by Valley Gadfly | Feb 19, 2025 | Main Articles
You Don’t Own Sidewalks At Homes, Businesses, But City Set To Charge You $150 Per Year For Repairs
by Glen Richardson
Stumbling Steps: Denver residents have stumbled along with broken sidewalks for years. Now the city will begin to fix them.
The Mile High City has found a fast path to get back on its feet. After stumbling along with broken sidewalks for years, this year the city is starting to charge homes and businesses $150 per year to fix sidewalks, “Unfortunately,” Denver admits, “there are many sidewalks in need of repair and about 40% of our sidewalk network is either missing or too narrow.”
The fee applies to all property types, both housing and stores. Moreover, the city says property owners who don’t have a sidewalk along their property will still have to pay the fee.
Additional charges — yet to be determined — will be added to properties with significantly more sidewalk frontage than the average property owner. The latest changes also mean property owners who live on private streets will be charged fees, even though they will continue to be responsible for their own upkeep.
All Properties Fee
Voter approved in November 2022, the city will use the fee to repair hazardous sidewalks, reconstruct sidewalks that are deficient, and build sidewalks where they’re missing.
“Since everyone benefits from a complete sidewalk network,” city officials declared in a controversial decision that all Denver
property owners will have to pay the fee.
The $150 per year fee — that the city says could increase due to inflation — will be split into two payments, with each half appe
Sidewalk Supervisor: Newly appointed Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) appointee Amy Ford will direct sidewalk work.
aring on the property owner’s bi-annual stormwater bill. The average annual cost for sidewalk maintenance per capita in other major U.S. cities is between $30 and $60.
$40 Million Per Year
“Ordinance 307 will begin to fix or build functional sidewalks for the 40% of the city’s streets that are missing them,” according to Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure or DOTI.
DOTI — headed by Amy Ford, a Dallas consulting firm appointment of Mayor Mike Johnston — estimates the fee will bring in $40 million a year for sidewalks. The ordinance says the work should be done in nine years, but the city can take longer if that’s not possible. Back in 2022, the city estimated it could take nearly 30 years.
Most other cities charge for sidewalks by requiring property owners to pay a fee based on the linear footage of sidewalk directly in front of their property, meaning they are essentially charg
Paving The Way: The City of Denver is set to begin charging homes and businesses $150 per year to fix sidewalks.
ed per foot of sidewalk they are responsible for maintaining.
Large Lots Extra
Properties that have more than 230 feet of street bordering their property, such as those with corner-lots, will be charged an additional $3.50 per foot over 230 feet. At locations where sidewalks don’t currently exist, property owners will pay either the flat fee or flat fee with impact fee, based on the length of the public right of way where a future sidewalk will be constructed.
While the program’s original language called for the city to get the job done in nine years, part of the changes approved recognized that might not be possible, expanding the timeline to “soon thereafter.”
A city analysis in 1922 estimated Denver sidewalks would cost $2.8 to $7.3 billion, far more than the $40 million the city says it
Filling The Gap: Fixing or eliminating gaps in sidewalks improves the safety and comfort for pedestrians, cyclists, and other users.
will cost in 2025.
Rebates Obtainable
The sidewalk program also provides a way for property owners to apply for a rebate on their sidewalk fee based on income and household size.
Property owners already receiving the city’s instant rebate for solid waste management services will automatically receive the sidewalk rebate and will not need to re-apply.
More: Now homeowners only have to fill out one application to determine their eligibility for DOTI’s Solid Waste Service Rebate and Sidewalk Program Rebate. Trash rebate participants who receive a stormwater bill will automatically receive the sidewalk rebate.
Two Payments Yearly
The fee will appear on municipal stormwater bills. It will be divided into two payments for the first and second half of the year.
Whether a homeowner’s block has
Closed For Overhaul: With about 40% of Denver’s sidewalks either missing or too narrow, residents will see a lot of this sign. Photo by Hart Van Danburg
proper sidewalks or not, property owners have to pay. Even if they don’t have a sidewalk along their property, they still have to pay. If they have a homeowner’s association that handles their stormwater bills, the HOA would handle the fee.
The program will build sidewalks to the current city standard. If a district has existing decorative or beyond-standard sidewalks, the city will repair or repave the sidewalk to city standard, but not to the district’s beyond-standard sidewalk. Any changes to the district’s assessment to reflect a decreased need for sidewalk funding as a portion of their assessment would need to be handled according to the district’s budgetary rules.
Citizen Damage Reports
While DOTI says it stands up for the city’s new sidewalk program, people will be able to report major sidewalk damage on Denver’s Online Services Hub. DOTI will inspect and triage reports received and those that meet certain criteria will be placed on a spot repair program. Examples of sidewalk issues that may be addressed in the spot repair program include: a) Adjoining sections of sidewalk with an elevation difference greater than one inch; b) Adjoining sections of sidewalk with gaps greater than one inch; and c) Extensive raveling and major breaking.
