Lets talk about Denver's New rent laws

Denver, Colorado has recently implemented new rental laws that aim to provide better protection for tenants and regulate the housing market. These new laws are a significant step forward in addressing the city's growing housing crisis and promoting affordable housing for all.

One of the most notable changes is the "source of income" protection law, which prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants who rely on government assistance or other non-wage sources of income, such as social security or disability benefits. This law is particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, who may have difficulty finding housing because of their limited income sources.

Another new law is the requirement for landlords to provide a written receipt for rent payments. This law aims to prevent landlords from unfairly evicting tenants for non-payment of rent when they have already paid. Additionally, landlords must provide a written notice before raising the rent, giving tenants enough time to plan and adjust their finances accordingly.

Denver's new rental laws also provide greater protection for tenants who are victims of domestic violence. Landlords are now required to allow tenants to terminate their lease early if they are victims of domestic violence and need to move to a safer location. This is an important step in ensuring that victims of domestic violence have the support they need to leave dangerous situations and start over.

The city has also introduced a new licensing system for rental properties, which requires landlords to obtain a license and maintain their properties to certain standards. This system ensures that rental properties are safe and habitable for tenants, and landlords who violate the licensing requirements can face penalties and fines.

Overall, Denver's new rental laws are a positive step towards creating a fair and affordable housing market for all. By providing greater protection for tenants and regulating landlords' behavior, the city is working to address the housing crisis and ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. These laws can serve as a model for other cities and states looking to address similar housing challenges.

The 10 Best Restaurants to take your Dog

Denver, Colorado is a city that is known for its outdoor activities, scenic beauty, and great food. For dog lovers, finding a restaurant that welcomes your furry friend can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are many dog-friendly restaurants in Denver that provide a great dining experience for both you and your pooch. Here are ten of the best dog-friendly restaurants in Denver, Colorado.

Linger

1. Linger: Located in the Lower Highlands neighborhood, Linger offers panoramic views of the city, along with an eclectic menu that features international street food. Dogs are welcome on the patio, which offers stunning views of the city.

2. Denver Beer Co: This craft brewery in the Highlands neighborhood welcomes dogs in its outdoor beer garden. There are always a variety of beers on tap, along with tasty pub fare.

3. Watering Bowl: This sports bar in the RiNo neighborhood features an off-leash dog park where your pup can play while you enjoy a cold beer and some classic pub food.

4. Olive and Finch: This cozy cafe in the Uptown neighborhood offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options, along with delicious baked goods. Dogs are welcome on the patio.

5. Vine Street Pub and Brewery: This popular brewpub in the City Park neighborhood is known for its craft beer and delicious comfort food. Dogs are welcome on the patio, which features a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

6. The Park Burger: This local burger chain has several locations throughout the city, and all of them welcome dogs on the patio. The burgers are made with locally sourced ingredients and are sure to please both you and your pup.

7. Forest Room 5: This rustic-chic restaurant in the Highlands neighborhood offers a unique dining experience with its treehouse-inspired decor. Dogs are welcome on the spacious patio, which features a cozy fireplace.

8. Ace Eat Serve: This Asian-inspired restaurant in the Uptown neighborhood offers a variety of small plates and entrees, along with an extensive cocktail menu. Dogs are welcome on the patio, which features a fun and lively atmosphere.

9. Hops and Pie: This pizza joint in the Berkeley neighborhood is known for its creative pies and extensive beer selection. Dogs are welcome on the patio, which is shaded and comfortable.

10. Lucile's Creole Cafe: This cozy breakfast spot in the Highlands neighborhood serves up delicious Southern-style breakfast dishes and coffee. Dogs are welcome on the patio, which is shaded and provides a relaxed atmosphere.

Forrest room 5

In conclusion, Denver is a city that loves its dogs, and these ten restaurants prove it. Whether you're looking for craft beer, delicious food, or a unique dining experience, these dog-friendly restaurants in Denver have something for everyone. So grab your pup and head out to one of these great spots for a meal you both will enjoy.

