Prominent Neighborhoods Fuming Over Public Works’ Vision Zero Plan Affluent, Angry Homeowners Say Public Works Is A Divisive Bureaucratic Power And The Plan Should Be Scrapped
Vision Vanishes: The City of Denver has turned a well-intended nationwide city network plan into a self-serving political tool that endangers rather than enhances street safety, neighborhoods are discovering.
by Glen Richardson
Denver Public Works is once again under public scrutiny.
This time the department responsible for the design and construction of city
streets is in the crosshairs of community activists in three of Denver’s most
prominent neighborhoods — Polo Club, Belcaro and Wash Park.
Already making headlines for the Colorado Convention Center
scandal plus the City Auditor hinting of improper bidding (May Chronicle),
residents in these mega-mansion neighborhoods of curvy, tree-lined streets say
the department’s ill-conceived Vision Zero Plan was prepared without sufficient
review by the parties most affected by it, the homeowners and workers in the
immediate neighborhoods. Moreover they believe the proposal will “totally
destroy the residential character, visual pleasantness and smooth traffic flow
that currently exists.”
It is with implementation of the proposed plan, where it
would narrow traffic lanes at Steele St. and Alameda Ave. along this pricey
corridor that homeowners say would significantly impact traffic into and out of
the Polo Club and Belcaro neighborhoods.
Traffic from Colorado Blvd. on the east and University Blvd.
on the west traverse through these neighborhoods daily via Alameda, Steele St.
and Cherry Creek South Dr. Additionally the plan would add a bike lane along
Alameda Ave. and reshape some parking from parallel to angle back-in only
parking. The result, neighborhood groups say, would be disastrous traffic
backups in both directions.
Area Buildings Curse
Brunt To Buildings: Plan will impact the ingress and egress to vehicles at these two buildings. They are the Citadel on the corner of Cherry Creek South Dr. and Alameda (foreground) and the adjacent Polo Club Condos at Alameda and Steele St. Both buildings have 300 or more underground parking spaces.
Furthermore the ingress and egress to vehicles at the
Citadel Office Building — a 370-suite building with 310 subterranean parking
spaces at 3200 E. Cherry Creek South Dr. and at the Polo Club Condominiums — a
21-story, 146-unit building with 300 underground parking spaces at 3131 E.
Alameda Ave. would be significantly hindered.
Delayed entrance and exit from those buildings would not
only further delay traffic but substantially increase the likelihood of vehicle
and pedestrian accidents. The plan would also restrict or block the Citadel
Office Building’s loading dock located on Steele St. while also restricting
turns and reducing the number and configuration of business parking spaces
along Steele.
“It saddens me that no one from Denver reached out to the
stakeholders who were most adversely impacted by this proposed project for
their input,” says 20-year Polo Club resident Carol Anderson. She should know
since she worked alongside the transportation planners at the city, county,
state and federal levels on transportation projects for the past two decades.
“This was not how Denver used to be. And the irony is that Denver’s website
touts their transparency in governing when that is not at all what happened on
the Steele Street Multimodal Safety project,” she adds.
New Arranges Meeting
Councilman Wayne New
Residents at the Polo Club Condominiums first learned of the
plan in late April and contacted City Councilman Wayne New. New — who has
tangled with Denver Public Works over construction management in Cherry Creek
North — arranged a meeting for the condo owners with Public Work’s Sam Piper
and Ashley Grace on May 8. More than 100 residents attended along with
homeowner neighbors in the area. Besides feedback from the audience. the pair
was presented with a petition containing 150 signatures asking that the project
be stopped. Reportedly the project was presented to the Miller Park
Neighborhood Assn. two years ago and they fought the plan and thought the
project had died.
“It was quickly apparent that the statistics presented were
not for this intersection and they were not able to prove any justification.
The one accident they were able to cite was caused by a sun angle and would not
be affected by their proposed changes,” Condominium Board Member Sue Stock told
the Chronicle.
Condo resident Scott Lancelot is even more adamant, “The
biased presentation of information suggests, at worst, that DPW is engaging in
a deliberate lie, or at best, misrepresented and mischaracterized facts, evaded
or omitted important information and drew fallacious conclusions in order to
get the results they wanted.”
Bikeway Dispute
Backup Boondoggle: City seeks to further increase the traffic line-up along the pricey Alameda Ave. corridor that homeowners say would significantly impact traffic into and out of the Polo Club and Belcaro neighborhoods.
