Posted inColoradans, Education, Equity, News, Politics and Government

Political swings on Colorado school boards spark level of antagonism not seen since desegregation

Julie Hensley believes her SUV was targeted because of the cheery blue-and-yellow “Come Together” message spray-painted on her back window.  The special education teacher at Legend High School in Parker was already at her desk at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday when the hallways began to buzz with word that teachers’ cars were slapped with flyers: […]

Posted inEducation, News

Backlash stalled Douglas County School District’s plans to conduct diversity and equity training, records show

Plans between Douglas County School District and a consulting firm hired to conduct diversity and equity training crumbled last school year after backlash toward the group’s work mounted, records show. Now the district is preparing to continue equity work in 2021-22, but district leadership said DCSD is not ready to release details. “We heard and […]

Posted inColoradans

For the first time, Colorado has a Latina state historian. Here’s what Nicki Gonzales hopes to accomplish.

On Sunday — Colorado Day, marking the state’s 145th birthday — Nicki Gonzales will become the official state historian, and the first Latino person to assume the role. Gonzales, a professor of history and vice provost for diversity and inclusion at Regis University, will serve a one-year term, succeeding historian and author Duane Vandenbusche. Gonzales […]

Posted inOpinion Columns

Littwin: It was long past due for Juneteenth to become a national holiday, but why did it happen now?

It seems as if the idea for the Juneteenth federal holiday sprang up from nowhere. It didn’t, of course. Many of those in the Black community have celebrated it for generations. We’ve celebrated it in Denver for years. Activists like 94-year-old Opal Lee , who was among those chosen to attend Joe Biden’s signing ceremony, […]