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Tag: Denver

Denver voters will decide whether to allow non-citizens to serve as police, firefighters
denvergazette.com, Local

Denver voters will decide whether to allow non-citizens to serve as police, firefighters

By Alexander Edwards | Denver Gazette Non-citizens are one step closer to being able to apply to become a Denver police officer or firefighter after the City Council unanimously approved a ballot measure seeking to change the city charter during Monday’s meeting. The proposed charter change requiring police and fire departments to drop a requirement that applicants be a U.S. citizen must be approved in November by voters, who face an increasingly dense ballot.  Monday’s proposed charter change will allow immigrants of “legal status” to serve as Denver police officers and firefighters, bringing the city in line with employment discrimination laws, according to Councilmember Jamie Torres. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Crime ‘hot spots’ in Denver may be result of illegal immigration surge, councilmembers say
denvergazette.com, Local

Crime ‘hot spots’ in Denver may be result of illegal immigration surge, councilmembers say

By Alexander Edwards  | Denver Gazette A pair of Denver councilmembers on Wednesday implied that the surge in illegal immigration over the past 18 months is linked to an increase in crime in some neighborhoods they represent. Councilmembers Amanda Sawyer and Stacie Gilmore shared anecdotal stories of crimes occurring in “hot spots” in their respective districts during a committee hearing.  Both law enforcement and city officials, including the Johnston administration, use the phrase "hot spot" to denote an area with a spiking crime rate. The city, for example, earlier designated five areas as "hot spots" — places that, by design, will be getting law enforcement's focus in the administration's campaign to curb gun-related crimes. The specific areas are not necessarily the most...
Half of Denver voters’ top concern is homelessness, one-third say taxes are ‘way too high’
kdvr.com, Local

Half of Denver voters’ top concern is homelessness, one-third say taxes are ‘way too high’

By Lisa D'Souza | Fox 31 News A new study from the Colorado Polling Institute shows new insight into how Denver voters feel about the city and its leadership. The numbers come from a bipartisan poll that was conducted in June. According to the results, when it comes to safety and the community, 73% of those polled said they feel “very or somewhat safe” in Denver. This is up from 68% in 2023. READ THE FULL REPORT AT FOX 31 DENVER
Denver mayor wants a tax increase. Proposes lifting sales tax to 9.31%.
kdvr.com, Local

Denver mayor wants a tax increase. Proposes lifting sales tax to 9.31%.

By Samantha Jarpe | Fox 31 News Denver Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled a proposal Monday to raise $100 million a year for affordable housing projects by raising the sales tax in Denver by 0.5%. The proposed 0.5% tax will account for about 5 cents on a $10 purchase, according to a release sent by the mayor’s office. There would be exceptions for many of the everyday essentials people buy including food, fuel, medical supplies and personal hygiene products, meaning the new tax would not apply to those purchases. Because it involves raising taxes, the proposal will need to be approved by the City Council and then by voters in November before being implemented. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
Employee unionizing effort to be put to Denver City Council vote tonight, and then it could be headed to voters
DENVER7, Local

Employee unionizing effort to be put to Denver City Council vote tonight, and then it could be headed to voters

By Wanya Reese | Denver 7 News Thousands of city workers in Denver could move a step closer to unionizing as Denver City Council takes a critical vote on the matter Monday night. If approved, voters would have the final say on the November ballot. Three council members that Denver7 spoke with said they are in support of measure and feel confident that the measure will pass. “So right now in the city and county of Denver, people don't have the ability to form a union and have that be formally recognized by the city, and so all we're trying to do is lay the groundwork," said Councilwoman Sara Parady. "What's exciting about it, is that pretty much anything to do with your terms and conditions of employment is on the table." This is a decision that will impact employees across the ...
Squeegee workers could be cited at Denver intersections or highways
CBS Colorado, Local

Squeegee workers could be cited at Denver intersections or highways

By Jasmine Arenas | CBS Colorado Police in Denver are warning windshield washers that they could be cited at Denver intersections.  This scenario has become so normal that drivers can actually count on a handful of people waiting for them at busy intersections. For the windshield washers, their ultimate goal is to make a buck or two. Groups of squeegee workers say Denver Police have stopped by a number of intersections and highways to hand out fliers letting them know that what they're doing is illegal - more specifically walking through intersections and asking for money. However, the groups say this is their only way of making ends meet. From sun up to sun down, groups of squeegee workers can be found at intersections in Denver hoping to make a few bucks. READ THE FUL...
Hotel in Denver, purchased a year ago at $9M price tag for the unhoused, still not open
DENVER7, Local

Hotel in Denver, purchased a year ago at $9M price tag for the unhoused, still not open

By Brandon Richard | Denver 7 News A former hotel intended to house people experiencing homelessness has still not opened, more than a year after the city purchased it for $9 million. Plans for the hotel pre-date the current Denver mayor. In 2021, then-Mayor Michael Hancock stood in front of the Stay Inn hotel at 38th and Peoria and announced plans for the city buy the hotel and convert it into a shelter for people experiencing homelessness. “This building here behind us represents hope, the transformation that can take place on this project and the transformation that is possible for the people who will call it home,” Hancock said at the time. READ THE FULL STORY AT DENVER 7 NEWS
Window washing at intersections is illegal in Denver, police say
kdvr.com, Local

Window washing at intersections is illegal in Denver, police say

By Rachel Saurer | FOX 31 DENVER It has been months since Denver drivers first started noticing window washers at many busy intersections across the metro area. Now, it is almost a usual sight to see a few men in groups, squeegees and water bottles in hand approaching cars waiting for the stoplight. The Denver Police Department told FOX31 that this practice is illegal, and a couple of months ago, the department began posting flyers across the city to educate the individuals engaging in window washing. They are written in Spanish, with the headlines reading: “The Risks of Cleaning Windshields: It is dangerous, it is illegal.” READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 DENVER
Denver nonprofit at risk of shutting down its free vet clinic if it can’t find new location
DENVER7, Local

Denver nonprofit at risk of shutting down its free vet clinic if it can’t find new location

By Amy Wadas | Denver 7 News The Denver nonprofit Peace, Love and Paws is at risk of shutting down its free vet clinic if it can’t find a new location. The group provides free veterinary services for the people experiencing homelessness and living below the poverty line. Sherry Fidler brought her 5-year-old dog Cota to the clinic located inside St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Denver on June 6 to get checked out for an injury. The clinic is held the first Thursday of every month.  “She was limping on her leg, and I brought her in,” Fidler said.  Fidler found out Cota, her energetic dog, tore her ACL and will need surgery. This marked Fidler’s third time coming to the Peace, Love and Paws free vet clinic. She said she can't afford a veterinarian right now. READ THE ...
Denver councilman demands investigation into alleged political interference in police, fire hirings
coloradopolitics.com, Local

Denver councilman demands investigation into alleged political interference in police, fire hirings

By Alexander Edwards | Colorado Politics Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn has called for an investigation into the allegations that Mayor Mike Johnston pressured the Civil Service Commission to ignore “red flags” in applicants to Denver’s police and fire departments The Commission's five-member board said it made the decision to release Executive Director Niecy Murray on May 16 and had arranged a meeting to inform her of that decision. Murray, however, held a press conference Tuesday morning in which she made her allegations public.  Flynn said some of her claims are "lacking specificity," and cites that as his primary motivator in calling for an investigation. Murray should "name names, tell us when, what was done and who recommended lowering acceptable test scor...