According to The Henchinger Report, “There has been a steady drop in the proportion of high school graduates enrolling in college after they finish high school — from a high of 70 percent in 2016 to 63 percent in 2020, the most recent year for which the figure is available, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. While the pandemic made things worse, the enrollment downturn took hold well before it started; there were already two and a half million fewer students at colleges and universities by the time that Covid set in than there were in 2012. Since that time, another million and a half have disappeared since then.” Continue reading Shrinking College Enrollment Threatens the Status Quo
Category Archives: Neighborhood
Has Denver lost its Mojo?
Coming out of the 2007-2009 Great Recession, Denver was the nation’s hot spot. The resurgent front-range markets of Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder, and Colorado Springs led the charge as millennials flocked to Colorado. Jobs were aplenty, housing was affordable, and the possibilities seemed limitless. Fast forward to 2023, more people are now expected to move out of Colorado than move in. It was not that long ago that Colorado and Denver were considered the ideal place to live, work, and retire.
Next Level Burger Joint Set to Open on Evans
We’re mostly meat and potatoes at LetsGoDU but amidst all of the closings and new apartments replacing old favorites, there is going to be a new option out there for others to try near DU. A plant-based burger joint, Next Level Burger, is opening their first restaurant in Colorado, west of DU on Evans Avenue. The chain operates in Oregon and Washington and this will be the chain’s first Colorado spot. Continue reading Next Level Burger Joint Set to Open on Evans
Buchtel Blvd Perkins and La Quinta Bite the Dust
A seedy La Quinta motel at Buchtel & Colorado Boulevard is receiving the wrecking ball treatment along with a Perkins Restaurant as housing and residential buildings continue to pop up in the University and University Park neighborhoods. The latest project is one mile east of the Ritchie Center. This project is in addition to a new building at Josephine & Evans (one block East of University & Evans) and a massive housing project at Evans & Broadway. Continue reading Buchtel Blvd Perkins and La Quinta Bite the Dust
The Saucy Noodle on the Way Out of Bonnie Brae
The hits just keep on coming for the Bonnie Brae neighborhood. Last month, Bonnie Brae Tavern closed. Now, across the street, the Saucy Noodle, a cozy casual Italian sit-down restaurant is preparing to close according to a Denver Post story. The family-style restaurant, operating in the same location for 58 years, is now on a month-to-month lease after its building was sold for $2.2 million in mid-July. Continue reading The Saucy Noodle on the Way Out of Bonnie Brae
Mixed Crime Reports Post-COVID-19 for University of Denver Area
With the conclusion of the 2021-2022 DU school year, we reviewed published police reports for the consolidated University and University Park neighborhoods thru June 2022. The trends are mixed when reviewing area neighborhood crimes. Overall, out of 78 Denver-area neighborhoods, University ranks #53 and University Park #35th on overall crime. Continue reading Mixed Crime Reports Post-COVID-19 for University of Denver Area
Bonnie Brae Tavern Closing, Set for Demolition
A few years ago, it was apparent that the Bonnie Brae Tavern was likely to be demolished and redeveloped. Well, sadly, that article was prescient and the famous restaurant’s time has come.
The Bonnie Brae Tavern, 740 South University Avenue, is closing this month. The throwback tavern and pizza shop, across from the Campus Lounge, will be meeting the wrecking ball. The 88-year-old institution will close June 25. New buyers, Churchill Bunn and Rhys Duggan, purchased the property for $4.5 million with plans to build a three-story apartment complex. Continue reading Bonnie Brae Tavern Closing, Set for Demolition
Increasing Crime Rates Hit University Neigborhood
Statistics generally don’t lie. According to published police reports, property crimes increased in the consolidated University and University Park neighborhoods in 2021. The trend included double-digit increases versus 2020 in personal property crime, robberies, burglaries and car theft. The few areas of improvement were drug arrests and bike thefts. Continue reading Increasing Crime Rates Hit University Neigborhood
U.S. News Ranks Denver 93rd Best University
U.S. News College Rankings are the gold standard when it comes to comparing the merits of various colleges and universities. Last year, the University of Denver jumped an astounding 17 spots to number 80, an amazing move up the treasured ‘Top 100’. Denver fell back in the 2022 Best Universities category to #93, tied with Stony Brook University, University of Buffalo, University of California-Merced, University of Deleware and University of San Diego. While many people may argue that college rankings are arbitrary, parents and students use published rankings to determine the value of their educational investment and as a ‘tie-breaker’ in college selection.
Continue reading U.S. News Ranks Denver 93rd Best University
University Area Crime Climbs During First Half of 2021
Crime is increasing around the University of Denver and the pace of these crimes may leave many residents and students unprepared for the ever-changing environment. The cause could be COVID-19 or the rise in crime may be attributed to other longer-term urban issues.
Compared to 2020 figures, property crimes in University Park are up 23.4% (190 vs, 154), burglaries up 29.4% (12 vs. 17), and car thefts up 50% (54 vs 36). Lesser reported and rarer occurrences such as rape (2 vs. 1) and violent crime (9 vs. 6) are all up. Only bike theft is down 41% (10 vs. 17) in the first six months of this year. Continue reading University Area Crime Climbs During First Half of 2021