The long anticipated opening of the University of Colorado A-Line happened last Saturday, and Stapleton residents came by the hundreds to get a chance to view and even ride the train. “It was truly amazing,” said resident Jeremy Meyers. “It went so fast. I don’t know how these things work, but boy was it incredible.” Excited onlooker Autumn Schmit was also impressed by the technological wonder. “It was just really, really cool,” said Schmit. “All these people would get off, and then all of these people would get on. It takes you right to downtown, or the airport, and all these other places we will probably never go. But pretty darn neat.” Trains, which have been around for about 175 years, have gone through many changes and upgrades since their inception in the late 19th century. Light rails, or commuter trains have been around since the 1970’s, hoping to provide reliable transportation to millions of people in crowded cities, and ease traffic in urban areas. The light rail has been in Denver for over a decade and a half now, but many residents still had never got a glimpse of one. “I had heard about them, but had never actually saw one,” said resident Colleen Baird. “And you know, without ever seeing one, it is pretty hard to believe. That’s why I brought the family today. I wanted to let them see the amazing things we have in this world. Like trains.” Residents look forward to the many advantages the University of Colorado A Line will provide. “It definitely eliminates most of my excuses for not leaving Stapleton,” said Steve Turner. “We will definitely do a little more in the city. At least that’s how I’m looking at it now. Come to think of it, Stanley Marketplace will still be a lot closer.” ]]>

Every spring, like many households, the McAllister family does a thorough cleaning of their home, removing tens of unneeded items, as well as scrubbing places they only see once a year. The family gets rid of old toys, clothes, and furniture in the unfinished portion of the basement. The process can be grueling, and heart-wrenching. “It’s always tough to see old kids clothing go,” said mother of three Brenda. “Even getting rid of some of the old toys can be hard, but you can’t become a hoarder.” The family seems to stockpile hundreds of small, pointless toys from happy meals as well as “art projects” the kids create. “We just have so much junk,” says dad Steven. “Every year we say we are going to be better about throwing things out or getting rid of things as we go, and it never works out. This year, we are really hoping to do better.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Family Makes Disingenuous Promise to “Never Let House Get Like That Again”

With the Willow Park East and Wicker Park neighborhoods up and running, Forest City has turned its attention to developing the area north of 56th. With some big ideas and a large number of Green Book issues to address, Forest City came up with some small solutions. “There is a new trend in America where people are interested in living small,” said Forest City Spokesperson Janelle Ayers. “I mean really small. Stapleton is known for its giant, beautiful homes, but we thought, we can still do beautiful, but maybe scaled down.” Ayers says Forest City plans to build an entire neighborhood using the “tiny home” concept. “This is going to be big. Not the homes, but the idea, obviously.” [Read more…] about Neighborhood North of 56th to Become “Tiny Town”

Stapleton has roughly three dozen pocket parks which provide wide open areas for kids to play sports, fly kites, and have picnics. Most of those parks have new age playground equipment which on a nice day, are crawling with Stapleton kids. Then, of course, there’s Central Park which provides everything the pocket parks do, but with ten times the space and playground equipment. But one of these Stapleton pocket parks stands out from the rest of the Stapleton Green Space. Westerly Creek Park. [Read more…] about Westerly Creek Park Offers Gorgeous Views of Central Park

The Farrell couple is always great to have over for evening cocktails. They are outgoing, neighborly people. And after a few drinks, they certainly make the party more interesting. “We love the Farrells,” said neighbor Christina. “They’re great people, and on top of it, they keep our block gatherings interesting.” Christina says the couple enjoys talking about shows they watch, which typically include shows like “Gigolos” and movies such as Fifty Shades of Grey. “It definitely gets people talking,” said another neighbor, Scott. “I’m not sure it makes me uncomfortable, but it’s right there. I’m not a square by any means, but they just talk about things people normally don’t talk about. I can never tell if I’m the only one uncomfortable laughing or if everyone else is, too.” The Farrells also talk about the Stapleton swingers culture which usually sparks discussion, and often confusion. “They seem to know all the clues to letting people know you’re a swinger,” said neighbor Dylan. “They laugh about it and talk about who might be a swinger, but most of us are left guessing if they are swingers or not. We actually call them the “Filthy Farrells.” It’s in good fun, and it doesn’t seem to bother them.” Swingers or not, neighbors plan to continue to have the Farrells over for gatherings. “It’s always more interesting with the Farrells around,” said Christina. “In fact, when they can’t come over, we just end up talking about what we think the filthy Farrells would talk about.” ]]>

