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UPCC is widely recognized by our Denver City Agencies and maintains excellent communications with city staff and city council members. Below is a short description of what each committee does and some recent accomplishments.
We are always looking for more people to help the UPCC be an integral part of the University Park Neighborhood. Please visit our volunteer opportunity page for areas you can help or email getinvolved@upcc.us.
Standing Committees (have a vote on the board)
Special Committee (no vote on the board)
Advisory Committee
Advisory Committee facilitates planning with the Board of Directors and recently developed a policy manual that defined responsibilities of board and committee positions. The Committee also has the responsibility to assure that continuity and institutional memory are imparted to the UPCC board. (back to top)
Archives
Archives maintains historical information on University park including photographs. If you have some historic photos you would like to share, please e-mail archives@upcc.us. (back to top)
Buchtel Boulevard/Parkway Coalition (BBC)
UPCC is a founding member of BBC, a coalition of neighborhoods, schools, and businesses along Buchtel Blvd. Parkway from South Colorado Blvd. to S. Logan St. and beyond to the Platte Greenway. The main aim of this group is to create a continuous, safe route for pedestrians, bikes, and other forms of transportation. This route connects neighbors with light rail stations, bus transit, schools, shops, places of worship, and various parts of our communities. BBC meets quarterly at the Heritage Club. Please contact sidewalks@upcc.us for more information and date of the next meeting. (back to top)
Communications & Area Coordinators
The Communications Committee disseminates important neighborhood information through the UPCC newsletter, the UpWords. The UpWords is published five times each year. Once the UpWords is published, our Area Coordinator Lead takes over leadership of the delivery of the newsletter through a network of other Area Coordinators and Block Captains. We have approximately 87 Block Captains who volunteer five times a year to deliver the UpWords to your doorstep. If you are interested in becoming a part of this effort, please email areacoord@upcc.us.
We need assistance on the 2500 S Columbine & 2400 S Cook. It is a great way to meet your neighbors, and requires less than two hours of your time – five times per year. If interested, please contact Kathy at: (303) 756-8042.)
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Events
Events Committee plans (and makes sure we enjoy) our two annual events: the Fourth of July Parade and the Holiday Sing. Find out more about our events. (back to top)
Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC)
The INC works with neighborhood groups throughout Denver to facilitate communication and cooperation among neighborhood organizations. UPCC is regularly represented at Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) meetings and has a strong voice within the organization. UP is a longtime Patron Member of INC. Meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month in various locations and all are welcome. The UPCC delegates to INC are Diana Helper, Mary Myers and Tom Gonnella Each September INC presents a dictionary to every 3rd grader in the entire Denver Public School system. This is each child's personal book to keep and use. It's always a great moment when UP folks go to our UPark School to distribute these books, and the pages fly open! (back to top)
Legacy and Historic Preservation Committee
Legacy and Historic Preservation Committee oversees issues relating to historical structures and features in University Park. Recent accomplishments include:
- Worked to get another historic designation in our neighborhood- the Holland House at 2340 S. Josephine. This interesting "cement house" with its domed roof was designed by Eugene Groves in 1932. City Council approved the designation, which was supported by the owner, UPCC, the City and historic organization
- The Committee conducted a historic preservation workshop for owners of potentially historic houses with over 30 people in attendance.
- The Committee made an application and successfully negotiated a bill through the Landmark Preservation Commission and Denver City Council to designate Fitzroy Place as a Denver Landmark and thereby ensure that it becomes a permanent feature in University Park.
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Membership
The Membership Committee is responsible for promoting growth in membership and increasing awareness of the role of the UPCC. Recent accomplishments include:
- Built a database to help track dues-paying members and their special interests
- Led the effort to create a new UPCC website
- Laid out additional initiative to find ways to better utilize the talents and interests of dues-paying members
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Nominating Committee
In the Spring of each year, the Nominating Committee solicits recommendations for nominations of UPCC Board officers. The positions consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They look to the current the Board, members of the UPCC committees and the community for candidates. A slate of candidates is drawn up by the Nominating Committee for presentation at the UPCC general meeting in May, followed by the election. For information, or to volunteer to serve on the Nominating Committee email pp@upcc.us.
