Hello, Bucket Listers! We’ve been saying for years that Bucket List Community News is different, and now we’re asking you to help keep it alive. Publisher Vicky Collins wrote about how we do journalism differently this week: no paywalls or sensationalism—just solution-oriented stories by early-career reporters who help neighbors feel informed, inspired and seen. Our model wins awards and earns national attention, but it doesn’t fit traditional funding boxes, so sustainability depends on you.
From Aug. 17 to 31, we’re aiming to raise $5,000+ to support our student reporters and our paid apprentices who cover the state’s most important local issues. Please read Vicky’s piece, consider contributing and then dive into this week’s stories.
What Denver Can Do to Prevent More Cyclist Deaths
In July, a 21-year-old student from Turkey was killed in a hit-and-run at 38th & Tejon, galvanizing advocates who say Denver’s safety plans keep stalling while danger grows. The city had already identified that intersection as unsafe in 2020, but abandoned its bike lane plans in favor of preserving parking. Reporter Cassis Tingley traces what the city promised, what changed, what’s on the ballot soon and asks whether funding and follow-through will meet the moment.
Commerce City’s New ‘Drones as First Responder’ Program, Explained
When 911 calls come in, some Commerce City officers are now sending drones ahead to survey the scene before approaching in person. Supporters say the program will make policing safer for both officers and residents, while critics worry about mission creep and surveillance overreach. Our Mark Goetzler breaks down how the pilot is structured, the rules in place to limit misuse and what data will determine its future. Other cities are already watching closely to see if the results match the promises.
Confessions From the Curb
In the bustle of downtown Denver, a valet sees it all—glamorous entrances, drunken exits and the occasional confessional from behind a rolled-down window. This week, we have the latest installment of PJ Guidry’s observational series, Views from the Denver Valet. It starts with small talk and a tiger tattoo, then veers into a reveal that upends the conversation. The piece blends humor, observation and a reminder that there’s often more to people than meets the eye.
Stuff We Noticed
Denverites Are Still Not Back In Offices. Office visits here remain about 40% below July 2019 levels, nearly double the national gap. Downtown weekday headcounts still trail pre-pandemic norms, with vacancy hovering around 37%. City leaders are betting on new housing, retail and public space upgrades to revitalize downtown, but looming city layoffs on Aug. 18 could make the numbers even worse.
RTD Ridership Decline Continues. Systemwide trips dropped 6.4% from January to May, keeping totals nearly 39% lower than 2019. New hires have boosted service hours, and a recent safety plan cut security-related calls by 15% year over year. Still, ridership hasn’t rebounded, raising questions about whether reliability improvements will be enough. June data is due soon and could show whether the tide is turning.
‘Frankenstein Bunnies’ Spotted in Fort Collins. A group of rabbits in Fort Collins is turning heads with strange hornlike growths on their faces. Despite the unsettling appearance (and viral nicknames like “demon rabbits” and “zombie rabbits”), Colorado Parks and Wildlife says the animals are simply infected with Shope papillomavirus, a relatively harmless virus spread by fleas and ticks. The growths can resemble warts or horns and usually disappear once a rabbit’s immune system clears the virus, which can’t spread to humans or pets.
That’s it for this week! We are excited to share the next 5 Questions interview with you all on Sunday, this time with comedian Emily Kingsley, and it is as funny as she is. If you appreciate having hyperlocal reporting delivered free to your inbox, please consider supporting our Back to School fundraiser. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us keep telling the stories that matter to your neighborhood. We’re here because of you, and we want to keep it that way—so if you can, chip in today. Thank you for reading, and have a fantastic weekend!
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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