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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston floats 20% service charge on tabs to tackle restaurant woes
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston floats 20% service charge on tabs to tackle restaurant woes

By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette Denver Mayor Mike Johnston wants to add a 20% service charge to local restaurant tabs — and then tax it — to help restaurants cope with the city’s minimum wage and promote what he called pay equity among tipped and non-tipped employees. On Monday, Johnston told City Cast Denver, a popular podcast, that he has already been discussing the idea with restaurant owners. He didn’t say whether they are on board. He also did not discuss if increasing people's dinner costs would decrease restaurant visits.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Manitou Springs City Council members sit out pledge to American flag at meeting
Approved, gazette.com, Local

Manitou Springs City Council members sit out pledge to American flag at meeting

By Savannah Eller | The Gazette Three Manitou Springs City Council members chose to sit during the Pledge of Allegiance at a recent meeting, preceded by a statement by the mayor saying he believed the action was a protest against the federal government.  At-large councilmembers John Shada, Julie Wolfe and Judith Chandler each sat during the pledge at a regular council meeting on Feb. 18.  "In light of recent actions in the federal government, I can understand her angst, and her desire to protest the chaos and disruption at the national level," said Mayor John Graham in his statement at the meeting. He did not specify to which councilmember he was referring.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
Boulder Co. Democratic vacancy committee to select successor to former Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, Local

Boulder Co. Democratic vacancy committee to select successor to former Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics A Boulder County Democratic vacancy committee will convene on March 18 to select a successor to former Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis of Longmont. Jaquez Lewis resigned on Feb. 17 after allegations surfaced that she had submitted a fabricated letter of support to a Senate ethics committee investigating a complaint charging she mistreated aides and interns. Ten candidates have announced their intention to seek the seat. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
There’s an ‘outbreak’ of sick racoons in Arapahoe County, officials say
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

There’s an ‘outbreak’ of sick racoons in Arapahoe County, officials say

By Maddie Rhodes | Fox 31 News Arapahoe County Animal Services is warning locals to take precautions after seeing an increased number of sick raccoons in the area. The Arapahoe County Government posted that animal services has seen an “outbreak” of sick raccoons suffering from canine distemper, a viral disease infecting raccoons, foxes, coyotes, skunks and unvaccinated dogs. It is spread when animals have direct contact with body fluids or droppings from an infected animal. The county said symptoms of the usually deadly disease can include discharge from the nose and eyes, a rough coat of hair, emaciated appearance and unusual behavior like disorientation or wandering aimlessly. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
It’s a packed field of candidates aiming to take a seat on Aurora City Council
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

It’s a packed field of candidates aiming to take a seat on Aurora City Council

By Kyla Pearce | The Denver Gazette Candidates are lining up quickly for five Aurora City Council seats that are up for election at the end of the year, with campaigns including those from a former Aurora councilmember, a former mayoral candidate and a current councilmember. As of Tuesday, Aurora's campaign finance system showed five candidates for Ward I, one candidate each for Wards II and III and two candidates for two at-large seats. The Aurora City Council is made up of a mayor and 10 councilmembers, with six of them representing individual wards and four elected at-large to represent the entire city. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
New-to-chicken raising Coloradans may find they have roosters and not laying hens, sanctuary says
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

New-to-chicken raising Coloradans may find they have roosters and not laying hens, sanctuary says

By Gabriela Vidal | CBS Colorado As egg prices continue to rise in Colorado and across the country, some people have decided to raise their own chickens and produce their own egg supply. One animal sanctuary is offering a warning to those who take on such a responsibility.  Amid the sounds of roosters crowing at the Rooster Sanctuary at Danzig's Roost in Bennett, is a different kind of noise that's been popping off as of late. "The same call, over and over and over and over again," said Jewel Johnson. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
10th Circuit affirms qualified immunity for officer involved in Lakewood shooting
Approved, Law Week Colorado, Local

10th Circuit affirms qualified immunity for officer involved in Lakewood shooting

By Law Week Colorado Jason Waterhouse was high on methamphetamine and acting destructively in his sister’s home, according to the opinion. By the time Lakewood Police Department officers arrived, he had barricaded himself in the basement.  Officers tried for more than an hour to get him to come out, but, rather than cooperating, Waterhouse started a fire. Seven officers went down to the basement to try and find the source of the fire and extricate Waterhouse. They saw him shoving a large stick through the wall before slamming the bedroom door shut. It quickly became apparent that the fire and the smoke were more serious than the officers had anticipated, and they were ordered to evacuate.  READ THE FULL STORY AT LAW WEEK COLORADO
State’s airports receive nearly $20 million in state and local grants, with more to come
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

State’s airports receive nearly $20 million in state and local grants, with more to come

By Alexander Edwards | The Denver Gazette The Colorado Department of Transportation approved $13.8 million in funding for a statewide aviation grant program. In total, airports in Colorado will receive just over $18 million in grants when state and local money is fully allocated. In the metro Denver area, Centennial, Colorado Air and Space Port, Erie, Denver International Airport and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport will receive just over $2.8 million in grant awards in 2025. Statewide, the biggest award from CDOT is going to the Walden-Jackson County Airport for runway reconstruction. The $4.1 million grant award is being combined with a $460,000 local grant for a total of $4.6 million. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Western Colorado’s only psychiatric hospital to close
Approved, DENVER7, Local

Western Colorado’s only psychiatric hospital to close

By Katie Parkins | Denver 7 NEWS Western Colorado's only psychiatric hospital will be shutting down. West Springs Hospital in Grand Junction will cease its in-patient operations after March 10, the medical center announced on Facebook Monday. Outpatient services at Mind Springs Health will remain open. The West Springs Hospital has provided inpatient psychiatric care to the Western Slope for 20 years. However, according to a report in The Denver Post, the hospital faced financial issues and struggled to fill the facility's 48 licensed beds. READ THE FULL STORY AT DENVER 7 NEWS
Do pennies still make sense? Experts give their two cents
Approved, gazette.com, Local

Do pennies still make sense? Experts give their two cents

By Debbie Kelley | The Gazette An America without any cents would make a lot of sense, according to some who work in the monetary sector. Colorado Springs resident Robert “Bob” Shippee, a retired banker, coin collector and author, can’t believe the financial system’s smallest denomination of currency is still around. It’s time for the 1-cent piece to be retired, he said. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE

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