South Platte - Program Updates
2016
December: New housing initiative funding
The Denver Housing Authority will receive a $30 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to improve housing and increase business opportunities and job possibilities in Sun Valley. The Denver Housing Authority, named a grant finalist in September, plans to build 750 mixed-use housing units in an area where about 83% of residents live below the poverty line.
March 8:
The former EPA Administrator met with professionals from Denver Housing Authority, HUD, and EPA for a discussion on the transformation plan for Sun Valley Homes. Sun Valley is a Making a Visible Difference community, a Partnership for Sustainable Communities location, and an Urban Waters Federal Partnership location. There was a discussion around green infrastructure, storm water, and energy efficiency among other topics.
The former Administrator was able to see Weir Gulch, which was restored, after being designed and funded by EPA, and the nearby brownfields sites that will become part of the transformation. In the afternoon, there was a children's environmental health roundtable with a number of children's health professionals present. Rachel Hansgen from Groundwork Denver spoke about the South Platte River Urban Waters Partnership Denver Metro water quality assessment tool for E. Coli.
June: Bike Tours
The Colorado Foundation for Water Education (CFWE) is offering half-day bike tours. Pedal through the Bear Creek watershed, southwest of Denver, to discover how groups are reclaiming and protecting urban waterways. Tours will view first-hand water quality improvement projects, recreation along the creek, long-term watershed planning and community education and stewardship. Registration is free but required.
Click here for additional information.Exit
March 15
The Water Connection hosted a presentation, "Innovation and Collaboration at Denver Water," that featured speakers from Denver Water and the Coalition for the Upper South Platte.
Water Quality Assessment Tool
The Water Quality Assessment Tool is now live! The Urban Waters Partnership and the Water Connection developed this innovative resource for the South Platte River Watershed. Developed through an unprecedented collaboration of some of the most talented and knowledgeable water quality experts in the region, The Water Quality Assessment Tool allows for a uniquely interactive experience that makes visualizing and understanding water quality data more accessible than ever. The tool allows you to view the big picture, or zoom in for more detail. This tool is accessible to the public, decision-makers, and research scientists. It can be used to investigate baseline conditions, delve into regional trends, and can help inform solutions to urban water pollution.