Headlines Monday, June 8, 2026
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RTD route changes; DPS poised to ban cell phones; CDOC freezes visitation after deaths KGNU News
RTD expands and extends routes, cuts others
Sweeping RTD Bus and Light Rail line changes went into effect yesterday. According to a press release from RTD, the changes come from data showing a need for more support for specific lines, as well as a reconstruction project that affects primarily light rail routes.
In the light rail category, some of the biggest changes are the addition of the C Line running from Union to Littleton-mineral station, and more frequent rides from the B,G, and R lines, and installation of the temporary T line from the 25-broadway station to Lincoln. The D, L, and H Lines have been suspended. A map of all light rail changes can be found on the RTD website, make sure the map says, “effective June 7, 2026.”
Regarding bus changes, RTD has only identified routes that will fill gaps based on the changing needs of the light rail, though riders can expect frequencies starting to increase for popular routes after RTD recently announced they have received grant funding to do so. The bus lines seeing schedule changes effective yesterday include The Denver Tech center flex ride, and Route 43 from Downing to 16th and Stout.
DPS poised to ban cell phones across district
Denver Public Schools is poised to ban cell phone use ‘bell-to-bell’ at a district-wide meeting this evening. If the proposal is approved, the cell phone ban, which applies to use of earbuds and smartwatches, as well could go into effect when school resumes in August of this year.
DPS is Colorado’s largest district. In the past, leadership at the district’s 200 schools chose how to handle cell phone policy, with most finding a middle of the road solution, allowing at least some cell phone use. Denver Public Schools is creating a district-wide policy to comply with new state law implementing the need for sweeping cell phone policy across Colorado districts.
The school district’s policy does still leave enforcement of the sweeping ban to leadership at the schools. Districts across the country that have been banning phones have used tactics like locked pouches that students place their phones in each day while others have acted within an honor system.
Department of Corrections freezes visitations following two inmate deaths
The Colorado Department of Corrections has issued a statewide freeze on all visitors entering all state prisons following a deadly altercation that took place Saturday evening. According to CDOC, two inmates died and one was severely injured in an unspecified incident at Bent County Correctional Facility, that’s in Southeastern Colorado.
The State Department of Corrections said that visitation has been suspended as a precautionary measure via Facebook. In the same Facebook post, they also said they believe there is no immediate threat to the community surrounding the Bent County Facility.
Denver 7 says the CDOC Inspector General is leading investigations following the incident while next of kin are contacted.
Funeral home inspection record restoration bill signed
Governor Polis signed a bipartisan bill into law Friday that restores transparency around funeral home inspection reports. Public access to the reports was removed in 2024. The measure also increases penalties for the crime of abusing a corpse. Lawmakers have been trying for years to restore trust in Colorado’s funeral home industry in the wake of several scandals involving mishandled remains. The new law takes effect in August.
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