Denver news in 5 minutes: What you need to know today, Jan. 23

(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) staff photo
Andrew Kenney

Hey there. Today’s news roundup is heavy on the issues that are defining 2018, from opioids to immigration, plus lots of other Colorado stuff. Plus, check out this incredible photo I found from the early 1900s.

Men and women relax near a campfire at night in a Colorado pine forest, likely between 1910 and 1920. (Colorado Association/Denver Public Library/Z-7758)

Men and women relax near a campfire at night in a Colorado pine forest, likely between 1910 and 1920. (Colorado Association/Denver Public Library/Z-7758)

Politics:

The deal to reopen the federal government included an extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which means 75,000 Colorado children keep their insurance. But there was nothing there immediately for DACA recipients, which has immigration activists upset with both of Colorado’s U.S. senators. (DP)

A bill that would allow for supervised  drug injection sites is headed for a notoriously difficult committee. A high-ranking Republican senator has expressed serious doubts.  (Denverite)

With unanimous City Council support (but a not-quite-unanimous vote) last night, Denver became one of the first cities in the U.S. to ban bump stocks. (Denverite)

Growth:

Denver’s restaurant industry is struggling with a shortage of qualified people. (Denverite)

Planners want to double the size of C-470 near Morrison and turn Highway 93 into a four-lane road south of Boulder, as John Aguilar reports. C-470 could get a designated autonomous lane. (DP)

Opponents of the plan to rebuild I-70 got some bad news yesterday: A federal judge rejected a request to freeze the project. (Denverite)

A study places Denver in the category of cities that would be hit second hardest were they to get Amazon, in terms of affordability. (CityLab)

Tech:

Sphero, the toy-droid maker, is laying off workers and pivoting to education after disappointing holiday sales. Shay Castle reports. (Daily Camera)

The solar industry in Colorado is very unhappy with Trump’s new tariffs, which will increase the cost of importing solar panels. Dan Njegomir reports. (ColPol)

Beer & weed:

Craft beer continues to grow at a crazy pace. Derek Thompson digs in deep. (CityLab)

Recreational weed becomes legal in Vermont on July 1.

Local entrepreneur and mayoral candidate Kayvan Khalatbari quit the National Cannabis Industry Association. Drama’s here. (Marijuana Business Daily)

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