Headlines — July 1, 2022

July 1, 2022

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Boulder County Commissioners To Introduce Gun Control Ordinances Next Week

The Boulder County Commissioners announced Thursday they will soon introduce five ordinances addressing gun violence.

The Commissioners said they began drafting the ordinances in early June, the month they declared as Gun Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

Among the proposals is a ban on selling assault weapons and possessing “ghost guns.” They’ve also proposed a 21-year age restriction and a waiting period to purchase firearms. The proposals also include restrictions on carrying firearms in sensitive public places. The commissioners will hold the first reading on the ordinances during their business meeting on Tuesday, July 5. The second reading and the opportunity for the public to provide oral comments will be on August 2 at 3 PM. The public will need to submit written comments by July 31.

The county’s proposals follow many Boulder County municipalities considering and passing their gun control measures in the wake of the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. The county’s proposals are also occurring as state elected officials passed a law last year permitting local governments to enact gun control measures. 

Epps Wins Denver’s HD6

In the hotly contested primary race for Colorado House District 6 of central Denver, progressive candidate Elizabeth Epps beat Katie March by about four percentage points. 

According to the Colorado Sun, the race was too close to call on election night as just a few dozen votes separated the candidates. 

March, a former legislative aide, conceded to Epps yesterday.  

Epps, a former public defender, and justice reform activist, is likely to win the November general election as the district leans in favor of Democrats.  

CU Study Says Nationwide Abortion Ban Would Increase Maternal Death Rate By 24%

Researchers with the University of Colorado Boulder’s Institute of Behavioral Science say new data from 2020 shows that a national abortion ban would mean about a 25 percent increase in pregnancy-related maternal deaths nationwide. 

Researchers predict an almost 40 percent increase in maternal-related pregnancy deaths for black women. 

The US already has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world and, even before the abortion bans, is one of the few countries where the number has gone up in the past 30 years. 

Because of the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, researchers also estimate that if no abortions were permitted in the 26 states that have already banned or will ban abortions, there would have been 64 more mortality-related deaths in 2020.

Colorado Awards Swimming Pool Grants

Governor Jared Polis announced on Thursday that Denver and its surrounding suburbs will receive over $800k in grants to support public swimming pools. 

Just in time for the 4th of July weekend, funds will be awarded to those facilities that applied for relief in Denver, Grand Junction, and Canyon City. 

Seventy-one pools will receive roughly $25,000 each to help with staff wages, training, and retainment. 

This program will allow the pools to operate all summer long without cutting back on hours. 

In May, the National Lifeguard Association said the lifeguard shortage is a “crisis,” with nearly half of the country’s 300,000 pools either shutting down or adjusting their times to provide fully trained lifeguards. 

Besides the grants, programs are still in place through September to give $1000 incentives to lifeguard trainees. 

To qualify, interested participants must complete the lifeguard training and become CPR and First Aid Certified. 

Some Boulder Facilities Open And Operating July 4th

Although the City of Boulder will have its administrative offices, public libraries, and Age Well Centers closed on Monday for the Independence Day holiday, community members will still be able to use the Scott Carpenter Pool, the East Boulder Community Center, the Flatirons Golf Course, and the Boulder Reservoir. 

Operating hours may vary because of the holiday.

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