Featured photo: Migrant workers from Mexico make up a large portion of the agricultural labor needed across the state. John Moore/Getty Images

Written by Ernesto Sagás, Colorado State University

In Colorado, a national debate about the role of Latinos in American society has deep roots in the state’s history, current identity — and future.

I’m a professor of ethnic studies at Colorado State University. I recently published a book titled “Latino Colorado: The Struggle for Equality in the Centennial State.” In it, I explore how Latinos in Colorado have bridged Old West and New West industries to help our state grow. As a longtime resident of the state, I have witnessed many of these socioeconomic phenomena firsthand and through my research.

Latinos have always been a part of the Colorado story. Let’s look at some ways Latinos help drive the state’s economy and contribute to its unique culture and lifestyle.

Latino labor in Colorado

Latinos were the first Coloradans.

San Luis was founded in 1851 by Hispanic settlers from northern New Mexico. It is the oldest continuously inhabited town in the state. In the late 19th century, Hispanic Coloradans and immigrants from Mexico fanned across the territory and later the state to work in mining, the railroad industry and the emerging agricultural sector.

Workers harvesting potatoes in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado in 1939.
GHI/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In the first decades of the 20th century, Colorado’s sugar beet industry relied heavily on Latino workers. Those workers then established Hispanic neighborhoods in cities along the Front Range and the Eastern Plains.

Colorado’s geographic diversity has led to the development of numerous economic sectors from so-called Old West industries like agriculture, cattle ranching and mining to New West industries like tourism, real estate and tech startups.

The running thread of Colorado’s diverse economic picture is its reliance on Latino labor, whether from U.S.-born or immigrant workers. The state has relied on this labor practically since the territory was acquired from Mexico in 1848. The region known as the Western Slope is a good example of this trend.

In the Western Slope, Latino workers were the muscle behind the building of railroad lines and the growth of the sugar beet industry in the early 20th century. Latino immigrants still work in the oil and gas industry and the fruit orchards that dot the region. But, more recently, their descendants have moved into the middle class. They’ve opened small businesses, and some have even become white-collar professionals.

As tourism began to flourish in the Western Slope in the 1990s, Latinos quickly became the indispensable labor force that kept the ski resorts, hotels and restaurants running. And as Baby Boomers began to retire and move to the region, Latino labor supported the construction boom fueled by this demographic shift. There is practically no sector of the Western Slope’s — and the state’s — economy that does not rely on Latino labor.

Latino demographic shifts

Latinos have also driven the Western Slope’s demographic growth. The expansion of the real estate and tourism sectors around the turn of the 21st century attracted tens of thousands of Latinos to the region. They came from Colorado’s Front Range, other U.S. states, and Mexico and Central America.

Their presence has revitalized towns historically afflicted by the woes of the boom-and-bust cycles of the oil and gas industry. For example, along the west I-70 corridor, towns such as Eagle, Edwards, and Gypsum in Eagle County, and towns like Glenwood Springs, Parachute, Rifle and Silt in Garfield County, have seen their Latino populations soar with the arrival of families attracted to job opportunities in resort destinations like Vail and Aspen. By 2020, Latinos made up more than a third of these counties’ total populations compared to the 1990s when Latinos made up less than 10% of the population in the region.

Further west, Montrose’s Latino population has grown in tandem with the popular resort town of Telluride’s economic expansion. Nowadays, Latinos represent more than 20% of the Montrose County population compared to 12% three decades ago. Mesa County has the largest number of Latinos on the Western Slope, about 25,000, who make up 15% of the population. Latinos are mostly clustered in and around Grand Junction, the largest metro hub between Denver and Salt Lake City.

Like most working-class Coloradans, these Latino families typically cannot afford to live in the ritzy communities where they work. Many make long commutes over treacherous mountain roads to get to their workplace. Some juggle multiple jobs and rely on carpooling because they don’t own cars and don’t make enough money to afford their long, potentially dangerous commutes.

While the first-generation immigrants who came to Colorado’s Western Slope in the 1990s- 2000s have a limited educational background and speak little English, their second-generation children are trying to realize the American Dream by moving into the middle class. This second generation benefits from a public education, command of the English language, and greater knowledge of American society than their parents.

The U.S.-born descendants of Latino immigrants represent a tip-of-the-iceberg phenomenon. They currently make up a large component of the school-age population in these counties. In another decade or two, they will join the labor force, pay taxes, vote, and likely transform the demographics, culture, and political status quo of these mountain communities.

Challenges facing Latino Coloradans

Latino Coloradans’ story is fraught with challenges, too.

First-generation Latino laborers often endure long work hours for low pay, a high cost of living, occupational hazards and the stigma of racial discrimination. Moreover, shifting political winds represent a significant challenge for Latinos concerned about changes in U.S. immigration policies.

President Donald Trump’s recent immigration dragnet has reached the Western Slope, where Latino individuals have been routinely arrested and Latino families fear deportation. Many Latino families in Colorado are mixed-status families, in which some family members may lack U.S. citizenship or work visas and are subject to deportation. They feel targeted for the color of their skin, their accent or the jobs they do. The immigration operations are having an impact on the economy and social fabric of the communities where Latinos live and work.

Still, Latinos have grown deep roots in Western Slope communities. Grand Junction has a thriving Latino middle class and is home to the Western Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce. Latinos, such as State Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, are running for office in the region and getting elected. Velasco represents House District 57, which covers Glenwood Springs and Aspen.

Latinos have always been an intrinsic feature of the Western Slope’s socioeconomic landscape, as ubiquitous as the area’s mountains, mesas and canyons. In cities like Grand Junction and Durango, and ski towns like Aspen, Telluride and Vail, they enrich the region’s economy, society and culture.

Read more of our stories about Colorado.

Ernesto Sagás, Professor of Ethnic Studies, Colorado State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The post From The San Luis Valley To Vail, Latino Labor Powers Every Sector Of Colorado’s Economy appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Storyshare provided by Corey Hutchins, Inside the News in Colorado. Coverage is free today, but if you enjoyed this post, you can tell Inside the News in Colorado that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. Find Inside the News on Substack.

May 8, 2026

Among those whose work the Pulitzer Prize board this week bestowed the nation’s highest journalism honors was Kevin Mohatt, a freelance photojournalist in Denver.

His photojournalism was part of a portfolio submitted on behalf of the Reuters news organization that took home a finalist nod on Monday in the Breaking News Photography category.

Judges said photos from the Reuters team were deserving for their “coverage of wide-ranging immigration enforcement actions across the United States, a portfolio distinguished by its breadth, power and immediacy.”

Shortly after last year’s inauguration, Republican President Donald Trump ordered widespread immigration crackdowns — and he specifically name-checked Aurora, Colorado, as a target.

Mohatt moved into gear.

“I wanted to show what the impact was on people,” he said over the phone this week. “On families, and on children.”

To do so, he spent several nights inside an apartment complex sleeping on couches in the homes of families who were anticipating federal ICE agents roaming the hallways and knocking on doors.

“It was exhausting work,” he said. Being able to be there took time. He cultivated the trust of a source who introduced him to others.

The point was to show through news photography how rhetoric from the nation’s top officials was at odds with the reality on the ground in communities.

“The message at the time was, ‘We’re just going after the criminals,’ which is what they said throughout the campaign,” Mohatt said. “And I wanted to show that that’s not what was really happening — that they were going after families, children, and specifically people that had documentation that are here legally that have work permits.”

From the homes of those who let him in, he documented panic and uncertainty: families loading up cars or hunkered down, waiting anxiously for roving patrols. He sometimes had to find creative ways to not show someone’s face or easily recognizable characteristics, like tattoos.

“People were terrified,” he said. Others told him they had done nothing wrong, so had nothing to hide.

The cutline of his Pulitzer-honored photo reads: “With his bag packed, a Venezuelan man peeks out the window of his apartment looking for any signs of federal agents after hearing reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be coming to detain immigrants for deportation in Aurora, Colorado, January 30, 2025.”

One evening, sure enough, it happened.

While Mohatt was inside one apartment, the tell-tale signs came in quick succession: crowded footsteps in the hallway, fists pounding on doors, and loud voices in English: “Police, please open the door.”

In early February, photos he took and audio he recorded from inside an apartment at a raid in Aurora made it into a Reuters special report, not included in the Pulitzer package, titled “Inside Trump’s immigration crackdown as net widens.”

Mohatt also photographed police in ICE vests walking a man in handcuffs from Cedar Run apartments in Denver, an image that earned plenty of play across the news wires that day.

Mohatt has lived in Colorado for two decades and has been freelancing for Reuters since around 2019. He also shoots for outlets ranging from Colorado Public Radio, Colorado Newsline, 5280 magazine, and the Denver Post to the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.

This comes from a portion of his personal website: “I became a journalist because I want to help tell the whole story.”

This week, Mohatt is on assignment in Alabama, where he’s covering the impacts of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

In recent days, plenty of accolades have come his way since his name and the word Pulitzer appeared in the same sentence.

He’s grateful for it, he said, adding, “I would be proud of this work regardless.”

The post Denver photojournalist on Pulitzer finalist nod: ‘I would be proud of this work regardless’ appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Erie Town Council will hold a public informational meeting on the Draco Well Pad and the selling of the town’s mineral rights on June 2 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at Town Hall.

The meeting follows months of discussion over whether Erie should sell or lease town-owned mineral rights associated with the state-approved Draco oil and gas development. The issue has generated significant public interest, with residents and council members debating questions of transparency, local control and the town’s potential financial return. 

According to a Town of Erie Facebook post, the meeting is intended for discussion and information sharing only. No decisions will be made, and public comment will not be accepted. If a final agreement regarding the town’s mineral rights is reached in the future, officials say a separate public hearing will be scheduled with an opportunity for residents to provide feedback. The meeting can be found on the town’s calendar.

Yellow Scene first broke the news about the potential sale on February 24. Prior to this, discussions were being conducted in Executive Session outside of public view. Previous reporting has included concerns about negotiations occurring largely outside public view, questions about the town’s leverage over the project, and divisions among council members regarding the potential sale or lease of mineral assets.

For readers looking to catch up on the issue, see Yellow Scene’s previous reporting:

• Erie Mineral Rights Deal Advances Largely Out of Public View, Raising Concerns Over Transparency and Conflicts (March 23)
• Erie’s Mineral Rights: What’s at Stake (April 18)
• Erie Mineral Rights Hearing Divides Council Over Control, Transparency and Who Decides (April 24)

Meeting materials and a livestream link are expected to be available through the Town of Erie’s public calendar before the meeting.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, at Erie Town Hall.

A group of concerned citizens have stated they will be gathering on the lawn ahead of the meeting starting at 5:15 PM.

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The post Erie Council to Hold June 2 Public Hearing on Sale of Town Mineral Rights and Draco Impacts appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Featured Picture: Colorado’s peach industry is threatened by a fungal disease. Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Authors: Jane Stewart, Colorado State University and David Sterle, Colorado State University

In western Colorado, home to the treasured Palisade peach, cytospora canker is one of the most economically consequential fungal diseases faced by growers.

A recent survey conducted by Colorado State University in Orchard Mesa found that 100% of the orchards have trees infected with cytospora canker. In some orchards, you can smell the sweetness of gummosis, the sweet oozing of sap from a tree that occurs from injury, stress, pathogen infection or insect damage.

We are part of a team of fruit tree growers, extension personnel and researchers who are developing tools for mitigating cytospora canker in fruit tree orchards in Colorado and Utah.

In a study we published, we estimate this disease results in at least US$3 million in annual economic losses for growers in Colorado. In infected large branches, which are called scaffolds, the damage can result in a 50% loss of peaches per tree.

Peaches were first planted in Palisade and Grand Junction in 1882 by one of the first white settlers to the area, John Harlow. Peaches and other fruit trees have been Colorado staples ever since. In 2024, Colorado farmers produced roughly 15,000 tons of peaches valued at $34 million.

However, fruit tree production in the Intermountain West, which covers Colorado, Utah and Idaho, is threatened by diminishing water supplies, spring frosts, variable winter temperatures and soils that are above the ideal pH range for peach trees. Further exacerbating the environmental stresses are pest problems and the persistent cytospora canker disease.

What is cytospora canker?

Cytospora canker is caused by fungi within the genus Cytospora. These pathogens are found globally and affect more than 70 species of woody shrubs and trees. These fungi have been present on fruit trees in the U.S. since at least 1892 when cytospora canker was first discovered on peach, plum and almond trees in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Cytospora canker was first described as only a disease of stressed trees, but now it is recognized as a destructive disease in tree fruit across the U.S.

Plant Talk Colorado: What is cytospora canker? A video from Colorado State University Extension.

Growers expect peach trees to live for 20 years. The first five of those years are initial growth. The next 10 years are full production. Then, the tree’s productivity tapers off in the last five years of its life. The disease has halved the life of an orchard in Colorado from 20 years to 10 years or fewer. Trees that get infected during the first or second year are typically dead by year four or five before they reach peak production.

Cytopora canker typically enters through wounded and woody branches or twigs. Wounding occurs when branches are pruned to maintain tree vigor or through severe freezing or hail events. Freeze events are common in Colorado and are particularly harmful in the fall if temperatures drop abruptly without giving trees enough time to acclimate to the temperature shift.

Ice formation within plants causes swelling and cracking in woody tissues, as well as the formation of ice crystals within plant cells that can puncture the cells, leaving them vulnerable to oxidative damage and infection. Small cracks enable cytospora spores, like the seeds of a plant, to enter and begin to cause infections.

Cytospora canker and freeze

In 2020, a major freeze event damaged many trees throughout Colorado.

Following a warm October, temperatures dropped from 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) to below 10 F (-23 C) in a 48-hour time span in the fruit region around the town of Hotchkiss. Because the recent temperatures had been in the 70s, there was not an appropriate amount of acclimation in the trees to be prepared for this large temperature drop. Leaves were still green, and sap was still flowing through the woody tissues.

The damage from this single freeze directly led to the death of tens of thousands of peach trees across the western slope of Colorado.

The sudden freeze also allowed for a proliferation of new cytospora canker infections on peaches trees that were not killed outright by the freeze. The surviving trees were often more vulnerable because the cracked skin and bark of peach branches was now exposed to infection by the fungus. This correlation between cytospora infection and cold damage is thought to be a major reason why cytospora canker is a particularly significant disease in Colorado.

A peach tree trunk infected with cytospora canker shows the characteristic gummosis symptom of the disease.

To manage the pathogen, growers can remove trees that are infected, protect wounds with chemicals to prevent new infections and ensure that established trees are free of stress. However, management strategies have limited efficacy due to the growing conditions. While Palisade has the most ideal peach-growing microclimate in Colorado, the cold season is near the limits of what peaches can tolerate.

In April 2026 there were several nights when the temperatures reached into the low 20s F (-7 degrees C) in different orchards in Delta County, Colorado. Fruit had already started to grow and was very susceptible to the cold temperatures. As a result, growers around Hotchkiss and Paonia lost their peach crop.

Palisade orchards avoided that level of damage because on those same nights the temperatures dropped only to the upper 20s F (-2 degrees C), which damaged some fruit but left enough behind to have a full crop in most cases. Spring frosts like these reduce fruit production but generally aren’t going to contribute to increased proliferation of cytospora canker.

Gummy ooze from a peach tree damaged by cytospora canker. David Sterle

Solutions in progress

Researchers from Colorado State University are working toward developing strategies to combat this disease. Our team has developed chemical options for conventional and organic growers that have helped slow the spread. We are determining whether some peach cultivars are tolerant to the pathogens, and we are continuing to understand the population biology of cytospora to help us develop new management strategies.

The pathogen can be spread through air, on insects, during irrigation and possibly with the movement of new peach trees into orchards. Many fungi that produce cankers in trees can move spores only short distances through rain splash. But spores of the fungus have been found in collection traps about 250 feet (76 meters) from a tree with canker that is making spores.

We have established the cytospora working group as a collaborative research, extension and grower group to collectively develop solutions for cytospora canker. We are continuing to better understand factors involved in disease development and establish best management practices to help growers combat this disease and keep the Colorado peach industry vibrant.

Read more of our stories about Colorado.

Jane Stewart, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology, Colorado State University, and David Sterle, Research Scientist in Pomology, Colorado State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The post A Fungal Disease, Along With Climate Change, Threatens Colorado’s Prized Peaches appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Update to include the Democratic Party of Denver statement.

Former Mesa County clerk and prominent election denier to be released after months of pressure from Trump and allies.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has commuted the prison sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, ordering her release on parole effective June 1.

Peters, a former Mesa County clerk who became one of the nation’s most prominent election deniers, was convicted in 2024 for allowing unauthorized access to election equipment after promoting false claims that the 2020 election had been stolen from Donald Trump. She was sentenced to nearly nine years in prison.

Polis said Friday that Peters committed a crime and deserved prison time, but argued her sentence was too harsh and may have improperly considered her protected speech. The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld Peters’ conviction in April but ordered that she be resentenced, finding concerns with how the original sentence was reached.

However, the decision also comes after months of sustained pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies, who repeatedly called for Peters’ release and portrayed her as a political prisoner. Trump publicly praised Peters and launched a barrage of criticism and political pressure directed at Colorado and Gov. Jared Polis over her imprisonment. Polis’ commutation effectively cuts her sentence to four years and four and a half months.

Polis repeatedly emphasized that the action was not a pardon.

“She’s a convicted felon. She deserves to be a convicted felon. She will remain a convicted felon,” Polis said.

Trump’s push for Peters’ release extended far beyond social media posts. Following his return to office, Colorado officials increasingly argued that Peters’ case had become intertwined with broader political retaliation against the state. State leaders pointed to disputes involving federal funding, proposed cuts and policy actions affecting Colorado, including fights over disaster aid, environmental transportation grants, efforts to dismantle NCAR in Boulder, SNAP requirements and the relocation of U.S. Space Command. Critics argued Peters had become a recurring flashpoint in broader political battles between Trump and Colorado.

Peters’ case also unfolded amid years of attacks on Colorado’s election system from Trump and election denial advocates. Trump repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Colorado’s mail-in voting system and election process were vulnerable to widespread fraud or manipulation. Election officials across the political spectrum have pushed back on those claims, noting that Colorado’s system has long been regarded as one of the nation’s strongest and most secure. The state’s election process includes paper ballots, signature verification, ballot tracking and post-election audits, and repeated reviews have found no evidence of widespread election fraud.

The reaction across Colorado was immediate. Election officials, Democratic leaders and many residents flooded social media and political channels with criticism, with some calling the decision reckless and others accusing Polis of capitulating to pressure from Trump allies. The controversy places the governor at odds with many within his own political coalition during the final year of his administration.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called the commutation “mind-boggling and wrong,” arguing that Peters was convicted by a jury for tampering with election equipment and undermining public trust in elections. Weiser warned that “caving to this president will only lead to more abuse from the bullying Trump administration.”

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold also sharply criticized the decision, calling the commutation “an affront to our democracy, the people of Colorado, and election officials across the country.” Griswold warned the move could “validate and embolden the election denial movement” and leave “a dark, dangerous imprint on American democracy for years to come.”

Griswold also pointed to the real-world impact of Peters’ actions. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the Mesa County voting equipment breach forced the county to replace nearly $1 million in election equipment and led Colorado to adopt new protections against insider threats involving election systems.

Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association and a Republican, warned that the decision sends a dangerous message to election workers. The organization accused Polis of “bending the knee” to political forces undermining confidence in elections and said county clerks felt abandoned by the governor’s decision.

Polis said Peters privately admitted wrongdoing in her clemency application, writing: “I made mistakes four years ago. I misled the Secretary of State when allowing a person to gain access to county voting equipment. That was wrong.”

Peters later thanked Polis publicly and said she plans to continue supporting what she describes as election integrity efforts and prison reform after her release.

A larger question may now follow the commutation: if months of pressure surrounding Tina Peters included threats, funding disputes and public attacks directed at Colorado, what happens next? Critics repeatedly argued that granting clemency would not halt broader political pressure from Trump or his administration. If those pressures continue after Peters’ release, the debate around Polis’ decision may shift from whether it was politically costly to whether it changed anything at all.

Democratic Party of Denver Statement:

The post Polis Commutes Election Denier Tina Peters’ Sentence, Orders June 1 Parole appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This article, written by Kyle Manley, is republished in whole from The Conversation.

Featured image: Large-scale wildfires seem to turn visitors away, while prescribed burning may have the opposite effect. Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Colorado’s two largest fires on record, the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires, burned hundreds of thousands of acres across some of the state’s most visited landscapes in 2020.

The fires scorched trails, campgrounds, and beloved ecosystems in and around Rocky Mountain National Park and the Arapahoe and Roosevelt national forests.

More than five years later, the scars remain stark: blackened hillsides, closed trails, and bare slopes where forests once stood. According to our recent research, which has not yet been peer reviewed, the fires caused significant and lasting declines in visitation at the burned sites.

Even after the 2020 fires, Rocky Mountain National Park attracted 4.2 million visitors in 2024, generating US$862 million in economic output in local gateway communities such as Estes Park and Grand Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park is a significant contributor to the nearly 1 billion annual visits and $700 billion in spending that public lands generate nationwide as outdoor recreation continues to grow. It also supports a variety of important social values beyond the economy, including mental health and well-being, cultural and spiritual connection, and the sense of place that binds people to landscapes.

But these landscapes are changing fast. Wildfires are affecting our public lands at an accelerating scale and increasing intensity. Yet how fire affects recreation has remained poorly understood.

That’s the question I set out to answer with an interdisciplinary team of researchers. As a scientist who studies the benefits nature provides to people and how those benefits are affected by climate change, I wanted to know whether fire is eroding one of the most recognized and valued benefits of nature: recreation.

The East Troublesome Fire burned nearly 200,000 acres. Years later, the area is still recovering. Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Tracking visitation across burned landscapes

Our first challenge was gathering data about visits to these outdoor areas.

A handful of monitored public lands track visitor counts, but those counts can tell us only so much about how fires affect recreation. Wildfires often cross boundaries, for example, from a national park into a national forest, and span dispersed remote areas where no one is monitoring visitation.

Alternatively, every time someone logs a hike on AllTrails, posts a nature photo to Flickr, reports a bird sighting on eBird, or simply carries a phone into the backcountry, they leave a precise digital trace of where and when they spent time outdoors. We trained a visitation model on the on-site counts that do exist at monitored sites, using millions of these digital traces, alongside other recreation drivers such as weather, land cover, and site characteristics, as predictors.

Across Colorado and California, this approach let us track visitation in burned areas across hundreds of wildfires and prescribed burns for years before and after each fire, even in the remote, unmonitored landscapes where most fires burn. But changes in visitation can have many causes, including weather, broader recreation trends, even pandemic effects. So we statistically paired each burned site with a very similar unburned site elsewhere on public lands. This let us measure not just what happened after each fire, but also what we could expect would have happened without it. The gap between those two is how fire actually affected recreation.

We found that it’s not simply fire itself that drives people away, but a confluence of the type and severity of a fire, the ecosystem that burned, and the social values connected to the fire-impacted landscape.

A family poses for a selfie in front of the Gore Range overlook in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. The park saw 4.2 million visitors in 2024. Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Wildfires that empty trails – and ones that don’t

In Colorado, the average wildfire reduced visitation to burned sites by 8% in the year of the fire. Those declines never recovered to prefire levels for the five-year postfire period we tracked.

As fires grew larger and burned more intensely, recreational losses sharpened. Visitation dropped 15% to 20% at sites burned at higher severity. These declines lasted years. Take the Cameron Peak Fire, for example. The Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests typically see about 8 million visits a year. Our model estimates that the area burned in the Cameron Peak Fire drew nearly 500,000 visits annually before the fire. Applying our 15% to 20% average declines estimated for moderate- to high-severity wildfires, that translates to roughly 70,000 to 100,000 fewer trips annually, losses our analysis finds persist for years.

But these postfire recreational losses were largely concentrated in forested landscapes. Wildfires that occurred in grasslands, such as the southeastern Colorado Cherry Canyon Fire in 2020, by contrast, seemed to barely register with visitors. Visitation at these grassland-dominated burn sites showed essentially no change. This pattern reveals something important. People’s recreational responses to fire are not just about the physical damage and accessibility impacts. They reflect the particular relationships people hold with different landscapes. Grasses recover within a season or two, and the wide-open vistas that draw people to those landscapes remain intact, even after a fire.

Forests are different. The towering canopies, shaded trails, and old-growth character that people value may take decades or centuries to return, if they return at all in a changing climate.

In California, our analysis reveals how these human-nature relationships also vary across regions, with much sharper and more persistent losses than in Colorado. Californian wildfires reduced visitation by 18% in the first year on average, and high-severity forest fires produced losses of 33% that showed no recovery five years after the fire. California’s fires tend to be significantly larger, more severe, and more concentrated in forested landscapes.

However, small fires in California actually increased visitation by 8%. This suggests that after years of megafires, a small burn may barely register. Californians have grown accustomed to a fire-shaped landscape, and a modest fire scar may not be enough to keep them off the trails.

A VOX video on how decades of stopping forest fires made them worse.

Prescribed fire tells a different story

As wildfire intensifies, land managers are responding by expanding prescribed fire programs. They are intentionally setting lower-intensity fires to clear out the dead trees, dry brush, and accumulated debris built up from over a century of fire suppression that can feed catastrophic wildfires.

Current prescribed fire planning tends to focus on reducing fire suppression costs and protecting properties, as well as managing ecosystems by reducing fuel loads and improving wildlife habitat. But managers are scaling up these programs without knowing how prescribed fire affects the recreationists who visit these landscapes, a gap our analysis sets out to fill.

In Colorado, we found that, on average, prescribed fire actually increased visitation by about 8% in the year of the fire. This increase may reflect improved trail conditions, enhanced wildlife habitat that attracts birders and hunters, or positive public perceptions of proactive management.

In California, prescribed fire on average decreased visitation by about 3%. Crucially, in stark contrast to wildfire, impacts were short-lived, with visitation returning to prefire levels within three years in both states.

Beyond their direct effects on recreation, prescribed burns also reduce the likelihood of future extreme fires – the very fires that drive the largest and longest-lasting recreation declines.

Why this matters beyond fire

Some of the Colorado communities that are most dependent economically on recreation experienced the steepest visitation declines in the period we studied. These are towns such as Grand Lake, Durango, and Gunnison, where shops, hotels, restaurants, and seasonal workers rely on a steady flow of visitors, and where sales tax from those visitors funds the infrastructure and daily life of the community. Persistent declines in visitation threaten the long-term viability of these places.

The implications run beyond fire. Calls to consider less tangible benefits of nature, such as recreation, into climate impact assessments, extreme events research, and conservation planning have grown recently. Turning those calls into action requires evidence that can help land managers make decisions. Our work provides some of that evidence for fire and a framework that can be used for other disturbances, such as floods and droughts. Without accounting for these less tangible values of nature, increasingly extreme climate impacts will keep eroding the experiences, livelihoods, and connections that sustain the well-being of millions of Americans.

Read more of our stories about Colorado.

The post Fire Is Transforming the US West’s Public Lands – Research Shows Overlooked Cost To Recreation appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

On May 7th, 2026, starting at 9 a.m., the Boulder County Justice Center hosted a hearing, overseen by Judge Nancy Woodruff Salomone, for The People of The State of Colorado v. Soliman, Mohamed Sabry.

The defendant, 46-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, pleaded guilty to 101 substantive charges with 67 sentence enhancers against him related to a firebombing attack on June 1st, 2025, on Boulder’s Pearl Street. An interpreter relayed Salomone’s English statements to Soliman in Arabic simultaneously with her.

Charges against Soliman included class 1 felony charges of first-degree murder, both in extreme indifference and as an intentional and deliberate action, for the death of 82-year-old woman Karen Diamond. Both charges sentence Soliman to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

They also included 26 separate charges of intentional attempted first-degree murder and 26 separate charges of indifferent first-degree murder for the other named victims in the attack. These charges sentence Soliman to anywhere between 16 and 48 years in the Department of Corrections to be served consecutively. Ultimately, the remaining charges tied an additional 2,128 years to Soliman’s final sentence.

After pleading guilty to all charges, the court returned from a 15-minute break to hear sentencing statements from named victims of the attack and their family members. District Attorney Michael Dougherty, on behalf of the people, read statements from those who could not attend and from those who chose not to speak before the court.

In a written statement, Andrew and Ethan Diamond, sons of Karen Diamond and her husband Louis Diamond (another named victim of the attack), said that they chose not to attend the hearing because they did not want to relive the memories of the incident by seeing the murderer in court.

They described the lengthy recovery process for their parents, stating that the experience taught them the true meaning of the expressions “living hell” and “fate worse than death.” Additionally, they asked the media covering the hearing to name Karen directly, rather than merely labeling her as an elderly victim.

Many statements encouraged embracing the values of love and acceptance of one another, countering Soliman’s decisions on the day of the attack. In her written statement, 88-year-old Barbara Steimintz, a Holocaust survivor involved in the attack, stated that she had spent her entire life running from people like Soliman.

Steimintz continued by saying that she hopes Soliman can work to implement values of respect during his time in prison, both for himself and others. She also emphasized the resiliency of the Jewish community in Boulder. Her statement closed with the sentiment, “After thousands of years of persecution, we are here, and we will be.”

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The post Man Pleads Guilty To All Charges In Boulder Pearl Street Attack appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

BOULDER, Colo. — The Boulder City Council signaled support this week for keeping Boulder Municipal Airport open indefinitely, a move that could limit the city’s ability to redevelop the 179-acre site in the future.

According to reporting by Boulder Reporting Lab, councilmembers took a 5–4 straw poll during an April 23 study session, directing staff to move forward with plans that would allow the city to seek federal aviation funding.

Accepting funding from the Federal Aviation Administration could bind the city to continued airport operations because federal grants typically require airports to remain open unless the agency approves closure.

Councilmembers supporting the direction included Mayor Aaron Brockett, Mayor Pro Tem Tara Winer, and councilmembers Taishya Adams, Matt Benjamin, and Rob Kaplan.

Opposing the direction were councilmembers Tina Marquis, Ryan Schuchard, Nicole Speer, and Mark Wallach.

Some councilmembers supporting the move expressed concern about the cost of operating the airport without federal assistance. City officials estimated it could cost roughly $600,000 per year for the next 14 years if Boulder declines FAA grants.

Opponents raised concerns about making such a long-term decision through an informal straw poll rather than a public hearing, and about limiting future options for the airport property.

The airport debate has been ongoing for years. In 2024, the city sued the FAA seeking a ruling that would allow Boulder to close the airport once federal grant obligations expire, which the city estimated could occur around 2040. The case was later dismissed on procedural grounds, and the city chose not to appeal.

That same year, residents affiliated with the Airport Neighborhood Campaign gathered more than 3,000 signatures for a ballot measure that would have asked voters whether to close the airport and repurpose the land, often discussed as a potential site for housing. The measure was later withdrawn while the city’s lawsuit was pending.

City officials are expected to bring back a formal resolution reflecting the council’s direction for a vote at a future meeting.

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The post Boulder Council Signals Support for Keeping Municipal Airport Open appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Town of Erie Colorado is weighing whether to sell or lease a portion of its mineral rights tied to the state-approved Draco oil and gas project, a decision that has exposed divisions on council, raised questions about the town’s negotiating process, and highlighted uncertainty about how much authority Erie actually has.

At a special meeting on April 21, town staff emphasized that no final agreement has been reached and no vote has been scheduled. Council questioning made clear that key aspects of the proposal, including how it originated, how consultants were selected, and what the town actually owns,remain unresolved.

Erie Environmental Services Director David Frank

The Draco project, approved in March 2025 by the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), allows for up to 26 wells to be drilled from a site in unincorporated Weld County, extending horizontally beneath portions of Erie. Town officials reiterated that the project is expected to move forward regardless of local action. “I would fully expect, no matter what action the town takes, that 26 wells will be drilled,” Erie Environmental Services Director David Frank said.

Town of Erie Councilmember, Dan Hoback

Early in the meeting, Early in the meeting, Councilmember Dan Hoback began pressing staff on the fundamentals of the deal: when the town was first approached, how negotiations began, and why Alameda Minerals was selected without a competitive process. When asked about this piece of the process, Frank said, “I’m not aware of any other companies that do this exact work.”

 By the end of the meeting, those questions had evolved into a broader challenge to both the process and the assumptions underlying it.

“I have serious concerns about conflict of interest,” Hoback said. The consultant, Alameda Minerals, is led by a former oil and gas executive with ties to the industry involved in the project, a connection that drew scrutiny during the meeting. He also warned that the absence of a formal request-for-proposals process could expose the town to legal and audit risks.

More significantly, Hoback disagreed with the idea that Erie lacks leverage. While town staff and some council members emphasized the town’s relatively small percentage of mineral ownership, Hoback emphasized that without permission to drill through town-owned minerals, operators may not be able to reach large portions of the approved drilling area. “The inability to drill through Erie land without owning its mineral rights can be a major, major impediment to the ability of Draco to drill much of its planned area, currently approved or not,” Hoback said.

Town officials declined to provide additional documentation or answer detailed questions about the procurement process, citing the ongoing nature of negotiations.

