Hi Bucket Listers! Today’s newsletter is sponsored by The Jacobs Co., a real estate team with over four decades of experience. The June 30 primary election is approaching, and to assist you with your research, we’ve launched our 2026 Ballot Builder. Go to our website, click the elections/politics drop-down and select 2026 Ballot Builder. Enter your address to see the candidates who will appear on your ballot. Now, onto the biggest headlines shaping the Denver Metro area this week.
Asia Center Development Fight Gets a Reprieve
The future of the Asia Center on Federal Boulevard remains uncertain after a redevelopment proposal was withdrawn following city review. Nearly 19,000 people have signed a petition to protect the Little Saigon Business District landmark. Reporter Daniel Montoya spoke with community members and Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez about why this decision feels more like the start of a much longer fight.
The Battle Over Colorado Boulevard’s Future
Get ready for more possible construction on one of Denver’s busiest roads. The city is currently developing plans to build bus rapid transit lanes on Colorado Boulevard. These plans have divided Denver and Glendale residents, with some questioning whether the lanes would “take away road capacity.” Reporter Sydney McGarr breaks down the debate and shares some insights on the proposal.
Why South Boulder Is Rallying Around Its Rec Center
For decades, the South Boulder Recreation Center has served the community. Residents are now pushing the city to replace the aging building with a full-service facility rather than losing one of the neighborhood’s most important public spaces. Emily Doskow spoke with residents, city officials and advocates about why the fight has packed public meetings and left South Boulder feeling overlooked.
What Happens When Fire Season Never Really Ends?
Boulder County fire officials and mitigation experts say wildfire risk is no longer just a summer concern. Drought, dry vegetation and high winds are making fires spread faster, even when the number of fires has not dramatically changed. Ella Berry spoke with experts about the threat and what precautions you can take.
Boulder’s Film Scene…Besides Sundance
Sundance is bringing global attention to Boulder, but local filmmakers say the city’s film culture did not start with the festival announcement. From CU Boulder’s International Film Series to the Boulder International Film Festival and the Boulder County Film Commission, the city already has a long-running creative ecosystem. Vittorio Bongioanni explores how Boulder’s film community is preparing for Sundance while reminding people what was already here.
The Chess Boom Comes to Colorado
The popularity of “The Queen’s Gambit” helped spark new interest in chess, and Colorado students are still riding that wave. Jesse Cohen, a national chess master and three-time Colorado state chess champion, has been teaching kids through Summit School of Chess since 2012. Reporter Marcelo Brant visited an after-school chess program to see how young players are learning strategy, patience and how to lose without giving up.
Catch Up on Pride, Politics and Public Art
This month’s Bucket List Community News radio show, hosted by editor Toni Tresca, covered some of the biggest stories in Denver right now. The episode includes conversations about the June 30 primary, Denver Pride, Juneteenth, the Asia Center and new public art at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. Don’t miss our next episode Thursday, July 2, at 3 p.m. on KGNU.
Stuff We Noticed
Homicide convictions of former paramedics overturned. The Colorado Court of Appeals overturned the convictions of the two Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics found guilty of negligent homicide in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain. Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec will now face new trials. Attorney General Phil Weiser says he will appeal.
Denver Water wants you to report water waste. Denver Water is asking customers to cut water use by 20% under Stage 1 drought restrictions, and that includes keeping an eye on outdoor watering. Customers can report water waste online, by chat or by phone if they see sprinklers running outside allowed hours or water flowing down streets and sidewalks. So yes, Denver Water has effectively given residents a way to narc on their neighbors’ sprinklers.
Colorado colleges must expand abortion medication access. A new Colorado law will require colleges and universities with student health centers to provide access to abortion medication. Schools without the ability to dispense the medication on-site can help students access prescriptions through other pharmacies. The law is set to expand campus reproductive health access beginning in 2027.
That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers! Before we go, keep an eye on your inbox this Sunday for the launch of Bucket List on the Street, our new weekly series replacing 5 Questions. Each week, we’ll ask five Coloradans the same question and bring their answers directly to you. Through June, we’ll focus on what residents want from candidates ahead of the primary, with both newsletter and video content.
Thanks for being so engaged in local news. Please tell your neighbors about us, and if you are a local business, we’d love to talk with you about our sponsorship program. Free community news does not just happen. It requires all of us to step up and support this work. Thanks for being part of it.
Warmest Regards,
Iris Serrano
Editorial Intern/Bucket List Community News
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