless expanses of grass the 155-acre Wash Park is one of the city’s most popular. People run, bike, paddle boat, walk, and play year around.
The initial voter approved 0.25% Park Legacy Fund sales tax — an extra 2.5 cents on each $10 purchase — expired at the end of 2024. Before year’s end, however, Denver City Council approved a new plan covering 2025 through 2029.
As was the case during the initial five years, acquisition of acreage to enlarge city’s parks remains a priority. Park maintenance and climate resiliency are also focuses. Restoring sporting fields and courts are a particular focus in the coming year. DPR added 13 indoor pickleball courts at seven rec centers in 2024, bringing the total to 66. Plans call for adding 50 outdoor courts by the end of 2025. Staff at Parks & Rec have also announced plans to establish a permanent graffiti-response and trash-collection team this year.
The Denver parks system — ranked 13th best in the U.S. by the Trust for Public Land — is one of the largest and most unique in the country. The trust gave the city its highest score (89 out of 100) for park Access. The Mile High City scored 75 for Investment, 69 on Equity, and 62 on Amenities. Its lowest score (51) is for Acreage, something neither the city or the Parks & Rec staff can do much about. With a total of more than 280 parks and 30 recreation centers, residents and families enjoy outdoor and indoor opportunities city wide, including hiking, fishing, golf, and picnicking. Today an enormous 93% of the public live within a 10-minute walk to a park. Denver spends $197 per resident each year on parks, far higher than the national average.
Legacy Fund Budget
People Popular: Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Cheesman Park draws large crowds to its 80-acre oasis with mountain vistas, green lawns, and stately trees. It’s also ideal for active recreation or quiet reflection.
Growing Green Space: This University Hills site at East Iliff Ave. and S. Bellaire is one of six new parks being built this year with Legacy Funds. The two-acre park will have a demonstration garden and event space.
About a quarter of the annual Parks & Rec budget — or in the neighborhood of $45 million yearly — comes from the Legacy Fund, according to Director Jolon Clark.
During the five-year period ending in December, the tax generated more than $267 million. Of that amount, $96 million has already been spent. Projects currently in the works have another $113 million tied up.
The daily operating cost for Denver’s City Parks — wages, supplies, and equipment — amounts to about $23.5 million a year. Another $15 is allocated to land acquisition each year. Parks & Rec also keeps an interest earning reserve fund for emergencies.
People In Parks
Under the 2018 voter approved Legacy Fund, almost 10,000 trees have been planted, plus 375 acres of turf grass converted to native landscape. Gordon Robertson, Planning, Design & Construction Director, estimates the conversion saved more than 225 million gallons of water. Moreover, he reveals, it has allowed the city to acquire more land. “With just legacy funds, we’ve obtained 25 acres of new park land.” As a result, 5,500 additional residents are within 10 minutes of a park, he adds.
City wide, DPR guesstimates that during Legacy Fund’s first five years 8,000 or more new people are now enjoying park facilities. During the first five years, Legacy greenbacks built 19 playgrounds, renovated 37 sports courts, and added 25 miles of park trails and walks.
Waterfront Park: Located at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, Confluence Park was developed in the 1980s. The 15.28-acre site has a playground, picnic shelter, benches, plus grassy expanses.
Peace In Parks: Parks provide peace and can have a positive effect on mental and physical health. Reconnect with nature to reduce stress, and anxiety at retreats such as Cheesman Park to get away from the urban hustle.
With the Legacy Fund restart, staff at city Park & Rec plan to expand the tree canopy in parks. Goals also include buying forestry equipment to speed up tree planting and maintenance work. Purchasing electric maintenance equipment and switching to LED lights are also on their latest list. Park access is open to the public year around. Furthermore, parks are open no matter the time of day, nor what week or month of the year. The Sonny Lawson and Al Alma-Lincoln Park spaces were closed for a month in 2024, however, due to drug sales and violent incidents. Portions of the parks were fenced off to curb the problem.
Six New Parks
As the new year gets underway, Denver Parks & Recreation is getting set to welcome six new parks in neighborhoods across the city. With Legacy Funds recently increasing about $5 million a year to $50 million annually, the city has earmarked funds to acquire the land and build parks.
In addition to developing new parks, Denver is also reinvesting in its existing parks. This includes renovating playgrounds and benches, plus upgrading irrigation systems to conserve water and improve park sustainability.
Spanning neighborhoods from Westwood to Green Valley Ranch, these new parks symbolize a commitment to ensuring every citizen has access to quality green spaces. Each park will be uniquely designed to cater to the needs and preferences of its local community, creating a diverse range of recreational environments across the Mile High City.
Plans For Parks
Water Basin Park: With Denver’s biggest lake, Sloan’s Lake Park’s 177 acres make it the city’s second-largest. It has playgrounds, tennis courts, athletic fields, boating, basketball, multi-use trails, and picnic areas.
The University Hills site at East Iliff Ave. and S. Bellaire was purchased back in 2019 for $5.1 million. Proposed to be named “Bethesda Park,” the former Greenhouse & Garden Center is roughly two-acres in size. Parks & Rec plans to spend $6.5 million in legacy funds to convert the property into a park. The long, skinny property will be transformed into a park with a demonstration garden and event space.
