Denverite

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is preparing to open the new Sturm Family Wing after receiving a $20 million donation from the Sturm Family Foundation. The renovation project includes upgrades to the museum's IMAX theater and major renovations of the east plaza, which will be free and open to the public.

According to traffic fatality data in Denver, drivers, not riders on bikes, scooters, or pedestrians, account for the majority of deaths on the streets. While social media often blames youth for accidents, statistics show that automobile drivers and passengers are statistically responsible for the highest number of fatalities. The article advises people concerned about street safety to focus on improving driver habits by slowing down and following laws.

The town of Bow Mar is moving forward with its controversial plan to gate public roads by retaining Sweetbaum Miller PC for legal counsel and Greenlight Strategy for public relations efforts. This plan, which involves automated gates operated by RFID tags, has drawn strong opposition from leaders in Denver and Littleton who argue it would block local residents from using public roads.

Despite controversy surrounding Denver's transition to Veo Micromobility as the sole provider, a professor found that the city is performing well with scooters. Hale Erkan, an assistant business professor at Arizona State University, reported that Denver has consistently high utilization rates, averaging 2.5 rides per scooter per day based on recent data. This rate significantly exceeds the average across the 37 US cities.

A coalition of independent businesses in Capitol Hill has launched "Third Saturdays on 13th" to formalize existing customer traffic and boost local culture. The inaugural event will feature special activities and discounts across five key locations, including Jelly Cafe, Wax Trax Records, and the Molly Brown House Museum. Local leaders view this effort as a way to define and strengthen the unique identity of Capitol Hill.

Urban Alchemy manages the hotel homeless shelter called the Aspen in Denver, exceeding goals set by the Department of Housing Stability and alleviating concerns among City Council members. The nonprofit reported success metrics including 93% occupancy and high rates of case management access for guests. Despite this performance, some residents have noted increased dependence after a policy change concerning room access.

The Sports Castle, located at 1000 Broadway St. in Denver, is undergoing a massive renovation after having served various uses since its inception as The Cullen-Thompson Motor Company in 1926. The building's new occupant will be the outdoor equipment retailer Evo. The restoration project aims to preserve historic flourishes while restoring access to rooftop views and honoring past occupants like Chrysler and Gart Sports.

Denver condo prices have dropped 14% since peaking at $370,000 in 2022, with attached homes taking 40 days to sell compared to 17 days for single-family homes. High interest rates and rising homeowners association fees continue to make condos unaffordable for many, despite the price decline.

Denver is investigating how the failed Denver Immersive Repertory Theater spent a $400,000 loan from taxpayers. The theater missed rent payments despite receiving funds for that purpose and has terminated its lease, prompting the city to seek an accounting of the loan. The project, intended to transform a downtown building into an immersive theater, was evicted and never opened.

A new Medication Aided Treatment Clinic in Denver, operated by nonprofit WellPower, offers accessible opioid addiction treatments like Suboxone and Sublocade. Nicole, a fentanyl addiction survivor, advocates for the program, highlighting its effectiveness in reducing cravings and providing peer and medical support.

Sarah Parady resigned from Denver City Council due to serious health issues, triggering a November special election for her at-large seat. Council members praised her as a collaborative leader in social justice and city policy over the past three years.

School districts across the Denver metro area are returning to in-person learning with varied start dates, new phone policies, and updated bell schedules. Aurora Public Schools and others have implemented 'bell-to-ball' phone bans, while Jefferson County Public Schools continues security measures following a high-profile shooting.

The Denver Broncos have purchased a 58-acre Burnham Yard property for $46 million and released early renderings of a new stadium and five development districts, including green spaces, repurposed rail tracks, and public transit integration. The project requires Denver City Council approval and faces administrative hurdles, including a potential blight designation for tax benefits.

Denver City Council rejected a proposal allowing bars and clubs to stay open until 4 a.m., despite arguments that later closing times could reduce chaos from 2 a.m. exoduses. The council passed other nightlife licensing reforms, including security measures, while a smaller pilot program for later closures will be explored in certain neighborhoods. The decision followed a deadly shooting at a Denver club, which influenced the debate on safety regulations.

The owner of Squire Lounge attributes recent basement flooding caused by a downpour to construction for Denver's Colfax bus rapid transit project, claiming the work covered storm drains and altered soil, exacerbating the issue. The city's transportation department acknowledged the location's natural flood risk but denied the project directly caused the incident.

Wildfire smoke from central Utah and the Pacific Northwest has caused a haze over Denver and the Front Range, leading to unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups. The smoke is linked to health symptoms like eye irritation and breathing difficulties, with weather shifts expected to temporarily clear the air before more smoke arrives. High temperatures are forecasted to return by the weekend.

Shimon Blau, an independent candidate for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, positions himself as a moderate alternative to Melat Kiros, a democratic socialist, and Christy Peterson, a Republican. Blau advocates for universal healthcare, free childcare, and removing corporate money from politics, while criticizing Kiros for 'antisemitic rhetoric' and her ties to the Democratic Socialists of America. He emphasizes bipartisan leadership and rejects support from groups like AIPAC.

Denver Parks and Recreation is capping personal training sessions at 50 to address a long waitlist caused by staffing and budget limitations. Clients will be re-entered into the waitlist after completing sessions, aiming to expand access while allowing independent exercise. The policy change, effective August 1, has drawn criticism from some clients, including Laura Johnston, who argues it fails to accommodate physical limitations like arthritis.

Denver's 'Unlocking Housing Choices' project aims to amend the city's zoning code to increase middle housing, such as duplexes and quadplexes, to address affordability. Curtis Park is highlighted as a model mixed-income neighborhood with diverse housing options that the project seeks to replicate citywide.

Indigenous-owned café Ollin Cafetzin in Aurora, Colorado, co-founded by Jasón Romero and Cynthia Moreno-Romero, combines Mesoamerican-inspired coffee, community connection, and an ethnic studies library. The café emphasizes pre-Columbian flavors like chia seed lemonade and community-driven fundraising for its library, supported by donations and repeat visitors.