Author: reporter

A former Denver City Council member calls it “Democracy 101.” A current council member says she’s “surprised by the level of vitriol and intentional sharing of misinformation.” The topic: A special tax district in Cherry Creek. Last month, after significant pushback from residents in the ritzy neighborhood, discussions of implementing a general improvement district, which would have paid for improvements by increasing property taxes, were abandoned. “I’ve never personally seen that big a pushback on a district — and so early,” said Jamie Giellis, a local consultant hired to facilitate the process. Special taxing districts have been on the rise…

Matt Peart played 57 snaps Sunday in London with a torn MCL in his left leg. The Broncos’ left guard was injured on Denver’s first possession of the outing in London and, according to right tackle Mike McGlinchey, “didn’t even ask to get looked at.” Peart was pass-protecting on the play and New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson flew around the pocket and ended up getting launched into the air and into Peart’s left leg. Broncos podcast: Taking stock of Sean Payton’s team through a 4-2 start “That’s so tough. You can’t (put it into perspective). It’s hard to…

The City Council has approved $1.5 million in settlements for six people who sued Denver over the police department’s use of force during the 2020 George Floyd protests. The payouts, approved Tuesday in a block vote, are for plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court by the Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer law firm in 2022. The council approved a $1.06 million settlement in the same case, involving different plaintiffs, last month. In the larger of the new settlements, the five plaintiffs who will receive a combined $1.2 million payout are Derek Buranen, Gareth Doskey, Jack Girard, Robert…

A Centennial spa owner and massage therapist was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of prostitution in an undercover sting by the sheriff’s office, according to court documents. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a man who said he was offered sexual acts in exchange for money during a massage at the Mango Spa, 6650 S. Vine St., according to an arrest affidavit. Disguised as a customer, a deputy went undercover in the spa on Oct. 2 and met the 46-year-old woman who owns the business. The woman gave the deputy a similar offer for sex during…

Former MVP Russell Westbrook is joining the Sacramento Kings. Westbrook’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, confirmed the deal to ESPN. Schwartz did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. The 36-year-old Westbrook is entering his 18th season in the league. He’s the all-time leader with 203 triple-doubles and ranks 20th in NBA history with 26,205 points and eighth with 9,925 assists. He holds career averages of 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists. The nine-time All-Star began his career with Oklahoma City and teamed up with Kevin Durant to help the Thunder become a league power. After…

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and STEPHEN GROVES, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Entering the third week of a government shutdown, Democrats say they are not intimidated or cowed by President Donald Trump’s efforts to fire thousands of federal workers or by his threats of more firings to come. Instead, Democrats appear emboldened, showing no signs of caving as they returned to Washington from their home states Tuesday evening and, for an eighth time, rejected a Republican bill to open the government. “What people are saying is, you’ve got to stop the carnage,” said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, describing what he…

By FATIMA HUSSEIN, JOEY CAPPELLETTI, JESSE BEDAYN and SAFIYAH RIDDLE, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — With every passing day of the government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay face mounting financial strain. And now they are confronting new uncertainty with the Trump administration’s promised layoffs. Little progress has been made to end the shutdown as it enters its third week, with Republicans and Democrats digging in and convinced their messaging is resonating with voters. The fate of the federal workers is among several pressure points that could eventually push the sides to agree to…

It’s been four years since Gov. Jared Polis trumpeted the promise of the Global Energy Park near Golden as a future state-of-the-art laboratory — one that would position Colorado and Jefferson County as “leaders in the future of energy.” But the hopes contained in those lofty words from his October 2021 announcement have dimmed as the 9.3-acre, state-owned parcel has continued to sit vacant. In recent months, the state instead has begun eyeing the site, which lies in the shadow of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab, for an apartment complex. It’s a shift that vocal neighbors in…

For the second time in a little more than a year, a group of technology companies and consumer advocates will meet and try to land what has become the Colorado legislature’s white whale: a consensus on regulating artificial intelligence. Convened by Gov. Jared Polis, the working group will seek to rewrite the state’s much-maligned — and still dormant — AI regulations, which generally seek to prevent discrimination by AI that’s used in hiring or lending decisions. AI companies and the agencies that use their technology have said Colorado’s existing regulations are both too burdensome and would stifle the industry in…

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in LEO. Happy Birthday for Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025: You are intelligent, orderly and organized. You plan ahead for all possibilities. You love novelty. Take time this year to renew your spiritual or religious beliefs. This year gets more exciting as it goes along. Explore philosophies that give you better insight into the meaning of your life. ARIES (March 21-April 19) ★★★★Today is a mixed bag. It’s a favorable day for you because the Moon is in the most fun-filled part of your chart. Social…