Free things to do in Denver for March!

Denver, Colorado is a vibrant city with a lot to offer, even in the month of March. If you're looking for fun things to do in Denver that won't break the bank, then look no further. We've compiled a list of some of the best free activities and events taking place in Denver this March.

1.Explore the Denver Botanic Gardens

The Denver Botanic Gardens is offering free admission for visitors on March 6th. The gardens feature a variety of plant species from around the world, including a Japanese garden, a water garden, and a tropical conservatory. In addition to the stunning flora, the gardens also offer a range of art exhibits and special events throughout the year.

2.Attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade

Denver hosts one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the country, and the best part is that it's free to attend. The parade takes place on March 13th and features floats, marching bands, and dancers. The parade starts at 9:30 am and runs along Blake Street in downtown Denver.

3.Hike in the Rocky Mountains

Denver is located just a short drive away from the Rocky Mountains, offering endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. March is a great time to hit the trails before the summer crowds arrive. Some of the most popular hikes in the area include Mount Evans, St. Mary's Glacier, and Mount Bierstadt.

4.Visit the Colorado State Capitol

The Colorado State Capitol building is open to visitors for free tours. The building's architecture and history make for a fascinating tour, with highlights including the grand staircase, rotunda, and the gold dome. Tours run on weekdays from 10 am to 3 pm.

5.Explore the Denver Art Districts

Denver has several art districts that offer free galleries walks on the first Friday of every month. These include the Art District on Santa Fe, RiNo Art District, and Tennyson Street Cultural District. Explore local galleries, meet artists, and enjoy free refreshments while taking in the vibrant arts scene in Denver.

6.Tour the Denver Mint

The Denver Mint is the only mint in the United States that offers free tours. Visitors can learn about the minting process and see coins being made in real time. Tours are offered on weekdays from 8 am to 3:30 pm, but tickets must be reserved in advance.

With these free activities and events, you can make the most of your time in Denver in March without spending a dime. From outdoor recreation to cultural experiences, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this dynamic city.

Colorful Leaf Peeping Drives in Colorado

Come September the aspens begin to glow! Fall is one of the best times to tour the Rockies. The leaves usually begin changing in early September and last no longer than mid-October. It all depends on the weather, so be flexible and ready to travel.

The display begins high up in the mountains and works its way down in elevation as the temperature gets colder. Splashes of yellow, orange and red all mingle along rolling alpine roads. Each year the timing of the fall colors changes by a little bit, either sooner or later, based on when the cold temperatures first strike. Learn more about when autumn foliage starts in Colorado.

Best Places to See Colorado’s Fall Colors

Autumn colors on Kebler Pass near Crested Butte.

The best places to go are almost anywhere in the mountains. Some scenic drives are better than others, but even a little fall gold will brighten your day. Make sure you take an annual trip into the mountains to witness unmatched autumn in the Rockies.

The following autumn drives are all excellent, but they are only a handful of fall pilgrimages available. These are ones that offer camping nearby and a chance to see a vast amount of colorful trees.

In Northern Colorado

Aspen grove on Buffalo Pass.

1. Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road winds high through the alpine countryside in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colors fill the hillsides and valleys nearly the whole way.

While not soaking up the scenery, there are numerous things to do in the park and around Estes Park and Grand Lake. Both towns offer charming historic districts lined with shops and restaurants.

Another perk to the park is the fall elk rut, which generally lasts from mid-September to mid-October. Hundreds of elk gather in one spot, with bull bugling heard from afar.

There’s an entry fee on this one, but on September 24th, 2022 it’s free since that’s National Public Lands Day.

• Trip: Estes Park to Grand Lake, 48 miles, 2WD, car fee good for 7 days.

• Camping: Numerous campgrounds on both sides of the park.

• Nearby Drive: Peak To Peak Byway, from Black Hawk to Estes Park, combines well with this route.

