If you have ever taken a stroll around Stapleton, spent time in the town center, or attended a school giving party, you may have noticed something a little eerie. Many of the Stapleton women look very much alike. Of course, a lot of these women are hot so, there’s that. And, many dress similar, right down to the brand of yoga pants. But there is more than that. [Read more…] about Study: 46% of Stapleton Women Get Hair Cut by Same Stylist

Stapleton residents can sometimes get creative in their driving routes when heading back to Stapleton from their shopping or dining ventures outside of the neighborhood. Many times, these uncharted paths will take them through neighboring Park Hill. “I was coming back from Cherry Creek,” explained Stapleton resident Tessie Ross, “when I realized I was on 26th St. heading up through Park Hill. I had never really looked around before, but it was a pretty crazy scene. Most of the houses there appear to have been built before 1990. It was pretty surreal.” Residents daring enough to venture farther north, may even see chain link fences with fenced in dogs, uncut and unkempt lawns, ranch style houses, and even paint peeling on homes. “It is pretty nuts that this is right next to us,” said Stapleton resident Brian Swartz. “There are all these full grown trees, cars from the 90’s, people using public transit. Just insane.” Although most Stapleton residents do their best to avoid going through Park Hill, especially with kids, some use it as an educational tool. “We want the kids to get an understanding of what life is like in other countries,” says Mike Hoffman. “We can’t afford to take the kids to third world countries to show them how tough life is elsewhere, but we can drive them through Park Hill. Obviously, just seeing these old homes they live in is great for the kids, and sometimes, if we’re lucky, we will catch people doing their own chores or yard work. Just not something you see that often in the US.” Stapleton residents are encouraged to find distractions when driving through Park Hill. Make sure you are listening to music, talking on your phone, or just daydreaming which will help you ignore all the shoddiness that comes with a neighborhood built in the 20th century. ]]>

Paul Rudee was enjoying a leisurely bike ride on Saturday on the Westerly Creek bike path when he came across an empty double wide stroller parked in the middle of the path under the bridge. With agile maneuvering and quick thinking, he launched his bike at least 1 foot to the dirt on the side of the path and averted disaster. [Read more…] about Stroller Mafia Rules Stapleton Sidewalks

The freezing cold temperatures which lasted nearly two weeks in Denver always cause a disruption in people’s daily lives. People are much less likely to spend time outside, which means germs spread quickly inside homes. To make matters worse, many Stapleton residents have kids who go to the same after school activities which compounds the problem. “I think everyone on our block was sick within a five day period,” said Stapleton resident Jen Myska. “I am sure everyone’s kids have been in everyone’s house in that time, and of course, everyone got sick.” [Read more…] about 75% of Stapleton Gets Stomach Flu in February

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%

]]>

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