dotDENVER – Domain Names for Denver

Support statements

Background:

dotDENVER, LLC will submit an application for the domain extension  ‘.denver’. Internet domain names like ‘www.visit.denver‘, ‘www.downtown.denver‘ or ‘www.10barrel.denver‘ will become available to relevant Denver based entities by 2022.

We need your support:

The domain extension ‘.denver’ will be applied for with ICANN in 2021. Other entities might be applying for ‘.denver’ as well. There is however a special procedure that grants priority for applications targeting the name of a “community” and having the community’s backing: hence we will apply for ‘.denver’ as a “community priority applicant” for the “Denver community”.

A for-profit, commercial applicant who has no ties to Denver would operate ‘.denver’ the same way as ‘.com’ is operated today: everybody would get access to ‘.denver’ domain names such as www.visit.denver or www.zoo.denver:

  • Domain squatters and “speculators” (trying to sell the domains to the relevant Denver entities later)

  • Business entities that aren’t based in Denver but try to get a bite in the apple:

    • www.books.denver

    • www.rentals.denver

    • www.tires.denver

    potentially operated via “Affiliates” that ship items from outside Colorado or even outside the U.S.; which is not benefiting the local Denver business community

In order to discourage third parties to apply for the domain suffix ‘.denver’ with ICANN and in order to show case community support for dotDENVER, LLC’s public-benefit, non-profit effort we need a letter of support from you:

  • Associations and chambers representing business entities in Denver

  • Denver based companies

  • Denver media

  • Any entity that is representing a part of the Denver community


Here how the letter should look like:

Addressed: To the ICANN Board

A short paragraph about who you are. Whom you represent, how many members, your mission. Why you are well known in Denver.

A very short summary of what you understand it is that the dotDENVER project is about. Read www.dotDENVER.org/faq and extract what you like most about it. Alternatively I can provide you with a suggestion.

Express your concern that a third party that is not affiliated or endorsed by the Denver community might apply for the operation of ‘.denver’ - and that this would incur harm to the Denver community. Upon request I can provide you with a suggestion here as well.

Finally the call for action: request the ICANN board to not grant the right to operate ‘.denver’ to any third party that is not affiliated with and supported by the Denver community.

If you have questions regarding the support letter: please contact me! For the main dotDENVER website click dotDENVER.org



For more information please send an email to alexander.schubert@dotdenver.org or call +1(202)684 6806