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More than $22 million has been spent on five of Denver’s 12 ballot initiatives
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More than $22 million has been spent on five of Denver’s 12 ballot initiatives

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics More than $22 million has been spent on campaigns surrounding five of the 12 initiatives that will appear on Denver's November ballot, covering topics like animal welfare, sales tax increases and expanded union bargaining rights. Follow this link to see a breakdown of what each of the five initiatives are, how much has been spent for or against them, and their top contributors as of Sept. 23.  READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
As Colorado struggles with widespread retail theft, Wheat Ridge police take proactive approach
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As Colorado struggles with widespread retail theft, Wheat Ridge police take proactive approach

By Karen Morfitt | CBS Colorado FBI crime stats show Colorado is doing better than it has in the past when it comes to levels of violent crime. But the news isn't so good when it comes to property crime. Despite some improvement, Colorado remains far above the national average. Wheat Ridge police are trying a new approach to stop retail theft. Almost weekly, the police department in the city located in the western part of the Denver metro area has shared body camera video of arrests being made as soon as suspects walk out of a store. READ THE STORY AT CBS COLORADO
‘Yes to parks & rec’: Englewood city staff use taxpayer dollars for yard signs to pass $41.5M bond
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‘Yes to parks & rec’: Englewood city staff use taxpayer dollars for yard signs to pass $41.5M bond

By Ashley Portillo | CBS Colorado The City of Englewood is finding itself in the middle of possible campaign violations after the city used taxpayer dollars to pay for yard signs promoting a ballot measure to fund parks. Now, residents are being asked to return the yard signs that say, "Yes to Parks and Recreation - Support Englewood's Parks and Recreation Bond."  If the signs are not returned, the city asks those residents to pay for the cost of the signs. Englewood's city manager called it an "honest mistake," but there is still concern that city staff came too close to breaking the law when it paid for the signs encouraging voters to vote yes on the city's $41.5 million parks bond. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
El Paso County Board of Health takes a stance on recreational marijuana ballot measures
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El Paso County Board of Health takes a stance on recreational marijuana ballot measures

By Savannah Eller | The Gazette The El Paso County Board of Public Health has officially come out against a ballot question that will ask Colorado Springs citizens to vote on allowing existing medical marijuana shops to sell recreational marijuana in city limits.  "This is a public health issue, and I think this is a stance we should be taking," said El Paso County Commissioner and Board of Health member Longinos Gonzalez.  The Board of Health oversees the county's public health department and is in charge of developing public health policies.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
Does Denver’s webpage on sales tax hike violate electioneering prohibition?
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Does Denver’s webpage on sales tax hike violate electioneering prohibition?

By Alexander Edwards | The Denver Gazette Yes, apparently, as site is taken down Tuesday. The law prohibits local governments from using public funds to influence the passage or defeat of any ballot. In an apparent move to avoid violating Colorado’s Fair Campaign Practices Act — which places limitations on how government entities may approach measures on the ballot — the Johnston administration removed a webpage dedicated to an upcoming sales tax initiative ballot measure. City officials published an "informational page" about Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposed sales tax hike on the official City and County of Denver website, which the administration claims will generate up to $100 million for "affordable" housing. By Tuesday, the webpage was taken down. The Denver G...
Double dip on city’s ‘non-sanctuary’ status ‘political grandstanding’ Colorado Springs residents say
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Double dip on city’s ‘non-sanctuary’ status ‘political grandstanding’ Colorado Springs residents say

By Breeanna Jent | The Gazette Residents on Tuesday criticized a second resolution reaffirming that Colorado Springs is not a "sanctuary city" for migrants crossing U.S. borders as divisive, hateful and an example of political grandstanding. Though the resolution is symbolic and not legally binding, it sends a strong message that migrants are not welcome, opponents said. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
‘Handouts don’t help’: How a Colorado county reduced homelessness by 86% in 2 years
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‘Handouts don’t help’: How a Colorado county reduced homelessness by 86% in 2 years

By Noah Festenstein | Denver Gazette Amid a homeless crisis plaguing Colorado’s most populated city, a county just south of Denver claims to have found an effective solution to curbing homelessness in its communities. In a campaign to mitigate homelessness, Douglas County officials emphasized one simple message: “Handouts don’t help.” They urged residents, for example, against giving money to homeless people on roadways or sidewalks. From 2022 to 2024, Douglas County witnessed a steep drop in homeless people living on the streets, from 43 to six, according to a recent point-in-time count report conducted by several local third party nonprofits. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Douglas County to enforce camping ban on public property; each violation could be $1,000 fine
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Douglas County to enforce camping ban on public property; each violation could be $1,000 fine

By Maddie Rhodes | Fox 31 News Soon, Douglas County will enforce a camping ban on public property with a potentially hefty fine. On Tuesday, Ordinance No. O-024-004, “Safe use of public property to limit public camping and prohibit temporary structures on public property within Douglas County, Colorado,” was adopted at the county’s Board of County Commissioners public hearing. According to the ordinance, this ban was “necessary” for public welfare, health and safety. While this ordinance was adopted, it won’t be in place for another month. Here’s what it means. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
Recreational marijuana sales locations limited by city council in Colorado Springs
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Recreational marijuana sales locations limited by city council in Colorado Springs

By Breeanna Jent | The Gazette A final vote from the Colorado Springs City Council on Tuesday strongly limits where marijuana shops that want to sell recreational marijuana can operate, a move a resident-backed marijuana campaign described as a "backdoor ban" on retail cannabis sales locally. The council voted 7-2 a second time to preemptively prohibit facilities that sell recreational marijuana from operating within 1 mile of K-12 schools and residential child care and drug or alcohol treatment facilities. Councilwomen Yolanda Avila and Nancy Henjum remained opposed. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
University of Colorado-Boulder marks 3.4% enrollment increase, has 38,428 students
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University of Colorado-Boulder marks 3.4% enrollment increase, has 38,428 students

By Lucas High | BizWest The University of Colorado has 38,428 graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at its flagship campus in Boulder for the fall 2024 semester, up 3.4% from last year.  CU’s acceptance rate for the new school years was 76%, which Amy Hutton, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management, said was “a 30-year low.” Despite the overall enrollment increase, boosted retention caused CU to reduce its freshman-class size, she said, allowing the university to “to ensure (more) dedicated resources for retention and graduation.” READ THE FULL STORY AT BIZWEST