Denver in 5 minutes: What you need to know today, July 31

Andrew Kenney

Jul. 31, 2016, 12:00 p.m.

It’s the last day of two excellent events: The Underground Music Showcase, which brings a really wonderful variety to downtown Denver, and the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, which is super popular for both obvious and subtle reasons.

Sadly, we weren’t invited to the Koch brothers’ “exclusive weekend retreat” in Colorado, and maybe neither did Donald Trump. Once again, there’s not much love between the billionaires and the maybe-a-billionaire.

In other Trump-Colorado news, his own team probably got him stuck in an elevator here. In other dragon-boat news, Darryl Glenn’s team is not particularly good at dragon boating.

Meanwhile, environmentalists are planning to focus some of their campaigning in Colorado in this year’s elections. (The Hill)

Over at the Denver Post, the columnist Woodie Paige just wrote his last column before departing for the Colorado Springs Gazette. (DP)

Meanwhile, the Post finds that Colorado does a remarkably bad job of checking doctors’ criminal records. As a result, one kept practicing for years here after losing his license to fraud allegations elsewhere. (DP)

This weekend, sadly, brought more gun violence to Denver.

An RTD bus drives down a freshly-painted bus lane on 17th Avenue downtown. Dec. 13, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

RTD aimed for equity when making pandemic-era cuts, and it got pretty dang close

As the pandemic worsened, the agency made major cuts and changes to more than 100 routes.

The University of Denver at dawn, Feb. 11, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The University of Denver will require students to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination this fall

The school is considering a similar mandate for faculty and staff.

Quincy Shannon, who led some of last summer's Denver protests in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing, pays his respects at the mural of Floyd by artist Detour on Tuesday.

“The work has just begun”: Derek Chauvin guilty verdict draws reactions from Denverites

Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd.

Levitt Pavilion at the bottom of Ruby Hill. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Levitt Pavilion returns with a pretty stellar lineup of free concerts

The Ruby Hill Park venue has been shuttered during the pandemic.

A snowy night and slippery conditions on Sheridan Boulevard, Feb. 7, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver weather vs. spring: Snow, ice and slush will give way to sunshine

Just after midnight, the National Weather Service reported 4.8 inches of snow in downtown Denver -- but the sun's out now.

Marijuana grows in The Clinic's warehouse in Denver's Overland neighborhood. March 19, 2021.

Denver legalizes weed delivery (and other things to know about the biggest overhaul ever to the city’s marijuana laws)

City Council passed the biggest changes to the city's marijuana laws since recreational sales began. Mayor Hancock still needs to sign off on the rules, potentially on 4/20.

Snow blankets Denver's Central Park neighborhood. Nov, 24, 2020.

Denver snow: Storm could disrupt commutes, will definitely disrupt belief spring exists

After the snow falls, the Front Range will face near-record low temperatures. Happy April!

The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site near Eads, Colo.

After past missteps, History Colorado includes Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in a Sand Creek Massacre exhibit

“We want to be involved in telling the story. We haven't had that and didn't have that in the earlier times."

Nhung Mai gives Demetrio Rodriguez a COVID-19 vaccine at a city-run clinic inside the Barnum Recreation Center. March 10, 2021.

Denver says it wants to help more Latinos get the COVID vaccine. Data shows that’s not happening.

A fraction of Latino residents have gotten an initial shot, while white residents are nearing 75 percent.

Ashira Campbell leads a protest against police brutality through North Capitol Hill. April 17, 2021.

Denverites protest more police killings as they wait for the verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial

"Honestly, if they let him free all hell's going to break loose."

Restaurant operators say fewer COVID-19 restrictions “didn’t really change all that much” on the first day

The six-foot distancing rule is still a huge limiting factor.

Denver Water workers replace lead pipes leading into a home in Whittier. April 15, 2021.

Why you received an ominous Brita filter in the mail from Denver Water

The short answer is the utility is trying to get the lead out. Here is the medium-sized answer.

The driving space on Santa Fe Drive was recently slimmed in favor of more room to walk and roll by its galleries. April 9, 2021.

Art District on Santa Fe considers resuming First Fridays

With new programming, good weather and improving optimism, businesses and galleries are seeing more foot traffic.

Spring in Civic Center Park, April 20, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Things to do in Denver this weekend, April 16-18

With snow in the forecast, consider watching some movies?

A billboard interrupts the view of University Hills for a few apartments in the DECO apartment building on Colorado Boulevard. April 14, 2021.

Why some people nearly had Garth Brooks staring into their homes on Colorado Boulevard

Instead, they got the Wright brothers.

Main Htoo carries her son through the Hidden Brook Apartments in East Colfax, Nov. 21, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver’s considering forcing landlords to apply for licenses to rent their properties

The goal would be to give the city a better idea of how many rentals exist and more leverage over enforcing housing standards.

Local 46 on Tennyson Street is closed for social distancing. April 28, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

What the new, looser COVID-19 restrictions mean for your social life, Denver

Denver is moving to level Blue on the COVID-19 dial. Here's how the new restrictions affect bars, theatres, restaurants and gyms.

Nikkol Grimes, left, and Sonja Taylor relax while watching Grease during the 21st annual Film on the Rocks, drive-in edition at Red Rocks Park on Aug. 13, 2020. Grimes is a Grease fanatic who says she’s probably seen the classic movie 50 times.

Film on the Rocks is rolling back to Red Rocks. Here’s what you can watch and when.

Some screenings will even return to the amphitheater!

Inside the Bagel Store in Washington Virginia Vale. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Zaidy’s Deli will reopen at a new Holly and Leetsdale location after closing in Cherry Creek last year

It’ll bring back old recipes, as well as the original owner to work on the staff.

Nhung Mai draws out a COVID-19 vaccine at a city-run clinic inside the Barnum Recreation Center. March 10, 2021.

Denver also stops use of vaccine from Johnson & Johnson

Six women who received the vaccine, out of 6.8 million people, are known to have had a stroke. One person has died.

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