2. Buffalo Pass

Situated in Steamboat’s backyard, Buffalo Pass offers remarkable views of the rolling Routt National Forest. It begins winding through aspen groves almost immediately on its way up to 10,400 feet at Summit Lake.

The road begins as a 2WD dirt road but gets progressively more bumpy as you near the top. If going all the way to Walden, it’s best to have higher clearance and 4WD, but you could probably manage with 2WD if you go slow.

Steamboat Springs is loaded with year-round recreation, including two hot springs, Old Town and Strawberry Park, as well as several state parks located in the county. Fish Creek Falls is only a ten-minute hike, and another chance to experience the season close-up.

• Trip: Steamboat Springs to Walden, 15 miles (~40 miles to Walden), 2WD/4WD

• Camping: Free camping is permitted on Buffalo Pass, just look for preexisting sites. There are also two campgrounds on the pass, one at the bottom and top. Each is first-come, first-serve. They’re open until mid-October.

• Nearby Drive: If you make it all the way to Walden, you can continue east on the Cache La Poudre North Park Byway. It winds 101 miles back to Fort Collins.

3. Flat Tops Trail

Get away from the crowd on the Flat Tops Byway. This long stretch of remote highway passes through two national forests on its way from Yampa to Meeker. During the journey, you’ll pass by lake after lake, and have ample chances to see the leaves.

Trappers Lake is a short detour from the byway and a worthwhile stop, though there won’t be too much color due to past forest fires. Open through October, Trappers Lake Lodge has cabins for rent, horseback riding, and a restaurant/bar.

• Trip: Yampa to Meeker, 82 miles, 2WD

• Camping: You can camp nearly anywhere on the byway. Campgrounds can be found at most of the nearby lakes and dispersed campsites are everywhere.

• Nearby Drive: Take CO 13 south toward Rifle for 38 miles, then left onto CO 325 N. From here you’ll shortly reach three state parks, Rifle Gap, Rifle Falls, and Harvey Gap. The drive between them leads through beautiful landscapes, with a chance to circle back to I-70.

In Central Colorado

Dispersed camping on Kebler Pass.

4. Independence Pass

A seasonal shortcut to Aspen, Independence Pass climbs to 12,095 feet, providing stunning vistas around every turn. It’s the second-highest pass with an improved road in Colorado (behind Cottonwood). It generally closes in early November.

Tucked almost halfway between Leadville and Buena Vista, the tiny village of Twin Lakes is home to two giant lakes and an old ghost town. There’s not much commercialization, just a general store, restaurant, and some lodging.

Aspen, on the other hand, is teeming with activity, especially around this time. Maroon Bells is a must-stop in the fall, as well as a great place to camp. On the Aspen side of the pass, the ghost town of Independence is a perfect place to stretch your legs.

• Trip: Twin Lakes to Aspen, 36 miles, 2WD

• Camping: There are campgrounds near Twin Lakes and on the Aspen side. Dispersed camping is easy to find in the San Isabel National Forest by Twin Lakes.

• Nearby Drive: The pass is on the Top Of The Rockies Byway, which heads north past Leadville, over Tennessee Pass, and onto Minturn, by I-70.

5. Kebler Pass

Secluded in the center of the Rockies, Kebler Pass features lush hillsides of color. You’ll find the most fall foliage on the Paonia side of the pass, although Crested Butte is a town known for its natural beauty. The pass is part of the West Elk Loop, a 205-mile journey through the heart of Colorado.

Considered “Colorado’s last great ski town”, Crested Butte is an impeccable place to spend a few nights. The town is surrounded by some of the most stunning peaks in the state and offers a plethora of dining, shopping, and lodging.

On the western end of Kebler Pass lies Paonia State Park. It’s a quiet park, with access to a 337-acre reservoir open to motor boats. The picturesque town of Paonia is hidden about fifteen miles south of the park, a mile off CO 133.

