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DPS Board Hopefuls Outline Competing Visions for District’s Future
DENVER7, Approved, Local

DPS Board Hopefuls Outline Competing Visions for District’s Future

By: Colette Bordelon , Shannon Ogden | Denver7 Denver7 invited all 11 candidates to give a final, two-minute pitch to voters before Election Day on Nov. 4. DENVER — With less than a week until election day, Denver7 asked all of the candidates for the Denver Public Schools Board of Education to give a final pitch to voters. We gave each candidate two minutes to say anything they would like voters to hear before filling out their ballots. Here's what they said. At-large Amy Klein Molk “I'm Amy Klein Molk, and I am running for the Denver School Board At-large seat. My opponents are spreading lies about my record, and it is fueled by millions of dollars. Denver voters deserve the truth. The truth is I am the only candidate in this race that is endorsed by the Denver Cla...
Colorado Sues USDA for Ending Food Assistance to Needy Families
DENVER7, Approved, State

Colorado Sues USDA for Ending Food Assistance to Needy Families

By: Robert Garrison | Denver7 DENVER — Colorado joined 22 other states in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for suspending during the government shutdown the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser made the announcement in a Tuesday press release. The lawsuit argues the USDA acted illegally by halting food assistance despite having access to contingency funds. On Friday, the Trump administration announced it would not use the more than $5 billion in emergency funding the USDA maintains to cover the program, arguing the funds are “not available to support FY 2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists.” In an interview with S...
Denver Judge Under Investigation After Paying Defendant’s $1 Bond Himself
DENVER7, Approved, Local

Denver Judge Under Investigation After Paying Defendant’s $1 Bond Himself

By: Tony Kovaleski, Joe Vaccarelli | Denver7 Judge Barry Schwartz is currently reassigned after he allegedly paid the defendant's bond at an Aug. 15 court hearing, Denver7 Investigates has learned. EDITOR'S NOTE: An attorney representing Judge Barry Schwartz contacted Denver7 Investigates on Friday morning and provided a statement on his behalf. We are updating the story to include the following: "Judge Schwartz’s impulsive simple act of kindness and compassion for a fellow human happened before he considered the optics or consequences of doing the same. He knows to exercise his good judgment more carefully. He apologizes to the public for the inconvenience and to his colleagues who have covered his courtroom while he continues to perform an administrative role behind the scenes...
As Paychecks Stop, Colorado Helps Federal Workers Stay Afloat
DENVER7, Approved, State

As Paychecks Stop, Colorado Helps Federal Workers Stay Afloat

By: Jessica Porter | Denver7 The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment held its second virtual town hall for federal employees affected by the government shutdown. DENVER — The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) held its second virtual town hall on Wednesday for federal employees affected by the government shutdown. The shutdown is now the second-longest in U.S. history, marking its 22nd day on Wednesday. The CDLE advises workers not to wait until they have exhausted their funds or missed a paycheck to apply for benefits. They should file a claim the day after their last day of work by going to MyUI+. “If you wait to file, you may not be able to get benefits for the weeks you were out of work and didn’t apply,” said Phil Spesshardt with...
FBI Expands Probe Into Aurora Police Officer Accused of Exploiting Minors
DENVER7, Approved, Local

FBI Expands Probe Into Aurora Police Officer Accused of Exploiting Minors

By: Sydney Isenberg | Denver7 The FBI alleges that Sergeant Aaron Jacob "Jake" Bunch may have "sought out minor victims while serving in a position of trust" from 2005 to October 2025. DENVER — The FBI field office in Denver is looking for potential victims of an Aurora school resource officer (SRO) supervisor accused of sexual exploitation of a child. Aurora Police Sergeant Aaron Jacob "Jake" Bunch, 47, was arrested on Oct. 8 and charged with sexual exploitation of a child (sell/ publish), sexual exploitation of a child (possession), and sexual exploitation of a child (video) - extraordinary risk. Bunch served as an SRO supervisor in multiple schools in Aurora, according to the FBI. The agency alleges that Bunch may have "sought out minor victims while serving ...
‘Feeling safe is a privilege’: Jeffco board member’s remark sparks outrage after school shooting
DENVER7, Approved, Local

