Thanks to everyone who showed up decked out in their 4th of July best to ride along with the fire truck, cheer, and play in the spray! Special thanks to the members of the Board and the volunteers who helped to run the event! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Extra special thanks to the firefighters of Engine 37 who still broke out the smaller hose! It was an unexpected treat!

Did you enjoy the parade? Love seeing events like this in your neighborhood? Please join the SHCA and pay your annual dues of only $25! If you live outside the Association area, please consider making a contribution, too!

Join Us for Slavens Community Beautification Day!

The Denver Public Schools Foundation, in partnership with the Denver Public Schools Facilities Department, is organizing a special Community Beautification Day at Slavens School on Friday, July 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

We'll be joined by a corporate volunteer team, and we're inviting Slavens families, neighbors, and community members to work alongside them as we prepare our campus for the new school year.

No special skills are needed—just a willingness to help! Please wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes that can get dirty, and bring a hat, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and any snacks you'd like for the morning.

If you'd like to volunteer, please sign up so we can plan for supplies and volunteer assignments.

As readers know, the Slavens campus is often used as a gathering place for neighborhood kids when school is not in session and during the evening. We want to make sure we're doing everything we can to keep everyone safe. Some important reminders for readers and families:

We also want families to be aware that Denver Public Schools Safety and Security, the Denver Police Department, and the Denver Fire Department have all been made aware of recent safety incidents and are actively involved. If individuals are identified engaging in unsafe behavior on school property, further action may be taken by the appropriate agencies.

Do you want to help keep our students safe while making a positive impact on the Slavens community? We are looking for volunteers or paid crossing guards to assist with student safety during arrival and dismissal. This is a great way to get involved, help children keep safe, and even earn a little extra money.

If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about this opportunity, please reach out to Darcie Forde at [email protected]. Your help makes a difference!

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston will deliver his 2026 State of the City Address on Tuesday, July 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will also be a community celebration following the address. There are a limited number of tickets available if you want to attend in person. Or you can tune in at denvertv.com, on our Facebook page, or on our YouTube channel.

Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is inviting residents to leave their mark on the city through a new sidewalk stamp contest. The contest is an opportunity to design a stamp that will be embedded in sidewalks across Denver for years to come. The winning design will become a lasting feature of the city’s public spaces and receive a $1,000 prize.

Designs must meet durability and size requirements to ensure they hold up over time in concrete. Submissions are due July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Finalists will be selected by a review panel before advancing to a public vote to determine the winning design.

Community members can apply now at bit.ly/concurso_de_estampados or bit.ly/stamp_contest

Find more information at denvergov.org/sidewalks

Join us for another concert at Bible Park on August 15, from 4-7pm. The Don Elwood Big Band will be providing great music for community members to get out there and dance! Food trucks, vendors, and more will all be available for community members to enjoy. We hope to see you there! 

Denver Public Schools is in the process of evaluating potential changes to school boundaries and zones for all schools in the district, including possibly Slavens. These changes will be determined by October 2026 and go into effect in the 2027-2028 school year. At this stage, DPS is soliciting community input and formulating draft ideas. All readers of this newsletter are members of the community and are encouraged to participate!

DPS has compiled all the questions raised during the Spring 2026 Community Engagement sessions and posted answers on an expanded Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of their webpage.

ALERT: Potential Changes to Slavens Boundaries!
Southern Hills May '26 News - Boundary Info Included!
Meeting Videos - Potential Changes to Slavens Boundaries
DPS Boundary Review Update - Survey Results Preview and Upcoming Meeting

Your school. Your neighborhood. At risk. Several volunteers handed out this flyer explaining the stakes of the process to families at pick-up and drop-off in the last days of school at Slavens.

Check out the University Hills farmers market in South Denver on Saturdays from 9am-1pm from May through October 31. You'll find all kinds of freshness -- produce, food and beverage as well as handmade wellness and crafts plus live music.

Wednesday July 22nd from 5:00 to 7:00 PM

We want to hear from you! You’re invited to a community Q&A to learn more about Colorado Connector ("CoCo") and the future of passenger rail in Denver.

This event is a chance to learn about CoCo, ask questions and give us your input. This is a space to get information and be part of the conversation.

Learn the basics: Hear an overview of the project—what it is, why it’s being planned, and what’s happening next.

Ask questions: We want to hear from you! Ask questions and share your thoughts with the people working on the project.

Our goal is to share information, get your input, and make sure we answer your questions.

Please join us and learn about Front Range Passenger Rail and share your ideas and questions.

Learn More

Earlier this year, DOTI asked Denverites share what their priorities for where sidewalk improvements are needed most. Based on the input received and ongoing technical analysis, DOTI is now evaluating different approaches for phasing sidewalk improvements across the city. This includes assessing how to balance resources between constructing new and widening and repairing existing sidewalks; how to deliver improvements quickly while focusing on areas where people walk and roll most; and how to distribute investments between our most stressful streets and neighborhood streets.

Take the survey.

Learn more about the program and plan to attend a webinar or in-person meeting.

For over a century, Denver's recreation centers have been where life happens. Our facilities need to adjust to keep pace with the city's energy, diversity and creativity. What should guide our investment of the next 20 to 30 years? Join us to share your priorities for Denver's Recreation Centers and Pools!

One last chance to take the survey

What: A contractor for DOTI will begin work to make Buchtel Boulevard from University to Colorado boulevards a more complete street, where it's easier for pedestrians and people who scooter and bike to access jobs, schools, shops, and transit stops. The project includes building safer intersections and pedestrian and bike crossings and upgrading bike facilities and traffic signal infrastructure.

When: Starting July 2026

Where: People can expect to see infrastructure improvements at five intersections: Buchtel and University, Buchtel and St. Paul, Buchtel and Colorado, Evans and University, and Evans and Colorado.

People can email the project's public information team at [email protected] to sign up for regular project updates and to learn about temporary travel impacts as improvements are made.

Details to come. Must be a paid Member to vote. Please consider paying your dues in advance if you live in the Membership area.

Join us on the field and playgrounds at Slavens School for a chance to hunt for eggs and visit with your neighbors! Details to come.

Cover your ride with festive decoration and join us at the field at Slavens School for a bike/scoot/walk around the neighborhood behind a fire truck!

We can’t do it without you! Find this email useful? Enjoy attending our events? Want to see us do even more? Please consider joining the SHCA and paying your annual dues if you live in the neighborhood. If you don’t, please consider a contribution anyway! All are welcome at our public events.

Did you receive this email from a friend? Join our mailing list.