• Trip: Crested Butte to Paonia, 33 miles, 2WD

• Camping: Lost Lake CG (non-reservable) and Lake Irwin CG (reservable and open through September) are located on forest roads just off Kebler Pass Road. Free dispersed camping is available throughout.

• Nearby Drive: Either before or after Kebler, take Cottonwood Pass, which features wonderful color and both dispersed camping and designated campgrounds. It connects Buena Vista with Almont, just south of Crested Butte.

• Nearby Drive: From Paonia, you can head north on CO 133 over McClure Pass to Carbondale and back to I-70. Also part of the West Elk Loop, this alpine road winds through a canyon forged by the Crystal River. A good detour before Carbondale is the town of Marble, a mining village stashed a few miles off the highway. There’s a solid BBQ joint in town, and a winding road through the aspens up to the marble quarry.

Sea of golden leaves on Independence Pass. Photo by: Gene

6. Grand Mesa Byway

The largest flat-topped mountain in the world looks great in the fall. One of the best drives on the Western Slope, Grand Mesa Byway rises quickly to around 11,000 feet above sea level, where it then meanders past lakes and forests. A detour west to Land’s End Overlook, (take Forest Road 100 to 105 for 10 miles/40 minutes) offers expansive views of the colorful valley floor.

Cedaredge has a few nice places to eat and stay and it’s also not too far from Delta, one of the region’s bigger towns. Mesa, to the north, is a sleepy mountain town with another few places to dine and slumber. From Mesa, you can reach Vega State Park in twenty miles.

• Trip: Mesa to Cedaredge, 63 miles, 2WD

• Camping: Free and paid campsites can be found on the byway.

• Nearby Drive: If you have another night to spend on the road, take the West Elk Loop, south of Cedaredge. Highway 92 passes Crawford (maybe detour at the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison) and snakes through the Curecanti National Recreation Area, home of Blue Mesa Reservoir. This will lead you to Gunnison where you can continue east.

In Southern Colorado

Fall color along Last Dollar Road.

7. Highway Of Legends

Highways Of Legends rolls through the southern foothills of Colorado. It’s an often overlooked destination for those up north, but it’s one of the most scenic and welcoming parts of the state. At its peak on the Cuchara Pass, it reaches 9,938 feet, offering fantastic views of the Sangre de Cristos and Spanish Peaks.

Make a point to stroll through all the historic towns on the way. Situated by I-25, Walsenburg is considered a gateway to the Southwest. In La Veta, you can catch a ride aboard the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, which has stops in Alamosa, Fort Garland, and La Veta. Catch fall colors by train that you’d not see from your car.

Cuchara is a delightful mountain village, with a picturesque center of town. You’ll find a couple of good restaurants, a coffee shop, a general store, an inn, and mini golf. At the tale end of the drive, Trinidad’s hillside streets are waiting to be explored.

• Trip: Walsenburg to Trinidad, 82 miles, 2WD

• Camping: There are plenty of campgrounds on the drive, starting in Walsenburg at Lathrop State Park. Heading south on the byway, you’ll pass Bear Lake and Blue Lake campgrounds, Monument Lake, a private resort with cabins and campsites for rent, a couple of state wildlife areas with campgrounds, and lastly Trinidad Lake.

• Nearby Drive: For those looking to complete the whole byway, you can take a detour over the Cordova Pass (peak 11,243 feet). It breaks off east from the Cuchara Pass on its way to I-25 and the town of Aguilar. There’s a campground near the beginning of this rocky, dirt road. Afterward, take I-25 south to Trinidad and take the byway back up to Walsenburg (to get the full tour).

• Nearby Drive: Frontier Pathways Byway goes west from Pueblo and runs beside the Wet Mountains, before looping back southeast to Colorado City. It lies only a little bit north of Walsenburg, so it’s a good drive to tack on before or after the Highway of Legends.

