Happy February, Bucket Listers! We have been enjoying the sunny weather and warmer afternoons. On some days, it feels like spring has already arrived! The pleasant weather drew thousands to the State Capitol on Wednesday to protest the new administration’s immigration policies. Another protest will take place at the capitol tomorrow, Saturday, February 8, at 2 p.m. People in our community are concerned not only about deportations, but also about the effects of local development. This week, we have stories about three different projects that are causing issues.
East Colfax BRT is a “Logistical Hell”
Since the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system began construction in October of last year, the surrounding businesses have experienced a slew of predictable issues, including decreased parking, increased crime, and a dramatic drop in foot traffic. Multiple businesses have closed in the area since construction began, and many are concerned that other Colfax staples will be lost during the project. Our PJ Guidry spoke with local shopkeepers who are most affected by these issues about their sense of exclusion from the city’s planning process.
Lakewood Residents Concerned About the City’s Future
The proposed development by the Austin-based company, Kairoi Properties, near Belmar Park has left citizens dissatisfied with the lack of nature preservation. This prompted them to petition the city to pass an ordinance requiring the developers to preserve a portion of the land, which landed Lakewood in court and recently resulted in a temporary injunction blocking the measure. Now, according to our Daiannee Galindo’s reporting, the community is feeling unsupported by their local leaders and “upset about the direction Lakewood is going.”
What the “Hole” is up in Sunnyside?
If you have recently driven through North Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood, you might have noticed the massive, 18,000-square-foot hole. This “eyesore” is located on the southwest corner of West 44th Avenue and Zuni Street, where an old Phillips Automotive service and gas station once stood. Anthony Caselli, a first-time developer, hit an aquifer when he dug in late June 2024 and the property flooded. Our Ryland Scholes talked to neighbors about the pit’s presence and what they would like to see happen next.
Brewing Hope in Arvada
6550 Coffee House, a Christian business, serves more than 150 meals to Arvada High School students each week, but it is currently struggling to make ends meet. In a conversation with our Lina Woelk, the staff discussed the organization’s mission and financial struggles. Without an increase in customers and donations, 6550 will be unable to remain open for much longer, but the team has faith and continues its fundraising efforts.
To Bee, or Not To Bee
Beekeeping is not for the faint of heart. When local Denver gardener Clayton Robertson adopted a honey bee colony, he had no idea it would be decimated and plagued by varroa mite infestations. However, bee experts at the Butterfly Pavilion told our Myra Kirk that these issues are all too common, particularly among those who have never tried their hand at beekeeping. Myra visited their Beekeeping Bootcamp to learn how they are making the practice more accessible.
Stuff We Noticed
While many were protesting at the Colorado Capitol on Wednesday, ICE was conducting raids. According to US immigration authorities, the raids targeted more than 100 alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang with a presence in the Denver metro area, and agents made approximately 30 arrests, with one US Immigration and Customs Enforcement official suggesting intelligence leaks may have tipped people off. Currently, no one knows who is being detained, what the charges are or if they will be prosecuted/deported. The lack of clarity from federal immigration has sparked panic in the metro area about what ICE will do next.
The Children’s Hospital has joined Denver Health in ending gender-affirming care for minors. This is in response to the Trump administration’s executive order last week, which told hospitals that they would lose their federal research and education grants if they continued offering healthcare that supports a person’s gender identity and expression. In practice, this means that gender-diverse patients will no longer be given puberty blockers and other hormone-based gender-affirming medical treatment. Those who are already taking such medications will only have access until their prescriptions expire.
Boulder native Paula DuPre Pesmen’s documentary film “Porcelain War” was nominated for an Oscar after winning the 2024 Sundance Grand Jury Prize for U.S. documentary. Her film follows three Ukrainian artists as they document their efforts to create art in the face of the Russian invasion. You can watch the trailer here, and Denverites can see the film exclusively at the Sie Film Center, where showtimes are posted through Feb.13. Speaking of independent films, we are still waiting to see if the Sundance Film Festival will relocate to Boulder, which organizers promise will be coming “in late winter or early spring.”
That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers. Just a reminder that Denver Restaurant Week starts one month from today, and the menus have just been released. This year, some of your favorite restaurants offer menus for $25, $35, $45 and $55, so there is no reason not to get out there and support your local restaurants. Thanks for supporting Bucket List’s hyperlocal, neighborly news that also mentors the next generation of journalists. Have a wonderful weekend!
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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