Happy New Year from District 10! 🎉 January Updates and Events in D10

[Denver's Perfect 10 - newsletter]

Denver's Perfect 10: August 2024 Newsletter

Bringing the Best of Denver's Perfect 10 to You!

Welcome to Denver's Perfect 10 Newsletter, your monthly source for the latest and greatest news from Council Member Chris Hinds and District 10! In this issue, you'll find updates on my efforts, City and County of Denver news and exciting events happening in District 10. I'm committed to keeping you informed and engaged with our community. Discover the initiatives shaping our community and the events bringing us together! As always more information can be found by visiting Denver's Perfect 10 website.

DENVER'S PERFECT 10 SURVEY

Help Us Build a Better District 10 & Share Your Ideas Today!   I’m launching my annual District 10 Survey to hear directly from you about how my office is doing and your thoughts on our city. From affordability to city services and beyond, your feedback helps shape our work and priorities. This is your chance to let me know what’s working and what needs attention. Take the survey today! TAKE THE SURVEY

HOUSING

A Historic $570 Million Investment for the Future of Downtown Denver In early December, my City Council colleagues and I approved a $570 million Plan of Development to transform Downtown Denver, and I’m thrilled to see this incredible investment take shape. As your representative for District 10, I know how vital our downtown core is—not just for our city, but for our entire region. This plan is the result of months of collaboration with over 2,200 Denverites, focusing on key areas like housing, parks, arts, connectivity, and economic opportunity. With expanded boundaries for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), this funding will revitalize more of our downtown and lay the foundation for a livable, thriving community.  Thank you to everyone who joined me for the recent Vibrant Denver Community Conversation. It was great to connect and hear your thoughts and ideas!  To learn more, read the full press release. LEARN MORE Understanding the Trespass Agreement: An Option for Property Owners Trespass agreements are a tool available to property owners and managers that can assist in addressing trespassing issues on their properties. By providing preauthorization for enforcement, these agreements allow patrol officers to respond to trespassing violations without requiring the property owner or manager to be present at the time of the incident. Here are some important details about trespass agreements: Helpful for High-Traffic Areas: These agreements can be particularly useful for businesses, apartment or condo buildings, parking lots, and other properties with frequent public use. Individually owned homes may also qualify in certain cases. Streamlined Process: Trespass agreements enable officers to address reported trespassing concerns more efficiently, ensuring property owners have an additional tool to manage their spaces. Flexibility for Property Owners: Trespass agreements allow property owners to indicate how they want the police to respond to potential trespassing calls on their property. This includes the option to specify that they do not want police to respond to certain trespass concerns. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Limitations: It’s important to understand that trespass agreements do not guarantee prioritized responses or ongoing monitoring by the Denver Police Department (DPD). Reporting Still Required: Even with a trespass agreement in place, any trespassing concerns must still be reported to DPD dispatch to initiate a response. You can report trespassing incidents by calling 720-913-2000. For property owners who are considering this option, trespass agreements may serve as a proactive step to address trespassing concerns, particularly in high-traffic or shared spaces. To contact and find the police district you reside in visit the Police District Webpage on our website. LEARN MORE Protect Your Family Against Radon this January During Radon Action Month  Radon is a silent killer that could be seeping into your home without your knowledge. A naturally occurring radioactive gas, radon can cause lung cancer. You can’t see or smell radon and it creeps through cracks of a home's foundation. Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. January is Radon Action Month and it’s a perfect time to take action to protect yourself and loved ones from radon. To prevent adverse health effects from radon, the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) encourages residents to test their homes for the dangerous gas every two to three years. DDPHE will give away free radon testing kits to Denver residents at four upcoming events:  Tuesday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Denver Public Library (DPL) – Bear Valley Branch   Wednesday, Jan. 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., DPL – Montbello Branch  Thursday, Jan. 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., DPL – Hampden Branch   Friday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., DPL – Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch    Learn more about radon in Denver as well as other options to get free testing kits on the DDPHE radon webpage LEARN MORE New Sidewalk Fee in 2025 Beginning in 2025, the City and County of Denver will implement a sidewalk fee to fund a citywide sidewalk repair and construction program. This initiative, approved by voters in November 2022, is a step toward creating safer and more accessible neighborhoods for everyone. Most property owners will pay a flat $150 annual fee, which will be split into two payments added to their stormwater bills—half charged in the first half of the year and the other half in the second. To help residents navigate this new program, Denver has introduced several tools and resources. Property owners can use a fee lookup tool to confirm their 2025 sidewalk fee based on their property address. For those who may qualify, an income-based rebate application is available, and individuals already receiving a rebate for solid waste management services will automatically receive the sidewalk fee rebate. Additionally, a reporting system is in place for major sidewalk damage concerns, though repairs will be prioritized based on specific criteria. DOTI will begin using sidewalk fee revenue in 2025 to secure contractors and develop a master plan to guide this program. For more details, visit www.denvergov.org/sidewalks. LEARN MORE

