We're an RNO now! But Why?

9/30/2026 · Neighborhood Team

Villa Park Friends and Neighbors is officially a Registered Neighborhood Organization! Great but…what does that mean? And why does it matter?

An RNO is not an HOA, that’s for sure.

In Denver, a Registered Neighborhood Organization, or RNO, is a group of Denverites, usually but not always neighbors, who meet regularly and are allowed to weigh in on various matters that affect their constituency. This means that when there is a topic that neighbors might want to weigh in on, such as a rezoning or a liquor license issuance, that the RNO can make their position known to the city. This can affect how the city agencies or elected representatives steer those processes and decisions. That’s nice, because it allows us to make our voices heard on things that matter.

One other benefit to being an RNO is that it enables us to apply for things that we wouldn’t be able to apply for as individuals. This might mean an easier time getting permits for special events, or access to grant opportunities that we wouldn’t otherwise have. This type of access allows us to do more with the limited resources we have (we’re all volunteers, after all!), and make the neighborhood better for everyone.

From here, we can determine things like whether we want our group to be registered formally as a nonprofit. For now, though, we’re excited to have this as a win for Villa Park Friends and Neighbors.