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The Stapletonion will periodically provide updates on new businesses coming to Stapleton as well as how certain business districts are developing. If you have information on new businesses or updates on current districts, please email us that information at stapletonion@gmail.com. Eastbridge Town Center A group of over 150 Eastbridge residents is taking it upon themselves to create somewhat of a town center in Eastbridge. The group plans on mowing the weeds and then will create a giant make-shift patio in a fenced in area which will serve as a beer garden. There will be picnic table seating with umbrellas and port-a-pottys. It will be a BYOB environment, and the group will ask for donations simply to cover their costs. “This is really going to be something,” says leader of the group Jon Strassburg. “And when I say something, I mean in the literal sense. At least it is going to be something.” The group will have rotating food trucks provide food daily from 10AM through 9PM. Strrassburg says it has no right to do anything to the land there, but believes through his understanding of property law, that the property has been abandoned, and therefore, can be claimed. “If Forest City isn’t going to do anything with it, we will. It is our way of giving Forest City the finger.” Strassburg says the group plans to have the garden open by late spring. Northfield Shopping District Business continues to boom in Northfield, provided you are a movie theatre or your business is named “Target.” Other businesses struggle or come and go, as Forest City continues contemplating turning the area into an outlet mall. The newest update from Northfield is that a third car wash is coming to Stapleton. If you tried to wash your car over the weekend, you may feel a third car wash is needed. However, do other urban neighborhoods have this many car washes in just a few square miles? Are Stapleton residents really that obsessed with clean cars? My guess is we could live without it, but if they are willing to pay for the real estate, Forest City is certainly willing to give them the space. Maybe Forest City is trying to tell Stapleton residents something. Kind of like when you buy your spouse a gym membership. Maybe they think we have dirty cars. As excited as I am for this car wash, I’m more excited to see where they are going to put the fourth car wash. 29th Ave. Town Center The 29th Ave Town Center has some sad news to report as local business Naturally Loved will be moving to Park Hill. Naturally Loved is a very appreciated local business and we are sure people will continue to support them at their new Park Hill location. We have not done any digging into this, but we are pretty certain Forest City’s high lease prices had nothing to do with the move. On a positive note, a new restaurant is coming to Stapleton in Four Friends Kitchen. The restaurant plans to offer breakfast, lunch, and brunch with a Southern theme. The restaurant plans to open this fall, provided Forest City doesn’t change its mind and use the space for a car wash. ]]>

Everyone in Stapleton understands they are taxed at a higher rate than any other neighborhood in Denver. Some choose to accept it, others choose to ignore it, and everyone else chooses to complain about it. Complaining might not be that useful, unless you actually know what you are complaining about. Do you know why Stapleton residents are taxed more? Do you know where that money goes? Do you know how long that “extra tax” will be in place? These are the questions people need to be asking before making loud complaints. The Stapletonion approached the Treasury Division of the City and County of Denver to get answers to these questions. The reason Stapleton residents see a higher tax is due to the Stapleton Special District Tax, which increases many residents’ tax bill about 40% compared to anywhere else in Denver. To some people, having the word “special” next to Stapleton is all they need to hear. “I’m totally fine with our higher taxes,” says resident David Erickson. “We are special, and with that, sometimes there is a higher price to pay.” Others see it as a tricky way to simply take advantage of residents. “So, I pay taxes to help the City and County of Denver,” stated Nancy Dunlay. “But, since I live in a particular neighborhood in Denver, I have to pay a huge additional tax to help that neighborhood thrive? They are doing a lot of great things in the Highlands. I am guessing that is my tax dollars at work as well. Shouldn’t every neighborhood pay for their own upkeep and improvements?” After getting passed the name of the tax, The Stapletonion looked into where the SSDT money goes. What we found ranged from the obvious to the bizarre. You can see from the bullets below that 8% of the tax goes towards Starbucks coffee for the Stapleton firefighters, and another 4% goes to security for the Nantucket Close. For a complete list of where your extra Stapleton tax dollars are going, see below:

Control Tower Fund = 23%

Pool Fund = 17%

Prairie Dog Killing Fund = 11%

Pocket Parks Fund = 10%

Starbucks Coffee for Stapleton Firefighters Fund = 8%

Maintaining Aurora Buffer Zone = 8%

Stapleton Only Light Rail Fund = 6%

Jail Improvement Fund = 5%

Nantucket Close Security Fund = 4%

Extra Stop Sign Fund = 3%

Chalk/Graffiti Cleanup Fund = 3%

Sand Creek Remediation Fund = 1%

Stapleton Art Fund = 1%

Affordable Housing Fund = 0%

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Back in 2002, when George W. Bush was president, we were still searching for Bin Laden, and the Patriots beat the Rams in the Super Bowl, a pioneering family took advantage of the Stapleton land rush. “The city was looking to expand, and wanted to do so before Aurora claimed the concrete infested former airport,” said 86 year old former Deputy Mayor Hans Schmit. “So, we essentially offered free titles to anyone who was willing to move out into the barren wasteland. And, really that is how Stapleton started.” [Read more…] about Looking Back: The 2002 Stapleton Land Rush