Beautiful fall colors surround a small waterfall on the Alpine Loop. Photo by: Larry Lamsa

8. Alpine Loop 4×4

The rugged Alpine Loop climbs over two 12,000-foot passes, Engineer and Cinnamon, as well as by numerous ghost towns and mining camps, including Capitol City and Animas Forks. The one-of-a-kind route was originally used by 19th-century miners working in the remote San Juans.

It’s the only drive on the list that’s designated for high-clearance 4x4s. You can begin in either Lake City, Silverton, or Ouray, and you can also rent a Jeep in any of those places. The whole trip takes between four and six hours.

All three towns make a great base camp, each with numerous restaurants, hotels, and attractions. Ouray is known for its giant hot springs swimming pool. The Durango & Silverton Railroad departs Silverton daily through late October. And Lake City is home to one of the largest historic districts in the state.

• Trip: Lake City to Ouray to Silverton to Lake City, 63 miles, high clearance 4WD

• Camping: Ample camping opportunities exist around all three towns.

• Nearby Drive: If beginning in Lake City, you’ll have the pleasure of driving the Silver Thread Byway, which passes by Slumgullion Pass (11,361 feet) and Spring Creek Pass on the way to Creede.

9. Last Dollar Road

A remote backroad from Ridgway to Telluride, Last Dollar Road is the perfect choice for the adventure seeker. It peaks at 10,600 feet on a bumpy, narrow, dirt route through the majestic San Juan Mountains.

The drive takes between two and three hours and can be impassable when wet (so avoid it if rain is forecasted). A 2WD drive vehicle with high clearance would be okay if it’s dry. It’s also open to unlicensed vehicles, so bring an ATV or dirt bike if you got one.

While in Ridgway, be sure to relax at Orvis Hot Springs, or trek ten miles south to Ouray and soak there. After reaching Telluride, you can ride a free gondola high above the valley floor for incredible aerial views of Telluride’s box canyon.

• Trip: Ridgway to Telluride, 21 miles, high clearance 2WD

• Camping: Free primitive campsites can be found at various points on the drive. Campgrounds can be found in Ridgway, at Ridgway State Park, or around Telluride.

• Nearby Drive: The standard route from Ridgway to Telluride is on the San Juan Skyway, a 236-mile excursion around the Southwest. The main route is to take Highway 62 from Ridgway to Highway 145, and then onto Telluride. On Highway 62 you’ll pass over Dallas Divide, a phenomenal pass for seeing color and if you keep going south on Highway 145 past Telluride, you’ll climb over Lizard Head Pass, and eventually onto Dolores and Cortez. Drive back east to Durango and you can venture north on US 550, a stretch known as the Million Dollar Highway.

Close To Denver

Yellow aspen grove on Guanella Pass.

10. Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass

Previously called Squaw Pass, Mestaa’Ėhehe is ideal for those Denverites short on time. You can begin in either Idaho Springs or Evergreen, via CO 103 and Mestaa’Ėhehe (Squaw Pass) Road, respectively. The road is likely still called Squaw Pass Rd.

The drive passes by Echo Lake and Mount Evans Byway (which usually closes in October). Evergreen and Idaho Springs both have nice downtowns with plenty of places to relax and eat during your trip.

• Trip: Evergreen to Idaho Springs, 30 miles, 2WD

• Camping: Echo Lake Campground closes in early September, but West Chicago Creek Campground stays open through late September. Dispersed camping can be found on both W. Chicago Creek Rd and ​Hefferman Gulch Rd, north of Echo Lake on CO 103 near Idaho Springs.

• Nearby Drive: The Lariat Loop connects Golden, Evergreen, and Morrison. From Evergreen take CO 74 either north to Golden or east to Morrison. If you end in Idaho Springs and still want more, you can head up to Georgetown for Guanella Pass, or over to Black Hawk for the Peak To Peak Byway.

11. Guanella Pass

Guanella Pass is full of autumn color on its hour-long journey from I-70 to US 285. It peaks at 11,670 feet, where Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt hover in the distance.

