Happy New Year Hilltop!
Hilltop Neighborhood News & Updates for January 2026
Updates on Xcel’s Leetsdale-Monroe-Elati Transmission Project
Get the latest information on road closures.
East Cedar Avenue will be temporarily closed to through traffic between S. Fairfax St. and S. Eudora St. starting at 7 a.m. on January 16, 2026, for up to three weeks of construction.
The intersection of E. Cedar Ave/S. Elm St. will be closed; intersections at E. Cedar/S. Fairfax and E. Cedar/S. Eudora will remain open Neighbors should expect full street closures and look for alternate routes in the area.
Ongoing updates and information is available through our website and Xcel’s project page as work progresses.
Hilltop, and Denver, see Decreases in Crime in 2025
Property Crimes Down Nearly 50%
Hilltop continues to rank among Denver's safer neighborhoods in 2025 crime statistics, placing 74th out of 78 for violent crimes per 1,000 residents at a low 0.87 incidents. Property crimes improved to 12.05 per 1,000 (76th ranking), with declines in burglaries and vehicle thefts compared to 2024.
Denver as a whole also saw reductions in Crime this year. Total crime is down 5.5%, while auto thefts are down 36.44% (3,127 fewer thefts) and burglaries are down 16.25%.
You can get more information on crime rates from DPD, and we are proud to continue to work with our neighbors and officers to make our neighborhood a safe place to live. Congratulations to all!
Step Up for Better Sidewalks!
Take the city’s short survey and help plan improvements for Denver’s pedestrian network.
Denver is kicking off a major effort to improve sidewalks citywide — and your input can help shape the plan. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is developing its first Sidewalk Implementation Plan to guide where and how new and improved sidewalks are built. Residents are invited to review the plan’s early findings and take a brief survey by mid-March. Read more below to learn how to get involved and make your voice heard.
Click here for our article and the times of DOTI’s community engagement. Click here to ready the State of the System (SOTS) report and fill out a survey.
Don’t Throw Out Your Christmas Tree! This year Treecycle it!
Now through January 30th
Now through January 30th, DOTI is offering their “treecycle” program to residents. You can drop holiday trees off at designated drop sites to have them turned into mulch! Remove all decorations, lights and the tree stand before dropping the tree off at a collection site.
WEEKDAY Treecycle drop sites are open December 29 through January 30, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at these locations:
Cherry Creek Transfer Station – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.)
Havana Nursery – 3685 Havana St.
Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. (next to Denver Animal Shelter)
Nine SATURDAY drop sites will be open January 10 and 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
Sloan’s Lake Park (Northwest Parking Lot) - W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.
Bruce Randolph School - 3955 Steele St.
Fred Thomas Park - 2400 Quebec St.
Evie Dennis School Campus - 4800 Telluride St.
Central Platte Campus - 1271 W. Bayaud Ave.
Carson Elementary - 5420 E 1st Ave.
John F. Kennedy High School - 2855 S. Lamar St.
Congress Park - E. 9th and Josephine St.
University Park Elementary - 2300 S St Paul St.
More info here.
You’re Invited to District 5’s Community Open House!
Connect with city staff and learn more about your community
To connect residents directly with City staff, Council Woman Sawyer is hosting her annual Community Open House on Tuesday, February 10, from 5:00–7:30 p.m. in the George Washington High School Library. Attendees can park in the north parking lot and follow the signs to the library entrance. Stop by to speak with project leaders and get an inside look at what’s planned for our neighborhoods in 2026!
Agency partners include:
Denver Police Department
Denver Fire Department
Department of Transportation & Infrastructure
Denver Water
Denver Parks & Recreation
Denver Department of Housing Stability
Xcel Energy
At the Open House, you’ll have the chance to get answers to many of your most common questions, including:
What is the construction schedule for the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project?
Will the Xcel construction affect my block?
Is my home included in Denver Water’s Lead Reduction Program?
How do I dispute a parking ticket?
Is my street scheduled for repaving this year?
For more information, visit bit.ly/D5OpenHouse2026
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Welcome to the 30th Annual Denver Jewish Film Festival, a celebration of three decades of powerful Jewish storytelling, community, and culture. This year’s festival showcases an exciting lineup of films from around the world, highlighting diverse perspectives, compelling narratives, and meaningful connections to Jewish life. Over two inspiring weeks, audiences are invited to gather, watch, discuss, and experience stories that entertain, challenge, and bring us together. We’re thrilled to have you join us as we honor this milestone year and continue the tradition of sharing exceptional cinema with our community.
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Enjoy a free day at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science! Bring your family and friends to explore the museum’s incredible exhibits, from towering dinosaur fossils to outer space wonders, all free of charge. It’s the perfect chance to spark curiosity, learn something new, and enjoy one of Denver’s favorite cultural gems.
Be sure to check the museum’s website for hours and details. Arrive early, as parking and popular exhibits can fill up quickly.
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Calling all tequila lovers… ready to warm up your winter with the ultimate agave adventure?
This Valentine’s Day, give yourself and your crew the best gift of all: memories, good vibes, and great tequila! 💘🥃
Our only tequila tasting of the winter season takes over Denver on Saturday, February 14th, and you won’t want to miss it. -
A casual, intimate gala celebrating drag, community, and queer media. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we come together to support independent LGBTQ+ storytelling.
Presented by OUT FRONT Magazine (OFM) and Haus of Other, this high-energy gala brings together Colorado’s queer community and allies for a night that truly serves, featuring drag, designer runway looks and pizza!
For more events in our neighborhood, check out our events page!
Help Spot Neighborhood Issues With 311 Thursdays
Call or text in an issue, problem, or complaint every Thursday
Pothole on 6th you keep seeing and hitting? Graffiti in the ally? Report it to 311! Not only will this help the City know where problems are, it will generate needed data to show how the City can best allocate its resources to make our neighborhood safer!
You can use Denver’s online portal 24/7 or dial/text 311 Monday - Friday 7AM to 7PM.
Learn more about upcoming neighborhood projects or subscribe to the District 5 Newsletter courtesy of Amanda Sawyer.
Find the councilwoman’s latest newsletter here.
Want to Spotlight Your Business in Hilltop?
Have a business you want to promote? Looking to connect with your local community?
Become a Hilltop Neighborhood Sponsor! Get your brand in front of engaged neighbors.
We’re looking for local partners who want to give back, get involved, and grow visibility in one of Denver’s most vibrant communities.
Let’s team up and make Hilltop even better.
Contact us to learn how you can help.
