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Adams 12 asks taxpayers for $39.42M more in November vote
Fox31, Approved, Local

Adams 12 asks taxpayers for $39.42M more in November vote

By Heather Willard | Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — The Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the placement of a $39.42 million mill levy override on the November ballot at the board’s Wednesday night meeting. “We know the state’s not going to have a lot of money to help us out for next year,” Superintendent Chris Gdowski said in the district’s announcement of the placement. “So if we don’t help ourselves here in Adams 12, next year will be another difficult year when it comes to cuts.” The mill levy override will help pay for ongoing operating expenses, such as additional staffing and academic programming for students; salaries for teachers and support staff; and investments in safety and security personnel. The district also noted that it ranks nearl...
New 3-year deal between teachers union and DPS sparks debate on costs and accountability
Fox31, Approved, Local

New 3-year deal between teachers union and DPS sparks debate on costs and accountability

By Abraham Jewett | Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Classroom Teachers Association announced Thursday that it has voted to ratify a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with Denver Public Schools. The vote to ratify comes around two months after the DCTA reached a tentative agreement with DPS in June, following several months of negotiations. The DCTA said more than 81% of its members voted in favor of the new collective bargaining agreement, which will be valid through 2028. “As a democratic, member-led organization, every vote cast reflects our shared commitment to creating better working and learning conditions for Denver’s educators and students,” said Michelle Horwitz, bilingual speech-language pathologist and co-chair of the DCTA Bargaining Team, in ...
Vandalism spree in Uptown Denver garage leaves cars disabled
Fox31, Approved, Local

Vandalism spree in Uptown Denver garage leaves cars disabled

By Nicole Fierro | Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — An entire floor of residents at an uptown apartment complex tells FOX31 they woke up to their tires slashed in their parking garage. Now, residents are left wondering who’s responsible and how they’re going to get around. “I woke up to a phone call and pounding on the door saying, ‘Hey, tires or vehicles have been dealt with and we don’t know who and we don’t know how many,’” one resident said, speaking about how neighbors at the Benedect Park Place woke her up with the news about a series of slashed tires in their garage. From work to doctors’ appointments, residents tell FOX31 they couldn’t get to where they needed to Wednesday morning.  “Now I have four flat tires,” Tanya Hall said. “I can’t even go look for a new j...
Pueblo Coroner Resigns After Decomposed Bodies Found at Mortuary
Local, Approved, kdvr.com

Pueblo Coroner Resigns After Decomposed Bodies Found at Mortuary

By Ashley Eberhardt | KDVR Fox 31 PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KXRM) — Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter has resigned just over a week after the discovery of at least 24 bodies stored improperly at the mortuary he co-owned, Davis Mortuary. In a letter released by the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners, Cotter’s legal counsel explained that Cotter was “hospitalized for a cardiac event” following the discovery during the Department of Regulatory Agencies’ inspection on Aug. 20. Numerous state and local officials have called for Cotter to resign, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis. After a week had passed without Cotter’s resignation, a process to recall him from office in a recall election was estimated to cost just under half a million dollars. Cotter’s resignation is ef...
Denver’s first citywide furlough day: Here’s what’s open and closed
kdvr.com, Approved, Local

Denver’s first citywide furlough day: Here’s what’s open and closed

By Heather Willard | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — The city of Denver’s budget hole will impact residents on Friday during the first of two citywide furlough days. The city will close its libraries, recreation centers, courts and the majority of its offices on both Friday and Monday. Monday’s closures are due to the Labor Day holiday, while Friday’s are due to the citywide furlough day spurred by the city’s budget, which faced a $200 million gap. The furlough days come after the city and county laid off 169 employees and cut another 665 unfilled positions, while also implementing tiered furlough day schedules based on pay grade. A second citywide furlough day is scheduled for Nov. 28 — Black Friday. These Denver offices will be open Aug. 29, Sept. 1 The Denver Animal ...
Sheriff’s Deputy Resigns Amid Colorado Law Enforcement Debate
Colorado Public Radio, Approved, Local

