Hello, Bucket Listers! It’s May, which means we’ve officially kicked off our Spring Fling Fundraiser! Bucket List Community News is supported by you and, thanks to $4,000 in matching grants from Kathy Neustadt, Jerry Bell and John and Mark Warren of William Blair, your contributions goes twice as far. If you value the stories we bring, please chip in whatever you can.
Speaking of stories, we’ve got four big ones this week. From universities fighting (or not fighting) for academic freedom to a student athlete saying goodbye to his cleats and everything in between. Let’s dive in.
CU Silent on Academic Freedom Letter, Drawing Backlash
As the federal government ramps up pressure on higher ed, hundreds of colleges have spoken out in defense of academic freedom. But Colorado’s largest public university system has remained silent. Our Allie Blum reports on the University of Colorado’s refusal to sign a national letter denouncing political overreach, a move that has sparked outrage among students and faculty. While institutions like DU and Colorado College were early signatories, CU’s absence stands out—and some say it reflects deeper issues around who the system really serves.
Mushrooms in Colorado: Legal, but Still Out of Reach for Many
In 2022, Coloradans voted to legalize psychedelic mushrooms in regulated settings. But for many, those settings are inaccessible. Lina Woelk spoke with Elevated Mushrooms about their DIY psychedelic healing approach. Co-owners Paul Bowerman and Jeremiah Michael are assisting people in growing their own psilocybin at home, avoiding costly licenses and providing what they see as a more inclusive pathway to wellness. However, with strict laws and no insurance coverage, concerns about equity remain as the state gradually issues licenses.
Bag Check at Ball Arena? Just Follow the Crowd to the Van
Ball Arena’s strict bag policy is catching fans off guard—and sending them to a mysterious white van parked across the street. As Daniel Montoya reports, fans with oversized bags are being directed to LUGDEN, a third-party storage service operating out of a van with no official affiliation listed on the arena’s website. While the system technically works, the secrecy and lack of signage leaves many uneasy. Is it time for Ball Arena to rethink its approach to storage and security? Montoya believes so and shares his suggestions for reforming the system.
MSU Track Star Reflects on the End of a 20-Year Athletic Journey
After breaking school records and qualifying for multiple championships, Metro State University triple jumper PJ Guidry is hanging up his spikes. In a deeply personal essay, Guidry reflects on a two-decade sports career, the family who pushed him, the pain that shaped him and the satisfaction of knowing he gave it everything he had. Now, he’s setting his sights on the next challenge: using his degree to start his writing career.
Coming Sunday in 5 Questions: Denver Muralist Patrick Kane McGregor
If you’ve ever spotted a giant, soul-stirring dog mural in Denver, you may already be familiar with Patrick Kane McGregor’s work. He’s the artist behind some of the city’s most beloved pet portraits. In this week’s edition of 5 Questions, McGregor opens up about his journey from graffiti kid to commercial painter to muralist with a mission. Newsletter subscribers like you will get the interview Sunday before it hits our site next week.
Stuff We Noticed
Property Tax Relief (Finally). Homeowners across the Front Range got some good news this week: preliminary property tax assessments show home values holding steady or even dipping. That means most residents likely won’t see the kind of massive tax bill spikes that hit after the last reassessment. Douglas County, for example, reported a median 3.5% drop in residential value—the first decline since the Great Recession. Officials caution it’s still too soon to know the full picture, especially as counties may adjust mill levies and state caps could impact final bills. Still, the trend marks a major cooling-off from the pandemic housing boom.
Crackdown Coming for E-Scooters? Denver City Council is considering a sweeping overhaul of e-scooter regulations. Proposed changes include sidewalk detection technology, designated parking zones, and a mandatory test for riders before they can rent a scooter. The bill would also make companies responsible for user violations, with fines up to $999. Councilmembers cite safety and sidewalk accessibility as key reasons for the crackdown. A first vote is scheduled for May 6.
First Friday Faces a First-Class Controversy. Artists and vendors are pushing back against new rules for Santa Fe’s First Friday. The Art District has begun requiring permits, fees and assigned vending spots off Santa Fe Drive—sparking concern that the grassroots energy of the event is being lost. Critics say the shift is exclusionary and prioritizes order over community connection. Meanwhile, organizers argue that crowd control and accessibility require better structure. As summer approaches, all eyes are on how First Friday will evolve.
That’s it for this week, Bucket Listers. Denver’s 36th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival returns to Civic Center Park this weekend. Organizers expect more than 350,000 attendees to enjoy food, music, dance and cultural showcases. The two-day celebration includes a lowrider car show, a taco-eating contest, and the always-popular Chihuahua races. If you love what we do, please contribute during our Spring Fling Fundraiser. We do this in collaboration with you, and with your support, we will continue to tell the stories that matter most to the Denver area. See you next week!
Warmest Regards,
Toni Tresca
Editor/Bucket List Community News
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