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Here's why Denver is turning over a sliver of land for $10 to the University of Denver

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Here's why Denver is turning over a sliver of land for  to the University of Denver


The sale has taken more than a quarter century and could get final approval from City Council next month.

Map Artist: Kevin J. Beaty/Denve

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Unclaimed land is rare in Denver. So in the middle of massive budget cuts and land acquisition for homelessness solutions, the city selling land for less than takeout for one from a fast food restaurant seems like an odd move at first glance.

When we saw a $10 land deal in District 6 with the University of Denver, we wondered: What’s up with what’s essentially a land giveaway?

For more than a quarter century, a 2,985-square foot narrow rectangular island of land tucked inside the University of Denver campus, has been somewhat improperly owned by the city in a slow-burn error nobody has been in a rush to correct.

The city of Denver is about to sell this tiny strip of roadway to the University of Denver for $10. Feb. 20, 2024.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

“Pretty much everybody thought the University of Denver owned the plot,” explained Christie Delaney, Director of Real Estate for the University of Denver.

The surrounding properties have been in the university’s hands since 1997, but for some long-forgotten bureaucratic reason, 2149 E. Wesley Ave, once part of an alley, was never formally vacated by the city.

The city’s ownership was discovered by university researchers and confirmed by city surveyors.

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After several years of negotiations, turnover at the city and a pandemic later, City Council and the mayor will soon be deciding whether to turn the land over to DU.

“If everything goes as planned, this should be on its first reading in the full council next week on [Feb. 26], with a second reading/final vote on March 4,” explained City Council spokesperson Robert Austin in an email.

The sale has been making its way through City Council committees without a hitch, and the sale is far from controversial.

“The Division of Real Estate has concluded that the landlocked parcel should have been vacated as part of the right-of-way vacation of adjoining South Gaylord Street in 1997,” explained Department of Finance spokesperson Joshua Rosenblum. “As a result, the city is not requesting any consideration or compensation for the conveyance.”

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Map Artist: Kevin J. Beaty/Denve

So why charge $10? That’s a token amount for the bill of sale. If an actual giveaway made sense, it would be done.

Delaney explained to Denverite that the deal has been in the works for a few years, but that it hasn’t exactly been a priority for either party.

Denver has done a few other things in recent years that topped the to-do list: managing municipal response to COVID-19; big projects at the airport, the National Western Center, the Convention Center and the 16th Street Mall; bringing 1,000 unhoused people inside; and sheltering and aiding more than 38,000 new immigrants.

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Why bother with the transfer of ownership at all?

Delaney dubs it “a cleanup transaction.”



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Denver, CO

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

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Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense


NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

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I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

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Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

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Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.



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Denver area events for March 5

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Denver area events for March 5


If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability. Thursday Camilla Vaitaitis Quartet — 6:30 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events. Miguel — 7 p.m., Fillmore Auditorium, […]



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Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back

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Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back


The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.

Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.

“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.

Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.

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The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.



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