Sheriff’s Deputy Resigns Amid Colorado Law Enforcement Debate

By: Tom Hesse | Colorado Public Radio The Mesa County Sheriff’s Deputy who tipped off federal immigration officials about a college student’s immigration status has resigned. Alexander Zwinck had been placed on unpaid leave by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office for violating state law that limits what information local law enforcement can share with immigration officials. Zwinck pulled over 19-year-old Caroline Dias Goncalves in June for following a semi-truck too closely. During the stop, Zwinck alerted federal officials of her immigration status via a Signal chat intended for drug interdiction cases called “GJ Highway Hitters.” Dias Goncalves was born in Brazil. After Zwinck let her leave with a warning, she was stopped later down the road by federal agents. She was detained for t...
Denver Public Schools Faces Federal Sanctions Over Inclusive Restroom Policy
Local, Approved, DENVER7

Denver Public Schools Faces Federal Sanctions Over Inclusive Restroom Policy

By: Óscar Contreras | Denver7 The Department of Education found Denver Public Schools violated Title IX by converting a girl’s restroom into an all-gender facility earlier this year. DENVER — Trump’s Department of Education ordered Denver Public Schools to revert all-gender restrooms to single-sex facilities or risk “enforcement action” after finding it discriminated against girls by creating all-gender bathrooms at East High School earlier this year. The investigation, launched by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights in January of this year, also took issue with a district-wide policy that allows students to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity. By converting a girl’s restroom to a gender-neutral facility and allowing students to use bathro...
DU students push back: Law school faces backlash for ending DEI practices
Fox31, Approved, Local

DU students push back: Law school faces backlash for ending DEI practices

By Parker Gordon | FOX31 Denver DENVER (KDVR) — The Student Bar Association at the University of Denver is addressing the institution’s administrators following an announcement that the university will cease some diversity, equity and inclusion practices. In a press release on Wednesday, the Student Bar Association at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law stated that the student Senate voted to approve a resolution of no confidence in some of the institution’s administrators, including its chancellor and the vice chancellor of DEI. On Aug. 19, in a joint announcement by the chancellor, provost, general counsel, and vice president. The chancellor of DEI to staff and faculty members, which was provided to FOX31 from the university, stated that they will be “ceasing” several ...
Colorado Officials Target Christian Bakery With Heavy-Handed Zoning Rules
Local, Approved, The Federalist

Colorado Officials Target Christian Bakery With Heavy-Handed Zoning Rules

By Helen Raleigh | The Federalist A cherished French bakery in Jefferson County, Colorado, is facing potential closure because of the county’s harsh enforcement of exclusionary zoning regulations. This situation underscores how overly restrictive regulations create unnecessary hurdles that stifle entrepreneurship, especially when the local economy is struggling. Lookout Mountain, Colorado, is celebrated for its breathtaking views, luxurious homes, and as the final resting place of Buffalo Bill. Just 12 miles from downtown Denver, it has become a must-visit destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and tourists from all over the globe. This charming mountain community has long grappled with one significant drawback: the lack of a quality café. For many years, residents and visitors ...
From farm kid to parliamentarian: Gregory Carlson launches Fremont County commissioner bid
Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Local, Top Stories

From farm kid to parliamentarian: Gregory Carlson launches Fremont County commissioner bid

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice Gregory Carlson, a Fremont County native known nationally for his work as a parliamentarian, announced his candidacy for District 2 commissioner on Aug. 26 at the Republican meeting in Florence. “After prayerful consideration and the support of my family and friends, I am excited to announce my candidacy for County Commissioner,” Carlson shared in a media release. “Our local businesses, families and seniors are facing increasing pressure from rising costs. I am bringing my experience as a math teacher for 14 years and running my two successful businesses to unite community leaders, make life more affordable and bring prosperity to our community.” Gregory Carlson announces his candidacy for Fremont County Commissioner District 2 during the...