2:38 p.m. The Denver animal shelter is closed for adoptions and vaccinations but open for stray pet services -- if you're not sick or exposed
Denver Animal Protection has stopped its adoption and immunization services at local animal shelters.
"Denver Animal Shelter remains open for limited intake and stray pet services, as we must reunite lost pets with their families," a statement from the shelter system says. "We respectfully request that anyone who is currently ill (or has any known risk factors related to the virus) not visit Denver Animal Shelter."
If you are searching for a lost pet, call 720-913-1311.
While the shelter is open for stray animal issues, staffers say people who find them should hold onto them and try to find their owners.
Tips for reuniting pets with their owners are on the city's website. So is a link to donate money.
1:34 p.m. Denver Public Schools hasn't publicly identified any cases of COVID-19 and that won't change
Chalkbeat reports that the school system in the county with the most reported cases doesn't have the ability:z
Visit Chalkbeat Colorado for the full story.
12:42 p.m. Mayor Michael Hancock has no plans to close some streets to cars as other cities have done
You may have heard about cities like New York and Philadelphia are closing some streets to cars to give pedestrians more space to, well, stay away from each other.
Walking and biking advocates have asked the city of Denver to do the same thing. The idea even has some support from councilman Chris Hinds.
"Considering we're to maintain at least 6′ between each other, even a 4′ wide sidewalk isn't wide enough to achieve distancing requirements. We're all sheltering at home, so there are far fewer demands for drivers who need to get from A to B, so let's use those streets for people," he tweeted.
But asked today via email if the city had any such plans, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure spokeswoman Heather Burke replied, "No plans to report."
- Nathaniel Minor
11:56 a.m. The Denver Zoo is making its animals and zoologists into internet stars in a virtual safari (psst, parents, you'll want to read this)
You no longer have to go to the zoo to see its animals and learn stuff, which is good, because you're not allowed to go to the zoo to see its animals and learn stuff.
The Denver Zoo just announced "Zoo to You: A Virtual Safari" to help us homebound animals from getting cabin fever. Parents, kids and everyone else can visit the zoo's website, which will be updated daily with animal videos, wildlife-themed things to do and other stuff zoo-curious people to do at home.
Also: Every day at 1 p.m., the zoo will feature a new animal with a live stream on its Facebook page. Don't miss your chance to see that unnamed baby rhino.
11:29 a.m. City streets are empty and not good for buskers. So this busker is shredding in front of 51,000 people on Reddit.
Update: His set is over, but other musicians have continued to vibe.
Brett Dallas is a virtual busker.
11:10 a.m. Relief for residents of 3 Denver apartment buildings owned by a Chicago company
A Chicago-based residential property company announced Wednesday that it was halting evictions at its properties across the country, including its three complexes in Denver, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
In the announcement, Equity Residential said evictions would be halted for the next 90 days for those who can document that they have been hurt financially by the pandemic. The company also said it was creating payment plans for residents who are unable to pay their rent because of the pandemic and waiving late fees for them, too.
Equity's buildings in Denver are Radius Uptown at 1935 Logan St., Skyhouse Denver at 1776 Broadway and Eviva on Cherokee at 1250 Cherokee St.
- Donna Bryson
10:49 a.m. Future famous artists get their start on a Wellshire sidewalk
10:20 a.m. Swallow Hill Music lays off all teachers to avoid 'total collapse' of nonprofit
The legendary organization known for providing music lessons and concerts for people of all ages has laid off the vast majority of its workers, including all teachers and hourly workers and a third of its administrative staff.
Swallow Hill's few remaining employees are taking deep pay cuts, CEO Paul Lhevine wrote in an email to members.
"With this small team that remains, we have begun the task of planning for how we reopen our doors and breathe new life into all of our programming - from group classes and private lessons to concerts, community jams and community outreach," Lhevine wrote. "Our goal is to ensure when this crisis is over, Swallow Hill will once again be able to open our doors, bring our teachers back to work, and invite our community to come together as the music community that means so much to so many."
The nonprofit will seek donations for artist and teacher housing in the future, Lhevine wrote. Anyone who wants give money can visit Swallow Hill's website.
9:30 a.m. DIA's parking lots are deserted
9:05 a.m. A gun store owner slighted because the city didn't deem his shop essential
So he's suing, Denver 7 reports.
7:04 a.m. Mayor Michael Hancock has a Broncos-themed bro cave
Hancock posted a PSA this morning reminding people to exercise. Good message, for sure, but we were more interested in the Broncos shrine he seems to have somewhere in his home.
