Headlines May 15, 2020

Headlines May 15, 2020

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Governor Polis earlier today gave the latest updates on the coronavirus in Colorado.

1,091 people have died from the virus statewide, but the governor says the number of serious COVID-19 cases appears to be steadily falling.

He also spoke about today being declared a day to honor those who have died from COVID-19.

The State Capitol, along with cities, counties and other organizations, will be turning their lights red at 7 p.m. to honor the more than 1,000 Coloradans who have passed. The state is encouraging buildings and businesses across the state to turn their lights red as well, and for police and fire departments to turn their lights on at 7 p.m. for one minute.

Coloradans can participate by wearing their protective masks for a minute of silence to show that they are doing their part to save lives.

Gov. Polis said that the main reason Coloradans will honor the over 1,000 lives lost here in the state was because victim’s family and friends were not able to have proper last rites and funerals for them. He added that this is also for friends and neighbors who are struggling in these trying times and to let them know that they are not alone.

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the city of Colorado Springs and 3 police officers saying they engaged in racial profiling and biased policing.

The suit centers on Corey Barnes, a black man who lives in Colorado Springs who was detained and handcuffed and searched by police in May 2018. The suit says he was detained without cause, handcuffed without justification and searched illegally.

The lawsuit says that even after a fellow officer advised that Mr. Barnes was not the suspect that the police were looking for, the officers failed to release him and instead kept him handcuffed, searched his pockets and wallet, and called in a warrants check before releasing him. The ACLU says the officers then wrote deliberately misleading reports claiming that they released him when they learned he was not the suspect.

The lawsuit that was filed in federal district court in Denver today charges violations of the Fourth Amendment, which forbids unreasonable detentions, handcuffing, and searches, as well as the Equal Protection Clause, which prohibits racial discrimination.

Listen here:

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Governor Polis has declared that today be a day to honor those who have died from COVID-19.

The State Capitol, along with cities, counties and other organizations, will be turning their lights red at 7 p.m. to honor the more than 1,000 Coloradans who have passed. The state is encouraging buildings and businesses across the state to turn their lights red as well, and for police and fire departments to turn their lights on at 7 p.m. for one minute.

Coloradans can participate by wearing their protective masks for a minute of silence to show that they are doing their part to save lives.

Gov. Polis said that the main reason Coloradans will honor the over 1,000 lives lost here in the state was because victim’s family and friends were not able to have proper last rites and funerals for them. He added that this is also for friends and neighbors who are struggling in these trying times and to let them know that they are not alone.

Denver mayor Michael Hancock announced yesterday that thousands of city employees would have to take 8 furlough days by the end year due to significant budget cuts as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. First responders like police and firefighters would be exempt.
The furloughs are expected to save the city about $16 million. Overall the city is facing a $226 million shortfall.

The Denverite reports that the city anticipates a 10.5 percent loss of revenue for its general fund. The loss in the 2008-’09 recession amounted to about 6.5 percent.

12 of the 13 city council members and the mayor will take 8 voluntary furlough days.

Candi CdeBaca who represents Denver’s District 9 said in a statement on her Facebook page that she would not take voluntary furlough days because coming into 2020, Denver’s legislative branch had already been operating on an anemic budget. Now we are being told by a separate branch of government to cut our office budgets during a time when we must provide more support to constituents.

CdeBaca concluded her statement saying that her district has the highest concentration of homelessness and poverty in the city, and rather surrendering funds that won’t make a difference to the Mayor’s excessive budget, her office will use what would be furlough savings to continue giving back directly to those who need it most in the community.

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