COMMAND CENTER | Greater Park Hill Community
Dishing With Colette Carey
GPHC’s New Executive Director Is Ready To Make New Things Happen
By Cara DeGette | GPHN Editor
In September, Colette Carey was appointed the new executive director of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC). She succeeds Lori Midson, who stepped down from the position after three years. Carey previously served as a longtime volunteer with GPHC, including serving as a board representative in District 10, which includes the southeast part of the neighborhood.
We sat down with Carey to get a sense of who she is, where her focus will likely be as the new director — and her commitment to grassroots activism.
Greater Park Hill News: You have been involved with GPHC for several years, including in leadership as a board member and longtime volunteer. What makes you want to now step up as the executive director?
Colette Carey: I have always wanted to become more involved with the organization, over and above serving as the District 10 board member. The timing was finally right – both on my side and on the side of the organization — so I grabbed the opportunity. I’m excited to jump in, and hopefully I’m able to move GPHC forward and make a difference.
GPHN: What are the duties of the executive director? Please describe how the job works. Also, how closely do you work with the board and executive committee to establish goals and then make the magic happen?
CC: The executive director’s first duty is to serve the board and to bring their ideas and proposals to fruition. The “how” will vary from project to project, and most of the ideas arise from discussions at the monthly community meetings. The ED is also here to serve the people of Park Hill by being responsive to the questions and needs that arise among our community members. The ED also works with our amazing administrative assistant, Sandy Caron, and the countless volunteers who pick up and run with the vital tentpoles of our organization like the Emergency Food Pantry, The Home Tour and Street Fair, The Garden Walk and The Fall Festival.
GPHN: What are your favorite things about Park Hill?
CC: I love the community feeling, the beautiful mature trees, the diverse and fascinating architecture, and finally, the restaurants, bars and coffee shops that cluster together in little neighborhood areas all over Park Hill.
GPHN: Identify three to five things you want to work on to improve in the neighborhood.
CC: I would like to see a stronger relationship with our city representatives — especially those serving in the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Planning Department and the mayor’s office. GPHC is a registered neighborhood organization known for strong activism and really making things happen, so I will strive to improve communication with and transparency from these city departments. I would like to entice our city council member who represents District 8 (which includes Park Hill) to attend our meetings to hear from her constituents in person. And, I want to concentrate on filling empty board seats and building an engaged and vital board of directors.
GPHN: If you could replicate in Park Hill something really cool that is happening in another neighborhood or city anywhere in the world, what would it be?
CC: I think it would be cool to do something like a “Taste of Park Hill,” celebrating all of our local shops and restaurants. Right now, I don’t think I should be pitching another festival just yet!
GPHN: What is your all-time favorite Park Hill story (either historical or something that has happened to you or a neighbor/friend)?
CC: I’m biased because I worked deeply on this issue as a volunteer, but I think my favorite Park Hill story comes from the last five to eight years. This neighborhood came together — each lending their own area of expertise – to protect the Park Hill Golf Course conservation easement and deliver that land to the people of Denver as a new, outstanding regional park. It’s a textbook (and somewhat miraculous) example of grassroots activism.
GPHN: What hobby or activity do you love that many people don’t know about?
CC: I’m not sure how much of a secret this is, but I’m an ice hockey fanatic. Obviously, the Avs are my team. but I love, love, love hockey. Each of my pets have been named after hockey players . . . Joe, Ray, Reilly and EJ.
GPHN: What else do you want people to know?
CC: I’m really excited to get started and I would like to encourage everyone to (if you haven’t done it, yet) attend a meeting or two (see details on the Oct. 2 annual meeting below). The meetings are a great way to stay up-to-date and engaged in your neighborhood. You may even find a cause that speaks to you. We are always looking for volunteers — whether it be delivering this newspaper, helping with the food pantry or our other great events. Park Hill is a wonderful place to live, and getting involved and building GPHC, Inc. will simply make our community more vital.
Annual Meeting Oct. 2
Become A Member of GPHC, Inc. Today
The annual meeting and board election of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting this year is at GPHC world headquarters (AKA the office), 2823 Fairfax St. beginning at 6:30 p.m. Come and share some refreshments with your neighbors, swap some stories and check out the newly renovated back patio. A presentation will highlight accomplishments over the past year, followed by awards honoring volunteers and community members.
The evening will be capped by an election for new and returning board members, who serve two-year terms directing and overseeing GPHC, Inc., a membership-based registered neighborhood organization. This year, Districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 are up for election, plus three at-large seats. If you’d like to run for the board, vote in the election or simply attend the meeting, details can be found at greaterparkhill.org/join-us/annual-meeting.
To renew your membership — or to become a member — sign up at greaterparkhill.org/join-us/become-a-member or drop off a check (and say hello) at the office.
Who We Are, What We Do
The Board of Directors of GPHC, Inc.
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill, provides resources, information and advocacy, and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood through community participation.
GPHC world headquarters is 2823 Fairfax St. If you have an issue you’d like to discuss about the neighborhood, reach out to your board representative. Representatives can be contacted via the main office, at 303-388-0918 or
info@greaterparkhill.org.
If you are interested in volunteering for a board position or serving on a committee, contact GPHC Board Chair Shane Sutherland at chair@greaterparkhill.org.
• Board Chair Shane Sutherland
• Treasurer Heather Shockey
• Secretary Bernadette Kelly
• District 1 Kevin Doyle
• District 2 Brenda Morrison
• District 3 Heather Shockey
• District 4 Currently Vacant
• District 5 Bernadette Kelly
• District 6 Currently Vacant
• District 7 Jon Bowman
• District 8 Nam Henderson
• District 9 Currently Vacant
• District 10 Currently Vacant
• At Large Bruce Campbell
• At Large Mona Estrada
• At Large Maria Flora
• At Large Tracey MacDermott
• At Large Louis Plachowski
lplachowski@gmail.com
• At Large Shane Sutherland
• Blessed Sacrament Betsy Boudreau
• Park Hill UMC Jacqui Shumway