News In Brief
Compiled by Cara DeGette, Editor, GPHN
Denver Museum Of Nature & Science ‘Amazed’ With End-Of-Year Gift Of $25 Million
In late December, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science received a gift like never before: $25 million from an anonymous donor. It it the largest in the institution’s 121-year history.
“We are amazed by the donor’s generosity and vision,” said George Sparks, Museum President & CEO in a press release. “The support will vastly expand the museum’s capacity for collections conservation.”
Stephen E. Nash, the Museum Director of Anthropology and Senior Curator of Archaeology, said the bulk of the $25 million donation — 90 percent — will establish an endowed fund at the DMNS Foundation. Annual distributions from the endowment will support the museum’s ongoing conservation work. The remaining 10 percent — $2.5 million — will go directly to the museum for initial staffing, equipment and launch activities.
None of the money will be used for any physical expansion of the museum, which added a new wing in 2014.
“Collections are treasures held in the public trust,” Nash said. “Preserving them and making them accessible to source communities, scientists and the public has long been an institutional priority.
“This unprecedented gift will take our work to another level, with the expertise and state-of-the-art analytical equipment needed to advance the field and train the next generation of conservation professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. It will position the Museum as a leader in culturally-inclusive object conservation in the Rocky Mountain region, nationally and internationally.”
The Museum’s Science Division collects and cares for a world-class natural history collection composed of 4.3 million artifacts and specimens. Its collections contain scientifically and culturally significant objects in archaeology, ethnology, geology, paleontology, health sciences, zoology and archives.
The Museum’s scientific collections are used by scholars, source communities, artists, students and other groups around the globe to answer questions about our natural world. They are also made available to the public through traveling and permanent exhibitions and programming for audiences of all kinds.
In late December, Nash told the Greater Park Hill News that the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been very supportive of arts in the Rocky Mountain region and nationally for years.
Officials say in an average year, the museum fields 350 external research requests, consults with dozens of tribal nation representatives, makes 160 loans consisting of more than 11,000 collection objects, and hosts collections tours for 13,000 people.
For more information about the museum’s collections, visit dmns.org/science.
Nature & Science Museum Photo Wins Best In Show
A photo of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science by architect Alan Ford was awarded Best in Show in the Denver Architecture Foundation and the Colorado Photographic Arts Center’s 4th annual Doors Open Denver Photography Competition, “Y/OUR Denver.”
The competition asked photographers of all skill levels to find and photograph their favorite areas of Denver, focusing on Denver’s vast and unique architecture. The call allowed for all forms of architectural imagery – black and white, color, exterior, interiors and detail images.
Of 216 entries, 30 finalist images were selected before being narrowed to the four winning entries. In addition to Ford’s photo of the Museum of Nature and Science (which is in City Park just west of Park Hill), other winners include:
• Best Exterior: “Balconize” by Joshua Palmer
• Best Interior: “Swirl” by Nancy Britain
• Best Detail: “Turntable Studios” by Risa Friedman
All of the winning photos will be on display through Feb. 28 at the Colorado Photographic Arts Center and can be seen online at tinyurl.com/YourDenverPhoto.
The Denver Architecture Foundation inspires people to experience the importance of design to quality of life and envision an exceptional future for Denver. For more information about DAF, visit denverarchitecture.org. Founded in 1963, the Colorado Photographic Arts Center is a dedicated to the art of photography through exhibitions, education and community outreach. Each year, CPAC presents 7-10 exhibitions highlighting contemporary works by emerging and established artists from around the world. CPAC’s gallery at 1070 Bannock St. is free to the public. Learn more at cpacphoto.org.
Denver Agency Directors Head For The Exit
Nearly a dozen Denver agency directors have left their positions since the start of 2020 — including seven mayoral appointees who announced their departures in the last six months of 2021. In December, Denver Human Services director Don Mares and Denver’s director of public safety Murphy Robinson joined an exodus of departing top mayoral appointees.
