Hi, everyone! Guess what day this is? It’s National Bucket List Day. Thank you to our friend, Ken Cooper, for reminding us. Bucket List’s inspire us to set new goals. Right now, our main goal is to raise $10,000 through our Spring Fling Fundraiser. If staying informed, engaged, and connected to your community is on your bucket list (along with a dream vacation!), please help us now. Our campaign ends on April 30, and we still have a ways to go. Remember that anything you give up to $5,000 is matched, so your gift has twice the impact.
Drought Drives Up Meat Prices Across Colorado
A warm, dry winter is already reshaping Colorado’s food system and your grocery bill may be next. CU Boulder journalists Lou Leclercq and Susie Cormack report that record-low snowpack is squeezing ranchers, shrinking herd sizes and driving up meat prices across the state. Through our collaboration with CU News Corps, they offer a look at how environmental shifts are hitting one of Colorado’s core industries.
North Denver Residents Demand Answers After Deadly Shootings
Three fatal shootings in one week have shaken north Denver neighborhoods, prompting an emotional community meeting at St. Charles Recreation Center. Residents gathered to grieve, press officials for answers and demand stronger safety measures after the killings. Reporter Daniel Montoya captures the tension in the room, where frustration with police responses and city leadership was high, and many attendees left still unsure what would happen next.
Weight-Loss Peptides Surge Raises New Health Concerns
A growing number of Americans are turning to synthetic peptides as a fast track to weight loss, but doctors say the risks remain unclear. Reporter Brooklyn Miller examines how these compounds, often marketed online without medical oversight, are gaining traction as federal regulators reconsider restrictions. The story includes firsthand accounts from users alongside warnings from medical professionals about unknown long-term effects.
Death Cafes Offer Space to Talk About Dying
In living rooms, community spaces and even cremation centers, Death Cafes are creating space for conversations many people avoid. Brooklyn Miller reports on how these informal gatherings bring strangers together to talk openly about mortality. Participants say the experience can be surprisingly comforting, offering perspective and connection without judgment. It’s a growing movement reshaping how people approach grief, fear and meaning.
42nd Annual DPS Shakespeare Festival Happening Today
More than 5,000 students are heading downtown today for the 42nd annual DPS Shakespeare Festival. Reporter Daniella Prime-Morales of Thomas Jefferson High School shares how the long-running event transforms the Denver Performing Arts Complex into a hub of student performance. As one of the largest and oldest student Shakespeare festivals in the country, the event has become a beloved tradition for both students and teachers.
Stuff We Noticed
DPS Weighs $44M Tax Increase for November Ballot. Denver Public Schools may ask voters to approve a $44 million tax increase as the district faces budget pressures. For the median Denver homeowner, the measure could mean about $77 more per year in property taxes. Officials say the funding could support staff pay raises, reduce health care costs and expand career education programs. Community input is ongoing as the proposal moves forward.
Colorado Set to Debate No Kings Act. State lawmakers are set to debate a bill that would expand legal accountability for federal officials accused of violating civil rights. Supporters say the measure would align federal oversight with existing state-level protections, while critics warn it could expose taxpayers to costly lawsuits.
Federal Review Could Reshape Marijuana Regulations. Yesterday, the Department of Justice added both FDA-approved marijuana products and marijuana products subject to a state medical marijuana license to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. They also announced that federal officials will hold hearings in June to consider broad changes to marijuana’s classification under federal law. The review could have a significant impact on cannabis-related product research, medical use and regulatory oversight.
That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers! Thank you for showing up for our team and supporting local journalism. We do this work in partnership with you, and your contributions make it possible to keep telling the stories that connect our communities. If you haven’t yet, please consider giving to our Spring Fling fundraiser. Every dollar helps us keep this work going. Thank you for reading, and see you next week.
Warmest Regards,
Kathryn Cronin
Editorial Intern/Bucket List Community News
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