Accomplishments for June 2024 – June 2025
UpDoNA is a very active organization. We have been busy, and we’ve accomplished a lot. Here is a summary of our most significant accomplishments since the last Annual Meeting was held in June of 2024.
Organizational Level
Accomplishments
- Successful third annual Downtown Denver National Night Out 2024 – 500-600 attendees.
- Worked with Circle K management, located at Mariposa and Colfax, and District 3 Denver Police Department to clean up and make the area safer for everyone. Homeless encampment residents vandalized and inhabited car wash, continually broke store plate glass windows, graffiti, trash, drug use, drug dealing, etc. Store was losing $50,000 every 70 days to shoplifting. Suggested CPTED report which was completed – lighting added, shrubs trimmed, etc. Area now safer for customers and for Auraria campus students.
- Hosted meeting at Spire with Downtown Denver Partnership and Denver City Planning representatives to review and discuss proposed plans for the new Glenarm Plaza.
- Hosted meeting at One Lincoln Park with District Attorneys Beth McCann and John Walsh to discuss downtown safety and enforcement of the laws.
- Scheduled a meeting with City Planning and Permitting to discuss permitting issues and delays being experienced by Upper Downtown businesses. Spoke with several Upper Downtown business owners and invited them to attend – Bombshells and Troy Guard business representatives attended. Follow up with businesses indicated that they were helped by City Planning/Permitting and the process was moving smoothly.
- Asked to testify before City Council in support of the Downtown Denver Development Authority expansion.
- Recommended that former Skyline Park 1 police kiosk be reopened. Members reporting of Skyline Park’s issues, e.g., drug use, trash, illegal camping, led to temporary soccer fields being installed this summer.
- Represented Upper Downtown residents and businesses by participating on the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Board. Letter sent to the Downtown Denver Authority Board with a wish list for Upper Downtown to ensure that the DDDA board is aware of needs.
- Continue to serve on Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee representing resident and businesses in Upper Downtown
- Asked to testify before Landmark Preservation Commission in support of Civic Center Park changes. Landmark Preservation Commission approved first phase – construction/design
- Successful member email campaign addressing CM Parady’s proposed legislation allowing an unlimited needle exchange sites and removing 1,000 feet restriction from schools. Mayor vetoed.
- Reviewed 2024 Text Amendment Bundle and made recommendations – parking requirements, Comprehensive Sign Plan, food trucks, skylight preservation, etc.
- Partnered with Parks and Rec to produce flyers and signs outlining pet owner responsibilities
- UpDoNA was asked to participate in the Summer Kickoff Weekend Celebration, 5/31 and 6/1.
- Asked to testify before Planning Board in rezoning of Home2 Suites and Business Member Aloft Hotel in support of rezoning into Theater District.
- Worked with Home2 Suites owner on completion of the 15th and Stout Street planters.
- Member email campaign address budget shortfall – public safety.
Safety & QOL Committee co-chaired by Lisa Pope and Gil Vondrasek
Accomplishments
- Attended meetings throughout year with DPD, DEDO, City Council, Department of Safety, Police Advisory Board, DAP, DDP, DDP Safety, RTD, Denver Department of Safety, District Attorneys’ Office, etc.
- Discussed Upper Downtown crime stats with Lt. Albi and Director of Safety, Armando Saldate.
- Coordinated a meeting with UpDoNA members on February 3rd with DPD, RTD, and Mayoral rep to discuss downtown safety and lack of police presence. Meeting led to additional resources for downtown.
- Reported incidents using Clean and Safe app and 311.
- Email Campaign regarding Denver Budget Shortfall – public safety.
Scooter Subcommittee chaired by David Kurth
Accomplishments
- Scooter Committee’s work with CM Hinds’ and DOTI on scooter/pedestrian interactions led to CM Hinds’ successful Scooter Legislation.
- Continued work with CM Hinds and DOTI to address scooter/pedestrian safety concerns.
- Provided public comment at the LUTI Committee Hearing in support of CM Hinds’ Scooter Legislation.
