Letters To The Editor, December ’24
A Tarnished Crown
The closing of the decade-plus long run of Natural Grocers at Colfax and Washington leaves an eroding void.
The last few months brought intolerable crime to this organic market in the North Capitol Hill neighborhood. One unarmed guard patrolled the door near the produce area, but there was little they could do to prevent the stealing. Two armed guards patrolled the outside perimeter to give employees and customers peace of mind while picking up groceries.
The street corners, vacant businesses, and sidewalks are favorite hangouts for addicts, pushers and people down on their luck.
This densely populated neighborhood houses and feeds an eclectic population, including working people and retirees, many whom do not own cars. The grocery store was a Mecca that slowly has become consumed by this new face of slum. Colfax is once again living up to its term of endearment coined long ago by Playboy as the “longest, wickedest street in America.”
Looking back, predatory banks, developers and politicians created a climate of new greed. The economy, job loss due to AI, and a tsunami of newcomers has created a greater sense of competition, greed and poverty. The new rate of rent determines the kind of people who can move here. There are good things about growth, but mostly this once “Queen City” now dons a tarnished crown.
Denver, as a progressive city, has witnessed many analogous gold rushes. While there is now a push to develop Upper Colfax, the Capitol Hill strip declines.
Some Natural Grocers’ employees chose to transfer to different store locations. Others were offered a generous severance. But the neighborhood has become another food desert, and its residents miss the quality of produce and customer service the store provides. And the crime will migrate to where the opportunity is.
— Kathryn Charles, Park Hill
A Phenomenal Fall Fest
To our amazing volunteers, a heartfelt thank you for making the 3rd Annual Fall Festival at Axum Park a fantastic celebration of our Greater Park Hill community. This festival, held every October, is our way of honoring the dedicated block workers who help distribute the Greater Park Hill News each month. It couldn’t have happened without your energy, commitment and smiles.
A special shout out to Nestman Orthodontics for bringing the corn hole fun, Jacqui Shumway and Park Hill United Methodist Church for the wonderful pumpkins, the office of Councilwoman Shontel Lewis, and to every neighbor who stopped by for a hot dog (or two) and some great conversation.
Events like these depend on the heart and hard work of a committed volunteer crew.
Additional thanks to Georgia Garnsey, Nam Henderson, Lori Midson, Tracey MacDermott, Sandy Robnett, Mary Salsich, Brian Shaw, Heather Shockey and Shane Sutherland.
— Maria Flora and Brenda Morrison, Fall Fest organizers and
GPHC board members
We love your letters, and give preference to those that address an issue that has been covered in the newspaper, or a topic that is Park Hill or Denver-specific. Send letters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and include your full name, and the neighborhood in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue.