Headlines – September 18, 2023

Seven Injured In Denver Shootings Over Weekend

Three separate shootings in Denver within a few hours of one another left seven people injured this weekend. 

The first shooting involved a juvenile male victim, and occurred close to midnight on Saturday on California Street. The second was reported an hour later on Market Street, with five adult victims transported to the hospital. According to The Denver Post, all five victims are expected to survive.

Then, just after 1 a.m. Sunday morning, an man was shot on Kalispell Street and transported to the hospital. At 9 a.m. on Sunday, police announced they had arrested one suspect in connection with the third shooting. The first two shootings are still under investigation.

University Hill Starbucks Vote To Join Union

Workers at the University Hill Starbucks in Denver voted last week to join Starbucks Workers United. It marks the fifth Starbucks location in Denver to win union recognition before the National Labor Relations Board. Over 350 Starbucks nationwide are now unionized.

Denver Urban Gardens Board Recognizes Union

In related news, management and workers for Denver Urban Gardens, a nonprofit that creates community growing spaces, signed an agreement to recognize a new union. The agreement means union organizers did not have to hold an election to formalize worker representation.

Mt. Evans Renamed Mt. Blue Sky 

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names has given Mount Evans a new name: Mount Blue Sky. The name change comes amid a federal effort to acknowledge the history of violent displacement targeting the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Both tribes requested the name change.

As recently as last Thursday, the mountain bore the last name of John Evans, Colorado’s second territorial governor. During his tenure, Evans oversaw a period of violent white encroachment into Indian lands, culminating in the notorious Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. 

The name Blue Sky hold meaning for both the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes. The Arapahoes are also known the Blue Sky People and the Cheyenne tribe that holds an annual ceremony called Blue Sky about renewal-of-life.

According to 9News, both tribes are now aiming to change the name of the surrounding wilderness area bearing the name of John Evans to Mount Blue Sky Wilderness area.

Gray Wolves To Be Reintroduced As ‘Experimental Population’

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Friday that ranchers may kill wolves that attack livestock, working dogs, or that threaten people. 

The federal decision to declare gray wolves an experimental population under rule 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act means Colorado officials and ranchers can manage the population with flexible strategies. The recommended strategies include several nonlethal tactics for deterring wolves from killing livestock.

The US Fish and wildlife service say they will compensate ranchers who lose livestock to wolves up to $15,000 per animal. 

Wolf reintroduction to Colorado will begin by December 31st. Colorado voters narrowly approved the reintroduction in a 2020 ballot initiative.

Xcel, United Power Announce Renewable Energy Deal

United Power and Xcel Energy announced a partnership last week intended to shift the utility companies towards a lower carbon footprint.

The deal would allow United Power to purchase renewable energy from Xcel, when a surplus is available. In a press release, United Power said this will mean lower prices for consumers.

United Power is an electric co-op that serves Colorado’s northern Front Range. The company is getting ready to end a wholesale power contract with another power supplier in May of 2024. The new deal with Xcel is part of a transition to enter contracts with other power suppliers to maintain United Power’s energy supply for customers.

Thousands Use Ride Scooters On Buff Game Day

CU Boulder saw record numbers of football fans, national TV coverage, and lots of traffic Saturday.

Lime, who was ready with 600 new scooters, had its best ridership day ever. Boulder city council approved the electric scooter to expand its fleet west of 28th street in August. On Saturday, 4,000 scooter riders took 5,700 trips.

Longmont Museum Groundbreaking Ceremony Friday

The Longmont Museum held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for its building expansion project. Around $5 million was already donated towards the project. The museum launched an additional funding campaign Friday to raise $8 million more.

Expansion plans include increasing the primary gallery space, constructing a dedicated children’s gallery, and renovating the outdoor courtyard. The changes are expected to be completed in 2026.

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