Denver in 5 minutes: What you need to know today, Jan. 11

Andrew Kenney

Jan. 11, 2017, 8:58 a.m.

Hi there, neighbors. Today we’ve got avalanches, the latest on Trump-on-legal-weed, gentrification on West Colfax, the greatest dog park in the world in more.

An unidentified man rides a horse along the Jasper Lake Trail west of Eldora in Boulder County, Colorado. Circa 1922. (Donald Kemp/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/K-306) five points; historic; denver public library; dpl; archive; archival; denverite — An unidentified man rides a horse along the Jasper Lake Trail west of Eldora in Boulder County, Colorado. Circa 1922. (Donald Kemp/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/K-306)

Avalanche danger looms:

Avalanches and the threat thereof shut down I-70 and many of Colorado’s mountain passes today. Rapidly fluctuating temperatures and heavy snow could make this the most dangerous winter in decades. Be careful in the backcountry, people. (CBS4)

Interstate 70 is reopened and so is U.S. 40 to Winter Park. U.S. 6 over Loveland Pass is closed, as is A-Basin. (Denverite)

The greatest dog park in the world is in trouble:

I would recommend that you go to Elk Meadow, because it’s amazing, but apparently we’re all ruining it. Meetings have been scheduled, so you know it’s serious. (Denverite)

Jeff Sessions sidestepped the legal weed question:

Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general would not really say whether he would direct federal agents to enforce federal marijuana laws. In other words, we still don’t have an answer on Trump’s approach to legal weed. (Denverite)

One of Denver’s most at-risk neighborhoods is gentrifying:

West Colfax, where nearly a third of families were recently living in poverty, now is seeing a wave of development. Adrian sums it all up. (Denverite)

CPR is going statewide:

Colorado Public Radio has hired five new journalism staffers and has a new transmitter in Colorado Springs. Two of the new reporters are in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. (DP)

Loveland replaced a dam with solar panels:

The 2013 floods damaged a power-generating dam in the Big Thompson Canyon. Now federal funds have replaced it with solar units. (BizWest)

Colorado inmates train horses that are used by Border Patrol on “remote and rugged stretches.” (NYT)
Rep. Doug Lamborn reportedly personally moved a controversial painting at the U.S. Capitol. (Colorado Politics)
Christian is having fun with the Broncos’ coach-search drama. (Denverite)

A Safe Outdoor Space at Park Hill United Methodist Church, when it opened in June, 2021. This spot has since moved elsewhere.

At Denver’s sanctioned campsites, a model similar to Mike Johnston’s micro communities, roughly half of residents return to homelessness

Officials say their burgeoning "micro-community" program will strengthen the services needed for success.

Anna and John Sie with their grandchildren, Patrick and Sophia Whitten in their Denver home. Sept. 22, 2008.

Anna Sie remembered as trailblazing philanthropist across the state

“My mom’s story was a love story between an immigrant from Italy and an immigrant from China."

One of the Colorado Department of Transportation's "neon navigators" at the corner of Federal Boulevard and Howard Place/14th Avenue. Sept. 26, 2023.

Denver pedestrians give a collective shrug to CDOT’s ‘neon navigators’ safety campaign

CDOT this week recognized dangerous intersections in the Denver metro, including 14th Avenue and Federal Boulevard.

5013 E. Montview Blvd. in South Park Hill is up for demolition. Sept. 21, 2023.

A demo company wants to raze this Park Hill mansion on Montview for development. Will Denver save it?

The “Italian Design Home” was once owned by Denver theater mogul Harry Huffman.

This RTD bus on Federal Boulevard says the agency is hiring. July 12, 2023.

Here’s how to have your say on RTD service changes that will go into effect January 2024

Feedback will be accepted through next Thursday.

City workers hauled yellow plastic bags of belongings from a homeless encampment Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, onto a bus at 8th Avenue and Logan Street, across from the Governor’s Mansion, to move people there to an undisclosed motel, as part of Mayor Mike Johnston's House1000 campaign.

Denver’s upcoming sweep of encampment near Governor’s Mansion came with housing offers. Some who were at work missed out

Approximately 70 people living at the 8th and Logan camp are headed to individual shelter as Mike Johnston's admin conducts first camp relocation.

E-bikes on the expo floor during the (e)Revolution e-bike trade show at the Colorado Convention Center. June 10, 2023.

