Denver news in 5 minutes: What you need to know today, Jan. 31

Andrew Kenney

Jan. 31, 2018, 8:08 a.m.

Hello, Denverinos. Today’s news of note ranges from massive federal spending plans to a fight over the National Western Center, the low-low prices of weed in Oregon and more.

A zookeeper feeds a bear cub at the Denver Zoo between 1910 and 1920. (Harry Mellon Rhoads/Western History & Genealogy Dept./Denver Public Library)

State and federal:

Tom Tancredo just quit the governor race. He credits the Denver Post, 9News … and a lack of money. Here’s who remains in the Republican field. (Colorado Politics, Denverite)

President Donald Trump says he wants $1.5 trillion in infrastructure spending, but Laura Bliss (hi, Laura!) reports that bipartisan support seems “pretty untenable,” in part because it asks states and cities to contribute way more money than usual. (CityLab)

Local action:

Denver City Council approved the first board members for the National Western Center amid concerns about community representation. (Denverite)

Denver DA Beth McCann is supporting a lawsuit by the city of Los Angeles against the Department of Justice. It’s about immigration enforcement. (Denverite)

Denver spent $155,000 lobbying the legislature last year, fourth highest among government entities. (KUNC)

Intoxicants:

Weed is selling for $50 per pound in Oregon. If you know anything about weed – and I certainly don’t! – then you know that’s ludicrously cheap.

It’s hard to make sake in Denver. Colorado Sake Company and State Sen. Lucia Guzman are working on changing the rules. (Denverite)

Ideas:

Ashley profiled the local tea shop that is using art to lift up people who have been incarcerated. (Denverite)

Former mayor Wellington Webb has an idea: Let’s call it Mile High Stadium at Pat Bowlen Field. I feel like it should go in the other order, personally. Isn’t the field in the stadium? (Denverite)

Science says: Put a robot in that dirty old mine shaft. (AP)

Amazon:

Besides a ton of free publicity, Amazon is harvesting a ton of free data from cities in the HQ2 search. It will likely use that data as it places warehouses and other stuff for years to come. (NYT)

CityLab also has a helpful analysis of all the HQ2 contenders. Denver is “solid but unremarkable.” Yeah! (CityLab)

Luna:

Next person to say “super blue blood moon” gets banned from this website. I will find a way. Except you, Seth.

https://twitter.com/smotus/status/958691109135200258

Daniel Trujillo's Latin Vibes warm up before showtime in Dazzle Denver's new location at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Sept. 21, 2023.

Relive El Chapultepec’s glory days at Sunday’s Dazzle tribute concert to Denver’s Jazz Latino Heritage

Local jazz figures will play a tribute concert honoring the life and legacy of Denver music icon Freddy Rodriguez Sr.

Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne. Sept. 21, 2023.

Denver Health is at a ‘critical point’ due to rising costs and treating uninsured patients, but its city funding is staying the same

The hospital’s costs for treating uninsured patients look set to more than double since 2020.

The GABF 35th Anniversary IPL, a collaboration between festival founder Charlie Papazian and Boulder Beer Co, paired here with black truffel salami and MIdnight Moon goat gouda from Cypress Grove cheesemakers. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Things to do in Denver this weekend, Sept. 22-24

The Great American Beer Festival, the Feed Your Seoul Colorado Korean Culture Festival and more!

Loretto Heights, seen looking southwest from La Alma/Lincoln Park. Sept. 21, 2023.

With the city’s acquisition of Loretto Heights’ library and theater, development of Southwest Denver’s likely future core is well underway

Apartments. Entertainment venues. Green space. And in the future, a "Union Station."

The Denver Art Museum Friendship Powwow and American Indian Cultural Celebration in the gym at the Denver Indian Center on Morrison Road. Sept. 12, 2021.

What to expect at this year’s Denver American Indian Festival in Lakewood

The free and family-friendly event will feature food, a kids art and craft station and a lineup of Indigenous performers all weekend long.

Archway Communities' Sheridan Ridge Townhomes in Arvada. Sept. 21, 2023.

A new model of renting comes to Arvada — one where tenants get some money back

The goal is to help tenants build wealth and get them to pay rent on time

Ben Rickenbacker, the Forestry Operations Manager with Denver Parks and Recreation, stands beneath his favorite tree, a big bur oak in Civic Center Park. Sept. 19, 2023.

You don’t need to hop on I-70 to peep the changing leaves. Here’s where to find fall colors in Denver

The city's forester says the very wet year will make the views even better than past seasons.

Kevin Breidenbach y Luke Wierman colocan carteles en las tiendas de campaña mientras los Socialistas Democráticos de América en Denver protestan contra el alquiler y los desalojos conforme la economía sigue sufriendo durante la pandemia. 1 de julio de 2020.

Cómo las familias inmigrantes y refugiadas en Denver pueden solicitar asistencia monetaria única

Las familias que no cumplan requisitos para obtener beneficios federales pueden recibir entre $1,000 y $1,500.

A parked Denver Police cruiser. Sept. 30, 2021.

Denver’s 911 service restored after power outage

If you tried calling 911 this afternoon, here's why a different city may have answered your call instead.

Tivoli Student Union on Denver's Auraria Campus, April 30, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The Colorado Korean Culture Festival is coming to Denver this Saturday. Here’s what you can expect

Los Angeles artist Justin Park will headline the event at the Auraria Campus. Expect K-pop dance battles, more than 20 food vendors and an actual Korean wedding ceremony.