Historic Georgetown has numerous restaurants and is home to the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a memorable way to see the sights. In Grant, there’s usually a BBQ stand open at the start of the pass and a seasonal cafe to grab a bite at.

• Trip: Georgetown to Grant, 22 miles, 2WD

• Camping: Campgrounds and dispersed campsites exist on both sides of the pass.

• Nearby Drive: At Grant take a right on US 285 for a fifteen-minute trip up Kenosha Pass. It offers a tremendous view of the valley. Continue west down the pass and you’ll quickly reach Como, a tiny dot on the map. It’s connected to Breckenridge via Boreas Pass (23 miles), another incredible fall trip.

Thanks for checking out our list of favorite spots to see the fall foliage! Remember you can’t go wrong if you drive west into the Rockies at the right time of year. You’re bound to see extraordinary fall colors that’ll make you pause and savor autumn.

10 New Resturants Coming to Denver (2020)

Mark Antonation | January 7, 2020

We get it: Everyone (well, almost everyone) is jonesing for In-N-Out Burger! The California-based fast-food chain is poised to launch in Aurora, Fort Collins, Lone Tree and Colorado Springs in the coming year, and anyone with a pulse has an opinion about whether to love or hate the new arrival. But there's more to Denver than burger joints with secret menus; here are ten highly anticipated restaurants expected to open in the coming months.

Avanti Food & Beverage Boulder

1401 Pearl Street, Boulder

Avanti's success since the original LoHi food-hall-slash-restaurant-incubator opened four years ago made creating a multi-vendor destination look easy; since then, numerous other players have jumped in the game. In fact, Rosetta Hall entered the market in October in Boulder, just three blocks from where Avanti F & B plans to debut its sophomore effort. But the Pearl Street Mall has always been able to sustain a wide variety of restaurants and food kiosks, and Avanti's prime corner location in a former Cheesecake Factory should equate to instant foot traffic. The food hall's website indicates a spring opening, though specific vendors have not been announced.

Brasserie Brixton

3701 Williams Street

This neighborhood French eatery from partners Justin Morse and Matt Daniels has been in the works for the better part of 2019, but renovations on the circa-1884 building are now complete, and interior framing and drywall are well under way. The Cole neighborhood could have a new place to dine within the next two months if progress on Brasserie Brixton continues at the current pace.

Campus Lounge

701 South University Boulevard

The corner of South University Boulevard and East Exposition Avenue proved unlucky for two ownership groups who tried to make a go of it after Jim Wiste sold his decades-old Campus Lounge in 2016, but a new team hopes the third time will be a charm. The founders of Recess Beer Garden in LoHi are behind the latest effort, and they plan to return some of the neighborhood ambience and sports-bar vibe to the space. The new ownership group will keep the Campus Lounge name. Recess co-owner Owen Olson says he grew up in the neighborhood and remembers going to the Campus Lounge with his parents, so honoring its history is a priority. Olson says the bar will reopen to the public on January 29.

Fox Run Cafe

3550 East Colfax Avenue

Budding restaurateur Lucien Reichert took over the former home of the Humble Pie Store last spring and has been slowly transforming the space into an all-day cafe that will bake its own sourdough bread and serve a range of modern and homey eats, from toasts topped with housemade ingredients to hearty breakfast burritos. Reichert, who previously worked at the Plimoth, is targeting late January for an opening.

Northside Eatery & Market

1691 Central Street

This isn't the first time we've named Northside in a list of anticipated openings; the initial nod was back in April 2019. But the latest news coming from the LoHi space previously occupied by Candela offers the estimated opening of "early 2020." Expect a counter-service restaurant on one side with a "corner store" on the other, selling coffee, pastries, grab-and-go eats and various other sundries.

