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Aurora officials weigh options to plug $11.5M budget shortfall
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Aurora officials weigh options to plug $11.5M budget shortfall

By Kyla Pearce  | The Denver Gazette Raising taxes, "de-Brucing" and eliminating tax exemptions are all on a list of options Aurora officials are considering to fill an $11.5 million gap in the estimated 2026 budget.  City councilmembers and finance officials discussed the 2026 budget in a recent workshop, going back and forth about how to make up the shortfall. The budget gap, they said, is the result of low sales taxes, inflation, new expenses and the elimination of the operational privilege tax. Aurora finance officials proposed multiple ways to increase revenue to councilmembers, saying the city is not keeping up with population growth when it comes to services already. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Alexis Hitzeroth challenging Cody Kennedy for District A on Grand Junction City Council
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Alexis Hitzeroth challenging Cody Kennedy for District A on Grand Junction City Council

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Grand Junction voters on April 8 will choose between incumbent Cody Kennedy and Alexis Hitzeroth for the District A seat on City Council. Kennedy, who served a 17-year career as a police officer and is now a small business owner, has served on the boards of Crime Stoppers of Mesa County, Grand Valley Resettlement Program among others. His primary issues are "compassionate" fiscal responsibility, affordable housing and public safety. Hitzeroth served 13 years in the Army National Guard, earning the Outstanding Service Medal during Operation Enduring Freedom. She earned a degree in environmental science and performed watershed conservation work for the U.S. Geological Survey. Her platform focus is affordability, honoring Gr...
Marijuana repeal off Colorado Springs’ ballot after state Supreme Court stays out of the weeds
Approved, gazette.com, Local

Marijuana repeal off Colorado Springs’ ballot after state Supreme Court stays out of the weeds

By Brennen Kauffman | The Gazette Colorado Springs has agreed to remove the ballot question asking voters to repeal the city's new recreational marijuana ordinance, leaving the industry in place within the city limits for the first time. El Paso County District Court Judge Hilary Gurney issued an order Thursday afternoon that the city "take all actions necessary to ensure that the Referred Ballot Question does not appear on ballots to avoid disenfranchising and confusing the electorate." READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
Denver transportation officials agree to scale back neighborhood bikeway measures
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Denver transportation officials agree to scale back neighborhood bikeway measures

By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette A group of Denver residents seeking to slow the city's roll on a Park Hill neighborhood bikeway project got their wish Thursday morning. District 9 Councilmember Darrell Watson and officials from the city’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) at a neighborhood meeting returned a compromise plan that would remove many of the “unsightly” bollards, but still prioritize the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. The compromise replaces many of the flex posts and bollards of concern to neighbors east of City Park and north of Colfax Boulevard with speed cushions that would act as traffic calming treatments, but still provide an element of safety to pedestrians and bicyclists. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
King Soopers strike impacts grocery delivery gig workers in Colorado
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

King Soopers strike impacts grocery delivery gig workers in Colorado

By Sarah Horbacewicz | CBS Colorado Legal battles continue as the strike at King Soopers locations across Colorado's Front Range near one week. As the strike continues, ripple effects are impacting more than just grocery store workers and store earnings; grocery delivery app drivers are also impacted. Some drivers like Megan Snavely say they can't afford to not cross the picket line. "I feel bad for still going in and shopping. However, as much as they see me in here, I do think that (union workers) are very understanding," Snavely said. Megan believes they understand that as a gig worker, she isn't necessarily filling her cart, but a trunk full of other people's groceries. As a local grocery app delivery driver, Snavely says most of her orders come from her local King Soopers loc...
Denver mayor wants to borrow money to pay for parks, libraries, streets, and he didn’t say how much
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Denver mayor wants to borrow money to pay for parks, libraries, streets, and he didn’t say how much

By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette Denver Mayor Mike Johnston wants voters to approve a borrowing program to pay for new parks, cultural centers and other “investments that bring joy” to Mile High City. He didn't say how much or identified which exact projects the borrowed money would pay for. Officials said that list will be created and refined — after city staffers have "engaged" communities.      He dubbed the bond program "Vibrant Denver." READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Denver school district sues to prevent federal agents from arresting immigrants
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Denver school district sues to prevent federal agents from arresting immigrants

By Nicole C. Brambila | The Denver Gazette Denver Public Schools filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prevent federal agents from arresting unauthorized immigrants at schools. If approved, the order filed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday would pause implementation while the case proceeds through the legal system. Bill Good, a Denver Public Schools spokesperson, said that he believes the lawsuit is the first in the country filed by a school district. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Douglas Co. declares support for bill allowing Colorado law enforcement to work with ICE
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Douglas Co. declares support for bill allowing Colorado law enforcement to work with ICE

By Noah Festenstein | The Denver Gazette Douglas County law enforcement officials on Wednesday declared support for legislation to flip a state law that has barred local officials from working with federal immigration agents. If approved by the Democrat-controlled legislature, it would reinstate a bill allowing local law enforcement to work with federal immigration officials with a focus on those who commit crimes. That bill was repealed in 2013. State Sen. Mark Baisley, Rep. Max Brooks and Rep. Chris Richardson are trying to garner support for Senate Bill 25-047 but realize it will be difficult to get it passed. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Aurora police see 80% increase in ‘puffing’ car thefts, an illegal activity in state law
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Aurora police see 80% increase in ‘puffing’ car thefts, an illegal activity in state law

By Rachel Saurer | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News While Colorado continues to see frigid temperatures across the state, police are warning drivers about the dangers of “puffing.” The Aurora Police Department has reported an 80% increase in thefts from puffing compared to the same time in 2024. From January to February 2025, the department has seen 30 cases. The month before that, they saw 15. “That number is probably going to go up in our next reporting period just because of the very cold days that we are experiencing right now,” said Agent Matthew Longshore, a spokesperson for Aurora police. READ THE FULL STORY AT KDVR-TV FOX 31 NEWS
Aurora City Council Member: Leaks Interfered with Immigration Raids
Approved, Breitbart, Local, National

Aurora City Council Member: Leaks Interfered with Immigration Raids

By Hannah Knudsen | Breitbart Leaks have interfered with the work of border czar Tom Homan, Aurora City Council Member Danielle Jurinsky said during an appearance on Breitbart News Daily. Jurinsky is the councilwoman who blew the lid off the violent gang activity of Tren de Aragua in her city, despite constant smears against her and denials from officials. But, she was proven to be right, and now, Homan is on the case. While there have been arrests, however, some of the operations have been delayed or thwarted due to leaks, she revealed. “I heard it was over 100 people arrested,” host Mike Slater said. “But then I heard that it was leaked beforehand, and they went, they knocked on some doors, and they were empty.” READ THE FULL STORY AT BREITBART

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