Meet Zach Kotel | Co-founder and Executive Director of the Lavender Hill Cultural District & Senior Designer for Ashton Design

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zach Kotel and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Zach, what do you attribute your success to?
In my opinion, collaboration and partnership have been paramount to our continued success and momentum so far. The support and collaboration from within the Queer community has been the driving force behind the district’s success so far, helping us to achieve our primary goals of fostering a sense of belonging, empowering the community, placemaking, and cultural enrichment for all involved.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The success of the Lavender Hill Cultural District to date has been rooted in community-based collaboration. We began as a grassroots effort in 2021 by bringing together local LGBTQIA2S+ organizations like The Center on Colfax and Black Pride Colorado, the Colfax Ave. Business Improvement District, artists, business owners, and other community members and allies to advocate for and support the district’s creation. Our primary goals include showcasing Denver’s Queer community and its contributions to the city’s culture, arts, diversity, history, and quality of life, preserving Queer history, and sharing Queer stories in the public realm. So far, our success is due to a combination of vision, leadership, community engagement, and inclusion. The progress we’ve made in the last 2 years in establishing the district stands as a testament to the strength and vibrancy of Denver’s Queer community and its ongoing commitment to creating spaces where we can all thrive.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would recommend staying at the Flora House Bed & Breakfast in the heart of Lavender Hill, from which they can experience everything Denver’s East Side has to offer. This would certainly include stops at some of the area’s Queer owned and Queer friendly coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues like The Corner Beet, Under the Umbrella Café & Bakery, Blue Pan Pizza, The Welton Room, Tight End, X-Bar, The forthcoming 99ers bar, Buddies, Charlie’s, Squire Lounge, Crazy Horse Tavern, Bad Habitz, and SAME Café.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout undoubtedly goes to the Denver and Colorado Queer communities both present and past. Amidst challenges, triumphs, and the ever-evolving landscape of progress, the LGBTQIA2S+ community is a testament to the richness of diversity and the power of authenticity. We have been challenged by division, but our greatest strength is in unity and this effort has truly demonstrated the desire for and momentum towards a more community-oriented Denver. I extend my deepest gratitude to Queer people who came before us, those who were lost during the AIDS crisis, and all those who support and love us. Let us continue to walk hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, as we navigate the complexities of our journey toward equality and justice. Your contributions, your stories, and your presence enrich the tapestry of our community and inspire us to strive for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.
Website: lavenderhilldenver.org
Instagram: @lavenderhilldenver
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lavender-hill-cultural-district/
Image Credits
Lavender Hill Cultural District