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01_07_2025amheadlines Andraa VonBoeselager
Boulder County Commissioners delay purchase of Dowe Flats
Boulder County commissioners have agreed to delay the purchase of Cemex’s Dowe Flats property until the land’s reclamation is complete and signed off on by the state.
The 766-acre site, which includes a former quarry and a cement plant, is set to be restored to native grassland under the county’s open space plan. According to The Daily Camera, the site is split into two separate Dowes Flat parcels. The smaller of the two includes the rights to develop 11 lots.
County commissioners approved the purchase in October, with the original deadline for acquiring the development rights set for the end of December.
Now, the county will delay purchasing the development rights for the smaller property, as well as buying the larger property, until the main reclamation work is finished.
The Camera says the purchase is now expected by late 2025. In the meantime, the county is seeking to shut down the Cemex cement plant, citing safety concerns. Cemex has appealed the decision.
County staffers and the Friends of Lyons group that’s advocating for the plant’s closure will discuss the review this week.
Rock Climbers protected in new legislation
Climbers will be protected under new legislation officially adopted by President Biden last weekend.
The EXPLORE Act, which stands for “Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences,”includes protections for rock climbers who use fixed anchors for safety.
Climbers place fixed anchors along rock climbing routes to secure ropes and protect against potentially deadly falls.
Last year, the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service, which are the two groups who tried and failed to restrict anchors, suggested that the climbing aids violated the Wilderness Act of 1964.
In a September letter, Colorado senators – among many others – urged the agencies to reconsider. After widespread opposition, the National Park Service dropped the issue.
United Airlines resolves racial discrimination lawsuit filed by former Denver employee.
United Airlines has agreed to pay $99,000 in damages to settle a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former Denver employee.
In 2021, Alsunbayar Davaabat – an employee at the airline’s catering facility and Mongolian native – was called a racial slur by his manager, Terry McGurk, during a confrontation over mask-wearing. The incident turned physical when McGurk twisted Davaabat’s arm.
Although United did conduct an investigation, but not until over a month after the incident.
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, United’s failure to take quick action was unlawful because the company did not prevent or remedy the hostile work environment.
As part of the settlement announced on Monday, United will pay damages, review its policies, and improve workplace violence protocols.
New study reveals nearly 1 in 4 youths in Denver experienced homelessness in 2021
A new study from researchers across Colorado found that the number of young people in Denver experiencing homelessness is higher than they thought.
According to 9News, nearly 25% of Denver teens experienced homelessness at some point in 2021, according to the data from the new pediatric study.
The study – which combines data from Denver Public Schools, the Colorado Division of Child Welfare, and local homeless systems – reveals that many young people were unstable in their housing; not necessarily living on the streets but in cars or without a permanent address.
The study also shows a disproportionate number of these youth were Black or Hispanic – up to 83%.
9News says researchers and local aid organizations are planning to use the data they collect to unlock more state and federal resources for their support efforts.
