A sign for the RiNo Art District hangs along Brighton Boulevard on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. (Maia Luem/BusinessDen)
One of two top leaders at the RiNo Art District is leaving her role in the middle of a contentious renewal process for the RiNo Business Improvement District.
Sarah Cawrse informed the nonprofit of her intent to step down as co-executive director this week. Her last day is April 4.
Sarah Cawrse
Cawrse didn’t respond to requests for comment on Thursday. In a statement to BusinessDen, the organization’s board of directors didn’t detail a reason for the resignation, but “thanked Cawrse for her “contributions to RiNo during a challenging year for our organizations.”
“The work of RiNo’s leadership team is vital to shaping the district’s future,” the board said. “As we look ahead, we will work closely with our boards to determine next steps for this role and how best to support RiNo’s ongoing urban strategy and public realm initiatives.”
Cawrse and Ayle Sharp were named co-executive directors of the RiNo Art District in December 2023 following the departure of Charity Von Guinness, who also exited the top job after a short stint. Cawrse, a former city planner for both Denver and Boulder, had joined the organization earlier that year.
The RiNo Art District manages the business improvement district, which is funded by taxes on commercial property and works to promote businesses in the hip former warehouse district. Some property owners have argued the BID should be dismantled, or have its mill levy cut in half.
Cawrse defended the district’s management of the BID in a November interview with BusinessDen.
Later that month, the BID’s board recommended that the BID be renewed for another decade at the current mill levy, while acknowledging it needed to refocus its spending.
The decision on whether the BID should be renewed is ultimately up to the Denver City Council. A hearing is set for May.
A sign for the RiNo Art District hangs along Brighton Boulevard on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. (Maia Luem/BusinessDen)
One of two top leaders at the RiNo Art District is leaving her role in the middle of a contentious renewal process for the RiNo Business Improvement District.
Sarah Cawrse informed the nonprofit of her intent to step down as co-executive director this week. Her last day is April 4.
Sarah Cawrse
Cawrse didn’t respond to requests for comment on Thursday. In a statement to BusinessDen, the organization’s board of directors didn’t detail a reason for the resignation, but “thanked Cawrse for her “contributions to RiNo during a challenging year for our organizations.”
“The work of RiNo’s leadership team is vital to shaping the district’s future,” the board said. “As we look ahead, we will work closely with our boards to determine next steps for this role and how best to support RiNo’s ongoing urban strategy and public realm initiatives.”
Cawrse and Ayle Sharp were named co-executive directors of the RiNo Art District in December 2023 following the departure of Charity Von Guinness, who also exited the top job after a short stint. Cawrse, a former city planner for both Denver and Boulder, had joined the organization earlier that year.
The RiNo Art District manages the business improvement district, which is funded by taxes on commercial property and works to promote businesses in the hip former warehouse district. Some property owners have argued the BID should be dismantled, or have its mill levy cut in half.
Cawrse defended the district’s management of the BID in a November interview with BusinessDen.
Later that month, the BID’s board recommended that the BID be renewed for another decade at the current mill levy, while acknowledging it needed to refocus its spending.
The decision on whether the BID should be renewed is ultimately up to the Denver City Council. A hearing is set for May.
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