Headlines April 19, 2022
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Headlines — April 19, 2022 Alexis Kenyon
Louisville Holds Special Election Today On Proposed Redtail Ridge Development
Louisville voters will decide the fate of the proposed Redtail Ridge development today.
The former Phillips 66 site, which spans more than 400 acres alongside Highway 36, has remained vacant for more than 10 years. Today’s vote decides on whether to develop the land into 3 million square feet of office, industrial and flexible-use buildings.
After the Louisville City Council narrowly approved Redtail Ridge last year, residents opposing the development gathered enough signatures to halt construction.
In order to resume, council members have opted to let voters decide in today’s special election. According to The Daily Camera, the special election has been contentious, with both sides of the issue accusing the other of using underhanded tactics.
Smoking Materials In Planted Pot Identified As Cause Of Apartment Fire
Boulder Fire-Rescue Investigators announced Monday that a discarded smoking material, such as a cigarette, placed in a pot with potting mix and dried plant debris caused the apartment fire on the 2800 block of Kalmia Avenue in Boulder last month.
The fire, which investigators say involved no foul play, damaged two buildings and displaced 24 families.
According to officials, the fire started on a third-floor balcony and burned into the attic where, above the building’s sprinkler system, it spread to the rest of the building.
Fire officials believe the incident was an accident and have charged no one with starting the fire.
Denver Three-year-old Critically Injured After Accidentally Shooting Himself
A three-year-old Denver boy remains in critical condition after accidentally shooting himself Sunday afternoon.
The Denver Post reports the incident marks a second time in a week that a Colorado child has harmed themselves with a weapon. A six-year-old Fort Collins boy died last week after shooting himself by mistake.
The Colorado Legislature passed a law last year that requires owners of firearms to safely and responsibly store firearms away from children and unauthorized users.
Legislation Funding Modular Homes Makes Its Way Through Colorado Legislature
Colorado legislators have proposed a bill that would give grants and loans to new and existing modular housing businesses.
Factory built homes cost about 30 percent less than homes constructed on-site. Even so, there are just a few companies in Colorado currently building homes in factories.
If passed, HB22-1282, also known as the Innovative Housing Incentive Program, would direct $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act spending toward the factory built, modular homes industry.
Legislators say the funding would support the millions of Coloradans who can no longer afford to own a home in Colorado.
Denver City Council Approves New Ground-Level Boarding Gate Facility At DIA
The Denver City Council has approved more than $300 million in contract add-ons to the Concourse Expansion Program at the city’s international airport.
The funding — approved Monday night — will go toward upgrades like expanded ground-loading at Concourse A, where Frontier Airlines will have fourteen gates. Starting in 2024, Frontier passengers will board and exit a plane using ground level ramps and stairs connected to the plane’s front and rear doors.
Some members of the city council voiced frustration with the airport’s contract process–which continues to become more expensive. According to The Denver Post, an airport official said the large construction firms will subcontract out much of the airport’s additional work to smaller companies.
Company Overseeing Aurora’s Consent Decree Will Host Town Hall Tonight
Florida based consulting company IntegrAssure will host a town hall tonight to update Aurora residents on the city’s progress in addressing systemic issues within the city’s police and fire departments.
Aurora City Council chose the company to oversee the city’s consent decree after the state found systemic patterns of misconduct and abuse within the city’s so-called safety agencies. The report, filed last year, documented Aurora police and fire departments regularly using excessive force, violating civil rights, and showing bias toward people of color.
Earlier this month, the conservative majority on Aurora’s City Council fired reformist Police Chief Vanessa Wilson.
A district court has also delayed a probable cause hearing for the three police officers and two paramedics who are facing grand jury indictments stemming from the 2019 killing of 23-year-old Elijah McClain.
The town hall event will start at 7:30 PM and will take place at the Aurora Municipal Center. Residents can also view the event on AuroraTV.org or on the city’s YouTube channel.
