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Candidates for Grand Junction City Council tackle key issues at Mesa Co. Republican Women’s forum
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Candidates for Grand Junction City Council tackle key issues at Mesa Co. Republican Women’s forum

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Candidates for Grand Junction City Council recently gathered at a forum hosted by Mesa County Republican Women, addressing the city's pressing issues ahead of the April 8th municipal election.  Homelessness, housing affordability, impact fees and the 4th/5th Street project were central themes as candidates laid out their priorities. Government vs. nonprofits: Who should take charge on homelessness? Views diverged on whether the city or nonprofits should lead homelessness efforts.  Alexis Hitzeroth (District A), a veteran, called for more advocacy and outreach. “I know that the city can do better when it comes to our unhoused population. I think we need to get more advocates out there within the city and speak t...
Man convicted in Aurora operation that produced ‘millions’ of fentanyl pills
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Man convicted in Aurora operation that produced ‘millions’ of fentanyl pills

By Jacob Factor | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News A Denver jury has convicted a man responsible for producing “millions of individual fentanyl pills” during 2024 in a drug manufacturing operation based in Aurora, the Denver District Attorney announced Wednesday morning. Tashon Roberts, 33, was convicted on four charges related to the manufacture, possession and distribution of fentanyl as well as three counts of child abuse – exposure to the manufacturing of a controlled substance and one count of tampering with physical evidence. The jury also convicted Roberts on three “Special Drug Offender” sentence enhancement charges. READ THE FULL STORY AT KDVR-TV FOX 31 NEWS
JBS announces $50 million expansion project at Greeley beef plant
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JBS announces $50 million expansion project at Greeley beef plant

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado On Tuesday, leading global beef producer JBS USA announced its plans to invest $50 million into an expansion project in Greeley, Colo. The company said the project, which will begin in 2025, will include a new state-of-the-art distribution center at the Greeley beef production facility. ‌"A new distribution center at our Greeley beef plant, one of the most important beef production facilities in the country, ensures we are well positioned for continued growth and to help meet the demand for high-quality U.S. beef," said Wesley Batista Filho, JBS USA CEO. "Our ongoing investments in U.S. agriculture show our optimism about the future, and projects like these benefit farmers and ranchers, consumers, our team members and the communities whe...
These are the locations in Denver area where grocery store workers will strike starting Thursday
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These are the locations in Denver area where grocery store workers will strike starting Thursday

By Maddie Rhodes | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News After months of attempted negotiations between King Soopers and its employees, the union announced that 77 Denver metro and Front Range stores, about 10,000 union employees, will go on strike starting Thursday. Since October, King Soopers and union employees have worked on negotiations and met over 10 times but never reached a deal. After months of unresolved conflict, their contract extension expired in January, removing the no-strike clause. Soon after, several stores in the Denver metro and Front Range voted to strike. “For months the employer failed to respond in any way to the union’s requests for information on data that relates to pricing and staffing. Some information was provided starting in January, but it is still inadequate,”...
Colorado parents scramble after five Montessori schools announce sudden closure
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Colorado parents scramble after five Montessori schools announce sudden closure

By Tori Mason | CBS Colorado Guidepost Montessori announced the closure of all Colorado locations next month, leaving 300 families scrambling to find new schools for their children. Parents are now faced with the challenge of finding care with limited time and resources. Guidepost Montessori families across five schools in the Denver metro area received the devastating email Monday afternoon. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
In ‘Return to Sender’ operation, ICE targets 100+ Venezuelan gang members for arrest
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In ‘Return to Sender’ operation, ICE targets 100+ Venezuelan gang members for arrest

By Maddie Rhodes | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement targeted over 100 members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, for arrest and detention as part of a multi-location immigration enforcement operation in Aurora and Denver Wednesday morning.  This operation, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Rocky Mountain Division is calling the “Return to Sender Operation,” took at least 10 people into custody at the Cedar Run Apartments at 888 S. Oneida St. in Denver, according to a DEA spokesperson on scene.   The DEA Rocky Mountain Division said this was part of the operation that was expected to start in Aurora on Jan. 30. This operation was reportedly delayed because information was leaked and posed security threats. ...
Boulder residents launch ballot measure petition to (re)close West Pearl Street to cars
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Boulder residents launch ballot measure petition to (re)close West Pearl Street to cars

By John Herrick | Boulder Reporting Lab A group of Boulder residents has started collecting signatures for a 2025 ballot measure that would close two blocks of West Pearl Street to most vehicles, reviving a pandemic-era street closure that made space for outdoor dining. The move is expected to reignite debate over how to balance efforts to create pedestrian-friendly spaces with business interests, pitting transportation advocates against some business owners who want to keep that section of Pearl Street open to cars and parking. Opponents argue that lost parking during the previous closure hurt business.  The ballot measure calls for creating a “community space” on Pearl Street between 9th and 11th Streets by closing it to private vehicular traffic. Commercial and emergency v...
Mayor’s veto of Denver needle exchange bill stands after council declines override vote
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Mayor’s veto of Denver needle exchange bill stands after council declines override vote

By Deborah Grigsby  | The Denver Gazette Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s veto on a City Council resolution lifting limits on needle exchange locations looks like it will stay on the books. His veto letter was officially entered into the record during Monday’s regular city council meeting. Despite the opportunity to override the veto — which requires a nine-vote supermajority — the councilmembers remained silent and declined to vote. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Local egg producers seeing strong demand as prices in stores have risen 37% in last year
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Local egg producers seeing strong demand as prices in stores have risen 37% in last year

By Nate Belt | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News Egg prices have steadily been on the rise for the last couple of years, due to factors like the bird flu currently impacting farmers around the country. There are other options if you’re fed up with prices in the stores. According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the average egg price in the US went up by just shy of 37% in the last year. With prices not expected to go down any time soon, people may be looking for other options away from the grocery store. READ THE FULL STORY AT KDVR-TV FOX 31 NEWS
How Durango’s school board kept a charter school out by prioritizing DEI over parents
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How Durango’s school board kept a charter school out by prioritizing DEI over parents

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Ascent Classical Academy seemed to have the community support, the resources and the experience to launch another successful charter school in Colorado. Parents in Durango seemed to want the option. More than 600 families signed letters of intent, but the Durango School Board said no in 2022. This wasn’t a decision based on academic concerns, some say. The school board, backed by a mobilized teachers’ union, rejected Ascent on ideological grounds, blocking an alternative educational model that didn’t align with its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) priorities. The Durango school board rejected Ascent twice, despite the Colorado State Board of Education’s original ruling in the charter school’s favor. The official r...