The focus of their plan Lancelot explains is to eliminate
pedestrian-biker fatalities city-wide in the next 10 years. They propose to
accomplish this with improvements and investments in High Injury Network (HIN)
corridors, build out the pedestrian network and enhance the bikeway network.
But he points out that while bike traffic increased by 81% from 2008-2012, the
crash rate decreased by 34%. Nearly half (114) were caused by failure of bikers
to stop or yield at a sign. Another 34% occurred while riding in a crosswalk or
sidewalk.
Their own study, Lancelot continues, identified the top
crash intersections and corridors as North Broadway, North and South Federal
and West Colfax. A total of 510 crashes occurred along these 22 miles of roads.
His point: At no time was the Alameda Ave. corridor
identified as a HIN or High Injury Network!
Modest Modifications
Congested Corner: Denver Public Works wants to narrow the intersections of Alameda Ave. and Steele St., plus add bike lanes, further restricting vehicular traffic.
Lancelot, along with his neighbors living along the
Alameda-Steele St. corridor, says that if the city wants to improve conditions
it can be done with much less expensive modifications which would benefit both
pedestrians and bikers without restricting vehicular traffic and making it
unnecessary to narrow lanes
Their suggestions are to leave lanes on Alameda and Steele
as is. Paint vivid crossing walks on Steele and Alameda (there are currently
none). In place of or in addition to the flashing pedestrian crossings on
Alameda, install push signals similar to the one at Cherry Creek South which
alerts drivers to yield to pedestrians and bikers. A four-way stop sign would
not be beneficial at the intersection since it would impact ingress and egress
at the Citadel and Polo Club Condo buildings. Should speed become an issue,
Alameda could have audible tire grooves cut about 100-ft. from the intersection
to warn drivers .
Do not change parking styles or directions on Steele because
it would create more traffic congestion. Furthermore, residents say bike lanes
are not necessary if the street width is maintained. Restricting turns from
Steele onto Alameda is not necessary. “It would be a hindrance not an
enhancement to smoothing vehicular traffic.” Finally, homeowners and those that
travel through the neighborhood say a stoplight could be installed on Alameda
between University and Steele to regularly stop traffic at peak hours to allow
pedestrian and cars to cross or enter Alameda, similar to the light at 8th and
High Street in Cheesman Park.
The 4th Annual Bacon and Beer Classic will be held at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Attendees will be treated to unlimited bacon dishes prepared by local chefs from 30+ Denver restaurants, 100+ craft beers from regional breweries, music, games, and more on the Broncos’ iconic home turf. There will be two sessions, afternoon (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) and evening (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
15% Off: Chronicle readers can enter the code GLENDALE to get 15% off tickets to the Bacon and Beer Classic on May 11, 2019, at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.
This fest has quickly become one of the more popular ones in
a sea of beer fests throughout the metropolitan area. One thing that makes this
fest unique is the fact that guests are on the field of Mile High Stadium. And,
those that purchase a VIP ticket are able to have exclusive access to the
visitors’ locker room for a sampling of pork belly and different craft beers.
All attendees will be able to bob for bacon, sample beer in
a blind taste test, strut in the bacon beauty pageant, and compete in the
Hormel bacon eating contest. Guests also will be able to try their hand at
giant Jenga, strike a pose at the photo booth, battle it out on the bungee run,
and brand themselves with bacon and beer-inspired tattoos.
As always, tickets are all-inclusive, which means you can
sample bacon and beer throughout the stadium without ever taking out your
wallet. Choose from three ticket types: General Admission, Power Hour, or VIP.
General Admission tickets start at $69, Power Hour tickets start at $89, and
VIP tickets start at $119.
Bacon And Beer: The 4th Annual Bacon and Beer Classic will be May 11 at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Tickets are available at www.baconandbeerclassic.com.
VIP and Power Hour ticket holders enter the stadium an hour
early through an expedited line. VIPs also enjoy access to an exclusive lounge
in the visiting team locker room with a pork belly tasting, limited-edition
craft beer, a donut wall, and beer and cheese pairing. All tickets include a
commemorative tasting glass and access to the Bacon and Beer Classic mobile app
for vendor information, a stadium map, and more.
Visit www.baconandbeerclassic.com for information and to purchase tickets. Chronicle readers can take advantage of an exclusive 15% discount by entering GLENDALE at checkout.