Mares announced on Friday, Dec. 17 that he is leaving after nearly seven years to serve as the interim president and CEO of The Colorado Trust, a Denver-based foundation that funds health equity programs.
Four days earlier, on Dec. 13, Robinson, whose position oversees the police, fire and sheriff departments, announced his departure. He served 15 months on the job. During 2021 Robinson also served as Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s appointed deputy mayor. Robinson’s resignation is effective this month. In a statement, he indicated he had been planning his departure “for some time,” however did not include details about his future plans.
In July, Kim Day, the head of Denver International Airport, retired after 13 years.
Transportation and Infrastructure Director Eulois Cleckley also departed last July. He took over the position in December, 2017.
Capital Planning and Real Estate Director Laura Perry departed in October after four years leading the department.
Denver’s Economic Development Chief Eric Hiraga announced his exit in November after more than four years.
Also in November, Denver Excise and Licenses Director Ashley Kilroy announced her departure, effective Jan. 7, after five years (and 25 with the city).
In a story highlighting several of the departures, the news site Denver Axios noted that Mayor Hancock is term-limited from office in April, 2023. It is not uncommon for appointees, who serve at the mayor’s pleasure, to look for new opportunities toward the end of a mayor’s final term. The early exits, however, “could signify a slowdown in city business under his administration and solidify the mayor’s status as a lame duck.”
New DPS Board Extends Superintendent Contract
In mid-December the Denver Public Schools Board of Education voted 5-2 to extend the contract of Superintendent Alex Marrero, who has been on the job less than a year, through June 30, 2025. Marrero’s contract was also amended to make a change in the evaluation process that reflects the board’s move to the policy-governance model.
“The students, families and employees of the Denver Public Schools deserve stable, strong, compassionate and authentic leadership. Dr. Marrero has demonstrated all of those qualities,” said Xóchitl “Sochi” Gaytán, the new board president, in a press release. “The extension of this contract will be the continuation of that stability that we need to work through this pandemic and move forward with the implementation of a strategic plan that greatly benefits our diverse student population.”
The board cited the need for stability and continuity in leadership at DPS as critical in coming years. Marrero will continue to receive a salary of $260,000 per year, which is the same salary as former DPS Superintendent Susana Cordova.
Members of the Latino Education Coalition responded to the decision with “disappointment,” and, in a statement criticized the lack of transparency and community involvement.
“Before a conversation about a contract extension is to be had, let alone a vote, there should be metrics in place and feedback from DPS staff, community and all impacted parties. Dr. Marrero’s contract should not be renewed until we can see progress in student learning, improvement in teacher support and employee well-being.
“We are a district in crisis,” the statement continued. “We implore the board and superintendent to focus on meeting the pressing needs of students, teachers, and families.”
Colorado Tops 92% Vax Rate For Healthcare Workers
In mid-December the State Board of Health unanimously voted to extend an emergency rule requiring health care workers to get vaccinated. The rule impacts all licensed health care entities, requiring them to mandate their personnel — including employees, direct contractors, and support staff— who interact with individuals receiving or seeking medical care to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Board of Health passed the first emergency rule Aug. 30.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the requirement is designed to keep people in Colorado receiving or seeking health care safe, and allows for both medical and religious exemptions for those staff who are unable to be vaccinated.
“I am pleased the Board of Health passed this rule a second time. This rule protects not only those who are most vulnerable, but also healthcare workers themselves” said Randy Kuykendall, director of the Health Facilities and EMS Division of the CDPHE in a prepared statement. The latest emergency rule will be in effect for 120 days from the date it was passed.
In Colorado, more than 92 percent of healthcare workers in Colorado are vaccinated, with a more than 93 percent vaccination rate for nursing home staff. Nationally, nursing home staff are vaccinated at a much lower rate, at an average of 75.9 percent, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will continue to monitor local conditions and national initiatives to determine the future of the emergency rule. The rise of the Omicron variant has added additional likelihoods of stress on Colorado’s healthcare systems. Continue to stay up to date, and find information about where and how to get vaccinated at covid19.colorado.gov.
