Headlines – June 29, 2023

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Highway 36 Crash Blocks Traffic

Traffic is back to normal on Highway 36 this morning, after a multi-vehicle accident brought the eastbound lanes to a standstill yesterday afternoon.

The crash involved an RTD bus and three cars, and happened at 36 and the McCaslin Boulevard overpass in Superior.

Mountain View Fire Rescue described it as a major crash.

No one on the bus was hurt. There have been no reports, at this time, of injuries to people in the cars.

Denver Rodeway Residents Petition City for Housing Amidst Impending Closure 

As the closing date for a one-of-a-kind shelter for unhoused people in Denver draws near, its residents are petitioning the city to give them a hand until they can find permanent housing. 

The Denver Housing Authority bought the former Rodeway Inn for $11.1 million three years ago, and has been leasing to the city for $10 a year. But now the Housing Authority plans to sell it, and close it on August 23rd. They’ve reportedly provided housing vouchers to fewer than a quarter of the residents.

The former hotel houses more than seventy women, transgender, and non-binary people. It’s the only shelter of its kind in Denver. Residents are able to have rooms to themselves, and most say that’s one of the things that makes them feel so safe.

The Gathering Place, a non-profit that runs the shelter, and the Reciprocity Collective, which is working to navigate housing for the residents, also signed the petition delivered this week to the Office of Housing Stability.

Residents say they’ve repeatedly reached out to the Office of Housing Stability, but have been told, quote, “to engage with their case managers.”

City of Boulder Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Violation of Deaf Mother’s Rights 

A Boulder woman is suing the City of Boulder, claiming a violation of her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Boulder resident Joslynn Montoya, who is deaf, says her two children were taken from her custody, despite the absence of a sign language interpreter during proceedings. 

The lawsuit claims Montoya requested an interpreter multiple times, and that if one had been provided, the situation would have never happened. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that additional services and aids are offered so that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in public services.

The Daily Camera reports Montoya and her children had been staying at a domestic violence shelter when, for undisclosed reasons, shelter staff called the police.

The police knew beforehand that Montoya was deaf but according to the lawsuit, none of them attempted to communicate with Montoya using ASL. 

The lawsuit alleges that Montoya and her children suffered emotional and psychological damages during their separation. 

The lawsuit also claims that the BPD does not have adequate policies in place when it comes to communicating with citizens with disabilities.

34 New U.S. Citizens to be Welcomed in Independence Day-Themed Ceremony

The Denver branch of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS,  is set to welcome 34 new U.S. citizens, as part of an Independence Day themed ceremony.

The 34 soon to be citizens hail from countries spanning the world, including Bangladesh, Colombia, Ireland, and Ukraine.

USCIS will be naturalizing multiple new citizens in other cities across the country on Independence Day, to celebrate the birthday of America

Front Range Closures on Independence Day

Here’s an advance look at closings you can expect on the July 4 holiday.

All City of Boulder administrative facilities, public libraries and Age Well Centers are closing in observance of Independence Day The North and South Boulder Recreation Centers will also be closed, with the East Center closing at 1:30 p.m.

The Boulder Reservoir will be open till 5 p.m., however there will be no alcohol allowed. 

Boulder Open Space trails and recreation areas will remain open all day, and city streets will offer free parking. 

The Spruce and Scott Carpenter Pools will operate from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

While city libraries will be closed on July 4, they will hold several activities this weekend – including a Hip Hop Beats event at Holiday Park near the North Boulder Library, featuring artists from the Mi Chantli dance studio. 

Drones to Replace Fireworks for Boulder’s Independence Day

The City of Boulder is trying something new this year, at its Fourth of July celebration at Folsom Field.

For the first time, drones will fly over Folsom to light up the nighttime sky.

The drones are replacing traditional fireworks, which have been an Independence Day staple at Folsom since 1941.

Organizers say the change was not an easy decision. One important factor they cited was the increased risk of fire.

The drone light show begins once it’s dark.

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