Economic Forecast Breakfast: Over 400 business owners and entrepreneurs kicked off the new year at South Metro Denver Chamber’s annual “Economic Forecast Breakfast” held at CU South on January 18, 2019. The sold-out event’s two speakers exhorted attendees to collaborate with each other, to see the opportunities for the area’s growth and to understand the challenges that might obstruct that growth.
The invitation to this year’s South Metro Denver Chamber’s “Economic Forecast Breakfast,” held at CU South, said attendees would learn “how Colorado businesses will fare under the new [Democratic] legislature.” But speakers at the January 18 event eschewed partisan concerns and concentrated on the big picture. J.J. Ament, CEO of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, painted the positive half of that picture, describing past successes and a limitless future, while economist Henry Sobanet lobbed gentle warnings to the sold-out crowd: the world has changed, and Colorado must change with it.
Education And Transportation
Moderator, Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet, began the discussion — “How can we be successful, as a state, as a region? We can accomplish so much as a collective!” sounding a theme of collaboration that presenters would echo, in different ways.
Millet introduced Sobanet (“I always learn something when Henry talks!”), currently CFO for Colorado University, previously budget chief for Colorado governors Bill Owens and John Hickenlooper; Sobanet did, in fact, explain economic concepts in an unusually clear fashion.
“The world does not look like it did 10 years ago,” Sobanet began. “Ways of making a living have changed. The model of retiring after 30 years with one corporation, — certainly changed. Demographics have changed …”
Sobanet showed how the 65-and-older demographic will grow disproportionately by 2025, as will the 85-and-older set, previously not considered significant. Another rapidly growing group: those just entering the workplace.
“Fifteen to 20 years of globalization, a lot of automation and these demographic shifts … These are the forces underpinning economic issues.
“The aging population and the resultant impact on revenue and spending … are going to collide with an incoherent school finance system and insufficient money for infrastructure,” Sobanet outlined, then simplified: “The challenge going forward is education and transportation.”
Bad People Or Bad Systems?
The knotty heart of the matter, Sobanet offered, is three Colorado laws: the Gallagher Amendment, which in 1982 changed the way property tax was configured; TABOR (taxpayer bill of rights), which in 1992 began limiting the amount of revenue Colorado can retain and spend; and Amendment 23, which in 2000, changed how Colorado funds public schools.
As intently as everyone stared at Sobanet’s slides of pie charts and percentages, many found it difficult to grasp exactly how they connected. “I’m a financial person and even I didn’t quite understand,” said Louis Llanes, founder of Wealthnet Investments. But Llanes, like everyone, got Sobanet’s gist: these laws will prevent Colorado from getting the revenue it needs to thrive.
“Isn’t TABOR set up so if Colorado needs cash, they can ask the voters?” someone asked.
Yes, said Sobanet, who pointed out it wasn’t sensible to put these decisions on voters’ shoulders. “The laws, you’ve seen, are complicated. And for politicians to say they want taxes raised is political suicide.
“I’d like you to entertain a hypothesis,” Sobanet offered. “Is it bad people or bad systems?”
Colorado Loves Business!
J.J. Ament took the floor in typical upbeat fashion — “Let’s talk about economic growth!” — and recalled just how rapid Denver’s growth has been. “Back in the ’80s, you could drive a car from Union Station to the State Capitol Building and not worry about hitting a soul.
“Now, everyone wants to live here,” beamed Ament. “The Denver International Airport flies more places non-stop than any other airport! Denver is a brand!”
The potential for economic growth is endless if we do it right, Ament opined. “Denver is comprised of some 70 communities. But we have to take a regional approach. Businesses go elsewhere if they see we can’t get along.”
When Amazon put out requests for proposals in 2017, Ament gathered business leaders and submitted a package, including a film he showed that morning: ordinary and famous Coloradans happily claiming, “Colorado loves the outdoors!” “Colorado loves the Broncos!” “Colorado loves business!”
Amazon chose to build elsewhere but Ament, unfazed, regards the submission process with pride. “We spoke with a collaborative voice. Not with 70 different voices. One voice.” He shared other companies that recently relocated to Colorado, “like the VF Corporation, which brought 6,800 jobs.
“This is our goal,” Ament stressed. “The creation, recruitment and retention of good jobs.”
