Federal lawsuit filed after death of inmate at Boulder County Jail, Ash House fixes code violations

Listen:

  • cover play_arrow

    Untitled Andraa VonBoeselager

Denver agrees to $95,000 settlement after SWAT standoff tear gas sparks fatal house fire

Denver will pay $95,000 to settle a lawsuit following a 2019 SWAT standoff that ended in a house fire. 

The fire began following an hours-long standoff in which SWAT officers fired tear gas canisters into a house, despite manufacturer warnings that the devices are solely for outdoor use. One of the canisters ignited after landing on a futon, causing a fire that consumed most of the house.

Denver officials have yet to announce if there will be changes to the department’s rules regarding the use of chemical munitions in similar standoffs.

This recent lawsuit is the 18th settlement related to Denver police misconduct this year. It follows a $4.7 million settlement with 300 Black Lives Matter protesters. Over the past year, the city has paid out at least $17 million in settlements for police-related incidents.

Read more

Family of 22-year-old who died in Boulder County jail files federal lawsuit

The family of an inmate who died in Boulder County Jail has filed a federal lawsuit against the county sheriff, medical staff, and other officials. Avery James Borovec, a 22-year-old who died in Boulder County jail in 2022, suffered from staph bacteremia, endocarditis, and sepsis after a month of worsening symptoms in custody.

The lawsuit claims jail staff ignored Borkovec’s repeated requests for medical attention as his condition worsened, violating his 14th Amendment rights through “deliberate indifference.”

Borkovec had been transferred from the Broomfield Detention Center to Boulder County jail, where he reported symptoms including pain, vomiting, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.

According to the Boulder Reporting Lab, the lawsuit alleges jail staff failed to provide adequate care despite his worsening condition, and on Nov. 3, 2022, he became unresponsive.

Jail staff attempted life-saving measures before he was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The lawsuit names 19 defendants, including Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson and the Board of County Commissioners. Borkovec’s family is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Read More

BVSD offers $1,000 bonuses to substitute teachers amid pay dispute

BVSD recently announced a plan to offer substitute teachers $1,000 bonuses for every 30 full days worked, following protests over a cut to their base pay.

According to the Daily Camera, substitutes, who saw their daily rate drop from $150 to $125 this school year due to budget cuts, will receive these bonuses after working 30, 60, 90, and 120 full days. 

BVSD’s current substitute teacher rate is lower than most neighboring districts. 

While federal COVID-19 relief funds temporarily boosted substitute pay in recent years, that extra funding has now expired, leaving BVSD without ongoing resources to sustain rates.

 BVSD substitute teachers work an average of 75 days in a school year. With bonuses, this comes out to about $11,000/ year. 

Read More

Denver’s housing market slows as prices remain high and homes sit on the market longer

Denver’s housing market is slowing as rising mortgage rates and high prices push homes to stay on the market longer, according to a new report from Denver’s Metro Association of Realtors Market Trends Committee 

According to Denverite, the median price for a single-family home fell by 3% in September compared to August, landing at just over $600,000. That number is still about 25% higher than four years ago. 

While U.S. regulators have recently begun cutting interest rates for the first time since 2022, which may eventually bring buyers back, the Denver Metro Association of Realtors reports that the impact has not yet reached Denver’s housing market.

Read More

Boulder Planning Board Approves Long-Delayed Spruce Street Development

Boulder’s Planning Board approved a 52-unit townhome project last week after years of delays and revisions.

According to the Boulder Reporting Lab, the project, proposed by Pace Development LLC, faced challenges including Boulder’s strict height limits and concerns from residents about parking and neighborhood impact.

Located at 2504 Spruce Street, the development will include four permanently affordable units for households earning up to 120% of the area median income. The project also requires a $3 million contribution to the city’s Affordable Housing Fund as part of efforts to boost affordability. 

Despite aligning with Boulder’s need to increase housing density and affordable housing options, residents halted the project development for years citing concerns over traffic and street parking.

The project offers 97 parking spaces—fewer than the required 129—and includes measures like EcoPasses and e-bike charging stations to mitigate parking concerns.

Read More

Boulder and Ash House owner resolve legal dispute, allowing CU students to return

The City of Boulder announced last week that the owner of Ash House, a University Hill student apartment complex, has removed the unpermitted bedrooms that sparked Boulder officials to order students to vacate the building late last month.

As of Friday, according to the city, the building now meets Boulder city codes.

The dispute between the city and the property owner ended after the owner took corrective action following a court order. Days after city officials discovered the unauthorized bedrooms at Ash House, the owner filed a lawsuit against the city, allowing the students to return temporarily. After removing the illegal bedrooms, the property owner agreed to a settlement, with both sides covering their own legal fees.

Although the settlement allows most students to return, about a dozen students remain displaced.

Read More

 

 

Picture of Andraa VonBoeselager

Andraa VonBoeselager

Search

Now Playing

play_arrow

RockyGrass

Live from Planet Bluegrass, July 26-28

Recent Stories

Upcoming Events

KGNU PARTNERS

0%