Large properties — including Denver’s Department of Parks & Recreation and other government entities with big tracts of land — could face significantly higher bills if they have more than 230 linear feet of sidewalk running along their lots.
Once money starts flowing in from fees, DOTI will hire a concrete contractor to start making repairs. It will also hire a consultant to create a sidewalk master plan. All of that is mandated in the original law voters approved. Once fully built out, Denver’s sidewalk network will be approximately 3,489 miles, or about the distance from Denver to New York City and back again!
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 19, 2025 | Main Articles
Parade, Good Luck Charms, And All Things Green To Add A Bit O’ Fun For St. Paddy’s Day On March 15
by Glen Richardson
Irish Trek: Bagpipers, bands, leprechauns, floats, and half a million people are expected for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 15 starting at Wynkoop St. and 19th Ave.
Bagpipers, bands, leprechauns, and floats, the Mile High City becomes Dublin for a day as the city celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a wee bit early parade on Saturday, March 15. The actual holiday is Monday, March 17.
With green and glee, the parade has been running for more than 60 years. Nearly half a million people are expected to attend this year. The city paints a green strip down the parade path on Blake Street. Signage on the street is annually changed to Tooley Street in honor of Dale Tooley, Denver’s district attorney in the 1970s and 1980s.
The parade begins at the corner of 19th and Wynkoop, turns left on 17th Street to Blake St. then marches east on Blake and ends at 27th and Blake at the Coors Field parking lot. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will fill the streets of Denver on March 15th rain or shine.
Grand Marshal
Luck O’ The Irish: Wishing you all the luck o’ the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day. A good friend is like a four-leaf clover, hard to find, and lucky to have.
The 2025 Grand Marshal is Lisa Switzer! Lisa has been a Denver community member since xxxx and has had a storied career in the nonprofit world. From business development and operations to C-Level strategic planning, her roles have one common thread – they are all mission-based supporting people and communities.
Presenting Sponsor
The parade is organized by volunteers formed and incorporated in 1986 as the Denver St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. The committee is a charitable organization whose members have a deep love for the Irish culture and enjoy sharing that sense of pride with Valley residents.
While people often assume the parade is presented by the City of Denver, this is the 19th year that Bellco Credit Union has been the parade’s presenting sponsor. Created in 1936, Bellco Credit Union has more than 368,000 members and over $8 billion in assets.
“The Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade represents a strong sense of community for us, and we’re proud to be a part of it.” says Senior Vice President & Chief Retail Officer John Rivera.
Viewing, Weather
Protein Pie: Originating from Ireland and England, Shepherd’s Pie with minced lamb or mutton is on the menu of most Irish Pubs. Pies with beef are called cottage pies.
To catch the parade’s full performances — including dancing, music sets, etc. — the best spot is generally considered to be south of 20th Ave. on Blake St., which is also the most crowded with attendees arriving as early as 6 a.m. to stake out a spot.
If you hope to avoid larger crowds, a great place for prime viewing is at the end of the parade on Blake St. from 23rd to 27th Avenues.
Remember this is March — the 5th coldest month of the year in Denver — and weather is unpredictable. Temperatures begin the month with a normal low of 22 degrees and high of 50 degrees. The month ends with 30-degree low temps and highs at about 58 degrees.
Runnin’ O’ The Green
To stay in shape to run through the weekend’s Irish activities, participate in this year’s Runnin’ O’ The Green March 9 at Wash Park. Registration is at 8:30 a.m.
The 7K “Lucky 7” kicks off at 10 a.m. followed by the 2-mile “Leprechaun Leap” run-walk at 10:05 a.m.
Don’t run away, there’s a day filled with Irish fun, live music, and awards. A post-race Festival-Expo features Irish music & dancers. The event also includes a Beer Garden.
Classic Celtic Music
Music during St. Patrick’s Day this year in Denver features Celtic groups, acoustic bands, and Irish music bands. This year’s St. Paddy’s Parade (2025) is featuring several bands, including the Michael Collins Pipes & Drums, Nerea the Fiddler, Altan, and The Young Dubliners.
Young Dubs: Irish-American rock band The Young Dubliners entertain at Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall March 8, 8 p.m.
Irish-American rock band The Young Dubliners entertain at Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall March 8, 8 p.m. They’re followed March 9 by the traditional Irish band Altan playing at Lone Tree Arts Center, 7 p.m. Another must-see is jigs and reels band Gobs O’ Phun playing at Swallow Hill’s Tuft Theater on March 15, 8 p.m.