Takeaways
“My biggest takeaway was how we’re sweeping problems under the rug,” said Tom Skelley, of Evolution Communications Agency in Littleton, adding, “I really liked something J.J. said. ‘In between Utopia and the Apocalypse, we need legislators who make decisions based on facts, not ideology.’”
“I am one politician,” said Millet, “who advocated for sales tax to pay for transportation.”
“Colorado’s one of the top five states,” said an attorney on his way out the door. “But we got a C+ rating for infrastructure.”
“Now that you know a little bit more about how the systems work,” Sobanet said, “tell your public officials you would back them to change the system …
“The whole purpose of coming to an event like this is not just to make your business better. It’s making it all better.”
Not Here
Attendees began walking to their cars. Under the big Colorado sky, statues of bears and wolves dotted the snowy, quiet campus. “I’ve heard Henry has been pushing to raise taxes for years,” said a realtor who owns her own agency. “But it’s not gonna fly. Not here. There’s got to be another way.”
Denver City Council Votes Against Proposed 3-story Condominium Project On Holly Street by Mark Smiley
In a stunning turn of events, Hilltop residents, led by Lise Uhrich through an intricate petition process, were able to force the Denver City Council to require a super majority in order to approve a 3-story, 23 condominium project earmarked for Holly Street in between Alameda and Cedar in the Hilltop Neighborhood. On January 7, 2019, the project passed with an 8 to 5 vote, one vote shy of an approval.
One Vote Short: The site of proposed 3-story, 23-unit condominium project is immediately to the south of Park Burger and Novo Coffee on South Holly Street. On January 7, 2019, Denver City Council only carried 8 votes to pass the rezoning application, one vote short.
According to City of Denver, neighboring property owners who oppose the rezoning may file a protest petition with the City Council no later than seven days prior to the City Council public hearing to trigger a super-majority vote requirement (as opposed to a simple majority) at the public hearing. Protest petitions require signatures from owners of 20 percent of the total land area within 200 feet of the subject property.
The required number of signatures were collected by Uhrich and the neighbors and thus required the super majority of the City Council. Mary Beth Susman, who represents District 5 where this proposed project sits, voted in favor of the development.
In a Facebook post she has since removed, Susman stated: “Last night I voted to support a re-zoning proposal in my district that would have given the neighborhood more control on the scale and design of the project. However due to super majority requirements, even though it was supported 8-5, it failed. Now the area that has a use-by-right for denser housing can be built with no input required from neighborhood or council.”
Under Fire: Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman voted in favor of the development on South Holly Street in her district and has received blowback from her constituents.
Susman continues: “Providing a variety of housing opportunities so people of different incomes have access to all our neighborhoods is an important goal for 21st century communities. Inclusivity leads to a diversity of ideas and problem solving and a community knitted together by geography rather than separated by income.
“I also believe in neighborhoods having some say about scale and character. Now we’ve lost both by denying this re-zoning. But I have a renewed commitment to inclusive neighborhoods like we built at Lowry and Stapleton with the participation of all voices.”
Local relator Denice Reich, who has been vocal in her opposition, disagrees with Susman’s assessment: “. . .the development lost 15,630 sq. ft. of space when its zoning change was voted down,” said Reich. “The developer will now only build on 10,209 sq. ft. This allows the other 15,630 sq. ft. to remain single family and allows the area to maintain some of its green space and keeps another unnecessary concrete monstrosity from being built.”
Denver City Council District 5 candidate Amanda Sawyer, who is opposing incumbent Mary Beth Susman in the May election, also sided with the Hilltop neighbors: “Community members expressed their concerns that the development would have towered over the single-family homes and one-story businesses on the block, and that it would have been out of character for the neighborhood,” said Sawyer. “Not to mention the safety and traffic issues at one of the main entrances to the Hilltop and Crestmoor neighborhoods. Because of community involvement, now what will be built on that property is 15-20 smaller condos that will provide housing opportunities for the ‘missing middle’ price point but add less density and — hopefully — fit better with neighborhood character.”
Other critics say this kind of project does not belong in the neighborhood, especially along Holly Street where 20,000 cars pass by each day according to a 2014 study. This study was done before the building that contains Park Burger was built.
So, a plan that was hatched early last year and moved through the process through most of 2018 is now off the board. Jason Lewinston, the developer for the project, will have his resilience put to the test. Currently, it does not appear he has enough support from the neighbors or the City Council to propose another project.