Mason's Dumpling Shop

9655 East Montview Boulevard

Transforming an old dive bar in Aurora into a modern Chinese dumpling house took some doing, and owner Ker Zhu says he almost gave up on more than one occasion. But the results are nearly ready to unveil, and Mason's, an offshoot of L.A.'s famous Luscious Dumplings, is currently hiring. Poised on the edge of Denver's Stapleton neighborhood and a quickly revitalizing section of Aurora, Mason's will surely make a big splash when it opens in the next month or so.

Meta Burger

5505 West 20th Avenue, Edgewater

Vegan cuisine was one of the biggest trends of 2019, and plant-based eaters will continue to seek out new options in 2020. Meta Burger has attracted a steady following of fans looking for comfort food free of animal products at its original home at 7950 East Mississippi Avenue, and a second location at the Edgewater Public Market should make the eatery's vegan fast food more accessible to westside residents. Co-owner Matthew Coates is looking to open the new Meta Burger in May or June.

Olivia

290 South Downing Street

Last fall, Bistro Georgette co-owners Heather Morrison, Ty Leon and Austin Carson purchased Cafe Marmotte, which they continued to run as a French restaurant until December 31, slowly introducing pasta dishes from Leon's repertoire of Italian cuisine. Cafe Marmotte served its last French fare on the last day of 2019, and now the team is busy converting the space into a fully Italian restaurant called Olivia, after Morrison's daughter. You should be able to nab a table come mid-January.

The Ponti

100 West 14th Avenue

Along with the complete overhaul of the Denver Art Museum comes a new wing where Palettes once stood. The Anna and John J. Sie Welcome Center will be home to The Ponti, a new project from James Beard Award-winning chef/restaurateur Jennifer Jasinski. The chef says that the focus will be on vegetables, ancient grains, heirloom legumes and other local and seasonal items. If all goes according to plan, the Ponti will open in June 2020.

The Post Brewing Co. at the Stanley Hotel

333 East Wonderview Avenue, Estes Park

Dave Query, founder of the Big Red F restaurant group, is expanding the Post Brewing Co. with a fifth location, which will take up the main floor of a former carriage house on the grounds of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. The Post started out as a brewery and fried-chicken joint in Lafayette in 2014 and has since expanded to Longmont, Denver and Boulder. Query says he hopes that Estes Park residents and visitors will be enjoying the great views, beer and fried chicken by July 4.

What else is coming soon? The owners of Abejas will soon open Nosu Ramen at 700 Twelfth Street in Golden; Close Quarters, a coffee and cocktail bar, is taking over the former home of the White Whale Room at 415 South Cherokee Street; the Molecule Effect is adding a second outpost next door to Fire on the Mountain at 300 South Logan Street; and Third Culture Bakery is getting close to opening its mochi muffin and doughnut bakery at 9935 East Colfax Avenue in Aurora. And Bartaco, a cantina chain operated by the same folks that run Barcelona Wine Bar, will move in at 2001 West 32nd Avenue alongside Lady Jane and Method Roasters.

Dear Denver: Don't Fine for Unshoveled Sidewalks Until Streets Are Clear

(This article was originally published by Denver Westword)

Dear Denver,

It's been a helluva week, hasn't it? The pre-Thanksgiving storm caused havoc for travelers and those celebrating at home, too, with snowfall amounts measuring in feet across parts of the greater metro area. But it's been more than five full days since the primary white-stuff dump, and now some Denver residents are concerned that the city is going to start assessing fines for uncleared sidewalks while many streets remain indistinguishable from hockey rinks.

On that subject, we've got three words: Don't do it.

We understand the reasons for the rules about shoveling. As described on this page on the City of Denver's website, "Denver requires that property owners clear snow and ice from their sidewalks, including adjacent ADA ramps, 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."

The regulations call for inspectors to begin enforcement "after snow has stopped falling...checking business areas the same day and residential areas the following day. Inspectors check business areas proactively, and residential areas in response to complaints." After leaving "a time-stamped notice at properties with un-shoveled sidewalks," businesses are given four hours and residences have 24 hours to take care of the situation prior to a re-check and a potential fine that begins at $150 for a first offense, escalating to $500 and $999 for a second and third, respectively.