Those competing interpretations of the town’s authority sit at the center of the debate. Erie’s leverage stems from Colorado SB24-185, which prevents operators from forcing municipalities into pooling agreements. But how that law will function in practice, and particularly whether operators can drill through or around municipal minerals, remains untested.

Public comment reflected both that uncertainty and a sharp divide over how the town should respond. Sixteen residents and stakeholders spoke at the meeting, with the majority opposing a sale or urging alternatives such as delaying action or retaining the town’s mineral rights. Five supported moving forward with a sale or lease, including three who identified themselves as representing business or industry interests, such as mineral rights owners and energy companies.

Former state senator and attorney, Mike Foote

Former state senator Mike Foote, who worked on oil and gas legislation for years, described the current moment as the result of a long effort to give local governments control over their mineral rights. He recalled earlier policies that allowed a single mineral owner to force others into leasing, calling it something he “couldn’t believe” when he first encountered it. 

The 2024 law, he said, was designed to change that dynamic. “This was a hard-fought provision,” Foote told council, urging them to “take advantage of it” and follow the will of the community. “There’s nothing in the law anymore that says that you have to say yes.” He warned that approving a deal would entangle the town with the oil and gas industry for decades. “This puts Erie in business with oil and gas for a long, long time,” he said. “I would urge you [… ] to say no.”

Other residents raised concerns about long-term environmental and infrastructure risks. Steve Hochgesang pointed to the lifespan of plugged wells and containment systems, warning that decisions made now could create long-term liabilities, particularly for groundwater and waste disposal.

In contrast, speakers aligned with mineral interests emphasized financial realities and potential legal consequences. Kole Kelley, an oil and gas attorney at Fennemore Law, argued that development is already approved and that refusing to participate would not stop drilling but would result in forgoing compensation. He warned that the town could face litigation if it interferes with mineral owners’ ability to realize value from their assets.

Those competing perspectives were reflected in the council’s closing statements.

Hoback remained the most openly critical, raising concerns about procurement, transparency, and conflicts of interest, while also emphasizing the town’s decision-making power in this moment. “Other companies cannot drill through our land to reach other people’s mineral rights. So I’ll be a bit of the voice of the wilderness and say, yeah, we can impact Draco, despite the narrative that’s been making its way through social media and tonight’s presentation. um The initial approval of the Draco pad was not a rollover and play dead moment.  In fact, we should be fighting harder than ever,” Hoback said.

Councilmember Anil Pesaramelli aligned more directly with residents opposing the deal. “I am for health and safety,” he said. “I urge everyone to stop this sale.”

Councilmember Brian O’Connor took a more cautious position, expressing frustration with the process and emphasizing the need for more information before any decision is made.

Town of Erie Councilmember, Emily Baer

Councilmember Emily Baer delivered one of the most detailed and forceful closing statements, drawing on years of work in oil and gas regulation. 

She pushed back on the idea that selling mineral rights would improve safety, noting that many of the cited protections are already required by the state regardless of any deal. “To imply there are safety regulations that will go unenforced unless Erie sells its minerals is misleading,” she said.

Baer also argued that the town retains meaningful authority under current law, including the ability to deny subsurface access. She framed the decision as a question of values and long-term governance. “My principles are not up for purchase,” she said, reiterating her opposition to selling the town’s mineral rights.

Councilmember John Mortellaro took a more logistical tone, emphasizing that the project has already been approved and suggesting the town should consider whether it can secure benefits from an outcome it cannot prevent.

Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Bell and Mayor Andrew J. Moore both framed the decision in similar terms, emphasizing inevitability and the potential to capture value. Moore rejected claims that the town could significantly alter the project, calling that idea “100% false,” and stressed the importance of protecting negotiations.

Bell drew a direct comparison to a past landfill decision, where the town chose to accept development in exchange for compensation rather than oppose it without leverage. “If you’re going to dump trash in my backyard, you’re going to pay me for it,” he said, describing the philosophy guiding his position. His remarks made clear that he views the mineral rights as a negotiating tool rather than a mechanism to stop drilling.

To some council members, the project is unavoidable and selling the mineral rights are a means of extracting value and oversight. Others view those same rights as one of the town’s only remaining tools to challenge or constrain development.

No vote has been scheduled, and officials said any agreement would be subject to a future public hearing. Until then, core questions remain unresolved, including the exact location and value of Erie’s mineral rights, whether the town followed standard procurement practices, and how much influence Erie ultimately has over a project already approved by the state.

For now, the debate in Erie is not just about oil and gas. It is about whether a town that fought for the authority to say no will use it.

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The post Erie mineral rights hearing divides council over control, transparency and who decides appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Storyshare provided by Jeffrey A. Roberts, Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition

April 9, 2026

By Jeffrey A. Roberts
CFOIC Executive Director

Colorado’s Law Enforcement Integrity Act does not permit agencies to charge fees as a condition of releasing body-worn camera footage depicting possible misconduct by police officers, the Colorado Court of Appeals decided Thursday.

Affirming a 2024 district court ruling, a three-judge appellate panel said the “conspicuous absence of a fee provision in the Integrity Act is telling.”

“After all, the General Assembly knows how to include a fee provision if it intends one because the CCJRA [Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act] plainly allows a criminal justice agency discretion to charge reasonable fees to review and produce criminal justice records.”

The underlying lawsuit concerns the shooting and killing of 51-year-old Jeanette Alatorre by Boulder police in 2023. The city required Yellow Scene Magazine to pay $2,857.50 before it would release bodycam footage of the incident, arguing that the video is still a criminal justice record subject to the CCJRA’s fee provision.

But the disclosure of footage under the Law Enforcement Integrity Act is mandatory when there is a complaint of police misconduct, the appellate judges noted. “The command is clear, plain, and unconditioned on the payment of fees.”

“We’ve set a state precedent,” Yellow Scene publisher Shavonne Blades told the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. “Municipalities can’t hide behind these fees any more to protect police misconduct. My hope is that there will be a domino effect in other states.”

“Today’s ruling reaffirms what should have been obvious to Boulder when this lawsuit was filed two years ago — police departments can’t use exorbitant fees to hide their officers’ misconduct behind a paywall,” said Matt Simonsen, the magazine’s attorney, in an emailed statement. Simonsen represents Yellow Scene along with attorneys Dan Williams and Ashlyn Hare.

Enacted in 2020 following the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Elijah McClain in Aurora, the Law Enforcement Integrity Act is separate from the CCJRA, which governs the release of most other criminal justice records.

Under the statute, all unedited video and audio recordings of incidents “in which there is a complaint of peace officer misconduct … through notice to the law enforcement agency involved in the alleged misconduct” must be released to the public no later than 21 days after a request is made. An agency can delay the release of video until 45 days from the date of an allegation of misconduct if the video “would substantially interfere with or jeopardize an active or ongoing investigation.”

The fee provision in the CCJRA doesn’t apply to the Integrity Act, Thursday’s opinion says, because the CCJRA limits the charging of fees to criminal justice records “requested pursuant to” the CCJRA. “Had the General Assembly intended for a fee provision to apply to any request for criminal justice records,” Judge Stephanie Dunn wrote for court, “it would not have amended the CCJRA in 2008 to expressly limit the fee provision to requests made under ‘this part 3’ in the statutes.”

“Because ‘this part 3’ refers only to the CCJRA, the fee provision on its face restricts its application to those requests for criminal justice records made under the CCJRA.”

The appeals court also rejected Boulder’s argument that that not allowing fees for footage under the Integrity Act would go against a 1991 law that makes state mandates optional unless the state reimburses local governments for their costs.

“[W]e don’t agree with Boulder that the unfunded mandate statute trumps the Integrity Act, rendering the mandatory obligation to produce requested recordings entirely optional,” Dunn wrote. “The opposite is true. That’s because the assumed lack of funding leaves the two statutes in irreconcilable conflict. This is so because the Integrity Act plainly requires disclosure of requested recordings, while the unfunded mandate statute says that compliance is optional when such a requirement is imposed without an accompanying state appropriation.”

“When faced with such an impasse, the Integrity Act — the more recent and specific of the two statutes — prevails over the older and more general unfunded mandate statute.”

The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition and the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado had submitted an amicus brief last July asking the Court of Appeals to affirm the district court’s ruling.

Follow the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition on X and Bluesky. Like CFOIC’s Facebook page. Do you appreciate the information and resources provided by CFOIC? Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.

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An early morning wildfire near west Boulder prompted evacuation warnings on Wednesday before firefighters quickly contained the blaze.

The Goat Trail Fire was reported around 3 a.m. April 8, burning roughly 500 feet west of Hawthorne Avenue near 4th Street, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. Initial estimates placed the fire between two and three acres, but a later drone assessment revised the size to about 1.93 acres.

Authorities issued an evacuation warning for areas west of the 200 block of Hawthorne Avenue, and Boulder Police officers went door-to-door in nearby neighborhoods, including Acorn Lane, advising residents to prepare to leave if conditions worsened.

Officials said residents who needed extra time — particularly those requiring medical equipment or medications — were encouraged to begin evacuating early.

Multiple agencies responded to the fire, including Boulder Fire-Rescue, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder Police Department, Jamestown Fire Protection District, and Sunshine Fire Protection District.

By 8:30 a.m., evacuation warnings were lifted, and residents were allowed to return home. Fire officials reported the blaze was 100% contained as of 9:20 a.m.

“Anytime we issue a warning, we always tell people, if you need to gather your medical equipment or medication or you need a little extra time, even though things are looking a little bit better right now, we want to make sure people are ready,” Vinny Montez with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said.

Officials also noted that dry conditions and unseasonably warm temperatures in the foothills increase wildfire risk this time of year.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Residents looking for real-time wildfire alerts can monitor incidents through services such as the Watch Duty app, which tracks active fires and emergency updates across the region.

https://x.com/BldrCOSheriff/status/2041901803542081987

The post Goat Trail Fire Near Hawthorne Avenue 100% Contained, Evacuations Lifted appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Mayor Andrew Moore will host a State of the Town event on Thursday, April 2, from 6–8 p.m. at Town Hall, 645 Holbrook Street. The event will include a presentation from the mayor and town leadership on current projects and policy issues, followed by a question-and-answer session with residents. Participation will be available both in person and via livestream.

According to a post published on the mayor’s Facebook page, the event will begin with a 30–45 minute presentation before moving into a moderated question-and-answer session. Questions submitted in advance are expected to be addressed first, with additional questions taken from attendees if time allows.

Moore said the presentation will cover a range of topics, including recent population growth, new business openings, the town’s transition to voting districts, and the search for Erie’s next town manager.

The mayor also said the event will include updates on infrastructure projects such as the Erie Bee on-demand transit program, expansion of police facilities, and preliminary work connecting County Line Road to Airport Drive. Other topics expected to be discussed include the Draco oil and gas project, water supply challenges, development of the Page Property, and future capital improvement planning.

Residents are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the event by emailing amoore@erieco.gov. Questions will also be taken during the meeting, time permitting.

The livestream link and additional details about the meeting are posted at www.erieco.gov/StateoftheTown. 

A gathering of concerned citizens is meeting at 5 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss their concerns about the direction the town is moving.

Among the issues cited by residents since Mayor Andrew Moore took office are:

• Several major decisions have been approved on 4–3 council votes, with Mayor Andrew Moore joined by Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Bell and councilmembers Brian O’Connor and John Mortellaro forming the majority voting bloc.
• The removal of Pride and Juneteenth flags from town facilities after the council majority voted to limit flags flown on town property to the U.S. flag.
• Approval of a $70,000 community survey contract, an amount residents say was roughly double the typical cost of similar municipal surveys.
• Revisions to the town’s Comprehensive Plan that removed provisions allowing developers to more easily incorporate mixed-use housing.
• The termination of the Town Administrator, which became public after three councilmembers declined to enter executive session, requiring the discussion to occur in open session.
• Communications between the mayor and St. Scholastica Church regarding a potential land swap involving property previously identified for affordable housing. The discussions came to light through public records requests, and some councilmembers have said they were unaware of the talks at the time they occurred.
• Negotiations related to the potential sale of the town’s mineral rights, which residents say have largely taken place in executive session without public discussion. The town has also hired a consultant who previously served as COO of Civitas Resources to facilitate negotiations, with a reported contract valued at $4.5 million.
• Approval of the Redtail Ranch settlement and preliminary plat, allowing residential development to move forward on land that includes a restricted environmental area and active oil and gas wells within and adjacent to the project site.

The post Erie State of the Town Scheduled for April 2 as Residents Plan Gathering appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Storyshare provided by Corey Hutchins, Inside the News in Colorado. Coverage is free today, but if you enjoyed this post, you can tell Inside the News in Colorado that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. Find Inside the News on Substack.

Attorney General Phil Weiser

This week, as eight Democratic attorneys general, including Colorado’s Phil Weiser, sued to block a local TV merger that would affect local markets like Denver, Republican President Donald Trump’s FCC and DOJ gave their blessing to the deal.

At issue is a move by Nexstar, which owns KDVR FOX31 in Denver, to gobble up Tegna, which owns Denver’s KUSA 9NEWS. Nexstar said it had completed its acquisition.

News of the approval came just after Weiser announced that he had joined an antitrust lawsuit to try and block it.

The deal, which Trump currently supports, though he had earlier indicated his disapproval, would involve plenty of other local stations around the country.

In Denver, the consolidation would drastically reshape the local market. And according to Weiser, who is also running for governor, not in a good way.

“The proposed Nexstar/Tegna merger would give Nexstar control over an astonishing number of television stations across the nation, including KUSA and KDVR in Denver,” Weiser said in a statement Thursday.

Such a merger, he added, would reduce competition in local news operations. Colorado viewers would have “less choice in news,” he said, and there would be less diversity in perspectives.

“Not only will this merger reduce the quality of local TV offerings, but consumers will also end up paying more for monthly cable TV or satellite service as a result,” Weiser said. “Competition in the local media market is critical for a healthy democracy, an informed citizenry, and affordable access to sports, news, and prime time shows. For these reasons, we are suing to block the Nexstar/Tegna merger.”

When these kinds of corporate consolidation deals go through, they typically do not lead to expanding newsrooms. They usually mean shrinking newsrooms for the sake of “efficiencies” or “synergies.”

From the 34-page lawsuit filed by the AGs:

“…the Proposed Transaction will likely reduce competition in local news operations. Based on Nexstar’s pattern of newsroom closures and its recent statements to investors, the merged entity is likely to consolidate newsrooms of previously separate Big 4 stations, degrading the content and quality of local news broadcasts through the Big 4 stations. A recent study found that Nexstar is the worst offender in ‘news duplication’ in local news, meaning Nexstar stations air local news content that is identical across multiple stations in one location.”

In Denver, Tegna’s 9NEWS stands apart for its prolific accountability reporting, while Nexstar’s station in Denver, FOX31, doesn’t particularly get as much attention for that.

Media reported that Perry Sook, Nexstar’s chairman and CEO, said his company is “grateful” to Trump, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, and the DOJ “for recognizing the dynamic forces shaping the media landscape and allowing this transaction to move forward.”

For his part, Carr said on a recent podcast that he is launching a campaign that invites broadcasters to “highlight the great wins of the country and run patriotic programming — maybe starting off with the Pledge of Allegiance, which we used to do.”

The new ownership megadeal has led to anxiety among those at the Denver stations and among close media watchers who worry about potentially less watchdog coverage of politicians on TV.

9NEWS anchor Kyle Clark reported on the developments on air Thursday evening.

“Apart from the general comment that multiple stations in the same market will be combined, Nexstar has not said publicly what will happen with 9NEWS, or when,” he said.

Some of Colorado’s top Democratic leaders, from Gov. Jared Polis to U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, Congressman Joe Neguse, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, have condemned the takeover of 9NEWS.

On the right, Jon Caldara of the Independence Institute has also criticized the deal.

Weiser had previously said he would “closely review this proposed merger to determine if it will harm Coloradans.”

In an interview last month, he said the level of consolidation warranted careful review and noted he has challenged major mergers before, including the attempted Kroger-Albertsons grocery merger.

“I have shown my willingness and commitment to stop mergers that would harm Colorado,” he said. “And I have that authority as AG regardless of what the Trump administration does.”

Now he has joined attorneys general in seven other states in filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California.

Despite the deal’s approval from the FCC and DOJ, a spokesperson for Weiser said the states are “pushing on” with their lawsuit.

The post Colorado’s A.G. sues to block a TV merger in Denver between FOX31 and 9NEWS appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Colorado is entering spring after one of the warmest and driest starts to a year in more than a century of records., with snowpack across the state far below normal and drought conditions expanding across much of the Front Range.

Against that backdrop, the Town of Erie is asking residents, homeowners associations, and businesses to keep sprinkler systems turned off through the end of March as water demand surges beyond what the town’s winter system can supply.

Officials say current water demand is about 30 percent higher than typical for this time of year, largely driven by residents turning on irrigation systems weeks earlier than normal.

If irrigation continues, the town says it may shut off water service at property taps for residents, HOAs, or businesses that do not comply.

For large HOAs, the shutoff would typically affect irrigation systems only. For individual homes or smaller properties, however, the measure could cut water service to the entire household or building.

Town officials say they have been urging residents for roughly two weeks to turn off sprinklers, but demand has continued climbing.

“We really don’t have any buffer room,” town spokesperson Gabi Rae told the Denver Post. “Every day it’s been increasing by 200,000 to 300,000 gallons as people turn on their sprinkler systems. We will hit capacity and run out of water in a couple of days if they don’t stop.”

Erie’s winter water system currently distributes about 3.5 million gallons per day, far less than what becomes available once summer water supplies come online.

Black line shows 2026 snowpack levels falling below the state’s previously recorded minimum. (Natural Resources Conservation Service)

A Dry Winter Across Colorado

The situation in Erie reflects broader conditions across Colorado.

State data shows Colorado’s snowpack currently sits well below normal, with several watersheds between roughly 38 percent and 65 percent of typical levels for this time of year, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Governor Jared Polis recently activated the Colorado Drought Task Force, citing record warmth and one of the driest starts to a year in more than a century of statewide records.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to severe drought conditions now cover much of Colorado.

Meteorologists say the unusually warm winter has prevented snowpack from building to the levels normally needed to replenish rivers and reservoirs in the spring.

Photo credit: Longmont firefighter Patrick Kramer

Early Fire Season Concerns

The dry winter is also raising concerns about early wildfire risk along the Front Range.

Warm temperatures, strong winds, and dry vegetation can quickly turn small grass fires into fast-moving blazes, even outside the traditional summer fire season.

The Marshall Fire, which destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County in December 2021, demonstrated how quickly wind-driven fires can spread across the Front Range during dry conditions.

For communities like Erie, maintaining adequate water supply is not only about household demand but also about fire protection and hydrant pressure during emergency situations.

Town officials noted that upcoming windy conditions could further increase fire danger in the region.

Other Cities Preparing Water Restrictions

Erie is not the only community beginning to respond to the dry winter.

In Aurora, officials are recommending Stage I watering restrictions that could take effect April 7 if approved by city leaders. The proposed rules would limit outdoor watering to two days per week and call for a 20 percent reduction in overall water use.

Nearby Lafayette has also asked residents to refrain from running irrigation systems.

Water managers across the Front Range warn that drought conditions could affect municipal water supplies throughout the coming spring and summer if the region does not receive significant precipitation.

Waiting for Summer Water Supplies

Erie officials say part of the problem is timing.

During winter months, the town receives less water through its supply system than it does during the summer irrigation season. Additional supplies typically arrive in early spring when the Carter Lake canal system begins distributing water.

“That’s what we’re waiting for,” Rae said.

• The canal system is expected to open April 1, after which Erie can begin transitioning toward normal irrigation schedules.

Until then, the town is asking residents to delay outdoor watering as long as possible.

At the earliest, Erie recommends:

• Even numbered addresses begin irrigation April 4
• Odd numbered addresses begin irrigation April 6

Residents may still use a hose to water trees, shrubs, and gardens, but officials are asking the community not to water turf grass.

Regional Water Projects Face Uncertainty

Longer term water supply questions also remain across northern Colorado.

One major project intended to help meet future demand is the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), a proposed reservoir system designed to provide water storage for growing Front Range communities.

However, the project has faced rising costs and increasing scrutiny. In 2025, the Fort Collins Loveland Water District, one of NISP’s largest participants, announced it was reviewing whether to remain involved due to escalating costs and financial risks.

The cost of the project has climbed from an early estimate of roughly $400 million to more than $2 billion.

Other regional water projects, including Windy Gap and Chimney Hollow, have also experienced delays tied to construction issues and environmental concerns.

While those projects are intended to expand long term supply, Erie officials say the current issue is much simpler.

With drought conditions worsening and irrigation starting early, the town’s winter water system simply cannot keep up with demand.

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The post Erie Moves First on Irrigation Limits as Drought and Historic Low Snowpack Grip Colorado appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boulder Fire-Rescue crews have responded to a wildfire southwest of Flagstaff Road near Boulder’s Chautauqua Park. Shortly before 1 p.m. today, the crews arrived on the scene and began putting water on the fire, estimated at half an acre. The National Weather Service Boulder reported seeing the smoke from their office on Broadway.

At 1:25 p.m., emergency officials issued an evacuation warning for the Chautauqua Cottages area.

By 2:06 p.m., the fire, dubbed the Bluebell Fire, had expanded to an estimated 5 acres, spreading at a moderate speed away from Boulder. More than 50 firefighters responded to the scene, with a helicopter dropping water on the fire.

By 2:53 p.m., more than 100 firefighters from more than 9 agencies had arrived on scene, and Multi-Mission Aircraft mapped the fire at 1.5 acres.

Boulder Fire-Rescue hosted a press briefing at New Vista High School, held by Chief Michael Calderazzo at 3:45 p.m. In the briefing, Calderazzo stated that the fire was 50% contained and that the only evacuations necessary were for hikers on the Chautauqua trails. No injuries have been reported, and no structures are currently under threat.

Open Space and Mountain Parks trails will be closed until further notice. Smoke will continue rising as fuels from the area burn off.

As of 4:02 p.m., crews remained on-scene with air support on standby.

As of 5:05 p.m., the fire had been 75% contained, and Boulder Fire-Rescue did not observe concerning weather changes.

At 6:29 p.m., Boulder Fire-Rescue announced the fire had been 100% contained, with no active flames and crews stationed to monitor the area through the morning.

This article was updated throughout the day on February 28, 2026, as more information became available.

Photo by Shavonne Blades

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The post Wildfire Breaks Out Southwest of Chautauqua appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JSCO) announced at 9:24 a.m. this morning that a grass fire had broken out on the railroad tracks near the intersection of Colorado State Highways 72 and 93.

JCSO responded to the scene of the fire, dubbed the Plainview Fire, with roads closed in all directions. At 9:30 a.m., Arvada Police issued a pre-evacuation order for Candelas, Canyon Pines, Blue Mountain Estates, Leyden Rock, and the in-between industrial areas.

Stage 1 fire restrictions are currently enacted in the area east of CO-93, from its southern Boulder County boundary intersection through its intersection with CO-119, due to increased risks from high temperature and low moisture.

At 10:00 a.m., wind gusts were logged at 9 mph to the west, with the fastest wind speeds predicted to reach 13.9 mph by 3 p.m. Temperatures were logged at 53 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of 43 degrees and 32% humidity.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (BSCO) announced at 10:11 a.m. that the Plainview Fire has been 80% contained, with additional support from Arvada Fire, Boulder Fire-Rescue, BSCO, Coal Creek Canyon Fire, and the Colorado Department of Transportation. Crews also began mop-up operations.

JSCO says to avoid the area due to ongoing fire suppression efforts and road closures. They do not believe that the Plainview Fire relates directly to the railroad tracks.

Video credit: Jamie Lammers, February 07, 2026

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The post Plainview Fire Breaks Out Near Highways 72 and 93 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Louisville City Council’s Jan. 13 special meeting centered on the city’s Comprehensive Plan, a 20-year policy document that will guide future development, housing, infrastructure and land use decisions.

City staff and council members emphasized that the plan is intended to function as a flexible framework rather than a prescriptive rulebook. While the main document outlines broad policy goals, it also includes a short Action Plan appendix that identifies specific tasks the city could pursue to implement those goals. Officials said the appendix was designed to allow future councils to adjust strategies if conditions or priorities change.

In total, the plan outlines roughly 50 goals related to growth, land use, housing and infrastructure. The mayor and planning staff described it as a tool to support more balanced decision-making as Louisville continues to grow.

Affordable housing emerged as a central theme of the discussion. City staff noted that while Louisville has seen steady job growth over the past 15 years, housing production has not kept pace. The plan aims to close that gap by increasing residential development and expanding the range of housing options available.

Proposals include allowing more diverse housing types, such as duplexes, in areas currently dominated by single-family homes. Rather than treating affordability as a standalone issue, the plan integrates housing goals into broader land use and growth strategies.

Council members also reviewed proposed “place types,” which define the scale and density of future development across the city. The plan projects potential growth over the next two decades and outlines how infrastructure, public services and utilities could be planned to support it.

Figure 4. Community Statistics Breakdown
Compiled using data from the City of Louisville, the Louisville Housing Assessment, the 2020 U.S. Census, and the 2023 ESRI Business Analyst.

According to council members, the framework is intended to accommodate growth at a manageable pace while maintaining a diverse tax base and protecting natural resources. Sustainability considerations are incorporated throughout the document.

A future Land Use Map included in the plan estimates potential buildout capacity across the city. Officials said the map is intended to help developers and residents understand where growth is anticipated and how infrastructure investments may be prioritized, while still reflecting community values.

The council also discussed how land use planning could support economic development and tourism. Members referenced large-scale events, such as the Sundance Film Festival, as examples of opportunities that could bring economic activity and community engagement if infrastructure and land use policies are aligned to support them.

Throughout the meeting, council members stressed that the Comprehensive Plan can be amended over time and that public input will continue to play a role in shaping its implementation. One member encouraged residents to participate and help guide future decisions.

The meeting concluded with a reminder about a city-hosted open house at The Simon, at the corner of South and Main streets. The event is intended to provide residents with information about the Comprehensive Plan and an opportunity to submit feedback.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter — and get our print edition delivered to your home each month.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays, ready to lead no matter who’s in charge.

The post Louisville Lays Out 20-Year Vision for Housing and Development appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The City and County of Denver activated its Cold Weather Shelter Plan at 1 p.m. today and will keep it open until weather conditions improve. Whether you’re in Denver or elsewhere in the area and need shelter, here are open shelters across the area.

Yellow Scene sourced the following information during the weekend of January 17th, 2025.

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The post Open Shelters for January 2026 – English and Spanish appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Cold Weather Expected!

The City and County of Denver is activating its Cold Weather Shelter Plan at 1 pm Thursday, Jan. 8, and will keep it open until weather conditions improve.

Individuals in need of shelter are encouraged to go to “front door” shelter access points:

• For individual men – Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St.
• For individual women – Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St.
• For youth/young adults ages 12-24 – Urban Peak, 1630 S. Acoma St.
• Families in need of shelter – Inn at the Highland, 2601 Zuni St. (families must arrive in person)
• For 24/7 shelter – 2601 W. 7th Ave.,  375 S. Zuni St., and 4411 Peoria St.
• For additional support or questions – Call the Connection Center at 303-295-3366.

Cold weather poses a serious danger to people who are unsheltered, and the city encourages people to come inside. Residents who see someone in need should call 311 or direct them to the nearest shelter. Find more information about shelter access on Denver’s city website.

The post Denver To Activate Cold Weather Shelter Plan Until Further Notice appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

As the U.S. claims control over Venezuela’s future, Americans are responding not with rallying energy, but with exhaustion, disbelief, and growing fear for their own democracy.

They may act with force, but they no longer control belief

Today we woke up to a set of headlines that have Americans talking. Overnight, the United States carried out a strike on Venezuela. Some reports describe it as the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, followed by Donald Trump telling reporters at a January 3, 2026 press conference, held after the attacks, that the United States would take control of Venezuela and place its oil industry under U.S. management.

People are uneasy, and not just about foreign policy. The economy does not feel as strong as this administration claims. Democratic guardrails are eroding in plain sight. And despite the familiar language of strength and freedom, Americans do not seem to be buying it. They are not rallying around the concept of “America the Great.”

That reaction tells us more about the state of the country than any press briefing ever could.

This legitimacy disconnect did not come out of nowhere. It is reinforced every day by the material reality Americans are living with.

What the hell is happening in Venezuela?

As more information becomes available, one thing is already apparent: the administration’s version of events is not aligning with what reporters, international observers, and Venezuelan dissidents are describing on the ground.

The official narrative frames this action as liberation, freeing the Venezuelan people and Americans from a criminal drug cartel. That framing does not withstand even basic scrutiny.

This action had no congressional authorization, no international mandate, and no clear legal justification.

Whatever language is used to describe it, whether strike, seizure, or abduction, it represents a unilateral use of power with serious implications for constitutional oversight, international law, and future precedent.

Beneath every explanation offered so far, one constant keeps resurfacing.

Oil.

Venezuela holds some of the largest oil reserves in the world. Years ago, its government reclaimed control of those resources, shifting them away from foreign, often American, corporate dominance and into state hands.

Whether that control was handled responsibly or disastrously is a legitimate debate. It does not justify U.S. intervention legally, historically, or morally.

This is a familiar pattern.

Which is why focusing solely on the character of Nicolás Maduro misses the larger point. You do not have to believe Maduro is a good leader, or even a legitimate one, to recognize that unilateral force carried out without legal authorization is still illegal. The obvious question then becomes what comes next. Invading China?

Socialism, state control, and a well-worn shortcut

Part of how actions like this are sold to the American public relies on political shorthand that collapses important distinctions.

Socialism refers to collective or democratic control of economic resources. State control refers to centralized authority exercised through government power. They are not the same thing.

That complexity has been flattened into an easy shortcut: socialism becomes tyranny, capitalism becomes democracy.

Venezuela does not fit neatly into either category. It is best understood as a state-controlled oil economy shaped by corruption, sanctions, and repression, not as a clean example of socialism as an economic theory. Naming that accurately matters, not to defend the regime, but to prevent propaganda from doing the work of justification.

When reclaiming resources from multinational corporations is treated as authoritarian by default, force can be sold as liberation rather than extraction.

The hypocritical pretext of drugs

Drug trafficking has been offered as a moral justification for U.S. action against Venezuela. It is a familiar claim, and a selective one.

Venezuela is not a major drug-producing country. Some trafficking routes pass through its territory, as they do through many countries in the region. That does not amount to evidence of a state-run narco enterprise.

The hypocrisy becomes harder to ignore in context. Trump has welcomed cartel-linked families into the United States and shown tolerance toward criminal actors when it aligned with his interests. He is also notably cozy with Saudi Arabia and its leadership, despite well-documented ties between the Saudi state and extremist networks, including figures linked to al-Qaeda.

Americans have seen this script before.

Vietnam was justified through a credibility gap later exposed by the Pentagon Papers.

Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction were sold with urgency and certainty, only to be revealed as fiction.

Afghanistan was framed as a necessary response to terror, stretching into a twenty-year occupation that ended in withdrawal and devastation, and it did nothing to reduce what the United States calls terrorism. If anything, it expanded it.

That history is not distant. It shapes how people hear claims like these now.

American buy-in is missing

What makes this moment distinct is not only the action itself, but how Americans are responding to it.

The public is not disconnected in the way it is often portrayed. People are talking, sharing information, and trying to make sense of what they are watching unfold. Many are openly naming authoritarian drift and the erosion of democratic norms.

Large-scale protests, including the recent No Kings demonstrations that became the largest protest in American history, make one thing clear; aside from MAGA followers, the public is not supporting the actions of the current administration.

What is missing is consent.

The government has acted, but it has failed to convince the public that this action represents them. Protest is widespread, but it is protest against state power, not mobilization behind it.

Exhaustion is not apathy

This disconnect is reinforced by the conditions people are living under.

Housing insecurity is widespread. Medical care remains precarious and tied to employment. Debt keeps millions under constant pressure. Job stability feels fragile even for those technically employed.

Layered on top of all this is exhaustion. Just one year into Trump’s second term, people are tired, and that fatigue is not accidental. It is the point of attack after attack on civil liberties.

People are expected to perform citizenship inside a system that no longer seems capable of protecting them. When leaders insist the economy is strong while daily life feels brittle, trust erodes further.

Are non-voters to blame?

Roughly one-third of Americans did not vote, and they are often blamed for the state of the country. That framing is convenient and incomplete.

Some are discouraged, convinced participation no longer changes outcomes. Others refused to choose between candidates they felt neither represented nor listened to them, with Gaza playing a decisive role. Still others were blocked by voter suppression, access barriers, or intimidation, factors that remain consistently underexamined in post-election narratives.

In many cases, Democratic leaders responded by blaming “the left” rather than examining their own failures to listen, adapt, or meaningfully respond. That reluctance is hard to separate from the fact that they accept much of the same corporate and lobbying money as the GOP.

Disengagement exists, but what we are witnessing is a participation crisis rooted in legitimacy, not indifference.

When the Democrats echo the same story

Cynicism deepens when Democratic leaders reinforce the same framing.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis publicly celebrated the removal of Venezuela’s leadership while acknowledging the absence of congressional oversight and a clear plan. Statements like these attempt to split the difference, condemning procedural failures while endorsing the outcome.