Michele Imhoff was sitting in her backyard when she suddenly heard something very unexpected. Her neighbor, Cindy Miller, was shouting at her children. And not in a positive way. “It was clear she was angry,” said Imhoff. “I’m not exactly sure what she was yelling, or what the kids did to set her off, but she was pissed at them. That was clear.” Most parents get frustrated with their children and occasionally yell at them. What is unique about this situation is that Imhoff can not recall a single instance of Miller yelling at her kids. “We have lived next to them for four years,” said Imhoff. “Never have I heard Cindy even raise her voice at the kids. She’s like this perfect Stapleton mom. And she has these perfect Stapleton kids. Honestly, it was great to hear her yelling at them. I think this is a relationship-changer for us.” [Read more…] about Breaking News: Perfect Stapleton Mom Also Yells at Kids

In a recent study conducted by lab experts at the University of Colorado and paid for by the Stapleton MCA, the study indicated that although there may be something that looks like urine on your doorstep, more than likely, it is not. “We went to hundreds of homes in Stapleton and took samples of any liquid that could remotely be confused with urine,” said study author professor Jason Sword. “We analyzed all of these samples, and none contained any of the characteristic properties of urine. We came to the conclusion that any likelihood of someone throwing urine at random homes in Stapleton is extremely low at best. It would be more likely to have a small meteorite hit a home, in fact.” [Read more…] about Report: Yellow Liquid on Door Probably Not Urine

Two weeks ago, long time MCA President Liza Kampstra stepped down amid community pressure. Kampstra was continually being accused by Stapleton residents of being “soft on Aurora,” which ultimately cost her the job. “I have dedicated over seven years to doing my best for this community,” said former President Kampstra. “It was time for a change, not just for the community, but for me.” Kampstra says she wishes nothing but the best for the Stapleton community and its new MCA President. “I have lived here for the last seven years, and I have no immediate plans for a change. So, of course, I want the community to continually grow and thrive.” The MCA announced the new MCA President as Paul Harris, who is a Stapleton resident and has worked at the MCA for the last four years. “We are very excited to announce Paul as our new President,” said MCA Spokesperson Kara Erickson. “Paul has a very strong background in community leadership and activism, and he will absolutely continue to move Stapleton in the right direction.” An unidentified source within the MCA said that Harris and Kampstra have butted heads over the last couple of years in regards to “Aurora policy.” “It was no secret in the MCA that Harris and Kampstra did not get along,” said the source. “Harris has always taken a strong anti-Aurora stance, and Kampstra simply didn’t see things the same way. Ultimately, Harris stirred up community members, and put pressure on Kampstra to get the job.” In his first public announcement as MCA President, Harris made it quite clear what his number one goal as MCA President was going to be. “Our residents are fed up,” said Harris. “We have bikes being stolen from open garages and packages being taken from porches. We have no proof that these crimes are being committed by Aurorans, but c’mon, we know it’s them. It’s time we stand up and say, ‘enough!’” Harris says his first objective as MCA President is to get the wall built that everyone wants. “We are going to build the wall,” shouted Harris. “And they (pointing to Aurora) are going to pay for it.” Harris, of course, is referring to the long needed security between Stapleton and Aurora along 26th Ave. “I think some form of security there is a great idea,” said resident Rick Pecenka. “And if we don’t have to pay for it, more for us.” Resident Jim Crawford also sees the wall as a positive. “Even if it doesn’t necessarily work, the perception is important,” said Crawford. “We need to let them know we mean business.” Harris has a long ways to go in regards to not only building a fence, but convincing the Aurora taxpayers to pay for it. “We will make this happen,” said Harris. “In fact, I will make this happen.” The Stapletonion promises wall to wall coverage of this new situation.]]>