Fight over Denver golf course turns ugly with expletives, ‘guerilla warfare’ and bribery claims

A Denver ballot measure looking to develop a 155-acre now-defunct golf course has turned hostile featuring a who’s who of local bigwigs.

The fight between “green and concrete” began when Rev. Terri Hobart of the provincial St. Thomas Episcopal Church pushed for the development because of a “commitment to social justice.” This led to an opponent of the development cursing at her for five full minutes outside of the church and then accusations of bribery and an anti-nature agenda.

If the development is eventually approved, Denver Gazette’s Editorial Board has stated that the following will be possible, along with the 2,500 new homes:

- More than 100 acres of open space, parkland and trails—two thirds of the entire property.

- Affordable housing.

- $20 million in funding for public infrastructure improvements.

- A mix of uses and a new neighborhood main street.

A back-and-forth is now underway which has led to stolen campaign signs, protests on both sides and accusations of “racist” undertones throughout the process.

“Pick up some yard signs, because you’re gonna have to work twice as hard, because they’re also stealing some of them,” said Wellington Webb, Denver’s first Black mayor. “We call that guerrilla warfare. It’s normally between 12 and 2 when they steal them.”

The affordable housing plot would take up 0.15594338471% of Denver land, but the backlash seems to look at this development as a microcosm of a neighborhood selling off every square inch possible.

Referred Question 20, the contentious measure centered on the Park Hill Golf Course dilemma, is on the upcoming April 4 ballot, and we’re sure that will put the matter to bed once and for all .... not.