An additional St. Paddy’s Day highlight not to be missed is Celtic Awakening playing at the Newman Center March 15-16, 2:30 p.m. Irish tenor soloist Todd Teske entertains. Or, on a St. Paddy’s weekend evening, dress in green, white, and orange and dance a jig at Fortissimo Dueling Pianos on 14th St.
Irish Pub Grub
Yearning for a taste of Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year?
Send Family Over: The Irish Rover along South Broadway in the Historic Baker district is among the top traditional Irish Pubs remaining in Denver.
Denver’s Irish pubs — the traditional haunts for Irish cuisine and beer — continue to decline in numbers or maybe simply morphing into a different era. There are just a wee bit more than a dozen remaining in the Mile High City and several have closed their kitchens. Two of the largest — Fado across from Coors Field, and Maggie Smith’s in Centennial closed. Clancy’s Irish Pub — the Valley’s oldest and longest running Pub — relocated to Wheat Ridge.
Restaurants that offered holiday choices such as corned beef & cabbage on St. Paddy’s Day are also mostly gone. Cherry Creek North’s Cherry Cricket, nonetheless, still offers Corned Beef & Cabbage with Guinness or green beer. Glendale doesn’t have an Irish Pub. Bull & Bush is an English Pub, but it does serve pub classics like fish and chips.
For family dining, the Abby Tavern on East Colfax is easily the best choice. Owner Glen Eastwood spent more than 10 years managing Pubs (Fado & Chasey’s Bistro & Pub). Irish choices include fish & chips, Shepherd’s Pie, an Irish breakfast, plus a Reuben sandwich. Moreover, there are also plenty of American options including burgers.
Among the more traditional Irish Pubs, the two along South Broadway in the historic Baker district are good choices. The Irish Rover has tacos, burgers, and pizza for the kids in addition to fish & chips and shepherd’s pie. Just off Broadway on E. Ellsworth Ave., Dougherty’s Pub — with one of the best pub kitchens in town — boasts authentic Irish cuisine such as Belfast Chicken, Bangers & Mash, and Denver’s best Shepherd’s Pie. They also annually host one of the best St Patrick’s Day street-parties in Denver.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 19, 2025 | Travel
In Just Two Years: Five New Dining Outlets, An Enhanced Grand Lodge, And Mountain View Event Space Redefine The Resort
by Mark Smiley
Old Hickory Steakhouse Bar
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center has completed Phase Two of its multi-year enhancement plan with the debut of Garden + Grain, Copper Table, and the reimagined Old Hickory Steakhouse Bar in November 2024. These new dining outlets represent the final elements of a transformative investment that has redefined the culinary and guest experience for Colorado’s largest combined resort and convention center.
Garden + Grain, a first-of-its-kind concept within the Gaylord Hotels brand, delivers a whole-food-forward dining experience rooted in top-quality, organic ingredients and sustainable practices. Avoiding fryers and refined foods, the restaurant emphasizes nutrient preservation and bold natural flavors.
The menu features fresh grain bowls, stone-fired pizzas with seasonal toppings, and vibrant salads — crafted without seed oils, refined sugars, or processed elements. Sustainability is central to Garden + Grain’s mission, reflected in its commitment to sourcing the finest fish, lamb, produce and other ingredients from trusted suppliers who prioritize humane treatment and sustainable agriculture. The restaurant further supports sustainability through initiatives such as composting food waste, harvesting honey from on-property hives and sourcing from local farms like Superior Farms and Hazel Dell Mushrooms to minimize its carbon footprint. Guests are welcomed into a greenhouse-inspired space with a stone-clad bar, an exhibition kitchen, custom murals, and a signature stone-fired pizza oven.
Paying homage to Colorado’s rich history, Copper Table delivers a con
Garden + Grain Entrance
temporary twist on classic Western dishes. The menu delivers signature dishes such as bison meatloaf and burger, rotisserie duck, and Superior Farms lamb, complemented by artisanal cocktails and craft beers from local breweries including Telluride Brewing Company, Dry Dock Brewing Company, and Prost Brewing Company. The restaurant’s design showcases a striking bar at the entrance, leading to a conservatory-inspired dining room illuminated by a grand skylight. At the rear, an open exposition kitchen with its cornerstone copper hood serves as a tribute to the restaurant’s namesake. Throughout the space, warm wood, and copper accents, along with locally sourced art and furniture, echo the themes of Colorado’s agricultural roots.
The newly reimagined Old Hickory Steakhouse, Gaylord Rockies’ flagship upscale dining destination, blends opulence with regional character. The refreshed space includes a wrap-around bar, intimate seating areas, a striking fireplace, bold belt-buckle inspired lighting, and a stunning mural made from dyed bison hides.
