Headlines — February 07, 2023

February 07, 2023

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Judge Rules Against Denver Starbucks

An Administrative Law Judge says that Starbucks Corporation illegally interfered with union organizing at a Denver Starbucks last year. In a judgment finding issued yesterday, a judge found Starbucks engaged in unfair labor practices, including retaliatory termination, disciplinary action, and threats, according to a union press release. The judge ordered back pay for one wrongfully fired worker, and issued a cease-and-desist directive against further unfair labor practices. 

Yesterday’s ruling comes after a hearing last summer in which workers testified about the retaliatory and illegal conduct by Starbucks agents and managers. Workers at a Starbucks in Boulder voted last month to join the Starbucks Workers United union, the first in the city to do so.

Governor Polis: Find Heating Bill Solutions

Colorado Governor Jared Polis is directing state agencies to find short and long-term solutions to the skyrocketing cost of home heating in Colorado. Polis unveiled his plan to cut public utility costs at a news conference in Denver yesterday. At the news conference Governor Polis told utility and energy regulators to find ways to offer immediate relief for businesses and residents who have been burdened with enormous utility bills.

Colorado Politics reports that Polis wants the Public Utilities Commission to analyze ways to limit bill spikes. The governor noted that, at the start of the winter this year, gas bills jumped by 75% compared to last year. Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission chief economist Erin O’Neill has said that two of the top reasons for the soaring energy bills is the cost of natural gas, which has increased by 40% in the last year, and the use of natural gas, which rose by 30% because of the significantly cold weather in December. 

Among the list of ideas Polis is asking the Public Utilities Commission to investigate is to improve access to bill pay assistance programs. Also to work with utilities to secure federal funding for programs targeting Colorado homes and businesses.

Polis, Neguse, Bennet, Hickenlooper Request Federal Fire Funds 

Governor Polis has joined Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, plus U.S. Representative Joe Neguse, to request federal funding for wildfire recovery efforts. Colorado officials requested $50 million in federal funding from the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture yesterday. 

The funding would go toward wildfire recovery efforts from the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires. The fire scorched 400,000 acres in 2020, leaving behind burn scars in Roosevelt and Arapaho State forests. When mixed with rainfall, areas of dry soil and ash pose risks of mudslides and flooding, which, can endanger “the life and property of Coloradans.” The requests for  federal funding says the state needs help to expedite permitting so Colorado can meet its post-fire recovery needs.

Coban Porter In Court

University of Denver basketball player Coban Porter made his first public court appearance yesterday since being involved in a car accident last month that killed a 42-year-old Uber driver. Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., is charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and reckless driving. 

The Denver Post reports that prosecutors allege the 21-year-old was intoxicated when he ran a red light and hit another vehicle on January 22nd. Police who arrested Porter at the scene said he was slurring his words and smelled of alcohol. He was released from jail after his brother paid a $2,000 bond. Katharina Rothman died in the crash, and her passenger was seriously injured. Coban Porter’s next court date is April 11th.

Boulder Cop Justified In Firing Weapon

A Boulder Police officer was legally justified in firing a single round from his weapon last year, and will not face criminal charges. That’s the ruling from the Boulder County District Attorney, announced yesterday. DA Michael Dougherty said Officer Bryan Pedigo was warranted in discharging his weapon during a hostage situation last November 28th. 

The Daily Camera reports Pedigo was one of several officers responding to a call that suspect John Lee Fleming was holding two people hostage in the bedroom of a house at North Broadway and Iris Avenue. Callers told dispatchers that Fleming had a stick and a knife. Officers tried to get Fleming to come out the front of the house. Instead he went into the bedroom where the hostages were. Officer Pedigo entered the house and confronted Fleming, then fired one round, when Fleming appeared to take a gun from his pocket. No one was hit by the gunfire, and Fleming was arrested at the scene.

Local Nonprofits Receive Grants The Daniels Fund

Nonprofit organizations in Boulder, Longmont and Broomfield are among those throughout the region to get a share of sixty-three million dollars in grants from the Daniels Fund. The fund awarded grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming last year. About half of that went to Colorado nonprofits, according to the Daily Camera, including Bridge House, Feet Forward, Focus Reentry, A Precious Child, and Longmont Meals on Wheels. Daniels Fund grants support eight funding areas, including disabilities, drug and alcohol addiction, amateur sports, and youth development.

Louisville On The Search For A New Police Chief

The City of Louisville is actively searching for a new Police Chief. They’ve had an interim Chief since Dave Hayes left to become police chief in Estes Park last November. The deadline to apply in Louisville is March 10th. Candidates should have at least ten years of law enforcement experience, and can apply through KRW Associates.

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