Project Worthmore Opens The Roots

The Roots building is now open to carry out the 15-year mission of Project Worthmore, the northwest Aurora nonprofit, of serving refugees and immigrants in need.

The name “Roots” means they’re here to stay, executive director Frank Anello said. “We’re not going anywhere. The Roots building is a place that’s permanent.” He added, “When I’m gone 30 to 40 years from now, there’s a center here that’s going to be welcoming refugees and serving immigrants forever. We’re rooted. This is what our community wants.”

Food, language services, dental care, and community navigation were open during construction in temporary structures at the northwest Aurora location. The same services are now available in the renovated building with a new larger room for the twice-a-week food share.

Project Worthmore was founded by Anello and his wife, Carolyn, with the goal of creating a center for refugees to “access everything under one campus.” The need for its services has grown over time, and the “very tight, old spaces” needed a redo, Anello said. “When someone shows up at our door, we do everything possible to help them, no matter what their circumstances.”

The community is invited to a grand opening celebration on Aug. 6 from 5:30–7:30pm at 1666 Elmira St., Aurora. For more information, visit projectworthmore.org.

Next Phase of Construction Begins Near Central Park Station

Construction is underway on the next phase of the Central Park Station Transit-Oriented Development Project, as crews have begun grading the site bordered by East 35th Avenue, Uinta Street, East 36th Avenue, and Ulster Street. The block-sized lot will be home to 146 market-rate, three-story townhomes, each with an attached garage and some with private yards, said project engineer Ava Martinez of Brickmann Constructors. Construction is expected to be completed by 2028.

More multifamily apartment units are planned near the station. Developers are still determining whether some units will be rentals or for-sale residences, according to Jack Seward, former operations manager with the Central Park Master Community Association.

Development will also feature an affordable housing project on RTD-owned land immediately north of the station. Ulysses Development Group is moving forward with the first phase, a six-story building with about 150 income-qualified apartments and an early childhood education center.

Colorado’s First Health Science High School Breaks Ground in Aurora

Colorado’s first dedicated health science high school has broken ground on the campus of North Middle School, across from the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus, according to the architect, CannonDesign. Expected to open in fall 2027, the school will provide students with a direct pathway into healthcare careers while addressing the state’s growing medical workforce shortage.

The school, created through a partnership among Aurora Public Schools, the Community College of Aurora, and UCHealth, will combine high school coursework with college classes, industry certifications, and clinical training, according to APS.

Voters approved the project as part of the APS 2024 bond program.

Kappa III Celebrates Grand Opening

Kappa Tower III, the third senior housing development supported by the Denver chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, celebrated its grand opening in July. The 30-unit, all-electric building at 9095 E. 48th Ave. will provide affordable housing for seniors who meet the city’s affordable housing requirements.

At the ribbon-cutting, Larry Williams, chairman of the Kappa Housing board of directors, said, “Kappa Tower III is more than a building. It’s a commitment to dignity, stability, and opportunity for seniors of Denver.”

In 2021, Williams led the fraternity in opening Kappa II, the chapter’s second affordable housing development for seniors. Kappa Tower III is located next to Kappa II. Kappa Alpha Psi established its first affordable housing apartments in Denver in 1984.

Micaela Parker, senior adviser to Colorado State Sen. James Coleman, shared a message from Coleman at the ribbon-cutting, praising Kappa Alpha Psi’s “unwavering commitment to serving the Denver community.”

The event culminated with spontaneous remarks by former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, dressed in a red Kappa Alpha Psi sports coat. When he stood to speak, fraternity members broke into song, and some hollered, “Brothers Forever.”

Webb said, “I don’t think there’s another fraternity in the country that can boast that they have three senior high rises built under their fraternity leadership. This is good for the city.”

The project was completed by Alliance Construction and Kephart Architecture; it includes a loan agreement and 60-year affordability covenant with the Denver City Council.

