Lynch out, Pugliese in for GOP; 14er access

Here’s a look at what happened in the Colorado legislature this week, as well as some issues that lawmakers could be dealing with in the coming weeks. Monday Tuesday Outdoors groups will try again to change rule that prevents recreation on some private land “It has been difficult to live up to our moniker as … Read more

New Denver parks coming to Westwood, Globeville, Green Valley Ranch

Denverites’ decision five years ago to bump up the city’s sales tax rate, creating a wellspring of funding for parks, is finally ready to bear fruit — in the form of grass, gardens or other greenery — in neighborhoods across the city. Or in the case of a west Denver neighborhood that’s been hungry for … Read more

Uranium drilling plans in Cañon City-area community surprise residents

When Marijane Sisson looks out the kitchen window of her home outside Cañon City, she is greeted with views of rolling hills and a grassy meadow. Some days, when she’s lucky, a herd of elk appears in the meadow. Sisson and her husband purchased the property in June and moved from Louisiana to live in … Read more

Aurora community greenhouses plan aims to fill gaps in food system

For more than a decade, two city-owned greenhouses in Aurora largely have sat empty. A community group wants to put them to use, with plans to turn the greenhouses into spaces for urban agriculture. A partnership between the city and Food Justice NW Aurora soon could launch an operation that supplies food-producing plant starts and … Read more

National Park Service considering Dearfield for inclusion in system

The National Park Service will host three information sessions next week for public comment on its study of the former Dearfield town site, which at one time was the largest Black homesteading settlement in Colorado. The NPS is evaluating Dearfield for possible inclusion in the national park system. Two in-person meetings are scheduled next week … Read more

Colorado legislature begins session with priority bills unveiled

From the moment the Colorado General Assembly’s leaders gaveled their chambers into session Wednesday, they acknowledged the undercurrent of acrimony that’s seeped ever more deeply into state politics. The Capitol’s two top Democrats touted past achievements and pledged to do more this year, but they also made repeated references to social media eroding civility. They … Read more

The Rock Church sues Castle Rock challenging ban on sheltering homeless in RVs

“Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.” That passage from Isaiah 58:7 was invoked by the Rock Church in a lawsuit it filed against Castle Rock last week as part of an attempt to overturn the town’s decision to bar the evangelical church from providing temporary shelter to homeless people … Read more

Colorado legal marijuana sales spurred new industry, inspired reform

The world’s first legal sale of recreational marijuana happened in Denver on Jan. 1, 2014. In fact, it happened twice. Mason Tvert was managing the onslaught of media that descended on the Mile High City to witness the historic moment, set in motion by the successful legalization campaign he’d led. So many camera crews and … Read more

Colorado presidential primary candidates — is Donald Trump on ballot?

Colorado’s March 5 presidential primaries — the state’s first formal foray into the 2024 election — are firming up, and the competition isn’t as simple as incumbent-versus-challenger. As it stood Friday, voters who mark Democratic ballots will have their pick of eight candidates and a no-preference option. The Republican ballot will have at least six … Read more

Denver’s use of traffic circles at intersections grows fast in 2023

Chris Miller biked to work every day from his home in Denver’s Speer neighborhood for six months, passing through a new traffic circle along the way. It’s one of dozens of tight rotary intersections that Denver has installed across the city this year, forcing vehicle traffic to go around center circles. Miller, 39, said the … Read more