Colorado Code For Communities

Help us build apps on top of open data to make our communities stronger

[code4communities-blog]

We have a date and location!

We have finally nailed down a date and location for Colorado Code for Communities.  Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell grandma!

We will be at the awesome Uncubed space at 2762 Walnut Street, Denver CO 80205.  From their website:

Uncubed is a Denver coworking community for entrepreneurial types, from freelancers to single co-founders to small startups. Based in Denver’s RiNo arts district, our collaborative environment works similar to an incubator–a collection of creative minds exchanging ideas and insights with one another in a common space.

The event will start the evening of Friday, July 27th and run through Sunday, July 29th.  It is free to participants but you must RSVP.  Meals, snacks and refreshments will be provided.  Check back here for more information on data, APIs, sponsors and a detailed agenda.  Follow @theplacematters and/or #code4communities on Twitter for updates.

Summary:

Dates: July 27th to the 29th

Location:  Uncubed Coworking Space 2762 Walnut Street Denver, CO 80205

To reserve your spot go here. 

[codeforamerica]

What is a “Civic Startup”?

That’s a question we get a lot. And understandably so. This is a new concept in an emerging market without much precedent. But that’s not to underscore its importance. This is a massive and massively important opportunity.

So in an attempt to help explore, clarify,...

[code4communities-blog]

Ideas for Apps for Communities!

Hey folks!

Still nailing down the exact date and location for the July hackathon.  But don't worry, we're very close.  In the meantime, we're looking for ideas for apps for communities in Denver.  Below are a couple of examples of datasets that will be available at and before the hackathon.  Think of apps that help people connect better with their neighbors and local governments, apps that help people make decisions that affect their bottom line, apps that help government engage people more meaningfully, and apps that help support the economic vitality and sustainability of our communities and the region.

Geographic

Block, block group, tracts

Neighborhood boundaries

Zip codes

Walkshed

Transportation (bus stops, transit lines, etc)

Station buffers

School Districts

Political Districts

Improvement Districts

Places, Counties, Regions

Built Environment

Building inventory

Housing price

Foreclosure

Home mortgage

Parcels

Zoning 

Land Use

Transportation

Economic

Labor force

Earned Income Tax Credit

Tax returns

Non-profits

Demographics

Population

Education

Income

Housing

Education

Enrollment

School listing

Attendance

Performance

ACT

Drop out

Graduation/completion

Growth model

Mobility

Post-secondary options

Course completion (AP)

Suspensions/expulsions

Teacher experience/education

Truancy

Health

Births

Deaths

Please comment below with your app ideas and we'll pull them all together.  You have until June 3rd to submit ideas.  Feel free to suggest apps that may depend on data not listed above.  That will help us identify gaps.  Looking forward to your suggesions!

[code4communities-blog]

Announcing Denver Code for Communities

This July, the Partnership for Sustainable Communities and PlaceMatters will be hosting a civic hackfest in Denver to build and improve the latest apps that bring sustainability into the forefront of everyone’s lives.  These apps could help people and organizations answer questions like:

How do I get around the region quickly and affordably using any mix of transportation choices?

 What is the true cost of my housing choice, including rent/mortgage and transportation?

Where are all the vacant lots and what’s the process of purchasing and developing these?

What does my neighborhood look like in terms of diversity and equity and how can I connect with my neighbors?

The event will bring together non-profits, government agencies, data providers, programmers, civic hackers, designers and anyone with an idea or stake in the future of our communities.  For 36 hours, we’ll code and hack away at apps that will improve the lives of people living, working and playing in the Denver region.  Bring your talents, ideas and creativity.  We’ll provide the data, expertise and nourishment.  Looking forward to seeing you this summer!