For many Americans, that contradiction confirms there is no meaningful institutional opposition to executive overreach, only variations in tone.

Why “freedom fighters” are cheering it on instead of fighting

MAGA did not appear overnight. It was built over decades through coordinated propaganda efforts by organizations like the Heritage Foundation, whose mission was to reshape political reality for conservative voters.

MAGA voters often frame themselves as distrustful of government and defenders of freedom. Yet as the leaders they support act in openly authoritarian ways, resistance has been replaced by celebration.

Freedom is defended when it is personal or partisan, and dismissed when it applies universally. That alignment explains enthusiasm, but it does not create legitimacy. It also illustrates how authoritarianism gains power, not by convincing everyone, but by securing a loyal minority willing to excuse force as long as it targets someone else.

Force without legitimacy

Force does deliver short-term results. It can remove leaders, criminalize dissent, and illegally seize assets. What it cannot do is compel belief.

Rule by force produces compliance, not consent. Over time, systems built on coercion require constant escalation to maintain control, while public trust continues to erode. The result is not stability, but a governing structure that survives by pressure rather than participation.

What can we learn from history?

Authoritarian systems rarely collapse all at once. More often, they hollow out slowly as belief erodes faster than force can compensate.

In late Soviet Eastern Europe, regimes did not fall because tanks disappeared, but because legitimacy did.

Spain’s dictatorship ended through prolonged stagnation, elite fracture, and public disengagement that made continued repression unsustainable.

Even the French Revolution began as a legitimacy crisis rooted in extraction without representation.

Closer to home, the Vietnam War unraveled not only on the battlefield but in public consciousness. Once the Pentagon Papers exposed the gap between official narratives and reality, belief collapsed. The war did not end immediately, but its legitimacy never recovered.

History does not promise restoration. It offers clarity.

America is not returning to a normal most people recognize. There is always an after. What ours will be, and how long it will take, remains unknown. Force can hold power for a time, but it cannot manufacture belief. And when belief disappears, something else always begins. History rarely offers certainty. It does, however, record what happens when people stop accepting what no longer feels legitimate.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter — and get our print edition delivered to your home each month.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays, ready to lead no matter who’s in charge.

The post The Venezuela Strike and America’s Crisis of Belief appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

On Tuesday evening, Colorado State Senate District 25 convened a virtual vacancy committee meeting to nominate and select a successor to the late Senator Faith Winter.

Committee Chair Rosanna Reyes accepted two nominations for the open seat: Tom Klenow and William Lindstedt, both of whom had submitted letters of intent ahead of the meeting. The committee allotted five minutes total for intention statements from nominators, seconders, and the candidates themselves.

Klenow spoke first as a self-nominator, outlining his reasons for seeking the position. He emphasized the rapid growth of the district and the pressures facing residents.

“District 25 is changing, and our leadership needs to keep pace,” Klenow said. “People here are doing their best, but too many are being squeezed by rising housing costs, long commutes, healthcare expenses, and a transportation system that has not kept pace with growth.”

Lindstedt followed with remarks alongside statements from his nominator, Congressman Joe Neguse, and his seconder, Representative Jenny Willford. Lindstedt focused on fiscal constraints at the state level.

William Lindstedt speaks at a campaign event. Image courtesy of Lindstedt’s campaign website.

“Colorado is facing real challenges,” Lindstedt said. “We are operating under impossible physical constraints created by TABOR, even as the demand for public services continues to grow.”

Klenow has worked at the University of Colorado Boulder since 2014 and became the law school’s IT director in December 2024. Lindstedt currently serves as a state representative, chairs the House Finance Committee, and sits on the Business Affairs and Labor Committee.

Of the district’s 72 vacancy committee members, 56 were present for the meeting. A majority vote selected Lindstedt to fill the Senate seat.

The vacancy followed the death of Senator Faith Winter, who was killed in a crash on Interstate 25 on Nov. 26 after rear-ending a truck near Dry Creek Road. The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office determined that Winter died of blunt force injuries and that her blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit.

Winter had stepped away from legislative work earlier in 2024 to seek treatment for alcoholism. She was serving her 12th term, which was scheduled to conclude in early 2027.

“I know this was really difficult for all of us,” Lindstedt said after the vote. “I sincerely appreciate all of the faith you’ve put in me to step into the legislature under these circumstances.”

Lindstedt will serve the remainder of Winter’s term.

“These are not the circumstances I anticipated when pursuing a seat in the state senate,” he added. “This loss has been devastating for our community and for many of us personally. At the same time, with the legislative session rapidly approaching, the work of serving our community has to continue.”

The ones who dared to fight City Hall.

 When Boulder denied public access to police body-cam footage, we took it to court. Our fight for transparency is now before the Colorado Supreme Court — because accountability doesn’t stop at the city line.

Through December 31, every gift to Yellow Scene will be matched — dollar for dollar — through the Colorado Media Project’s Matching Grant. Give & Get Democracy this Holiday Season. Your $8 recurring monthly support not only gets you YS delivered to your house, but it’s matched for the entire year, bringing that $8/month to $192.

Because Independent journalism isn’t just about telling stories. It’s about protecting your right to know, holding power accountable, and keeping democracy in the light. This is #newsCOneeds Becoming a sustaining supporter today for $8 a month!

The post William Lindstedt Elected to Fill State Senate District 25 Vacancy appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Fists clenched in their pockets protecting from the cold – in the Capitol’s driveway before the building’s western steps and below an American flag flying half-staff – some standing with their feet shuffling as others squeezed between chairs and strangers, hundreds gathered. Greetings were exchanged, many had shared this space before. For protest or proclamation, for demonstration and celebration. Today, it was in grief and recognition. 

State lawmakers were remembering a colleague. For organizers, a coworker. Community members, an advocate. For many, most simply, a friend. 

Colorado State Senator Faith Winter died in a car accident on Interstate 25 in Arapahoe County on November 29. The Broomfield senator represented District 25 in the Colorado State Senate and was entering her twelfth and final year in the legislature, due to term limits. While the investigation remains ongoing in the series of multivehicle accidents which resulted in Winters’ death, it is immediately apparent how she will be remembered for the impact she had during life.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis speaks before hundreds of community members gathered on the west side of the Colorado Capitol on Friday, December 5 to celebrate the life of state Senator Faith Winter, who died at 45 in a car crash on the eve of Thanksgiving 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

The Chair of the Transportation and Energy Committee, and serving on Business, Labor, and Technology and the Legislative Council, she is remembered by friends and family as a fierce warrior for women, the disabled, and the underprivileged. Colorado Public Radio credits her for making culture change in the Capitol after the expulsion of Democratic Rep. Steve Lebsock after she publicly accused him of sexual harassment.

She was also a vocal proponent for more color, for being authentic in every space, and for making the space for people to safely be themselves. An example her friends recall she set to be followed. Her refusal to wear jeans, and commitment to hiking in flip-flops, were a regular anecdote through the carousel of speakers. 

One which drew a knowing, mournful, chuckle at each mention. 

“I hope you remember her for the life she lived, not just the roles she held, for the hikes, the kayaks, for the orange dresses, for the flowers she adored, for the animals at her foot,” Winter’s close friend Hazel Gibson told the crowd through choked-back tears. “She lived in full color and she loved in full color.”

The following day, her life would be celebrated in full color at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. As friends, neighbors, and fellow legislators gathered to honor the work Faith devoted her career to, a quiet truth threaded through every conversation: Faith Winters was, simply, a genuinely good person.

“Faith’s passion and dedication for building a brighter Colorado future and brighter future for the country, really shone,” Governor Jared Polis told the crowd at the Capitol. “Faith always made time to connect with people. To find ways to brighten every day.”

Through her legislation raising fees on fuel and certain car gig economy providers she was able to amass billions of dollars for state transportation projects. In the 2025 Session she sponsored a bill, now law, which will add a voting and a nonvoting youth member, between 14 and 21 years of age, to the DPHE Environmental Advisory Board and creates a grant program to finance environmental mitigation projects.

Sienne Snook remembers her mother, speaking before hundreds of community members gathered on the west side of the Colorado Capitol on Friday, December 5 to celebrate the life of state Senator Faith Winter, who died at 45 in a car crash on the eve of Thanksgiving 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

Her political career started, apparently, in high school when she ensured through organizing that her friends would be elected to each and every dance court. She herself was voted prom princess.

“She wanted me to tell that story at an event, I just didn’t think it would be this one,” lifelong friend Jessica Walker admitted through tears. “The belief that she could make a difference and impact change has always been a part of who she was.” 

Her start in public office was from 2007 to 2014, when Winter served as a member in the Westminster city council. She was elected on a policy vision of racial and economic justice, helping to build progressive think tanks and organizations in community with her efforts from office. 

In spring 2024, she checked into a rehabilitation facility citing alcohol abuse after she appeared to be drunk while attending a Northglenn city council meeting in her role as Senator. Months earlier, in fall 2023, she had been hospitalized after a crash while riding her bike to the state Capitol.

“People say grief is love with nowhere to go and I believe this resonates deeply with who my mom was,” Senator Winter’s daughter Sienna Snook, told the audience. “My mom put so much love into the world which is why we feel her absence so strongly.”

In the cold chill, a warmth was palpable as many could reflect on their own moment that memory manifested. With a breath, and a respectful quiet, the final speaker took the microphone. Another friend who had been in the trenches of electoral politics with Senator Winter, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen greeted the crowd.

Once a mentee of the late Senator, Congresswoman Pettersen told a story about being convinced to follow her friend up the ladder and to fight for a new kind of representation from our elected representatives. The first woman to represent Colorado’s 7th District, who got national notoriety for casting votes with her infant, remembered it was Winter who first told her how important it was to be someone who didn’t look like who usually runs for office.   

“She believed in the mantra: we lift as we rise. And it is something that she lived every day,” Congresswoman Pettersen reflected.

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen speaks before community members gathered on the west side of the Colorado Capitol on Friday, December 5 to celebrate the life of state Senator Faith Winter, who died at 45 in a car crash on the eve of Thanksgiving 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

Vincent Chandler

Best known for capturing striking content from the frontlines of social movements, Heartland EMMY-nominated filmmaker and photographer Vince Chandler has spent 20 years creating art and documentary visuals across the U.S. They served as Communications Director for Denver City Councilwoman Shontel Lewis, Digital Content Strategist for the National Cannabis Industry Association and Colorado Rising, and Chief Content Officer of ƒ/4.20 Films. Vince’s political experience includes working for local and regional campaigns and lobbying on Capitol Hill. Vince has earned national recognition for their work as a visual journalist for The Denver Post, the publication that brought them to Denver in 2014 to serve as founding Multimedia Editor for Denver Post TV and weekly cannabis industry news show The Cannabist. Vince was the principal cinematographer for the feature documentary film Running With My Girls, which premiered at the 2021 Denver Film Festival. Vince holds degrees from Pennsylvania State University in Journalism and History, and they have lectured on journalism at Arkansas State and Penn State.

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The ones who dared to fight City Hall.

 When Boulder denied public access to police body-cam footage, we took it to court. Our fight for transparency is now before the Colorado Supreme Court — because accountability doesn’t stop at the city line.

Through December 31, every gift to Yellow Scene will be matched — dollar for dollar — through the Colorado Media Project’s Matching Grant.Give & Get Democracy this Holiday Season. Your $8 recurring monthly support not only gets you YS delivered to your house, but it’s matched for the entire year, bringing that $8/month to $192.

Because Independent journalism isn’t just about telling stories. It’s about protecting your right to know, holding power accountable, and keeping democracy in the light. This is #newsCOneeds Becoming a sustaining supporter today for $8 a month!

The post Colorado State Senator Faith Winter Remembered As Fierce Advocate for Women appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Illustrations and Design by Jackson Fojut

I’ve done a lot of fundraising over the years for nonprofits, campaigns, and causes I believed in. But this one’s different. This time, it’s for the work I’ve spent my life supporting.

My career came of age in a free press. I got my start in independent media at 21, on the advertising side, which was always enough to sustain the work we were doing. We never used to have to fundraise to be journalists.

For years, good journalism was funded by good advertising. That was the deal, and “Church and State” was gospel; the two should never marry. It worked until corporations swallowed up local media and that balance broke.

I am very proud of the work we produce for the community, which local businesses have sustained for 25 years. A huge thank-you to all the local organizations that have chosen Yellow Scene as a vital platform for reaching their neighbors. They understand that content is king; it’s what drives engagement and trust. For two and a half decades, Yellow Scene has delivered Boulder County & the North Metro directly to their doorsteps.

That’s what the Gala is about: not just raising funds, but raising hope. It’s the one night a year when we turn the hard work of journalism into joy, when readers, advertisers, and neighbors all share the same dance floor and remember why local stories matter.

Publisher’s Assistant Extraordinaire, Peter Constas. Photo by Dustin Doskocil, Dosko Photo.

The world has changed over the last 25 years. The common belief is that people don’t read because of digital disruption. I read an article once that called that lazy thinking. Besides, 86% of books are still sold on paper, and while Gen Z uses tech as much as the rest of us, they are more actively separating themselves from it. (See Peter Constas’ newest article, Confessions of a Digital Marketing Manager. He breaks down why, as a Gen Z, he left his digital marketing job for print).

Journalism didn’t die; hundreds of thousands still want to work in the field. It’s just that six major conglomerates own 85% of all media in the country. Today, Yellow Scene is the last and only locally owned, independent outlet serving all of Boulder County & the North Metro with authentic journalism.

I admire my peers at the Camera, who continue to show up and do the work despite operating under a hedge fund and with limited resources. They produce good work, and I love that together we can cover more stories in our shared backyard. We both know we need each other, and a piece of that was lost when the Boulder Weekly closed. I’m also grateful we still have KGNU, a vital source of local radio and community storytelling.

While I’m proud that Yellow Scene still adheres to old-school journalism principles and has never accepted any kind of pay-to-play content, we’re not swimming in resources either. Local advertising is no longer enough to sustain local journalism.

Digital saturation has us ignoring 87% of online advertising (while 50% of users rely on ad blockers), and more clients are realizing that social media alone isn’t enough to sustain a business. (After hosting plenty of events over the years, I can tell you social media alone is not enough to promote one).

People still read; they just need more platforms that recognize content is king. But journalism costs money, and sponsored content is free for outlets to publish. So we are left with a sea of “lifestyle” magazines filled with nothing but paid content.

Over the last 25 years, Yellow Scene has been free to pick up at newsstands, mailed free to homes, available online with no paywall, and free of influence on our journalism — and we intend to remain free. Through community support, we stay unapologetically unbought and unbossed. We’re hyper-local, rooted in Boulder County’s neighborhoods, small businesses, schools, and civic halls, because an informed community is a stronger community.

If we’ve got to fundraise to do journalism, we’re going to host a PARTY!

And this year’s party ROCKED THE HOUSE. The Pamlico Sound had the dance floor full all night. Guests came out dressed up, and for those who didn’t, we had glow necklaces, stick-on tattoos, feather boas, and even a few light-up bunny ears. But mostly, we danced the night away.

The Pamlico Sound, Oct 16th 2025, Yellow Scene 25th Anniversary Gala at The Louisville Underground

The Louisville Underground at TILT! proved to be the perfect venue, with guests flowing between the dance floor and the skee-ball lanes. We carried on the silver-and-gold theme; Peter in a shimmering silver turtleneck, me in a golden jumpsuit, and together we soaked in all the love.

We took the stage to thank everyone for their support and to reaffirm what the night represented: the power of truthful, local reporting. But mostly, we were there to party.

Magical Awakenings with Dan Liss offered tarot readings to curious party-goers, while Carnivale photo cutouts gave guests a chance to strike a pose and make memories. The Pamlico Sound is gearing up to release their new album Fun Key Van Gel Is Uhm and fundraises to keep their art alive. Jackson Fojut, our resident artist, created all of the designs for this year’s Gala, so that $8 a month helps support local artists as well.

We have a few choices today: sell out the journalism, quit, or fundraise. And since we’ve got an army of journalists who want to keep communities informed, we’re still selling ads, choosing fundraising — which is simply valuing the local news you get from your local platform — and making a few smart adjustments to keep Yellow Scene strong.

The first of those adjustments is that we’ll gradually begin to move our free home delivery to sustaining supporters. You can still pick us up in newsstands for free and find us online for free, but home delivery will begin to move to sustaining supporters. Eight dollars a month gets the printed copy delivered to your home and keeps local journalism in the community. We also know that readers retain seven times more information from print, and honestly, it’s a damn, nice, escape from the screen.

We’re honored to once again be part of the Colorado Media Project’s end-of-year Matching Grant, which kicks off on November 1, 2025. Through December 31, your support goes twice as far during this year’s #LocalNewsIsAPublicGood campaign. All donations are tax-deductible, including sustaining supporter contributions.

This means your $8 monthly contribution counts as $96 during the matching period. Our goal is $5,000, which comes down to just 52 new sustaining supporters — a small number with a big impact on keeping Yellow Scene independent, unbought, and unbossed.

Become a sustaining supporter at yellowscene.com/support or contribute through Colorado Gives at coloradogives.org/story/YellowScene

The room was filled with community: readers of Yellow Scene, supporters, local business owners, even elected officials, but all fans of authentic, local reporting. Most of all, the room was filled with love and a lot of dancing. That’s the point of the Gala, and of everything we do: to remind ourselves and our community that truth still has a dance floor.

Great local Yellow Scene partnerships to support:

I can not thank the staff and freelancers enough, because they are the lifeblood. But these local organizations are too.

The Aaron Harber Show

Alpaca Connection

Art Night Out Lafayette

Aspen Winds on Fall River

Bennetts Karate

Berkelhammer Tree Experts

Bluebird Music Festival

Blue Mountain Ranch Youth Camp

Boulder Chamber

Boulder Comedy Festival

Boulder Hybrids

Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra

Boulder Rock Club

Boulder Taco Fest

Bricks Retail

Busaba Thai

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

Chiropractic Center of Erie

Colorado Green Plumbing

Colorado in a Basket

Colorado MahlerFest

Colorado Mountain Kava Company

Colorado Mountain Ranch

Cottonwood Farms

Crystal Ski Shop

Crystal Springs Brewing Company

D&K Tire & Service

Downtown Boulder Partnership

Dugout Grill & Bar

Efrains of Boulder

Elevated Communities Gently Used Clothing Boutique 

Energy Arts

Eric Olson Master Jeweler 

Erie Animal Hospital

Erie Social Club

Exploring Minds Academy 

Fowler Group

Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance

Georgia Boys BBQ

Great Clips

Groundworks Art Lab

Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar 

Harlequins Gardens

Hoshi Motors

Ivy Rose

Jaipur Indian Restaurant

Jasper Animal Hospital

Jax Outdoor Gear

Kalita Grill Greek Cafe 

Keene Smiles

KGNU Community Radio

Lafayette Chamber

Larkridge

Lee Hill Peat

Liquid Mechanics Brewing Company 

Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA)

Louisville Chamber

Longmont Museum

Longmont Theater Company 

Mana Thai Comfort Food 

Marcos Hot Dogs & Tacos

Moe’s Broadway Bagels

Monkton Guitars

Morning Glory Cafe

Moutus Theater

Moxie Bread Co

Kerix Health

Paragon Service Dogs

Paul’s Coffee

Paul Dart: Realtor

Pellman’s Automotive Service  

Piripi

Ras Kassa’s Ethiopian Restaurant 

Reinholt Tree Care

Rocky Mountain Equality

Roots Music Project

Rumbo 52 Cocina & Cantina

SALT

Santiago’s

School of Rock Boulder 

Taj Mahal 3 Restaurant & Bar

The Aaron Harber Show

The Sink

Si Senor! Real Mexican Food

Snarf’s Sandwiches 

Sojourneys Academy

Southpaw Electric Co. 

Spot Climbing Gym

Stacy’s Kitchen

Sugarbeet

Tangerine

Taylor Moving and Storage

Valar Aesthetics

Village Coffee Shop

YMCA of Northern Colorado

The post The Gala Was Grand! Celebrating 25 Years of Truth, Justice, and a Free Press appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Due process and masked men: Coloradans conflicted over promised immigration crackdowns and the realities of how they are carried out

We asked hundreds of Coloradans what they thought of the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and tactics. This is what they said. 

By Stephanie Rivera, Colorado Public Radio,  CoLab Newsroom Storyshare

Over the last several months, Nicholas Pierce’s work as an asylum, refugee and deportation defense lawyer on the Front Range has meant playing catch-up. The immigration policies and orders that seem to come on a near-daily basis from the federal government have been hard to keep up with.

In a recent interview, Pierce tried to make sense of the latest effort by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which activists said was called “Freaky Friday,” offering unaccompanied immigrant children cash to self deport, and potentially depriving them of the right to hearings. A local human services agency had reached out to him earlier in the day asking how it would impact the young immigrants in their care. 

He couldn’t answer. Instead he had to turn to others, including a contact at ICE, to figure it out.

“It is, in a lot of ways, much worse than what I had anticipated, much faster than I had anticipated,” Pierce said about the impact the president’s immigration crackdown has had on Colorado. “I was an immigration lawyer during the first Trump administration, and there was just a lot more checks and balances in the system.”

With about 400 cases on his plate through his Denver-based firm Amistad Law, Pierce said he’s seen firsthand how families and communities are being torn apart. He said many have had their legal statuses stripped away, through things like ending Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans – many of whom sought refuge in Colorado. Others, he said, have chosen to go into hiding for fear of being detained when appearing for their asylum interviews.

Pierce, who is a former U.S. Army Reserve service member and whose work receives state funding through the Colorado Refugee Support Program, is one of hundreds of Coloradans polled by CPR News and other outlets in the Colorado News Collaborative who have expressed either complete opposition to or frustration with some of the ways Trump has carried out his campaign promise to close the southern border and reduce the number of undocumented immigrants living in the country. 

Immigration attorney Nicholas Pierce sits at a table during an Afghan support conference with paralegal Swita Omari (right) in this undated photo. Courtesy of Nicholas Pierce.

A small number we heard from say they support the president’s actions, calling them necessary to free up government resources for things like housing and Medicaid for citizens or protect the country from socialism. 

Since the beginning of the year, the Trump administration has increased immigration raids across U.S. cities, including in Colorado, escalated tactics like sending the National Guard to back up ICE in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and reversed Biden-era policies, including allowing arrests at schools and churches.

What Coloradans are saying about immigration

In the survey circulated by Colorado newsrooms, including CPR News, a majority of the nearly 400 respondents said that, even if they supported some of the president’s stated goals, they opposed some of the immigration enforcement tactics currently being used by federal agents. 

Specifically, Coloradans take issue with federal agents violating due process and not focusing on deporting the “worst of the worst” criminals. 

“I have no problem with deporting those convicted of felonies, but ambushing families is despicable,” said a woman in Grand Junction. 

“I am in favor of the overall goal, but I do take issue with some of the practices,” said a man from Broomfield. “Treat people as human beings, even if they are criminals.”

A man in Durango summarized it like a report card. He gave efforts to close the border an A+, deporting criminals a C-, visa restrictions a D-, the use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement an F and described the use of the National guard as illegal. He said Trump also failed in the area of “Politicalization.”

“Deport criminals not workers,” said a woman in Durango. ICE tactics like “unmarked cars, civilian clothes, refusal to identify themselves should be eliminated.”

“It’s a waste of time to deport people contributing to the economy,” said a man in Colorado Springs. “I’m more concerned with the affordability of housing and health care.”

“The response has been too extreme and brutal,” said a woman in Colorado Springs. “It targets too many law-abiding, legal, U.S. residents,: denying due process to detainees.”

Federal law enforcement outside the Cedar Run Apartments, where immigration raids are taking place early Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

Evergreen resident Norman Sherbert said he believed the president was carrying out what he promised to do when elected and correct the previous administration’s actions. 

“I’m not here to tell the government how to do their job,” Sherbert elaborated via email. “All I know is that 11 or 12 million illegal immigrants coming into our country, seeing pictures of the masses of people standing at our borders, and hearing of children without guardianship being used to gain entrance into the U.S. is not good policy.  And, in the long run over the next generations, will have a deteriorating effect on our society and way of life.”  

Sherbert sees the administration’s extreme measures as a necessary way to right the situation with the limited time and resources it has. 

At a flea market in Colorado Springs on a recent weekend, JoAnn Antaya said she believed Trump wanted to help people during his first administration but doesn’t agree with the tactics being used today.

A German-born American who remembered how difficult it was to adjust to a new culture as a child, Antaya believes society has lost its compassion. 

“We do not care about our fellow man,” Antaya, 63, said. “So it’s easy to put a wall between here and Mexico because you know what? They have nothing to do with you. Heaven forbid if you should hand them a crust of bread. No, I’m not happy with my country.

“It’s like they’re not compromising. They’re not coming to a happy medium. They’re just combative. And that’s all it is: Argument, argument, argument.”

Colorado Springs resident JoAnn Antaya poses with her dogs at her booth where she sells a variety of items at the Colorado Springs Flea Market. Stephanie Rivera/CPR News

What the polls say about immigration concerns

Opinion polling suggests how Coloradans feel about immigration has a lot to do with where they live.

A poll from the Colorado Health Foundation released earlier this year looked at top issues facing Coloradans. It surveyed over 2,300 people across the state.

It found that “illegal immigration” was a major concern for about half of the residents surveyed, though the extent of the concern depended on where respondents lived, lower in urban areas (39 percent), versus suburban (58 percent) and rural (65 percent). 

Ninety percent of respondents on the Eastern Plains believe illegal immigration is a problem in Colorado compared to 46 percent in Denver metro.

On the flip side, 20 percent of all respondents said the mistreatment of immigrants was an “extremely serious” concern compared to 42 percent of respondents saying it was “not too serious.” 

Broken down by region, that concern fluctuated, with 44 percent of urban respondents saying mistreatment is extremely or very serious compared to 30 percent of suburban respondents and 23 percent of rural respondents.

“The regional, the urbanity and the partisanship seemed to really be driving how folks react to those problems and react differently to the two different framings that we tested,” said Lucia Del Puppo, senior vice president with the research firm that conducted the Pulse Poll.

CHF spokesperson Katie Peshek says Pulse Poll findings are shared with policymakers to help them understand the real issues residents are facing and prioritize those concerns.

“With a third of poll respondents pointing to government and politics as the state’s leading challenge, it’s clear that on issues like immigration, the cost of living and housing, Coloradans are ready for real action and solutions,” Peshek said.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Denver Field Office Centennial. Hart Van Denburg/CPR News

Meanwhile, a national Gallup poll released this summer found that only 30 percent of Americans say immigration should be reduced, a position that has shrunk by fifteen points since last year.

But the support for staunching immigration largely falls along party lines, with the poll finding “Republicans are the only group still showing at least plurality support for reducing immigration.”

In a recent national poll of registered voters by the New York Times/Sienna, “51 percent said they thought the government was deporting mostly people who ‘should be deported,’ while 42 percent said the government was deporting the wrong people.”

That poll, too, found respondents wrestling with the administration’s aggressive tactics.

“More than half of voters, 53 percent, think the process of deporting people has not been fair; 44 percent said it was mostly fair,” according to The New York Times.

How Colorado leaders are responding to federal actions

Some Coloradans praised the work of elected officials to stand in the way of federal immigration enforcement. 

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has used his office’s powers to fight against federal immigration actions, from defending in-state tuition for noncitizen students to suing a sheriff’s deputy for involving ICE in a traffic stop that resulted in the detainment of a college student.

In the spring, state lawmakers passed a bill designed to protect undocumented immigrants from coming to the attention of federal authorities. And over the summer, Colorado’s Democratic members of Congress toured the state’s only immigration facility in Aurora, only to leave with more questions than answers. 

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow speaks alongside, from left, U.S. Reps. Brittany Pettersen, Joe Neguse and Diana DeGette after Colorado officials toured the GEO Group-run ICE detention center in Aurora on Aug. 11, 2025. Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline

Colorado governments are in danger of losing federal funds and the state is being sued by the federal government for so-called sanctuary policies, but Democratic leaders have so far resisted the administration’s pressure campaign, arguing immigration enforcement is not the state’s problem.

That doesn’t mean inter-agency coordination isn’t happening. Despite state laws strictly limiting when officials can cooperate with ICE requests, state agencies were found to have provided federal immigration officials with Coloradans’ personal information in response to subpoenas several times this year. Those actions by the Polis administration have riled fellow Democrats and immigration advocates.

Looking ahead

Even though state laws prohibit local law enforcement from helping federal agents, targeted immigration raids continue to take place across the state, including outside of metro regions. In the last couple of weeks, local news outlets have reported on an incident in Alamosa where ICE detained a family with a baby inside a vehicle at gunpoint, smashing a car window, and a situation in Routt County where a county commissioner was blocked by ICE vehicles.

For Pierce, it’s not just new policies that have made it difficult for him – or other lawyers – to do this job. He’s seen announcements of immigration court judges resigning or being fired, resulting in longer processing times for cases. Clients are also being transferred to detention facilities out of state, making it hard to connect with their legal counsel and putting them at risk of being deported within days. 

“So when it comes to hurting people, the system’s gotten a lot faster. When it’s come to helping people, the system’s gotten a lot slower,” he said.

The majority of Pierce’s cases involve Afghan men who fought alongside the U.S. military during the Iraq War and are now waiting to get legal residency. Most of them filed petitions in 2022 or 2023 but still don’t have a court date set. With the reimposition of the so-called Muslim ban by the Trump administration this summer, it has been difficult for them to be reunited with their families. Pierce says these policies betray a promise made by the U.S. government for fighting alongside its troops. 

The situation is leaving the men with two options: risk likely death to join their families back home or wait in the U.S, in the hope that their families will eventually be allowed to join them. 

It’s gotten so bad that Pierce has found himself for the first time ever advising people to seek asylum in Argentina or Chile. He’s even started to offer powers-of-attorney services so that family or friends with U.S. citizenship can take control of bank accounts and other assets if their loved ones are rapidly deported.

“I’ve dedicated my life to this, but the good legal advice has become, ‘Hide, or go somewhere else.’”

The post Coloradans conflicted over promised immigration crackdowns and the realities of how they are carried out appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

According to video captured by bystanders and statements from the Aurora Police Department, an officer fatally shot Rajon Belt-Stubblefield at approximately 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Billings Street in Aurora. The APD officer shot Rajon Belt-Stubblefield following a traffic stop.

Content warning graphic violence

Video captured by bystanders shows Belt-Stubblefield exiting his vehicle and approaching the officer. Witnesses state that Belt-Stubblefield was directed to exit his vehicle by the APD officer. As he turned his head, appearing to point toward the accident, the officer punched him in the back of the head. Belt-Stubblefield moved toward the officer and raised his fists. The officer then fired multiple rounds, dropping Belt-Stubblefield to the ground. Witnesses say no medical aid was given for an extended period, while the officer was quickly driven away from the scene.

MiDian Shofner, CEO of The Epitome of Black Excellence, and founder of 8PM Consulting for Humanity, was rear-ended in the police chase leading up to the shooting. Shofner immediately started livestreaming the situation. 

“[The Officer] shot this man unarmed,” Shofner said on Facebook Live. “ A less lethal option was an option. This is not ok. And where did they take the officer? They just literally put him in a car and sped off.” 

Shofner also noted that Belt-Stubblefield’s young son was in the car during the shooting.

Many commenters on the livestream tried to piece together what they had seen.

“APD was pursuing a car and APD rear-ended MiDian and other drivers,” commented viewer Kenbe Fo. “I am worried about MiDian and if she is okay after this incident, and of course the man who was shot—no word on if he survived. No aid was immediately rendered to him, as MiDian has said. Belt-Stubblefield was later pronounced dead following the APD shooting.

Members of the community argue that this comes at a time where APD have established a substantial reputation for violence against people of color, such as Elijah McClain and Kilyn Lewis to name a few. 

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain told reporters that the officer believed there was a gun on the ground, and that Belt-Stubblefield approached the weapon. Multiple witnesses and those who reviewed the videos dispute that claim, saying Belt-Stubblefield was unarmed.

The Aurora Police Department later posted that “additional officers responded to assist and [provide] first aid until medical personnel arrived. The involved officer has been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy.”

Candlelight Vigil for Rajon Belt-Stubblefield courtesy of Jeff Fard

Last night, many residents, community members, and activists attended a candlelight vigil in honor of Belt-Stubblefield’s memory. Grief hung heavy as speakers shared memories and voiced anger toward Aurora police and city leaders.

Yellow Scene Magazine has submitted two requests to the Aurora Police Department for the official police report, and the body-cam footage. 

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post Aurora Officer’s Shooting of Rajon Belt-Stubblefield Sparks Community Outcry appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

These American Crossroads: Stories of Resistance and Persistence from the United States’ Heartland

President Trump’s federal administration makes no secret of leaning into authoritarianism, from openly defying the courts’ Constitutional role to imposing illegal policies rooted in cruelty. Every average American will share in feeling the impact of policy choices defunding healthcare, eliminating education, xenophobic immigration rules, even challenging our understanding of the objective truth. While our nation’s most populous coastal cities get disproportionate media coverage, someone needs to keep an eye on the center of the country. Many of the electoral college votes for president in 2024 from these plains states went to President Trump, but many more chose to abstain or to vote otherwise. In the contemporary age of misinformation it has become more important than ever to share truthful stories from the ground, centering real American voices.