- Provided comments to DOTI (Nathan Pope) regarding UpDoNA desires for items to be included in the request for proposal (RFP) to provide micromobility services (scooter, e-bikes, and new technologies) starting in July 2026.
In Progress
- Working closely with DOTI’s Advisory Board and attend Advisory Board meetings.
Clean Upper Downtown Committee co-chaired by Kristen Deak and Carolyn Benton
Accomplishments
- Clean Upper Downtown Committee had 12 Saturday morning cleanups and collected approximately 300 bags of trash from our neighborhood streets.
In Progress
- Working with businesses to clean up cigarette butts on properties and to provide receptacles for proper disposal.
Good Neighbor Committee co-chaired by Garis Smith and Gary Gottesfeld
Accomplishments
- The Good Neighbor Committee negotiated and entered into three more Good Neighbor Agreements for a total of 11.
- Trybal An African Speakeasy
- JKD Vape, Beer, & Wine
- Third Level d/b/a XSO Night Club
Outreach Committee (Chaired by Rob Squire, members: Teri McGinley, Jane Foreman, and all contributors)
Accomplishments
- Published 12 newsletters and hundreds of articles of interest to UpDoNA members
- Implmented changes and improvements in the newsletters and website
Arts & Beautification Committee co-chaired by Sal Tripodi and Kerry Packard
Accomplishments
- Arts & Beautification Committee awarded $25,000 in grant money from Mayor Johnston’s Dynamic Denver Grant Program. Used some of those funds to commission a mural on the Cherry Creek Trail. Partnered with Parks and Rec.
- Additional grant money used in commissioning a Denver Sister Cities showing all ten Denver Sister Cities. Partnered with DSCI. Asked to attend Block Opening Celebration. Very successful activation with singers, dangers, and performers representing Sister Cities. Sign will be placed in Upper Downtown.
- Partnered with Park and Rec to revitalize the Welton Pocket Park, turning a neglected parcel into a beautiful and educational pocket park with rock path, indigenous trees and plants. Plans being made to work with nearby schools for hands-on projects and environmental experiences, together with the Colorado Credit Union and Pacific Premier Trust as collaborators.
- Received a $3,000 grant from Pacific Premier Trust Grant for Welton Pocket Park
In Progress
- Compiling an inventory of the publicly available art within UpDoNA’s footprint with the intent of creating self-guided tours that will be available on UpDoNA’s website.
- Gearing up for a major fundraising push for the UpDoNA Arts Initiative, which will bring new works and restore existing works within UpDoNA’s footprint.
UpDoNA Cares chaired by Ron Townsend
Accomplishments
- UpDoNA Cares Committee formed strategic partnership with Urban Peak.
- Purchased, prepared and served monthly lunches at The Delores Project and Urban Peak.
- UpDoNA Cares’ members purchased tickets for and attended the annual fundraising gala events for Urban Peak (“Urban Nights Sneaker Ball”) and The Delores Project (“25 Years of Building Belonging”).
- Worked with staff at STEP Denver, The Delores Project, and Urban Peak to distribute year end/holiday wish lists to facilitate gift giving and end of year cash donations.
- Worked with Kristen Deak to facilitate UpDoNA member support of holiday gift giving for children through the existing Spire-based annual program (Boys and Girls Club, The Gathering Place).
Membership Committee – chaired by Carol Wayne
Accomplishments
- Held Meet and Greet for business members hosted at and by Colorado Credit Union.
- Membership increase: 11 new business members and 30 new resident members
- Interviewed new business members and wrote articles for the UpDoNA newsletter.
- Continued to develop relationships with Upper Downtown Businesses. Olive and Finch at DCPA invited UpDoNA members to their lavish grand opening with the Mayor and other dignitaries. UpDoNA members were also invited to HashTAG’s Rooftop Bar grand opening.
In Progress
- Continue to recruit resident and business members.
Social Committee – Dale DeWitt and Jenny Tung
- Planned two social events, one at Spire and the other at One Lincoln Park.
- Planned Annual Meeting which was the inaugural public event on Glenarm Plaza.
- Planned 10 UpDoNA Nights Out (UNO) with Upper Downtown Businesses.
