Denver renames a park and city holiday; Longmont woman shot by police; Colorado leaders blast FCC approval of media merger

Headlines Monday, March 23, 2026

 

 

Denver renames a park and city holiday 

Denver is renaming a park and a city holiday named after civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. Mayor Mike Johnston and other city leaders announced the changes Thursday after a New York Times investigation alleged that Chavez sexually abused women and girls for years. Cesar Chavez Day takes place on March 31. 

The city will rename the holiday “Si Se Puede” Day. Officials also plan to remove Chavez’s name and bust from Cesar Chavez Park in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood. The city has not announced a new name for the park yet. Governor Polis is also responding to the allegations. A spokesperson said in a statement the governor will not direct state agencies to celebrate the holiday this year.

This was reported by the Colorado Capitol News Alliance.

 

Longmont woman shot by police after reportedly emerging with a firearm

On Thursday, a woman was shot and killed by police after reportedly emerging from her home with a firearm in Boulder. According to authorities, officers responded to a report of a suicidal woman, and after initial contact, began to leave the scene. A gunshot was then heard from inside the garage, prompting them to re-engage and call in additional support.

Police say trained crisis negotiators spent time attempting to de-escalate the situation, urging the woman to come out unarmed. Despite those efforts, she eventually exited the garage holding a gun, resulting in an officer opening fire and striking her. She was transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

The officer involved, a member of the SWAT team, has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure. An independent investigation by the Boulder County Critical Incident Team is currently underway.

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Colorado leaders blast FCC approval of massive media merger

Congressman Joe Neguse and Senator Michael Bennet pushed back after the Federal Communications Commission approved a $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc.

The lawmakers accuse the FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, of sidestepping federal law by waiving long-standing ownership limits. Those rules cap a single broadcaster’s reach at 39% of U.S. households, but the newly combined company is expected to reach around 60%.

Neguse and Bennet warn that the move could concentrate too much power in one company, and potentially shape how local news is delivered and framed nationwide.

 

Wildfire Near Fort Carson Forces Evacuations

A wildfire near Fort Carson along Highway 115, spread to more than 4,600 acres and remains 0% contained, according to officials.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for homes within a two-mile radius of the fire, with additional pre-evacuation warnings extending even farther. About 50 homes are impacted, as firefighters work to keep flames from spreading across the highway.

More than 170 firefighters, supported by aircraft, are battling the fire, which has been fueled by dry conditions, high winds, and unusually warm temperatures.

Highway 115 remains closed, and officials warn that smoke will continue to blanket nearby communities. Despite the fire’s rapid growth, no injuries or structural damage have been reported so far.

 

You can hear daily headlines on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show, with coverage of local and regional public affairs and news with headlines and commentary. Click here to listen to full episodes of the Morning Magazine.

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