“These American Crossroads” is a collaboration between national award-winning multimedia journalist Vince Chandler, and Yellow Scene Magazine, Boulder County’s last independent newsroom. Community supported and in support of the community, Vince is embedding with activists and political organizers across the central U.S. to share stories about real people having real impact as they advocate and fight for their neighbors and our nation. Crisscrossing the country in a near-constant loop from Colorado to Ohio, you can follow along with Vince’s stories on your favorite social media platform and right here in Yellow Scene Magazine.

Help us raise the funds to support Vince’s work for “These American Crossroads.” Every dollar helps fuel the next leg of the journey — and gets us one step closer to building the only record of this moment that centers truth, dignity, and community, and we hope, influence policy changes that impact all Americans. We’re not stopping until Vince runs out of gas and they’re already on the road.

Click the headline to read more. This page will be updated as new stories are added to the series. 

8 Kansans Arrested, 3 Days of Protest in D.C.

Arriving in Arlington, Virginia the first task in getting to know one another was dinner. Heading to the grocery store they pulled the list of dietary restrictions and shopped cautiously, adhering to meet the group of fourteen’s needs with as broad a selection as possible. Plant-based dairy free cheese was found while ingredient labels read twice to be sure they were free from mushrooms.

The care taken in the early stages reflects the intentional, careful consideration that had united these organizers, activists and fueled the trip to D.C. Weeks earlier, an article discussing the initial decision by President Trump to deploy National Guard troops into Washington was shared into a statewide group chat. Shelby Hermosillo, from Salina seized her Jerry Maguire moment and asked who was going with her.

Shelby Hermosillo, of Salina, Kansas, is led out of the Dirksen Senate Building Cafeteria by Capitol Police after being arrested for participating in a nonviolent protest against proposed cuts to Housing and Urban Development in the 2026 Congressional Appropriations Bill. The Free State Advocates travelled to Washington D.C. to join Popular Democracy for an act of civil disobedience, eight Kansans, Miranda Bachman, Shelby Hermosillo, Olivia Phillips, Gary Phillips, Becky Norlin, Christie Peterson, Michelle Jones, Sara Gillum were arrested. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

“It all just happened so fast, it was kind of like ‘are you kidding me?’” Hermosillo told Yellow Scene, reflecting on the quick build and immediate reception of her idea. “It was my last straw, because we’d been standing out there protesting every week, doing the things, making yard signs, doing all these little things and as much as it matters I didn’t feel like we were getting anywhere. I was ready to go to DC and face it. I messaged the group chat and just asked ‘anyone want to go to DC? Let’s rally together, let’s go.’”

Soon, the group had leadership from twelve statewide organizations equaling fourteen people were confirmed. Reigning the momentum, the group of experienced organizers transitioned from ideation to activation. Immediately, fundraising began and plans were made.

A rental home in their budget was found only miles from the Capitol, one they could all share. Virtual meetings were set to share personal experiences and plan for everyone’s role. For some, this would be their first time traveling to the east coast, their experiences building movements at home were extrapolated and applied. Representatives from Leading Kansas, Midwest Unrest, Sunflower Coalition, Noisy but Necessary, Kansas Impact Coalition, Central Kansas Activists, Arc of Justice, Franklin County Action Network, KC Women’s Action Collective, 50501 Kansas, Boots on the Ground, Indivisible, and “likely more,” coordinated and collaborated, concluding in an action plan.

“It was just inspiring, ” Malice, an organizer in Kansas City for KC Women’s Action Collective, told Yellow Scene. “We had so many people from different backgrounds, from different areas with different levels of experience and reasons for being involved. We had queer people, we had disabled people, we had young people, we had old people, seeing people that were so diverse coming together for the same purpose is what we want to see around the country. This was an example that it could happen.”

“I’m biracial, and looking back in history at the civil rights movement, we’re following the pathway that has created change, movement, for the rights we have now. I felt as though I was doing a very similar thing protesting in this way, causing civil unrest like my grandparents and great grandparents stood with in the 60’s.” says Olivia Philips, who was one of the eight arrestees on September 10. “ We come from the center of the country and we’re not getting heard. I feel like it’s monumental for us to travel all the way to D.C. and make a stand like this.”

The first question to be answered: what would they like to accomplish? They wanted to carry the voices of their neighbors, the messages from the signs which surround them in their separate corners of Kansas, to their elected leaders. They wanted to confront the National Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They wanted to speak directly with their representatives in Congress. Some were willing to risk arrest to take a stand.

Punk Rock is Political, Cleveland’s Gay Metal Bar Won’t Let You Forget

Oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller re-established Cleveland as a prosperous city of wealth during the second Industrial Revolution, building the city in his image of splendor while creating distinct divides between the baron class owners and the workers who generated his fortune. Like other industrial cities in the region, it has felt the impact of the departure of manufacturing, slipping into disrepair bearing signs of dilapidation.

Drag performer Homer E. Rodick points to the sky while show host Bram Stroke-Her faces the audience during a performance raising funds for TransOhio at No Class in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

Clevelanders in this eastern gateway to the Heartland insist, however, that their city is worth fighting for. Cognizant that they’ve been left picking up the tab for political corruption, they see the wealth gap that fuels the profits of billionaire developers and energy conglomerates, while leaving themselves and their neighbors behind. Recently, there has been a push back at the continued exploitation of the lakefront midwest metropolis, as the people work to build community first campaigns and organizations to reinvigorate and revitalize their town from the grass roots.

To do that, it takes people. Those people need the place to gather safely. At No Class, they find solidarity in a space where art and conversation can thrive. Existing for years as Now That’s Class before Jochum took ownership, the space organically transformed from crust punk hovel to its current existence as No Class, what can only be described as a gay metal bar. Show attendees may not know it when they walk through the door, but they’ve entered a political space.

“It’s really hard to make people care, and I just care,” Jochum says, sitting on the venue’s back porch moments after finishing a board meeting with a local community development corporation. “Trying to get other people to give a shit about stuff has been a struggle, but we’re working on it.”

Workers Over Billionaires on Labor Day in Greeley, Colorado

With protests planned in Denver, Golden, Loveland, Boulder, left-leaning towns across the Square State, what would this call to action look like in a worker-strong county where President Trump won by 21 points?

As the scheduled start time approached, more than one hundred people were walking along the tables set up by organizations and volunteers with further calls to action, more opportunities to raise their voices. Some carried signs, prepared for the march starting in an hour. With a tap on a microphone, a chant was encouraged by the amplified voice starting the programming.

Protestors rally during a march through downtown Greeley, Colorado, chanting and waving signs at passing traffic during the Workers Over Billionaires day of action on Labor Day, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, newly created in response to population change, stretches from the north Denver suburbs of Thornton and Arvada stretching to its farthest northeast population center in Greeley. Between lays a spectrum of exurban and rural communities, housing quite the range of philosophical and political ideologies.

Currently represented in the House of Representatives by Republican Gabe Evans, the seat was founded in 2024 by Democrat Yadira Caraveo. Now, it is widely considered one of the most competitive race in the fight for control of the Capitol. As the Governor rejects following California and Texas in redrawing districts (and Missouri joins that conversation), this Colorado race is one that could decide the balance of the U.S. legislature in 2026.

And to recognize Labor Day, the unions and political organizers did not miss the chance to make that clear. For an hour, the microphone was passed between candidates – vying for city council, mayor, and Representative Evans’ Congressional seat, including State Treasurer Dave Young – and union leaders.

Fun Runs and Torah Study, Omaha Organizes for Palestine

Organized in coordination with Ohio-founded HEAL Palestine, this midwest waterfront park was hosting a 5k and fun run named for Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl who the IDF publicly killed alongside the paramedics saving her life following a previous by Israeli forces. In the first attack, 335 bullets were fired from a tank at the car occupied by children, while Hind’s 15-year-old sister called for help on the phone. Hind was the only one to survive, only to be killed when help arrived.

To remember Hind, and to raise direct aid for children like her who are experiencing the occupation, today’s 5k offered an opportunity to educate and advocate without confrontation. Collaborators from local organizations offered their individual expertises to provide medical training and care, production equipment and entertainment.

Registrants sign in for the Hind’s 5k race in Heart of American Park in Omaha, Nebraska. The event, named for a 5-year-old girl killed by Israel was held to raise funds for pediatric medical care in Palestine. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

After registering and receiving your official race bib, you walked the path through the park past mutual aid organizers and representatives from HEAL Palestine. Nearing the starting line brings a wave of pregame jitters, that nervous anticipation athletes permeate as they prepare for their event. Families with newborns in their jogging strollers, teens taking selfies in their friend groups, millennials stretching and warming up (because they came to win).

A snack table laden with BDS approved goodies and water opened up to where the speakers stood, the first starting to tap the microphone. Kayla, the day’s emcee and event organizer, takes a moment to remind everyone of what brought everyone together today before a moment of silence in remembrance of Hind and the children of Palestine.

“To carry her memory, to honor her life, and to stand for the right of every Palestinian child to be safe and free.”

Kansas Organizers Call for Gen Z Participation

Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna Repass was on the stage with a message for the younger generation in the room, asking they take it with them to their friends and peers. The daughter of a civil rights activist, she reflected on a moment in her youth when her mom encouraged the family to continue the fight for equity. To build on her generation’s progress rather than accepting their strides as enough.

David Hogg, recently ousted as Vice Chair for the Democratic National Committee, speaks from stage at Pitt State University during an event hosted by the Kansas Young Democrats on Saturday, August 16, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

She reminded her children that they couldn’t coast on the accomplishments of an earlier time. The laws of physics even against them, if they don’t create their own momentum the smallest force can stop – even push back – a coasting object. Standing before the audience that day, Repass implored the crowd to not coast, to actively get involved and to listen to younger voices as they work to build a coalition in support of American liberties.

With a roar of applause, she concluded and introduced the morning’s headline speaker: David Hogg. The Gen Z organizer and gun regulation activist strolled on to the stage, cooly and calmly grasping the microphone. The recently ousted former Vice Chair for the Democratic National Committee recounted how hard it was to be a voice in a room of leaders where no one else is under thirty.

“The biggest obstacle to success for our party – and I believe the best is yet to come – is that we’ve become the part of ‘we can’t,’” he told the packed house. “It feels like we’ve become the party of incrementalism in the face of atrocities that are happening and blatant violations of the Constitution. I’m tired of being the party of strongly worded letters.”

Showing Up For Democracy and Demanding Peace in Missouri

Missouri, a +18 President Trump state, seems to be in-line with many of the MAGA authoritarian decisions when looking at electoral politics. When voting for candidates with a party identity, for a representative, the GOP consistently wins statewide.

When the people are asked about policy, though, there are breaks from party platform standards. With practically an inverse voter split on the same 2024 ballot which gave the state’s ten electoral college votes to President Trump, voters overwhelmingly chose to raise the state’s minimum wage – also mandating that workers’ wages will increase with inflation – as well as requiring paid sick leave.

By an even wider margin they chose not to divert court fees to fund law enforcement retirement benefits. Those same voters also narrowly called to create a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to abortion.

The state’s Republican-controlled State House and courts, mirroring the federal administration’s authoritarian behavior, immediately got to work undoing the will of the voters. In July, Governor Mike Kehoe signed into law the bill repealing the voter-chosen paid sick leave decision and the workers’ wage increases with inflation.

On August 12, the state’s Supreme Court declined to decide on Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s challenge on the voter approved abortion amendment, deferring to a lower court. That particular attack on the rationale of the electorate will continue while the power individual voters can have will be brought into question.

Following the Texas legislature’s lead, the MAGA state house will begin to explore options to fulfill President Trump’s direct request to intentionally gerrymander Republican-led states in an effort to add party members to the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislature is responding by carving a changed district around Kansas City, Missouri, to fulfill the President’s request for only party loyal members being added to Congress.

With the decision of whether the voices of Missourians will be reflected accurately at the polls being made by their representatives, the people are finding consistent and constant ways to be heard in the streets. On this particular morning, about one hundred of them are lining the sidewalks holding signs, flags, and cowbells with speakers playing patriotic protest anthems raising their volume in support of saving their republic.

Solidarity, Bipartisanship, and Satanic Protest in Kansas

Conservative Kansas is the contemporary reality in the state the Westboro Baptist Church calls home. While registered

Almost 500 Kansans gather on the south steps of their State House for a group photo in solidarity with the 50501 nationwide Rage Against the Regime protest organized in all fifty states on August 2, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine).

Republicans have decreased by more than seven thousand people this year already, a majority of the state’s voters are GOP members. Nearly a million. The only group of voters to grow in 2025, by about 3,000 people, is the second largest pool: the unaffiliated.

Kansas has a history of standing ten toes forward for their principles. Bleeding Kansas fought a small war against Missouri slavers to found their territory as a Free Soil state. Infamous abolitionist John Brown first made national headlines by violently fighting against the institution on the eastern plains, years before he’d be remembered forever for his failed attempt to start an enslaved persons revolt at Harpers Ferry. Touring the Capitol’s visitor center you’ll see that this radical history is still celebrated.

Bang the Pots, Colorado Protests Palestinian Starvation in Capital

Journalist Bisan Owda, in Palestine, has bravely shone a spotlight on these cruel tactics’ impacts on her people. Around the world, people scroll through their feeds of baking tips and hyperspecific interests with the occasional mention of the atrocities being committed on the coasts of the Mediterranean. Too many quickly scroll past, searching for the next placating escape.

Protestors for Palestinian liberation demonstrate on the west side of Colorado’s capitol building in Denver Colorado. Answering the call from Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, hundreds of Coloradans gathered across the capital city to clang empty cookware in protest of the forced famine in the occupied Palestinian Territories on July 24, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine).

To circumvent this social media ennui, Owda made a simple request: get loud. Their pots, their pans, their stomachs are empty and while the Freedom Flotilla carves their way toward their shores, little other help seems to be fighting through the occupier’s embargo. So, the globe was asked to take their own empty kitchenware and demand that the Palestinian’s be filled.

In Denver, Colorado, under a grey sky threatening storms, hundreds of sympathetic people heard the call. The first sharp clanks or metal ladle on sauce pan were soon joined by the dull thuds of wooden spoons on lobster pots. Metal lids became improvised cymbals, 5-gallon paint buckets became plastic drums. A hammer hitting a sign post made a metallic rattle which could be heard blocks away.

“We don’t have the usual programming, we’re not doing speeches today,” organizers at the Capitol announced through their megaphones. “I don’t know what’s left to be said! We went from ‘free Palestine,’ to ‘ceasefire,’ to ‘stop starving them.’ What’s next?”

Faith Drives Direct Action in Nebraska

The Urban Abbey is a gathering space, a safe place, for the marginalized and ostracized in Omaha, Nebraska. Deliberately established between the gentrifying luxury condos in the historic downtown and the spaces where the poor and unhoused gather and camp, the coffee shop and bookstore are set up to be a catch-all for anyone looking for a third place and community.

Reverend Dr.Jane Florence speaks from the lectern during the Faith in Action Sunday morning church services at The Urban Abbey, in Omaha, Nebraska. “I had my own, calling into ministry, and it was undeniable…my own spiritual journey led me and it’s been good,” she reflected later to Yellow Scene while remembering her path to this progressive pulpit. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene).

Walking through the door, you do see less-than-subtle hints of the house of prayer. Holy water sits in a baptismal font, there are bible verses hanging framed on the exposed red brick wall. On the neatly arranged bookshelves titles like A People’s History of the United States sit only feet away from Marsha P. Johnson’s biography, on a shelf next to the gospel according to Mary Magdalene.

Founded by ordained Methodist minister Rev. Debra McKnight, Urban Abbey’s mission is to be “a space of radical hospitality connecting people to God and one another in everyday life.” They set out on a mission to not only reach people who felt disenfranchised or unrepresented by their church but to hear their needs and help see them be met. Even if it meant taking an activist’s approach.

Denver Demonstrators Demand Personal Privacy at Palantir Headquarters

Headquartered in Denver, Palantir is a technology company founded by PayPal architect Peter Thiel and his Stanford roommate Alex Karp. They create software systems meant to capture consumer and customer data and to quickly synthesize the information collected to drive decisions. Ones made by humans and artificial intelligence.

Protestors briefly occupied the plaza of The Tabor Center, where Palantir Technologies is headquartered in Denver, before Denver Police pushed them off of the private property to the sidewalk to join picketers and demonstrators assembled there, during an action to raise awareness about Palantir’s involvement in government surveillance of private citizens on July 14, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

In the private sector, that consumer data is used to help sell cheeseburgers or seat upgrades. With their largest clients, though, it’s used to choose who lives and who dies.

Last year, the U.S. Army, under the Biden Administration, gave Palantir more than $400,000,000 to help streamline their military force’s management of recruitment, deployment, and “readiness.” President Trump’s Department of Defense has since swelled their investment to more than $1,000,000,000 – anticipating a near future of increased need for military “readiness.”

In Iowa, Where Critical Race Theory is Banned, Retired Justice Teaches Race, Law and Iowa History

In 2021, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law banning public schools from teaching the historic and cultural impact of systemic racism or sexism. In a nation founded under principles of systemic exclusion, where women were not afforded the right to vote, own property, or even open a bank account and where Black Americans were first legally recognized as only 3/5 of a human being.Teaching that important context was no longer allowed in the classroom.

Retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice Brent Appel works on his computer in his office in the faculty bay at Drake University’s Law School, researching the connections and threads impacting Black Iowans through their legal system, from the writing of the state constitution to how it contrasts with contemporary federal law on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellow Scene Magazine)

MAGA Republicans had recently focused their ire on the scholarly and legal framework of critical race theory. Though decades old in academia, the term had been catapulted into the zeitgeist by then-former President Trump and his allies as an attack on the comfort of white Americans who – they believed – would be better served by not knowing about the rippling legacies of subjugation in this country.

Schools districts in the state have already ended their Black History Month programming as more teachers say they see self-censoring for fear of losing funding in their schools.

At Drake University, a young Black law student found an opportunity to be sure his peers in the law – at least – would graduate and enter their careers with the important historical context of the law with his instructor, retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice Judge Brent Appel.

Community Art, Music & Joy for Aurora ICE Detainees

Darkness crept around and it was decided it was time to turn up the volume and for the final three bands of the evening to take the stage – performing over the crowd before them for those locked inside behind.

Flobots frontman Jonny 5 gestures to a sign reading ICE while singing a bilingual protest song during a community action at the A large crowd of people fill the tree lawn and sidewalk outside of a chain link cage and prison windows, spilling in to the street around parked cars, while hanging an art installation and singing for the detainees inside a GEO private prison facility licensed as the federal ICE processing center in Aurora, CO on July 7, 2025. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellowscene)

“I don’t know if Tim Hernández is still here,” Flobots’ Jonny 5 said as the Denver hip hop group took the stage, “but I’m reminded tonight of something he once said. We cannot become the thing we hate.”

Referencing the Colorado educator and former State House Representative’s assertion that authoritarianism robs the community of creativity and joy, he reminded the crowd that we have to have energy to have power, and our power is rooted in collective good.

Closing the evening with a wildly high energy set which included their Billboard charting hit “Handlebars,” the crowd amplified their reminder of joy as resistance, allowing it to ripple through the concrete and steel separating families and communities from their loved ones inside.

Fourth of July in Trump Country, CO

As the Fourth of July approached and House Republicans worked through the night to garner the necessary votes to pass President Trump’s landmark One Big Beautiful Act by his Independence Day deadline, some in Colorado asked themselves what there could possibly be to celebrate this year.

Cylus smiles and watches the sparks from a handheld firework pour over his head as he awaited the night sky to get dark enough for the fire department to begin the large 4th of July firework show with his mom in Rocky Ford, Colorado. (Photo by Vince Chandler / Yellowscene)

The bill’s impact is projected to hit Colorado’s rural communities especially hard.

Estimates are that nearly 241,000 residents of the square state will lose their health care because of the bill’s $900 billion cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. Disabled and chronically ill residents will have to leap through new loops to continue to receive life-saving care.

As protests were planned in the state’s urban centers, where the majority of the population lives and where s plurality gave Colorado to Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, the question remained: What were people celebrating in this moment?

And where to go, to find out?

On a clear day, the Rocky Mountains are just visible in your rear view mirror. They serve as a subtle reminder that you’re still in Colorado, though the plains rising to meet you begin to mirror neighboring Kansas.

Turning East from Pueblo, where voters flipped then flopped between Presidents Trump, Biden, and Trump again you enter the counties represented in Congress by Republicans like Congressman Jeff Hurd.

Here, you’re entering Trump Country, CO.

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Best known for capturing striking content from the frontlines of social movements, Heartland EMMY-nominated filmmaker and photographer Vince Chandler has spent 20 years creating art and documentary visuals across the U.S. They served as Communications Director for Denver City Councilwoman Shontel Lewis, and Vince has earned national recognition for their work as a visual journalist for The Denver Post. Vince was the principal cinematographer for the feature documentary film Running With My Girls, which premiered at the 2021 Denver Film Festival.

______________________________

What does resistance & resilience look like in the Heartland of America?

Sometimes it’s a protest outside an ICE detention center. Sometimes it’s a rural nurse explaining how Medicaid cuts will shutter the town hospital. Sometimes, it’s a law professor teaching systemic racism at a University in a state where CRT is banned in public schools.

As Trump’s second term unfolds — and the One Big Beautiful Act guts healthcare, empowers ICE, and reshapes American life — independent journalism is more vital than ever. However, the national press rarely shows up in the places where policy has the most impact.

We do.

These American Crossroads is a collaboration between Vince Chandler, Emmy-nominated visual journalist, and Yellow Scene Magazine, Boulder County’s only independent newsroom.

Become a sustaining supporter for just $8/month: https://fundrazr.com/Crossroads

The post These American Crossroads appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Plan seeks to add new natural-gas-fired plants and pave a pathway for nuclear energy. Many Coloradans aren’t sold on the benefits. 

Xcel Energy’s plan to transition away from coal-fired power plants to more renewable energy met resistance from residents and elected officials who say it does not go far enough to help Colorado meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals and could harm communities already reeling from the impacts of pollution. 

The plan, formally known as Xcel’s Just Transition Solicitation, has been under development since 2022. It includes plans to retire three coal-fired power plants in Pueblo, Hayden, and Craig. The plant in Pueblo will retire no later than 2031, while the plants in Hayden and Craig will retire in 2028. Xcel said the retirements will help the company reach its goal of reducing emissions by 80% by 2030. 

During a public hearing about the plan on April 28, approximately 60 Coloradans spoke against the plan. Some argued that it would make it more difficult for municipalities to meet their own greenhouse gas reduction goals by replacing the coal-fired plants with gas-fired power plants. Others worried about Xcel’s plans to include other energy sources like carbon capture, nuclear, or hydrogen mixed with natural gas, and their potential financial impacts.

The state Public Utilities Commission is expected to make a final decision about the plan in August 2025. 

Emily Baer, a member of the town council in Erie, told PUC that Xcel’s plan could hinder the state’s goals of achieving 100% clean electricity generation by 2040. She said it could also hinder Erie’s efforts to meet its aggressive energy plan, which calls for at least 25% of commercial power to come from renewable sources and have electric cars make up at least 30% of vehicles registered in town. 

Baer said Xcel should focus on creating new wind and solar plants, rather than building new gas-fired plants. 

“In addition to the negative health impacts, gas plants are expensive to build. Wind and solar plants are not,” she said. 

Colorado’s aggressive climate action goals and its push to become a leading state in electric vehicle adoption are two factors influencing Xcel’s Just Transition plan. The state wants to be 100% net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and has passed new laws that increase building performance standards and energy efficiency requirements. Overall, the utility provider estimates the state will need about 14 gigawatts of new generation and storage capacity to meet these goals. 

However, meeting these goals has been a source of significant political headaches. For instance, building owners in Denver have pushed back against the city’s stringent building performance goals, also known as Energize Denver, which set energy-saving targets for buildings that are 25,000 sq. ft. and larger. 

In early April, Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency adopted new rules to add some flexibility to those goals, like extending the deadline for compliance from 2028 to 2032 and adding ways for owners of financially distressed buildings to delay compliance. 

Gov. Jared Polis has also faced political roadblocks in his attempts to accelerate Colorado’s transition away from energy sources like fossil fuels and coal. Polis’ office developed draft legislation that would have required state utility providers like Xcel, Black Hills Energy, and Holy Cross to eliminate climate-warming emissions before the 2040 deadline. 

However, CPR reported the legislation wasn’t introduced during the 2025 legislative session because it faced significant pushback from business groups, utilities, and labor unions. 

“I’m hopeful we can find a pathway forward,” Andy Miller, climate and clean energy policy director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, told CPR News. “Especially facing federal headwinds against renewables and emissions reductions, it’s important for Colorado to continue being a leader in this space.”

Some elected officials who support Colorado’s clean energy transition were also concerned about the plan’s financial impact on their communities. Chris Nichols, the mayor of Craig, said his community and nearby Moffat could face a 15% decline in tax collections once Xcel’s power plant closes. Overall, Nichols estimated that Craig and Moffat could lose roughly $28 million in tax collections from the power plant’s closure. He asked PUC to ensure Xcel’s Just Transition plan includes a community assistance agreement to recoup that income over the next 10 years. 

Routt County is pursuing a similar agreement with Xcel to recoup $89 million over a 10-year period from the closure of the Hayden Plant. Xcel previously offered to pay $16 million, the Yampa Valley Bugle reported.

Nina Waters, a Summit County Commissioner, also expressed concerns about the financial impacts of Xcel’s transition plan. She argued that investing in new gas-fired power plants would undermine her county’s climate goals and threaten its snowpack, which she said is a primary driver of the county’s economy. 

“Snow is arriving later and melting earlier,” Waters said. “Wildfire seasons are lasting longer. These changes threaten not only our natural resources but the economic security of thousands of families in Summit County and beyond.” 

Local residents from across the Front Range also spoke against the nuclear power provisions in Xcel’s plan. Xcel proposed creating small nuclear power reactors in place of the retired power plants to help generate the additional electricity Colorado needs. 

Nuclear power has become a point of contention between utility providers, lawmakers, and local residents in Colorado over the last several years. Some argue that adding nuclear power could diversify the state’s energy portfolio and help reduce costs for homeowners. Others argue that environmental risks from creating nuclear waste storage facilities outweigh the potential financial impacts. 

Jeri Fry, co-founder of Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste, told Wyoming Public Radio that nuclear energy is a constant threat to her community in Cañon City, where about 5.8 million tons of radioactive waste are buried behind a berm. The waste came from the Cotter uranium mine, which operated from 1958 to 1979. There are hundreds of homes within a two-mile radius of the site as well. 

“These things have half lives that are centuries, millennia long,” Fry told Wyoming Public Radio. “And so a community that is not given full disclosure and full information about what they’re signing on to, could just get a horrible commitment.”

Julian Guevara, an organizer with Mi Familia Vota, expressed concerns about working-class families in cities like Pueblo bearing the brunt of the environmental impacts resulting from nuclear power. He asked PUC to instead consider supporting more reliable and safer renewable energy alternatives like wind and solar. 

“The future of Pueblo’s energy economy should not be built on unproven, high-risk nuclear technology that could saddle working families with sky-high energy costs and long-term radioactive waste concerns,” Guevara said. 

The post Colorado Asks PUC to Reject Xcel’s Just Transition Plan  appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Boulder NAACP, which announced its dissolution earlier this month, has been at odds with the City of Boulder and its new Chief of Police, Stephen Redfearn. In a recently filed civil lawsuit, former Boulder NAACP member Darren O’Connor alleges that Redfearn, the City of Boulder, and City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde violated his rights to free speech through retaliatory actions.

For a more comprehensive look into the dissolution of the Boulder NAACP and its members’ battle with the city thus far, see our previous coverage. The abbreviated version goes like this: due to Redfearn’s less-than-favorable history as a captain of the Aurora Police Department, specifically his post-mordum involvement with the wrongful death of Elijah McClain, members of the community spoke out against him taking the role of the Boulder Chief of Police.

Many formal complaints were made to the city of Boulder, specifically the city manager, Rivera-Vandermyde, urging them to reconsider his appointment in light of already deep-seated mistrust of the police. After much back and forth, which is covered in detail in our previous article, a mediated meeting was held between the Boulder NAACP and Redfearn in July 2024.

While the city of Boulder and Redfearn attempted to make members sign a confidentiality clause, they refused. Though the meeting did little to ease the minds of either party, things really began to escalate when Redfearn and Rivera-Vandermyde became aware that a member of the NAACP had recorded the meeting.

From there, according to O’Connor, Redfearn, and Rivera-Vandermyde began a smear campaign against him, leading to the Boulder NAACP’s falling out with the national organization, and other personal harm. Which brings us to the most recent lawsuit, filed April 29, 2025.

The suit alleges that Darren O’Connor faced retaliation after publicly opposing the appointment of Defendant Redfearn as Chief of Police for the Boulder Police Department. The complaint outlines seven claims of relief, asserting violations of both the Colorado and U.S. Constitutions.

The seven key allegations are as follows:

1. Retaliation for Freedom of Speech: Plaintiff contends that after voicing concerns about Redfearn’s appointment, Redfearn retaliated by disseminating false information about O’Connor, targeting his NAACP membership, filing complaints with the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel (OARC), and seeking criminal charges against him.
2. Retaliation for the Right to Association: The lawsuit claims that Redfearn’s actions led to the revocation of O’Connor’s NAACP membership, which infringes upon his constitutional right to free association.
3. Civil Conspiracy: It also alleges that Redfearn and Boulder City Manager Rivera-Vandermyde collaborated to discredit him through media misinformation, complaints to the NAACP, and attempts to initiate criminal proceedings, all in response to his protected speech and association.
4. First Amendment Retaliation (42 U.S.C. § 1983): The complaint asserts that Rivera-Vandermyde, acting under color of law, retaliated against Plaintiff’s free speech by spreading misinformation, targeting his NAACP membership, and seeking criminal charges.
5. Retaliation for Right to Association (42 U.S.C. § 1983): It is alleged that Rivera-Vandermyde’s actions, including filing complaints with the NAACP, led to the revocation of O’Connor’s membership, violating his right to free association.
6. Civil Conspiracy (42 U.S.C. § 1983): O’Connor claims that both Redfearn and Rivera-Vandermyde conspired to retaliate against him for exercising his First Amendment rights, resulting in harm to his reputation and associations.
7. Failure to Train: The lawsuit alleges that the City of Boulder failed to adequately train its officials, particularly Redfearn, on constitutional rights, leading to the violations experienced by O’Connor.

O’Connor seeks compensatory damages for physical, emotional, and mental injuries, as well as other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

Yellow Scene Magazine is no stranger to litigious battles with the city of Boulder, having won a civil suit concerning the timely and unedited release of body camera footage after an officer-involved shooting that left 51-year-old Jeannette Alartorre dead. These types of legal battles, though not as electrifying as the marches in the streets, are equally crucial in holding those who are charged to “protect and serve” accountable.

The post City of Boulder Faces Yet Another Lawsuit appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

By: Eric Strumpf

The Housekeys Action Network Denver (HAND) recently unveiled new survey data examining the state of hotel shelters in the Denver area. The report is part of ongoing efforts to examine the effectiveness of alternative sheltering models and make any improvements to better serve the homeless population. 

HAND’s survey data sheds light on the conditions of Denver’s hotel shelters, which have been used past their limit as temporary housing for homeless individuals since the start of COVID-19. The main problem that the survey addresses is the need to improve stable housing and find long-term outcomes for residents. 

From March through July 2024, HAND’s outreach team conducted surveys and interviews at Denver hotel shelter sites. One hundred seventy-five surveys and 60 interviews were conducted with the respondents, who were given $15 gift cards as compensation for their time.

The biggest takeaway from the data is that residents have a strong desire to allow guests into their homes and to improve transportation options. Additional data from the survey shows that 65.1% believe they will be housed within the 90-day time limit, while the remaining 34.9% do not believe this is enough time to find secure housing. 

Other issues found in the temporary housing include that over 30% of maintenance reports are not completed in a timely manner, and residents face problems such as trash pile-ups, dirty water from water fountains, and dead rodents on the properties. Throughout the last year, HAND received reports that their Best Western, DoubleTree, and Radisson shelters had a majority of these issues, along with problems such as black mold and a lack of access to laundry machines. 

“Resources should come faster. [They] told us we get housing, people with medical needs not getting help faster, been there 120 days and yet to talk to anyone [about] what I’m doing,” said a Best Western Resident during the HAND survey.

In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling permitting cities to enforce camping bans even without available shelter, Denver has intensified enforcement. HAND reported a 50% increase in arrests and citations related to anti-houseless ordinances from 2023 to 2024.

A significant concern highlighted in the survey data is the safety of residents at the shelter locations. In March 2024, a double homicide occurred at the DoubleTree location, leading to increased scrutiny of its safety protocols. 

According to a report by the Associated Press, the victims, Sandra Cervantes and Dustin Nunn, were found dead in a residential room at the former DoubleTree Hotel in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood. The coroner’s office listed homicide as the manner of death for both victims. 

