Author: LINDSEY TOOMER
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Denver’s Citizen Oversight Board highlights recommendations based on annual report
The Citizen Oversight Board, which assesses how effectively the Office of the Independent Monitor is performing its duties, presented its annual report to Denver City Council’s Safety, Housing, Education and Homeless Committee on Wednesday morning. Board Chair Julia Richman outlined the board’s 2021 assessment of the independent monitor, changes and concerns it saw throughout public…
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Ken Simpson eyeing Denver mayor’s seat once again
Ken Simpson of Denver said his priorities haven’t changed since he ran for mayor in 2011. Simpson, a tech consultant with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminology and a master’s degree in public administration, said he wants to be a mayor for regular people, with affordable housing being his primary focus. “I feel…
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New plan aims to double Denver’s recycling, composting rates
Denver on Tuesday released a new Sustainable Resource Management Plan detailing its goal to divert 50% of all solid waste from landfills to recycling or composting by 2027 and to increase its diversion rate to 70% by 2032. The plan, which is a collaboration between the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency, the Department…
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Denver reinstates original collections agency contract
Denver City Council approved Monday a resolution extending the city’s contract with Integral Recoveries, an organization that manages delinquent court fines and fees over $300. The approved resolution is different from one that was proposed two weeks ago, which modified the contract to include debts under $300. Councilmember Paul Kashmann direct-filed the resolution this week…
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Homeless advocate Jesse Parris wants to be next mayor of Denver
When Jesse Parris speaks during public comment at Denver City Council meetings – which he attends every week – he introduces himself as the next mayor of Denver. Parris is eyeing the mayoral seat with his campaign “Justice 4 the Poor, People Over Profits!” He has worked in social justice and activism on homeless issues,…
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Colorado’s marijuana sales down in February compared to 2021, still higher than previous years
Colorado saw $145.3 million in marijuana sales in February, down just under 4% from January, according to the state Department of Revenue. This is a smaller dip compared to the 10% decrease in sales from December to January, but it’s also down 13% from the $167 million in marijuana sales Colorado saw in February 2021.…
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Denver committee postpones vote on concealed weapon ban in city-owned facilities
Denver City Council’s Safety, Housing, Education and Homelessness Committee on Wednesday postponed its vote on a bill restricting concealed carry in buildings owned, leased by or leased to the city, as well as Denver parks, to April 27 to give city staff more time to answer council members’ questions. The proposal is part of Mayor…
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New agreement could give Indigenous group indefinite access to sacred land
A new agreement between Denver and the Tall Bull Memorial Council would give the Indigenous group the exclusive right to use the Tall Bull Memorial Grounds at Daniels Park as sacred land in perpetuity unless future councils change the agreement. The Tall Bull Memorial Council has members from a number of Indigenous tribes. Denver has had…
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Public shares disapproval of police chief’s firing at Aurora City Council meeting
At Aurora City Council’s meeting Monday night, a majority of those who spoke during the public comment period expressed displeasure with the firing of former Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson. City Manager Jim Twombly fired Wilson last week. Her supporters characterize the move as the culmination of a coordinated effort by a new conservative majority…
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Denver safety committee hears details about potential jail alternative
During a multiagency public safety update Wednesday morning, Denver Executive Director of Public Safety Armando Saldate gave the City Council’s safety committee an overview of its goal to launch an Assessment Intake Diversion Center this summer. The AID Center, which would be located at 14th and Elati, is intended to be an alternative to jail…