September Newsletter 2024
Denver October Happenings
Indeed, summer went very fast. It seems like it was either raining or oppressively hot, but either way we have another one in the books, and we are on to fall.
With the beginning of fall comes many different things to celebrate in and around Denver.
As is our habit, we are here to share those things and hopefully give you some ideas for some fun things to do.
This month’s newsletter also answers the question, “Is Denver rude?”(spoiler alert, yes, we just might be, or maybe we are just overworked?).
We have a guest writer providing tips on how to get your home ready for winter, and we cover the important items affecting us on the November ballot.
Finally, we dive into the controversy surrounding how you might try to dispute a toll violation, and what we found isn’t very customer friendly.
With that in mind, let’s begin.
October brings lots of fun things to the Front Range. Let’s start with adult fun, including the Great American Beer Festival which runs from October 10-12. Breck also has their Craft Spirits Festival from the 11-13, in case you might need something stronger.
The folks at uncovercolorado.com published a good list of other events as well and it is here.
We also love the list at denver.org as well, which includes lots of adult fun here.
For the kiddos, it’s Halloween time. That means haunted houses, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and eventually trick or treating.
We have done all the research for you, and you can find the best lists we came across by clicking below:
Moving back into the grown-up section of October, we always love the stuff that Denver.org publishes. From Dracula to Cocktails and Screams at McGregor Square, they have you covered.
Whew, that was a lot, but we hope you find it informative. Lots to do for young and old this October, we hope you enjoy.
Wishing you a great beginning to fall and a fun Halloween this October!
Is Denver Rude? Or Just Overworked?
We don’t feel rude. We try to treat everyone we interact with respectfully.
But we all have bad days, so we were curious about what Preply found when they decided to take a look at the rudest cities in the U.S.
The study methodology courtesy of Preply, ” We surveyed residents about social behaviors they noticed in their city and calculated a city rudeness score based on the answers.”
“Lack of awareness in public, loudness in shared places, and rudeness to service staff members are just some of the behaviors that branded Miami, FL, as having the rudest residents. Although Philadelphia, PA, ranked as the second rudest, the city’s residents have actually gotten kinder since 2022, when they ranked number one. However, not all cities have improved.”
So, good news, Denver is not the rudest city in the U.S. We ranked 34th out of 46, which is “kind of” rude. It looks like we maybe got more polite since 2022 however when we ranked 21st in rudeness.
Which city is the politest? Omaha, Nebraska leads the way with Minneapolis and San Diego right behind them.
While we technically were the 12th least rude city in the U.S. we didn’t fare as well in another study we ran across.
It seems we are the most overworked city in the entire country!
From the article on financebuzz, “Denver ranks above-average in every single metric we looked at, but the factor contributing the most to the city’s first-place finish is the percentage of households where two or more people work full-time jobs. Almost 62% of households in Denver fit that bill, the seventh-highest rate of any city.”
Wow, we were surprised. With all the things to do around the Front Range, we might have guessed differently, but there it is.
The full study on the most overworked cities in the U.S. can be found here.financebuzz.com.
Wondering what city is the least overworked? Us too, and it was Detroit, Michigan, with the lowest percentage of workers that are in the office at least 50 weeks per year — just 77.1%.
Fascinating stuff indeed.
Take some time off, Denver, don’t forget to smell the roses!
How to Prep Your Home for Winter
By Guest Writer Nellia Melnyk
With breathtaking snow-capped mountains and a festive vibe, Denver winters can be both lovely and challenging. There’s always a chance of low temperatures and snowstorms. Getting your home ready for winter in Denver is important if you want to appreciate its beauty stress-free. Continue reading for crucial advice on winter-proofing your house so you won’t be caught off guard by the cold.
Inspection & Sealing of Windows & Doors
Windows and doors are typically the biggest sources of heat loss in the winter. It is essential to have these places inspected and sealed in order to preserve the energy efficiency of your house. To keep your house warm and energy-efficient, premium sealants will be applied, windows and doors will be examined for cracks and drafts, and a proper fit will be ensured.
Checking Your Heating System
An extensive examination of your furnace is the first step in checking your heating system. Your HVAC system may be safely inspected once a year to help find any issues before they become dangerous or require costly repairs.
Equally vital is having your chimney checked, since a clean, well-kept chimney reduces the likelihood of fires. To avoid winter emergencies, some proactive steps are essential.
Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt to confirm your carbon monoxide detector is operational.
Insulating Pipes to Avoid Freezing
Denver winters are typically turbulent. Pipes must be properly insulated in order to avoid freezing during the winter. Pipes in cold climes, particularly those in unheated rooms, are susceptible to freeze, burst, and sustain significant damage. Foam rubber or polyethylene foam insulation for pipelines is advised by local experts since these materials provide good protection from low temperatures.
Inspecting pipes for weak points and potential leaks is essential in addition to adding insulation, particularly to lines that pass-through attics, basements, or exterior walls. Experts are able to pinpoint regions that are more likely to freeze and recommend extra safety precautions like temperature management in underheated rooms or pipe heaters.
Gutter Cleaning & Maintenance
To prevent problems like ice dams caused by debris, it’s necessary to regularly clean and maintain your gutters. We talked to local expert Constantine Anest of Ethos Roofing, who explained, “Snowmelt cannot drain properly when gutters are clogged. This leads to clogs, which when they freeze, create ice dams. These ice dams have the potential to harm your walls, eaves, and roof. Gutter cleaning done correctly guarantees appropriate drainage during winter melting.”
Inspection of the Attic and Roof
Your roof should be carefully inspected for missing or damaged shingles in order to prepare as part of preparing your home for winter. If these issues aren’t taken care of right away, your roof might not be able to endure severe weather.
