Hey, Bucket Listers! It may feel like summer, but spring has only just begun, and as we approach April, there is a lot going on. First, a quick update: Bucket List is rebranding to Bucket List Community News. The name is changing, but our mission isn’t. We’re still here to bring you neighborly stories, trustworthy voices and deeper connections across metro Denver. We’d love for you to celebrate this next chapter with us at Local News Day at the Denver Press Club on April 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. It’s free to attend, and you’ll get a chance to explore the historic clubhouse lined with a century of Colorado headlines. Donations are encouraged to support local journalism. RSVP at denverpressclub.org/events.
Dark Horse Closes, But Questions Linger About What’s Next
Boulder’s iconic Dark Horse served its final drinks on March 14, ending a 51-year run as one of the city’s most beloved gathering spots. But even as regulars said goodbye, speculation about a possible second life began to spread. Reporter Ella Berry captures the emotional final days inside the bar and digs into what’s known, and still unknown, about whether the Dark Horse could reopen somewhere else.
Student “Stress” Starts Early and Keeps Building
From CMAS testing in elementary school to finals and college pressure in high school, students across metro Denver say stress is constant and growing. Rawaa Zardy’s reporting combines personal stories from elementary, middle and high school students with new survey data, demonstrating how academic pressure and overlapping deadlines push students to their limits, often without support.
Middle Schoolers Turn Holocaust Lessons Into Something Tangible
At Southern Hills Middle School, a classroom assignment became something much bigger. Seventh graders transformed their library into a Holocaust remembrance exhibit, inviting the community to reflect on history at a moment when antisemitic incidents are rising nationwide. Sophia Collins reports on how students are processing the past and why it feels urgent right now.
The Silent Weight of Grief and How Neighbors Are Coping
For many Coloradans, loss doesn’t fade with time. It shows up in grocery store aisles, on highways and in quiet moments years later. Brooklyn Miller speaks with neighbors navigating grief after losing loved ones and explores what it means to keep living while carrying that weight in her evocative feature story.
Stuff We Noticed
Denver water restrictions return amid dry winter. Denver Water has implemented mandatory watering restrictions for the first time in more than a decade after a low-snowpack winter. The rules, which are now in effect, limit residents and businesses to watering only two days per week on a set schedule, prohibit watering after 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and recommend delaying the use of automatic sprinklers until at least mid-May. The move comes as the region prepares for continued drought conditions.
‘No Kings’ protests planned across Colorado this weekend. This weekend, more than 70 demonstrations are planned statewide as part of the latest “No Kings” protests, with events planned in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs and beyond. Organizers say the rallies respond to a range of issues, including ICE’s actions and the Iran war. The Denver protest, No Kings 3 – Denver, will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at the Colorado State Capitol.
Denver Westword’s editor is retiring this summer. After nearly five decades, Patricia “Patty” Calhoun is stepping down as editor of Westword. The transition will occur on July 1 and was announced in conjunction with Westword’s annual Best Of awards. Calhoun, a co-founder of the publication, says she’ll “remain on as editor emeritus, contributing a regular column and helping prepare for another big anniversary,” while leaving day-to-day leadership to the current team.
That’s it for our final newsletter of March and our last one as Bucket List Community News. Next week, you’ll see a new look as we officially become Bucket List Community News. We’d love to hear what you think. And don’t forget: our next KGNU radio show airs April 2 at 3 p.m. As we head into April, we’ll be kicking off our spring fundraising campaign. We’re community-supported, and everything we do depends on readers like you. Thank you in advance for your support. Have a fantastic weekend!
Warmest Regards,
Kathryn Cronin
Editorial Intern/Bucket List Community News
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