‘Feeling safe is a privilege’: Jeffco board member’s remark sparks outrage after school shooting

By Adria Iraheta | Denver7 Denver7 heard from several parents who were upset by Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education Member Erin Kenworthy's remarks. JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — More than a month after the shooting at Evergreen High School, school safety remains top of mind for families across Jefferson County. Parents voiced their concerns during a Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education meeting Thursday. Many of those parents were directly impacted by the tragedy that rocked the community on Sept. 10. “Our most important job is to protect our children, and what we’re doing right now is not working,” said Evergreen resident Kim Halligan. Emotions ran high Thursday as community members made their pleas for improved school safety measures across the district, inc...
Fort Collins to Debut Ranked Choice Voting in November Election
DENVER7, Approved, Local

Fort Collins to Debut Ranked Choice Voting in November Election

By: Maggie Bryan | Denver7 Denver7 is taking your questions and concerns about ranked choice voting to the Fort Collins city clerk and the Larimer County clerk. FORT COLLINS, Colo. — For the first time, Fort Collins voters will use ranked choice voting to elect a mayor and city council members during November's election. Fort Collins voters approved the switch to the new voting method in 2022 with 58% of the vote. For the past few years, local election officials have been working to educate people on ranked choice voting, which allows people to rank candidates in order of preference instead of voting for one person. Ranked choice voting has faced criticism for being too complicated for voters in a climate where it's already difficult to get people to vote in local elections. ...
Small Colorado Town Turns Tragedy Into Triumph After Fire
DENVER7, Approved, Local

Small Colorado Town Turns Tragedy Into Triumph After Fire

By Russell Haythorn | Denver7 GoFundMe nears $200K as Nederland comes together in wake of Caribou Village Shopping Center fire. NEDERLAND, Colo. — It’s been a tough week for the small mountain town of Nederland, but amid the ashes, hope is taking root. The Caribou Village Shopping Center fire has destroyed more than 30% of the town’s businesses, but now, neighbors, local businesses, and volunteers are coming together to help turn heartbreak into action. Nederland is the kind of place where neighbors feel more like family, said Dan Vollmer, a local realtor with Berkshire Hathaway who launched a GoFundMe campaign for the town. “I’ve been up here a handful of years," Vollmer said. "You really start to call this place home after about two." As the fir...
Rural Colorado Airports Face Flight Cuts if DC Gridlock Continues
DENVER7, Approved, State

Rural Colorado Airports Face Flight Cuts if DC Gridlock Continues

By Shannon Ogden | Denver7 The Essential Air Service (EAS) provides federal subsidies to commercial airlines to serve small, rural airports that would not otherwise have commercial air service. DENVER — A key lifeline for rural communities may soon be cut. Small commercial airports in Colorado and nationwide may see flight cancellations if the government shutdown continues. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) would lapse Sunday if the government doesn't reopen by then. EAS provides federal subsidies to commercial airlines to serve small, rural airports that would not otherwise have commercial air service. This includes the airports in Cortez, Pueblo, and Alamosa in Colorado, as well as 174 other communities nationwide. ...
Gov. Polis Faces Lawsuit Alleging Forced Labor Continues in State Prisons
DENVER7, Approved, State

Gov. Polis Faces Lawsuit Alleging Forced Labor Continues in State Prisons

By Allie Jennejahn | Denver7 Does slavery still exist in Colorado? That's the question a class action lawsuit heading to trial Tuesday is looking to answer. DENVER — Does slavery still exist in Colorado? That's the question a class action lawsuit heading to trial Tuesday is looking to answer. It's against Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC), and it's focused specifically on forced labor in prisons. It goes back to the 13th Amendment which has a clause that states, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States." That clause has previously allowed forced labor in prisons, but in 2018, Colorado voters amended the state's constit...

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