Another resident, David Heitz, wrote about his experience visiting Fusion Studios, a homeless hotel operated by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The property details claim that units are fully furnished studios, equipped with a kitchenette, and offer a full-service food pantry for residents. 

Heitz talks about how at this location he has experienced rodents, fires, and was even assaulted by a fellow resident. He also lists other issues with the property, including an internet connection that doesn’t work and broken elevators. After constant complaints to the Colorado Coalition, he has been given nothing more than transfer tickets to different properties.

“When you put a bunch of formerly homeless people all under one roof – and don’t require substance abuse or mental health treatment – you’re going to have a lot of problems,” David Heitz told Newsbreak.

Through the survey data, you can find that the top responses when it comes to reasons for feeling unsafe are staff, drugs, abuse, and deaths on the properties. 

HAND suggests improved security as a first step to making all sites feel safer. HAND also suggests a more robust safety infrastructure that includes installing cameras, security lights, and automatic door locks. Then, to increase the number of staff who can be there for guests. 

One of the most critical resources for improving the living conditions of Denver’s unhoused is the Behavioral Health Solutions Center (BHSC). The BHSC has been serving as a vital resource for individuals who need immediate help. The center, located at 2929 W. 10th Ave., was opened in May 2021 and is operated by WellPower. WellPower is Colorado’s largest community mental health center, known locally and nationally as a model for innovative and effective behavioral health care. 

Council Resolution 25-0016, which renewed the city’s contract with It Takes a Village and added an additional $58,985, bringing the new total to $625,756, was approved with broad support. This secured the necessary funding to continue caring for individuals in crisis. The resolution passed with a 5-0 aye vote from Denver City Council Members. 

The following steps for HAND will likely include an extended analysis of expanding these services throughout Denver to create shelter models that are more effective and sustainable in the long term. The main goal of HAND is to help individuals transition from crisis care to permanent housing solutions. The future of homelessness and mental health care remains an evolving challenge, but solutions and programs are being tested to tame these challenges for the greater good of the community.

The post Housekeys Action Network Releases Survey Data of Hotel Shelters appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The scope and reach of the Trump administration’s willingness to weaponize Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport people who have caused “political dissent” has left many understandably concerned. Senate Bill 25-276, titled “Protect Civil Rights Immigration Status,” aims to strengthen civil rights protections for individuals in Colorado, regardless of their immigration status.

The bill sets restrictions on state and law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agencies and protects the immigration status of individuals looking to access basic services. The bill’s 7 key provisions are broken down below:

1. Elimination of Immigration Affidavit Requirements
   Previously, individuals without lawful immigration status were required to submit affidavits when applying for in-state tuition or driver’s licenses, affirming their intent to seek legal status. This bill removes those affidavit requirements, simplifying access to these services.?
2. Restrictions on Law Enforcement Collaboration with Federal Immigration Authorities
   The bill prohibits law enforcement officers from arresting or detaining individuals solely based on federal immigration detainer requests. It also bars jail officials from delaying the release of individuals who have posted bonds to facilitate immigration enforcement operations.?
3. Protection of Personal Information
   State agencies and their employees are currently restricted in collecting and sharing personal identifying information. This bill extends those restrictions to local government entities and their employees, enhancing privacy protections.?
4. Access Limitations to Public Facilities
   Federal immigration authorities are prohibited from accessing non-public areas in public institutions such as schools, childcare centers, and healthcare facilities without a judicial warrant. This measure aims to protect the privacy and rights of individuals within these facilities.?
5. Right to Challenge Certain Convictions
   The bill expands the ability for individuals to petition courts to vacate guilty pleas for certain misdemeanors and petty offenses if they were not properly informed about the immigration consequences of their pleas.?
6. Mandatory Institutional Policies
   By September 1, 2025, public institutions covered by this bill must establish clear policies regarding interactions with federal immigration authorities. These policies should outline procedures for handling information requests and designate staff responsible for compliance.?
7. Penalties for Non-Compliance
   Institutions that intentionally violate the provisions of this bill may face civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation. Funds collected from these penalties will be directed to the Immigration Legal Defense Fund.

Senate Bill 25-276 expands on the protections established by the 2019 “Protect Colorado Residents From Federal Government Overreach Act” by broadening restrictions on local cooperation with federal immigration authorities and strengthening civil rights protections for all residents, regardless of immigration status. While the earlier law limited law enforcement’s ability to honor federal immigration detainers, SB25-276 extends those restrictions to all law enforcement and adds prohibitions against sharing or collecting personal immigration-related information without legal cause.

It also bars public institutions like schools and hospitals from allowing federal immigration agents access to non-public areas without a judicial warrant, ensures individuals can challenge certain convictions if they weren’t informed of immigration consequences, mandates clear institutional policies on handling federal immigration requests, and imposes penalties up to $50,000 for violations—redirecting those funds to an Immigration Legal Defense Fund.

The introduction of this bill comes after the arrest and detainment of Immigration rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra. A petition for her release has over 13,000 signatures, and several protests have been held outside the ICE facility in Aurora where she is being held.

Earlier this month, Columbia student and organizer of last Spring’s pro-Palestinian student-led protests, Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested despite being a green card holder. His arrest was made when federal agents entrapped him during a phony citizenship test. Department of Homeland Security officials claimed that if Khalil had mentioned his intentions to protest on his citizenship applications, he would have never been allowed into the country in the first place.

In Maryland, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was wrongfully arrested and deported to El Salvador, despite having a court order that specifically specified that he not be sent back to his home country due to the risk of violence at the hands of gang members who had been threatening his family. A federal immigration lawyer later admitted this was done in error, and the SCOTUS ruled to reverse the deportation immediately. Both the admin and El Salvador claim they are powerless to bring Garcia back.

Most recently, Trump has mentioned the idea of sending “homegrown,” ie, American citizens, to the prison camp in El Salvador. The Terrorism Confinement Center (Spanish: Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, abbreviated as CECOT) is a maximum security prison that was built in 2022. A 60-minute report found that of 238 Venezuelan migrants recently sent to CECOT, 75% had no criminal record, and at least 22% of the men had non-violent offenses such as theft, shoplifting, and trespassing.

Sponsors of SB 25-276 declined to comment when asked if the bill was in direct response to recent events at the federal level.

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The post New Senate Bills Aims to Shore Up Immigration Protections Under Mounting Concerns appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

On March 28, the executive committee of the Boulder NAACP branch announced that it was dissolving. The message landed as both unexpected and, in some ways, inevitable. Tensions between the branch, city officials, and the police department had been building for years, culminating in disputes that left many relationships strained. While some community members were aware of ongoing disagreements, few anticipated the abrupt shuttering of the organization. 

In recent years, the City of Boulder has taken visible steps to align itself with marginalized communities, including the creation of a racial equity department and the launch of a “Reimagine Policing” initiative. Despite these efforts, the city now finds itself navigating a rupture with one of its most prominent civil rights organizations. The breakdown raises difficult questions: What went wrong? And how did efforts at collaboration give way to mutual distrust? 

Adding to the confusion was the way the local NAACP branch made its announcement, with no clear coordination or communication with state or national leadership. Within days, higher-level NAACP officials entered the public conversation to push back. In a March 31 Instagram Live, Colorado NAACP President Portia Prescott stated, “We have a Boulder branch that actually is thriving,” and emphasized that “the only body with authority to dissolve a chapter is the national board.” The public contradiction left many uncertain about the branch’s status and marked a rare instance of open disagreement between local and national leadership.

What is clear is that, within a matter of days, Boulder’s NAACP went from being a key player in the city’s civic landscape to being at odds with both the local government and the national organization. Through exclusive interviews, Yellow Scene Magazine is unpacking what led to this breakdown and what’s at stake for the community moving forward.

The Shadow of Elijah McClain

Any effort to understand this conflict must begin with the legacy of Elijah McClain.

In 2019, McClain died after being violently detained by Aurora police and injected with ketamine by paramedics. The incident sparked national outrage and led to lawsuits, criminal charges, and renewed demands for police reform.

At the time, Stephen Redfearn was a captain in the Aurora Police Department. Although he was not involved in the physical confrontation that led to Elijah McClain’s death, he was present during its aftermath and played a role in the administrative decisions that followed. Among those actions was the reclassification of the incident report—from “suspicious person” to “assault on officer.” While the change drew little attention at the time, it would become a focal point of controversy years later.

In October 2024, the Boulder NAACP published a press release criticizing City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde’s decision to promote Redfearn to Chief of Police. They described his alteration of the call log as tantamount to a “cover-up” and emphasized his connection to the McClain case:

“He was the Nightshift Duty Commander overseeing the officers responsible for Elijah McClain’s death, as well as the leader of a brutal assault with chemical weapons against violin vigil participants honoring Elijah McClain’s memory.”

By that point, Redfearn had served three years in Boulder and had acted as interim chief. To city officials, he was a seasoned candidate with local experience, and they continued to support him despite the criticism. Redfearn defended his reclassification of the logs as a procedural decision made after speaking with the officers involved in the incident. According to him, the change aligned with department policy. But to members of the Boulder NAACP, it reflected a deeper cultural concern: a willingness to adjust official records in ways that could obscure or minimize misconduct.

Their concern extended beyond a single form or call log. Redfearn’s tenure in a department with a well-documented history of excessive force raised broader questions about the values and priorities he might bring to leadership. For the Boulder NAACP, this was not just a matter of personnel. It was a matter of trust, transparency, and the kind of leadership the city was choosing to endorse.

The Meeting That Changed Everything

In July 2024, before the press release, Boulder’s NAACP hosted a public town hall on criminal justice, where they publicly discussed their concerns about Redfearn. City officials responded by proposing a private mediated conversation to repair trust and build a collaborative relationship.

It didn’t go as planned.

According to those present, what began as a cautious conversation quickly unraveled after Redfearn commented on the NAACP president’s facial expression. She pushed back, asserting her right to respond and process information in whatever way came naturally. Other members jumped in, calling the comment a form of hyper-surveillance and an example of racial policing in interpersonal spaces.

The exchange derailed the meeting. Criminal Justice Chair Darren O’Connor, who attended, later described Redfearn’s reaction: “It seemed like Redfearn lost it and refused to talk for a while. A mediator actually told him, ‘This is the kind of thing that gets people killed.’”

In the aftermath, NAACP members left the meeting convinced Redfearn lacked the temperament and perspective to lead. Redfearn, by contrast, was reportedly frustrated and blindsided by the confrontation.

The Fallout

Unbeknownst to city officials, a member of the NAACP had recorded the meeting. Shortly after, the group informed the city: if Redfearn was promoted, they would consider releasing the video. To the NAACP, this was a matter of accountability. They felt a responsibility to the community to release evidence they believed demonstrated that Redfearn was unfit to act as the Chief of Police. However, the city viewed the move as an underhanded threat to use a private conversation as leverage. What began as a chance to rebuild trust now appeared, to some officials, as bad faith.

From that point forward, collaboration gave way to confrontation. City leaders began referring to the Boulder NAACP as uncooperative and untrustworthy—no longer a partner but a problem.

In a public statement, city manager Rivera-Vandermyde wrote:

“What I cannot tolerate is unethical behavior by people who purport to stand for progressive community values but then act in intentional ways that break trust, undermine public processes, and distract us from our collective mission.”

The NAACP did not back down. In an interview with the Denver Post,  O’Connor responded:

“It’s very troubling that the city manager is more upset that we recorded her than about what her now-selected police chief had to say. She’s more worried about the fact we’re sharing that information than about what she heard, which was disqualifying.”

In the weeks that followed, Rivera-Vandermyde would file a formal complaint with national NAACP leadership. As a result, the Boulder branch was required to submit all public communications for pre-approval to avoid what national leaders called “inflammatory or unsubstantiated rhetoric.” Local leaders rejected the characterization that their communications were unsubstantiated but agreed to comply. As national leadership became more hands-on, city officials allegedly became openly hostile.

Chief Redfearn allegedly made disparaging remarks about NAACP members and reportedly targeted O’Connor’s law license.

“He claimed I had gone to the media, that I was acting as an attorney, and that I was asserting privilege and confidentiality about who recorded the meeting—or whether I did it myself,” O’Connor told Yellow Scene. “He provided a link to a completely unrelated article from two years ago,[…] where I wasn’t mentioned at all. […] He submitted that as proof to get my bar license revoked or sanctioned.”

He continued:

“He may have done it willfully and maliciously to try and get my life taken away […] in retaliation for our First Amendment activities.”

O’Connor also recounted a separate incident in which Redfearn reportedly told others he had flipped him off at a candidate forum, an accusation he said he only heard secondhand but came across to him as needlessly petty and directed. Both incidents pushed O’Connor to file complaints with the city manager. Both, he said, were dismissed as unactionable.

To the NAACP members, these attempts to undermine his legal standing were more than personal. They represented a dangerous trend: the normalization of silencing dissent not through dialogue but through institutional retaliation. 

NAACP President Annett James told Yellow Scene, 

“We were systematically undermined by city officials. I think that’s what we want our community to understand. […] This community just does not allow one to disagree and have that discussion in the public sphere.”

In the weeks following the failed mediation, the situation only continued to unravel. Darren O’Connor was suspended by national leadership after publishing an op-ed criticizing the city’s policing transparency dashboard. The official reason: the piece was not cleared by the national office and was considered “inflammatory and unsubstantiated.”

O’Connor disagreed with that characterization.

“You know, I had listened directly to Redfearn,” he told Yellow Scene. “What I wrote about was true. And I think the NAACP had just decided that, despite them saying the restrictions were narrow, pretty much anything we were going to put out was going to be flagged.”

O’Connor, President James, and VP Jude Landsman all said the national restrictions went far beyond avoiding defamation. To them, it felt like silencing.

Following O’Connor’s suspension, the Boulder branch entered a series of tense meetings with national leadership. According to members, the message was unmistakable: the national office had no intention of supporting the Boulder branch in its fight for transparency or in defending it against retaliation from the city.

“Everyone was completely dismayed and in disbelief,”  said President James. 

“ think that it was the straw that led the Executive Committee of the NAACP, the county branch, to see for themselves that basically, we had no rights, no opportunity to express ourselves. […] There was just no due process.”

No one from the national office, members said, reached out to hear Boulder’s side.

“There was absolutely zero effort to say, ‘Okay, what’s going on in Boulder? Tell us what happened.’ There was nothing.”

Instead of mediating or cooling tensions, the national office seemed focused solely on controlling the branch’s messaging. In the aforementioned Instagram Live session, Prescott dismissed news of the Boulder branch’s possible dissolution as “fake news.” The legal or administrative questions surrounding the branch’s future were arguably less urgent than the pragmatic ones: Why wasn’t the national NAACP standing up for its local leaders, and what guidance did it have for the community?

The Boulder branch told Yellow Scene they felt the national office had been weaponized by the city to paint them as uncredible and unruly. They argued that the assertion of control from above failed to grasp that the decision to dissolve came not just from pressure but from disillusionment. After meeting after meeting with national leadership, it became clear there was no real support system in place, no path forward where their advocacy would be protected.

The NAACP is an organization that has experienced growing pains as it transitions into the modern era. Reports of declining membership and struggles to remain relevant have plagued it in recent years. Likewise, past issues with local coordination and support have led to public and destructive episodes similar to what we’re now seeing in Boulder. In 2013, NAACP members in Connecticut criticized national leadership for caring more about “brand names and fundraising” than about the health of its local chapters. That comment followed a series of branch seizures, forced resignations, and restructurings—many of which, critics argued, could have been avoided with proper support.

As recently as last May, D.C. broadcaster Roland Martin interviewed half a dozen former NAACP local leaders, each describing their own experiences with what they saw as mistreatment and villainization by the national office.

Former NAACP president Betty Williams recalled:

“My branch was threatened. […] If they said anything in support of me, the entire branch would be shut down. So there are these bully tactics meant to silence people.”

These stories don’t amount to bulletproof evidence of wrongdoing, but they do offer context. They position Boulder’s experience not as an isolated incident but as part of a pattern of national leadership failing to lead and protect its grassroots advocates.

Are Boulder branch members beyond critique? Of course not. At times, they may have overplayed their hand, and the decision to record and later threaten to release footage of the mediated conversation warrants scrutiny. But that’s not the full story. So far, little attention has been paid to how leadership at both the city and national level contributed to the escalation and, ultimately, the implosion of this conflict. 

National leadership offered little in the way of guidance, focusing instead on punitive measures. They seemed uninterested in the specifics of the branch’s concerns about Redfearn or transparency in community policing. The city, meanwhile, allegedly responded to dissent with retaliation verbal harassment, threats against legal licenses, and what branch members described as a concerted attempt to delegitimize them entirely. These incidents were brought to the city’s attention and brushed off as unactionable.

City Manager Nuria Vandermyde has said it was never the city’s desire to see the branch close. But intentions aside, it’s hard to ignore the throughline between the city’s actions and the current situation. When it became clear that the branch would not be easily controlled, both the city and national office took steps that, intentionally or not, undermined the branch’s ability to function.

This is the crux of why Boulder leaders told Yellow Scene they felt dissolution was necessary. They feared the city’s endgame was to turn them into a symbolic entity, something that bore the name of the NAACP but had none of the autonomy or power to challenge real systems of harm. Given the city’s hostility and the national office’s dismissiveness, it’s hard not to see where that concern came from.

What’s Been Lost

Amid the political battle between the city, the local branch, and the national office, the biggest loss may be to the community itself.

The Boulder NAACP organized voter registration drives, legal aid workshops, and educational forums. In a political climate where DEI efforts are increasingly under attack, the collapse of a local civil rights institution leaves a visible and painful gap. Beyond their political advocacy, the branch hosted annual Freedom Fund celebrations, supported Black-owned businesses, and threw graduation parties for Black students. They were more than just activists—they were community builders.

Still, President James and her peers insist their work is far from finished.

“We’re not quitting,” she said. “We intend to continue, with or without the NAACP name.”

Like journalism like this? Support the local press that’s been telling the truth for 25 years. Become a sustaining member and get our monthly print edition at home. We’ve weathered 9/11, floods, fires, economic crashes—and some deeply chaotic years. With your support, we’ll keep going. Because democracy still depends on journalism.

The post Inside the Collapse of Boulder NAACP appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

After weeks of grassroots organizing, the “Hands Off!” protests erupted across Colorado on April 5, 2025, with a message that was impossible to ignore. From Denver to Colorado Springs, Fort Collins to Longmont, Boulder to Salida, thousands turned out to reject the overreach of the Trump administration and its so-called newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

In Denver, approximately 8,000 to 10,000 protesters filled the Capitol steps and spilled into surrounding streets, their chants echoing across Civic Center Park. Fort Collins rallied over 3,000 people at Civic Center Park, a multigenerational crowd holding signs like “Hands Off My Medicare” and “Save the USPS.” In Boulder, demonstrators stretched for two miles—lined up along sidewalks, curbs, and medians—with estimates suggesting several thousand turned out to show solidarity.

Longmont’s protest gathered more than 3,000 people at the intersection of 6th and Main, filling the heart of downtown. This wasn’t just a foot march—participants in cars circled the blocks with handmade signs in windows, honking in support. Based on our observations, roughly 90% of the honks were supportive, with just a few expressing opposition.

In Colorado Springs, estimates ranged from hundreds to thousands outside City Hall, as protesters carried signs condemning DOGE and defending public services. Even in more conservative Greeley, dozens stood outside the Weld County Courthouse—some attending their first protest ever.

These demonstrations were part of a growing national movement opposing federal policies that threaten Social Security, public sector jobs, immigrant rights, transgender protections, and consumer safeguards. Many protest signs also called for an end to U.S. complicity in global violence, including outspoken condemnation of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

While the numbers vary, reports range from one to two million people that joined “Hands Off!” protests across the United States, with solidarity actions held in at least five other countries. The more than 1,300 demonstrations were coordinated by a broad coalition that included Indivisible, MoveOn, 50501, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), alongside other labor unions, progressive advocacy groups, and pro-democracy watchdogs. The wave of protest began overseas in Europe before rolling across time zones—from East Coast cities in the morning to mountain towns and West Coast communities later in the day.

From Capitol steps to small-town intersections, young and old came together to say: Hands off.

Longmont, CO

Photos provided by Shavonne Blades, Kenneth Wajda 

Boulder, CO

Photos provided by Ann Nunn, Camino Nichole, Rob DeBarros (via public Social Media posts)

Video coverage from the BOCO Dems: https://www.facebook.com/BoCoDems

Denver, CO

Photos provided by Eddie Horn, Generic Art Dad, Marilyn Welsh, Sara Marcipan, Suz Wedaa, Tonya Bruch (via public Social Media posts)

Find great video coverage by Chris Godwin: https://www.facebook.com/chris.goodwin.319  and ProgressNow Colorado: https://www.facebook.com/ProgressNowColorado

Fort Collins, CO

Photos provided by Melinda Hassig, Orlando Archibeque (via public Social Media posts)

Colorado Springs, CO

Photos provided by Jenn Fuller (via public Social Media posts)

Pueblo, Salida, Durango, Grand Junction, CO

Photos provided via public Social Media posts

The post From Denver to Boulder: “Hands Off!” Protests Draw Thousands in Colorado — With Photos from the Ground appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

During the first days of Donald Trump back in the White House, the country has been hit by a wave of executive orders that threaten to dismantle LGBTQ+ protections, especially in states like Colorado, which are known for being one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly states in the country. 

But Colorado’s local government is not letting Trump bulldoze over blue-led strongholds. Attorney General Phil Weiser is leading the charge on a legal blitz to block Trump’s actions from hurting the state. 

According to Axios Denver, the state already had been in Trump’s line of sight with vows of starting deportation in Aurora. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston made a pledge to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation, drawing more attention to the state. This resulted in the federal government investigating Denver’s policies and threatening Denver’s sanctuary city policies. 

State law prohibits local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities to remove illegal immigrants, which currently goes against Trump’s mass deportation orders.   

But Johnston doesn’t regret his actions. Axios Denver reports that Johnston issued a warning to lawmakers in Washington that the state will “stand our ground if our residents are under threat,” he said. “We’re not going to be bullied or blackmailed.” 

Despite Johnston’s warning, the bullying tactics continue. In January, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights announced it would be investigating Denver Public Schools’ gender-neutral bathrooms. The department claimed this investigation was prompted by alarming reports that the Denver Public Schools District was denying female students a restroom comparable to males.

Chalkbeat Colorado shared the Denver Public Schools District’s statement. The district reiterated that the restroom was added “as the result of a student-led process that reflects our commitment to inclusivity and student voice, leadership, and empowerment, providing a welcoming space for all.” The district added, “This restroom serves all students, including those who may feel uncomfortable in gender-specific facilities, and aligns with our values of supporting every student.” 

It should be noted that the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights failed to mention in its announcement that Denver schools do provide designated restrooms for female and male students. Known for having the nation’s first elected gay governor, Colorado has been a leader in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Gender-neutral restrooms within public schools, which are a testament to that support, are now under threat from Trump. 

In response to Trump’s executive orders and inference into Denver’s LGBTQ+ policies, Attorney General Phil Wieser is putting Colorado on the front lines with numerous lawsuits. On behalf of the state, he has joined at least 11 lawsuits from attorney generals across 21 states. Two of the most important lawsuits are about federal challenges the state is currently facing. 

 

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A post shared by Colorado Attorney General (@coag_philweiser)

The state filed a lawsuit with three others to void Trump’s order that ended federal spending on hospitals providing gender-affirming care and, in the process, criminalized doctors who assisted in these services. 

This lawsuit resulted in a win for Weiser and the state as services resumed, and the Colorado Sun reported that Weiser said if Trump’s order was allowed to stand, it would have caused “irreversible physical and mental health harms for transgender youth” and added, “Gender-affirming care is legally protected health care in Colorado, and with this lawsuit, Colorado hospitals will again be free to provide critical care.” 

As a sanctuary city, Trump’s executive order to end citizenship for U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants threatens the city. Weiser’s lawsuit argues that citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and federal law. In a statement, Wesier said, “The executive order cannot be allowed to stand, and I will fight to ensure that all who are born in the United States keep their right to fully and fairly be a part of American society as a citizen with all its benefits and privileges.” 

This ban will not only strip individuals of their basic rights but also cause states to lose federal funding that provides basic rights. 

The legal battles waged by Wesier on behalf of Colorado highlight how blue states are fighting Trump’s efforts to reshape national policies. From protecting sanctuary city policies to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, Colorado refuses to back down.  

The post Trump v. Colorado: AG Phil Weiser Challenges Trump’s Executive Orders appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Last November, Republican Yazmin Navarro defeated incumbent Democrat Rhonda Solis in the race to represent Colorado’s 8th district on the State Board of Education. Navarro’s victory marks the completion of a silent coup that threatens to undermine its public schools and election integrity.

Navarro is an unconventional candidate. A former substitute teacher, she entered the race with limited teaching and political experience. By contrast, Solis brought years of service as a local school board member, over a decade of broader community engagement, and the advantage of incumbency. How did a first-time candidate manage to overcome these odds and flip a key seat? While multiple factors were at play, one stands out: over $300,000 was spent on Navarro’s behalf. The outsized role of dark money in this race cannot be ignored.

What is Dark Money?

The term “dark money” has become ubiquitous in discussions of Colorado’s education races, often leaving it feeling like a vague buzzword. Dark money refers to funds spent to influence elections by organizations that are not required to disclose their donors. Unlike other forms of campaign funding, which are subject to strict rules regarding limits, transparency, and reporting, dark money operates largely in the shadows. This lack of accountability is one of the primary concerns. Voters have no way of knowing who is behind the influx of money shaping elections. Beyond transparency issues, dark money undermines democratic processes. Millions of dollars poured into newspaper ads, television, and YouTube can easily sway election outcomes, especially in low-turnout races like those for school boards. According to the National School Boards Association, as few as 5 to 10 percent of eligible voters participate in these elections. In such contests, money holds disproportionate sway, potentially allowing a handful of wealthy donors to determine outcomes. 

Dark money played a documented and substantial role in Navarro’s success. A significant contributor was the Colorado League of Charter Schools (CLCS), a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to advance the interests of charter schools. This group poured thousands of dollars into Independent Expenditure Committees (IECs) supporting Navarro. Unlike Political Action Committees (PACs), which face strict contribution limits, IECs can funnel unlimited funds into campaigns to further their agendas. Navarro’s win appears less like an unexpected triumph from a passionate political newcomer and more like a demonstration of the power wielded by deep-pocketed interests. Navarro offered few concrete policy proposals during her campaign, with one notable exception: her strong support for school choice and expansion of charter schools. Navarro made this stance explicit on her Facebook page: “A win for Navarro this year would mean a win for charter schools.” She also stated, “This election will shape Colorado’s charter schools for years to come.”

Her messaging left little doubt about who stood to benefit from her victory.

Bribes, giving money from behind, hidden transactions

A Broader Trend: Money’s Influence in Education Elections

While the focus thus far has been on the 8th district race for the State Board of Education, this is far from an isolated case. Dark money’s influence has been felt in other education-related elections across Colorado, signaling a broader trend with significant implications for the future of public education and electoral integrity. Although much of the focus thus far has been on the 8th district race, it is just one of many education elections where dark money has played a role.

Last June, nearly $1 million was spent supporting Marisol Rodriguez’s attempt to defeat Kathy Gebhardt in the District 2 race. The spending was ostentatious enough to draw attention from various news outlets, including Forbes, and prompted a response from Rodriguez.

“I’m not fighting for charter schools, so no one is buying me in this election,” she told Boulder Weekly.

Despite Rodriguez’s statement, her ties to the charter school agenda are difficult to ignore. She is a former employee of the Walton Family Foundation, a prominent proponent of charter schools. Rodriguez has also worked as a consultant for several pro-charter organizations, including the Colorado League of Charter Schools (CLCS)—the same group that backed Yazmin Navarro. Rodriguez’s campaign, history, and associations all reflected her strong support for school choice—a stance that earned her substantial backing, most notably from an IEC called Better Leaders Stronger Schools (BLSS). BLSS, like CLCS, supports charter schools and is connected to a network of pro-charter organizations, including CLCS, which it has donated to. Despite the significant financial opposition, Gebhardt managed to retain her seat. 

Following her victory, she said, “I feel like people have spoken in support of public education and their public schools.”

Gebhardt entered the race with a strong foundation: years of experience on both local and national education boards, support from the teachers’ union, and the advantage of being a well-regarded incumbent. Her win demonstrates that candidates can overcome the influence of dark money and convey their message to voters despite substantial financial barriers. Unfortunately, this is not the entire story.

It has become increasingly clear that the attempts by organizations like CLCS and BLSS to funnel money into their preferred candidates are not isolated incidents. In 2023, Better Leaders Stronger Schools poured tens of thousands of dollars into education races in Districts 1 and 5, as well as the at-large seat. That time, they succeeded in ousting the incumbents. As in past races, their chosen candidates were all vocal, pro-charter advocates. One such candidate, Kimberlee Sia, was even a former CEO of the pro-charter organization KIPP Colorado and a board member of CLCS.

It is evident that very wealthy groups have a vested interest in promoting pro-charter candidates, investing hundreds of thousands, if not millions, into Colorado elections. But why the sudden surge in spending? One answer lies in the power of the State School Board. Charter schools have a strong interest in maintaining control of the board, as it provides a way to bypass uncooperative local boards. If a charter request is denied at the local level, it can be escalated to the state board. Historically, decisions have been evenly split in favor of and against charter schools, but recent events have heightened concerns among school choice advocates. Gebhard, for instance, drew the ire of charter school supporters after she denied a charter program that refused to include non-discrimination protections for gender identity and expression. This placed her on the radar of pro-charter organizations as a potential “threat” to their interests. Similarly, Solis raised alarms by voicing concerns about charter schools’ lack of transparency and accountability. Further rattling pro-choice advocates was a bill introduced last March aiming to enforce greater transparency in charter schools—a move some viewed as an  “attack.”  Though the bill was ultimately defeated in April, it reflected a growing push for regulation and accountability. As charters face heightened scrutiny, these recent electoral wins have been instrumental in securing a pro-charter majority on the state school board, offering them a measure of protection.

Charters and Discrimination

It’s important to clarify that neither Solis nor Gebhard could fairly be described as anti-school choice. Both have been vocal in supporting quality charter initiatives, and their records reflect that. Their criticism, however, centered on the lack of oversight for charter schools compared to public schools, particularly regarding issues of discrimination. It’s also worth noting that evidence, both in Colorado and nationally, suggests their concerns should be taken seriously.

In October 2021, charter schools in Colorado were found guilty of discriminating against disabled students. An investigation found that they not only enrolled fewer disabled students than public schools but also had lower enrollment compared to other charter schools in other states. The following year, a law was passed attempting to circumvent this ruling by allowing charter schools to deny disabled students enrollment. A complaint was filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, alleging that the law essentially permits legal discrimination. This legal matter is still ongoing and has not yet been resolved. Beyond disabled students, Colorado charter schools have faced criticism for potentially discriminating against racial and sexual minorities. 

As recently as last November, Liberty Common Charter School was found guilty of racial harassment, and Rocky Mountain Classical Academy is facing a lawsuit (still unresolved) for allegations of gender discrimination in its dress code. Nationally, similar cases of discrimination have consistently emerged from charter schools.

These cases point to two critical issues: First, there is legitimate cause for concern regarding discrimination and the lack of accountability in charter schools. Second, a state education board that is uncritically supportive of charter schools could lead to students—particularly those from already marginalized groups—being mistreated, harassed, or otherwise discriminated against. This situation underscores the significant risks we face when wealthy and powerful interests are allowed to influence and undermine our elections.

The Rise of City Fund

The nature of dark money, particularly when funneled through nonprofits, is its lack of transparency. These organizations face fewer requirements to disclose who is funding them and why, but that doesn’t mean we know nothing about their operations. We’ve already identified two nonprofits, CLCS, and Progressives Supporting Teachers and Students, that are focused on advancing the goals of charter schools. Tax documents reveal that both organizations receive much of their funding from a national nonprofit known as City Fund.

City Fund was co-founded by Netflix billionaire Reed Hastings and John Arnold, and they’ve been vocal about their goals. Hastings has publicly stated his opposition to democracy in school boards, advocating for an end to school elections instead. Why? He says appointed boards lead to consistency and “stable governance.” He leaves unsaid that this approach shifts power away from the average citizen and into the hands of charters and their wealthy donors. Hastings has also expressed a desire for the near-elimination of public schools, stating, “So what we have to do is continue to grow and grow… It’s going to take 20-30 years to get to 90% of charter kids.”

Through City Fund, Hastings and his associates have funneled millions of dollars into nationwide organizations solely dedicated to undermining public schools and promoting charters. Examples include Engaging Redefined Atlanta in Georgia, KIPP Nashville in Tennessee, New Schools for New Orleans in Louisiana, and Newark Charter School Fund in New Jersey, among many others. Louisiana provides a stark example of what Hastings considers a success—and where Colorado could be heading. In New Orleans, Hastings has celebrated the city’s nearly 90% charter school enrollment rate, achieved after an aggressive push to shut down public schools and redirect funding to charters.