Anticipated to be named “Avion Park,” a nine-acre park prospect is located at Kittridge St. and E. Bolling Drive. It will include a playground, basketball courts, fields, plus a walking loop. Denver Urban Gardens is expected to manage a food forest on the site. Parks people say they are hopeful it will open this year.
Scheduled to open next year (2026), the large site at 10th Ave. & Alcott St. along the South Platte River will offer a community gathering space and gardens. Construction is expected to start this year. A new park at 47th Ave. & Telluride St. in Green Valley Ranch is also expected to open in 2026. It will have a playground, trails, a basketball court, plus a community garden with interactive water feature. Already open to the public, the Westwood Skate Park at W. Kentucky Ave. & S. Irving St. will incorporate new features. Over time the site will incorporate riverfront landscaping, and improved access to the South Platte River Trail. Denver Botanic Gardens will sponsor an off-leash dog park and gardens at the site.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2024 | Main Articles
by Julie Hayden
Exploration With A Mission: Summit and Shore Alliance co-founders Alex Drawbaugh and Jennifer Jordon are proud to offer free outdoor excursions to veterans as a way of giving back.
Millions of people have been drawn to Colorado to enjoy the spectacular Rockies in wintertime through the sport of skiing. But not everyone these days wants to ski or only ski. This can be due to preference or advancing age, or injuries or many other reasons but does not mean they want to stay indoors and miss all that the mountains have to offer. This has resulted in the booming sport of snowmobiling, and now snowcatting.
A snowcat is an enclosed-cab, truck-sized, fully tracked vehicle designed to travel over snow. They originated in the Antarctic Terra Nova Expedition in 1910 and evolved for many industrial uses but more recently have become extraordinary recreational excursion vehicles for groups up to a dozen or so persons per vehicle. Think of them as RVs on snow track skis.
“I call snowcats ‘yachts of the snow’ because they combine comfort and adventure,” says Alex Drawbaugh. He’s the cofounder of one of the newest and most prominent outfitters to enter the scene, Summit and Shore Alliance (summitandshore.org; 970-716-7470). In the summer months they focus on water trips and are now firing up their fleet of snowcats to take folks on backcountry excursions.
No Experience Necessary
There’s a certain amount of training, experience, and physical ability that go into a typical ski trip. But no experience is necessary for guided snowcat excursions. Anyone can enjoy a trip into the most scenic and remote backcountry. Summit’s co-founder Jennifer Jordon says their motto is “always peak.” “We’re all about finding untracked powder and providing epic rides on snowcats and sleds.” They offer curated packages designed to take you off the beaten path: everything from morning backcountry trips with bottomless mimosas, to a midday trip into the heart of the Bear Mountain Outfitters wilderness, to a sunset snowcat ride and mountaintop bonfire. And, if you’re really into a luxury experience, “We’ll take you to a mountain lodge dining hall where your private chef will prepare a custom, gourmet meal just for you,” Jordon says.
Yacht of the Snow: Summit’s Alex Drawbaugh calls snowcats “yachts of the snow” because they combine comfort and adventure in Colorado’s scenic backcountry.
Wintry Party Bus
Snowcats have come a long way since the original models. With customizable interiors and excursions, some describe them as “party buses” for winter fun. Industry analysts say the market is experiencing steady growth due to an increasing demand for winter sports. Drawbaugh points to their partnership with Bear Mountain Outfitters as an example. It’s home to 18,000 acres of pristine backcountry. You can enjoy epic views, spot a moose or wolf track, all from the comfort and safety of the snowcat. Lodging options range from luxury mountain homes, to “glamping,” to rustic off grid retreats near Steamboat Springs.
Drawbaugh says guiding tours into the backcountry is a passion for him. “Disconnected from the phone and hustle and bustle of the city, you remember what’s important. It’s not your connection to the internet, it’s connecting to the world around you and the people you are with.”
One of Summit’s snowcats was owned by Colorado singer and songwriter John Denver. “When we saw this come on the market we couldn’t resist,” says Chris Hawk, one of the board members. They’re pulling out all the stops as they renovate it, describing it as an “RV snowcat party bus.”
Day Tripping
There is also growing interest in snowcat trips from skiers who want to take a break from the busy slopes. Many outfitters offer back country ski trips as well as shorter morning, afternoon, or sunset rides. Drawbaugh says their private tours can be completely customized. “We’ll tailor it to your group, whatever size. The vision is all yours.” Your entire family or group can participate in the adventure together, regardless of age or ability.
Adventure With A Cause
The veterans community is one group that can appreciate the opportunities a snowcat provides to explore remote backcountry areas of the Rockies, regardless of mobility issues resulting from injury. Summit’s Jennifer Jordon says they recognize this and, as a nonprofit, are proud to support the veterans community by offering free outdoor excursions and host various veteran initiatives. “What could be more rewarding than using some of our proceeds to give back to those who have served to protect these spaces,” she explains.
For more information on packages or free veteran excursions visit summitandshore.org, or call 970-716-7470.
