MSU Denver Starter Kit for New Faculty
Welcome to Denver! The Mile-High City sits at 5,280 feet above sea level and is home to Colorado’s premier institution of diverse, urban higher education: Metropolitan State University of Denver. MSU Denver’s Center for Faculty Development (CFD) would like to extend a special welcome to you. With the hope of facilitating your move to Denver and easing the hassles of “research” that come with establishing yourself in a new city, we have compiled the following list of linked resources. While this Starter Kit is merely a provisional point of departure, we hope that it will provide you with the first step toward setting yourself up for a good life in Denver and a successful career at MSU Denver!
City of Denver main website: Denver, the Mile-High City
Denver Chamber of Commerce Relocation Guide
There is a lot of great information to be found here… Much of the information in this Starter Kit is linked to Chamber sites but has been specifically organized by the topics below in order to be of help to the MSU Denver professor who is moving here.
http://www.denverchamber.org/Page/livework
Relocation Management and Services
This includes moving companies
http://www.denverchamber.org/Directory/295
More relocation/moving companies:
http://www.denverchamber.org/Directory/19
Your first days in Denver
What to do if you are in town, looking for a home, etc…
http://www.denverchamber.org/Page/visiting
Denver Motor Vehicle
One of the first things you may need to do is to update your driver’s license or other identification. This link will show you the closest locations! Make sure to call ahead to check out wait times.
Denver Motor Vehicle
http://www.denvergov.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.denvergov.org/motorvehicle
School Districts
Many new faculty and staff at MSU Denver must make decisions on housing and transportation based on the availability and desirability of schools for their children. The following sites give some background information on school districts and their associated neighborhoods in the Denver-Metro area.
This is information from the Colorado Department of Education on the various Metro-area school districts.
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeedserv/rgmetro.htm
Here is a map on all the major school districts in the Denver-Metro area. Please note: an area realtor has prepared this map. It provides information that links school districts to neighborhoods, etc. MSU Denver does not have a relationship with this realtor.
http://www.kristalsellsdenver.com/education/denver-metropolitan-school-district-map/
Childcare (Auraria Early Learning Center)
For those of you with smaller children, here is a link to the daycare/preschool center that is on campus. Located on the far south side of campus next to the light rail station, the AELC offers care for children from one year of age through kindergarten. MSU Denver employees share access to this service with students and community members. Call early as class lists fill up quickly.
AELC
http://www.tivoli.org/earlylearning/
Metro Area Transportation
As close as we are to downtown Denver, the Auraria campus is very accessible by public transportation. All MSU Denver employees qualify for a discounted “Eco Pass” that provides unlimited access to RTD buses and light rail trains. The current monthly cost for an Eco Pass is $25. Traffic can be congested heading into and away from downtown, especially on the two major highways that intersect Denver (I-25 N/S and I-70 E/W). Take a look at this transportation information to see if you can lighten up your commute!
Complete Metro-area transportation list (Chamber)
http://www.denverchamber.org/Page/metrotransportation
Regional Transportation District (RTD): light rail and bus service. RTD arrives directly on campus from various points around the Metro area.
Traffic map and road conditions
http://www.traffic.com/Denver-Traffic/Denver-Traffic-Map.html
Denver area bike maps
http://www.bikedenver.org/maps/
Denver B-cycle Bike Sharing Program
Denver-Metro Area Weather
While weather only rarely interrupts traffic or services in the Mile-High City, commute times and routes can be complicated by winter storms or even summer hail. Check out this site if you need to know how much extra time you will need to get to work!
Denver-Metro Weather Conditions
Denver-Metro Climate
http://www.denver.org/metro/weather
Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) Parking and other transportation links
If you do drive to campus, you may want to check out this information on parking. AHEC bike information is also here!
Information on Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) Parking and Transportation. Parking on campus is extremely tight and relatively expensive. There is no faculty discount or voucher for parking.
http://www.ahec.edu/parking/index.htm
Information on bikes on campus
http://www.ahec.edu/campus/Bikes_Blades_Boards.pdf
This parking map can also serve as a general campus map:
http://www.ahec.edu/parking/2011%20Parking%20Map.pdf
Neighborhoods and Real Estate Information
Denver has some of the most beautiful older neighborhoods and stunning suburbs in the west. With so much to choose from, you can really create your own list of needs and wants and find the perfect housing situation for you.
