Rocky Mountain Voice

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16th Street Mall stabbing suspect spent last six years in and out of jail
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

16th Street Mall stabbing suspect spent last six years in and out of jail

By Carol McKinley | Denver Gazette The suspect in four random stabbings that occurred this weekend in downtown Denver was no stranger to the police. Elijah David Caudill, 24, who appeared to be on probation, had threatened to kill at least one person with a knife in years past, according to records.  Caudill appeared in court Monday morning for his first advisement. He is currently being held without bond. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
In 8-5 vote, Denver votes to remove cap and distance requirement on needle exchange programs
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

In 8-5 vote, Denver votes to remove cap and distance requirement on needle exchange programs

By Deborah Grigsby | Denver Gazette Denver City Council's decision to remove restrictions on syringe exchange programs, including a cap on the number of sites and distance limits from schools and daycare centers, could lead to an increase in these programs in 2025. City Council voted 8 to 5 vote Monday night to update the existing city municipal code and remove the cap on the number of sites permitted and lift a distance barrier that prohibited their operation within 1,000 feet of schools and daycare centers. Councilmembers Flor Alvidrez, Kevin Flynn, Amanda Sawyer, Diana Romero Campbell and Darrell Watson all cast “no” votes. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Single-engine aircraft landed in field near Monument due to engine trouble
Approved, Fox21, Local

Single-engine aircraft landed in field near Monument due to engine trouble

By Ashley Eberhardt | Fox 21 News An initial report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that a Piper single-engine airplane that landed in a field near Monument on Jan. 6 experienced engine trouble. The Piper PA-12 landed in a field near Highway 105 between Monument and Palmer Lake around 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6. According to FAA records, the plane took off from Kelly Air Park in Elbert, Colorado, about 25 miles northeast of Monument. The plane was only in the air for about 20 minutes before making the emergency landing, according to FlightAware data. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 21 NEWS
Rep. Winter asks Coloradans to ‘get out to the stock show’ and see the state’s $47 billion industry
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rep. Winter asks Coloradans to ‘get out to the stock show’ and see the state’s $47 billion industry

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice A leading voice of agriculture in the Colorado House, Rep. Ty Winter reminded urban and rural legislators alike Tuesday of the National Western Stock Show in Denver. "Its stock show week here in Denver," said Winter, the assistant minority leader and representative for nine Southeastern Colorado counties. The 119th edition of the National Western Stock Show runs through Jan. 26 with a variety of livestock exhibitions, rodeos and more. "Please get out and see your ag producers," said Winter, in an announcement from the floor of the House. "See what they do to make sure you have food on the table and clothes on your back." Among Winter's district in Southern Colorado is Prowers County, which boasts $430 million in annual agricultural prod...
Carrie Underwood to perform ‘America the Beautiful’ at Donald Trump’s inauguration
Approved, National, New York Post

Carrie Underwood to perform ‘America the Beautiful’ at Donald Trump’s inauguration

By Eric Todisco | New York Post Carrie Underwood will perform at Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration next week, a source confirms to The Post. Underwood, 41, said in a statement to The Post, “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.” On Monday, political reporter Matthew Foldi shared a picture on X of the program for the inauguration, revealing that Underwood will sing “America the Beautiful” on Jan. 20 at the US Capitol. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE NEW YORK POST
How much do ‘low-income’ workers make in Denver?
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

How much do ‘low-income’ workers make in Denver?

By Heather Willard | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News If you are hoping to make it out of the “low-income” bracket in 2025, you’ll have to make over $35 per hour. That’s according to the calculations by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD calculates home income limits to determine if applicants are eligible for subsidized housing. The numbers are calculated across the U.S. for each county and metro area. Anyone earning under 80% of the area’s median income is considered “low income” by HUD, while also taking into consideration the household size. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Denver County’s median household income (in 2023 dollars) is $91,681 annually. That’s slightly lower than the state’s median income of $92,470. READ THE FULL STORY AT KDVR-TV FOX 31 NE...
In Boulder, City Council meetings to go virtual amid public comment disruptions
Approved, Boulder Reporting Lab, Local

In Boulder, City Council meetings to go virtual amid public comment disruptions

By John Herrick | Boulder Reporting Lab The Boulder City Council voted 7-2 on Jan. 9 to temporarily shift its meetings online through mid-February in response to ongoing disruptions from protestors demanding the council adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.  The council meets in person in the council chambers every other week or so. These meetings include an open public comment period — often dominated by protesters over the past year — during which about 20 speakers are selected via lottery. On certain weeks, the council meets virtually. In deciding to move all meetings remote, councilmembers cited city code allowing them to limit in-person participation when “a public health or safety concern exists.” Some councilmembers noted receiving feedbac...
A new voice is answering 911 calls in Arapahoe County
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

A new voice is answering 911 calls in Arapahoe County

By Carly Moore | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office has a new voice answering 911 calls. The sheriff’s office has hired a behavioral health dispatch specialist whose expertise is in mental health and de-escalation tactics. Several other law enforcement departments have been sending “co-responders” to police calls. They are mental health professionals who show up to the scenes with deputies. The dispatch specialist is a new way to divert calls to a mental health professional before sending someone out. READ THE FULL STORY AT KDVR-TV FOX 31 NEWS
McMahon: Mayor Johnston, the ‘reality’ of downtown Denver is it is not safe
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

McMahon: Mayor Johnston, the ‘reality’ of downtown Denver is it is not safe

By Patricia McMahon | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice I don’t typically speak out about issues like this, because I’ve always believed that complaints without solutions don’t accomplish much. But after watching Mayor Mike Johnston’s press conference on Monday, I felt compelled to respond. His comment about the recent stabbings on the 16th Street Mall struck a nerve. He said, “I think there is a question of the difference between perception and reality, and that is part of what we have to address. I have folks who say, ‘I don’t like to come downtown. I don’t feel safe.’ And I say, ‘Really, when did you come downtown last?’ And they say 2021. I say, ‘Okay, well, it is a very different downtown than what you saw three years ago.’” Mayor Johnston, I work downtown at 17th and...
New wolf pack arrival in Western Colorado is just in time for calving season
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

New wolf pack arrival in Western Colorado is just in time for calving season

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice On Saturday, Jan. 11, Colorado Parks and Wildlife put out a press release that they were going to begin trapping and transporting operations to bring up to 15 Canadian Grey Wolves from British Columbia, Canada, to Western Colorado. One day later, wolves were on the ground in Garfield County.  A plane, operated by Lighthawk Conservation Flying, is the same plane that CPW leased in December 2023 to bring wolves from Oregon to the state. The aircraft left Prince St. George, British Columbia, early in the morning of Jan. 12, and landed at Eagle County Airport at about 4 p.m., where witnesses on the ground saw CPW vehicles equipped with a trailer and animal crates leave the airport and head west on Interstate 70. Eagle Ai...