Good morning. Today's news roundup includes Colorado reactions to the Trump-Comey scandal's latest, the threat of snow tonight, an interesting project for Ballpark and more.
Political storm:
Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman was one of the first Republicans to make a strong statement on the reports that President Donald Trump asked former FBI director James Comey to end an investigation into a Trump associate. Here's what the rest of our congressfolk said, via Erica. (Denverite)
Actual storms:
The hail storm last week may keep Colorado Mills closed until November. Joseph Rios reports. (Denverite)
Meanwhile, we may get several inches of snow tonight at higher elevations around Denver, not to mention up to three feet in the mountains. (Denverite)
Giant pencil on the mall:
Developers have the initial OK to double the height of the Dr. Foster building with the giant painted pencil for a smokestack on the 900 block of 16th Street. It's unclear if the pencil will survive. Adrian got the goods. (Denverite)
Ballpark:
The city is about to shut down a block of 21st Street in Ballpark in preparation for a pop-up park that will be there all summer. It may foreshadow a larger plan for a permanent "downtown loop." (Denverite)
In the library:
Jeremy Jojola spent days in the library recording alleged drug-dealing. He and Katie Wilcox report that there has been a spike this year in calls about overdoses, fights and sexual assaults at the central branch. There's a suggestion in the story that Denver's sweeps of homeless people is driving people into the building. (9News)
Michael Sakas reported earlier on how librarians are trying to take on their new role as a de facto homeless shelter. (CPR)
Inventing Room:
After closing on Lawrence Street last year, the Inventing Room will reopen as the Inventing Room Dessert Shop at Tennyson and 29th Avenue this summer. They're also planning shops in Qatar and Dubai? Oh, and there will be virtual reality involved in the new local shop. Huh. Denise Mickelsen reports. (5280)
Be a bank robber:
JeffCo Sheriff's Office is looking for people to play "bank robbers, terrorists, victims and witnesses" in training scenarios. (JeffCo)
CU Boulder:
A recent survey found that only a quarter of black undergrads and less than half of undergrads in general felt welcome on CU's Boulder campus. So, the university is creating new "Social Justice Living Environment" dorms that will be oriented toward LGBT students, black students and "passionate champions of diversity." Elizabeth Hernandez reports. (Daily Camera)
Free at last again:
Rene Lima-Marin was sentenced to 98 years in prison for two robberies of video stores. He was accidentally released in 2008 after only eight years. In 2014, he was imprisoned again. Now a judge has ordered him freed again -- this time for good -- with the unanimous support of the Colorado House of Representatives. Kelsey Ray reports. (Independent) Correction: Kelsey Ray, not Rey. Sorry!
Coal Creek killings:
A 24-year-old suspect has been arrested in the triple homicide last month in Coal Creek Canyon. Witnesses said they spotted him with large amounts of marijuana that resembled the marijuana kept by the victims, as well as a lot of cash, after the homicides. John Bear reports. (Daily Camera)
Target:
Target opens on 16th Street Mall in summer 2018. (Denverite)