Problem is, temperatures that have mostly been in the 30s or lower have caused a partial-melt-and-re-freeze scenario that has made it difficult for even the most responsible property owners to keep pedestrian areas easily passable. The result is a thick layer of ice that seems largely impervious to sidewalk salt.

This should come as no surprise to the folks at Denver Public Works, who handle snow plowing for the city — a process that DPW spokesperson Nancy Kuhn described in detail earlier this year for a story we reposted in recent days. Although many of our readers haven't seen any plows out and about, the city insists drivers have been doing their best to chip away at the problem. But this morning, right and left lanes of major routes such as Broadway remain icy and snowpacked in spots, and side streets look like a backdrop from Frozen II. Here's a look at the 000 block of Sherman a short time ago:

Lots of walkways remain equally treacherous, and we understand how problematic that can be. The Denver Fire Department reportedly tracked 86 falls over a 48-hour period after the storm, and disability activists have gone on record to emphasize how many mobility problems uncleared sidewalks create for people who use wheelchairs and the like.

Then again, punishing residents for issues the city itself can't control would be the height of hypocrisy — and should homeowners who live on streets like the one above receive fines for sidewalks in a similar condition, you can bet they'll point that out.

Of course, this situation isn't isolated to the Denver area. I live in unincorporated Jefferson County, on a cul de sac that plows seldom visit. That changed with this storm; I actually saw a plow go through the neighborhood on the afternoon of November 26, much to my surprise.

Too bad it didn't make any difference. The road network throughout the entire neighborhood remains encased in ice, making it all but impossible for me to walk my dog without using an ice hammer and pitons.

Drivers have it no better. Yesterday, I witnessed a minor accident that looked like it took place in slow motion... because it did. Two cars trying to navigate a corner at under 15 miles per hour drifted toward each other like a pair of hot air balloons before crunching each other's fenders.

In an attempt to address this situation, Jeffco or another local agency decided to plow my street again at 2:30 a.m. today — a time I can confirm, because that's when I was jolted awake. While I listened to scraping sounds that continued for a whopping thirty minutes, I wondered if what appeared to be a fool's errand would do more good than I suspected. The answer was no, as demonstrated by this shot from around 4:30 a.m.

Locals are understandably frustrated that there's been so little improvement over the span of nearly a week, as I'm sure you can understand. Deep down, we know that even sending out crews armed with flamethrowers wouldn't make much of a dent on many streets in the area. Only warmer temperatures will improve things, and while the forecast for the coming days calls for highs in the 40s, that's not enough of a boost to quickly assure dry pavement for all.

In the meantime, people like me are still trying to make our properties safe — but Mother Nature is ratcheting up the degree of difficulty. I immediately shoveled after last week's storm, but by the next morning, melting icicles hanging from the rain gutter had created an icy patch that Nathan MacKinnon would have had a tough time navigating. Since then, I've twice chipped away at this section as if highwaymen were forcing me to dig my own grave, then poured de-icer on the portions that I couldn't remove. On both occasions, though, the ice was back the next day.

Our staffers who live in Denver report equally problematic situations — with the additional challenge of looming citations from the city. Take the example of our editor. Concerned about getting cited for the inches of ice on her Denver sidewalk, she stopped at three supermarkets on Thanksgiving in search of de-icer, only to find they were out. She finally tried a 7-Eleven on South Broadway, where the clerk suggested she "do your business in a bucket and just pour the pee on the ice." She declined, and fortunately found a well-stocked Ace the next morning. Her sidewalk is clean as a whistle. Her street? Almost impassible.

And so we're encouraging city sidewalk inspectors to remain patient and understanding. Especially if they want us to offer that patience and understanding in return regarding streets that could double for Winter Olympics toboggan runs.