Headlines — February 20, 2023

February 20, 2023

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Opposition Group Files Lawsuit Against Park Hill Golf Course Redevelopment 

The group Save Open Space Denver along with several individuals filed a lawsuit Friday against Denver’s proposed redevelopment of the Park Hill Golf Course. The plaintiffs claim a conservation easement prevents development on the former golf course along Colorado Boulevard and East 35th Avenue. They say the parcel’s former owner granted the easement in order for Denver to maintain the property for recreational use and as a scenic and open parcel.

Denver City Council in January voted 11 to 2 to refer a ballot question to the city’s voters, asking voters in the upcoming municipal election if the city should maintain the legal agreement that prevents a proposed development for the parcel. If voters agree to nix the conservation easement, developers could convert the parcel to include 3,200 new housing units, a grocery store, and other retail. 

Denver Apartment Tenants Hold Protest Over Unresolved Living Conditions

Tenants at Cedar Run Apartments in southeast Denver protested Friday, after months of what they called “unlivable” apartment conditions. Residents say, for months, they have lived without heat, hot water, with roof leaks, mold, cockroaches, and unanswered complaints from building management. After a fire in early December at one of the complex’s buildings, tenants say they were not allowed to go back into their units after maintenance crews found asbestos.  

A Denver health department spokesperson told the Denver Post the agency has received about 12 complaints about the apartment complex since 2022. A spokesperson with the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses says they have no record of the complex obtaining a license under the city’s new rental property ordinance. 

A spokesperson for the apartment community acknowledged tenant grievances to the Denver Post and cited a labor shortage and supply chain issues as impacting their ability to quickly make repairs.

To help residents, attorneys with the nonprofit, the Community Economic Defense Project, say they will conduct a Know Your Rights Workshop and clinic, Saturday, Feb. 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1035 Osage. 

State of Colorado Takes In Compensation For 2021 Tanker Rollover Near Lyons

Colorado officials announced that an insurance company has paid $245,000 dollars for a major gasoline spill in the North St. Vrain Creek. The settlement, mandated under the federal Oil Pollution Act, will go towards resources needed to restore aquatic life and habitat.

In April of 2021, a gasoline tanker truck rolled over on Highway 36 near Lyons, leading to environmental damages within a five mile stretch downstream of the crash. MTY Trucking was responsible for the spill. That year, MTY Trucking’s insurers paid over $80,000 dollars worth of claims related to water quality damages that led to hundreds of dead trout.

The company’s insurer paid the latest settlement after Colorado officials conducted a yearlong investigation to assess the impact to area wildlife. The insurers will pay an additional $18,000 dollars to the federal government to address a similar claim.

Colorado natural resources officials will consult with the Town of Lyons and other community groups to identify and earmark funding for restoration projects.

Boulder County DA Releases Disparity Report 

The Boulder County District Attorney’s office released a report last week that analyzes disparities between prosecution decisions for defendants of different races. The data included disposition, charge reduction, and incarceration for individuals identified as white, Black, or Hispanic. The Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab at the University of Denver and the Center for Criminal Justice at Loyola Chicago produced the report. It examines the county District Attorney’s felony and misdemeanor cases between March 2020 and June 2022.

The report found positive trends of low disparity for Blacks and Hispanics. However, Hispanic defendants received fewer charge reductions in plea bargaining and a higher rate of incarceration compared with Black or white defendants. Seven other district attorney offices in the state also took part in the project analysis. The report said the Boulder County results were consistent with other Colorado DA offices. 

Fort Collins City Council To Vote On Trash Hauler Contract With Republic Services 

The Fort Collins City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to contract Republic Services for trash removal. City officials chose Republic Services among two other companies for the city’s trash hauler contract. 

According to the Fort Collins Coloradoan, the contract will not be final until the city council votes on it twice and can change some elements of the contract. Under the 5-year agreement, Republic can raise prices annually by 3%.The city expects Republic to begin services in September of next year. 

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