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MorningMagazine_2025-04-10 Gabrielle Mendoza
Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Sue Auraria Cops
Eight people arrested last year during pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Denver’s Auraria campus have filed a lawsuit against campus police, alleging violations of their rights to free speech.
The lawsuit, filed yesterday in Denver District Court, says the arrests nearly a year ago had nothing to do with alleged violations of campus policies, but instead were aimed at punishing protestors.
Plaintiffs include a professor, faculty members, and students, according to The Denver Post. Defendants include seven members of the Auraria Campus Police Department.
At the center of the lawsuit is an encampment set up by several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators last April on Auraria’s Tivoli Quad. It was part of a larger demonstration at campuses all across the country, protesting the genocide in Gaza and calling for universities to divest from Israel. Denver and Auraria police ended up arresting roughly 40 people for “trespassing and resisting arrest” as a result.
The lawsuit says police justified the arrests by saying the Auraria encampment was in violation of a campus camping ban, even after tents were removed.
Auraria campus officials have not yet commented publicly on the lawsuit.
Colorado Launches New Homeowners Insurance Policy
Colorado is launching a “last-resort” insurance program for homeowners.
Homeowners who can prove they’ve been declined coverage by at least three commercial insurance companies can now apply for a “FAIR Plan” policy and receive up to $750,000 to replace their home. Applicants can add coverage for wind and hail damage, as well as theft and vandalism.
However, the FAIR Plan will not provide coverage for water or flood damage, liability, content replacement, or additional living expenses if a homeowner is displaced by a fire. That’s according to The Daily Camera.
The program’s executive director Kelly Campbell told The Camera that the program is not meant to replace other basic homeowner policies on the market, but to “reflect the replacement value in a high-risk area.” She wants people to treat the FAIR Plan as a backup, and hopes people get better coverage with well-known carriers.
Severe wildfires and hail storms caused by climate change are driving up rates for homeowners, and leading some insurance companies to withdraw from the market. In Boulder County, the problem intensified after the 2021 Marshall Fire.
Colorado is the 38th state to create some sort of insurance safety net for homeowners.
Immigrant Protection Bill
Colorado Democrats are pushing a bill to expand immigrant protections in the state.
Senate Bill 276 is headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee after clearing its first legislative committee Tuesday night. If it’s approved by Appropriations it would go on to the full state senate for debate.
If it becomes law, the bill would expand protections for immigrants in Colorado who don’t have permanent legal status, according to the Colorado Sun. It would clarify existing laws that say local law enforcement cannot delay the release of an arrested person in order to give Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, time to detain them. The bill would also restrict ICE from accessing non-public places within jails, unless they have a warrant.
State Senator Julie Gonzales said increased immigrant protections are needed in Colorado, because of the Trump administration’s increasing attacks on immigrants, regardless of their immigration status.
The Sun cited a recent 60 Minutes report that said only about 22 percent of people arrested and sent to a prison in El Salvador have a criminal history, and that of those who do, most are for non-violent crimes.
Bear Activity
The City of Boulder is reminding residents that, with spring upon us, bears are coming out of hibernation, so they should take precautions.
That means securing trash and livestock.
The city said in a press release that we can expect increased bear activity this time of year. That includes possible bear encounters. If you should see bears inside city limits, leave them alone, and call Boulder’s non-emergency dispatch number at 303-441-3333.
If you see a bear in open space, stay calm and slowly back away.