Brilliant Young Minds Ages 12-29 Dream Up New Products In
Science, Energy, Retail And Food
by Glen Richardson
A 29-year-old who makes funny, cute T-Shirts for geeks,
nerds and pop culture lovers and a 22-year-old who makes non-dairy, high
protein, low sugar bars and cookies have made Forbes’ 2019 “30 Under 30”
feature that annually draws attention to the top young entrepreneurs in the
U.S. and Canada.
Ramy Badie’s Denver-based TeeTurtle — whose apparel, toys
and games are licensed characters for Disney and Marvel — was expected to
generate $20 million in 2018 revenue. Daniel Katz’s high-protein and low-sugar
No Cow candy bars are in 15,000 stores nationwide and recorded $10 million in 2017
revenue.
Also making the list is Joel Jean, a cofounder of Swift
Solar, a startup manufacturing lightweight solar panels that are cheaper and
more efficient than conventional panels. Finally, the list includes Denver
student Gitanjali Rao, winner of the 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young
Scientist Challenge. Now 12, she invented a quick, low-cost test to detect
lead-contaminated water.
Designed To A Tee
During his first year in medical school, 29-year-old Ramy
Badie entered a T-shirt design contest to win money for tuition. He ended up
dropping out of school to found TeeTurtle. He is the winner in Forbes’ Under 30
Retail and Ecommerce category.
No matter what the product line, creator Badie’s
undertakings are always about the design. As an example, to fund production of
a card game about Unicorns he set out to raise $10,000 to fund production of
the game on Kickstarter. He reached his goal in just 71 minutes and collected
more than $1.8 million for the project. Support from more than 30,000 backers
was more than every other project on the fundraising website at the time.
On TeeTurtle’s website Badie explains the company this way:
“We are a bunch of kids at heart having a great time because every one of us is
passionate about what we do and we believe in the company and the product.”
A No Cow Footprint
When Daniel Katz dropped out of college after just three
months in 2013 to hawk his own line of energy drinks, his intense selling
schedule found him eating protein bars instead of real meals. But whey protein
upset his stomach, and gave him a new product idea: a high-protein but
low-sugar and non-dairy bar. The Denver-based company has raised $100,000 in
funding from blue chip investors like General Mills’ venture capital arm 301
Inc.
The rapidly growing distribution footprint of No Cow — with
offices on Blake St. in LoDo — has products in more than 15,000 stores across
the country including GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, CVS, Sprouts, and Wegmans.
After initially moving the business to his hometown of
Cincinnati, Katz relocated his growing startup to Denver, due to the physically
mindful attitudes of Colorado consumers. “People here are active, they’re
happy, they’re on trend,” says Katz. “And that’s who we represent as a brand.”
Solar Cells Shine
As a Ph.D. student at MIT, Joel Jean, was a member of a
research team that developed record-thin and lightweight solar cells. As a
co-founder of Swift Solar, he aims to develop lightweight, flexible, and
efficient solar panels using metal-halide perovskite materials.
Prior to joining Swift, he served as Executive Director of
the Tata-MIT GridEdge Solar research program, which focuses on scale-up of new
solar photovoltaic technologies for India and other developing countries.
As a researcher and NSF Fellow at MIT, he developed ultra-lightweight
and flexible solar cells that were recognized by the Katerva Award in 2017. He
co-authored the MIT Future of Solar Energy Study and has worked extensively on
emerging PV materials and devices, techno-economic analysis, and energy and climate
policy. Jean, 29, holds a PhD and SM in electrical engineering from MIT and a
BS with distinction from Stanford University.
Getting The Lead Out
As an 11-year old school girl Gitanjali Rao took the top
prize in the 2017 Young Scientist Challenge for her lead-detection device,
which is capable of finding lead in drinking water with the aid of a mobile
app. As the winner of the Young Scientist Challenge she won $25,000. Now 12,
she is using the prize money to refine the device so it can be sold commercially.
She was selected from 10 finalists who spent three months
collaborating with scientists to develop their ideas. Her device uses carbon
nanotubes to detect the presence of lead. Thousands of U.S. water systems are
reportedly contaminated by lead. Until now, testing reliably for lead was
expensive and meant sending away samples for analysis.
But Gitanjali’s portable invention — named Tethys, after the
Greek goddess for fresh water — allows a sensor linked to a mobile app to give
an accurate, almost immediate analysis via a mobile app. “If you take a shower
in contaminated water, you do get rashes and that can easily be studied by an
epidemiologist,” she explains. “And if somebody drinks lead in their water,
their children might have small, minor defects.”
