Hey, Bucket Listers! Beloved Denver urban preservationist Dana Crawford will be honored this Sunday, Feb. 23, with a memorial celebration at Union Station, the Crawford Hotel and the Oxford Hotel. The event is from 2 to 5 p.m., and so far 11,000 people have registered to attend. Family members and dignitaries will share memories and a brass band will hold a New Orleans-style parade. Crawford died on Jan. 23 at 93 and leaves a legacy all over historic Denver that includes the redevelopment of Larimer Square back in the 1960s. In other news, our journalists reported on local immigration advocacy, gun safety education for families and a high school helping students recover from addiction. Let’s get into those stories now!
CIRC and the Fight for Immigrant Rights in Colorado
This month on the “Bucket List Community News Podcast,” Daianee Galindo spoke with Raquel Lane-Arellano of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) about the impact of ICE raids across Denver and Aurora. As families live in fear of deportation, CIRC is expanding its “Know Your Rights” training and Colorado Rapid Response Network to support immigrant communities. With weekly protests and over 1,000 advocates rallying statewide, Lane-Arellano says the next generation is leading the charge for change. Listen to the full podcast and learn how you can support your neighbors during this critical time.
Meet DU’s Immigration Advocate: Tanika Vigil
For Professor Tanika Vigil, immigration law is personal. With roots in Southern Colorado and Lebanon, Vigil now teaches at DU and mentors law students fighting for immigrant rights. In her story, Lina Woelk describes how Vigil’s work at the Immigration Law and Policy Clinic helps people detained at the Aurora ICE facility, where the stakes are high and legal options are limited. Vigil believes that educating communities on their rights is more important than ever. Read how Vigil is shaping the next generation of immigration advocates while also assisting those facing deportation.
Teaching Kids About Guns at Bristlecone Shooting
Is gun safety a family affair? At Bristlecone Shooting in Lakewood, kids as young as 10 are learning how to handle firearms responsibly through the Family Intro to Firearms course. While gun violence remains a heated topic, instructors like Steve “Pancho” Harpham believe education is key to preventing accidents, especially for families with guns at home. Parents and kids shoot side by side, learning the importance of respect, safety and proper firearm use. Our Cassis Tingley’s story details her experience attending this controversial class and the debate over youth gun safety education.
5280 High School Helps Students Overcome Addiction
At 5280 High School, just south of downtown Denver, students are finding hope and healing through a recovery-focused education model. For Morgan Hedrick, 17, addiction once seemed impossible to overcome—until she found a community that believed in her. With recovery coaches, peer support and hands-on learning, 5280 is helping teens stay sober while building a future they can be proud of. Our Cole Bachman tells how this unique high school is giving students a second chance.
Find Your Zen with Sacred Society’s VR Meditation
If you need a break from the daily grind, Sacred Society’s one-of-a-kind VR meditation pyramid will provide you with a high-tech twist on mindfulness. Co-founder Barbie Beltran designed the immersive experience to help people relax using virtual reality, essential oils and soothing soundscapes. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this sensory journey promises to leave you feeling calmer in just 7 to 12 minutes. Our Myra Kirk shares how this new VR space is transforming the meditation experience in Denver.
Stuff We Noticed
IRS Workers in Denver Fired by Trump. Employees of the local agency reported that up to 200 IRS employees in Denver will be laid off this week as part of the current administration’s nationwide effort to reduce the federal workforce. Many of those affected were auditors and collection agents, who play critical roles during tax season, leaving many employees without work during the busy tax season and taxpayers unsure when they will receive their refunds.
Youth Gender-Affirming Care Resumes in Denver. Good news for transgender youth and their families: Denver Health and Children’s Hospital Colorado are resuming gender-affirming treatments after temporarily pausing services due to federal pressure. With Colorado joining a multi-state lawsuit challenging Trump’s executive order, both hospitals maintain their commitment to supporting gender-diverse youth.
$12 Million Cherry Creek Heist Cracked. Remember last summer’s jewelry heist at Hyde Park in Cherry Creek Mall? Authorities have arrested Gustavo Salas-Ortega, a suspect linked to a South American theft ring responsible for burglaries across the U.S. The police say they tracked down the suspect using cell phone data and surveillance footage. Salas-Ortega and his collaborators allegedly used construction disguises and power tools to break into the store, making off with over $12 million in watches and jewelry.
Finally, happy 100th birthday to Denver’s Polidori Sausage Company. Italian immigrants Anna and Rocco Polidori opened their small grocery and butcher shop in Denver in 1925 and today it’s Denver’s oldest family-owned sausage company. Five generations of family have worked there and Polidori will unveil a cheddar jalapeno brat at the Colorado Rockies game on opening day. That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers. If you like our work, please contribute to keep Bucket List around for many years to come. See you next week!
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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