Biden lambastes Boebert during Denver-area fundraiser

Good morning, Colorado. 

I’ve been steadily working through our Thanksgiving leftovers. But it’s hard to get rid of that much turkey with only two people — especially when one rarely eats meat. There are only so many times you can have turkey sandwiches for lunch.

Thankfully, an exciting looking congee recipe on New York Times Cooking (🔑) has caught my eye. But I’m still on the hunt for more meal ideas so any recommendations you may have would be greatly appreciated. Just send me a note.

And with that, on to the news.

Danika Worthington

Presentation Editor

THE NEWS

POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Joe Biden blasted Lauren Boebert during a speech at a Denver-area fundraiser. Here’s what else he said.

At a Denver-area fundraiser, President Joe Biden called out U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert for refusing to support Democrats’ federal spending to combat climate change. The president will be heading into the Republican’s district today to visit a wind turbine factory in Pueblo. Jesse Paul has more on his speech.

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• Colorado task force charged with finding a long-term property tax solution won’t include people behind 2024 ballot measures. Lawmakers are trying to come up with a fix after Proposition HH failed in the November election. But conservatives, liberals and businesses are offering their own solutions, Jesse Paul reports.
• Kent Thiry’s proposal to overhaul Colorado’s election system has Democrats and Republicans skeptical. The opposition runs the gamut, from concerns about unfairness to people with disabilities to questions about how the change would benefit wealthy candidates.

HOUSING

Denver’s $38 million solution for youth homelessness triples shelter beds and looks like a college dorm

A four-story Urban Peak youth shelter, where residents will be grouped into “neighborhoods,” is scheduled to open this summer in south Denver. The prior building — a dark and dingy thing — could fit 40 people. The new one goes up to 136. About one-third of the teens and young adults who find shelter at Urban Peak were in foster care. Jennifer Brown has more on the project.

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WATER

Colorado’s winter is off to an uninspiring start, climate experts say

Our first glimpse of this year’s snow season isn’t much to write home about, measuring just 60% of normal. For comparison, we were at about 89% this time last year. It doesn’t help that we started the season at a deficit with snowpack below normal, dry soils and drought conditions creeping in. Shannon Mullane has more.

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THE COLORADO REPORT

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

• 4 fatal overdoses on Denver streets in less than 25 hours. The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment attributed all of the deaths to “likely drug overdoses,” something the department says has become normal.
  — 9News
• Colorado Springs approves cuts, pulling from reserves, employee raises in 2024 budget. A $900 million budget for next year, approved by the city council Tuesday, decreases spending across all departments.
  —The Gazette
• A man of the people. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s car was stolen recently.
  — Denver7
• Colorado loses two QBs among set of de-commitments. But Coach Prime isn’t worried about the departures, promising talent is on the way before next season. ​​”You gonna be pleased with what’s coming. I promise you that,” he told reporters after the team’s 23-17 loss against Utah on Saturday.
  — Bleacher Report

Kevin Jeffers | Product Team

THE OPINION PAGE

COLUMNS

• The Israeli-Hamas war won’t be settled by the Denver city council. But if the war continues, so will the protests. As passions rise, Joe Biden comes to town and Gov. Jared Polis prepares to address a separate four-day Global Conference for Israel.
  — Mike Littwin

COMMUNITY

• As Pueblo’s role in healing climate gets Biden’s attention, we must take care of locals still at risk. President Biden’s rescheduled visit to southern Colorado should flip the switch to put light on local communities still facing environmental injustices.
  — Nini Kaur, a sophomore at Cornell University studying environment and sustainability

The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.

SunLit

Park Hill Community Bookstore suggests books to inform and challenge

Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from bookstores across Colorado. This week, the staff from Park Hill Community Bookstore in Denver recommends:

• “Go As a River” by Shelley Read, a novel built around the former Colorado town of Iola
• “The Weight of Ink” by Rachel Kadish, a 17th century historical novel
• “Bittersweet” by Susan Cain, an examination of melancholy

Read what the bookstore staff had to say about each. Pick up a copy and support your local bookstores at the same time.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Kevin Simpson | Writer

Remember to send turkey meal ideas my way!

— Danika & the whole staff of The Sun