A guide to Denver’s e-bike rebate program

The next round of vouchers for the city’s popular program drop Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m.

A moon cake-eating contest at the Far East Center's second Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. Westwood, Sept. 10, 2022.

Craft beer or Mooncakes? Head to West Denver to get both at Suave Fest and the Mid-Autumn Festival

Celebrate Latinx craft beer brewers at Steam on the Platte and then head to the Far East Center to celebrate the harvest and a bountiful year.

The escalators at Denver Public Library's Central Library have been replaced with stairs. Sept. 8, 2023.

DPL Central is still under construction, but at least nobody’s stuck in the elevator

Library officials are hopeful things will finish within a year.

Dance instructor Colby Ariane does bachata steps in La Rumba, the Golden Triangle venue where she teaches. Sept. 21, 2023.

Want to learn how to dance salsa, bachata or merengue? The Golden Triangle’s La Rumba Nightclub dance instructor has advice for you

Dancing has helped Colby Ariane embrace her Afro-Latindad since moving to Colorado six years ago.

Daniel Trujillo's Latin Vibes warm up before showtime in Dazzle Denver's new location at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Sept. 21, 2023.

Relive El Chapultepec’s glory days at Sunday’s Dazzle tribute concert to Denver’s Jazz Latino Heritage

Local jazz figures will play a tribute concert honoring the life and legacy of Denver music icon Freddy Rodriguez Sr.

Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne. Sept. 21, 2023.

Denver Health is at a ‘critical point’ due to rising costs and treating uninsured patients, but its city funding is staying the same

The hospital’s costs for treating uninsured patients look set to more than double since 2020.

The GABF 35th Anniversary IPL, a collaboration between festival founder Charlie Papazian and Boulder Beer Co, paired here with black truffel salami and MIdnight Moon goat gouda from Cypress Grove cheesemakers. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Things to do in Denver this weekend, Sept. 22-24

The Great American Beer Festival, the Feed Your Seoul Colorado Korean Culture Festival and more!

Loretto Heights, seen looking southwest from La Alma/Lincoln Park. Sept. 21, 2023.

With the city’s acquisition of Loretto Heights’ library and theater, development of Southwest Denver’s likely future core is well underway

Apartments. Entertainment venues. Green space. And in the future, a "Union Station."

The Denver Art Museum Friendship Powwow and American Indian Cultural Celebration in the gym at the Denver Indian Center on Morrison Road. Sept. 12, 2021.

What to expect at this year’s Denver American Indian Festival in Lakewood

The free and family-friendly event will feature food, a kids art and craft station and a lineup of Indigenous performers all weekend long.

Archway Communities' Sheridan Ridge Townhomes in Arvada. Sept. 21, 2023.

A new model of renting comes to Arvada — one where tenants get some money back

The goal is to help tenants build wealth and get them to pay rent on time

Ben Rickenbacker, the Forestry Operations Manager with Denver Parks and Recreation, stands beneath his favorite tree, a big bur oak in Civic Center Park. Sept. 19, 2023.

You don’t need to hop on I-70 to peep the changing leaves. Here’s where to find fall colors in Denver

The city's forester says the very wet year will make the views even better than past seasons.

Kevin Breidenbach y Luke Wierman colocan carteles en las tiendas de campaña mientras los Socialistas Democráticos de América en Denver protestan contra el alquiler y los desalojos conforme la economía sigue sufriendo durante la pandemia. 1 de julio de 2020.

Cómo las familias inmigrantes y refugiadas en Denver pueden solicitar asistencia monetaria única

Las familias que no cumplan requisitos para obtener beneficios federales pueden recibir entre $1,000 y $1,500.

A parked Denver Police cruiser. Sept. 30, 2021.

Denver’s 911 service restored after power outage

If you tried calling 911 this afternoon, here's why a different city may have answered your call instead.

Tivoli Student Union on Denver's Auraria Campus, April 30, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The Colorado Korean Culture Festival is coming to Denver this Saturday. Here’s what you can expect

Los Angeles artist Justin Park will headline the event at the Auraria Campus. Expect K-pop dance battles, more than 20 food vendors and an actual Korean wedding ceremony.

More Denverite

An unidentified man rides a horse along the Jasper Lake Trail west of Eldora in Boulder County, Colorado. Circa 1922. (Donald Kemp/Denver Public Library/Western History Collection/K-306)