Headlines Thursday October 23, 2025
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Government Shutdown Impacting National Parks, Hundreds at Town Hall Call for Denver to end Flock Contract, Polis Seeks $10 million During SNAP Freeze, First Degree Arson Charge After 2024 Loveland Fire KGNU News
Government shutdown impacting national parks
Three weeks into the federal government shutdown, federal public lands remain accessible with little to no staff, leading to illegal activities and unmaintained facilities. But advocates are hesitant about partner groups, like local governments and nonprofits, stepping in to pick up trash, or keep visitor centers open. During a webinar hosted by Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper, panelists agreed that maintaining Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and National Park Service (NPS) areas was a federal responsibility. Tracy Coppola with the National Parks Conservation Association says she’s worried that there’s too much focus on public lands as economic drivers, saying “they’re not established for market potential. I know that for national parks, that’s an added bonus. But they don’t exist for just the visitor experience or the dollar. I mean, they exist to tell our full story.” She’s worried smaller historical sites also managed by the NPS will suffer more, both from the shutdown and ongoing staffing cuts. The Interior Department recently disclosed plans to lay off thousands of workers, including hundreds in the Mountain West.
Hundreds attend town hall calling for Denver to end Flock surveillance
Hundreds of people packed a town hall in Denver last night, sharing concerns about the city’s contract with the surveillance company Flock. Flock Safety is a private, multi-billion-dollar security technology company, known for its use of Automated License Plate Recognition technology. In May, the Denver City Council unanimously voted down a proposed Flock contract extension, citing privacy concerns, and questioning who had access to Denver’s data, according to a press release from the ACLU. However, Mayor Mike Johnston approved a contract extension in August that was just under the cost amount that needed a council vote. The Denver Police Department says that Flock cameras have led to over 350 arrests and the recovery of over 250 stolen vehicles. In July, Denver audit logs provided evidence that Denver’s Flock cameras have been accessed over 1,400 times for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Present at the town hall were Denver City Council members, leaders of five neighborhood organizations, and hundreds of people.
Governor Polis seeks $10 million in food bank assistance during SNAP freeze
In a news conference yesterday, Governor Jared Polis said he is requesting 10 million dollars from the state general fund. Polis wants the Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee to approve money for Feeding Colorado, which represents the five Feeding America organizations in the state, to buy food for food banks and pantries that are likely to face increased demand due to a freezing of SNAP benefits. He also called for more people to donate to support food banks. More than 600,000 Coloradans rely on $120 million worth of SNAP program benefits each month, and the November 1 benefits are expected not to go out due to the government shutdown.
Jason Hobby is bound over for trial on Loveland arson allegations
In a hearing yesterday, a judge decided there was enough evidence for Jason Hobby to face a first-degree arson charge in connection with the Alexander Mountain Fire. Hobby was arrested last year in connection to the July 29 Alexander Mountain Fire, which burned 10,000 acres west of Loveland. Investigators found that Hobby had represented himself as a firefighter, despite having no formal credentials. He faces multiple felony charges. Hobby’s lawyers said they plan to appeal the ruling to the Colorado Supreme Court.
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