Staying true to its roots, Old Hickory continues to serve expertly prepared premium steaks, with an expanded menu that highlights prime-grade beef from Greater Omaha and domestic Wagyu, dry-aged in-house and carved tableside for an unforgettable presentation. The menu also fe
Copper Table Bar
atures elevated takes on nostalgic classics, including truffle creamed spinach and the Mile High Roller Baked Potato, topped with luxurious caviar, truffles, Nueske’s bacon, mornay sauce, and crème fraîche. Old Hickory Steakhouse takes pride in crafting its own salts, alongside a carefully curated selection of cocktails, premium wines, and cheese boards featuring both domestic and imported varieties.
The opening of these new dining concepts has added over 60 jobs to the local community, supporting a diverse range of culinary and hospitality talent.
“Each new concept was designed with intention — from the ingredient-driven menu at Garden + Grain to the refined Western flavors at Copper Table and the reimagined elegance of Old Hickory Steakhouse,” said Suzy Hart, General Manager of Gaylord Rockies Resort. “This marks a defining moment in our resort’s evolution, elevating the guest experience while setting a new standard for hospitality in the region.”
Phase One investments at the resort were completed in April 2023, featuring a redesign of the outdoor lawn spaces and the addition of dining terraces for Old Hickory Steakhouse and Mountain Pass Sports Bar. Phase Two enhancements began in June 2023 and progressed through 2024, with highlights including the successful openings of Embers Lodge Bar, The Fortunate Prospector, and the event space Mountain View Pavilion in mid-2024. The phase culminated at the end of the year with the debut of Copper Table, Garden + Grain, and the redesigned Old Hickory Steakhouse.
The Gaylord Rockies Resort is located at 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard. For more information about the resort or to make a reservation, visit www.gaylordrockies.com.
by Peter Boyles | Feb 19, 2025 | Blasting with Boyles
Blasting With Boyles
OPINION
After watching Donald Trump run the table in November and knowing or believing that what Trump is about to do is to really turn over the apple cart and try to straighten out the mess that we looked to for guidance, i.e. Washington, D.C. The movement has been dubbed MAGA. Make America Great Again.
I propose MDGA — Make Denver Great Again.
Anyone of us who has lived in this city for any period longer than 10 years and believes that things are running smoothly and going our way is either out of their minds or consuming copious amounts of the legal weed. People are fed up and like many American voters when will Denver voters scream enough is enough.
Donald Trump was forgiven so many challenges to his career from the New York charges to the overrunning of the Capitol, and you understand the list goes on. But our city Denver, that once was so beautiful and so safe and made fun of as a cow town, has now turned into a total realignment of what’s socially acceptable.
This City has been run by Democrats and we’re not talking about the Bill McNichols old school Jack Kennedy Democrats, but progressive quasi-Trotsky-ites who have allowed the Queen City of the Plains to become the city dump for convicted felons, drug addicts, sexual predators, and non-citizens.
We have an opportunity right now in Denver to stop this. Until around 2000, Denver Democrats and Republicans shared many policy positions. But in this last 20 plus years the insanity of Denver’s management on gun control, the environment, and immigration, and many other things that Denver citizens, if they are aware under these circumstances, realize this is a death knell that sits right around the corner waiting for me and you.
We seemingly have a worthless media, the city fathers, and this Mayor who, in a series of absolutely terrible mayors, takes the cake. Spending his media time always dressed like Robert Kennedy with rolled up sleeves and pulled down tie, who seems to travel with journalists and academics who not only came out supporting Vice President Harris, but seemingly always this Mayor’s political madness.
And this rally and cry in Denver of why would intelligent people support Donald Trump? These are the people who don’t understand that this city is slipping into darkness, and people watching America seemingly do the same voted for Donald Trump. Basic law, this mayor, and political and media outlets welcome with open arms more drug addicts and illegals, remember that basic 101 rule, subsidize anything, and you’ll get more of it.
Denver Public Schools have become a clown show. The Denver cops have become social diversity warriors. As far as I’m concerned, the media has lost its franchise. We all better wake up.
These people seemingly undermine our Constitution one Amendment at a time. I was a lifelong democrat but this attitude that’s emerged that runs this city I simply cannot relate to, and I don’t want to be called stupid because I don’t think they’re smart. It’s the emperor’s new clothes. I’m serious about this. There must be a program that begins with let’s make Denver great again. We need the candidates; we need the ability for the electorate to overlook the failures and the lives of men and women who legitimately want to change this City’s course. The democratic coalition that runs Denver must be destroyed.
And out of the ashes like the phoenix we have to see a renewal regardless of the candidate. Saving this city, and perhaps even the state, is a far greater task than whether or not someone was painted black face in high school. A lot of the national issues don’t play out on the local level. Interest rates and electric bills and gasoline and cable fees going up can’t be changed at Colfax and Broadway.
But so much more can. Please, we have the next two years, let’s take it back from them.
So, who in Denver will step up? I got my list. What’s yours?
— Peter Boyles