TRANSPORTATION

Electrifying Denver International Airport's Shuttle Fleet I’m excited to share that Denver International Airport (DEN) is stepping up its commitment to sustainability by adding eight new electric buses to its shuttle fleet. These buses will replace some of the natural gas-powered shuttles that move travelers between the airport and the economy parking lots, marking another step toward a greener Denver. This initiative is funded by a $976,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program. Denver City Council, including myself, unanimously approved the measure earlier this week, demonstrating our shared commitment to reducing emissions and supporting cleaner transportation options. The grant covers not only the purchase of the buses but also their maintenance through 2029. The airport will also install new charging stations to support the electric fleet. While these electric buses will only make up a small portion of DEN's 76-vehicle shuttle fleet, it’s a meaningful start. Statewide, this program has funded 23 projects, including electrification efforts by cities like Golden and Longmont, private organizations like UPS, and even our very own Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency. This progress reflects a larger trend: Colorado is leading the nation in adopting plug-in electric vehicles, as noted in a recent report. Efforts like these show how we can collectively prioritize cleaner, more sustainable transportation options to support public health and our environment. Keep an eye out for these electric shuttles the next time you’re traveling through DEN!  READ MORE Modernizing Parking Requirements  As a Council, we are considering the Modernizing Parking Requirements project, a proposal I’m proud to sponsor alongside my colleagues Council Member Parady, Alvidrez, and Watson. This proposal, developed with Community Planning and Development (CPD), the Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI), and the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR), aims to streamline development, promote housing and give builders the flexibility to decide how much parking their projects need based on market conditions. Currently, Denver’s zoning code mandates minimum parking requirements for most developments, which can inflate housing costs, limit the number of homes built, and contribute to car dependency, traffic and pollution. By removing these outdated requirements, we can free up space for more housing, reduce development costs and cut city administrative time by hundreds of hours annually. This project also complies with state legislation requiring cities to eliminate parking minimums for certain developments near transit by June 2025. Denver is taking this opportunity to modernize our approach to transportation and housing, ensuring new developments prioritize transit options, car shares, and sustainable solutions to meet our community’s needs. To learn more, read the full press release.  LEARN MORE RTD's Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project The Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project is a transformative initiative that highlights a commitment to modernizing our city’s transportation infrastructure. This $152 million, multi-phase project builds on over a decade of critical improvements and will significantly enhance the safety, reliability and longevity of Denver’s rail system.  The successful completion of Phase 1 in September 2024, ahead of schedule, marks a major milestone. This phase focused on reconstructing light rail tracks and infrastructure at five key intersections in the Downtown Loop, as well as essential maintenance at the Kalamath Street crossing. Looking ahead, the momentum continues in 2025 with Phases 2-4, which will further upgrade key intersections and include a full-depth reconstruction of the Kalamath Street at-grade crossing. These efforts are designed to ensure minimal disruptions to riders through carefully planned, time-specific closures.     This project is more than infrastructure, it’s an investment in Denver’s future, making downtown more accessible, efficient and ready to support our growing community!  LEARN MORE

