Happy (almost) weekend, Bucket Listers! Looking for fun activities to do with your family? You could head to the mountain to see the colors peak, or our Daianee Galindo has you covered with her guide to places in Denver that are affordable and fun for families. Thank you to Kelly and Mark Williams of Modus Real Estate for their ongoing sponsorship of our guides. Head on over to our website to subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to read our upcoming guide from Kay Altshuler about the the immersive scene in Denver when it drops on Sunday.
Polly Baca Talks 2024 Election
To gain some perspective on the stakes of the national and local elections, our Ryland Scholes spoke with Colorado political legend Polly Baca about the current political climate. In the latest Bucket List Community News podcast, the two talk about the Electoral College, getting to know your representatives and how she stays positive after years of politics. Give it a listen, and as Baca says in the episode, “please get engaged and vote.”
Are You Overpaying for Lime Scooter Rides?
Short answer: probably. If you’ve recently used the Lime app to ride its e-scooters, you may have had some trouble logging out. Cole Bachman spoke with several Colorado residents about the app issue to gain a better understanding of how it’s costing riders money. His story investigates the five-year history of the problem, how Lime blames customers rather than addressing it, and what people being overcharged can do to get help.
Sunnyside Community Event Addresses Youth Violence
The sixth annual La Raza Park Day celebration in Sunnyside was about more than just community and cruising. This year, Ben Chavez, the event’s lead organizer, focused the outing on youth violence prevention. Following the successful event this summer, our Arianna Balderrama spoke with Chavez and other local leaders about the importance of reducing the amount of youth crime in our area.
Jewish High Holidays Amid Israel/Palestine War
Adam Morris, affectionately known as Rabbi Mo by members of his Denver synagogue, Temple Micah, is leaning into the “gray area” this Jewish holiday season. The High Holidays begin October 2 this year and continue through October 12. Rabbi Morris told our Allie Blum, “It’s important to acknowledge the anniversary of October 7 over the High Holidays, but there needs to be balance.” They also talk about his recent trip to Israel and Palestine which had a profound impact on him.
Colorado Proud Brings Local Food to Schools
On October 1, over 300 schools will participate in Colorado Proud School Meal Day. This event, hosted by the Colorado Departments of Agriculture and Education, promotes healthy eating and helps students understand where their food comes from. Daianee Galindo spoke with the organizers to learn more about the program and how it provides lunch to over 170,000 students.
Stuff We Noticed
On September 24, Denver Public Schools (DPS) held the first of six public meetings scheduled to discuss potential school closures and consolidations. These announcements come as DPS expects to lose 6,000 students by 2028, a drop of more than 8%. More meetings will be held until October 22 to discuss the guidelines that the school district is using for planning. On November 7, the superintendent will present a list of schools for consolidation to the Board of Education, which will vote on the list on November 21.
The Montbello Organizing Committee’s seven-year dream of bringing a grocery store to the northeast neighborhood is expected to come true next year. A campaign to open a grocery store in the food desert evolved into a $97 million project that includes a 97-unit affordable apartment building that is already open, an arts education and cultural center that will begin construction next year, a small business accelerator and a mental health services office.
Having trouble determining which benefits you are eligible for? Coloradoans can now see what discounts and programs they qualify for through an online portal. Mayor Mike Johnston announced the MyFriendBen program on Wednesday. Entering your information allows you to check your eligibility for over 50 public benefits, including the city’s preschool program, food assistance, recycling and trash rebates, public transportation discounts, and more.
That’s it for this week. Do you have a suggestion for a story? Reach out to Vicky Collins or Toni Tresca with any ideas for articles. We would love to hear from you about the issues that are most important to you. If you believe in our mission to provide free hyperlocal neighborly news in the Denver area, please share this newsletter with your friends and consider contributing. Whatever plans you have for the weekend, stay safe and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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