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07_22_2024amheadlines Greta Kerkhoff
Trial date set for former Boulder council candidate’s defamation lawsuit
A high-profile defamation suit between former Boulder City Council Candidate Steve Rosenblum and the political group Boulder Progressive is set for a five-day trial period starting next May. The allegations center on the creation of a Twitter account made by Boulder Progressives in Rosenblum’s name back in 2021. It included a link to a blog which Rosenblum says featured statements he never said.
The lawsuit was put on pause for two years after the defendants appealed to a state law designed to dismiss suits aimed at free speech. The case has implications for what constitutes free speech in the state of Colorado pertaining to political messaging in online settings.
Rosenblum claims that the creator of the Twitter account, local political activist Eric Budd, misappropriated messaging about Rosenblum.
Boulder named one of six finalists to host Sundance Film Festival
Boulder is one of six finalists in line to host the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027.
After asking prospective cities to submit proposals, the Sundance Institute announced the six finalists on Friday. They include Atlanta, Cincinnati, Louisville, Kentucky, and Santa Fe. As well as a combined proposal from Park City and Salt Lake City.
The annual film festival is the largest independent film festival in the United States, and has been showing films since 1978.
According to the Colorado Sun, last month the Colorado Economic Development Commission gave Boulder organizers a $1.5 million grant to help lure the Sundance Festival.
The festival could bring up to 50,000 visitors to Boulder and Denver generating $5 million in annual tax revenue for Boulder with economic impacts reaching $50 million a year as attendees explore the state beyond the festival.
Plans to expand Adams County gasoline storage tanks across street from elementary school raise air pollution concerns
The Magellan Pipeline Company is seeking approval to expand its gasoline storage facility north of Denver. The expansion would increase pollution released into the air near an Adams County elementary school
Neighbors, environmental advocates and local officials say they’re concerned, as the neighborhood is already considered one of the most polluted in Colorado.
According to the Denver Post, residents are also upset by the lack of communication about the plans from the company and state air quality officials
The Magellan project falls under Colorado’s Environmental Justice Act, meaning an assessment of community impact must be performed as part of the application process.
According to the Air Pollution Control Division, the requests are in the early stages of review and public comment periods will be held in the future.
Dave Williams sues local party leaders
Republican state party chair Dave Williams is suing two local party leaders.
Nancy Pallozzi, who chairs the Jefferson County Republican Party, and Todd Watkins, a vice-chair of the El Paso County Republican Party are the defendants.
The pair have been trying to organize a vote among party members to remove Williams as chair, after he described LGBTQ+ people as “godless groomers” in a mass email earlier this summer.
In the suit, Williams contends that Pallozzi and Watkins have misused party resources while on their campaign to oust him. Including an email sent by Pallozzi that called for Williams’ resignation that “prominently” displayed the county party’s logo.
The suit also alleges that the defendants supported their cause by taking the names of party members from state party files.
According to the Denver Post, the suit asks a judge to ban Pallozzi and Watkins from claiming that anything they’re doing, is “official” party business and seeks to block them from using party email servers, phone numbers, logos, websites and databases.
Aurora transportation
Aurora is Colorado’s third-largest city, but has never compiled a comprehensive transportation plan before.
However officials want to change that, and implement a plan to increase accessibility. The focus is on bridging the older northwest section of the city with the developing eastside.
According to CBS Colorado, the city is currently conducting a multiyear study to improve mobility for residents and visitors. They have been gathering feedback on travel habits to identify opportunities for improvement.
Findings thus far have shown that many struggle to get around due to the Aurora’ss auto-centric infrastructure.
RTD’s upcoming Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project will be the first step in better connecting Denver and Aurora communities.
Currently the city is in its second survey phase, residents can contribute their thoughts on the city’s website.
Colorado’s DNC delegates start rallying around Kamala Harris
After President Biden announced his exit from reelection and his subsequent backing of Vice President Kamala Harris, The Colorado Sun polled all 87 delegates from Colorado set to attend the Democratic National Convention later in August.
Most delegates who spoke to the Sun said they planned to support Harris in the 2024 presidential race. A few mentioned that it was too early to decide their bid for election.