Playing His Cards Right: Ramy Badie’s TeeTurtle was expected
to generate $20 million in 2018. To fund production of this Unicorns card game
he set out to raise $10,000 on Kickstarter. He reached his goal in 71 minutes
and collected more than $1.8 million for the project.
No Cow Candy Man:
Daniel Katz’s high-protein and low-sugar
No Cow candy bars are in 15,000
stores nationwide and recorded $10 million in 2017 revenue.
Bright Breakthrough: A cofounder of Denver’s Swift Solar,
Joel Jean was a member of the research team at MIT that developed record-thin
and lightweight solar cells.
Youthful Inventor: Gitanjali Rao’s lead-detection device
finds lead in drinking water with the aid of a mobile app. The Young Scientist
Challenge winner is using the $25,000 prize money to refine the device so it
can be sold commercially.
Holidays Aglow: The holidays are about candy canes and lights all aglow plus the hearts we touch with the gifts we give and the care we show.
Festive Blast: Annual Tuba Christmas is a heartwarming way to blast the Bah-Humbugs away during the holidays. Many of the region’s tuba players are at the DCPA complex Dec. 16, 12:30 p.m.
Winter Warmth: One way to have fun and enjoy shopping is at holiday markets. Cherry Creek’s Winter Fest on Fillmore features outdoor fire pits and hot chocolate Dec. 8.
Holidays! Holidays! Holidays who can’t wait for them? Yes, the holidays are here and what an exciting time of the year for kids and adults alike. The holidays are about enjoying time with family and friends. Many of us decorate our homes and places of work to cherish the season with Christmas trees, Hanukkah lights, garland and candles.
Dancing With Joy: Entertainment fills the season with joy and Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum is one of the season’s most popular. This year’s dancing is Dec. 1-6.
Here’s our holiday guide of heartwarming ways to chase the Bah-Humbugs away and enjoy shopping, having fun and celebrating this most wonderful time of the year:
Holiday Events
White Christmas Ball: Dance to big band music at this 1940s event among vintage vehicles, sleighs and Christmas trees in the Hyatt Convention Center, Dec. 1.
Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum: A beautiful display of dance, live music and storytelling at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dec. 1-16.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: A timeless holiday tale filled with song, dance, snow and holiday cheer in the Buell Theatre, Dec. 5-15.
A Classical Christmas: The Colorado Symphony performs arrangements by Handel, Mozart, Holst, Barber and Berlioz at Boettcher Concert Hall, Dec. 7-8.
Great Russian Nutcracker: Moscow Ballet brings performers, hand-painted sets, snow maidens and nesting dolls to the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 7-8.
Ten Tenors: Australia’s tenors join the Symphony for operatic versions of White Christmas, Joy to the World and Feliz Navidad in Boettcher Hall, Dec. 9.
Cirque Stars: Holiday cirque stars fill the Paramount Theatre with magic, circus acrobatics and music Dec. 16.
A Colorado Christmas: Warm sounds like Sleigh Ride, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Nutcracker fill Boettcher Hall with festive tunes, Dec. 14-16.
A Legendary Christmas: Crooner John Legend sings and plays songs from his newly released holiday album at the Bellco Theatre, Dec. 15.
The Nutcracker: Take the family to Ballet Ariel’s imaginative, beautiful version of toy soldiers and Sugar Plum fairies at the Lakewood Cultural Center Dec. 15-27.
Tuba Christmas: Tap you
Nutcracker Soars: The Valley’s favorite holiday tradition, Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker has performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Nov. 24-Dec. 24.
r toes to your favorite holiday tunes played by many of the region’s tuba players at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Dec. 16.
Celtic Woman Christmas Tour: Multi-platinum all female Irish musical group is accompanied by the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher, Dec. 17.
Brian Setzer Orchestra: The 19-piece Grammy winning orchestra brings its 15th Anniversary Christmas Rock Tour to the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 17.
Holiday Brass: The Colorado Symphony Brass plays carols, classical favorites, jazz transcriptions and movie holiday music at Boettcher, Dec. 19.
Appalachian Christmas: The Mark O’Connor Band plays country, pop, bluegrass and chamber music at the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 20.
Too Hot To Handel: Guest soloists Cynthia Renee Saffron & Lawrence Clayton join the Symphony Chorus for R&B-infused concert at Boettcher, Dec. 21-22.
