History of District 3Our team focused on District 3 and the issue of trash and litter around the neighborhoods. Although there are some issues in the District, some of the things our team loves about the neighborhoods is the easy access to parks and the library as well as having lots and lots of different restaurants to choose from. There are a variety of different restaurants and you can find any kind of food you want! I have written about some of the highlights of the history of the District that I think help make up its culture and community.
The city of Denver was settled in 1858 and was at that point a Kansas territory. When it became a Colorado territory in 1861, a board of aldermen was formed. Each representative on this board represented the earliest form of Denver’s districts/wards. The districts have shifted some, particularly since the 1950s. Some areas that are now a part of District 2 used to be a part of District 3 and vice versa. More recently, part of District 7 now encompasses some of the areas previously found in District 3. (denvergov.org) Denver's District 3 has been historically a Latino and immigrant district with the neighborhoods reflecting this in their arts and culture. District 3 currently includes the neighborhoods Barnum, Barnum West, La Alma/Lincoln Park, MarLee, Sun Valley, Villa Park, West Colfax, and Westwood. The total population of District 3 is 58,825. District 3 is very diverse with a large Latino population. Overall, 65% of the population identify as Hispanic or Latino, 7% as Black/African American, 3% as Asian, 2% as American Indian or Alaska Native and 2% two or more races. 46% speak Spanish at home. The age distribution is 10% under 5, 21% 5 to 17, 10% 18 to 24, 32% 25 to 44, 10% 45 to 54, 9% 55 to 64, 5% 65 to 74, and 3% 75+ (denvergov.org). Read more |
As part of EnvironMENTAL, interns presented their research, issues and solutions to their district council person.
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Our Environmental Issue
Our team looked at District 3 and decided the environmental issue that we were most concerned about was the trash and cigarette ends we see all over. It makes it hard to feel proud of our neighborhoods when people don’t seem to care what it looks like.
In D3 we see lots and lots of trash and cigarette ends around bus stops, apartment buildings, next to dumpsters in alleys and on our streets and sidewalks. There never seems to be enough trash cans or they are always full. Trash includes food containers, plastic bottles and bags, furniture and mattresses. Contributing factors to smoking are stress and peer pressure and that results in cigarette ends on our streets. And, there are few, if any, ashtrays where people can put out their cigarette and then dispose of it safely. You may think that using plastics, producing waste and smoking, and leaving cigarette ends doesn’t affect anyone. But that is not true. All people are affected by this issue. Our environment is being affected by it because of too many chemicals found in the trash/cigarette ends and it takes a long period of time for the chemicals to break down. Our health is at stake so it will not be a surprise when we see people getting sick and even die. by Kwizi Ndogole, age 16, South High School |
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Possible Solutions
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We wish that our neighborhoods were clean and there was more care in how they look. We thought of a few ways that we can make change. In order for this issue to be fixed we need city help.
Trash Cans: There are some trash cans, but where they are located needs to be monitored and they need to be emptied regularly. There need to be more trash cans and closer to where people live, especially apartment buildings. Large Ashtrays: Install more of those large ashtrays because they are non- existent. Some areas that would be good would be next to bus stops, parks and in front of public buildings. Education: Educate the residents to change and show them that there are appropriate places to throw away trash, teach them about recycling and have that available and how they can get rid of mattresses and other large furniture for free. By Vanessa Sarabio-Tores, age 16, West Leadership Academy |
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