Author: Julia Cardi
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Colorado Office of Child Protection Ombudsman sees 15% yearly increase in cases
Colorado’s child protection ombudsman office saw 15% more cases in the 2021-2022 fiscal year than the previous year, and has seen a 70% increase in the past five years, according to a new report. More than 67% of questions and concerns received by the office came from family members, and most were related to behavioral…
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New Denver pilot project for youth programs in the works after ballot measure for funding from marijuana taxes pulled
A proposed Denver measure that would have raised marijuana taxes to fund youth programs has been pulled from the November ballot. Friday was the deadline for finalizing the city ballot for Nov. 8. Study shows pot use increases in states where marijuana is legal In its place, the group that backed My Spark Denver has…
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Colorado public defenders begin recruiting after forming union
With the Labor Day weekend imminent, Colorado’s public defenders began formally signing up members after forming a union in a bid to address what organizers described as unsustainable workloads, low pay and high turnover. They also said onerous working conditions directly affect their ability to give clients the competent representation they’re entitled to. The Defenders…
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Colorado public defenders begin recruiting after forming union
With the Labor Day weekend imminent, Colorado’s public defenders have begun formally signing members up after forming a union in a bid to address what organizers described as unsustainable workloads, low pay and high turnover. They also said onerous working conditions directly affect their ability to give clients the competent representation they’re entitled to. The…
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Community activists express hopefulness, caution for Denver’s new police chief
Ron Thomas calls himself a man of few words. “I really do recognize that actions speak much louder than words,” the nominee to be Denver’s police chief said Thursday at an introductory news conference. “Quite frankly, I want this department to be what people expect it to be.” Mayor Michael Hancock said the police department’s…
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Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen decides to retire
Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen will retire in October after nearly 30 years with the department and four years at the helm, the city announced Wednesday. Pazen’s tenure as chief saw 2½ years of the COVID-19 pandemic, a nationwide struggle to recruit and retain police officers, historic protests in Denver mirroring others sparked by George…
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Medication would not make accused Planned Parenthood gunman fit for trial, expert testifies
Defense attorneys for the man accused of killing three people and wounding nine others at a Planned Parenthood clinic in 2015 presented experts in court Wednesday who testified they believe a proposed plan for forced anti-psychotic medications would not adequately address the accused shooter’s mental illness to make him fit for trial. The opinion offered…
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Colorado opens applications for new law enforcement grants
Colorado’s Department of Public Safety has opened the application process for law enforcement workforce grants, a source of funding for recruitment, retention and training created by Senate Bill 22-145. “This important new support for police recruitment, retention, and training is one our state is stepping up to make Colorado communities safer,” Gov. Jared Polis said…
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Former Colorado chief judge receives stayed law license suspension over brandishing rifle
A former chief judge in Colorado’s 5th Judicial District received a six-month stayed suspension of his law license connected to an incident last year in which he allegedly pulled out a rifle during an argument with his stepson. Whether Judge Mark Thompson ends up suspended from law practice depends on him not committing more violations…
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Arrest made in Longmont drive-by shooting
Update: Police have arrested 19-year-old Yahir Solis on suspicion of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. A 13-year-old boy was killed and a 15-year-old boy was wounded in a drive-by shooting Saturday afternoon in Longmont. Longmont police and fire responded around 1:49 p.m. to the scene at Kensington Street and…