A Magical Cirque Christmas: Holiday cirque features magic, circus acrobatics, comedy, live music and caroling at the Paramount Theatre, Dec. 26.
Songs For The Season: New York singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson croons songs from her new holiday album accompanied by the Symphony at Boettcher, Dec. 30.
A Night In Vienna: The Colorado Symphony plays a selection of polkas, waltzes and marches to waltz you into the New Year at Boettcher, Dec. 31.
Holiday Markets
Holiday Flea: Weekends of shopping on the plaza at Denver Union Station, Dec. 2, 7-9 & 14-16. Regional artists and craft people sell clothing, jewelry, art & foodstuffs.
Improper City Makers Market: An art-focused pop-up shop with live music, food trucks at 3201 Walnut St., Dec. 7.
Winter Fest On Fillmore: Entertainment, face painting around outdoor fire pits with hot chocolate and refreshments for Cherry Creek North shoppers, Dec. 8.
South Gaylord Holiday Fest: Shop historic street while listening to the Original Dickens Carolers and donate to the Santa Claus Shop, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 8.
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair: Shop for fashions, accessories, home décor, art and food from 150 artisans in the McNichols Bldg., Dec. 8-9.
Shopping Districts
Cherry Creek Shopping Center: Shop 160 stores including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, plus live music and holiday entertainment.
Waltzing Into New Year: The Colorado Symphony plays polkas, waltzes and marches to waltz us into the New Year at Boettcher, Dec. 31.
Cherry Creek North: Home to 16 blocks of fashion stores like Andrisen Morton, Hermes, Lawrence Covell, Loro Piana and St. John.
Glendale: Premier shopping destination with a Super Target, World Market, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Staples, The Bookies and dozens of unique local shops.
Larimer Square: Shop one-of-a-kind stores in Victorian buildings along street with distinctive fashion and specialty boutiques in city’s oldest district.
Old South Gaylord: Shop the second oldest shopping district in Denver featuring quaint shops, fine art, fashion and unique gifts.
Downtown Denver: Central Denver’s best holiday shopping is at the Denver Pavilions and along the 16th Street Mall.
Independent Shopping
Adornments: Clothing, jewelry and accessories in a mix of art, fashion and luxurious fabrics in this true Cherry Creek boutique on 3rd Ave.
Bloom By Anuschka: Upscale florist and home furnishings store at 3rd and University offering chic floral arrangements, furniture & accessories.
Harriet’s: Contemporary Cherry Creek woman’s boutique selling casual elegance in women’s fashions including sweaters, scarves and handbags.
Saks Galleries: Family owned in Cherry Creek for over 50 years specializing in 19th to 21st century American & European oils, watercolors and bronzes.
Mariel: Upscale Cherry Creek boutique selling women’s clothing & accessories, including evening wear, shoes, hat and bridal gowns.
Flower Power: Exquisite independently owned flower boutique on E. Virginia Ave. creating everyday arrangements plus wedding, special event florals.
Arts at Denver: Longtime Old South Gaylord gallery showcasing original oil paintings by more than 30 Colorado artists plus designer jewelry.
Two Sole Sisters: High-end South Gaylord store selling seasonal handmade women’s shoes, boots, sandals and accessories.
Barbara & Company: Fashionable South Gaylord women’s clothing boutique selling designs from Europe, New York and Los Angeles.
Robert Anderson Gallery: Exceptional galley on E. Colfax offering unique photography, photomontages plus glass sculpture and paintings for the holidays.
LeGrue’s: Landmark Christmas and flower shop on S. Broadway is holding its retirement sale offering savings up to 60% off before closing.
Meininger Art Supply: Family owned Broadway candy store for artists selling paints, paint brushes, pens, paper, markers, color pencils and other art supplies.
Paradise Baggage Co: State’s largest luggage store on S. Broadway featuring a variety of luggage and travel accessories, plus luggage repair services.
The Bookies: Independently owned bookstore off Colorado Blvd. in Glendale with over 100,000 titles plus large selection of toys, games, puzzles and gifts.
Dardano’s: Longstanding, family-owned store specializing in comfort footwear, accessories and shoe repair on S. Colorado Blvd.
Colorado Gold Mart: Glendale store on S. Colorado Blvd. buying and selling vintage watches, new & used jewelry plus buying and selling precious metals.
