Indivisible 80238 Hosts Attorney General Forum

An eager audience of Denver residents filled a room at the Eisenhower Chapel in Lowry, hoping to learn more about the candidates to help guide their vote for Colorado attorney general.

The forum, sponsored by the volunteer group Indivisible 80238 in March, included four Democratic candidates: Michael Dougherty, Hetal Doshi, David Seligman, and Jena Griswold.

Rosie Hartman, a volunteer, greeted the audience and candidates, saying, “We have an opportunity to hear from four incredible candidates that all have ‘fighter’ in their resume and hopefully will be the front line of defense for us and all of our constitutional rights in Colorado.”

The four answered questions for more than an hour about the economy, protecting voter rights, lessons learned from Minnesota, and public safety.

The goal of the event was to “provide a fair space” for people to hear directly from the candidates, said Rita Hughes of Indivisible 80238, a grassroots movement with a mission to elect progressive leaders.

Hughes said she hoped the event helped people better understand the choices before them. “The next step is yours,” she added. “Support your candidate in the primary process and vote.”

Michael Allen of Colorado Springs is the declared Republican candidate for attorney general. Allen is scheduled to join the Democratic candidates at the Lowry United Neighborhoods Attorney General Forum on May 5 from 7-8:30pm at the Eisenhower Chapel.

Colorado’s primary election is June 30, with the general election Nov. 3.

Denver Official Apologizes for Lack of Notice on Traffic Changes

“We screwed it up,” admitted Amy Ford, executive director of the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI). She was talking about the project to transform 13th and 14th avenues from one-way to two-way streets in the East Colfax neighborhood.

Ford was invited to speak at the Northeast Denver Neighborhoods Community Forum in late February at the Mosaic Community Campus. She had spent time in a two-hour meeting with her team earlier in the day, she said, to talk about what went wrong with the DOTI work.

DOTI converted the 16-block stretch of East 13th and 14th avenues from one-way to two-way between Quebec and Yosemite streets on Feb.18 and 19, to the surprise of drivers and residents, many of whom complained they weren’t notified when the change was happening. The project is designed to slow traffic in the area.

“What we failed to do was additional outreach and communication with the neighborhood. It’s too late now, but we just didn’t do a fabulous job of it. It’s lessons learned for us. And frankly, we were sorry,” Ford said.

The failure to alert the community “caused issues,” she said. Signs put up to notify drivers about the change were at the edges of the neighborhood, but there were no signs within it.

The work was part of a 2022 bond, but Monique Helstrom, president of the East Colfax Neighborhood Association (ECNA), said, “We were never notified” of the timing of the conversion. “When a long-anticipated infrastructure shift is finally implemented, coordinated communication is, and should be, the standard protocol,” Helstrom added.

Since the meeting, there are fewer cones in the area, with all cones expected to be removed at the end of March, according to Denver Councilmember Shontel Lewis. Messaging signs will remain in place until April 3. Timing is subject to change based on feedback from neighbors and area business owners.

DOTI has also identified a future two-way conversion project included in the Vibrant Denver Bond, stating in a new release that there will be an analysis of the East 13th and 14th corridors from Quebec St. to Colorado Blvd.

Ford also offered updates to a sidewalk-installation project in the area and the issue of water pooling at 17th Ave. and Quebec St. since the work was completed. She said a sand water filtration system has been installed underground.

There were tables at the meeting where residents could get more information about the sidewalk project and fees, motorized scooter policies, and changes in trash and recycling pickup previously announced.

Also on the agenda were policy updates from Lewis, whose District 8 includes the four registered neighborhood organizations represented at the community forum: ECNA, Greater Park Hill Community, Montbello 2020, and Central Park United Neighbors. Those organizations hold individual monthly meetings in their areas.

New Senior Housing in Lowry

Construction is underway for a new 55-plus community in the Lowry neighborhood. The 154-unit rental community is being built at 8892 E. Lowry Blvd.

The builder, United Properties, is expanding its Amira brand to the northeast Denver area in what they call “a thoughtfully designed community tailored to active adults seeking connection, convenience, and elevated living.”

The building will feature fitness and wellness spaces, activity rooms, and outdoor walking paths and gardens. There will also be an attached parking garage with a dedicated bike lounge and outdoor gear storage.

Amira Lowry is the first phase of the project at the site, which is planned for completion in spring 2028. Future proposals include the addition of adjacent villa-style homes, which would further expand housing options for active adults ages 55 and older in the area, subject to required approvals.

A Call for After-Prom Volunteers

In 2025, a group of moms worked to start what they hope becomes an annual Northfield High School tradition: After Prom, a safe, fun event for teens following prom.

Organizers said the small grassroots effort quickly gained momentum as the Northfield community stepped in to volunteer time and donate prizes for the event. They’re hoping for the same support this year.

The event will take place on May 9 at The Local Drive in Stanley Marketplace immediately following Northfield High School’s prom.

The parents need help making the event a success. People interested in volunteering, donating, or purchasing tickets can learn more by visiting @northfield_afterdark on Instagram, where links can be found, or reach out directly at northfieldafterdark@gmail.com.

Join a Conversation about E-Bikes

The Central Park United Neighbors April board meeting will largely be devoted to information about e-bikes.

CPUN said a panel will feature Denver Police Department officials, a bicycle shop owner, a physician, and a representative from Bicycle Colorado, a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 that advocates for safe, accessible bicycling across the state.

Rules of the road, types of e-bikes, safety issues, infrastructure, and more will be presented. There will be a question-and-answer session following the panel. Residents can submit questions prior to the event at centralparkunitedneighbors.com.

The meeting will be held on April 21 at the MCA Cube at 8371 E. Northfield Blvd. and on Zoom.

A Longtime Museum Exhibit Closes for Expansion

The Gems & Minerals Hall at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is closing on April 15 and won’t reopen until 2027. The closure is part of a $30-million project to expand and reimagine the area, which has been visited by families since 1982.

The Dea Family Gems & Minerals Hall will expand the exhibit areas by 50%, creating a new immersive, multi-sensory experience where visitors can encounter minerals in their natural forms in underground environments.

The museum called the project the largest renovation of a permanent exhibit in its history.