Denver’s dwindling migrant shelters

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Here’s today’s news from The Sun.

THE NEWS

IMMIGRATION

Denver is closing all migrant hotel shelters but one, a signal that services are winding down

A 15-month, $63 million effort to shelter new arrivals to Denver is winding down, as evidenced by the fact that after this week, the city will have just one hotel for migrants who need a place to sleep. That’s down from a max of seven hotels the city was leasing for shelter, and in spite of the fact Denver Mayor Mike Johnston had previously said the city would continue using three hotels. Jennifer Brown has more on the downsizing.

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POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Democrats select Trisha Calvarese to be their nominee for the special election to replace Ken Buck

The June 25 special election to determine who serves out the term of departed Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District has its candidates. Following the GOP’s selection of former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez last week, on Monday a Democratic vacancy committee selected Trisha Calvarese, a former congressional and campaign staffer. Jesse Paul has more on the first-time political candidate who faces steep odds in a very red district.

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WATER

Don’t complain about Colorado’s next big rainstorm. Its aftermath could help solve our water woes.

Did you know stormwater generates more water annually than is stored in Lake Mead and Lake Powell? I didn’t, either, until I read this story from Fresh Water News’ Jerd Smith. But as she explains, Colorado and other drought-challenged states are not using what could be a major source of relief. Could that change?

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MORE NEWS

• A Colorado 12-year-old qualified for all six snowboarding disciplines at nationals. Next stop: 2030 Olympics. Nederland’s Summit Lynch is competing against hundreds of other young competitors this week for the USASA National Championship at Copper Mountain. Colin Bane has this story on the snowboarding prodigy.
• Small Colorado mill wins competitive $22M federal grant to decarbonize, use less water. Golden Aluminum is creating a new process line that uses less heating and cooling, and more efficient scrap, writes Michael Booth.

Section by Kevin Jeffers | Product Team

THE COLORADO REPORT

• Hooked: Stories about how Colorado is addicted to nicotine and the money behind tobacco. Colorado Public Radio has collected a series of their reporting on Colorado’s relationship with nicotine — smoking, chewing and vaping — and how the tax money from nicotine has become an important funding mechanism for necessary community services.
  — CPR News
• Eldora extends closing date, ensuring longest season in its history. A March full of massive snow means Eldora will be open until April 21, for a total of 24 weeks and two days of skiing this season.
  — The Denver Post 🔑
• Warren Sapp joins Deion Sanders’ staff at the University of Colorado. One of the most feared defensive lineman of the ’90s and 2000s will now be a “senior quality control analyst” for the Buffs — and, as a graduate assistant, is enrolled at continuing education classes at the school.
  — Pro Football Talk

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

THE OPINION PAGE

COMMUNITY

• For Colorado, giving banks the option to sell to credit unions makes good economic sense. While rare, such a transaction would keep services seamless and local for Coloradans.
  — Tracie Wilcox and Mike Williams, two credit union CEOs

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

BOOKS

In “The Father She Went to Find,” savant Penny Bly reveals a remarkable skill

In Carter Wilson’s ninth thriller, “The Father She Went to Find,” he tells the story of a young woman with acquired savant syndrome, a condition that has instilled some unique skills, as she searches for the father who abruptly exited her life as a child.

READ AN EXCERPT

• Interview with the author. Since Wilson doesn’t outline his novels, the story emerges bit by bit as he’s writing. The same holds for any sort of theme.

Section by Kevin Simpson | Writer

Have a great Tuesday, Colorado.

— Kevin & the whole staff of The Sun

Corrections & Clarifications

Monday’s Sunriser inadvertently included an outdated link in The Colorado Report.

Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.