Tag Archives: Hampden Heights North Park

Friends of Denver Parks v. City of Denver and DPS From John Case

Dear Friends,
On December 26, 2013 the Court of Appeals issued its opinion affirming Judge Stern’s denial of a preliminary injunction to halt construction of a school in Hampden Heights North Park.
A copy of the opinion is attached here
After reviewing the decision, I believe that the Court of Appeals was wrong in concluding that charter section 2.4.5 eliminated common law dedication of parks in Denver.  After considering the work involved in this pro bono effort, my four law partners at Benson & Case law firm voted unanimously to authorize me to file a petition for writ of certiorari in the Colorado Supreme Court.  They also authorized me to proceed to trial as scheduled in Denver District Court May 19, 2014.  I am honored and blessed to have such supportive law partners, and to have the unwavering support of so many concerned citizens in Denver.
Regardless of the legal outcome of the case involving Hampden Heights North Park, Friends of Denver Parks has authorized me to make the following announcement: Later this year, Friends will launch a ballot initiative to confer official park status on the  numerous parks in Denver that the city has neglected to designate by ordinance.  The ballot initiative, if successful, will protect Denver’s remaining “undesignated” parks from commercial development, and preserve them as open space.
My sincere thanks to all of the supporters of Friends of Denver Parks.
John Case
BENSON & CASE, LLP

Hampden Heights North Park Prairie Dogs to Be Killed Starting Sept 24, 2013

DPS Notice

Denver Public Schools Notice At Hampden Heights North Park

Denver Public Schools this week is posting public notice on the Hampden Heights site that black-tailed prairie dogs located on the site will be trapped, removed and donated to the Birds of Prey Foundation for the rehabilitation of raptors. This process is comparable to Denver’s prairie dog management guidelines.

NStocker_EatingWeeds2_8973

Prairie Dog Eating Weeds Hampden Heights North Park Photo By Nancy Stocker

Trapping will occur between September 25 and October 4. For questions regarding this activity, please call Denver Public Schools at 720-423-3200.

Friends Of Denver Parks President Renee Lewis said

“What makes this even more concerning is that we have a vibrant raptor population on the land.
To kill off their food source at the beginning of a predicted hard winter is unconscionable.
The prairie dogs are a keystone species.They are a crucial link to the overall ecology of an environment.  The Great Horned Owl breeding season will be occurring during the end of October. We have a substantial population that lives here.”
Many types of wildlife have been seen in this area and several species are dependent on the prairie dog for their survival.