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Voters supported Denver ballot measure 6A, but what will be done with $570 million?
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Approved, Denverite, Local

Voters supported Denver ballot measure 6A, but what will be done with $570 million?

By Kyle Harris | Denverite Downtown Denver is about to see a significant cash injection. Roughly 78 percent of voters living near Union Station passed Ballot Measure 6A — a policy that will authorize $570 million of debt for downtown revitalization. Only around 2,500 voters were eligible to decide the matter.  The passage of the measure was a big win for Mayor Mike Johnston. READ THE FULL STORY AT DENVERITE
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Denver spent $138M in two years to rent, lease hotels for homeless and illegals
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Approved, Local, Westword

Denver spent $138M in two years to rent, lease hotels for homeless and illegals

By Bennito L. Kelty | Westword Since Mayor Mike Johnston took office in July 2023, his administration has spent millions using hotels to address homelessness and an influx of migrants. The city bought hotels and warehouses for housing the homeless before Johnston took office, but his administration opened the coffers even more, relying largely on leftover federal COVID relief dollars. These multimillion-dollar leases and purchases include two hotels bought this year worth a combined $64 million. The hotels were used mostly for Johnston's effort to house 1,000 people before the end of 2023, and are now used to house people in his next phase of combating homelessness, known as All In Mile High.  READ THE FULL STORY AT WESTWORD
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Garfield County deputy terminated for alleged embezzlement
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Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Garfield County deputy terminated for alleged embezzlement

By Lindy Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Corp. Trisha Worley, a 14-year veteran of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office has been terminated for allegations of embezzlement, a a press release from Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario reads. According to information provided by the sheriff, Worley was placed on administrative leave on Oct. 23, when there was a formal accusation that she had embezzled funds from a local nonprofit organization. An internal investigation revealed enough evidence that, on Nov. 7, she was terminated.  Colorado Bureau of Investigations is taking the lead on any criminal charges that may result from their investigation to avoid any perception of conflict of interest in the case, the sheriff said. Whenever a member of a law enforcement ag...
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WWII, Korea and Vietnam Vet jumps from plane at 99, and it may not be his last jump
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Approved, gazette.com, Local

WWII, Korea and Vietnam Vet jumps from plane at 99, and it may not be his last jump

By MARY SHINN | The Gazette Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Jim Akin carried an estimated 10,000 paratroopers as a pilot, and when he skydived at 99 years old over the summer it was in their honor. “I thought, ‘Boy, I hope I got the guts to do it,’” he said. The somersault in the air, the 40 seconds of free fall and hitting 120 mph — he loved all of it. He hopes to do it again to mark his 100th birthday in April. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
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Vietnam veteran Ray Gooch educates younger generations on U.S. Constitution
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Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Vietnam veteran Ray Gooch educates younger generations on U.S. Constitution

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice U.S. Army veteran Ray Gooch says "the Lord was taking care of me" when he was "kept out of Vietnam and sent to Alaska". "I learned an awful lot up there with the Arctic, the people and the environment,” he says, reflecting on his time in the military.  His journey from a tight-knit Colorado mountain community to serving in the Cold War and now teaching the U.S. Constitution, as written, as intended, and as ratified in 1887. His is a testament to resilience, patriotism and purpose. Gooch was raised in the mountains of Coal Creek Canyon, Colo. “Our party line had 12 people on it,” he recalls with humor, referencing the shared telephone system where multiple households were connected on the same line. “That was our way of life...
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F-16 Fighting Falcons to fly over Denver metro communities on Veterans Day
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Approved, kdvr.com, Local

F-16 Fighting Falcons to fly over Denver metro communities on Veterans Day

By Heather Willard | Fox 31 News The Colorado Air National Guard’s F-16 Fighting Falcons will honor American veterans with flyovers on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. The flyovers are a traditional gesture that the Colorado Air National Guard observes on patriotic holidays, which the federal agency said shows the dedication and support that guardsmen provide, in addition to showcasing the U.S. Air Force’s military strength. The flyovers are conducted at no additional cost to U.S. taxpayers as the flights serve as pilot training. FREAD THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
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Joshua Rivero, an unaffiliated in a GOP stronghold, to become Parker’s eighth mayor
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, Local

Joshua Rivero, an unaffiliated in a GOP stronghold, to become Parker’s eighth mayor

By Noah Festenstein | Colorado Politics Residents in Parker, a town in Republican dominated Douglas County, has elected Joshua Rivero, a self-identified independent, to become its next mayor, according to the latest unofficial tally. Rivero, who is set to become the town's eighth mayor in mid-December, defeated Republican incumbent Jeff Toborg by two points, 51% to 49%, out of a total 29,967 votes cast. The town is located roughly 25 miles southeast of downtown Denver. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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Seven Denver schools recommended by superintendent to close, 3 to partially close
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Approved, Chalkbeat Colorado, Local

Seven Denver schools recommended by superintendent to close, 3 to partially close

By Melanie Asmar | Chalkbeat Colorado Five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school would close if the Denver school board accepts a recommendation made by Superintendent Alex Marrero Thursday meant to address declining enrollment in Denver Public Schools. Three other schools would be partially closed, meaning they would serve fewer grades. The school board is expected to vote on the recommendation on Nov. 21. If the board votes yes, the 10 schools would close or partially close at the end of the school year. READ THE FULL STORY AT CHALKBEAT COLORADO
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Denver voters reject Mike Johnston’s sales tax hike for affordable housing, latest tally shows
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Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Denver voters reject Mike Johnston’s sales tax hike for affordable housing, latest tally shows

By Alexander Edwards | Denver Gazette Denver voters have rejected Mayor Mike Johnston's proposal to increase the city’s sales tax rate by 0.5 points in order to pay for housing projects citywide. The tax hike proposal divided the Denver City Council, where it was delayed, amended and ultimately sent to the Denver ballot in August. Johnston, who campaigned for the measure at several events ahead of the November election, said the increase would raise about $100 million annually. Using existing funds, city staffers earlier said Denver can expect to build or preserve about 20,000 units. Revenue from the sales tax increase would double that over 10 years. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
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