Hey, y'all. Check out this gorgeous photo I found in the library archives this morning -- you can still see the traces of the old theater's life and grandeur, but then there's a huge truck that says "Nope, you're done." After that, read on for today's Denver news roundup.
Life in the city:
It's podcast time. This week, Ashley tells you about a restaurant you can't go to (because of a fire) and Erica reports back on a ludicrously long City Hall meeting about historic value and gentrification around Highland. Listen local. (Denverite)
Here's what's happening this weekend. I'd love to see Future Islands, and maybe also the lecture about the KKK's history here. And don't forget that the Rockies have three home games against the Dodgers. (Denverite)
The weekend should stick in the low 70s, with a chance of rain today and on Saturday afternoon. (Denverite)
Twelve of the internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei's huge bronze sculptures will be installed in Civic Center Park next Tuesday. (Denverite)
Justice ^ policing:
Denver police are almost ready to start collecting more information about the race, age and sex of everyone they stop. It's meant to show what role bias plays in policing, as I reported. (Denverite)
ICE detained 63 people in Denver and almost 500 nationwide in an operation that targeted "sanctuary" cities. The four-day operation actually wasn't unusual in terms of the number of people arrested-- instead, immigrant advocates say it was meant to send a political message. (Denverite)
Weed:
Target.com briefly offered CBD oil for sale. It's a product derived from hemp, which is really just marijuana with very little THC. It remains federally illegal, which would explain why it's no longer on the website -- but this may be a sign that big retailers are willing to experiment with cannabis, as Alicia Wallace reports. (The Cannabist)
Housing & development:
The feds will allow 59 acres in Lakewood to be used for housing and related services, as Monica Mendoza reports. (DBJ)
Megan got more details on the proposed 90-story skyscraper. A lot of details are still up in the air -- way up in the air, actually -- including whether it would have a hotel. They still haven't submitted plans to the city. (Denverite)
Politics:
The legislature is coming back into session so it can fix a mistake that was keeping money from reaching special districts such as RTD. The special districts will pay the $20,000-a-day cost of the session. Sucks for them, but it makes it easier politically for the governor. (Colorado Politics)
The feds gave RTD an important approval that sets the stage for the eventual removal of crossing attendants from the A and B lines, as well as perhaps for the testing of the G Line. The state of Colorado, however, is still giving RTD trouble, as Megan reports. (Denverite)
Sporting:
The Denver Nuggets have got themselves a point-guard competition. The season is coming, folks. (Denverite)
This weekend may be Carlos Gonzalez' last homestand with the Rockies as his free agency is set to begin after the post-season. Nick Groke reports. (DP)
Disc golf is getting kind of crowded. Get away at this new course. (Denverite)
Space angels:
Colorado ranks second among states for private-sector employment in the space industry, but we have very few space startups. This story by Greg Avery also includes the words "space angel investor" and "Space Angels," which I imagine looks like this guy. (DBJ)