However, this “success” has been a monumental failure for students. “After spending $6 billion of taxpayers’ money to become the only all-charter system in the state, a staggering 73% of our children are not performing at grade level—worse than the 63% in 2005, when the state took control of over 100 schools,” wrote a Louisiana senator. When charters replace public schools, students suffer. The fact that Hastings views this model as a national blueprint is alarming. To be clear, this is not a claim that all charter schools are inherently bad, but they face serious issues, from discrimination to underperformance, making the push to replace public schools with charters shortsighted at best. What charter schools need is more oversight, not less.

Hastings’ money flows into various organizations in Colorado that align with his broader agenda, creating concerns, especially considering his ties to Governor Jared Polis, one of the state’s most influential political figures.

Polis has a long history with charter schools, having worked for one and founded several. He is also closely linked to Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), a prominent pro-charter group. From the start of his governorship, Polis has faced criticism for appointing a pro-charter team to oversee education in Colorado.

Cheating and bribery, using money in exchange for votes

While Polis’s connections to Hastings and City Fund are more indirect, they are still significant. His charter schools received $59,000 from Denver Families for Public Schools, which, according to 2023 tax filings, received over $1 million from City Fund. Polis’s ties to DFER, also funded by City Fund, further link him to this network. The clearest connection came during the recent election season when he appeared in ads for a pro-charter group, endorsing Marisol Rodriguez through Progressives Supporting Teachers and Students.

 Polis often shows up when charter money is involved.

It’s hard not to be concerned that Polis’s financial ties and associations may bias his agenda. While there is no definitive proof of wrongdoing, the many connections raise serious questions about a politician who appears to be heavily influenced by charter interests. We’ve presented enough evidence to justify skepticism about charter schools and how a charter-dominated era could impact Colorado’s students and teachers. However, it’s unclear whether Polis even cares about addressing these concerns. Also troubling is criticism from The Colorado Sun, which has pointed out Polis’s lack of transparency regarding the substantial amounts of money he receives from private donors and how it may influence his decisions. There are too many backroom deals, too much money, and insufficient transparency from the organizations and politicians involved.

Why is so much money and energy being invested in charter schools in the first place? Several groups stand to benefit from expanding these schools. For one, charter schools face less government regulation, allowing them to make decisions without the constraints of community oversight. Charters also operate without teacher unions, limiting teachers’ ability to organize, protest, or influence decisions within these systems. They’re also often money-making machines. Though charter schools are technically non-profits, they often function as profit-driven entities through various loopholes. A 2021 report exposed how individuals profit from these schools while students suffer from inadequate resources and educational outcomes. If the well-being of students, families, and education is not the priority, many reasons exist to advocate for expanding charter schools.

Money has played a significant role in the 2023 and 2024 Colorado school board elections, shaping how we talk about school choice locally and nationally. The recent polls in Colorado mirror trends across the U.S., with grassroots candidates overshadowing pro-charter candidates backed by dark money. Many of these groups have strikingly similar names and origins, often with City Fund money involved. We must stay alert to what’s happening and recognize what’s at stake. This isn’t about banning charter schools; it’s about demanding accountability, knowing who’s influencing our elections, and questioning whether they truly have our best interests in mind.

Gebhard said after her victory against Rodriguez, “We’ve shown that people’s voices are stronger than money.” Now, we must ensure our voices continue to rise above the influence of money and special interests.

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The post Dark Money in Education appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Town lawmakers are debating how to build more affordable housing during a trying economic time. 

It’s becoming more expensive to live in Erie, yet pathways to lowering the cost of buying a home in the city are proving to be difficult to find. 

At issue is whether Erie should increase its affordable housing stock through subsidized or income-restricted units or through naturally occurring affordable housing. Subsidized and income-restricted units often require government funding to operate, whereas naturally occurring affordable housing refers to existing housing units that are cheaper compared to newly built homes. 

Former Mayor Justin Brooks campaigned on a promise to support the development of affordable housing and led the charge to purchase land for the Cheesman Street Residences, a 35-unit affordable housing development for Erie residents earning 120% of the area’s median income or less. That means a family of four can earn no more than $175,000. 

However, Erie’s new town leadership appears to have other ideas in mind. During a town council study session on March 4, Erie Mayor Andrew Moore said the town should revisit the affordability requirements included in Erie’s Comprehensive Plan, a planning document that is designed to guide development in the town. Moore added that the town should revisit Ordinance 017-2023, which sets forth Erie’s guidelines for affordable housing development. 

“For me, this is less about growth because I believe growth will happen,” Moore said. “It’s really more about the quality, type of housing, and, of course, the quantity of housing that we’ll move forward with.” 

Erie is one of the fastest-growing cities in Boulder County, with its population more than doubled to over 40,000 residents between 2010 and 2024. That growth has put significant upward pressure on home values in the town, with Erie’s median home price standing at just under $760,000 as of February, according to Redfin. 

Rising home prices are a double-edged sword for Erie. On one hand, they are a sign that the city’s growth has attracted higher-income households. These households often pay more property taxes while requiring fewer municipal services, thereby improving the town’s revenue per acre. However, the rising cost of living also makes it more difficult for service workers, firefighters, and teachers to live in town. 

According to Erie’s 2024 Housing Needs Assessment, about 16% of all households are cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than the recommended 30% of their income on housing expenses. But Erie has few options to preserve existing housing units to accommodate its growth, thereby requiring the city to focus on building new homes to address the issue, the report states. 

As of 2024, Erie’s Housing Needs Assessment showed it had a housing shortage of more than 3,300 units compared to its population growth with housing units for senior citizens facing the most significant gap. 

Relying on new construction can be challenging, given the myriad economic challenges homebuilders face. The cost of debt, material, labor, and land have all increased significantly since the pandemic began. These factors make it difficult, if not impossible, to build new homes at affordable price points. 

Erie has made several attempts to incentivize more affordable housing development. For instance, the city committed to meeting Boulder County’s goals of having at least 12% of new homes slated as affordable. The city also created a policy to incentivize new affordable home construction within special districts. 

It also passed an inclusionary housing ordinance in 2024. The ordinance required all new developments with eight or more units to reserve 15% of the units as affordable housing. For ownership properties, the units needed to be affordable for people earning between 100% and 120% AMI, or $146,000 to $175,000 for a family of four. Rental properties needed to reserve units that were affordable for households earning between 60% and 80% AMI, or $87,000 to $116,000 for a family of four. 

However, the plan faced significant pushback from residents and homebuilder groups alike. The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver sent a letter to former mayor Brooks saying the inclusionary housing ordinance will increase the cost of building in Erie. 

“While we understand the intention of inclusionary housing policies is to make housing more affordable and may feel like a win, the reality is these policies typically make housing less affordable – either through lowering supply and/or adding costs that are passed onto other homebuyers in order to keep projects feasible,” the letter reads in part. 

Town Councilor Brandon Bell also questioned the need to build more deed-restricted affordable housing. Most affordable deeds carry a 30-year affordability requirement, which Bell said placed an extra burden on the city to manage the properties. 

“It gets to the point where we’re less in the business of creating housing stock…and we become housing management,” Bell said. 

Moore’s administration appears to be shifting the focus to more tax-based solutions, such as increasing the city’s open space fee or adding additional mill levies to pay for more affordable housing development. He said there will be future study sessions dedicated to talking about these ideas in depth. 

For Town Council Emily Baer, building more affordable housing is about more than simply adding housing units at a certain price point. It will also help Erie grow and attract the new retail and employment opportunities that town residents want. 

“It’s all connected, and that affects our economic vitality,” Baer said.

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The post Erie’s Murky Future for Affordable Housing appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Outrage is mounting across Colorado as community organizations and elected officials demand the immediate release of Jeanette Vizguerra, a respected immigrant rights advocate who was forcibly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Without warning or legal justification, ICE officers took Vizguerra from her workplace and transferred her to the GEO immigration detention center in Aurora, CO. Her detention, which was confirmed by her attorney, has been widely condemned as a politically motivated attack on an outspoken leader in the fight for immigrant rights.

Jeanette Vizguerra, a mother of four and a long-standing pillar of Colorado’s immigrant community, has been fighting deportation since 2009. She has spent decades advocating for labor protections, immigrant rights, and family unity, earning national recognition for her efforts.

“Jeanette was able to briefly call her daughter on March 17 before facility officials cut off phone access for unknown reasons,” wrote Rebecca Shelley from Our Saviour Lutheran Church in a Press Release.

In 2017, she was named one of Time Magazine’s most influential people for her fearless activism against unjust immigration policies.

Despite having no valid deportation order, ICE detained her without prior notice to her legal team. Community leaders and legal experts argue that this action violates due process and serves as an intimidation tactic against those who challenge the deportation system. Vizguerra’s sudden detention also aligns with a troubling pattern of ICE targeting immigrant activists, including Mahmoud Khalil and Leqaa Kordia, who were also unlawfully detained in recent weeks.

Protestors gather outside the ICE detention facility in Aurora. Photo by Shavonne Blades.

Within hours of her detention, community members mobilized to demand Vizguerra’s release. Concerned for her safety, her family and supporters gathered outside the GEO detention center for an all-night vigil. Despite freezing temperatures, crowds spent the night engaging in chanting, drumming, and candlelighting until the morning hours of Tuesday. Activists also reached out to congressional offices, urging lawmakers to intervene.

“Jeanette belongs with her family, not in a for-profit detention center,” said one advocate at the vigil. “Her detention is a direct attack on the movement for immigrant justice.”

Supporters have launched a petition and a fundraising campaign to assist with legal expenses.

Jeanette Vizguerra’s activism extends beyond her personal case. She has co-founded several grassroots organizations, including Dreamer’s Mothers in Action-Colorado, Abolish ICE Denver, and Sanctuary4All. She has also worked with groups such as the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, SEIU, and the National Domestic Workers Association, advocating for the dignity and rights of all immigrants.

Her detention has sparked a wave of solidarity from organizations and elected officials across Colorado, including the ACLU of Colorado, Colorado People’s Alliance, Denver Democratic Socialists of America, and numerous city council members and state legislators.

Daughter of Activist Legend Corky Gonzales speaks at Monday’s rally. Photo by Shavonne Blades.

Their collective demand is clear: ICE must immediately release Jeanette Vizguerra and halt its campaign of intimidation against immigrant activists.

As the community rallies around Vizguerra, her supporters remain steadfast in their commitment to justice. They refuse to allow ICE to silence her voice or separate her from her family and the movement she has dedicated her life to building.

The post Community Rallies for Immediate Release of Jeanette Vizguerra Following Unjust ICE Detention appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Civitas Resources is required by ECMC ruling to consider an alternate location within the Town of Erie.

The Draco Well Pad, a 26-well project that would break ground in Weld County just outside of the Town of Erie and drill 5 miles horizontally into Boulder County, has been postponed indefinitely while Civitas Resources, Inc. conducts an alternative location analysis. 

The hearing scheduled for March 13 is now rescheduled for March 26. Those who wish to submit public comment can do so here under docket number 240100004 for the Draco Pad Oil and Gas Development Plan. 

The Energy and Carbon Management Commission ordered an indefinite stay on the Draco Oil & Gas Development Plan in November 2024, requiring the developers to pursue rezoning of Alternative Location 4 within Erie, south of the closed Denver Regional Landfill and west of the active Front Range Regional Landfill. 

The rezoning would give Erie jurisdiction over whether to approve or deny an application for the Draco Oil & Gas Development Plan. Because the current proposal is technically outside Erie town limits, the town has no sitting authority on the Draco pad, though it is the proximate local government, and has some influence on how the project proceeds. 

Prior to submitting an application for the site in January 2024, Extraction Oil and Gas — a subsidiary of Civitas Resources — evaluated 4 alternative locations in Boulder County and Erie but “determined that there were no feasible locations that were allowed by local regulations.” This included Alternative Location 4, which is back under consideration per the November ECMC ruling.  

Turnout from November’s ECMC hearing.

If Civitas comes to the conclusion that Alternative Location 4 is still infeasible, the Town of Erie will be requesting that the Draco OGDP be denied unless specific Conditions of Approval are ordered by the Commission, according to a March 5 statement from the Town of Erie. 

Erie has concerns about the safety and viability of both the current proposed site, which is in close proximity to Erie residents and Alternative Location 4, which is in an area with several pre-existing oil and gas pads and could have a cumulative impact on the nearby community, said Environmental Director David Frank. 

“What we’re really talking about is a pretty experimental site,” Frank told Yellow Scene Magazine. “These are the longest laterals ever attempted, they run under some 5000 homes there in western Erie.” 

According to a Prehearing Document from Civitas Resources, Extraction Oil and Gas met with Town of Erie Staff on Dec. 16, 2024, to discuss Town of Erie regulations, including how quickly the alternative location could be rezoned to approve drilling, which is ongoing as both parties gain more information about the site. 

“I would like to see proximal local governments have more involvement and more say in these locations that are immediately outside of our boundaries because we’ll get all of the effects with none of the control and oversight,” Frank said. 

Erie residents and town officials alike are worried about air quality impacts, disruptions from heavy machinery, and the use of extreme-reach horizontal wellbores at the site. 

The original proposal for the Draco Well Pad is also within 1,500 feet of five homes in the Westerly Neighborhood. In the next three years, 72 additional homes will be built within 2,000 feet of the Draco Well pad, which creates a time constraint that could push Civitas to try to complete drilling on an expedited timeline. 

2000 foot area affected by the proposed site.

Jeff Annable, Manager for Well and Location Permitting at Extraction Oil & Gas, submitted a Consolidated Public Comment Response in August 2024 that addresses water use, the existence of 49 plugged and abandoned wells in the proposed drilling site, air quality, extreme-reach wellbores and other health and quality of life concerns. 

The document largely points to Civitas Resources’ expertise in oil and gas drilling, adherence to state and local regulations, and additional strategies that would be used at the Draco site to offset negative impacts, such as a 32-foot full-wrap sound wall to reduce aesthetic and noise pollution. 

“We’ll see what the commission says. We’ve done the best we can with the hand we were dealt to try to serve our residents and safeguard their health and well-being and quiet enjoyment of their homes,” Frank told YS. 

The hearing can be attended here with Meeting ID: 814 1297 9750 

The post Draco Well Pad Hearing Postponed with Location Analysis Underway appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

DHS Arrests Columbia Student Who Led Pro-Palestinian Protests Last Spring

Palestinian-American Mahmoud Khalil, who played a critical role in the student-led protests at Columbia last Spring, has been arrested and detained by Federal immigration agents for the crime of criticizing Israel.

According to his lawyer, Amy Greer, Khalil was inside his university-owned apartment on Saturday night when ICE agents entered and detained him. Originally, it was believed that Khalil was in the country on a student visa, which ICE agents claimed would be revoked; however, when Greer informed agents that he was an American citizen with a green card, they said they’d be revoking that instead.

This comes as a direct response to Trump’s executive order to combat anti-Semitism. A spokesperson for Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, confirmed that the arrest was directly connected to Khalil’s involvement in the protests, alleging he “led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.”

Outraged by the blatant violation of Khalil’s constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, the activist group Jewish Voice for Peace occupied the New York Trump Tower earlier today. The group said it was “taking over the Trump Tower to register our mass refusal.”

“We will not stand by as this fascist regime attempts to criminalize Palestinians and all those calling for an end to the Israeli government’s US-funded genocide of the Palestinian people,” the group said in a post on X.

Of the 150 protestors occupying Trump Tower, NYPD arrested 98. Kaz Daughtry, the deputy mayor for public safety, said on Fox News that there were no injuries and all the protesters had been removed from the building.

Perhaps most troubling was the lack of clarification given by the Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar when pressed by NPR journalist Michel Martin to explain exactly what Khalil’s crimes were.

See an excerpt of the interview below: 

Martin: Is any criticism of the government a deportable offense?

Edgar: Let me put it this way, Michel, imagine if he came in and filled out the form and said, ‘I want a student visa.’ They asked him, ‘What are you going to do here?’ And he says, ‘I’m going to go and protest.’ We would have never let him into the country.

Martin: Is protesting a deportable offense?

Edgar: You’re focused on protests. I’m focused on the visa process. He went through a legal process …

Political commentator and Twitch Streamer Hasan Piker, a staunch advocate for Palestinian emancipation, felt that Deputy Secretary Edgar purposefully kept his answers vague.

“What makes you think tomorrow they’re not going to do this [to] gay students, trans students, Black students, anything they want,” Piker said on his live stream. “What makes you think they’re not gonna do this because [schools] have too much DEI, for example. That’s also an intentionally vague definition.”

This sentiment echoes another point in history, one best described by the famous poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller.

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

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The post “Is Protesting a Deportable Offense?” appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The far-right-packed Supreme Court will hear a case that challenges Colorado’s ban on the practice of conversion therapy. Conversion therapy is defined as the practice of attempting to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity and has been found to cause serious psychological harm to those who are subjected to it.

Bans of the harmful practice began cropping up across the country in 2013 after a U.S. court of appeals ruled that therapy is a form of professional conduct and, therefore, not protected as free speech. Colorado joined 18 other states, four in that year alone, in banning the practice of conversion therapy.

Today, 30 U.S. states have conversation therapy bans in place, but those could be challenged, depending on the ruling from the Supreme Court, expected in 2026. The challenge is being brought by the conservative law firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) on behalf of Kaley Chiles. The suit argues that Chiles, who practices therapy in Colorado Springs, is limited in what she can say to clients who want to “affirm their biological gender and sexual orientation.”

ADF has been identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and has supported the recriminalization of sexual acts between consenting LGBTQ adults in the U.S. and abroad, defended state-sanctioned sterilization of trans people abroad, stated that LGBTQ people are more likely to engage in pedophilia, and claimed that a “homosexual agenda” will destroy Christianity and society.

Colorado Springs Councilor, Kaley Chiles

In interviews and podcasts, Chiles claims she is fighting a “censorship” law that infringes on her free speech. This line of argument has quickly become a conservative dog whistle for any law or policy that stops them from publically spreading hate speech or discriminating against queer people. Similar suits filed by the ADF utilizing this tactic have been successful in Colorado, such as the Christian graphic artist who refused to create marriage websites for same-sex couples.

Organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have condemned the practice of conversion therapy on the basis of negative mental health effects, such as depression and suicide, that often come from attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The United Nations Human Rights Council classifies the practice as tantamount to torture.

The Supreme Court rejected to hear a similar case in 2023, also filed by the ADF, against Washington State’s less strict ban on conversion therapy on persons under the age of 18. The law also contains a carve-out for conversion therapy practices “under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or religious organization.”

Legal Journalist Mark Joseph Stern suggested that while the 2023 decision was technically a win for LGBTQ+ rights in the movement, it could spell danger for the ban in the future, like what we’re seeing now.

“Why didn’t Roberts, Gorsuch, or Barrett cast the fourth vote to take up the conversion therapy case? Maybe to avoid another controversial dispute, or maybe because Washington State identified a standing problem that makes this case an imperfect vehicle.” Stern wrote on X in 2023.

Does this mean Chiles’ case is a better vehicle for the court’s anti-gay agenda? States with bans on conversion therapy have often argued that free speech is not a valid defense against malpractice. Lawyers, doctors, and even therapists cannot argue that telling clients to commit crimes or engage in abusive practices falls under their right to free speech.

Whether the SCOTUS will keep the ban in place or strike it down as an infringement of free speech will likely come down to language in the 2018 case, NIFLA v. Becerra. NIFLA contains arguments that can be utilized by both sides, such as “speech is not unprotected merely because it is uttered by ‘professionals,’” which will certainly come in handy for the ADF. However, the NIFLA ruling also says, “[s]tates may regulate professional conduct, even though that conduct incidentally involves speech,” and it added that regulations of professional malpractice “fall within the traditional purview of state regulation of professional conduct.”

How will the court rule in hearing this case, and more importantly, how will Democrats protect LGBTQ minors in their states should the ban be lifted?

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The post SCOTUS Will Hear Case Challenging Colorado’s Conversion Therapy Ban appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

By Melanie Asmar, Chalkbeat Colorado

President Trump’s targeting of transgender rights as he begins his second term is raising questions about the potential impact on Colorado laws meant to protect transgender students, including a new one that requires educators to use students’ chosen names.

Several school districts, the Colorado Department of Education, and the state Attorney’s General’s Office provided a variation of the same answer when contacted by Chalkbeat: We don’t know yet whether there will be an impact but we are searching for answers.

While experts said executive orders of the kind Trump is using can’t override state laws, they conceded that the legal landscape under Trump is uncertain. Meanwhile, advocates said the orders are seeding fear in the transgender community, which they said was likely the intent.

“I’m receiving a lot of emails from the community about, ‘What does it mean? How does it impact us?’” said Jax Gonzalez, the political director at LGBTQ advocacy organization One Colorado.

“And that is the point of those executive orders,” Gonzalez said. “Those are about scaring people and repressing movement-building.”

Trump has acted quickly to enact his political agenda, including trying to unwind protections for LGBTQ students. An executive order the president signed last week, on the day he was inaugurated, says that the United States only recognizes two sexes, male and female, and that the sexes “are not changeable.” The order rescinded Biden-era guidance on supporting LGBTQ students.

Already, one Colorado school board has passed a resolution echoing that language. On Wednesday, the Woodland Park school board directed the district’s superintendent to update any district policies, procedures, and facility usage guidelines “to be consistent with knowledge that there are only two sexes, male and female.”

This week, the Trump administration froze — and then potentially unfroze, after legal challenges — all federal grant funding to purge the government of what it called “wokeness” and “transgenderism.” Trump signed another executive order on Wednesday blocking federal funding from K-12 schools that teach “gender ideology.”

Ian Farrell, an associate professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, said that while the power of the president is limited and Congress ultimately controls U.S. spending, “we live in a weird time where the correct legal answer and what the [U.S.] Supreme Court will say is the correct legal answer are potentially massively different things.

“We’re in an era where there is genuine uncertainty about whether the rule of law will be upheld,” Farrell said. “That should concern everybody.”

Some districts adopted name change policies begrudgingly

Colorado has in recent years extended legal protections based on gender identity. In 2021, a state law protecting people from harassment and discrimination was expanded to explicitly cover gender identity. The state’s bullying law also includes gender identity as a protected class.

Last year, lawmakers approved and the governor signed a bill that protects K-12 public school students who request to use a name other than their legal name at school. Under the law, it is considered discrimination in Colorado for an educator to refuse to use a name chosen by a student to reflect their gender identity.

The idea came from students. The Colorado Youth Advisory Council, a group of 40 students from across the state, helped draft the bill. Both chambers of the state legislature and the governor’s office are controlled by Democrats, and the bill passed mostly along party lines.

“Colorado prides itself so much on being welcoming, where people are free to be themselves and how they live,” state Rep. Stephanie Vigil, a Colorado Springs Democrat, said at a legislative hearing last year. “We feel like it’s important to act on that.”

Many Colorado school districts have adopted policies to comply with the name change law.
But some did so begrudgingly — and with caveats.

The Woodland Park district, which drew national attention in 2023 for becoming the first district in the country to adopt the conservative American Birthright social studies standards,
was one of the first districts to discuss adopting a policy in the wake of the name change law.

One school board member, David Rusterholtz, made clear at the May meeting in which the policy was discussed that the district was “forced.”

He called HB24-1039 “a very bad law” and a violation of his virtues, values, and “Biblical worldview.” He questioned how the law would help a child who he said had been taken up by what he termed “social psychosis.”

It’s unclear whether the resolution adopted by the Woodland Park school board Wednesday that echoes Trump’s language about two sexes will affect the district’s existing name change policy. Neither a district spokesperson nor school board members responded to questions from Chalkbeat seeking clarification.

“We need to stick with science, and the science has always been that there are two sexes,” Rusterholtz said during Wednesday’s meeting. “We need to teach our children the truth. It doesn’t mean we’re going to accept any kind of bullying.”

Other school boards shared Woodland Park’s concerns about the state’s name change law.

Several board members in El Paso County’s Widefield School District 3 said at a meeting in September that the law amounted to “compelled speech” and “government overreach.” A district spokesperson said last week that district leaders had not yet discussed the potential effects of Trump’s executive orders on district policy.

Members of the District 49 school board in Colorado Springs had similar objections to the law.

“The state apparently feels that it can hand down this unconstitutional mandate and tread upon the First Amendment-protected rights of teachers and staff by compelling them to say things that may be against their personally held conscience-based religious beliefs,” District 49 board member Deb Schmidt said at a meeting in November.

District 49’s policy has several caveats. It says a student’s parents must consent to a non-legal name change by signing a form. It limits students to one name change per year and says the district can say no if a name “is vulgar or offensive, obscene, or is used for misrepresentation.”

The policy also allows what it calls “an accommodation to conscience-based objections to compelled speech” — that is, exceptions for those who object — as long as the accommodation does not result in “substantial increased costs” to the district.

Lori Thompson, president of the District 49 school board, said in an email to Chalkbeat that the board was discussing with the school district’s lawyer how Trump’s executive orders might impact the name change policy. She noted that District 49’s policy has a clause that says it will be “immediately voided in its entirety” if the state law is found to be unconstitutional.

“The one thing that will not change,” Thompson wrote, is that “D49 will not withhold information about a student from their parents or legal guardians.”

The post Trump’s targeting of transgender rights creates uncertainty about Colorado laws protecting students appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

In a bold display of solidarity, approximately 10,000 King Soopers workers across Colorado have launched a strike. They are citing unfair labor practices and the company’s refusal to address critical issues in their “Last, Best, and Final Offer.”

The strike, organized by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 7 (UFCW Local 7), affects 77 stores throughout Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties, and King Soopers stores in Boulder and Louisville.

Union leaders argue that King Soopers, a subsidiary of Kroger, has consistently engaged in tactics designed to undermine worker rights and suppress union activities. According to UFCW Local 7, the company has engaged in illegal surveillance and interrogation of union members, withheld critical information necessary for contract negotiations, and even targeted retiree health benefits to fund wage increases for current employees.

“This strike is about holding one of the largest corporations in America accountable when they break the law and cause harm to workers and our customers,” noted Kim Cordova, president of Local 7, which has offices in Colorado Springs, Cheyenne, Wheat Ridge, Grand Junction, Greeley and Pueblo, Colo. “We are holding this strike for a two-week period to allow everyone to understand our concerns and give the employer time to right their wrong.”

 

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The union also alleges that King Soopers has retaliated against workers for wearing union attire and participating in union activities, actions that are protected under federal labor laws. Such behavior, according to UFCW Local 7, is part of a broader strategy to intimidate and weaken the union’s bargaining power.

In response to the strike and the union’s allegations, King Soopers filed a federal lawsuit against UFCW Local 7. The company claims that the union is engaging in unlawful tactics by trying to force King Soopers into bargaining with other labor unions that do not represent its employees. The lawsuit accuses the union of threatening illegal strikes and coordinating bargaining efforts with unions outside Colorado, such as the Teamsters and other UFCW locals.

“This litigation is nothing more than an attempt to distract from King Soopers’ efforts to silence its workforce and prevent workers from reaching an equitable contract that addresses major issues like staffing, safety, and health care,” the union said. “Kroger will go to any length to hide its corporate greed in price gouging and shareholder buybacks.”

King Soopers maintains that its “Last, Best, and Final Offer” includes significant wage increases and benefits. The company expressed disappointment over the union’s decision to strike, arguing that the offer was designed to benefit associates while keeping groceries affordable for customers. However, workers and union leaders argue that the proposed wage increases come at the cost of critical protections, such as seniority-based scheduling and retiree health benefits.

The strike has garnered widespread support from the community, with customers and local organizations standing in solidarity with the workers. Many shoppers have chosen to boycott King Soopers stores during the strike, opting to support other local businesses or shop at union-friendly stores.

The strike also raises broader questions about labor practices within the grocery industry and the role of unions in protecting worker rights. As one of the largest grocery chains in the country, Kroger’s handling of the situation could set a precedent for labor relations across the industry.

As the strike continues, both sides remain entrenched in their positions. UFCW Local 7 has vowed to continue the strike until King Soopers addresses their demands and negotiates in good faith. Meanwhile, the company’s legal actions and public statements suggest a prolonged battle ahead.

For the workers on the picket lines, the fight is about more than just wages—it’s about dignity, respect, and the right to a fair workplace.

The outcome of this strike will not only impact King Soopers employees but could also influence labor movements across the country. As the battle unfolds, one thing is clear: the voices of the workers will not be silenced.

The post Approx. 10,000 Employees Join King Soopers Strike appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author, and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

The entire Northern Gaza Strip has been reduced to rubble, made entirely unlivable. After over 15 months of harrowing genocide in Gaza, Israel has reluctantly agreed to a ceasefire. Palestinians on the ground ignited in joyous celebration with the confirmation that the prolonged bloodshed was finally coming to an end. 

Beyond Gaza, the Palestinian American experience since October 7 has been a chaos of emotions. Many Palestinian Americans felt completely abandoned while dealing with the lingering effects of survivors’ guilt as well as the challenges facing them in the belly of the beast. Zionist organizations and institutions intend to destroy the livelihoods of any Palestinian American or ally that dares to speak out against Israel’s genocide. 

We’ve seen this play out through threats of deportation to individuals on student or work visas who are pro-Palestine or attend pro-Palestine protests. We have seen it through the vilification, blacklisting, and doxing of thousands of Palestinians and allies on hinky Zionist websites. Not to mention anti-BDS laws and genocidal and racist statements made by American politicians and senators. The list tirelessly goes on. 

I took the time to speak to a couple of Palestinian Americans in Colorado to get their reactions toward the recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and whether or not there is still hope for the future of Palestine.

Through engaging with dena harry saleh, a queer Palestinian artist and writer, saleh reflects on the inevitable fact that Israel will break the ceasefire but that the hope lies in the momentum that is shifting on Palestine.

“It’ll be broken, but what I am hopeful for is that because of the world’s knowledge now about what is happening and the settler colonial project that is Israel, especially related to the United States, we are starting to see a more widespread awareness of the violence of settler colonialism,” saleh says. 

Haythem, a Palestinian American engineer from Denver, says, “I think the thing about the ceasefire deal is that it’s nasty and meticulous in a way that still absolves Israel in their own eyes from continuing to murder innocent lives.” He expands, “It is a chance of relief and respite, but it’s not like Palestine is free. People get to go home, but the north is completely unrecognizable from what it was before.” 

Since Donald Trump’s win, he has gone out of his way to take credit for initiating the ceasefire deal and putting an end to the mass killing—something Biden endorsed and funded, and the Harris administration wholly ignored.

Even after countless interruptions and political demonstrations made against Harris, she refused to acknowledge the continued death sentence she and her constituents signed off on for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Saleh says, “We can’t just fall along the lines of this binary of Republican and Democrat because, ultimately, they are all capitalists. We need to understand that it’s really a class war on a global scale.”

Haythem says, “It doesn’t help when Trump says, it’s good land, it’s good real estate, I don’t think the new administration cares much for Palestinian people so much as they care about Palestinian land just as Israel does and that’s always been the thing about the American government if anything with this new administration I’m worried with the new risks.”

Donald Trump recently spoke at a press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu, revealing that the actual death toll of Palestinians in Gaza could be 500,000. More so, he declared that America was going to purchase and take over Gaza, turning it into a hot hub for Americans, ethnically cleansing Palestinians from the strip entirely.

Trump still stands firm in his decision, as he told reporters on February 9 that he was still dedicated to purchasing Gaza, saying that Gazans would not have the right to return under his new plan. On the same day, Israel shot and murdered two young Palestinian women in the West Bank, 23-year-old Sondos Jamal Muhammad Shalabi and 21-year-old Rahaf Fouad Abdullah al-Ashqar, who was murdered by the Israeli Defense Forces in her home. Shalabi was 8 months pregnant. 

When asked what they feel about the recent increase in international support for Palestine, Saleh says, “The tide has turned, and people are now aware that it’s much more than a ceasefire that we need; we need an end to the state of Israel which did not need to be created in Palestine in the first place, and then an end to settler colonialism.”

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has reported that since the ceasefire deal, Israel has killed over 110 Palestinians. Launching airstrikes and attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as Palestinians returning to their destroyed homes in Northern Gaza. 

Israel refuses to abide by international law; in fact, Israel believes it is above the law; why wouldn’t it if it thinks it can get away with slaughtering over 17,000 Palestinian babies with no repercussions? Why does this foreign entity get a pass every time? The American people genuinely need to wake up and smell the coffee – Israel is America’s 51st state, profiting off you to continue committing its genocide against the Palestinian people. 

What we allow to happen in Gaza will happen everywhere. This is the holocaust of our time; act accordingly or live with the consequences forever.

The post Palestine is Still Not Free appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Erie continues to grow, passing 40K mark

Erie is rapidly growing, reaching a population of over 40,000. Perfectly nestled between Denver and Boulder, Erie has become a hot hub for many multi-family households to raise their children. Last year, the city saw a 9.1% increase in population, with over 3,000 new residents.

While Erie’s increase in residents is a promising sign for the city’s future development, its endless infrastructure and lack of affordable housing and accessible transportation have made things difficult for its residents. A prominent issue that has raised some concern amongst residents is the need for affordable housing units for these multi-family households, who are increasingly moving to Erie yearly. The Erie Board of Trustees made it the city’s goal to reach a 12% increase in affordable housing by 2035.

I spoke with a recent engineering graduate and resident of Erie about their opinion on the future of Erie’s development and population growth; they expressed concerns about Erie’s dedication to new construction projects that have overcrowded the city. 

