Author: Nico Brambila
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Raids, pushback and TdA indictments defined Denver’s immigration story in 2025
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The Trump administration’s push for a large-scale, deportation effort — built around campaign warnings about Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan prison gang that established a foothold in Colorado — collided with the realities on the ground in Denver, where raids occurred but never approached the sweeping levels of daily deportations anticipated. President Donald Trump had…
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Colorado sees record early applications for universal preschool
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Early preschool applications for the upcoming school year are breaking records for a program with 42,862 4-year-olds enrolled statewide. As of Monday, the program had received 12,886 applications. “Investing in high-quality early education is one of the most effective ways we can support children, families and the long-term strength of our state,” Lisa Roy, executive director…
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Two suspected Tren de Aragua gang leaders indicted in Denver
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Federal officials on Thursday announced the indictment of two suspected Tren de Aragua leaders in Denver on racketeering charges tied to robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering and drug offenses over 14 months. Tren de Aragua, or TdA, is the notorious Venezuelan prison gang with tentacles in the U.S., including in Denver. Indicted were Giovanni Vicente…
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Court bars Trump administration from blocking congressional oversight visits to ICE facilities
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A federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration policy that has impeded lawmakers from conducting unannounced visits to federal immigration detention facilities. “Today’s decision is a critical victory toward restoring our ability to conduct essential congressional oversight on behalf of the American people,” lawmakers said in a joint statement. “It reinforces the rule of…
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Denver Public Schools enrollment losses outpace school closures
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Enrollment losses in Denver now outpace what school closures alone can address. Denver Public Schools (DPS) Superintendent Alex Marrero is expected to present an update on the district’s enrollment to the board at its meeting this Thursday. During an October count, the district reported an enrollment decline of roughly 1,200 students and about $18 million…
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Higher home values, abatements to push DPS tax bills up in 2025
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Denver homeowners will pay more in school taxes next year even though Denver Public Schools (DPS) slightly lowered its overall tax rate. The increase is being driven by rising assessed home values, a full 52.142-mill levy and a dramatic increase in the district’s abatement surcharge – the fee DPS uses to recoup “historically high” tax…
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Denver school board elects Gaytán as president
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After weeks of jockeying for votes, the Denver Public Schools Board of Education chose a new slate of officers during a specially called meeting Tuesday, selecting Director Xóchitl Gaytán as board president — a role that carries significant control over the board’s agenda. Gaytán had said community leaders and members encouraged to take up the…
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Gaytán builds support for Denver school board presidency bid
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Denver Public Schools Director Xóchitl Gaytán has been seeking support behind the scenes for a bid to lead the school board, according to people familiar with the conversations — a move that follows her visible role at the swearing-in last month and her unsuccessful push for an early officer vote. Gaytán downplayed the maneuvering. “Some…
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Audit: Denver school district owes more than it owns, despite nearly $1B in unspent bond cash
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Denver Public Schools is operating with a negative net position — owing more in long-term obligations than it holds in assets — a rare and troubling financial posture for a major Colorado school district, according to an audit. Presented on Thursday, the audit for fiscal year 2024–25, which ended June 30, showed the district is…
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DPS board president creates committees that may fall outside public view
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As one of her last official acts on the Denver Public Schools Board of Education, President Carrie Olson created a two-member committee that will not likely conduct its business in public as state law demands. The two-person committee headed by Vice President Marlene De La Rosa is expected to craft the district’s cell phone policy…
