Hello, Bucket Listers! Thanks to our sponsor Green Door Living for making today’s newsletter possible. As autumn sets in, our team of hyperlocal journalists has been venturing out into the community to cover neighborhood stories. In Evergreen, students and families are finding ways to heal after tragedy. In Longmont, a village of tiny homes is giving veterans stability and fresh starts. Denver is breaking new cultural ground with MSU’s mariachi major and Wax Trax Records is expanding its footprint. Let’s dive into this week’s news.
How Evergreen Is Recovering After School Shooting
In the days following the Evergreen High School shooting, the community is slowly finding its way forward. Our reporter, Mauricio Mendez, went to downtown Evergreen to speak with high school students who had just finished their first extracurricular activities at EHS since the shooting, as well as other local leaders, about how they are feeling. While some were still grieving and confused, others welcomed the gradual return to routines. As one student told Mendez: “It’s not moving past it. It’s just choosing to focus on the next right step.”
Tiny Home Village Has Big Impact for Vets
Though each unit has a small square footage, the Veterans Community Project’s tiny home village in Longmont is making a significant difference in the lives of veterans. The village, which opened in 2023, is situated on 1.4 acres and includes 21 individual units and 5 family homes to assist veterans in their transition to civilian life. The homes are “trauma-informed,” and case managers are on-site to assist veterans in regaining control of their lives. Our Rowen Kennedy toured the facilities and interviewed a veteran whose life was transformed by the program.
MSU Debuts Colorado’s First Mariachi Major
Every Thursday night, the Mariachi ensemble practices in Room 293 of the Arts Building on the Auraria Campus of MSU Denver. But this year is unique because it is the first time the school, or any university in the state, has offered a Mariachi major. The individualized degree program incorporates coursework from various degrees, including Chicano studies, Spanish, history and business. Our Daniel Montoya spoke with the teachers and young musicians who are keeping Mariachi music alive at their weekly rehearsal to learn more about the program.
Wax Trax Records Prepares to Open in West Highland
On Oct. 11, Wax Trax Records is opening its fourth location at 3641 W. 32nd Ave. between Meade St. and Lowell Blvd. in Denver’s West Highland neighborhood, the former site of Candelaria. The new location in West Highland joins the flagship shop on 13th Avenue, the Broadway Bazaar store and the kiosk inside Stanley Marketplace. Maxx Goodman chatted with the store’s staff about the business’s legacy, how it’s adapting to stay competitive and what’s in store for the new location.
October Bucket List Radio Show Debuted This Week
Did you catch the latest episode of the Bucket List radio show on KGNU yesterday? If not, don’t worry; we’ve got the episode and a recap available on the website for you to listen to while drinking your morning coffee. The show discusses the Palantir protest, DIA upgrades, Halloween events and features an in-studio interview with Chicana artist Arlette Lucero.
Stuff We Noticed
Colorado’s National Parks to Stay Open During Government Shutdown. After the federal government shut down on Wednesday, many government-funded operations ceased, but not the state’s four national parks. Despite the limited staffing, the parks will remain open for visitors and residents to continue leaf-peeping, and Gov. Jared Polis stated that the state’s parks and wildlife agency is ready to assist if necessary as part of an executive order signed in 2023. “The first few days and weeks are easier,” Polis told Axios. “But ultimately money and accounts run out, and major effects begin in the coming weeks.”
Downtown Development Authority Buys Denver Pavilions. On Tuesday, the city of Denver’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) announced that it would purchase the Denver Pavilions shopping center at 500 16th Street Mall for approximately $37 million and approved up to $8 million in additional funds for property improvements, leasing and redevelopment planning. The DDA will renew leases for current tenants while seeking new tenants, with the ultimate goal of selling Pavilions to another buyer capable of carrying out a new vision for the area.
Rockies GM Resigns After The Team’s Worst Season in History. Just three days after the Colorado Rockies completed their 2025 season, which was the Rockies’ worst in franchise history, general manager Bill Schmidt announced his resignation. Schmidt, who has been with the Rockies since 1999 and served as general manager for the past four seasons, recognized the need for a “new voice” to lead the team. The search for his replacement is underway, and Schmidt said, “Better seasons are ahead for the Rockies and our great fans.”
We hope you enjoy the weekend as the leaves change and the cold weather creeps in. Remember, we rely on our subscribers to share this newsletter and encourage others to read Bucket List to learn what’s going on in the community. And if you appreciate our stories, please consider a contribution to keep our work going. Thanks for reading, and have a fantastic Friday.
Warmest Regards,
Kathryn Cronin
Editorial Intern/Bucket List Community News
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