Flavored Tobacco Ban Vetoed By Hancock
A Denver City Council vote to ban the sale of most flavored tobacco and vaping products was vetoed in December by Mayor Michael B. Hancock.
The ban, in the works for a year, passed with an 8-3 vote in early December. Councilman Chris Herndon, who represents the district that includes Park Hill, was on record opposing the ban, but was absent for the vote. Other members of council supported the ban, citing the sharp rise in teen use of flavored tobacco and nicotine products — many of which come in in an array of candy, fruit and dessert flavors.
In his second veto in 10 1/2 years as mayor, Hancock shot down the ban, noting that vaping products would still be available in surrounding counties and citing the impacts the ban would have on small businesses.
The veto drew a sharp rebuke from Jodi Radke, the regional director for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “There is no excuse for Mayor Hancock vetoing this critical ordinance, siding with Big Tobacco over Denver’s kids and the 100+ organizations who support this policy,” Radke said in a statement.
In his own statement, Hancock indicated a desire to reduce youth nicotine use, but said the council’s ban “falls short.”
“We can work on this in a more collaborative way and we can also move to enhance our existing regulatory framework, in addition to pursuing a broader strategy by acting state-wide or at least regionally,” Hancock said. “The health of our children is of critical importance – my goal is not to stop this conversation with this veto, my goal is to broaden it.”
DPD Offers Reward For Ongoing Threats At East
Ongoing anonymous threats over a seven-month period at East High School has spurred the Denver Police Department to issue a public call for help to catch the culprit or culprits.
The threats have included at least two bomb scares in November, which turned out to be unfounded but created major disruptions on campus. In December, the Denver Police Department issued the following:
“DPD needs your assistance with identifying the suspect(s) responsible for reporting numerous threats directed at harming students, staff and faculty members of East High School. All of the threats have been called in during the course of the school day and span the date range of April of 2021 to December of 2021.
“These threats have caused a significant disruption to the school environment and the nearby community. Any information on these incidents please call Denver Metro Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Remain anonymous and earn up to $2,000.”
Benzina and Oneida Park Feted For Excellence
Two of 16 projects cited by the City and County of Denver for design excellence in 2021 are Park Hill projects. The revamped business block Oneida Park Center at 22nd and Oneida Street and Benzina Restaurant, which is an old gas station at Colfax and Eudora, were recipients of the Mayor’s Design Awards.
Since 2005, the awards have honored projects throughout Denver for excellence in architecture, exterior design and place-making. The awards are presented annually to Denver homeowners, business owners, nonprofits and artists. The 16 projects were announced in December and honored during a ceremony at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
Here is the complete list of 2021 Mayor’s Design Award winners:
• Junction Food & Drink, 2000 S. Colorado Blvd.
• Larimer Square Outdoor Expansion, Larimer and 14th Streets
• Brandon Courtyard, 1555 Xavier St.
• A New Old School (Strada Advertising Offices), 604 W. 6th Ave.
• Brasserie Brixton, 3701 N. Williams St.
• Gurr Residence, 3660 E. Dartmouth Ave.
• The Link, 1480 Curtis St.
• Denver Water Administration Complex, 1600 W. 12th Ave.
• Boiler House Residence, 3850 York St.
• La Tela, 603 Inca St.
• Oneida Park Center, 2255 Oneida Street
• Raíces Brewing Company, 2060 W. Colfax Ave.
• Benzina Restaurant, 4839 E. Colfax Ave.
• Meow Wolf Convergence Station, 1338 First St.
• Freyer-Newman Center for Science, Art and Education, Denver Botanic Gardens, 1085 York St.
• McGregor Square, 19th and Wazee Streets