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MorningMagazine_2024-10-02 Jack Dawson
Colorado pedestrian fatalities increase by 161% over the last decade
Pedestrian fatalities in Colorado have surged by 161% in the past ten years, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
As of October 2024, more than 70 pedestrians have been killed by drivers so far this year, with 136 fatalities recorded in 2023, a record high.
According to the Denver Post, CDOT officials attribute the rise in pedestrian deaths to an increase in vulnerable roadway users, such as people walking, biking, and riding e-scooters. Despite a slight decrease in fatalities in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023, officials warn that numbers remain alarmingly high, with 58% of pedestrian deaths occurring in the fall and winter months.
Colorado Supreme Court upholds lifetime prison sentences for felony murder despite 2021 reform
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled this week to uphold lifetime prison sentences for individuals convicted under the state’s old felony murder law.
Colorado passed a law in 2021 to reform felony murder sentencing in an effort to reduce sentences for people who did not directly commit a killing during a felony, But on Monday the court decided the changes would not apply retroactively.
Those convicted before the law change will continue serving life sentences. This ruling affects numerous inmates, many of whom were involved in crimes like robberies or burglaries that led to unintended deaths.
The court’s decision maintains the tougher sentencing guidelines for cases prosecuted before the 2021 reform, disappointing advocates who had hoped the new law would provide relief for older cases.
Colorado’s only remaining lesbian bar, Blush & Blu, to close after 12 years
Blush & Blu the last lesbian bar in Denver and across the state of Colorado will close its doors Friday.
Blush and Blue, which opened in 2012, became a key gathering spot for Denver’s queer community over the decade that it was open.
Owner Jody Bouffard announced the closure and expressed sadness over the decline of lesbian bars across the country. By 2021, only 21 lesbian bars remained nationwide.
Bouffard, who once ran multiple lesbian bars in Denver, has dealt with controversy in recent years. In 2021, former employees sued her for failing to pay minimum wage, stealing tips, and discriminating against one of the bar’s only Black employees. The lawsuit ended in a settlement in 2023.
According to the Denver Post,ouffard thanked the performers, DJs, and community members who supported Blush & Blu despite these controversies.
Boulder’s Carnegie Library for Local History will reopen for walk-in visitors
Library branch closed in over four years ago during COVID. Access was only available by appointment.
Starting the week of October 13th, people will again be able to drop in. The Carnegie is Boulder’s original library. It’s downtown on Pine St just west of Broadway.
Thousands of documents are stored there, including photos, newspapers, maps, property records and correspondence. Carnegie Library open hours are on the the website boulderlibrary.org