REPRESENTATION

Explore Denver's Legacy Businesses It is an honor to serve as the Council Member for District 10, home to a vibrant community of exceptional businesses. Denver Economic Development & Opportunity has recently recognized 36 new Legacy Businesses, a distinction awarded to longstanding, independent establishments that contribute significantly to our community’s character, vitality and cultural heritage. Congratulations to these remarkable businesses for earning this well-deserved recognition! CHECK OUT THE LIST

Recycle Your Holiday Tree with Treecycle The holiday season is wrapping up, and it’s the perfect time to give your tree a second life through Denver’s Treecycle program! Starting December 26, you can recycle your holiday tree to have it turned into mulch for the community. Recycling locations vary by date, time, and location, so be sure to check the details before heading out. For a full list of drop-off locations and schedules, visit the Treecycle 2024 webpage. LEARN MORE

My Position on the Flavored Tobacco Ban During City Council on Monday, December 16, we had an opportunity to take bold, decisive action to protect the health and future of our children. The facts are clear: flavored tobacco products are designed to hook young people, targeting them with enticing flavors like candy, fruit and mint. This isn’t about choice—it’s about addiction.  In Denver, over 80% of youth who use tobacco products choose flavored products—products specifically marketed to appeal to them. We cannot sit idly by while a generation is exposed to life-long addiction and preventable disease.  To those who say this will harm businesses, let me be clear: public health and economic prosperity are not mutually exclusive. Cities like Golden, Aspen, and Boulder have implemented similar bans and seen their economies thrive. Protecting our kids strengthens our community’s foundation.  I believe it’s our duty to fight for our children, not big tobacco. And as a city that values health, justice and progress, let Denver lead the way. I grew up with a mom who smoked, so I saw firsthand how harmful it is. I heard her constant coughing, felt the cigarette residue on the car windows, and realized that all that gunk was also in my lungs. That experience convinced me to never smoke. But today, kids don't have the same deterrents. With flavored products like cotton candy and bubblegum, smoking seems more appealing to them.  So let me leave you with this: When we prioritize the health of our youth today, we secure a brighter tomorrow for all of Denver.

Priorities and Values District 10 is close to returning to the 20-minute neighborhood, but there is still a lot of work to be done for this idea to become a reality for all. To get us there, I’m working to make sure every resident has access to three things: housing, transportation and representation. Read more on my website. VISIT THE WEBSITE

UPCOMING EVENTS

National Western Stock Show Kick-off Parade Experience the spirit of the West at the National Western Stock Show Kick-off Parade on Friday, January 9! Watch downtown Denver come alive with boots, chaps, cowboy hats, and a true Western cattle drive featuring horses, cowboys, cowgirls, tractors, floats, and marching bands. Bring the whole family for this unforgettable celebration of Colorado’s Western traditions!  Learn more! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Marade is scheduled for Monday, January 20 with the program beginning at 9:30 AM at the "I Have a Dream" Monument in City Park. The Marade procession, stepping off from City Park at 10:45 AM, will follow a route south on the East High School Esplanade, turning west on Colfax, and concluding at Civic Center Park, Colfax and Broadway Learn more!

Coffee & Conversation I host monthly Coffee & Conversation get togethers. Januarys meeting is Thurs., Jan. 23 at Colfax and Cream located at, 1100 N Broadway, from 12:30-2 p.m. Please keep in mind Colfax and Cream has various locations so make sure you head to the one on Broadway. Grab a cup of coffee & chat with me about your thoughts, ideas, & concerns for District 10. Whether you have local questions, community suggestions, or just want to connect, I'd love to hear from you. Learn more! Polar Bear 5k Get ready to embrace the chill! The Polar Bear 5K is Denver’s coolest winter race, happening Sunday, January 19 at Washington Park. Run, walk, or jog through scenic trails, then warm up with hot cocoa and celebrate your achievement. Don’t miss this frosty, family-friendly fun! Register today to secure your spot! Learn more!

HELPFUL RESOURCES Explore the resources tab on the District 10 website, where you'll find valuable links covering city services, housing, transportation, food are more. This hub is designed to be your go-to for all essential information. If you need further assistance, my office is here to help—just email us at distr...@denvergov.org, and we'll do our best to guide you. District 10 Website

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