Denver in 5 minutes: What you need to know today, Aug. 7

Andrew Kenney

Aug. 07, 2016, 11:34 a.m.

Good morning, Sunday people. Here’s what we’re thinking about, reading and doing today in Denver.

What to do today:

It’s the last day of Denver Days, which puts on fun stuff all over the city. Today’s events include August Fest 2016 in Park Hill from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The party’s at 3334 Holly St.

We’ve also got drunken Shakespeare tonight at Thump Coffee Capitol Hill, 7 p.m.

Crime and justice:

We’ve heard a lot of talk this summer about “urban travelers.” This week, we took a deeper look at who exactly these young people are, and why they leave home. Meanwhile, the Denver Police Department will study the potential for racial bias by officers.

Politics:

Colorado has significantly fewer active Republican voters now than it did in 2012. That’s probably not good for Donald Trump. (DP)

Separately, the Post asks whether Republicans are “writing off” their Senate candidate, Darryl Glenn. (DP)

Food:

Torchy’s Tacos opens tomorrow in Greenwood Village, with free tacos and drinks to boot. I hope you like lines.

Sports:

I’m telling you, it’s time to get on the Rockies bandwagon. (They won again last night.)

A sneaker-blue electric vehicle charges downtown, Jan. 17, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver adds more charging stations for electric cars as the state works to get more on the road

Gov. Polis' first executive order is going to need support from local governments to really take off.

Denver teachers listen to an update on bargaining during the second to last day of negotiations before the ProComp contract expires. (Erica Meltzer/Chalkbeat)

Denver district, teachers union make some progress as contract deadline looms, but still far apart

Test Kitchen at Black Box, Feb. 8, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Things to do in Denver this weekend, Jan. 18-20

Snow day at the City and County Building, Dec. 21, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

How much Denver’s candidates for mayors have raised — and who’s giving them money

John Elway, yeah, but developers and other local businesses, too.

Mayor Michael Hancock greets state legislators. Governor Jared Polis gives his first State of the State address, Jan. 10, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Here’s what Mayor Hancock says he’ll do if you give him four more years in charge

In his campaign kickoff speech, he focused on coming up poor in the city, growth, and making Denver equitable.

Explosive growth in Five Points makes RiNo the richest business district in Denver. Here’s what it’s been up to.

RiNo Park is on the horizon.

Nick Mitchell, Denver's independent monitor, sits in front of Denver Department of Public Safety Executive Director Troy Riggs and Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen as Denver City Council's Safety, Housing, Education, & Homelessness Committee meets to discuss expanded powers for the Office of the Independent Monitor, Jan. 16, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The watchdog that oversees Denver’s police and sheriff departments might get sharper teeth

"Denver police and sheriff are the only agencies in the city that are allowed to kill people in the course of their normal work."

Experimental musician Cecilia McKinnon, AKA Star Canyon, plays to a growing crowd under a plush set. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Let’s watch “Goodnight Brooklyn” and talk Denver DIY

The Loretto Heights campus on a snowy day, Jan. 12, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

With Loretto Heights redevelopment, southwest Denver residents may finally get a “gathering spot”

Maybe a historic theater will anchor the new district. The question is what type of housing, and how much, will rise on the hilltop campus. Not everyone agrees.

Newly inaugurated Governor Jared Polis speaks to the press in his office, Jan. 8, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Full-day kindergarten by fall 2019 gets $227 million in Polis budget proposal

The new governor shared an early look at his budget proposal, which includes funding totals for one of his signature goals.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette meets with Araceli Velasquez, her family and supporters at Park Hill United Methodist Church and Temple Micah, where she's lived in sanctuary to avoid deportation for nearly 10 months. May 29, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Rep. DeGette plans on using new position to investigate the Trump administration’s family separation policy

The Denver congresswoman was named chair of a panel with investigative authority.

Two projections in the 2018 Side Stories exhibition. (Ashley Dean)

Denver’s getting 8 weird animated art walls again

Side Stories is bringing eight new artists and eight new film loops to light up the walls of the RiNo Art District.

Denver City Coincil District 11 candidate Christine Alonzo poses for a portrait during a League of Women Voters meeting on the 2020 census, Jan. 15, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Montbello resident Christine Alonzo wants to bring her labor organizing experience to the City Council

The former labor union director left her job to run for Denver City Council's District 11 seat.

Some Denver teachers are wearing these buttons, provided by the union, at the teacher pay negotiations. (Chalkbeat)

Denver teachers union poll shows strong support for a strike, even among parents

The telephone survey of 600 randomly selected Denver voters found that 82 percent of respondents side with the teachers over the school board.

5800 W. Alameda Ave. Oct. 10, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Lakewood Strategic Growth Initiative is ‘back in court’

A grassroots effort to limit growth is staled again.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

city park; denver; denverite; colorado; winter; kevinjbeaty;

A City Park playground will soon become a “nature play” space

The playground is to be replaced under the new City Park Master Plan.

The Denver Family Crisis Center in Sun Valley, May 2, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

A mental health center is coming to Sun Valley and some residents are wincing at patients sharing a neighborhood with lots of kids

Some think a school with a strong mental health component would better serve the neighborhood.

Stapleton residences under downtown Denver's skyline. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver offering mortgage assistance to those hit by the government shutdown

This city is offering up to two months or $5,000 in grants to help homeowners facing hardship pay their mortgages.

The Denver Art Museum's north building is under construction, Dec. 5, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver Art Museum’s construction plans include a fancy rooftop and possibly more shared space with the library

Let's take a look.

Mayor Michael Hancock makes his State of the City address at the Carla Madison Recreation Center, July 16, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver is suing drug companies to help pay for the effects of the opioid crisis

Between 2008 and 2017, opioid-related overdoses killed 870 Denverites. The city blames big drug companies for flooding the streets with pharmaceuticals.

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