Hey Bucket Listers! We’re down to the final hours until our Spring Fling fundraiser wraps up at midnight on May 31. Thank you so much to Carol, Hillary, Blair, Zach, Lawrence, Alexis, Tina, Jen and Kailey for being the latest to contribute. We’ve done everything we can think of to make a strong case for supporting Bucket List, so now it’s up to you to decide if what we do has value to you. Your contributions help us provide trustworthy, solutions-oriented coverage to the community, create connections among neighbors and mentor the next generation of journalists. We cannot do this without you. Please contribute today.
16th Street’s Makeover Hits the Streets
Construction on Denver’s 16th Street is nearly complete, and the city didn’t wait for the last brick to be laid before celebrating. On Memorial Day, our Daniel Montoya attended a massive block party downtown that featured international DJ Fisher, electrifying music and colorful new streetscapes. While some sections past Welton are still in progress, foot traffic is already returning, and so are sales at nearby businesses. With more block parties scheduled for May 31 and June 1, the city is aiming to revitalize the area now dubbed “The Denver Way.”
NEA Cuts Leave Colorado Arts Reeling
When the federal government pulled National Endowment for the Arts funding earlier this month, it left Colorado’s theater companies scrambling. Phamaly Theatre Company and Motus Theater both lost major grants—threatening tours, community programming and jobs. But local leaders aren’t giving up: Motus will premiere “Youth Behind & Beyond Bars” on Saturday in Boulder, while Phamaly searches for a path forward. Our Sadie Gonzales reports on what’s at stake and what comes next.
Libraries Are More Than Books
As part of our efforts to bring you statewide stories, we’ve assigned one of our new journalists, Jenny Ellis, to do some reporting on the mountain regions this summer. Her first story for us centers on how libraries across Colorado are reimagining themselves as inclusive, connective third spaces, and Pitkin County Library is leading the charge. From workforce support to 3D printers and banned book clubs, the Aspen institution serves everyone from toddlers to retirees. Director Genevieve Smith says it’s all about “making people feel like they belong,” a value increasingly vital amid national censorship battles and growing loneliness.
Sweet Success: Highlands Ranch Teens Bake Up a Business
Sisters Char’Les and Zyaire Hawkins started Little Sistas Treats during the pandemic, and now their cheesecake cones and entrepreneurial fire are taking them from farmers markets to the national stage. With appearances on Good Morning America and local festivals under their belts, our Khaleigh Reed discusses the girls’ next steps, which include plans for a storefront, food truck and even a Denver Airport location.
Stuff We Noticed
Bridge Through Downtown Draws Pushback. In honor of Colorado’s 150th birthday, Governor Polis has proposed a new pedestrian walkway from the State Capitol to Lincoln Veterans Park—but not everyone’s cheering. Historic Denver is raising alarm, arguing the design is out of sync with the area’s historic character and doesn’t align with pedestrian habits. While Polis says the bridge will boost accessibility and art, preservationists say it’s “a response to a problem that doesn’t exist.” With a petition already circulating, this debate is far from over.
Missing Artifacts Raise Big Questions at Blair-Caldwell. The temporary removal of historic items from Denver’s African American Research Library upset community members, including former Mayor Wellington Webb. Officials said the artifacts were pulled to prevent light damage, but the lack of transparency fueled concerns of erasure and disrespect. Some items are now back, but the incident has opened broader conversations about stewardship, representation and trust. Expect ongoing discussion as the library navigates its next chapter.
Downtown’s Shiny New Centerpiece. Downtown Denver has a new landmark: “Aspen Lights,” a shimmering sculpture of metal aspen trees rising over 16th Street at Glenarm. With multicolored acrylic leaves that sway and reflect light, the 30-foot installation adds both beauty and movement to the urban landscape. Created by Poetic Kinetics with help from Denver Arts & Venues, it’s already a photo-op favorite. If you’re headed downtown, swing by and see the shimmer for yourself.
5 Questions and More
Did you see our 5 Questions this week with Vedanth Raju, who represented Colorado at the Scripps National Spelling Bee? “Ved” came so close to making it into the finals but got tripped up in the last round of the semifinals by the word “ellestadite.” Congratulations, Vedanth. We hope to see you in the bee again next year!
And speaking of events, next Tuesday Bucket List Community News debuts a new weekly events newsletter. It will feature lots of things you won’t want to miss in our community. Bucket List is all about creating connection and this will share the the myriad of activities the Denver area has to offer that connect you to your neighbors. Bucket List will soon have three weekly newsletters and they’re all free to our subscribers.
That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers. This is a last reminder to please contribute to our Spring Fling fundraiser before the deadline on May 31. We’ve been told that people wait until the last minute to give, so that time is now. Please give this very minute! Thank you and see you next week.
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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