Good morning! Today's news roundup includes a look into how changing Medicaid could affect the independence of some people with disabilities, possible name changes coming to the Colorado Convention Center and Denver Performing Arts Complex, what happens when humans interfere with nature, and more.
How changing Medicaid could change housing stability
Aaron Walbert, 30, has a lot to lose. He's a member of a rare group of people who have significant disabilities but have been able to become homeowners. Here's why people with disabilities and their advocates fear the Republican health care plan would force Walbert and others like him out of their homes. (Denverite)
Connecting Welton Street to the A Line
RTD's Central Rail Extension will allow light rail riders to connect from Welton Street to the A Line at 38th and Blake. But RTD needs to first figure out how to cover the $110-million cost of adding less than a mile of rail and two new stations. (Denverite)
When humans cause problems with nature
Wildlife managers and homeowners have already killed 34 bears in Colorado this summer — a number that reflects bears' increasing reliance on human food. Here's how Colorado became a state where people kill more than 1,000 bears a year. (Denver Post)
Conundrum Hot Springs outside of Aspen can attract 300 visitors a night, so it might not be surprising that the popular backpacking spot has a poop problem. The U.S. Forest Service already asks hikers to pack out their own waste, but it could become mandatory by next summer. (CPR)
So far this year, unauthorized drones have been detected near wildfires 17 times in nine western states. Fourteen of those incidents temporarily suspended aerial firefighting operations. Here's why you should absolutely not fly drones near a wildfire. (CPR)
Funding the arts
Denver and the nonprofit Denver Center for the Performing Arts are hoping to bring in tens of millions of dollars by selling the naming rights to the Colorado Convention Center and the Denver Performing Arts Complex to help fund the spaces' proposed renovations. (Denver Post)
Meow Wolf, the popular immersive art exhibition in New Mexico, is hoping to raise $1 million to expand to other cities — with Denver, Austin, Las Vegas, and Houston listed as top contenders. (Associated Press)
Fatal shooting
A shooting in southwest Denver left a woman dead at the scene and a man in critical condition Sunday night. (Denver Post)
Eat and drink for a cause
Here's a roundup of the food and drink events you can check out in Denver this week, with many supporting local nonprofits. (303 Magazine)
