Headlines — January 10, 2023

January 10, 2023

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Denver Rec Center Shelters To Shut Down

The City of Denver will stop using city recreation centers as emergency housing for migrants arriving in the city.

Mayor Michael Hancock announced the policy change Monday, adding that there is no timeline for the implementation of alternatives. He said the city will look for community partnerships, and the use of other buildings, to make up the difference.

The mayor told Denverite that it’s time to use city rec centers for their intended purpose again.

New arrivals ostensibly have a fourteen-day stay limit at emergency shelters.

Polis Inauguration 

Colorado Governor Jared Polis begins a second term in office today. His inauguration is set for later this morning at the state capitol in Denver.

Also being sworn in for new terms today are Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, Attorney General Phil Weiser, Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Treasurer Dave Young.

The inauguration ceremony begins at 10:30 this morning, and will be livestreamed on YouTube.

Colorado State Rep. Bernett Resigns 

A new session of the Colorado state legislature opened yesterday. Democratic State Representative Tracey Bernett resigned, just before starting her second term.

Bernett, who was re-elected to House District 12, resigned after complaints about her residency. Bernett was reelected to House District 12 which covers parts of east Boulder County.

In November, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office charged Bernett with attempting to influence a public servant, forgery and providing false election information, all of which are felonies. She also faces perjury and procuring false registration charges, which are both misdemeanors.

The charges came after Boulder County Republicans Chair Theresa Watson filed a complaint with the DA’s office questioning Bernett’s residency.

Bernett, who was first elected in 2020, had listed Crestview Lane as her address. The Crestview Lane address was redrawn into House District 19 during the redistricting process. But Bernett later entered a Steel Street address in Louisville on her candidate affidavit for reelection to House District 12.

Prosecutors say that Bernett rented an apartment in Louisville in order to qualify for elected office.

 The charges came out after the voters in the district received their ballots.

Bernett easily defeated Republican challenger Anya Kirvan during the November election after receiving more than 77% of the vote.

Meanwhile, Representative Julie McCluskie was elected Speaker of the State House yesterday. The Dillon Democrat won the Speakership in a 55-to-8 vote, after a challenge from first-term Republican Representative Scott Bottoms.

Boulder Police Recover Paintings

Police have recovered five paintings that were stolen from a truck outside a Boulder hotel last month.

The paintings, valued at more than $400,000, were found Saturday night in a hotel room in Lakewood. Boulder police officer Patrick Meehan got a lead that the paintings might be in that hotel, and partnered with Lakewood police to search the room.

The officers also recovered stolen guns, electronics, and drugs. A thirty-one year old man is under arrest in connection with the thefts.

Boulder police chief Maris Herold praised Officer Meehan and the Lakewood officers for what he called great police work

Longmont City Council Considers Gun Safety

The Longmont City Council will consider a statement on gun legislation tonight, in its first regular session of the new year.

The statement is a two-page document, drafted after five proposed gun safety ordinances prepared last October failed to pass. Council decided instead to postpone any voting on new gun safety laws until June. 

A U.S. Supreme Court decision last year changed the legal landscape of the 2nd Amendment. State and local governments can no longer rely on governmental interests, such as public safety, when drafting gun legislation. Instead, gun restrictions must be proven to be “consistent with historical traditions.” As a result, lawsuits against Boulder County and three local municipalities have recently been filed in federal court that challenge the constitutionality of gun laws.

Longmont Mayor Joan Peck said she is especially interested in a ten-day waiting period for gun purchases. A ten-day requirement was among the proposed ordinances to fail last year.

A written statement ahead of tonight’s meeting said that the City Council will not sit by and wait for another tragedy.

New Club Q Charges Possible

Prosecutors in El Paso County are seeking twelve new criminal charges against the person already charged in the Club Q shootings in Colorado Springs.

Five people were killed and many more wounded in the shooting at the LGBTQ nightclub in November. The 22-year-old accused person is already facing 305 criminal charges in the attack. Those charges include first degree murder, and bias-motivated crimes.

The accused is due in court again this Friday.

Insurance Companies Extend ALE Coverage For Marshall Fire Survivors

Insurance companies have agreed to extend living expenses insurance for certain Marshall fire survivors.

A press release from the Colorado Division of Insurance said the Additional Living Expenses coverage, or ALE, will be extended for up to 24 months for policyholders who only had twelve months of coverage.

ALE coverage provides money for expenses people have when they can’t live in their homes because of a catastrophic event.

More than one thousand homes were lost to the Marshall fire in Boulder County on December 30, 2021.