DPS Approves Cellphone Ban

Denver Public Schools will implement a “bell-to-bell” ban on student cellphones and other personal electronic devices this school year, following a unanimous vote by the school board.

The decision is in response to a state law requiring districts to adopt formal policies on student cellphone use by the end of July. While the law does not mandate a full ban, DPS board members noted during their vote that the district policy is intended to reduce student distractions and improve classroom focus, in addition to complying with state law. The ban applies to cellphones, smartwatches, and other devices not issued by the district. The charter district DSST has adopted a similar approach.

District leadership will determine before the start of the school year how devices will be stored during school hours.

The DPS policy includes exceptions for students who need devices for medical reasons, disability accommodations, or language access.

Some schools have been experimenting with limits. At George Washington High School and Northfield High School, administrators previously restricted cellphone usage in class but allowed devices during lunch. George Washington Principal Dr. Dackri Davis said, “The policy has truly increased academic engagement and increased our on-track to graduate results.”

My Spark Give Students Access to Extracurriculars

Opening in August, the My Spark Scholarship program gives Denver Public Schools middle school students access to extracurricular activities by removing financial barriers.

Originally launched as a pilot by the City of Denver, Mile High United Way and Gary Community Ventures, My Spark is now administered by the Denver Public Schools Foundation. My Spark hopes to serve 4,000 students this school year.

Eligible families receive a $1,000 virtual card to pay for approved extracurriculars. Students can choose from more than 200 local providers offering activities as varied as STEM clubs, dance lessons, flag football, and tutoring.

Families who participated in the pilot program reported increased self-confidence, greater physical activity, and reduced screen time among their children, according to the foundation.

To apply, visit dpsfoundation.org/myspark.

Wings’ Celebrates Colorado’s Aviation Spirit

A new exhibition at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum presents the technical achievement of flight, and the human story behind it.

“Determined to Fly: From the Front Range to the Final Frontier” showcases the people behind aviation and space exploration. The exhibition was created in honor of the state’s 150th anniversary and the nation’s 250th.

“The stories of innovation and excellence in aviation and space are just two of the many things that make Colorado such a wellspring of innovation,” said Wings’ Chief Experience Officer Rachel Herman. “It is only appropriate that we celebrate these dual anniversaries through the lens aviation and space endeavors of the past, present, and future.”

Visitors to the exhibition discover the stories of aviation pioneers, from backyard builders to women who broke barriers, the Tuskegee Airmen, and astronauts who called Colorado home. The showcase will be on display through Dec. 26.

New Location for Aurora Pride

Most Pride events take place in June, but August offers the opportunity to join the Aurora Pride celebration.

This year the event will be held Aug. 29 from 11am– 7pm at Winged Melody Park in the Aurora Highlands community. Organizers wanted a park location this year, and the new space is better suited for a larger crowd and amplified sound.

Addison Herron-Wheeler, executive editor of Out Front Magazine and co-producer of Aurora Pride said, “We’re really excited to work with Aurora Highlands, as well as the city and all our community partners, to throw a fantastic event and elevate what we bring to everyone every summer.”

Last year the event was at Fletcher Plaza on East Colfax Avenue; it was previously held at the Aurora Reservoir.

Denver Releases Climate Report Alongside Emissions Dashboard

Thanks to an initiative from Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, Montbello has a lot more trees this summer.

According to a report released this summer by CASR, Denver planted 4,500 trees in 2025, with many installed in Montbello as part of CASR’s efforts to reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and expand neighborhood tree canopies.

The report also found that in 2025, Denver reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5%, conserved 20 million gallons of water, and supported more than 2,000 clean energy upgrades such as heat pump installations, rooftop solar arrays, and electric vehicle chargers.

Alongside the report, CASR launched a Training Rebate Program to help people who live or work in Denver gain skills for climate-focused careers. The office also introduced an online dashboard that allows users to explore greenhouse gas emissions by ZIP code.

To learn more, visit denvergov.org/climate.