Denver in 5 minutes: What you need to know today, Aug. 20

Ashley Dean

Aug. 20, 2016, 10:57 a.m.

Before you go out and enjoy the perfect weather, catch up on all the Colorado news.

Economy

Employers across the state have added thousands of jobs, but the Colorado unemployment rate has risen. (DP)

But — good news — the metro Denver unemployment rate it down. (DBJ)

Crime

An Adams County man is going to prison for 36 years for his role in killing three people. (AP)

A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a struck by a car downtown last night. The driver is suspected to have been drunk. (9)

Sports

The Rockies rewarded incredibly patient (or stubborn) fans by coming back from a rain delay to beat the Cubs in the 11th inning. (DP)

The Broncos take on the 49ers today in their first pre-season home game. By our last count, they’ll play 134,631 quarterbacks. (Denverite)

Things to do

A board game bar opened today, and the Big Wonderful is throwing a tailgate party. (Denverite)

C’mon

A Denver dog park had to close because so many people weren’t picking up after their pups. (7)

Initiative 300 election signs. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite and Hart Van Denberg/CPR)

Initiative 300 sets off campaign sign skirmishes and thefts across Denver

Both sides of the debate over whether to overturn Denver’s urban camping ban say their campaign signs are being taken from yards.

Volunteers help assemble Patrick Dougherty's "Stickwork" installation at the Denver Botanic Gardens' Chatfield Farms, April 18, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Local sticks star in Patrick Dougherty’s 300th “Stickwork” installation at Chatfield Farms

The Gardens' latest art infusion was a collaborative effort with Colorado land managers and local volunteers.

Three-month-old Hazen watches dad, Will Martin, watch Denver City Council hear testimony on the Blueprint Denver plan before the vote, April 22, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver City Council passes its 20-year ‘Blueprint’ for growth after after five hours (and three years)

The 300-page document will guide what gets built where and aims to cure Denver’s car addiction while curbing displacement.

Edible marijuana, in gummy form. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Cannabis entrepreneurs won’t get any extra space to operate lounges in Denver

No one knows if slightly looser regulations would have encouraged more places to vape and eat weed legally.

Traffic on Park Avenue. Nov. 17, 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The Park Avenue West Bridge is going to get messy as repairs begin this week

We're facing lane closures on and off through July. Start practicing those breathing exercises.

Construction under way Monday, April 22, 2019 at 5330 W. 11th Avenue in Denver, site of Sheridan Station Apartments apartments earmarked for people earning no more than 60 percent AMI. The RTD parking garage at the Sheridan rail station is in the background. (Donna Bryson/Denverite)

It takes a patchwork of funding to get affordable housing like Sheridan Station Apartments off the ground

A groundbreaking was held Monday along RTD'S W Line for a project of 133 rental units earmarked for households earning between 30 and 60 percent of AMI.

Groundcovers Greenhouse & Garden Center on East Iliff Avenue on Monday, April 22, 2019, in the University Hills North neighborhood in Denver. (Esteban L. Hernandez/Denverite)

Denver wants to put a new park in University Hills using a sales tax approved by voters last year

The parcel the city is interested in buying currently houses a greenhouse, which will close if the plan is approved.

A demolition project at 10th Avenue and Bannock Street, March 27, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Election

Denver’s Blueprint for the next 20 years of growth is ready for a City Council vote

Council is set to discuss and vote on the seminal city document tonight, but some candidates and locals are looking to stall the decision until after Election Day.