Hey Bucket Listers! It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since COVID changed the way we all live our lives. From losing loved ones to working from home, mask wearing and vaccine skepticism, it was a watershed moment for everyone. COVID trapped us in our bubbles and transported us back to a different Denver. But we pushed through together, and this week we look back and forward with two articles about the impact on businesses, as well as how the pandemic helped Bucket List refine its mission.
Five Years After COVID: Resilience, Reinvention & Unfinished Business
Five years after COVID-19 first arrived in Colorado, we’re still feeling its impact. From business closures to food insecurity to how we connect with each other, the pandemic forced everyone to pivot. Our Allie Blum checked in with local business leaders to see what’s changed—and what hasn’t. For some, like chef Jesse Albertini, it meant rethinking her restaurant model before finally opening her first storefront this spring. Others, like Bienvenidos Food Bank, are bracing for new challenges as crisis after crisis bears down on assistance programs. Read more about how our city has evolved already and where we are going next.
How the Pandemic Transformed Bucket List
COVID forced us to rethink everything—including the way we do local journalism. When the world shut down, Bucket List stepped up, helping neighbors stay informed about testing sites, small business closures and the changing landscape of our city. What started as a North Denver blog grew into a vital source for hyperlocal news. Five years later, we’re still here, keeping you connected and informed. Read our publisher Vicky Collins’ compelling piece to learn more about how COVID influenced our mission and why local journalism still matters.
Students With Family Here Illegally Fear Applying for FAFSA
For students from mixed-status families, applying for financial aid can feel risky. With the Trump administration ramping up immigration enforcement, some worry that sharing personal information on FAFSA could put their families in danger. While federal law protects student privacy, concerns remain about how that data could be used. Despite this uncertainty, financial aid experts are urging students to apply anyway, arguing that skipping FAFSA could mean missing out on crucial college funding. Our Daniel Montoya breaks down what students should know before the federal application deadline on June 30.
Aurora’s Police Recruitment Booms As Denver Struggles
While Denver Police Department continues to struggle with recruitment, Aurora PD is bringing in its biggest class in years. Aurora’s success comes from community outreach, diverse recruitment efforts and covering entry costs for applicants—a stark contrast to Denver’s long, complicated hiring process. Denver officials say they’re committed to keeping high standards, but it’s clear they’re falling short of their hiring goals. With police staffing down across the country, our Ryland Scholes investigates whether Denver should reconsider its strategy or whether quality outweighs quantity.
Small Biz Spotlight: Our Business Directory Is Growing!
We’re thrilled to welcome Maverick PR, Esoteric Art and Morgridge Accounting Solutions to the Bucket List Business Directory! This is a new way we are connecting our neighbors to high-quality products and services. Want to get your business in front of the community? For $250/year, you get a listing; for $500/year, we’ll feature your news on our socials and newsletter. It’s a real win-win situation: we help local businesses while they help local journalism.
Stuff We Noticed
SBA To Relocate Denver Office Over “Sanctuary City” Status. The U.S. Small Business Administration announced plans at the end of February to pull regional offices from sanctuary cities, and Denver might be on the list. Although Denver has never officially declared itself a “sanctuary city,” the federal government has. It’s still unclear how Mayor Mike Johnston’s testimony in Washington this week, where he defended the city’s migrant response, will affect this, but if Denver loses the Region VIII office, it could impact small businesses in the metro area.
Butterfly Museum Expansion Canceled. After years of planning, the Butterfly Pavilion will not be growing to a new location on Baseline. Officials cite economic challenges as the reason for backing out of the project, which was originally proposed in 2018, though leadership promises to continue working on pollinator conservation efforts in Broomfield. It’s a disappointing end to an ambitious project, but the Pavilion isn’t going away—just shifting focus.
AJ’s Pit BBQ Staff Walks Out, Restaurant Closes. Employees at a prestigious Denver barbeque restaurant made the difficult decision to leave the restaurant together last week, effectively shutting the establishment down. Employees said payroll issues led them to owe thousands in back taxes—a direct result of their employer’s mistakes. This isn’t the first time owner Jared Leonard has faced controversy, and with his focus now on the AJ’s locations he brought to Mexico, it might be the last time we hear his name in Denver.
That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers! Please take our annual survey so we can better serve you with trustworthy local journalism. We need your feedback and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a $50 Visa gift card. We’re extending our deadline from 3/14 to 3/28 to give you more time. It only takes 10 minutes, and your feedback will help shape our coverage and how we deliver it to you. But rest assured, it will always be free to our community. Have a good weekend!
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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