Good morning and happy Thursday, folks!
I just got back from a visit to Yuma, my first since the hailstorm that left knee-deep drifts in the streets of my hometown. Evidence of the storm was visible on just about every block, where anything with a clear view to the northwest — trees, windows, siding, vehicles — was simply pummeled.
But amid the destruction, there were signs of the kind of community resilience that I have come to expect from Yuma — from my mom’s screenprinted shirts (“Yuma: It’s a Hail of a Town!”) to painted sheets of plywood bringing signs of life to the damage while residents wait for insurance claims to settle and rebuilding to begin.
Community can exist on many different scales, from a small town to an entire state, and seeing it on display so clearly can bring a ray of optimism to shine through the darkest storms.
So while I quickly check the radar forecast for signs of hail, let’s get to the news from around this big community we call Colorado, shall we?
CTO & Newsletter Wrangler
THE NEWS
EDUCATION
Young teachers at Denver school say they were sexually abused by special needs students for months without help
Three educators — recent college graduates who were passionate about working with children with special needs — said that for months they endured being groped, grabbed and choked at The Laradon School, a nonprofit with about 70 students in north Denver. And according to a new lawsuit, administrators at the school did not provide training on how to handle sexual aggression. Jennifer Brown digs into the lawsuit, including how the school responded to the suit.
ELECTION 2024
Expensive battle over direction of policy at the Colorado Capitol plays out in Democratic legislative primaries
$3 million
The estimated amount spent so far on the Democratic primaries for House and Senate seats, far above typical spending for such races
Deciding which Democrat will be on the general election ballot this year has become an extraordinarily expensive — and sometimes mean-spirited — affair. But as Brian Eason and Jesse Paul report, the big spending matches the big stakes as the makeup of the Democratic majorities expected to wield power for the next session is up for grabs.
WATER
New Colorado law protects tribal lands in response to contentious Durango, Southern Ute land dispute
Durango had plans to spur growth by tapping water stored in Lake Nighthorse, a federal reservoir south of the city. But because some of that land is within the Southern Ute Indian reservation — and a new law requires tribal approval for any annexed land — the dispute between the city and the tribe could end up in court. Shannon Mullane breaks down how the law works and what the tribe says about the plan.
LABOR
Alamo Drafthouse workers hopeful ownership change will favor newly formed union
It’s rare to find workers at a medium-sized company relieved by their employer’s corporate buyout, but that is what’s happening at two of Colorado’s Alamo Drafthouse locations. Parker Yamasaki has the details of how Sony Pictures’ purchase of the dine-in theater chain could change the way the company engages with its newly formed unions.
Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler
COLORADO REPORT
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Section by Danika Worthington | Presentation Editor
What’s Happening
Denver Pride. You’re probably familiar by now with Pride. (How could you not be — our elected officials are sparking national controversies over Pride’s rainbow flag.) Pride has become a symbol, a statement and a celebration of all things LGBTQ. It is a month (June), a feeling, a flag and, this upcoming weekend, it’s a festival.
Denver Pride is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year in Civic Center park. Performances by environmental advocate and drag queen Pattie Gonia, and RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants Alyssa Edwards, Shea Couleé and Mirage headline at the main stage.
The annual Pride Parade along Colfax Avenue starts at 9:30 a.m. Sunday and is expected to draw large crowds — last year the festival’s producer, The Center on Colfax, reported over 125,000 spectators and 15,000 marchers.
New this year is the “Gayborhood Market,” a designated space in Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park to showcase LGBTQ small businesses. Elsewhere in the park you’ll find a DJ stage, a Latin stage and a family friendly area with dancing, games and crafts.
Free; June 22-23; Civic Center park, 101 14th Ave., Denver
Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter
Just one more day until the weekend. You’ll get there, I have faith in you. See you back here tomorrow!
— Eric & the whole staff of The Sun
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