Neighborhood Safety
The Neighborhood Safety Committee acts as a liaison to District 3 police for safety, graffiti, and notice of criminal activities. Please visit our neighborhood safety page for more information. (back to top)
PTA and School Liaison
PTA and School Liaison Committee facilitates communication between area schools and the neighborhood. UPCC reinitiated an ongoing relationship with University Park Elementary School to provide support for the school and coordinate events for the benefit of the neighborhood. (back to top)
Purple Pages
The Purple Pages is a printed booklet containing valuable neighborhood information and is delivered to your doorstep once a year. The Committee not only writes and publishes the booklet, but it also encourages neighborhood businesses to advertise in the booklet and support its printing. (back to top)
Open Space and Parks
Open Space and Parks works to improve, preserve, and maintain our parks within UPCC boundaries. Our parks include Observatory Park, McWilliams Park, Buchtel Centennial, Prairie Park and Harvard Gulch East. Our trails include Harvard Gulch Trail and Buchtel Trail. Recent accomplishments include:
- The tennis courts in Observatory Park are being resurfaced in September 2010
- The land along Historic Buchtel Boulevard Trail was designated Prairie Park. This 28-year effort was led by Diana Helper, our Committee Chair. The property had been owned by railroads and in recent years by RTD, but was given to the City of Denver by RTD in exchange for other land. From there, the UPCC and Denver Parks and Recreation worked together to officially make this a park.
Sidewalks
The Sidewalk Committee works with the City, the local schools, the University of Denver, and area businesses to continually improve our network of sidewalks, making it a safe place for all pedestrians. If interested, you can view the UPCC Sidewalk Position Statement. Recent accomplishments include:
- The Committee led the effort for a Safe Routes to School Grant resulting in new sidewalks to be installed on pathways leading to UPark Elementary. These new sidewalks are at no cost to UPark residents as a result of the Grant.
- Lobbied for an infrastructure bond issue that will provide funds to install sidewalks on Buchtel Boulevard from South. St. Paul to South Monroe Street.
- Established a snow-shoveling clearinghouse to provide assistance to infirm or disabled residents. If you would like to participate this winter, please e-mail sidewalks@upcc.us.
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University Park Small Area Plan
The University Park Small Area Plan is a document outlining the community’s vision for our neighborhood and was adopted by City Council on September 8, 2008. It is part of Denver’s Comprehensive Plan and serves as an official advisory document outlining the community’s vision for our neighborhood. Although started in 2000, the Small Area Plan was completed by neighborhood residents in the last two years with guidance from city planners. (back to top)
Traffic and Transportation
Traffic and Transportation Committee works with the City, the schools, the University of Denver, and area businesses to address traffic or transportation problems. Recent accomplishments include:
- Looking into potential left turn signals from Colorado to Iliff
- Worked to get bike lanes added and painted along St. Paul Street and Buchtel Boulevard.
- Acted as a neighborhood liaison to UPark School as they worked out the "Kiss and Go" solution to the pick-up and drop-off times at the school, thereby relieving traffic congestion and ensuring the safety of students.
- Worked with the City to address some nasty potholes in our neighborhood (back to top)
Website
Our new site was launched in the Fall of 2008, and we are committed to making this site a way for you to stay informed on the issues that are affecting the University Park neighborhood. The webmaster works with our president and all the committees to post information about what the UPCC is doing along with City or neighborhood information that is important for our residents. If you have suggestions for ways we can improve our site or want to get involved maintianing it, please email us at webmaster@upcc.us.
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Zoning
The Zoning Committee is the neighborhood’s “soldiers,” working with the City, the University of Denver, and area businesses, including contractors and builders. They have a positive impact on our neighborhood land use, construction, zoning issues, and access to light rail stations. The Committee often reviews and makes recommendations on zoning variances.
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