Board of Directors
Interested in serving on the board and getting more involved with the Colfax community? Email us at info@colfaxave.com.
Len Austin | President
Len owns and operates Front Range Services and Consolidated Services Group, both of which provide landscaping, maintenance, and custodial services for various clients in the Denver Metro Area.
He has a long history on Colfax and lives within the district’s boundaries. Len served on the Colfax Ave BID Board from 2007-2012 and brings a lot of historical perspective to the board.
Alex Barakos | Vice President
In April of 2020 Alex moved out to Denver to begin operating his longtime families’ restaurants which include Pete’s Kitchen, Pete’s Satire Lounge, Pete’s Central One, and Pete’s University Park Cafe. They have been in business on Colfax for nearly 60 years. Alex is known for taking calculated risks in the midst of the pandemic and building back his families’ business one day at a time. He currently oversees operations for Pete’s Restaurants.
Starting on the maintenance committee, and now on the board, Alex seeks to bring a young and new perspective on what it means to cultivate a vibrant Colfax Avenue while still preserving its deep history.
Christopher Bishop | Treasurer
Chris serves as a Small Business Specialist with UMB Bank at Colfax & Gilpin, coaching hundreds of local small businesses to financial success. His daily involvement with entrepreneurs and mom-and-pop stores allows him to bring an important frame of mind to the Colfax Ave BID’s conversations and its overarching goals. His advocacy for the needs of local businesses along the Colfax corridor is a much-needed voice in bringing economic prosperity along the BID.
The UMB location at Colfax & Gilpin was founded as Mountain States Bank in 1947, which served the local community for decades until its merger with UMB Bank in 2006. Currently this location serves as the official small business hub for UMB, serving thousands of small businesses throughout the country.
Jennifer Neuhalfen | Secretary
Jennifer is a Denver native who has spent a large portion of her life on Colfax. Jennifer’s experience on Colfax includes being an East High School graduate; while in the district she was a business owner for 25 years and continues as a property owner. Jennifer is raising her children with her husband (also a Denver native and East High grad) in SE Denver where she is the co-president of her neighborhood’s RNO, serving as such since May 2018.
Through mentorship with her father, a Denver businessman for over 50 years, Jennifer has developed an ability to see many sides of a problem and not easily taking “no” for an answer until all options have been exhausted. Jennifer brings a passion for equity for all and a love of diversity.
David Bentley | Director
After graduating he returned to Argonaut where he worked in the wine department until 2015 when he was promoted to Assistant General Manager. David enjoys working with our customers and suppliers every day and being involved in all aspects of the liquor business.
Andy Baldyga | Director
Andy Baldyga has been an architect for the Mulhern Group for 15 years and lives just off of Colfax in the District. In addition to being the Colfax Ave BID Board President, he has also been on the Colfax on the Hill RNO board serving as its president for three years.
He was also appointed by the Mayor and served six years on the Planning Board for Denver. Andy brings a deep knowledge of Colfax and City processes, permitting, and development plans.
Staff
Frank Locantore | Executive Director
Frank chose Denver after growing up in suburbia Long Island, and living for short periods of time in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Toronto, and Washington DC. The convenience of urban life, no humidity, great communities, proximity to wonderful outdoors and so much more make him feel so fortunate to live here that he wants to share this fortune with everyone. Experiences with neighborhood groups in Capitol Hill, Colfax, and Uptown inspire him to be involved locally.
As Executive Director of the Colfax Ave BID, Frank has found the perfect job to blend his non profit organizing experience with his love for local issues. Twenty-five years with state and national non profits such as CoPIRG, Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society (CPAWS), and Green America have trained him on the value of collaboration, advocacy, and perseverance.
Mitch Freund | Operations Director
Having started his Business Improvement District career in 2001, Mitch brings years of experience managing maintenance and environmental enhancement programs.
From developing a keen eye for streetscape issues as a Downtown Ambassador in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; to beautifying Madison, Wisconsin’s central corridor with lavish landscaping; to the intricate operations of an annual ice rink in Fresno, California; Mitch brings a passion for urban revitalization focused on preserving a community’s unique assets and culture.
Denon Moore | Interim Business Support Director
Denon is a Colorado native and has called Denver home for three decades. Currently serving in an interim role, she is dedicated to supporting businesses and adding to the vibrancy of the BID. She is a seasoned entrepreneur who has owned/operated businesses since 2007 and has called the Colfax BID home to two of them.
With her understanding of local businesses' intricacies and challenges, she is excited to put her firsthand experience to work by offering valuable insights to support businesses in thriving and navigating the ever-evolving landscape on Colfax Ave.
In addition to business support, she will oversee the planning and executing of creative events and programs for our community.