Happy holidays, Bucket Listers. As you prepare to celebrate, we are celebrating you! Because of your generosity, we’re almost at our $12,500 fundraising goal. We’ve raised $12,091 so far. We are less than $500 short, and with nearly two weeks remaining, we believe we can dream even bigger, so please do not stop now! We need all of you to contribute so we can keep bringing you free hyperlocal neighborly news in 2025.
Butterflies Are in Decline Due to Climate Change
Did you notice that there were fewer butterflies around Colorado in 2024? The folks at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster certainly did, and they stopped by the Bucket List Community News Podcast to discuss the state’s butterfly crisis. In the episode, Ryland Scholes and Shiran Hershcovich, senior lepidopterist at the Butterfly Pavilion, have a wide-ranging conversation about how climate change affects the local butterfly population.
Not only do we produce podcasts but we also produce videos. Check out our new one about the impact Bucket List Community News has on our community. It was produced by Olivia Gryson, Eliza Homorodi and Logan Kurtz. Shower them with lots of opens and clicks!
DPS Closes Your School; What Happens Next?
Last month, the Denver Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to close seven schools, including Columbian Elementary in Sunnyside. The administration cited declining birth rates, low enrollment and poor performance as reasons behind the school’s closure. Rather than end the story there, we sent Daniel Montoya to investigate how these decisions affect teachers, staff, students and parents, as well as what they plan to do next.
Talking Tattoos With Local Aficionados
Body art has existed since Neolithic times, but what keeps people returning to get dozens of tattoos? Cole Bachman spoke with several people who have multiple tattoos and went to a local parlor, Pretty Sturdy Tattoo, to learn more about Denver’s scene and dismantle some stereotypes about clientele along the way.
Tamales by Las Casita Provides Holiday Treats
While some chow down on baked ham or roast beast for the holidays, many locals enjoy eating tamales. For those who don’t want to make them by hand, Tamales by Las Casita provides affordable, family-owned options that are the next best thing to homemade. But if you want their tasty treats, you might want to place an order in advance. As Daianee Galindo reports they often sell out during the holiday season. Or you can make your own like former news anchor Anne Trujillo does with her family.
Stuff We Noticed
On Monday, December 16, the Denver City Council voted 11-1 to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes. This measure seeks to curb the usage of tobacco among teens, as one in 12 middle and high school students reportedly still use the products. Critics argue this could hurt local businesses that rely on sales to make ends meet. This is expected to go into effect in 2026 as the city’s public health department wants to take time to educate consumers before enforcing the bill.
After over a decade of marijuana legalization in Colorado, new research is emerging about the long-term risks including cannabis use disorder that can trigger anxiety disorders, psychosis and schizophrenia. The advocacy group, Tea on THC, aims to inform the most at-risk people about those risks through a high-profile campaign that includes former Denver Bronco wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, sharing his experience with cannabis addiction. The group ultimately hopes to use research funded by the state about cannabis on public health to shape its public awareness campaign.
Enrollment for Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program opened on Tuesday, December 17. The program offers up to 15 hours of free preschool for all children in the year before kindergarten, with additional hours available for families who qualify. “Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program is truly raising the bar for early childhood education,” said Governor Jared Polis in a statement. “In addition to saving families an average of $6,100, recent research shows how state-funded universal preschool programs help parents stay in the workforce, access more paid childcare hours, and earn up to 20% more each year.
Finally, our dog correspondent, Daphne, wants you to know that former 9News entertainment reporter Kirk Montgomery will be at Central Park Library on Saturday at 2 p.m. to discuss his children’s new book about his dog, Joey. It’s called “Joey’s Journey: Who Rescued Who” and would make a great last-minute holiday gift.
That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers. Our entire team wants to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or blessed Kwanzaa. Whatever you celebrate, however you celebrate or even if you don’t celebrate, we wish you all peace. And don’t forget to put a little something in Bucket List’s holiday stocking to support community journalism by 12/31. You have inspired us all year, and we need you now more than ever. See you next week!
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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