Hey there. Today's news roundup includes the great Utah-Colorado battle, the latest reason not to go to the DMV, a distinct local impact of the Republican health plan and more.
The weather:
64 and sunny today. A little bit cooler over the weekend in Denver. The mountains may get a few inches of snow tonight.
So, long ShopHouse:
Denver-based Chipotle is closing its 15 ShopHouse restaurants, ending an experiment in Asian fusion. Employees will be offered jobs at Chipotle restaurants. (AP via DP)
Directionless and lonely:
That's us – according to Gallup, anyway. At least we're fit? (Denverite)
Utah vs. Colorado:
Utah spends almost as much as Colorado on transportation, despite the fact that Colorado's much larger in population. Why? Well, the executive director of CDOT would tell you it's because "Utah is coming for our businesses." And, based on Ed Sealover and Cathy Proctor's reporting, it sure does seem like the two states are in heated competition. (DBJ)
Problems? At the DMV?
Yes, I'm afraid it's true. KDVR used an undercover camera to capture the fact that the agency's computers have crashed at least four days this week, which is turning into a huge pain for people. If you can, I'd advise leaving yourself plenty of time to get your license renewed and whatnot, or just waiting a while. (KDVR)
Who the health care plan hits:
The Republican health care plan, AHCA, takes a "flat" approach to benefits. No more adjustments based on what plans in your area cost, and relatively little adjustment for income. The result: People on the Western Slope lose significant amounts of the help they currently get with their premiums, as do poor and old people, as I reported yesterday. (Denverite)
Landlords on evictions:
Megan talked to landlords about the cost and process of evicting someone. Cap Hill apparently is seeing a lot of evictions lately. (Denverite)
TABOR reform:
Democrats in the state House passed a Republican-sponsored bill that would free up more state spending money when the economy's good, as Peter Marcus reports. Its chances in the Republican-controlled Senate are perhaps not great. (Colorado Politics)
Sanctuary cities or not?
Aurora's city council will meet March 27 for a formal discussion on whether or not Aurora is a "sanctuary city," as Quincy Snowdon reports. I'm not really sure whether the push is for the city to embrace or reject that designation. “What we’ve got is a moving target,” the mayor said. “Everybody is understandably nervous and emotional, and some are very honestly afraid." (Aurora Sentinel)
Meanwhile, as Snowdon reports, the city's council race is shaping up. (Aurora Sentinel)
Pizza at Black Shirt:
Black Shirt Brewing is going to start serving pizza, salads and dessert at its brewpub near 38th and Blake, as Jonathan Shikes reports. They'll join Jake's as one of the only eateries in that couple of blocks, which is expected to see a huge amount of development in the next few years. (Westword)
New apartments on South Broadway:
A developer plans to build 225 one-bedrooms, 68 two-bedrooms and a handful of other units at I-25 and South Broadway, according to CREJ. (CREJ)
Something to look at:
Here, a gorgeous photo essay on cops and boxing by Kevin.
