October has arrived! Crisp evenings, swirling leaves, and spooky decorations are all coming to Sunnyside.
This month, we observe Italian American Heritage Month, honoring the generations of Italian immigrants who have helped shape the identity of North Denver. In the late 1800s, families from Southern Italy migrated to Colorado, seeking employment on the railroads and in the mines, and settled in what became North Denver’s “Little Italy,” now encompassing parts of Sunnyside and Highland.
Centered around Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Navajo Street, their traditions of hard work, hospitality, and connection have left a lasting imprint on North Denver.
As we celebrate this heritage, we also recognize that October brings complex holidays, moments that invite us to reflect on both the contributions and the challenges that shaped our shared story.
October is also full of community happenings in Sunnyside:
🚸 Safe Streets for Kids: On October 8, neighborhood schools join in National Walk & Roll to School Day. Trevista Elementary will host a Walk & Roll Party with burritos, raffles, and decorations, while Edison Elementary kicks off its first-ever Bike Bus.
🎃 Halloween: From the neighborhood Home Decorating Contest to Pumpkin Decorating at Cherry Bean Coffee and the Pet Costume Parade at Chaffee Park, there’s no shortage of spooky-season cheer. Mark calendars for Oct. 25!
💛 Local Spotlights:This month we’re celebrating businesses and nonprofits making a difference:
The Other Side Furniture Boutique, giving second chances through meaningful work
Better Buzz Yoga, reminding us to “be better humans together” through yoga
Thank you for showing up for one another, whether it’s volunteering, riding in the Bike Bus, or cheering at the Pet Parade. Sunnyside thrives because of you.
Join us for bingo and brews at the SUNI Sipper - Oct. 21
Tuesday, Oct. 21 · 5;30–8 PM Eat. Drink. Play! 🎉 Join your neighbors for Bingo Night at Waldschänke Ciders + Coffee. As always, it’s FREE to play, and you’ll have the chance to win fun prizes every round.
SUNI Halloween 2025
Our annual lineup of neighborhood-wide fun is back! Bigger, brighter, and spookier than ever!
1. Home Decorating Contest
Oct 1 – Nov 2 Show off your Halloween spirit and neighborly pride! Decorate your house and enter to win, the top 3 houses with the most votes will receive gift cards to their Sunnyside business of choice.
Saturday, Oct 25 · 10 AM – 12 PM Join us for a cozy morning of pumpkin painting fun! Free pumpkins and paint are provided. Bring your creativity (and maybe a little caffeine). 🎃
3. Pet Costume Parade
Saturday, Oct 25 · 12 PM Start · Chaffee Park (44th & Tejon) Parade with your pets in their best costumes and march to the Monkey Barrel for awards at 12:30 PM. 🎁 The first 20 participants get a swag bag with treats from local pet businesses. 🏆 Three category winners will receive gift cards to local coffee shops. 🍔 Stick around for burgers, beer, and community cheer afterward!
Sunnyside Health & Wellness Festival: A Day of Connection and Community
On September 6, North Denver neighbors gathered at Chaffee Park for SUNI’s Sunnyside Neighborhood Health & Wellness Festival — a joyful morning celebrating wellness in all its forms: physical, mental, and community.
The event, supported by a CALC grant, featured 25+ local vendors, free yoga demonstrations from our friends at Better Buzz Yoga, a 30-foot climbing wall from Denver Parks and Recreation, and a bike rodeo for kids. Acupuncturists, ancestral healers, chiropractors, and skincare specialists joined in to share their expertise and energy.
The festival was spearheaded by SUNI President Joey Shearer, whose vision was to both support neighborhood well-being and spotlight local businesses that help our community thrive.
Huge thanks to all who attended, volunteered, or sponsored — for helping make this community celebration such a success.
Are you interested in joining our Land Use committee? Want us to cover any specific topics in the future? We like to hear from you! Send an email to trupti.suthar@sunnysidedenver.org
Residential Quick Permit Update
Effective May 22, 2025 Doing new construction or an addition on a single-family, duplex, or townhome? Your trade Quick Permit now hinges on having the main Residential Construction Permit in hand first. Linking the permits lets contractors pull up shared plans and keeps inspections in sync. More info + tutorial: DenverGov.org/QuickPermits · Questions: planreview@denvergov.org
Don't Forget to Renew Your Membership
At SUNI, we believe an informed neighborhood is a thriving one. By becoming a member, you help us:
Attend government & committee meetings to represent Sunnyside’s voice
Organize community events & fundraisers
Arrange scholarships for local students
Support local businesses & nonprofits
Membership strengthens our neighborhood’s unity, growth, and involvement—all while keeping residents informed.
👉 Join today and be part of the Sunnyside community that makes a difference!
