November Newsletter
Hilltop Neighborhood News & Updates for November 2025
Little Monsters Take Over Robinson Park!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Hilltop Halloween Festival 2025 at Robinson Park! It was an unforgettable afternoon, with more than 400 neighbors from across the Hilltop community coming together to celebrate. From the adorable pet costume contest and the colorful costume parade winding through the park to the laughter, dance, and trick or treating shared by all, the day perfectly captured the spirited joy of Halloween in Hilltop. We invite you to relive some of our favorite moments from this unforgettable event at our post here and see links to all of our awesome sponsors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our generous sponsors whose support made this celebration possible!
Finally, please consider leaving your feedback for us with this survey. It will help us improve next years event!
Xcel Announces Leetsdale-Monroe-Elati Transmission Project
How the neighborhood will be impacted and how your voice can be heard.
Xcel Energy will begin major construction on the Leetsdale–Monroe–Elati Transmission Project in early November. This six-mile underground upgrade runs through parts of central and southeast Denver, including areas of South Hilltop. The project aims to replace aging electric lines to improve reliability and support local growth. Neighbors should expect intermittent street and sidewalk closures, detours, and workday noise while crews install the new system using open-trench methods. Standard construction hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m.–7 p.m., with occasional evening work as needed.
To help residents stay informed, Xcel is hosting a community meeting at Carson Elementary on Wednesday November 5th 6:30pm - 8:30pm, where representatives will detail the construction timeline, safety measures, and traffic impacts on neighborhood streets. A second virtual information session will be offered as well, along with maps and contact details for feedback and questions. Ongoing updates and information is available through our website and Xcel’s project page as work progresses.
New Investment and Development at
9th & Co
With and infusion of cash, new team hopes to re-imagine the old nurses dorm.
9th & Co is getting a new development team and a fresh infusion of capital to help transform the century-old nurses dormitory into “a new kind of workplace ecology,” with fitness, retail, medical and office space all under one roof. The plans call for converting the basement of the building into fitness and recovery facilities. A 1,400-square-foot gym is anticipated, along with sauna, cold plunge and therapy rooms. Upstairs, on the ground level, is slated for a lobby coffee shop and small grab-and-go food and beverage operation. One wing is dedicated for co-working space. The other would hold small conference rooms and event spaces. The second level is for wellness and medical uses, and the third story is for more traditional office tenants. Learn more about the project from The Denver Post.
Local Streets Designated as Future Bikeways
Bayaud, Clermont, Fairfax, 3rd, 6th, and more designated in new Denver Moves maps
Denver Moves: Bikes has released their lasted recommended bikeways in the city, and some Hilltop streets are on the list! Bayaud, Clermont, Fairfax, Hudson, 5th between Colorado Blvd. and Clermont, and 7th Ave. have made the list as “neighborhood bikeways”. These are considered "high-comfort bikeways" and are designed to prioritize bicycle and pedestrian travel, often including signage and roadway changes that make cycling easier and more appealing for riders who might be less confident on busier streets. 3rd has been recommended as a bike lane or buffered bike lane road, similar to 7th Ave in Congress Park currently. Finally, 6th is recommended for protected lane status.
None of these projects have been funded or prioritized, but more information can be found in the Denver Moves Bikes Update site. We will make sure to keep our neighbors informed and advocate to make our neighborhood streets calmer and safer for everyone, whether walking, driving, or biking.
LeafDrop Sites Open This Weekend!
And an important reminder from DOTI on Thanksgiving week waste pickup
Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is encouraging residents to give their fallen leaves and pumpkins a second life by donating them to be turned into compost through their annual LeafDrop program. In addition to offering three weekday drop-off sites through November 21, five weekend drop sites are open this Saturday and Sunday, November 8 and 9. Information on drop-off sites can be found at denvergov.org/leafdrop. Compost created through Denver’s LeafDrop Program is made available to Denver residents in the spring. You can also put leaves and branches in your compost bin for weekly collection!
DOTI also wants residents to be aware of changes to the waste collection schedule on Thanksgiving week, 11/24, and moving forward. Please visit our news post for further details and find your schedule and download the Trash and Recycling App at www.denvergov.org/trashschedule.
2025 - 2026 Annual Survey
Councilwoman Sawyer wants to hear from YOU!
Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer has released the 2025-2026 District 5 community survey, an important opportunity for neighbors to share their feedback directly with her and help shape priorities for the upcoming council year. Last year, initiatives driven by our communities input included advancing the Holly Street traffic calming plan to improve safety, and strengthening enforcement and fines to address abandoned and derelict properties.
Make sure you share your feedback by December 31, 2025, so your voice can help guide policies that improve our neighborhood!
-
Denver Arts Week 2025 runs from November 7th to 16th, showcasing a vibrant mix of gallery art, dance, comedy, film, and interactive workshops across Denver’s creative neighborhoods. The event kicks off with expanded First Friday Art Walks and includes a special Free Night at the Museums on November 8th, when many top cultural institutions offer free admission and extended hours. Visitors can explore local artists, find unique artwork, and enjoy discounts on museum memberships, admissions, and select performances.
This year, Denver Arts Week also highlights the connection between arts and personal wellness, featuring programs that blend creativity with mindfulness and nature. With over 300 events citywide—including Dia de los Muertos celebrations, live music, and outdoor sculptures—the week offers something for every art lover while promoting community engagement and well-being.
-
Xcel is hosting a public outreach meeting at Carson Elementary from 6:30-8:30 on November 5th. More details here.
-
The 16th Annual Denver Veterans Day Run, Festival, and Parade will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Denver City Park. Hosted by the Colorado Veterans Project, this event honors the bravery and sacrifices of our veterans while fostering community spirit. The day features a memorial 5K and 10K fun run, including the 10K Rippetoe Rucksack Challenge, named in honor of Army Captain Russell Brian Rippetoe. The runs are open to participants of all ages and skill levels, including joggers, walkers, kids, and dogs. The event aims to support veterans by raising funds for the Colorado Veterans Project’s mission to empower veterans with career advancement and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Following the runs, the day continues with a patriotic parade winding through City Park, featuring military ROTC units, veteran organizations, classic car clubs, and more. The celebration culminates in a large festival with vendor booths offering resources, food, and activities for all ages. The event is a heartfelt tribute to local and national heroes, creating a vibrant community gathering full of gratitude and respect. Registration includes commemorative race gear for participants, and all donations go directly to supporting Colorado veterans.
-
November 28th. The annual lighting ceremony of the station’s outdoor 40-foot-tall Christmas tree that features more than 7,000-holiday lights. The tree lighting ceremony will begin promptly at 6:10 PM.
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.
