Headlines

Headlines – May 18, 2023

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Headlines – May 18, 2023 benita

Yemi Mobolade Becomes Colorado Spring’s First Black Mayor

Colorado Springs voters made history this week by electing the city’s first Black and first non-Republican mayor.

Blessing “Yemi” Mobolade ran as an independent and defeated Republican Wayne Williams in the city’s runoff election.

Originally from Nigeria and a newcomer to politics, Mobolade moved to Colorado Springs in 2010. He established himself as a church pastor, then as the co-founder of two area restaurants. He also worked for the City as Small Business Development Administrator.

As of Wednesday evening, the City of Colorado Springs’ website listed the unofficial election results as 57 percent for Mobolade and 42 percent for Williams. Williams conceded on Tuesday evening.

Latino Organization Warns Against Police Presence In DPS Schools

The Denver Public School board will meet tonight to discuss the use of armed police officers, called Security Resource Officers, in schools.

DPS announced it would put armed police in Denver schools for the remainder of the semester following two shootings at East High School in March. Movimiento Poder, a Latino advocacy group, says that reinstating SROs will lead to disproportionate disciplinary action against students of color.

In a report released Wednesday, Movimiento Poder said the board’s 2020 decision to remove SROs from Denver Public schools was a win for racial justice. They say the presence of officers from 2014 up until the change led to a yearly average of about 900 arrests and court referrals for students of color. Since then, they say that number dropped by 90 percent.

Boulder Gets $6.5M In Funding To Aid Homeless

Boulder County organizations and nonprofits will receive 6.5 million dollars in federal funds to address the crisis of homelessness.

Boulder County Community Services, Boulder County Housing and Human Services, City of Boulder Housing and Human Services, Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, and Mental Health Partners are all part of the Homeless Solutions for Boulder County effort tasked with tackling homelessness in the area.

City of Boulder Housing and Human services will receive 2 million dollars of a $6.5.million. The funds are earmarked for a 24/7 facility for individuals experiencing homelessness to recuperate from medical challenges.

The funding comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, allocated via state legislation passed last year.

Denver Opens 72 Apartments For Homeless

Denver officials celebrated the opening of 72 affordable apartments built to provide housing for disabled people experiencing homelessness. The property is located on East Colfax Avenue near Trenton Street.

Brothers Redevelopment joined forces with the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado to create the apartment complex, which is called Valor on the Fax.

Tenants will receive job training and wellness activities. A land use rule guarantees the apartments will remain affordable for 99 years.

Arrests Made In Flagstaff Road Drive-By Shooting

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday officers had arrested two people in connection with the drive-by shooting of two teens near a Flagstaff Mountain trailhead.

A 21-year-old man and a 17-year-old teen were arrested on a search warrant at a home in unincorporated Adams County.

Officials say several people witnessed the attack, which happened early Saturday. The two male victims were standing by their vehicle near the Crown Rock Trailhead when the suspects allegedly drove by and shot them.

The victims included a 17-year-old teen who required surgery for a gunshot wound to his leg and an 18-year-old man who was treated and released for a minor injury.

The suspects will be charged with 1st Degree Attempted Murder, 1st and 2nd Degree Assault, and Felony Menacing.

Polis Vetoes Bill That Would Delay Wolf Reintroduction

Governor Jared Polis has vetoed a bill that would have designated the reintroduction of wolves as experimental and allowed rancher to sometimes kill wolves who have killed their livestock.

Opponents of the bill said it could delay the wolf reintroduction for several years.

On May 3rd, wildlife officials approved The Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management plan, which will reintroduce the endangered gray wolves by the end of this year.