Headlines – March 22, 2023

Morning Magazine Headlines – March 22, 2023

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Fair Elections Fund Now Over Seven Million In Taxpayer Money

Denver’s local elections are fast approaching, but the city’s fair election fund is dwindling.

The fund matched over 19 thousand voter contributions, thereby releasing seven million dollars in authorized matches. 

The fund makes this Denver’s first taxpayer funded election, aiming to give a voice in politics to more people. Participating candidates receive nine-to-one matches for local and small contributions of under $50, limiting contributions from one entity.

Thirteen mayoral candidates participating in the fund have matched contributions, with Kelly Brough being the only candidate that hit the $750,000 funding limit. 

The disbursement of the funds means this Fair Election Fund has less than a million dollars left. 

Boulder’s Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Services Annual Report 

The City of Boulder has released its annual report on Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Services, otherwise known as EPRAS.

The program launched in early 2021 following the passage of the state’s “No Eviction Without Representation” measure approved by the voters the year before.

The measure included an excise tax of $75 paid by landlords on each property operated with a rental license to protect community members facing eviction. 

The report states that in 2022, Boulder’s EPRAS program distributed rental assistance to 260 households and 124 tenants received legal services.

Second Boulder Strong Remembrance Day

Today marks the second anniversary of the Table Mesa King Soopers shooting that claimed the lives of 10 Boulder community members. The City of Boulder is holding its second annual Boulder Strong Day of Remembrance this evening at eTown. 

In a press release, Mayor Aaron Brockett said the event is “to honor the victims, acknowledge the collective trauma our community has experienced, and bring community members together with art and music.”

The event will take place at eTown on Spruce street from 5:30 to 6:30 this evening.

Mancos River Restoration Simulates Beaver Dams

This summer, Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado will embark on a mission to bolster the health and resilience of the Mancos River. 

Speed Enforcement Cameras Bill

A newly proposed Colorado Bill would allow cities to set up permanent speed enforcement cameras authorized to ticket motorists without requiring the presence of an officer. 

The proposed legislation would implement an “automated vehicle identification corridor,” allowing 24/7 monitoring similar to a red light camera currently in cities.

According to the bill, the city would have to notify the public 30 days before activating the speed check cameras and only issue warning citations for the first 30 days. 

According to the bill, driver’s fines can’t be higher than $40 and would not add points to driver’s licenses.

Lawmakers introduced the bill in front of the state senate on Monday.

Manitou Incline Harassment Claims Go To Court

A competitive hiker in Colorado Springs asked a judge for a protection order Monday against a  fellow female hiker who holds the world record for number of laps up the Manitou Incline in Colorado springs. 

The manitou incline is a Colorado Springs-based staircase made of railroad ties that gains 2,000 feet in elevation in less than a mile. Noelia Sanchez, told the judge that Chasidey Geissler harassed and threatened her while on the incline. 

Geissler currently holds the record for the fastest times to complete 500 and 1,000 laps.

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