They stated, “I have mixed feelings about Erie’s rapid growth. On the one hand, it has been nice to get more stores and city conveniences. It also allowed more housing opportunities; on the other hand, Erie has lost some of its small city charm due to the high number of new construction projects and has also caused more traffic and congestion.” 

Multiple infrastructure projects are taking place throughout the city. Prominent projects such as the Coal Creek Expansion Project and the County Line Corridor Project are just a few examples of the continuous cycle of congestion on Erie’s roads. This has manifested in road closures, detours, and extended construction phases.

When asked what significant challenges he sees in Erie’s increasing population growth, they said, “I think the main challenge facing this growth is the city’s ability to keep up with it. Infrastructure is beginning to be overcrowded because of how many people are here.” Infrastructure is the leading pioneer behind 90% of artificial greenhouse emissions. Weld County is one of the most drilled areas for oil and gas developments in the state of Colorado. 

The Mayor of Erie, Andrew Moore, claimed that local town municipalities can’t do much regarding climate change, perceiving it as a more widespread global issue in a retreat and while on the campaign trail. The most recent study session last Tuesday is a good insight into how Mayor Moore will lead. We reached out to get a comment on what his plans are for Erie’s continuous growth; Moore explained, “The current plan is to send a comprehensive survey to help understand the desire for the type of growth Erie collectively wants and the tradeoffs.” He used the term “urban/suburban” to describe the potential directions for growth, adding that this plan will proceed once the council sets its direction for development and housing. However, he noted that the details will change depending on the council’s decisions. More updates are expected in the Spring.

Concern over Massive ICE Raids in Colorado 

Since Donald Trump has taken office, fears amongst many Americans have arisen, as his promise to crack down on immigration has left many individuals worried for their friends and loved ones. Rumors of mass deportation orders and ICE raids happening throughout Colorado have been flooding social media, with warnings stating ICE agents have been spotted in cities like Denver, Aurora, and Longmont. 

The American Immigration Council claims these new executive orders will affect the lives of individuals who are “border-crossers seeking refuge, to children born next month, to parents who are in the U.S. on temporary visas.” Many of these raids happen in vulnerable areas with multi-family households, such as school communities. 

Vague reports were posted on social media platforms in the past few days on Facebook and Instagram, warning friends and families of undocumented individuals, claiming ICE agents were being spotted in their area. 

On January 26, the Colorado Rapid Response Network reported that from around 3 AM to 6 AM on 6600 N. Federal Blvd., enforcement officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs, Drug Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and local law enforcement were spotted conducting a raid on a nightclub and arrested over 50 people, claiming it was part of a “drug and criminal network.” Of the 50 people who were arrested, reports claim that 41 were undocumented. 

This support network is run by the community and has been vigorously working to warn undocumented individuals in the state if ICE agents are in their area and where they are located. 

The Trump administration has stated it will enforce ICE raids in vulnerable areas such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship. On January 24, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said that the city of Denver would “sue the Trump administration” if they enforced ICE agents in schools. Just yesterday, according to the New York Post, a substitute teacher in Texas replied to ICE on X, tweeting, “Y’all should come to Fort Worth, TX to Northside High school, I have many students who don’t even speak English.” 

Em Dorman, a resident of Aurora who has many undocumented friends, expresses deep fear for their community, stating, “The unpredictability of the raids confirms that no one is safe and that immigrants will continue to be dehumanized.”

I asked Dorman if they had witnessed ICE agents or heard of specific areas where ICE might be prevalent. They said, “There was an ICE spotting off of 8th and Colorado in Denver on January 24, a few days ago, as well as other sightings that people on Instagram have been sharing.” 

While rumors about massive ICE raids have been unpredictable, Dorman urges individuals to educate themselves to be prepared if a situation like this were to occur: “You have constitutional rights. Do not answer any questions; do not sign anything without an attorney. There are resources specifically printed in Spanish and other languages if needed.”

More reports on this to come.

The city of Boulder and its Laundry list of Lawsuits

Feet Forward, et al. v. City of Boulder, et al.

“Blanket Ban” or “Camping Ban,” the city of Boulder was served with a lawsuit from the ACLU, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of Americans. The lawsuit challenged a city ordinance that prohibited homeless residents from doing something as basic as sleeping outside with a blanket. The ACLU argued that the camping ban unfairly penalized people participating in basic human activities. Although the city attempted to dismiss the case, the court allowed the litigation to proceed, ruling that penalizing individuals for such basic actions violated constitutional rights. 

Yellow Scene Magazine v. City of Boulder 

Our very own has been caught up in the turmoil with the City of Boulder and its history of police misconduct. The legal dispute began when Yellow Scene requested bodycam footage regarding a recent incident in December of 2023 that involved the fatal shooting of Jeannette Alatorrea. The city of Boulder demanded a fee for this request, which inherently violates Colorado’s 2020 Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act.

Board of County Commissioners of Boulder County v. Suncor

Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil, two of the largest refined oil companies, were sued by the city of Boulder for the impacts of climate change, which disproportionately burden American taxpayers.

City of Boulder v. FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration was sued by the city of Boulder for legal clarity regarding the closure of the Boulder Municipal Airport. The city of Boulder intended to keep the option of opening the airport until 2041, while the FAA claims the airport must remain open indefinitely due to federal grants requiring the airport to stay open. Many citizens raised concerns about the airport remaining open, as its closure could allow the land to be used for more affordable housing for residents.

Ash House Owners Sue City of Boulder 

The Ash House, a student apartment building at CU Boulder, filed a lawsuit against the city of Boulder for forcibly evacuating students last minute due to violations of building extra rooms in the building without the city’s say nor safety precautions taken place. The lawsuit was dismissed in October of 2024. 

Lisa Sweeney-Miran v. City of Boulder

Sweeney-Miran, the executive director of the homeless shelter in Boulder, filed a lawsuit against the city for violating her First Amendment rights, as she was kicked off of the Police Oversight Panel for unequivocally condemning police misconduct that has been plaguing the town for decades.

List of Boulder Police Misconduct 

• John Smyly is an officer who racially profiled a Black man, Zayd Atkinson, who was picking up trash outside of his home. The city of Boulder paid a $125,000 settlement after Atkinson threatened legal action. 
• Waylon Lolotai used excessive force against a Black man, Sammie Lawrence, which resulted in the city of Boulder paying a $95,000 settlement. 
• Dillon Garretson and Stephen Coon unlawfully arrested and handcuffed Seth Franco in retaliation to the court granting him a softer sentence. This led to a $3.4 million jury verdict against the city of Boulder
• Cassie Davick was responsible for the removal of children from the care of Joslynn Montoya, a deaf mother staying at a domestic violence shelter. The situation escalated due to the mother’s inability to effectively communicate her circumstances to the officers.
• Nicholas Frankenreiter, Jacob Vaporis, and Erin Starks – Three officers who shot Coleman Stewart after a cop chase regarding refusal to pay a five-dollar cab fare. The city of Boulder had to pay $1.3 million in settlement 8 years later. 
• Collin Keith and Nathaniel Taylor shot and killed Christopher Swanger in Boulder, Colorado, in May of 2023 as they were responding to a domestic violence call.
• Nathan Schultz and Jarrett Mastriona shot and killed Jeanette Alatorre in Boulder, Colorado, on December 17, 2023, due to her refusing questioning from officers and carrying an airsoft gun. 
• Hiring of Stephen Redfearn – The city of Boulder recently hired Stephen Redfearn as Boulder Police Chief. Redfearn is infamous for justifying and downplaying the actions taken place during the night of the murder of Elijah McClain 

The post Boiling Point: Erie Expands, ICE cracks down, and Boulder Still Getting Sued appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editorial Intern: Eric Strumpf

Jeannette Alatorre’s death ignites a legal battle as local media and next of kin challenge Boulder’s handling of the fatal encounter and its commitment to police transparency.

The Incident

The death of 51-year-old Jeannette Alatorre at the hands of Boulder police officers on December 17, 2023, has led to an ongoing legal battle between Yellow Scene Magazine and the City of Boulder, which could potentially shape the future of police accountability laws in the state. This incident not only raises questions about the use of lethal force but also highlights the broader fight for public transparency in officer-involved shootings in Colorado.

The chain of events began at a Boulder recreation center, where, despite having a day pass, Alatorre was reported for trespassing and “overstaying” her time in the bathroom. When officers arrived on the scene, it became apparent that Alatorre had been bathing in the family restroom, 

There is no law in Colorado against bathing in public bathrooms, especially in a family restroom, where Alatorre would have had more privacy. After police arrived, the situation escalated, with officers confronting Alatorre about her behavior and eventually escorting her out of the recreation center. 

Sometime later that day, several more 911 calls were made claiming that there was an individual walking in the street with what appeared to be a firearm. The object she was holding was later revealed to be an airsoft gun with the orange tip removed. Officers claimed they were forced to escalate to lethal force after warnings, and the use of non-lethal weapons proved ineffective. Body camera footage captured officers shouting commands, firing multiple rounds, and performing CPR after Alatorre was critically injured. She was later pronounced dead.

A screenshot from body-worn camera footage shows Boulder police officers continuing to point weapons at Alatorre as she lies prone on the ground.

The Boulder Police Department’s body-worn camera (BWC) footage provided to YS shows that officers left Alatorre in a state of increased stress and escalation than they had found her in during that initial interaction. Boulder kickstarted a Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) program in 2021 to co-respond with law enforcement to 911 calls involving mental health crises. However, due to the categorization of “trespassing” for that initial call to the rec center, dispatchers only altered BPD. 

Independent studies have found that police use force exceedingly rarely when responding to calls with Boulder’s CIRT. Between 2022 and 2023, just 0.3% of these co-responded calls resulted in law enforcement using force. Had dispatchers called for the CIRT to respond with officers to 911 calls concerning Alatorre, would she still be alive today?

Legal Fight for Transparency

In the aftermath, attorney Dan Williams filed a police misconduct complaint and requested the BWC footage to better understand the events leading to Alatorre’s death. In response, BPD demanded thousands of dollars in fees for locating and redacting the footage—$2,857.50 in the case of YS, which also sought the footage to report on the incident.

“Boulder is a small, relatively safe city. We have an extremely aggressive police department policing a city with very little violent crime,” Williams told YS. 

“So when there is an officer-involved shooting, it’s something I take notice of,” Williams explained when asked why he had chosen to file a misconduct complaint originally. 

These fees sparked a lawsuit, with Williams, Alatorre’s daughter, and YS arguing that the demands violated Colorado’s Law Enforcement Integrity and Transparency Act of 2020. This legislation mandates that families of victims receive relevant police footage for free and restricts fees for other requesters. It prioritizes transparency in cases of alleged police misconduct and was written in direct response to the Black Lives Matter protests that took place in Colorado and nationally that summer. 

In defense, the city of Boulder argued that a section of the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA)  permits government agencies to charge reasonable fees for records requests if the state does not supply funding for this. While true, CCJRA is a wide-sweeping law that covers all open records requests, while the Law Enforcement Integrity Act pertains specifically to making requests for BWC footage in cases where a misconduct complaint was previously filed. 

In April 2024, a district court ruled in favor of YS, declaring that CCJRA does not override the Transparency Act when invoked. The court emphasized that the purpose of the Transparency Act is to hold law enforcement accountable without placing undue financial burdens on victims’ families or the public. The court also ruled, however, that records requests would only be considered under the Transparency Act if requesters specifically mention it, which YS did. 

In response to the ruling, BPD finally began to release the BWC footage from that day in December 2023; this is what we found. 

Body Worn Camera Footage

Boulder Police officers were consistently too far from Alatorre for less-than-lethal weapons to be effective.

Just fifteen minutes passed between when any given officer arrived on the scene and the fatal shooting of Alatorre. In all that time, Alatorre never fired a single shot from the airsoft weapon she was carrying. Throughout the footage, she is seen retreating from officers on foot. Had officers given the situation more time to diffuse, perhaps the fatal shooting could have been avoided. 

From a distance, it is reasonable to conclude that officers could not distinguish the airsoft weapon Alatorre was carrying from a real weapon since the orange tip was removed. But is this enough to justify police actions that day? 

Throughout the BWC footage, officers make several remarks about attempting to use less-than-lethal “bean bags” before resorting to lethal force. This was cited in the District Attorney’s final ruling that there had not been any misconduct during the fatal incident. Footage of officers actually utilizing the less-than-lethal method is not clearly shown in any of the BWC videos provided to YS, which BPD has assured what they provided is everything collected from that day.

It is possible that the officer who fired those less-than-lethal rounds was not recording at the time. It is also possible that the less-than-lethal rounds are indistinguishable from other shotgun rounds fired in the footage. Colloquially referred to as “beanbags,” these less-than-lethal rounds are actually just small sacks full of buckshot that can be loaded into regular shotguns. These rounds, while “less lethal” than regular buckshot, have still killed people when fired at the head, neck, or other vulnerable areas, thus the name. 

However, the distance officers were from Alatorre when those rounds would have been fired would have made them ineffective in subduing her at all. Begging the question, did Boulder police officers make enough of an effort to detain Alatorre without using excessive force? 

Colorado law states that officers are justified in using deadly physical force only when the officer believes it is reasonably necessary to:

• defend the officer or another from the use of imminent deadly physical force or
• make an arrest or prevent an escape from someone who has committed a felony involving the use of a deadly weapon or indicates a likelihood to inflict serious bodily injury or endanger human life.

Whether or not Alatorre’s case meets these standards for the use of deadly force could be determined by a jury, should the victim’s family choose to go further with legal action against the city. Twentieth Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty, based on an investigation by the Boulder Critical Incident Team (BCIT), found that the officers involved were not subject to criminal prosecution, though could not absolve them of the possibility of civil prosecution. 

In his decision letter, DA Dougherty clarifies that “the investigation and review of this incident does not evaluate nor review the appropriateness of police tactics or whether department policies and procedures were followed. My decision, based on criminal law standards, does not limit administrative action by BPD or any civil action where less stringent laws, rules, and levels of proof would apply.”

BWC footage shows officers engaging the scene as if it were an active combat zone, following Alatorre down a highly trafficked street, service weapons drawn. In some instances, officers have service weapons pointed directly towards motorists attempting to drive through the area. At the very least, this shows the department’s incompetence when clearing an active crime scene.

BPD officers are seen pointing service weapons at a black pickup truck. The truck can be seen reversing at high speed away from the scene immediately after this.

In the past, BPD has successfully detained violent offenders unharmed. In 2021, officers from the same department arrested Ahmad Al Aliwi Al-Issa, who killed 10 people, including one police officer, in a mass shooting at King Soopers by shooting him in the leg. If BPD could take down a mass shooter alive, why then was Alatorre shot nine times for simply holding a gun?

After the shooting, Boulder police officers approach Alatorre’s prone body cautiously, still shouting demands to drop the weapon that lies in her limp hand. Seeing that she is still making small, twitch-like movements, officers cuff Alatorre’s wrists and ankles before attempting CPR.

While administering CPR is one possible intervention for gunshot wounds, other emergency responses such as stopping the hemorrhage, managing the victim’s airway, and preventing shock are also necessary. In Alatorre’s case, these additional interventions were not attempted by the officers who gunned her down. Additionally, several high-profile cases of excessive force have highlighted a lack of medical response from officers, leading some police reform activists to raise ethical concerns over officer-administered CPR as a way of protecting themselves against scrutiny.

Colorado’s Law Enforcement and Integrity Act requires that footage be released immediately to victims’ family members. Following the court ruling in favor of YS, Williams expected the BWC footage to be available immediately, but this was not the case. The city of Boulder began releasing the footage 45 days after the initial ruling. From there, it took further requests from Williams for the city to release the remaining footage. The final video, which showed the deadly shooting as well as officer actions immediately following, was at first heavily blurred. 

“There are some limited reasons in the statute for privacy, where a video can be blurred. But the city’s use of this blurring was well beyond what the statute allows,” Williams said. “They were blurring after they had killed Ms Alatorre. They blurred what the officers were doing, which, there was no privacy interest that would have permitted that.” 

Is it possible that BPD attempted to release only a highly blurred version of the events immediately after the shooting to obscure their actions?

BPD officers are seen again pointing service weapons in the direction of oncoming traffic and residential housing.

Legal Battle Continues

Earlier this month, the City of Boulder appealed the district court decision, raising two key arguments. First, it questions whether the Transparency Act truly overrides the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) when invoked. Second, it contends that the district court’s decision neglects a CORA provision allowing governments to charge fees if the state does not fund the release of records. 

The outcome of this appeal could have far-reaching implications for how transparency laws are interpreted and enforced in Colorado. A decision favoring Boulder might discourage future records requests by imposing significant financial barriers, while a decision against the city could strengthen the public’s ability to scrutinize law enforcement actions.

While the legal battle over transparency unfolds, the deeper questions surrounding Alatorre’s death remain unanswered. Was the use of lethal force justified? Could the situation have been de-escalated? And what systemic changes are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future? And why, knowing she had mental health issues from their previous interaction, did dispatchers not alert CIRT?

The lack of clarity in the events of December 17th, 2023, and the legal hurdles in accessing footage have only deepened the anguish for Alatorre’s family and the community. Activists and journalists alike have pointed out that the fight for accountability and transparency is critical in addressing the broader issue of police brutality—a persistent concern in an age of increasing demands for law enforcement reform.

The case of Jeannette Alatorre exemplifies the critical need for transparency and underscores the importance of holding institutions accountable when lives are lost at the hands of law enforcement. As the legal proceedings continue, the hope is that Colorado’s transparency laws will be clarified and strengthened, ensuring that families, advocates, and the public have the tools necessary to demand justice and prevent future tragedies.

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The post When Lethal Force Becomes the Default: The Death of Jeannette Alatorre appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

If you see someone on the streets this weekend, please help get them to shelter. The subzero temps will be deadly.

City of Boulder

The city and county Extreme Weather Shelter will be set up in the Age Well wing East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux Drive, and operate from Saturday, Jan. 18 through at least Tuesday, Jan. 21 .

Community members in need of safe shelter are asked to:

• Go to the All Roads Shelter, located at 4869 Broadway . Even if the person typically does not meet criteria to use All Roads, they must check in here first.

• When All Roads reaches capacity transportation will be provided to the overflow facility at the East Age Well Center.

The following alternative sheltering options are also available for specific populations:

• Haven Ridge for persons identifying as women, transgender or nonbinary. Learn more on the Haven Ridge website or call 303-447-9602.

• TGTHR’s The Source for homeless youth. Youth drop-in will be open 12 pm to 5:30 pm daily for ages 24 and under. Learn more on TGTHR’s website or call 303-447-1207.

City staff and partner organizations have been conducting direct outreach throughout the week to people experiencing homelessness to ensure all individuals are aware of the upcoming cold weather, know about available services and have a plan to stay safe during the extreme cold.

The East Boulder Community Center (EBCC) will remain open for regularly scheduled hours during this time, with recreation activities occurring as usual aside from programming in the Age Well wing of EBCC. The East Age Well Center will close at noon on Friday, Jan. 17 and will remain closed through Sunday, Jan. 26 to allow for clean-up and full restoration of services. Staff members are working to cancel or reschedule upcoming programs that will be impacted by this closure. Contact Age Well staff at 303-441-3148 for more information.

East Boulder Community Center , 5660 Sioux Drive, and will operate from Saturday, January 18 through at least Tuesday, January 21.

Community members in need of safe shelter are asked to: Go to the All Roads Shelter , located at 4869 Broadway. Even if the person does not normally meet the criteria to use All Roads, they must first register here. When All Roads reaches capacity, transportation will be provided to the overflow facility at East Age Well Center.

The following alternative shelter options are also available for specific populations: Haven Ridge for people who identify as women, transgender, or nonbinary. Learn more on the Haven Ridge website or call 303-447-9602. TGTHR’s resource for homeless youth. Youth intake will be open from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily for those under 24 years old.

Learn more on the TGTHR website or call 303-447-1207. City staff and partner organizations have been conducting direct outreach throughout the week with individuals experiencing homelessness to ensure all individuals are aware of the cold weather ahead, know about available services, and have a plan to stay safe during extreme cold.

The East Boulder Community Center (EBCC) will remain open during regular hours during this time, with recreational activities taking place as usual in addition to programming in the Age Well Wing of EBCC. The East Age Well Center will close at noon on Friday, January 17, and will remain closed through Sunday, January 26 to allow for cleaning and full reestablishment of services. Staff members are working to cancel or reschedule upcoming programs that will be impacted by this closure. Please contact Age Well staff at 303-441-3148 for more information.

Offers shelter intake for individuals experiencing homelessness to have access to shelter and services even if individuals did not stay overnight…

City of Longmont

Support Services

Coordinated Entry (CE) is required to receive services from Homeless Solutions for Boulder County (HSBC).

Reach CE by phone (720-453-6096 ) or walk in: Mon, Tue and Thu noon–4 pm and Fri noon-2 pm at

HOPE , 804 S. Lincoln St. (basic needs, meals and clothing are also available)

Wed, noon–5 pm at 1335 Francis St. Specialists will attempt to resolve housing instability issues or refer individuals to services.

Coordinated Entry (CE) is required to receive services from Homeless Solutions for Boulder County (HSBC). Contact CE by phone (720-453-6096) or stop by: • Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday noon–4 p.m. and Friday noon–2 p.m. at HOPE, 804 S. Lincoln St. (basic needs, meals, and clothing also available) • Wednesday, noon–5 p.m. at 1335 Francis St. Specialists will attempt to resolve housing instability issues or refer individuals to services.

Boulder County St. Vrain Community Hub Resources for Public Assistance

515 Coffman St. Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm. For housing call 303-441-1000

HOPE’S Outreach Center HOPE

Provides a sack lunch, clothing, hygiene and other supplies to anyone experiencing homelessness.

Mon, Tue and Thu, noon-4 pm and Friday noon-2 pm.

804 S. Lincoln St.; bus 323. 720-494- 4673/720-210-7217

Journey Church

Free meals and showers.

Sun-Wed 5:30 pm-7 pm.

1201 Alpine St.

bus 323/324/Bolt. 720-453-6999

Veterans Community Project (VCP)

Provides veterans experiencing homelessness with food, hygiene kits, housing referrals, case management, military documentation assistance, and referrals for VA benefits.

Call 720-340-2916 to make an appointment or to learn current walk-in hours at: www.veteranscommunityproject.org/longmont

1228 Main St.

The Refuge Café

The Refuge offers the Refuge Café providing free lunch, showers, essential items, access to local resources, outdoor gear, and a safe place to rest. Please check with the Refuge regarding operating hours.    

Call 720-295-2270  

Visit: 11600 Quay Street #200, Broomfield 

Services for Youth

TGTHR’s The Source

3080 Broadway in Boulder

Provides employment and education assistance, short-term shelter and long-term housing navigation.

Free daytime drop-in center for 12 to 24-year-olds is open daily 12:30 pm–5 pm.

Free emergency overnight shelter for those 12–21 opens daily at 5 pm. 303-447-1207

Services for Families

Atwood Shelter

For Families For short-term sheltering at the Emergency Family Assistance Associations’ Atwood Center

call OUR Center at 303-772-5529.

Mother House and Lodge

Provides shelter for pregnant individuals and women/trans parents with at least one child under two years.

303-447-9602

Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley

Provides English/Spanish programs and services to address the needs of victims of domestic and family violence, abuse in later life, teen dating violence, and human trafficking.

Call 24/7: 303-772-4422

Hygiene and Internet

Centennial Pool Showers are $1, no towels provided, no vouchers accepted. Tues & Wed, noon-3 pm. 1201 Alpine St., bus 323/327/324. 303-651-8406

Journey Church Free meals and showers. Sun-Wed 5:30pm-7pm. 2000 Pike Road, bus 323/324/Bolt. 720-453-6999

Longmont Public Library Free internet access Mon-Thu 9am-8pm, Fri-Sat 9am-5pm, and Sun 1-5pm. 409 4th Ave. 303 665-5200

Longmont Recreation Center Showers are $1. Mon and Thu, noon-5 pm. 310 Quail Rd, bus 324. 303-774-4800

City of Loveland

The City of Loveland manages the Loveland Resource Center as the City’s main daytime space with capacity to serve as an additional overnight space when needed, and the South Railroad Facility which serves as the City’s main overnight shelter space.

The Loveland Resource Center and Overnight Shelter

The Loveland Resource Center (LRC) is currently the City’s day center and overflow shelter space, providing those experiencing homelessness with access to resources and shelter.

Located at :
137 S. Lincoln Ave.
Loveland, CO 80537

Contact via phone :
970-962-2951 and 970-962-2952

Hours of operation :
Sunday – Friday: 7 am — 7 pm
Monday – Sunday: 7 pm — 7 am

The LRC will be closed from 4:45 — 7 pm every first Thursday of the month for staff meetings and training.

Services offered :
Showers, bathrooms, laundry, mail, locker storage, access to partner agencies that can assist with locating employment and obtaining Social Security Cards, IDs, Birth Certificates, public benefits and more.

Monday – Friday

Sign-Up:

Sign up by 1:00 pm by calling or coming in person.

If you don’t want to share your real name, you can use a nickname.

Lottery

Staff will put all names into a random name picker.

By 1:15 pm, staff will:

Announce the selected names.

Post the list on the shelter door.

Saturday – Sunday

Weekend Sign-Up:

Sign up for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday spots by 1:00 pm on Friday.

You can sign up for one day, two days, or all three.

Lottery:

Staff will pick names randomly and announce Friday’s list by 1:15 pm

The lists for Saturday and Sunday will also be posted on Friday.

Check-Ins

Check-in by 7:30 pm to keep your spot.

Any spots not claimed by 7:30 pm will go to others on a first-come, first-served basis.

This process ensures everyone gets a fair chance to stay at the shelter.

Si ves a alguien en las calles este fin de semana, por favor ayúda a llevarlo a un refugio. Las temperaturas bajo cero serán mortales.

Ciudad de Boulder

El refugio para clima extremo de la ciudad y el condado estará ubicado en el ala Age Well del East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux Drive, y funcionará desde el sábado 18 de enero hasta al menos el martes 21 de enero.

Se solicita a los miembros de la comunidad que necesiten refugio seguro que:

• Acudan al refugio All Roads, ubicado en 4869 Broadway. Aunque la persona normalmente no cumpla con los criterios para usar All Roads, debe registrarse aquí primero.
• Cuando All Roads alcance su capacidad, se proporcionará transporte a las instalaciones adicionales en el East Age Well Center.

Las siguientes opciones de refugio alternativo también están disponibles para poblaciones específicas:

• Haven Ridge para personas que se identifiquen como mujeres, transgénero o no binarias. Más información en el sitio web de Haven Ridge o llamando al 303-447-9602.
• The Source de TGTHR para jóvenes sin hogar. El centro de atención para jóvenes estará abierto de 12 pm a 5:30 pm diariamente para personas de hasta 24 años. Más información en el sitio web de TGTHR o llamando al 303-447-1207.

El personal de la ciudad y las organizaciones asociadas han estado realizando actividades de divulgación directa durante la semana para informar a las personas sin hogar sobre el clima frío que se avecina, los servicios disponibles y la necesidad de tener un plan para mantenerse seguros durante el frío extremo.

El East Boulder Community Center (EBCC) permanecerá abierto durante su horario regular en este período, con actividades recreativas normales, excepto en el ala Age Well del EBCC. El East Age Well Center cerrará al mediodía el viernes 17 de enero y permanecerá cerrado hasta el domingo 26 de enero para limpieza y restauración completa de servicios. El personal está trabajando para cancelar o reprogramar los programas afectados por este cierre. Para más información, comuníquese con el personal de Age Well al 303-441-3148.

Centro Comunitario East Boulder, 5660 Sioux Drive, funcionará desde el sábado 18 de enero hasta al menos el martes 21 de enero.

Se solicita a los miembros de la comunidad que necesiten refugio seguro que: Acudan al refugio All Roads, ubicado en 4869 Broadway. Aunque la persona normalmente no cumpla con los criterios para usar All Roads, debe registrarse aquí primero. Cuando All Roads alcance su capacidad, se proporcionará transporte a las instalaciones adicionales en el East Age Well Center.

Las siguientes opciones de refugio alternativo también están disponibles para poblaciones específicas:

• Haven Ridge para personas que se identifiquen como mujeres, transgénero o no binarias. Más información en el sitio web de Haven Ridge o llamando al 303-447-9602.
• The Source de TGTHR para jóvenes sin hogar. La recepción para jóvenes estará abierta de 12 pm a 5:30 pm diariamente para personas de hasta 24 años. Más información en el sitio web de TGTHR o llamando al 303-447-1207.

El personal de la ciudad y las organizaciones asociadas han estado realizando actividades de divulgación directa durante la semana para informar a las personas sin hogar sobre el clima frío que se avecina, los servicios disponibles y la necesidad de tener un plan para mantenerse seguros durante el frío extremo.

El East Boulder Community Center (EBCC) permanecerá abierto durante su horario regular en este período, con actividades recreativas normales, excepto en el ala Age Well del EBCC. El East Age Well Center cerrará al mediodía el viernes 17 de enero y permanecerá cerrado hasta el domingo 26 de enero para limpieza y restauración completa de servicios. Para más información, comuníquese con el personal de Age Well al 303-441-3148.

Desayuno, Duchas y Acceso Matutino al Refugio

Refugio All Roads (capacidad máxima de 180 camas) 4869 N Broadway – Boulder County

Ofrece acceso a refugio y servicios para personas sin hogar, incluso si no se alojaron durante la noche…

Elegibilidad: Adultos sin hogar que hayan pasado por el sistema de Entrada Coordinada del condado.

Horario: lunes a domingo, horario variable. All Roads (anteriormente “Boulder Shelter for the Homeless”) La admisión es de 5 pm a 7 pm. Se requieren mascarillas. 4869 Broadway, Boulder; autobuses Skip/204. 303-442-4646

Ciudad de Longmont

Información sobre el Refugio para Clima Severo

ACTUALIZACIÓN 17/01/25: Con la asistencia de voluntarios de Seguridad Pública y la Ciudad, HOPE abrirá los refugios en Messiah Church y Journey Church desde el sábado 18 de enero a las 5 pm hasta el martes 21 de enero a las 8 am. Los clientes pueden acudir a cualquiera de las ubicaciones durante este tiempo.

HOPE ofrecerá refugio nocturno para clima severo del viernes 17 al miércoles 22 de enero:

• Viernes 17 y sábado 18 de enero: El refugio estará en Messiah Church, 1335 Francis Street.
• Domingo 19 al miércoles 22 de enero: El refugio estará en Journey Church, 2000 Pike Road.

Cualquier persona que no haya sido previamente vetada y necesite un lugar cálido para pasar la noche es bienvenida. Las puertas abren a las 5:30 pm. HOPE también abrirá un refugio diurno el sábado 18 de enero en Messiah Church, y el domingo y lunes (19 y 20 de enero) en Journey Church. Encuentre recursos adicionales en bit.ly/Homeless-Solutions

Programa de Refugio de Emergencia de Broomfield

36 Garden Center, Broomfield, Colorado

Ejército de Salvación

Broomfield Corps 1080 Birch St, 303-635-3018

DENVER (Citadel), CO: Corps Community Center

4505 W. Alameda Avenue, Denver, 303-922-4549, Denver, CO: Intermountain Division

1370 Pennsylvania Street, Denver 5280 Echelon

1370 Pennsylvania Street, Denver 303-860-5460 Servicios Sociales Metro Denver: Lambuth Family Center (Vivienda Transicional para Familias)

2741 N. Federal Boulevard, Denver 720-305-4678

Servicios Sociales Metro Denver: Denver Harbor Light Center

2136 Champa Street, Denver 303-863-2191

DENVER (Red Shield), CO: Corps Community Center

2915 High Street, Denver, 303-295-2107

Ejército de Salvación – Colorado

Servicios de Apoyo

Se requiere Entrada Coordinada (CE) para recibir servicios de Homeless Solutions for Boulder County (HSBC).

Comuníquese con CE por teléfono (720-453-6096) o preséntese: lunes, martes y jueves, 12 pm – 4 pm y viernes, 12 pm – 2 pm en:

HOPE, 804 S. Lincoln St. (tambén están disponibles necesidades básicas, comidas y ropa).

Miércoles, 12 pm – 5 pm en 1335 Francis St. Los especialistas intentarán resolver problemas de inestabilidad de vivienda o remitir a las personas a servicios.

Se requiere Entrada Coordinada (CE) para recibir servicios de Homeless Solutions for Boulder County (HSBC). Comuníquese con CE por teléfono (720-453-6096) o visite:

• Lunes, martes y jueves, 12 pm – 4 pm, y viernes, 12 pm – 2 pm en HOPE, 804 S. Lincoln St. (tambén disponibles necesidades básicas, comidas y ropa).
• Miércoles, 12 pm – 5 pm en 1335 Francis St. Los especialistas intentarán resolver problemas de inestabilidad de vivienda o remitir a las personas a servicios.

Recursos de Asistencia Pública de Boulder County St. Vrain Community Hub

515 Coffman St. Lunes a viernes, 8 am – 4:30 pm. Para vivienda, llame al 303-441-1000.

Centro de Alcance HOPE

HOPE ofrece un almuerzo empacado, ropa, artículos de higiene y otros suministros a cualquier persona sin hogar.