Examining the insulation in the attic is the next step. For the best heat retention, the insulation needs to be at least 12 inches thick.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to for any overhanging tree branches to be trimmed because heavy snowfall may cause them to snap and harm your roof.
General Cleaning
Conducting a thorough cleaning before winter will help create the ideal conditions for your comfort. Special attention should be given to cleaning and organizing seasonal items, such as winter clothing and footwear. Make sure all winter accessories, including gloves and hats, are clean and ready for use. It’s also worth cleaning or replacing textiles, such as blankets and pillows. Pay particular attention to eliminating excess clutter that might obstruct access to heating equipment, and check and clean carpets if necessary to prevent dust and allergens from accumulating. This cleaning will help create a more cozy and organized environment, making the winter season more comfortable.
Stock Up on Winter Supplies
In order to be ready for Denver’s heavy and unpredictable snow and ice, residents may wish to stock up on vital winter supplies as winter draws near. Space heaters for extremely chilly temperatures, ice melters, and snow shovels should all be on your list. Finally, in the event of a significant snowfall, it’s a good idea to stock up on non-perishable food. Although assembling these winter essentials isn’t tough, they can keep your family warm and secure over the long winter.
Stay Cozy and Embrace the Season
Remember that staying warm isn’t the only reason to get your house ready for Denver winters. The goal is to create a warm refuge that you and your loved ones can spend the entire season in. When the snow starts to fall, every little move you take now can have a significant impact. So, grab a blanket and start ensuring these standards are met! In the end, accepting the enchantment that winter brings is just as important as simply making it through. Prepare your house for the winter and start celebrating!
Author’s Bio: Nellia Melnyk is a writer and content creator with a unique perspective on the sector and a deep understanding of what it takes to help people choose the right roofing solutions for their homes. She writes engaging and informative content that covers everything from roof repair and maintenance to the latest trends and technologies in the roofing industry. Through her articles and posts, she has helped countless people make informed decisions when it comes to their roofs. You can find her on LinkedIn.
November Ballot Initiatives
You may have heard we have an election coming up.
No, we are not wandering into that minefield.
We are, however, going to stay closer to home and cover some of the important measures for us to consider.
For starters, Denver is proposing a sales tax increase of .34%, designed to cover the costs of patients who cannot cover hospital bills.
Another proposal would raise the sales and use tax by 1/2% to fund affordable housing.
Also, both Denver Public Schools and the City of Denver want to significantly increase their debt to finance improvements.
Big increases are being proposed, so it is an important time to take a look and understand what is up for vote.
There are also 14 statewide initiatives being proposed and they can be found here.
Those include some hot-button topics, starting with abortion rights in our state and whether or not public funds can be used, as well as a change in same-sex marriage validity.
That should stir people up for sure.
Either way, it’s an important election for many reasons, so we hope you get out and vote.
Toll Lane Fines & Disputes
We have written here in the past about the big fines you can earn if you do the wrong thing in a toll lane.
So, what happens if you get a citation in the mail and you didn’t do anything wrong?
Unfortunately, our research has turned up some bad news.
Toll lanes in Colorado are mostly maintained electronically. This means that using license plate information and AI, it’s pretty easy to get a ticket.
In fact, the automated enforcement has registered about 1,500 violations per day since it was started totaling $57 million in revenue via fines issued.
The Denver Post did a feature on this recently and from that article, “Colorado officials activated enforcement on Interstate 25 north of Denver and the C-470 beltway in October 2023 following an introduction in July 2023 on I-70 mountain express lanes. They plan to do the same on the I-25 express lane between Castle Rock and Monument and other express lanes around metro Denver”.
“Drivers are supposed to enter and exit express lanes only at designated points across dashed white lines. Blissway set up a network of sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence-assisted tracking technology after state lawmakers boosted CDOT’s authority to crack down on drivers who weave in and out of express lanes to avoid paying tolls.”
The scary part is the “appeals” process, which has come under fire from many drivers wishing to dispute their tickets.
Without diving too deeply into the details it is safe to say that the appeals process leaves a lot to be desired.
The article, which can be found here behind the Denver Post paywall, outlines examples of drivers appealing online and being rejected within 10 minutes of submission.
For more information on the enforcement program, you can visit the CDOT page here.
The bad news is it doesn’t seem to stand much of a chance. Be safe out there Denver, and don’t cross the solid line on the tollway!
Monthly Award Winners
Our monthly award winners for August were Haydee Espinoza, Rosario De La Rosa, Nimia Espinoza, Maria Zapata, and Yessica Censo.
In the Team Leader ranks, it was Socorro Ibarra and Mayra Soto.
We are so proud of our winners, and of all the folks that are in and out of your homes each week.
We are also very appreciative to be a part of your lives and your homes. You provide the platform for our teams to perform, and for that we are grateful.
Please join me in congratulating our best performers for the month of August.
Queen Bee Corner
by Angela
Denver Concierge is dedicated to safeguarding our employees and our clients against unsafe products or tasks that may potentially create a health risk or damage to furnishings.
To this end, we at times may question a client’s instruction or request made to the Team Leader.
Although each house has a work order with instructions specific to that house, clients frequently add to or subtract from the standard procedures. This allows for a more customized clean and we happily oblige.
However, there are requests deemed to be outside the purview of our safety guidelines, such as the use of any product containing bleach, any heavy lifting (including flipping a mattress), dusting at heights, moving bulky furniture, organizing toys, clothing, or household items.
We rely on our professional Team Leaders to know which tasks can be easily done and which should not be attempted.
We appreciate our clients’ understanding and continued kindness to our ladies. I thank you on their behalf.
Bee