City Council Public Hearing: 2026 Proposed Budget
On Monday, October 27, City Council will hold a public hearing on the 2026 proposed budget (PDF). This is your opportunity to provide written or verbal comments. You can sign up to speak in-person or on Zoom between October 23 at 5:00 p.m. and October 27 at 3:00 p.m. While any Council amendments must be made by November 3, the Mayor may accept or veto those amendments, if vetoed, Council may override any vetoes with nine or more votes. The final budget must be adopted by November 10.
Your engagement with local government and enthusiasm for community makes it an honor to work on behalf of the residents of Northwest Denver.
Help Shape the Future of RNOs - Oct. 7 at 6 pm (Azatlan)
Join us at one of our upcoming events across Denver (and one virtually) to engage with fellow residents about the future of neighborhood groups in Denver. Food and beverages will be provided at each event, with childcare, transportation assistance, and interpretation available upon request. Click here to RSVP!
Take the survey by Oct 7th too!
Save the Date: Mile High Trunk or Treat! Oct. 30 at 5 pm
Join us for a fang-tastic night of fun, candy, and community at one of Denver’s biggest Halloween celebrations, hosted by the Denver Police Department, Far East Center, and Denver Police Foundation. Enjoy decorated trunks, costume contests, music, and treats for all ages — and get involved by hosting a trunk, volunteering, or sponsoring!
🚸 Neighborhood Schools Push for Safer Streets with Walk & Roll Events
On Wednesday, October 8, two neighborhood schools — Edison Elementary and Trevista Elementary — will join families across Denver in celebrating National Walk & Roll to School Day. These events come at a time when Northwest Denver residents are calling for safer streets after several tragic bike crashes in recent years.
Both events share a common goal: to make it safe, joyful, and easy for kids to walk, bike, and roll to school.
Edison Elementary: Inaugural Bike Bus Ride
Students, families, and neighbors are invited to join Edison’s first-ever Bike Bus, a community ride that brings groups of cyclists together for safety and fun.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 8
Meet: Columbian Elementary parking lot
Departure: 7:40 a.m.
Route: Across Federal and Lowell on the W. 41st Ave Neighborhood Bikeway, joining others from Perry and W. 41st before heading south to Edison.
The Bike Bus is open to all community members — riders can join in, volunteer, or simply cheer them on! The more participants, the safer and more visible the ride becomes. Learn more and view the route at edisonbikebus.org.
Trevista Elementary: Walk & Roll to School Party
Trevista families will gather for a morning of fun, food, and advocacy with a Walk & Roll to School Party supported by a Safe Routes to School micro-grant from Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI).
Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7 am
Start Points:
Chaffee Park (roll out at 7:15 a.m.)
Aztlán Rec Center (walk starts 7:20 a.m.)
End: Trevista Elementary
Families will enjoy burritos, orange juice, and hot chocolate, and decorating bikes, all while walking and biking together in solidarity for safer streets.
This event highlights the urgent need for traffic calming, safer crossings, and equitable infrastructure in neighborhoods where many families rely on walking or biking as their main way to get to school.
📸 Expect great community energy — parents with coffee cups, kids on bikes, and crossing guards guiding families safely through Sunnyside.
Spotlight On... Better Buzz Yoga
Welcome to Better Buzz Yoga, your neighborhood yoga home right here in the heart of Sunnyside! 🌞
Their mission says it all: “Let’s be better humans together.” Through yoga, meditation, and breathwork, the Better Buzz community helps neighbors connect more deeply — to themselves, to others, and to the world around them.
✨ New Student Special: 30 days of unlimited yoga for just $30!
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or brand-new to the mat, come as you are and find your flow. Visit betterbuzzyoga.com to learn more.
🌟 Local Nonprofit Spotlight: The Other Side Furniture Boutique
This month, we’re proud to highlight a local nonprofit that’s changing lives right here in North Denver: The Other Side Furniture Boutique at 3125 Federal Blvd.
When you donate gently used furniture, you’re not just decluttering your home — you’re giving hope and second chances. Every piece donated helps fund The Other Side Academy, where men and women rebuild their lives through hard work, honesty, and community.
The boutique offers free donation pickup, and its partner, The Other Side Movers, provides trusted moving services while helping keep the boutique thriving. Together, they create jobs, generate revenue, and provide real-world training for students transforming their futures.
🛋️ Donate, shop, or schedule a pickup at tosafurniture.com. Because supporting them means supporting transformation — one move, one home, and one life at a time.
Connect with Sunny: Report Neighborhood Issues Online
Damaged sidewalk? Need to report another issue? Denver's Online Services Hub is your one-stop shop! Find your local representative, track snow plows, and access many city services online. https://denvergov.org/Online-Services-Hub
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