🎷 El Chapultepec faces the wrecking ball

🏠 Denver Debuts Second Micro-Community

This week, 47 people living at an encampment near Empower Field will make the transition into a 60-unit tiny home community in the Overland neighborhood as part of the mayor’s All In Mile High housing initiative. The micro-community is the city’s second to open, despite staunch opposition from nearby residents. A third is scheduled to open in Golden Triangle next week. [Denver Post]

✊ Homeless Outreach Workers Push for Union

Employees with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless have announced their intent to form a union, citing low pay and high turnover. Organizers say many coalition staff members qualify for the same benefits as the clients they’re assisting. [Denverite]

🏗️ Officials Plan to Overhaul Peña Boulevard

City officials are hoping to ease traffic along Peña Boulevard, the only road that leads in and out of Denver’s airport, with a $51 million makeover. The project will expand, repave, and add ramps to the heavily congested corridor. Construction is slated to begin this spring and last through the fall of 2026. [Axios Denver]

• Dive Deeper: But will it work? Not all transit experts think so. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🎷 A Preservation Fight Looms Over El Chapultepec

Historic Denver has submitted an application for landmark status to protect the space that was formerly El Chapultepec jazz club. Despite intentions to save the historic property, the owner said the building’s irreparable condition leaves no other choice but demolition. [BusinessDen 🔒]

Hey loyal readers and listeners. We love to hear from you! Got a question about something going on in the city? A spicy take on a trending topic? A dynamite food, drink, or show recommendation? We want to know 💌

🦪 Oysters (and How NOT to Eat Them)

Thank you to all the listeners who heard me talk about oysters in our recent “Guide to March” episode and wrote in to let me know I do not, in fact, have to swallow oysters whole 😆

• “Are you really swallowing oysters whole like a raw egg? Sincerely, a concerned listener in Cap Hill”
• "Someone please tell Peyton Garcia that she should not insist that you just shoot an oyster down your throat whole. You definitely can and should chew it.”

💁🏻‍♀️ Women-Owned Businesses

Throughout Women's History Month, I’m spotlighting local women-owned businesses in the Mile High. Here are a few shoutouts from readers:

• Carol P. says you can’t miss Treelotta on South Broadway: “This amazing fabric store is owned by Teresa Barbagallo. Not only is there an amazing selection of fabric, but she also has a wide array of classes for quilt making, bag making, and sewing your own clothes.”
• Morgan L. wants to give some love to Petals & Pages, a feminist / queer bookstore, flower shop, and community space in the Art District on Santa Fe: “They have a cozy book shop with a coffee bar and bouquets for sale, and so many events throughout each month!”

🏙️ Improving Downtown

We shared our 12 big ideas for fixing downtown Denver, and Anthony G. shared his:

• “Expand the light rail in order to really connect neighborhoods in the city, not just the surrounding metro. A light rail line from Downtown to Cherry Creek, for example, would be amazing for both neighborhoods. [Also, more] trees and parks! It cannot be said enough how important a healthy tree canopy and beautiful parks are in creating an inviting city that everyone can enjoy.”

Demolishing El Chapultepec, Landlord Watch: Algorithm Edition, and Your Bike Lane Comments

When Kenneth Monfort bought El Chapultepec’s old building, he made promises to preserve its legacy — but now it looks like he may go back on his word. Then, lawmakers are tackling high rents by going after an algorithm and Auon’Tai Anderson is bringing attention to an apartment building in Five Points that has been without water for a week. Tune in for a deeper dive on these stories and more news of the week.