Headlines — March 11, 2022

Headlines March 11, 2022

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Douglas County School Board To Hold Special Session Today After Receiving Court Injunction

The Douglas County School Board will hold a special meeting today to discuss whether they will appoint Board President Mike Peterson to handle strategic recommendations in response to a current lawsuit the board is facing.

The lawsuit names Mike Peterson, along with the board’s three other conservative members, Becky Myers, Kaylee Winegar and Christy Williams. Douglas County resident sued in Feb. claiming board members violated open meeting laws by meeting one-on-one prior to firing of School Superintendent Corey Wise. 

Earlier this week, District Court Judge Jeffrey Holmes found the board members collectively fired Wise outside of public purview and issued a preliminary injunction ordering the members to conduct business publicly. 

According to the board’s agenda, Peterson’s appointment will cover the complete duration of the lawsuit, including any appellate proceedings.

Denver DA Drops Charges Against Security Guard Involved With 2020 Fatal Shooting Of Pro-Police Demonstrator 

The Denver District Attorney is dropping charges of second degree murder against Matthew Dollot, an unlicensed security detail who shot and killed pro-police protester, Lee Keltner, Oct. 10  2020.

Dollof, who working as a security detail for Channel 9 News, shot and killed Keltner, a 49-year-old hat-maker, navy veteran and blue lives matter demonstrator in what he describes as self-defense in front of the Denver Art Museum.

The Denver District Attorney’s office states they “are not able to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” According to Dollof’s attorney, the charges are going to be dropped through a pretrial conference later this month.

 Adams County Treasurer Files Notice Of Intent To Sue County Over Reputational Damage

Adams County Treasurer Lisa Culpepper says she will sue Adams County for reputational damage, emotional distress, and extra work defending against “false claims” that she was derelict in her duties. 

According to The Denver Post, Culpepper wants more than $1 million from the county in damages. 

Adams County Commissioners sued Culpepper last Oct. claiming she had mismanaged more than $200 million in taxpayer funds, including the accounting of $90 million in federal COVID-19 relief money. The county also says that Culpepper has failed to respond to thousands of taxpayer inquiries about the status of their tax bill and remittances to her office. 

Culpepper began her role as Adams County treasurer in 2019 and is seeking reelection in November. The Denver Post reports Adams County is looking to replace Culpepper with a court-appointed receiver to manage county finances.

The county’s finance director warned the Adam’s County Commission in Jan. that a communication breakdown with the treasurer’s office was jeopardizing the finance department’s ability to complete a required state audit.County officials have expressed concerns that if they do not complete the audit, the state could withhold property tax proceeds and halt county operations. 

Boulder Police Oversight Panel Adopts Bylaws

Boulder’s Police Oversight Panel adopted a set of bylaws yesterday that, going forward, will govern the operations of the nine-member panel.

The Boulder City Council created the panel in 2020 in response to calls for police reform. According to The Daily Camera, the panel took a year to develop a set of draft bylaws and accepted public comments through March 2. The panel rejected public feedback that argued it should have direct power to punish or terminate police personnel.

As part of the bylaws, the Independent Police Monitor will exclude the name and rank identifiers of personnel before the monitor presents a summary for an open session vote that determines if an investigation will proceed. After the vote, the monitor will restore identifiers in closed session for members to determine any conflicts of interest. 

Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Returns From The Pandemic Hiatus 

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade will return tomorrow starting at 9:30 AM. According to The Denver Post, the event draws an average crowd of around 300,000 to 400,000 people.

The sea of green will begin in downtown Denver at Wynkoop and 19th Street and end at the Coors Field. While many believe the City of Denver puts on the annual parade, a group of volunteers created the event and have operated it for more than 58 years. 

Public transportation users should contact RTD for any changes or disruptions to bus or train routes. The Coors Field parking structure is open tomorrow, starting at 7 am for parade participants and spectators.