Headlines — September 16, 2022

September 16, 2022

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Gov. Polis Speaks On Boulder Resident Killed By Police

Governor Jared Polis has condemned the killing of a 22-year-old who had called police for help after crashing his car. After meeting privately with the parents of Christian Glass, Polis told KDVR – quote – “This tragedy should never have happened.”

The Clear Creek County Undersheriff Bruce Snelling said in a Colorado Public Radio interview yesterday that the reason the deputy used deadly force on 22-year-old Boulder resident Christian Glass was because he was afraid Glass was going to stab a marshall out of the broken car window.

A Clear Creek Sheriff deputy shot Glass last June after Glass crashed his vehicle into an embankment and called 911 for help.

Glass’ parents came forward about the incident earlier in the week and are seeking accountability for their son’s death after receiving body cam footage covering the incident. 

Glass’s family says the officers should have never escalated the situation where deadly force was considered.

Colorado Transportation Commission Approves Updated 10-Year Project List 

The Colorado Transportation Commission approved an updated 10-year list of transportation projects at its meeting yesterday..

The updated plan prioritizes rapid-bus corridors through metro Denver over widening highways like Interstate 25 through central Denver and C 470 through Lakewood.

The Denver Post reports Republican candidate for Governor, Heidi Ganahl announced her own transportation plan yesterday shortly before the committee convened for its vote. 

Ganahl said she wants to supercharge transportation legislation passed last year by nearly doubling the current $5.4 billion [dollars] in spending to $10 billion over the next decade.

State Education Department Finds DPS Violated Rights of Black Boys With Disabilities 

State education officials have found a pattern of rights violations targeting disabled Black boys who participate in specialized education programs in Denver Public Schools.

A Colorado Department of Education investigation found the Denver school district sent Black male students to a special education program known as “affective needs centers” at four and a half times the rate of other students. 

Chalkbeat Colorado reports the investigation came after complaints from Black parents who say teachers sent their kids to the centers without proper evaluation where they remained due to inadequate monitoring for progress.

The state investigation found a long list of irregularities and violations in the program over a one-year span; including staff with insufficient licensing, high turnover, and a lack of student evaluations. The Colorado Department of Education has ordered special education staff at Denver Public Schools to submit a corrective action plan and complete a series of training.

Cherry Creek Bus Assistants Win Union Bid

Bus assistants in Cherry Creek have voted unanimously in favor of unionization. 

Cherry Creek Bus Assistants have become the latest workers in Colorado to unionize. Votes certified yesterday show the workers voted 100% [percent] in support of their union bid.

The bus assistants work with special needs students in the Cherry Creek School District. 

Colorado Education Association President Amie Baca-Ohlert says their advocacy will allow further retention of workers during a time of staffing shortages in the education sector. The newly unionized workers now intend to negotiate a contract.

Housekeys Action Network Denver Urges Housing for Remaining Quality Inn Residents

A former motel that has served as an emergency homeless shelter since the start of the COPVID-19 pandemic is closing today, leaving residents looking for a place to live. 

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless had been leasing the Quality Inn motel on Zuni St in Denver to house largely disabled and elderly individuals, but the lease ends today.

The advocacy group, Housekey Action Network Denver, in recent weeks has urged the coalition’s president to keep the hotel shelter in operation until the end-of-year while also securing safe and suitable housing for the remaining residents.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless responded that it was not in a position to extend the lease as the Federal Emergency Management Agency has phased out funding for the hotel and Covid risks in new and renovated congregate shelters have diminished.

County Planning Prescribed Burn Today At Ron Stewart Preserve 

The Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department announced it will do a prescribed burn today at Rabbit Mountain’s Ron Stewart Preserve.

Prior to starting the burn, crews will determine if conditions are suitable and will also stop burning if conditions change or if the area becomes unsafe for any reason.

The county says fire managers will assess fuel moisture levels and will continually monitor current and projected weather.

The county says it will reopen the park Saturday.

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