SIDEWALKS: Dust off your snow shovel.
Denver requires property owners to clear their walkways so that EVERYONE has safe access throughout the City. Senior citizens, people with disabilities, parents with strollers, and mail carriers -just to name a few - struggle to negotiate hazardous walkways ... we need to do our part to make our community safe and accessible for all.
Homeowners: Once snow has stopped falling, residences have twenty-four (24) hours to remove snow from public sidewalks adjacent to their property.
Businesses: Once snow has stopped falling, businesses have four (4) to remove snow from public sidewalks adjacent to their property.
Report a Problem: Please contact Denver 3-1-1 to provide the address of unshoveled sidewalks.
Enforcement: Denver performs proactive inspections in business districts, and we rely on citizen complaints to help us identify those property owners that need to be educated about sidewalk safety requirements. The vast majority of people comply with the first sidewalk safety notice issued by the City. In the rare instances where a property owner refuses to comply, Denver takes escalating legal action, which can include issuing an Administrative Citation that carries a $150 penalty. Denver manages 3,000 sidewalk safety cases a year.
Snow Removal on City-Owned Property
Denver Parks + Recreation performs snow removal on park property and select sidewalks, such as bridges and underpasses within the City. During normal snowfall, the snow will be removed as usual, including around recreation centers. Recreation Centers will also be plowed and shoveled for Saturday and Sunday hours as needed.
Trash & Recycling During Snow Season
To keep your trash and recycling service running smoothly during snow season, follow our easy “Do’s” and “Don’ts” below:
•DO shovel a path to your recycling cart and trash barrel
•DO keep these containers off patches of ice for safety
•DO make sure recycling carts and trash barrels are clear of snow
•DO put your cart and trash barrel as far in the street as possible - not behind snow banks
•DO leave a 4’ space on either side of your barrel and recycling cart allowing easy access by our trucks automated arms.
•DON’T - use cardboard boxes as a trash container. This is always a “Don’t” no matter what the weather conditions.
•DON'T pile snow beside dumpsters.
RESOURCES: for those who cannot shovel their sidewalks:
Catholic Charities – Karen Blacker 303.742.0823 ext. 2046. She's happy to take calls and connect people as best they can to a volunteer.
DRCOG Area Agency on Aging – Kelly 303.480.6787 - will make connections as best they can.
VOA (HandyMan Program) – Amanda 720.264.3331 - one-time service/connections
Senior Resource Center – Ann 303.235.6973 - will connect on case-by- case issues.
Recently one of our neighbors shared with us a distressing story regarding the theft of their pet.
On Sept. 16th, Daniel Dearmin’s beloved small chihuahua, Waverly, was taken from his backyard (9th & Grape Streets) in the middle of the day. After determining that Waverly was indeed taken and after reporting the theft to police, it was found that several other pet thefts had also taken place in the area that same day.
In the course of working with police, Daniel learned a couple important things that pet owners and their neighbors should know:
1) Pet theft usually happens after a thorough viewing of your property/pet. In Daniel’s case, there was recently real estate activity (showing of a house), nearby construction workers, as well as professional landscapers, also next door. These scenarios bring opportunity for strangers to have visual access to homes without suspicion.
2) Police advised that occasionally pet theft is carried out with the intent of returning the pet for the reward (extortion).
As usual, we ask that all neighbors remain vigilant with keeping an eye on any suspicious activity in your area and to please call police (non-emergency number: 720-913-2000) if you suspect your pet has been stolen.
UPDATE: On September 21st, Waverly was brought home. Daniel extends his thanks to the Mayfair neighborhood for the exposure and pressure applied to the thieves who eventually brought her to the animal shelter.
Below is a letter being sent so the following City Council Members on behalf of the Mayfair Neighborhood:
Mayor John W. Hickenlooper
Councilman Doug Linkhart
Councilwoman Marcia Johnson
Councilwoman Jeanne Robb
Councilwoman Carol Boigon
Dear Denver City Council members,
Mayfair Neighbors, Inc. would like to express its concern regarding the current condition of the now vacant property located on the southeast corner of 8th avenue and Colorado Boulevard. We hope that you can assist us by addressing the following issues:
• We are concerned about the future of this
property and how it differs from what was originally
planned and conveyed to us by the developer,
the property owner, and city officials. We
would like an update from the City on the property
and, if necessary, meet with the appropriate
city officials and staff, the property owner,
and the developer to discuss future plans and
opportunities for this vacant property.
• We are concerned about the potential environmental hazards associated with the large amounts of standing water located on the vacant property. As we approach fall, the risk of mosquito breeding and west nile virus are of course subsiding. However, we would still like to see the property owner to remove any standing water and improve site drainage.
• We are concerned about the unattended vegetation on the property – not only is this an eyesore, but it is also a code violation. We would like the property owner to tend to the vegetation so that it at least meets code.
• We are concerned about traffic safety at this very busy intersection. The parking strip along Colorado Boulevard on the west side of this property has now become an illegal right turn lane onto 8th avenue from Colorado Boulevard north bound. Vehicles properly turning right from the appropriate legal lane are often confronted with another vehicle turning from the former parking lane thus creating a dangerous two lane turn onto a single lane street. We would like the Traffic Engineering and Planning Department explore solutions that the city could apply today, and solutions that might be made upon development of the property.
This property is creating several negative impacts to our community. Due to the fact that it is located on one of the busiest and most visible intersections in Denver, and is at the ‘gateway’ to the Mayfair neighborhood, we are asking the City to take immediate steps to help address the issues mentioned above.
Thank you for your prompt attention to these concerns. Please let us know if we can be of assistance in any way.
Sincerely,
Scott Babcock, AICP
President, Mayfair Neighbors, Inc.
Mayfair Neighborhood Association President Scott Babcock frequently posts news relevant to Mayfair at this site. Bookmark it and visit often to find out what’s going on in the President’s head!
