December 2020

Want to advocate for climate action? Passionate about sustainability? Denver is accepting applications to serve on the Sustainability Advisory Council (SAC)! Get info on how to apply here. SAC’s primary functions are to:

Provide advice and recommendations to the staff of the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) for advancing the city’s ambitious goals and effective implementation of the Climate Protection Fund’s five-year strategic plan.
Assist CASR in connecting with the people, communities, businesses, and institutions.
Promote sustainability in the community

Applications are due by January 15!

-Jolon
Lucky District 7 Councilman

LUCKY DISTRICT 7

Give Where You Live

Looking to give back this holiday season? Considering supporting a Lucky District 7 organization! Here are some ideas:

Urban Peak – Denver’s only youth homeless service provider. You can help by donating these much needed supplies HERE or by giving a monetary amount here.
Restaurant Workers – Donate to the Angel Relief Fund to support Colorado restaurant workers. To support restaurants, order takeout or delivery directly from your favorite spot.
Support Local Business – Use the map to locate businesses near your home that are open and ready to serve you. Register your business.
Community Ministry – Food bank, clothing bank, school supplies, energy assistance & more in the Ruby Hill neighborhood. Donate or volunteer here.
Ruby’s Market – a multi-cultural artisan and food destination, incubating refugee, immigrant & indigenous entrepreneurs and supporting local businesses. Stop by the market at 1569 S. Pearl Street.
Support the Arts – The pandemic and economic recession have had a disproportionate and devastating effect on the local creative sector. Give a donation, gift a membership and support a local artist here.
Virtual Giving Tree – Mayor Hancock’s annual Giving Tree campaign has moved online this year. The campaign collects warming items that are distributed to families and individuals of all ages.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

Winter Events

DENVER CHRISTKINDL MARKET
WHEN: Thru Dec. 23
WHERE: Civic Center Park
This outdoor event has been moved to Civic Center Park this year. Stroll through a European village as you shop for artisan gifts and enjoy treats at wooden huts (try some authentic Glühwein, mulled spiced wine)!

ZOO LIGHTS
WHEN: Thru Dec. 31
WHERE: Denver Zoo
This illuminating annual event transforms Denver Zoo with more than a million lights sparkling over 80 acres.

PARADE OF LIGHTS
WHEN: Thru Dec. 31
WHERE: Throughout downtown Denver
This year’s parade will be a multi-week, socially safe range of activities and floats across downtown. Download the mobile app for locations.

Check out more events are available here.

CITY INFORMATION

COVID-19 Vaccine

Governor Polis has announced that a vaccine is coming to Colorado this week, however the initial supply of COVID-19 vaccines will be very limited for several months. This means that a vaccine will not be immediately available to everyone who wants one. The state has developed a phased approach to vaccine distribution to save lives and end the crisis. The first phase will be for people who are most likely to get COVID-19 first including health care workers and long-term care facility staff and residents. Until the vaccine is widely available and used by all Coloradans, please continue to use basic public health guidance, such as physical distancing and mask wearing. Learn more.

Youth Minimum Wage

The city has released the draft program description and rules that could permit employers to pay up to 15% less than minimum wage to youth if they provide career skill training on the job. A description of the program as well as the draft rules are available here.

The public meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 10 am. Meeting link: https://bit.ly/PublicMeetingYouthWage. Comments may be submitted electronically to DEDOMarketing@denvergov.org

Denver Preschool Program Help

The Denver Preschool Program (DPP) offers preschool tuition support to ALL families—regardless of income—who live in Denver and have a 4-year-old enrolled in a DPP-participating preschool in their year before kindergarten. And now families may receive up to 100% coverage on tuition costs. That means free preschool for up to one year! Explore options and learn more about how to receive tuition discounts at dpp.org.

Public Comment for 2021 Housing Action Plan

Following the passage of ballot measure 2B earlier, Department of Housing Stability (HOST) has released the draft addendum to its 2021 Action Plan, which provides a framework for the expenditure of the funds and outlines key priorities for the fund including housing with supportive services, shelter and supportive services, innovative approaches to ending homelessness, catalytic projects that may combine shelter and housing at a development site, and ongoing COVID-19 response. Submit your thoughts and suggestions online, available in both English and Spanish.

Fire Safety Tips

From our friends at Denver Fire Dept., here are a few simple tips to ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Choose fire resistant holiday decorations
Ensure decorations are not placed close to a heat source or blocking windows or doors
When choosing a fresh Christmas tree, ensure the needles are green and well hydrated
Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulbs connections
Always turn off string of lights on trees before going to bed and blow out any candles

As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. More holiday safety tips here.

Assistance with Home Heating Costs

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps residents pay for some of their home heating or heating system repair costs during the winter months. LEAP is available for qualifying households through April 30, 2021. Apply by calling 1-866-HEAT-HELP (432-8435), or online at www.denvergov.org/LEAP.

In addition to LEAP, residents may also qualify for other assistance programs:

Denver Human Services’ Emergency Assistance, which helps with evictions, rental and mortgage assistance, first month’s rent and deposit assistance, and help with some energy bills.
Denver Human Services’ TANF Disaster Assistance, which helps qualifying Denver families who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Designed to aid those who don’t qualify for other benefits, this program assists residents with at least one child at home who have annual incomes up to $75,000.
Energy Outreach Colorado’s Crisis Intervention Program, which provides help with repairing or replacing a home’s primary heating system, such as a furnace or wood-burning stove.
The Colorado Energy Office’s Weatherization Program, which can help improve home energy efficiency.
The Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit (PTC) rebate, which provides a partial refund of property taxes or rental payments made, or a partial refund of heat or fuel expenses, to qualifying low-income seniors and those with a disability.
The Denver Property Tax Relief Program, which provides qualifying Denver residents a partial refund of property taxes or rent for couples and individuals who are 65 or older or permanently disabled, and for homeowners with children.
The Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance and Mortgage Assistance Programs through the Denver Department of Housing Stability. These programs offer resources to qualifying Denver residents who are facing financial hardship to help prevent eviction or foreclosure.

Juanita Gray Community Service Awards

The Denver Public Library is accepting nominations for its annual Juanita Gray Community Service Awards. Nominations are for African American men, women and youth who are setting exemplary examples for leadership and civic engagement in the community. Nominations are due by Dec. 18. Info here.