🌳 Why 6 Denver parks could be getting new names

🌳 6 Denver Parks Could Be Getting New Names

They're being considered for renaming due to controversial namesakes or “complex histories related to any racial groups or ideologies.” The Denver Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships is spearheading the effort. The reasoning behind each park’s potential rename varies widely, from Thomas Jefferson being a slave owner (Jefferson Park) to the word “frontier” alluding to the erasure of Indigenous history (La Alma Lincoln Park). [Denverite]

• 🗣️ Get involved: There will be several community meetings available for public feedback. The first one — focused on S.R. DeBoer Park — will be on Wednesday at University Park Elementary from 5:30-7 p.m.

📚 DougCo Libraries Reject LGBTQ Book Ban

The Douglas County Libraries board of trustees unanimously rejected an appeal from a conservative activist and DougCo resident to ban a number of books with LGBTQ+ themes that he claims promote a “destructive, homosexual lifestyle.” The decision was made on Wednesday night. [9News]

• 🎧 Wanna know more? We discuss this story in more detail in today’s City Cast Denver podcast episode.

🏠 Sanctioned Campsites, Tiny Homes, and … Pallet Shelters?

On Tuesday, a City Council committee approved a $7 million contract to bring 200 pallet shelters to Denver to house people experiencing homelessness. If approved by the full council, the shelters would arrive in November. This is the latest step in Mayor Mike Johnston’s plan to end homelessness. [Denverite]

• ⚠️ Just in: The mayor has announced 11 sites where he hopes to build “micro communities.” As promised, they are spread across most of Denver’s city council districts. [Denverite]

⭐⭐⭐ = The official City Cast Denver ‘Maybe’ of the weekend, as in maybe you’ll see us there! Listen to today’s podcast for more deets.

🎭 Shakespeare in the Wild | Friday-Sunday | 7:30-9:30 p.m.

This weekend’s performance of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” is promised to be a “hilarious spectacle of gender bending, baffoonery, and tomfoolery.” [Centennial; Free]

🎶 Shine Music Festival | Saturday | Noon-1 a.m.

Shine Music, a nonprofit committed to growing inclusion and accessibility in Denver’s music scene, hosts an epic local performance lineup at this annual event to raise funds for its mission. [Five Points; Donation-driven]

⭐⭐⭐ Back-to-School Pig Roast | Saturday | 2-4 p.m.

Leevers Locavore, a North Denver community marketplace, is partnering with several other area businesses to host a neighborhood pig roast fundraiser to benefit Columbian and Valdez elementary schools. [Highland; $10]

🎨 COLORCON 2023 | Saturday | 5-8 p.m.

For its fifth iteration, this mural and music festival will be held in the Westword parking lot. Enjoy live tunes while you watch local artists create. Food and drink will be available for purchase. [Golden Triangle; Free]

✨ Lumonics Immersed | Saturday | 8-10:30 p.m.

This transformative multi-sensory experience intends to bring you into a state of comfort and expanded awareness. Each performance is one-of-a-kind and features the Lumonics Light Orchestra. [North Denver; $15-$25]

🖌️ Summer Art Market | Saturday-Sunday | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Art Students League of Denver invites art lovers of all styles and mediums to shop and support local creatives at this event featuring artwork for sale and live art demos, plus fresh bites and cold beer. [Wash Park West; $5]

🇵🇱 Polish Food Festival | Saturday-Sunday | Noon

Immerse yourself in Polish tradition and culture at this North Denver food festival offering authentic pierogies, bigos, kielbasa, and more! Hosted by the Saint Joseph Polish Roman Catholic Parish. [Globeville; Free]

🐾 Puppies, Poses, & Prosecco | Sunday | 9:30 a.m.

Tickets to this event — 100% of which go to support Denver’s nonprofit Freedom Service Dogs — will get you a 45-minute guided yoga class, two glasses of bubbly prosecco, and the chance to give nose boops and belly rubs to service puppies in training. [Golden; $50]

🐈 Kitty Pet Pantry | Sunday | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue is giving back to the community by donating its unneeded cat food, kitty litter, and cat trees. Donations to the shelter are not mandatory, but greatly appreciated. [Overland; Free]

🌳 La Raza Park Day | Sunday | 1-5 p.m.

Celebrate the city’s newly anointed third historical cultural district, La Raza Park, at this annual party involving low riders, lucha libre, live Latin music, Azteca dancers, and more to honor the area’s Chicano culture. [Westwood; Free]

Last week’s answer: This mural of guitar god Jimi Hendrix is at Morrison Road and Perry Street in Westwood. It was painted in 2013 by artist and muralist Mpek AKA Miguel Robledo-Ortiz. City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies recommends going across the street to Bule Bule, a ‘50s malt shop-themed neveria, to grab a paleta and sit outside under a tree to take in this gorgeous mural and enjoy your icy treat!

❓ For the first time in Hey Denver photo trivia history … nobody knew this answer! 😳 Guess I gotta go easier on you all.

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU know where to find these funny little dino friends? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

Is Coach Prime Too Cool for Boulder? Plus, A/C at DPS and John Fielder's Favorite Fleece

When NFL Hall of Famer Deion “Prime Time” Sanders was tapped to be the new CU Boulder head football coach, Boulder went bananas. Buffs fans have high hopes for his impact on the field, but what are the off-the-field implications for Boulder? City Cast Denver producer Paul Karolyi talks it out with 5280 Magazine editor Lindsey King and editorial director Geoff Van Dyke. Plus, stay tuned for Denver wins and fails of the week.