Happy Friday! We hope you (and your plants) made it through the recent cold snap that dumped approximately half a foot of snow on the metro area. For the record, the snowstorm on May 5-6 is Denver’s largest since 2003, when seven inches fell, and the fifth largest in local history. Over here at team Bucket List, we didn’t let the snow stop our reporting. Our team braved the cold weather to produce five hot news stories about what is going on around town, including an insurgent primary campaign, DPS’ cellphone ban, an update on the City Park bandstand, the rise of “pay-to-play” sports and a new episode of our radio show.
Progressive Challenger Tries to Shake Up Denver Politics
Immigration attorney and PhD student Melat Kiros is running one of the most closely watched Democratic primary campaigns in Colorado this year. The democratic socialist candidate is challenging longtime U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette while campaigning on Medicare for All, housing affordability, universal childcare and abolishing ICE. Reporter Sophie Collins investigates why some Denver voters see her campaign as a sign of growing dissatisfaction with establishment Democrats, as well as the current state of the race ahead of the June 30 primary.
DPS Students Could Soon Lose Their Phones All Day
Denver Public Schools appear to be getting closer to enacting a district-wide cellphone ban. A district committee recently recommended that students refrain from using phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and other personal devices during the school day. Teachers and administrators say the policy could reduce distractions, but some students believe schools should teach responsible phone use rather than imposing a blanket ban. Bucket List reporter Rawaa Zardy breaks down the debate ahead of the board’s expected June 11 vote.
City Park’s Summer Traditions Face a Major Test
Just six weeks after a suspected arson fire destroyed City Park’s historic bandstand, organizers are racing to save one of Denver’s most iconic summer gathering spots. The fire burned down the structure and caused it to partially collapse into Ferril Lake, forcing City Park Jazz and other summer events to adapt quickly. Reporter Perry Guidry examines how neighborhood leaders are working to keep concerts and community events going while raising funds for a rebuild.
The Hidden Cost of Kids’ Sports
For many families, youth sports now comes with sticker shock. Local families describe spending thousands of dollars each year to keep their children competitive in sports like hockey, baseball and soccer. CU Boulder’s News Corps reporter Wyatt Duesenberg digs into how pay-to-play leagues, travel teams and specialized training programs have transformed youth athletics into a multibillion-dollar industry increasingly driven by private investment.
What We Covered on KGNU This Month
This month’s Bucket List Community News radio show on KGNU took listeners across Denver, from the effort to restore City Park’s bandstand to conversations about food access, grief support and historic preservation. Hosted by Bucket List editor Toni Tresca, the episode also included stories about the Historic Elitch Theatre, Denver’s Death Cafe movement and milestones happening inside local schools and neighborhoods.
Stuff We Noticed
DOJ challenges colorado’s magazine ban. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit this week challenging Colorado’s ban on large-capacity ammunition magazines. Supporters of the lawsuit claim that restrictions on magazines with more than 15 rounds violate gun owners’ rights, while gun safety advocates argue that the law is a constitutional public safety measure designed to reduce mass shooting deaths. Earlier this week, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston defended the city’s existing assault weapons restrictions, claiming that the federal lawsuit would have little impact on local law enforcement.
West Denver groups unite over Broncos stadium talks. Sixteen community organizations in west Denver have formed a coalition to negotiate with the Broncos organization as plans continue for a potential new stadium in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The coalition hopes to secure a legally binding community benefits agreement that would address issues like affordable housing, jobs, youth programs and neighborhood investment if a stadium moves forward. Organizers say the coalition is intended to ensure residents of the historically working-class neighborhood have a direct voice in future negotiations.
Civic Center EATS Returns May 13. Lunch season downtown officially returns May 13 as Civic Center EATS launches its 24th season. The popular food truck series will run every Wednesday and Thursday through Oct. 15, though this year’s event is shifting slightly south to Bannock Street in front of the Denver City and County Building while construction continues around Civic Center Park. Organizers say the lineup will include 54 food trucks and 17 rotating vendors.
That’s it for this week! Quick reminder: the Denver Community Film Festival is coming up on May 21 at the Historic Elitch Theatre. Bucket List is collaborating with the Denver Inter Neighborhood Cooperation to screen the film “Truth Be Told” and host a town hall discussion with prominent local journalists about how community news benefits our state. It should be a pleasant Mother’s Day weekend with temperatures in the 70s, so enjoy. As always, thanks for reading and supporting local journalism. If you have story ideas, neighborhood tips or community events we should know about, send them our way. Have a fantastic weekend!
Warmest Regards,
Kathryn Cronin
Editorial Intern/Bucket List Community News
KEEP UP WITH US!
Follow our daily news feeds on Facebook and Instagram
Listen to our Podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Got a story idea? Contact us!