Metro Area Realtors (from Chamber)
http://www.denverchamber.org/Directory/8
Description of Denver-Metro communities and Neighbor
(Chamber)
http://www.denverchamber.org/Page/welcome
Hospitals/Health Care
Denver is home to some of the premier medical facilities in the country. From Denver Health, the top-ranked trauma center that is located two miles from the Auraria Campus, to the University of Colorado Hospital at Fitzsimmons Medical Campus, currently ranked #1 in the nation (2012), great health care is easy to find.
The Auraria Campus Health Center is a convenient, affordable clinic but it is NOT considered to be an urgent care facility. The Health Center does accept the insurance plans that cover MSU Denver employees.
Should you need urgent care or more extensive treatment, here is a list of Denver’s major hospitals and health care centers.
Health Center on Campu
http://www.mscd.edu/healthcenter
A Listing of Major Denver Hospitals and Health Centers
Arts/Entertainment
The arts, culture and entertainment scene in Denver is so extensive that it is almost impossible to represent in a few short links! Please consider the following as a point of departure—and know that there really is something for everyone to do here in Denver.
Denver 365: Denver’s Year-Round Events Guide
Things to do in Denver—Trip Advisor Guide
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33388-Activities-Denver_Colorado.html
Parks
Denver Parks and Recreation
http://www.denvergov.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.denvergov.org/parksandrecreation
Performing Arts
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
http://www.denvercenter.org/home.aspx
Denver’s Top Magazine and Primary Newspaper
Although news in Denver has primarily gone the way of the internet, we do boast one fabulous daily periodical, a fun monthly magazine that highlights Denver happenings, and an alternative weekly.
Denver Post (daily periodical)
5280
Westword
Local Grocery Stores and Markets
There are four national grocery chains represented in the Denver-Metro area, and countless smaller markets that are indigenous to each neighborhood. The links below provide maps to the larger chains, but do ask your neighbors for the best spots for “foodie” shopping.
Dining
There is no shortage of great food in Denver! Every neighborhood has its own unique flavor, and you will find that the local restaurants are both creative and healthy. Check out a new place every week—you will never reach the end of the list!
Denver Metro Dining Guide
http://www.coloradosrestaurants.com/denvermetro.htm
A neighborhood-specific guide
http://www.denver.org/dining-nightlife/restaurants
5280 Sponsored Top List
http://www.5280.com/restaurants
Restaurant Week
http://www.denver.org/denverrestaurant
Religious Institutions
Churches
http://www.usachurch.com/colorado/denver/churches.htm
Mormon Temples
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/denver/
Jewish Synagogues
http://www.mavensearch.com/synagogues/C3303Y3204RX
Islamic Mosques
Public Libraries
Denver Public Library System
Local Institutions of Higher Ed
We are fortunate at MSU Denver to be so close to other institutions of higher education. Take advantage of the opportunities for mentoring and professional collaboration that come from our great location.
At Auraria: University of Colorado at Denver
At Auraria: Community College of Denver
University of Colorado at Boulder
United States Air Force Academy
Utilities
Global Utilities Connection Service—Links to all major utilities “Connect Utilities”
http://www.connectutilities.com/directory/states/Colorado/Denver.html
Xcel Energy
Denver Water
Century Link (phone/internet)
Comcast (cable)
DirecTV
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/index.jsp
Banks
List of Denver-Metro area banks
http://www.dexknows.com/local/finance/money_services/banks/geo/m-denver-co/
Professional Sports Teams
Denver has an amazing array of both professional and amateur/club sports offerings. One of the wonderful qualities of the Auraria Campus is its proximity to the major stadiums and events centers where sporting events, concerts, and other functions are held. The following is a brief list of professional sports teams.
Baseball: Colorado Rockies
http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=col&sv=1
Basketball: Denver Nuggets
Football: Denver Broncos
Rugby: Denver Barbarians
http://www.denverbarbarians.com/
Rugby: Denver Harlequins
Rugby: Rocky Mountain Rugby
http://rockymountainrugby.org/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userProfile&user=82&Itemid=5
Hockey: Colorado Avalanche
Lacrosse: Denver Outlaws
Lacrosse: Colorado Mammoth
http://www.coloradomammoth.com/
Soccer: Colorado Rapids
http://www.coloradorapids.com/
Please be advised: This is a living document and is linked to the live internet. In case of broken links, please contact the Center for Faculty Development. Additionally, if you have found some information on your own that you think might benefit other new faculty members, please don’t hesitate to forward that along so that we might include it in this Starter Kit.
