Denver creates office of neighborhood safety, independent from police

Denver creates office of neighborhood safety, independent from police

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston will launch a new office within city government focused on neighborhood safety — one that will be independent from the city’s police force and its safety department. The concept announced by the mayor Monday is one that minority communities and progressives long have pushed for. The Johnston administration’s plan calls for … Read more

Denverites could return to homelessness as housing vouchers expire

Denverites could return to homelessness as housing vouchers expire

Denver homeless advocates this month have demanded that city leaders step in to help 42 people who faced a potential return to the streets, two years after the city worked with service providers to move them into subsidized housing. The “rapid rehousing” vouchers they received, providing significant monthly rent support, are now expiring — highlighting … Read more

Denver will restore rec center hours after revamping migrant strategy

Denver will restore rec center hours after revamping migrant strategy

Denver is overhauling its approach to serving migrants in a major shift announced Wednesday — along with revised budget impact projections that will allow the city to roll back some cuts, including reduced hours at city recreation centers, in coming months. Mayor Mike Johnston said the city would discontinue the costly practice of sheltering newly … Read more

Denver City Council members back worker unionization ballot measure

Denver City Council members back worker unionization ballot measure

Denver voters this fall may be asked to decide whether park rangers, human services caseworkers, city planners and a wide swath of other municipal employees should have the right to unionize and negotiate labor contracts with the city. The move, long sought by labor interests in Denver, has gained steam with backing from four City … Read more

Denver ethics board says Flor Alvidrez’s spending was “reckless”

Denver ethics board says Flor Alvidrez’s spending was “reckless”

The Denver Board of Ethics on Wednesday found that City Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez’s spending and bookkeeping habits in her first few months in office did not violate the city’s ethics code. But board members expressed serious concerns about what some termed Alvidrez’s “careless” or “reckless” use of taxpayer dollars last year, and they voted to … Read more

Denver’s Roads to Recovery initiative prioritizes treatment over jail

Denver’s Roads to Recovery initiative prioritizes treatment over jail

For Aly Garrett, the safe haven provided by Tribe Recovery Homes is a source of inspiration and, she hopes, salvation. The 34-year-old is on probation for charges related to fentanyl use. Her addiction started four years ago while she was in an abusive relationship and dealing with trauma that stemmed from her mother’s use of … Read more

Denver considers barring restaurants from offering soda in kids’ meals

Denver considers barring restaurants from offering soda in kids’ meals

A new regulation proposed in the Denver City Council would mandate that restaurants list just two drink options on their menus as part of combo meals for children: Water or milk? The proposal aims to sideline sodas and sugary drinks and help drive healthier dietary choices for young Denverites at a time when health care … Read more

Denver homeowners could pay flat ride sidewalks fees under law change

Denver homeowners could pay flat ride sidewalks fees under law change

Denver homeowners in single-family homes would pay a flat rate of $148.64 per year to fuel the city’s sidewalk repair, replacement and construction program under proposed changes to the voter-approved effort released Thursday. It’s a pivot that would do away with a fee structure that would have calculated each home’s bills based on how many … Read more

Denver City Council rejects Gaza ceasefire proclamation in tense meeting

Denver City Council rejects Gaza ceasefire proclamation in tense meeting

The Denver City Council on Monday rejected a proclamation that would have added Denver to the growing list of American cities that have called for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. That final vote — 8-4 — came via a hastily launched virtual meeting after council members vacated the council chamber at the … Read more

Denver police conduct is at center of city’s spiking lawsuit bills

Denver police conduct is at center of city’s spiking lawsuit bills

All things considered, Lindsay Minter feels lucky. Lindsay Minter in Aurora on Aug. 19, 2020. (Photo by Eli Imadali/Special to The Denver Post) She only needed to have a tooth pulled after she was hit in the face with a projectile from a rubber ball grenade flung in her direction by an unidentified Denver police … Read more