Stapleton is home to hundreds of extraordinarily gifted children, mostly according to their parents. From genius two year olds, to nine-year old concert ready pianists, Stapleton has a high percentage of special children. Justin Becker is one of these children. Justin is just like any other seven year old in Stapleton. He enjoys video games, playing with friends, and watching movies. But, what makes Justin unique, are his athletic gifts. [Read more…] about Stapleton Family Moves to Colorado Springs to Better Challenge Athletically Gifted Child

The Front Porch recently included an article discussing the dangerous effects of THC in marijuana, and that it will continually be more important to discuss these dangers with kids as marijuana continues to become more socially acceptable. The challenge is selecting when you should discuss it with your children and how it should be discussed. [Read more…] about Expert to Parents: “Much Easier to Talk to Kids About Marijuana if You’re High”

Stapleton resident and Bronco fan Josh Gibbs is having a hard time adjusting to reality. Not just the reality that his Broncos were defeated in the Super Bowl, but the reality that he has an entire family living with him that he must now learn to interact with. “You know, I have kind of been out of it for the last five months,” said Gibbs. “Between going to work and looking up Bronco stats on the internet and coming home and watching ESPN News and the NFL Network, I haven’t had a lot of time to speak to my family.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Bronco Fan Forced to Pay Attention to Family Now that Football Season is Over

In ‘honor’ of the stupidest and most pointless holiday ever, The Stapletonion would like the help of Stapletonians. To completely disrespect this Hallmark holiday, we would like people to view Valentine’s Day as a chance to air your grievances, as opposed to being forced to be oversentimental. So, instead of feeling pressured to make up ridiculous Facebook posts such as, “Happy Valentine’s Day to the greatest husband in the world. You are the greatest man in the world and my best friend. I love you,” you can think of things that really annoy you about your spouse, and send to us or post on our Facebook site. We will post (ANONYMOUSLY) the best grievances in the February 19th issue of The Stapletonion (Issue 74). Here are the rules.

• You must currently be married to the individual. No remarks from bitter divorcees.
• Nothing sexual in nature
• Nothing too personal (i.e. my husband is fat, my wife is a horrible cook and doesn’t know it, etc.)
• It must actually bother you

The biggest thing is to just keep it simple. Some examples include: not unloading the dishwasher, leaving laundry in the washer/dryer for days, not changing the lint screen, not changing the empty roll of toilet paper, etc. So, Happy Valentine’s Day, and send us the things that really piss you off about your spouse! ]]>

Unless you have been living underground for the last month, you are aware that marijuana is now legal in Colorado. Due to this more than relaxed stance on the previously illegal drug, society is already viewing marijuana use in a different way. “I’m not in to smoking (weed), but if it’s legal, it’s legal,” said Stapleton resident Rose Westerberg. “If that’s what people choose to do, I have no problem with it.” Many Stapleton residents share that opinion, including SUN President Mike Victoria. “If the state government doesn’t want to make a big deal out of it, neither should we,” said Victoria. “So, at our last SUN and Block Captain meeting, we put it on the table. Should we allow people to get high during the meetings?” Victoria said that there was some push back as to people getting high, mostly in regards to creating a slippery slope. “People worried that we would have to allow alcohol and then possibly cigarettes. But, we talked through it and feel we came up with a good compromise.” The rules for the use of cannabis are outlined on the SUN website. Essentially, you can bring in whatever you want, can share if you like, but you cannot smoke anything, unless you are outside during break. “It will also be a fun social way for people to exchange recipes and treats,” said Victoria. The first cannabis SUN-Block Captain meeting was last Monday (1/12), and everything seemed to go very well. “First of all, we had a huge turnout,” said Victoria. “The more we can get the community involved in decision-making, the better.” Victoria noticed other benefits as well. “I found that people were more agreeable. When there were arguments, people were able to look at different perspectives instead of just their own, and actual compromise was made.” Attendees also noticed some improvements with the meetings. “The meetings can sometimes get boring and long,” said block captain Mariah Hayne. “So, people get up and leave in the middle of it. During this one, no one left early, and people stayed somewhat engaged and offered honest, thoughtful feedback on items.” The next SUN-Block Captain meeting is scheduled for February 18th, and residents are encouraged to attend and bring their favorite cannabis treat. ]]>