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Caught on camera: Littleton mayoral hopeful accused of tampering with campaign signs
denvergazette.com, Approved, Local

Caught on camera: Littleton mayoral hopeful accused of tampering with campaign signs

By Noah Festenstein | The Denver Gazette A Littleton voter group has accused a mayoral candidate of stealing opposing campaign information from the front porch of a home. Littleton Councilmember Patrick Driscoll, who is vying with Mayor Kyle Schlachter for the city’s mayoral seat in the Nov. 4 election, was spotted on a home camera dropping off his own campaign information before taking a small flyer that was already on the door, according to a Littleton Voter news release. Driscoll took the flyer, sparking “widespread condemnation throughout the community,” according to the release. “This is not just unethical — it’s illegal,” Alex Burkey, a Littleton resident, said in a statement. “If a candidate is willing to violate a resident’s property and interfere with their political e...
Two former board presidents urge a course correction for Cherry Creek schools
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, Local, Top Stories

Two former board presidents urge a course correction for Cherry Creek schools

By Jennifer Churchfield and Aagje Barber | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As former presidents of the Cherry Creek School Board, we have always believed that the success of our schools begins with a laser focus on students, academic excellence, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Today, we write with deep concern — and urgency — about the direction of the district and the need for a course correction. That’s why we are endorsing Amanda Thayer and Tatyana Sturm for the Cherry Creek School Board. The Board of Education has taken its eye off the classroom. As a result, fewer than half of Cherry Creek students are proficient at grade level in core subjects — a staggering statistic for a district once considered a statewide leader in academic performance. This is unac...
Aurora Gang Investigation Nets Four Arrests, Fifth Suspect Still at Large
kdvr.com, Approved, Local

Aurora Gang Investigation Nets Four Arrests, Fifth Suspect Still at Large

By: Heather Willard | KDVR FOX31 DENVER (KDVR) — Four people have been arrested in connection with an incident at an Aurora apartment complex after video was released this summer showing several armed suspects with firearms pointed toward an apartment’s door. In mid-June, the Aurora Police Department held a press conference to discuss the video, taken at an apartment complex near 6th Avenue and Potomac Street, as well as the resulting investigation and similarities to incidents at the now-closed The Edge at Lowry apartments involving alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The video shows men positioned in the hallway and stairs outside an apartment unit, guns drawn and pointed at the door. The video shows one man knocking on the door, but the re...
Critics Say City Resources Misused in Denver’s $1 Billion Bond Campaign
Colorado Politics, Approved, Local

Critics Say City Resources Misused in Denver’s $1 Billion Bond Campaign

By Deborah Smith | Colorado Politics A group that is seeking to push back on government debt argued that big dollars are rolling in from funders supporting Mayor Mike Johnston’s $1 billion debt package and alleged some of those contributions may be legally prohibited. The group said the contributors included entities that receive taxpayer funding, questioning whether public money is going to the campaign that seeks to persuade voters to support the borrowing package. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is asking residents to let the city take on nearly $1 billion in new debt as part of his “Vibrant Denver” bond initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot. City officials have framed the bond as a “much-needed” investment in the city’s future, aimed at repairing and improving infrastructure and commu...
Colorado Town Begins Recovery as Pagosa Springs Reopens After Major Flooding
CBS News, Approved, Local

Colorado Town Begins Recovery as Pagosa Springs Reopens After Major Flooding

By: Austen Erblat | CBS News Evacuations have been lifted and U.S. Highway 160 has reopened in Pagosa Springs after what officials in southern Colorado described as "extreme flooding conditions." Mandatory evacuations were ordered late Saturday night after the San Juan River more than doubled its average flow. "After a thorough inspection, the Highway 160 bridge at First Street has been declared safe and is now fully open to regular traffic," the town wrote in a Facebook post Sunday, just after 8 a.m. "However, standing water and debris remain in various areas, posing ongoing safety risks. As a precaution, all parks and the surrounding downtown areas along the San Juan River will remain temporarily closed to the public. Authorities urge all residents and visitors to avoid these ar...
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...
School unions gave $11K to Jeffco candidate who admitted to a sealed juvenile sexual offense
Rocky Mountain Voice, Local, Top Stories

School unions gave $11K to Jeffco candidate who admitted to a sealed juvenile sexual offense

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice When the Jefferson County Education Association endorsed Michael Yocum for school board this fall, few voters—perhaps not even the union itself—knew the full story. According to verified audio recordings obtained by Rocky Mountain Voice (RMV), Yocum privately acknowledged a deferred adjudication involving a sealed juvenile sexual offense.  Yocum received thousands in funding and endorsements from education-aligned groups.  Now, with ballots dropping in one of the state’s largest school districts, the public is left to decide whether this is the kind of leadership that belongs at the helm of a district serving more than 75,000 students across 145 schools in Jefferson and Broomfield counties. Two conversations, two answers RMV obt...
Carrying the mission forward: October 11 Legacy Rally to honor Charlie Kirk in Grand Junction
Rocky Mountain Voice, Local, Top Stories

Carrying the mission forward: October 11 Legacy Rally to honor Charlie Kirk in Grand Junction

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice One month after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, his message of faith and freedom is rallying new ground. On Saturday night, Turning Point USA will gather national speakers, local pastors and community leaders at the Mesa County Fairgrounds—marking both remembrance and renewed resolve. Turning Point USA will bring national speakers and community leaders to Grand Junction on Saturday night for the Legacy Rally—set for 6 p.m. at the Mesa County Fairground grandstands. Set one month after Charlie Kirk’s death, the event is focused on helping Coloradans—especially youth—continue the mission he built his life around. Organizers say donations will support the local TPUSA chapter at Colorado Mesa University. Security for the event will...
Aurora Voters Face Packed Ballot with Proposal for New Downtown Authority
Complete Colorado, Approved, Local

Aurora Voters Face Packed Ballot with Proposal for New Downtown Authority

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado AURORA–Voters in the the City of Aurora will decide on multiple charter amendments and city council seats this November, along with a referred measure asking residents to create a new tax-financed Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Aurora, which borders Denver to the east, is Colorado’s third most populous city at a little over 414,000 residents, made up of portions of Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties.    The DDA is a government entity whose purpose is to revitalize the downtown-area including businesses, infrastructure, and events. A governing board appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council would include one council member and 4-10 residents within the district.   Aurora City Council approv...