Lunes, martes y jueves, 12 pm – 4 pm, y viernes, 12 pm – 2 pm.

804 S. Lincoln St.; autobús 323. 720-494-4673/720-210-7217.

Iglesia Journey

Comidas y duchas gratuitas.

Domingo a miércoles, 5:30 pm – 7 pm.

1201 Alpine St.

Autobús 323/324/Bolt. 720-453-6999.

Veterans Community Project (VCP)

Proporciona a los veteranos sin hogar alimentos, kits de higiene, referencias de vivienda, gestión de casos, asistencia con documentación militar y referencias para beneficios de VA.

Llame al 720-340-2916 para hacer una cita o conocer el horario actual de atención sin cita previa en: Veterans Community Project

1228 Main St.

Veterans Community Project (VCP) Proporciona a los veteranos sin hogar alimentos, kits de higiene, referencias de vivienda, gestión de casos, asistencia con documentación militar y referencias para beneficios de VA. Llame al 720-340-2916 para hacer una cita o conocer el horario actual de atención sin cita previa en el Centro de Alcance 1228 Main St.

Broomfield Fish

FISH proporciona una variedad de servicios de apoyo familiar. Generalmente, Broomfield FISH atiende a residentes del condado de Broomfield que tienen un ingreso anual igual o inferior al 200% de las guías federales de pobreza.

6 Garden Center

Broomfield, CO 80020

info@broomfieldfish.org

303-465-1600

The Refuge Café

The Refuge ofrece The Refuge Café proporcionando almuerzos gratuitos, duchas, artículos esenciales, acceso a recursos locales, equipo para exteriores y un lugar seguro para descansar. Consulte con The Refuge sobre el horario de atención.

Llame al 720-295-2270

Visite: 11600 Quay Street #200, Broomfield

Servicios para Jóvenes

The Source de TGTHR

3080 Broadway en Boulder

Proporciona asistencia para empleo y educación, refugio a corto plazo y navegación para vivienda a largo plazo.

El centro gratuito de atención diurna para jóvenes de 12 a 24 años está abierto diariamente de 12:30 pm a 5 pm.

El refugio gratuito de emergencia nocturno para personas de 12 a 21 años abre diariamente a las 5 pm. 303-447-1207.

The Source de TGTHR

Ubicado en 3080 Broadway en Boulder

Proporciona asistencia para empleo y educación, refugio a corto plazo y navegación para vivienda a largo plazo.

El centro gratuito de atención diurna para jóvenes de 12 a 24 años está abierto diariamente de 12:30 pm a 5 pm.

El refugio gratuito de emergencia nocturno para personas de 12 a 21 años abre diariamente a las 5 pm. 303-447-1207.

Servicios para Familias

Refugio Atwood

Para Familias Para alojamiento a corto plazo en el Centro Atwood de la Asociación de Asistencia Familiar de Emergencia, llame al OUR Center al 303-772-5529.

Mother House and Lodge

Proporciona refugio a personas embarazadas y mujeres/trans padres con al menos un hijo menor de dos años.

303-447-9602.

Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley

Proporciona programas y servicios en inglés y español para abordar las necesidades de las víctimas de violencia doméstica y familiar, abuso en la tercera edad, violencia en el noviazgo adolescente y tráfico humano.

Llame 24/7: 303-772-4422.

Higiene e Internet

Piscina Centennial Duchas cuestan $1, no se proporcionan toallas, no se aceptan vales. Martes y miércoles, 12 pm – 3 pm. 1201 Alpine St., autobús 323/327/324. 303-651-8406.

Iglesia Journey Comidas y duchas gratuitas. Domingo a miércoles, 5:30 pm – 7 pm. 2000 Pike Road, autobús 323/324/Bolt. 720-453-6999.

Biblioteca Pública de Longmont Acceso gratuito a internet. Lunes a jueves, 9 am – 8 pm; viernes y sábado, 9 am – 5 pm; domingo, 1 pm – 5 pm. 409 4th Avenue, 303-665-5200.

Centro de Recreación de Longmont Duchas cuestan $1. Lunes y jueves, 12 pm – 5 pm. 310 Quail Rd, autobús 324. 303-774-4800.

Ciudad de Loveland

La Ciudad de Loveland administra el Centro de Recursos de Loveland como el principal espacio diurno de la Ciudad, con capacidad para servir como un espacio adicional para pernoctar cuando sea necesario, y las Instalaciones de South Railroad, que funcionan como el principal espacio de refugio nocturno de la Ciudad.

El Centro de Recursos de Loveland y el Refugio Nocturno

El Centro de Recursos de Loveland (LRC) es actualmente el centro diurno de la Ciudad y un espacio de refugio adicional, proporcionando acceso a recursos y refugio para las personas que experimentan la falta de vivienda.

Ubicado en: 137 S. Lincoln Ave.
Loveland, CO 80537

Contacto por teléfono:
970-962-2951 y 970-962-2952

Horario de operación:
Domingo – Viernes: 7 am — 7 pm
Lunes – Domingo: 7 pm — 7 am

El LRC estará cerrado de 4:45 — 7 pm cada primer jueves del mes para reuniones y capacitación del personal.

Servicios ofrecidos:

Duchas, baños, lavandería, correo, almacenamiento en casilleros, acceso a agencias asociadas que pueden ayudar con la búsqueda de empleo, obtención de tarjetas de Seguro Social, identificaciones, certificados de nacimiento, beneficios públicos y más.

Lunes – Viernes

Inscripción:

Regístrate antes de la 1:00 pm llamando o presentándote en persona.

Si no quieres compartir tu nombre real, puedes usar un apodo.

Sorteo:

El personal colocará todos los nombres en un selector de nombres aleatorio.

Antes de la 1:15 pm, el personal:

• Anunciará los nombres seleccionados.
• Publicará la lista en la puerta del refugio.

Sábado – Domingo
Inscripción de Fin de Semana:

Regístrate para los lugares de viernes, sábado y domingo antes de la 1:00 pm del viernes.

Puedes registrarte para un día, dos días o los tres.

Sorteo:

El personal seleccionará los nombres al azar y anunciará la lista del viernes antes de la 1:15 pm.

Las listas de sábado y domingo también se publicarán el viernes.

Registro:

Regístrate antes de las 7:30 pm para conservar tu lugar.

Cualquier lugar no reclamado antes de las 7:30 pm será asignado a otras personas por orden de llegada.

Este proceso asegura que todos tengan una oportunidad justa de quedarse en el refugio.

La Ciudad de Loveland opera el Centro de Recursos de Loveland como el principal espacio diurno de la Ciudad, con capacidad para servir como un espacio adicional para pernoctar cuando sea necesario, y las Instalaciones de South Railroad, que funcionan como el principal espacio de refugio nocturno de la Ciudad.

Lunes – Viernes
Registro:

Regístrate antes de la 1:00 pm llamando o presentándote en persona.

Si no quieres compartir tu nombre real, puedes usar un apodo.

Sorteo:

El personal colocará todos los nombres en un selector de nombres aleatorio.

Antes de la 1:15 pm, el personal:

• Anunciará los nombres seleccionados.
• Publicará la lista en la puerta del refugio.

Sábado – Domingo
Registro de Fin de Semana:

Regístrate para los lugares de viernes, sábado y domingo antes de la 1:00 pm del viernes.

Puedes registrarte para un día, dos días o los tres.

Sorteo:

El personal seleccionará los nombres al azar y anunciará la lista del viernes antes de la 1:15 pm.

Las listas de sábado y domingo también se publicarán el viernes.

Registro:

Regístrate antes de las 7:30 pm para conservar tu lugar.

Cualquier lugar no reclamado antes de las 7:30 pm será asignado a otras personas por orden de llegada.

Este proceso asegura que todos tengan una oportunidad justa de quedarse en el refugio.

Las Instalaciones de South Railroad

Las Instalaciones de South Railroad se inauguraron el miércoles 12 de abril de 2023 y funcionan como el principal espacio de refugio nocturno de la Ciudad. El Centro de Recursos de Loveland permanecerá abierto para uso diurno, así como para necesidades de refugio adicional.

Ubicado en:
300 S. Railroad Ave.
Loveland, CO 80537

Contacto por teléfono:
970-962-3241

Horario de operación:
Diariamente: 7 pm — 7 am

Instalaciones de South Railroad

Las Instalaciones de South Railroad se inauguraron el miércoles 12 de abril de 2023 y funcionarán como el principal espacio de refugio nocturno de la Ciudad. El Centro de Recursos de Loveland permanecerá abierto para uso diurno, así como para necesidades de refugio adicional.

Ubicado en:
300 S. Railroad Ave.
Loveland, CO 80537

Contacto por teléfono:
970-962-3241

Horario de operación:
Diariamente: 7 pm — 7 am

Condado de Denver

¡Se esperan temperaturas frías!

Denver activará un refugio para clima frío desde la 1 pm del lunes 30 de diciembre hasta las 11 am del viernes 31 de enero.

Se recomienda a las personas que necesiten refugio que acudan a los puntos de acceso de refugio:

• Para hombres individuales: Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St.
• Para mujeres individuales: Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St.
• Para jóvenes/adultos jóvenes de 12 a 24 años: Urban Peak, 1630 S. Acoma St.
• Familias que necesiten refugio: Llamar al Connection Center al 303-295-3366.

Refugio disponible 24/7 en las siguientes ubicaciones:

• Stone Creek Shelter (anteriormente Best Western Hotel), 4595 Quebec St.
• Aspen Shelter (anteriormente DoubleTree Hotel), 4040 Quebec St.
• Instalaciones municipales ubicadas en 2601 W. 7th Ave. y 375 S. Zuni St.
• St. Charles Recreation Center, 3777 Lafayette St., desde las 8 pm del 17 de enero hasta las 11 am del 21 de enero.

El clima frío representa un peligro grave para las personas sin refugio, y la ciudad alienta a todos a buscar resguardo. Para más información sobre el acceso a refugios, visite denvergov.org/findshelter o envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra INDOORS al 67283.

Servicios de Apoyo en Denver

St. Francis Center (SFC): Es un refugio para hombres y mujeres sin hogar en el área metropolitana de Denver. Ofrece refugio y servicios que permiten satisfacer necesidades básicas y facilitar la transición fuera de la falta de vivienda. También proporciona un entorno seguro durante el día.

Programa de Refugio 24/7 – The Delores Project: Refugio de baja barrera para mujeres y personas transgénero mayores de 18 años. Las camas disponibles se reservan diariamente por teléfono a las 10:00 am llamando al 303-534-5411.

Irving Street Women’s Residence – Volunteers of America Colorado: Programa residencial para mujeres que experimentan falta de vivienda crónica, con discapacidades o problemas de salud mental. Proporciona un entorno hogareño y seguro.

Samaritan House Downtown (2301 Lawrence St., Denver, CO): Refugio de emergencia para mujeres que ofrece servicios inmediatos y apoyo 365 días al año. Capacidad: 40 camas estilo dormitorio. No se necesita llamar con anticipación ni referencia.

Housing First Program – Colorado Coalition for the Homeless: Diseñado para ayudar a individuos crónicamente sin hogar a mudarse directamente a una vivienda con servicios de apoyo integrales. Este no es un refugio nocturno.

Urban Peak – Urban Peak Denver: Organización dedicada a jóvenes menores de 25 años en situación de riesgo o sin hogar. Ofrece programas basados en el cuidado informado por trauma y desarrollo positivo de la juventud.

Colorado Safe Parking Initiative: Proporciona estacionamiento seguro nocturno para familias o individuos que viven en un vehículo. Los interesados deben completar una cita de aplicación y verificación de antecedentes. Teléfono: 720-230-6680.

Otros recursos clave:

• The Gathering Place (TGP): Proporciona servicios para combatir la pobreza y apoyar a mujeres, personas trans y no binarias, y niños.
• Denver Rescue Mission’s Lawrence Street Shelter: Proporciona cuidado de emergencia y es un punto de entrada para programas de cambio de vida.
• Haven of Hope: Ofrece comida, refugio, ropa, servicios de rehabilitación e higiene.
• Salvation Army Crossroads: Servicios de refugio nocturno disponibles para hombres sin hogar.

The post Open Shelters Weekend of Jan 17th, 2025 – English and Spanish appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Over the past few years, homelessness in Boulder County has reached crisis levels, with the worst of the crisis occurring in 2023. Since its implementation in 2017, the city’s homelessness strategy has helped somewhat to decline these levels in 2024. Still, nationwide figures of homelessness paint a rather dire scene and prompt questions about what’s being done to help solve the bigger picture. Are other cities following Boulder County’s lead?

Behind the picturesque scenes of rolling landscapes, vibrant culture, and tree-lined streets lies a much darker and invisible part of Boulder: homelessness. In July 2023, the city began a Point-in-Time (PIT) count to try to understand the forces driving homelessness, and the results were sobering.  

The city’s survey only included 79 participants and an additional 43 who were observed from a distance. Surveyors found that 68% of people reported experiencing chronic homelessness–one year or longer. The PIT count also revealed that 727 people in Boulder County were experiencing homelessness in January 2024, a decrease from the previous year’s count of 839. 

But in reality, this count is higher. Of the 727 people, at least 193 were unsheltered, meaning people sleeping in car parks, stations, and abandoned buildings. Last year, the number of unsheltered persons was 243, meaning Boulder County claims it is seeing a slight decline. But is this decline in numbers due to actual change, or is it the effects of the city’s recent camping ban? 

The ordinance essentially allows police to issue tickets to homeless people for sleeping in public spaces while using anything other than clothes for protection from the elements. Over the years, advocates, civil rights groups, and experts have criticized this ban. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Maria Sotomayor slammed a similar ban as “unconscionable and unconstitutional” in an October 2023 ruling.  

Timothy MacDonald, a lawyer with the ACLU of Colorado who is fighting the camping ban, emailed Boulder Reporting Lab, “We will convince the Colorado courts that sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime, and that criminally punishing people for their status as unhoused people is prohibited by the Colorado Constitution.” 

To begin solving the problem of the high number of citizens on the streets, the city needs to address the root of the problem, which experts believe is a lack of affordable housing and low income that does not meet the rising cost of living.  

The ongoing housing crisis and homelessness are not unique to Boulder County. USA Today reported that more Americans are homeless in 2024 than in 2023. The news outlet revealed that 771,800 people lived without housing in 2024, an increase of 18.1% from 2023.  

National Housing Law Project Executive Director, Shamus Roller, told USA Today, “The underlying conditions driving homelessness are not going in the right direction. Housing affordability is worse; it’s affecting more people across the country, and so you can’t be surprised that people are essentially falling off the back of the wagon.”   

Real Estate company Zillow revealed that the U.S. is now short 4.5 million homes as the housing deficit continues to grow, with this problem dating back all the way to the 2008 recession. With such a high level of demand, slow construction, and an unregulated market, housing prices are skyrocketing to the point where more than 21 million renter households spend more than 30% of their income on housing. 

An unregulated housing market means the people benefitting the most are investors and developers. In contrast, according to the Financial Times, “most American families are stuck paying high rents and gazing through brokers’ windows at unaffordable houses.” 

Redfin reported that in the first quarter of 2024, the share of homes purchased by investors was around 19%, with a focus on single-family homes. The real estate brokerage site also revealed that investors bought around 44,000 homes in the first quarter of 2024, which is an increase of 0.5%, and bought 18.7% of homes that sold in the first quarter. 

High labor and construction costs, zoning laws, and land use restrictions are some of the reasons construction has been slow. A change in policies might be the answer to kickstarting the housing supply and demand problem. President-elect Donald Trump even floated the idea of opening up federal land to build housing, but the likelihood of that happening anytime soon is low.

In addition to a severe lack of affordable housing—Redfin reports that home prices were up by 4.6% in Boulder County—a lack of shelter in the city has contributed to the increased number of people sleeping on the street. In November 2024, the largest homeless shelter, with only 130 beds total, in North Boulder saw a demand for beds that exceeded capacity as temperatures dropped. 

Currently, there are no overnight mental health services in the city of Boulder, and there is only one homeless shelter for single adults. Haven Ridge offers beds for women, transgender people, and youth fleeing domestic violence, while All Roads Shelter, the largest shelter, has 180 beds and day services. 

Boulder Homeless Shelter, which has a capacity of 130 beds

But a lack of beds isn’t the only problem forcing people out on the street. Online forums reveal some unhoused people in Boulder would rather sleep on the streets than step foot in the shelters as they’re not entirely free from drugs and alcohol that can cause altercations between those in the shelters. Jen Livovich, founder of the nonprofit Streetscape and a former homeless citizen of Boulder City, is concerned about the increasing speed of availability of fentanyl and methamphetamine amongst the homeless. Despite public perception, only 20% of people report drug and alcohol abuse as the reason for homelessness, according to Streets Team. The American Addiction Centers says that some of the biggest reasons why many homeless people suffer from substance abuse is because of self-medication to relieve the stress from their problems, a lack of social support, ease of access, and untreated mental illness.  

In addition to substance abuse, mental health problems and a lack of resources for affordable mental health care make it harder to end the cycle of homelessness. 

Mental health and homelessness often go hand-in-hand, and unfortunately, the city of Boulder is not equipped to tackle this problem. Even Mayor Aaron Brockett admits to this shortcoming, saying, “We have very limited options for people who don’t have the money to pay for them.” 

According to the Denver Gazette, Brockett feels that the city would have a 100-bed inpatient facility in a perfect world, but that would require more money when often these programs go underfunded. In fact, earlier in 2024, Boulder County commissioners announced cuts in grant funding for providers like shelters under the Community Partnership Grant program, with some receiving a decrease of 27%, according to the Boulder Reporting Lab. 

A sad reality is that for many homeless people, jail appears to be the only way to get mental health treatment. The CJS Jail Behavioral Health Teams in Boulder County offer a range of services and programs, including a Mental Health Diversion Program, which can include mental health treatment, housing, education, employment, and food.    

While Brockett may appear sympathetic to the plight of the homeless, the city continues to treat them as criminals rather than citizens who are victims of an unjust system designed to punish rather than help. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) revealed that over the past four years, the Boulder police have issued over 1,600 tickets for violations of the city’s anti-camping ordinance.  

ACLU Legal Director Mark Silverstein slammed the city and the police, “When the homeless shelters are closed or full, it is terribly unfair, and unconstitutional, to impose fines and jail sentences on persons who have no choice but to sleep outdoors.”  

In an effort to tackle this issue more humanely, local officials created the Homeless Solutions for Boulder County (HSBC). The city worked to expand housing opportunities as research has shown that other problems like employment, addiction, and mental health can be more easily addressed once people are stably housed.

In 2023, the city reported that since implementing a “housing first” approach, Boulder has seen over 1,800 exits from homelessness. However, it’s worth noting that the result doesn’t explicitly explain what these exits actually mean in reality and whether the recipients received permanent and stable housing or are temporarily housed somewhere. 

Other cities like Chicago, New York, Seattle, and Philadelphia have also seen some success in lowering levels of homelessness by making access to affordable housing easier and adjusting housing policies. For some cities like Eugene in Oregon, employing non-police crisis response systems has worked. These cases are proof that cities can work together to help solve the bigger picture of homelessness.    

The post Homelessness in Boulder County: Progress and Nationwide Lessons appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The fight over body camera footage continues as Boulder questions Colorado’s Transparency Act in the Colorado Court of Appeals.

In December of 2023, Boulder police officers shot and killed 51-year-old Jeannette Alatorre in a confrontation that started at the rec center. After the incident on Dec 17th, concerned Boulderite and attorney Dan Williams filed a police misconduct complaint as a first step in the process of making a request for the body-worn camera (BWC) footage obtained during the confrontation.

In response to Williams’ request, the Boulder police department demanded to be paid for the labor of finding and editing all BWC footage. At the same time, Yellow Scene Magazine also made requests for all relevant footage from the incident. BPD again demanded that YS pay “$2857.50 for search, retrieval, and redaction.”

In April of 2024, YS, along with Alatorre’s daughter, both represented by Williams, filed a lawsuit against the City of Boulder as their monetary demand directly violates the Law Enforcement Integrity and Transparency Act of 2020, which requires police departments to provide footage related to alleged misconduct to families of victims for free, or to others at lowered costs.

The City of Boulder argued that the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) permits agencies to charge reasonable fees to those making open records requests. The fees are capped at 33.58 an hour, and the first hour is usually free to limit requesters’ costs.

The court ruled in favor of YS, declaring that CORA “does not authorize a criminal justice agency to charge fees when a requester seeks video recordings.” However, the records requester must reference the Law Enforcement Integrity and Transparency Act when making the request, which Yellow Scene did.

Today, the City of Boulder filed an appeal for this decision on two issues. First, the City of Boulder questions whether the Police Accountability and Transparency Act overrides CORA when invoked by requesters. Second, the City of Boulder posits that the district court ignored the portion of CORA that states governments don’t have to provide records free of charge if the state does not provide funding for it.

One thing is clear: the current state of records requests in Colorado is incredibly muddy. With any luck, the outcome of this lawsuit will help to streamline this process in a way that keeps law enforcement accountable in an age where police brutality is all too common.

This does not even begin to address the actual events of December 17th, 2023. The legal squabble does not seek to answer whether lethal force was necessary and will not bring justice for Alatorre’s family. YS remains committed to speaking truth to power, and though this is our first time covering this story since the lawsuit, it will not be the last.

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The post City of Boulder Files Appeal: Police Accountability Law Faces Legal Challenge appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

The Trump administration aims to support the oil and gas industry. Trump’s policy mind has a track record of thwarting environmental activism, and his political allies profit from natural resources. The oil and gas industry have the same priorities, for the most part. Yellow Scene Magazine (YS) looks at the key information regarding environmental and energy policy “Trumping” into the 2025 republican enterprise. 

The American Petroleum Institute (API) published a five-point policy roadmap shortly after the 2024 presidential election. The roadmap prioritizes five ideal Trump-administration energy actions. These actions are protecting consumer choice, bolstering geopolitical strength, leveraging natural resources, reforming our permitting system, and advancing sensible tax policy.

“Leveraging natural resources” means revoking the Biden Administration’s offshore program: 

“Unfortunately, the previous administration impeded resource development, including implementing the weakest offshore leasing program in history. A pro-American energy approach is needed to initiate a new era of federal energy leasing. Oil and natural gas production from federal lands and waters offers tremendous benefits to all and is using the highest safety and environmental standards. Given the scale of our resource base, opportunities for development stretch decades into the future.”

Permitting reform fastens faulty energy infrastructure repairs: 

“Americans can’t drive down the road without witnessing firsthand our failing infrastructure. Unfortunately, it is even worse than potholes and crumbling bridges. Burdensome regulations and government red tape have made it impossible to build anything in this country. We need smart, comprehensive permitting reform that ensures transparency, predictability, timeliness, and durability.”

Advanced “sensible tax policy” faithfully withstands American-produced energy:

“Industry investment rests on sound, predictable tax policy. With many key tax provisions expiring at the end of next year, it is critical they be extended to ensure the next chapter of our energy future is once again written here in America.”

Project 2025 And The National Picture

Some members of the oil and gas industry are more progressive than others. Not all of them care about conserving profits more than environmental justice. Some care about a balanced economy that also benefits the environment. Trump’s all-the-above energy solution supports sustainable energy sources. This republican agenda includes creating jobs, maintaining domestic supply, and boosting the economy. 

A Law360 report suggests that citizens should expect oil and gas decisions to look more like merger and acquisition (M&A) business deals. However nuanced the case may be, Trump’s agenda is to ramp up fossil fuels and resist sustainable energy emerging from the hottest year on record. 

“Just days after the election, we are already seeing big polluters emboldened by Donald Trump’s agenda to increase costly fossil fuel use and devastate our public health and our environment,” Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous said in a press release. 

“Ramping up coal use would mean higher monthly costs for ratepayers, more deadly pollution in our communities, and more climate chaos, all for the sake of boosting profits for coal executives.”

The coal industry is weakening because it is an archaic model. Other sources of natural gas are more affordable. Many of the people in control of the energy industry are right-leaning conservatives — the type of people who vote for Trump because their interest is maximizing profits. The fossil fuel industry has a disproportionate financial and lobbying influence, according to AmericanProgress.org. 

This influence undermines popular views and hinders climate action proposals. With Republicans dominating all three branches of The U.S. federal government, the authors of Project 2025 intend to self-regulate the interests of conservatives. Even though Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, his track record of deregulation will continue to put profit over people.

California And Colorado Lead The Fight to Protect The Environment

During Trump’s first presidency, California won most of its court cases to protect environmental regulations. 

“The good news for California,” said Ann Carlson, an environmental law professor and director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, “is that the first Trump administration lost 83% of its court cases involving attempts to roll back environmental regulations.” Neither the Bush nor the Trump administration impeded the state’s defense of air quality and climate change. States’ rights’ survival is the fittest. 

“When the Trump administration attempted to roll back California’s standards, many major automakers chose to negotiate with the state instead to avoid the uncertainty.” Cal Matters reports.

 “The state in 2020 finalized an agreement with BMW, Ford, Honda, Volkswagen Group of America, and Volvo, which agreed to follow the state’s standards through 2026 regardless of what the federal government did.” Some major corporations care about the well-being of the American people, after all. Although, actions speak louder than words.

Colorado boasts some of the cleanest air quality in the world. But this state has more hurdles to overcome than the political powerhouse known as California. 

“Despite Colorado operators producing some of the cleanest molecules of energy in the world under stringent environmental protections,” Dan Haley, the president of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association trade group, told The Denver Gazette, “federal permit processing and leasing significantly slowed during the Biden administration, with only one lease auction held in Colorado.” 

“For far too long, federal lands in Colorado have been leased to big polluters for pennies on the dollar — often with disastrous long-term results for our climate and communities,” Conservation Colorado Executive Director Kelly Nordini stated in The Colorado Sun.

“President Biden’s order pausing this outdated practice is long overdue.” Democratic change comes out like the minimal toothpaste in a shared bathroom. Industry and local officials report that blocking the activity on federal lands responsible for a significant portion of oil and gas in the United States would devastate employment and slash government budgets.

“Colorado’s oil and gas industry understands the importance of responsible energy production and operates under some of the most stringent regulatory standards in the world,” API Colorado Director Kait Schwartz told The Denver Gazette. 

“While we support balanced federal energy policies, we will continue to lead by example by maintaining our commitment to responsible energy production.” 

The Trump Administration does not care much about sustainability. Individuals and states play a crucial role in sustaining environmental justice. Standing solidarity ensures corporations’ monetary interests do not override Mother Earth’s needs. 

The post Preventing An Energy Collapse Under The 2nd Trump Administration appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

photo by Janine Robinson

Erie Elections 2024

As the Unofficial Election results for Erie trickle in, the town’s ballot measures have shown candidates who appear to be leading and winning the election. 

However, per the Erie government website, Andrew Moore is set to win against Justin Brooks with 10,384 votes, while Justin Brooks has received 9,807 votes. This has placed Moore in the lead with 577 more votes. Council Members for District 1 have shown John Mortellaro leading with 2,652 votes, followed by Andrew Sawusch with 2,633 votes. 

One of the candidates running for District 2 has been met with heightened controversy. Dan Maloit, who the ballot measures have shown is placing third with 2,078 votes, has been served with a lawsuit for allegedly doxxing and posting nude photographs of an ex-partner online. 

The victim, who chose to stay unidentified, claims she had found out about the nude photos being posted online 2 years ago, back in 2022. Once she started doing a deeper search on the web, she realized that photos had actually been posted of her online dating back to 2016. 

Since these allegations have arisen, Maloit filed a countersuit in September and has denied any of them, claiming they are intended to sabotage his political career. In a Facebook post on November 4, 2024, Maloit states, “I believe the allegations are false and are made in addition to other private matters that exist between the plaintiff and myself.”

District 3 has shown Brian O’Connor leading with 2,626 votes, Travis Pinz with 1,612, and Emily Baer with 2,885. 

The city of Erie, with 11,566 votes, has voted yes for a 5% excise tax on the sale of Marijuana. This means that starting January 2025, a tax will be imposed on the sale of Marijuana both medicinally and recreationally. The big change is that Marijuana will be able to be sold and purchased in the city of Erie, something that hasn’t happened in the city since the legalization of Marijuana in Colorado back in 2012. 

962 yes votes have gone toward question 7B regarding RTD annexation. Over 90% of the city of Erie is already annexed into the RTD district. The RTD annexation vote would result in providing more unannexed areas in the city of Erie for public transportation systems such as the RTD. This voter approval will bring about multiple benefits for the people of Erie, including transportation services, access to rides, parking benefits, and free fares that would be eligible for residents and youth during the summers. 

What’s next? Election results for the city of Erie will be finalized on November 26, 2024. 

Stephen Redfearn

The City of Boulder responds to the NAACP

The NAACP has issued a press release expressing its concern about the recent hiring of Stephen Redfearn, a police officer with a dark reputation by the City of Boulder. 

Stephen Redfearn was recently hired last year into a permanent position as head police chief in the City of Boulder. On October 14 of this year, the NAACP released a press release condemning the hiring of Stephen Redfearn due to his history of covering up the murder of Elijah McClain.  

In the press release submitted to YS, the NAACP claims that Redfearn is not only “anti-black” but also lacks “cultural competence,” which should, by all rights, disqualify him for the position of head police chief of the City of Boulder. 

The press release also contained a transcript of a recorded confidential meeting that took place in July of this year between members of the City of Boulder and Stephen Redfearn.

According to the City of Boulder’s manager, Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, the meeting was secretly recorded without the members’ knowledge or consent, and members were asked to sign an agreement not to publish any details of the meeting anywhere online. According to Colorado law, Colorado is a one-party state, meaning that the NAACP did not need to inform the members of the City of Boulder that they were being recorded. 

The press release provided by the NAACP contains a transcript of the recording during the meeting. In this transcript, there were heated exchanges between Redfearn and Darren O’Connor, the chair of the NAACP Boulder County’s criminal justice committee. A “crude” comment was made toward Redfearn’s sexuality by O’Connor, which prompted Redfearn to express his being gay as a prominent reason why the NAACP condemned his hiring. Redfearn further claims that O’Connor smirked at him during the meeting anytime Redfearn spoke, resulting in questionable comments made by Redfearn that prompted O’Connor to state that such comments further prop up  “a system of racism.”

Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde recently came forward, issuing a statement accusing three members of the NAACP of blackmailing her with the recording. According to Rivera-Vandermyde, the members used the recording to pressure the City into not going through with the hiring of Redfearn. Rivera-Vandermyde claims that the NAACP’s actions have been “unethical and unacceptable.” Rivera-Vandermyde even goes as far as stating that Redfearn had nothing to do with Elijah’s murder, “Without repeating their misleading account of his involvement, I want to make clear again that there were no allegations against then-Aurora Police Captain Redfearn in connection with this case.”

What’s next? There have been no updates pertaining to the hiring of Stephen Redfearn. In an email sent to Boulder Weekly, Darren O’Connor said, “The lack of good faith begins and ends with her (Rivera-Vandermyde) and Redfearn,” he closes it by saying, “The truth is, she spent the City’s time and money creating a sham process in which Redfearn was always going to be chosen. An untold amount of money was spent hiring facilitators of the conversation, with the hope that the offering of a conversation would be sufficient to silence our critiques.”

graphic by Ray Manzari

2024 Elections and Blaming Minorities for Trump’s Victory 

As the old saying goes, if you scratch a liberal hard enough, a fascist bleeds.

As Donald Trump embraces his second Presidential election win, rather than focusing energy on the Democratic party and why Harris’ party did not succeed, strategists and even voters have succumbed to blaming minorities — many who make up only less than 1 percent of the American population — as being the main reason for Trump’s victory. 

Poll trackers show that 54% of the Latino population intended to vote for Harris and 33% for Trump. However, the final numbers came out as 55% of white and Hispanic males voted for Trump, while 53% of white women also did. Yet Muslims are often taking the blame for Harris’ loss. According to the Council of Islamic Relations, the Democrats had 22,000 fewer votes this year from Arab Americans and saw a 9,000 vote increase for Donald Trump. CAIR has listed that 53.2% of the Arab vote went to Jill Stein, while 21.4% of the Arab American vote went to Trump, and about 20.3% went to Harris. 

While many Democratic voters and strategists claim that a vote for the Green party is a vote for Trump, that isn’t entirely the case. Prior to the election, many Arab Americans, allies, and anti-genocide voters had expressed the importance of voting for the Green party as a message to the Biden and Harris administrations that genocide is a staunch red line for many American voters. Newsweek states, “Roughly 60 percent of us here in the United States now say the two-party system has failed.” 

Following the election, many Harris voters resorted to social media to express their outrage and fears with Trump’s newly announced presidency by scapegoating Arab Americans, Black men (who voted 78% for Harris, down 2% from 2020) as well as other minorities for the failure of Harris’ campaign. 

A series of tweets, TikTok, and social media posts by Democratic voters displaying racist and disturbing reactions toward Trump’s victory swarmed social media outlets. Many Democratic strategists blamed others, and even die-hard true-blue Democrats called for death and violence against Arabs and other minorities, as well as calling for the complete obliteration of Gaza, “When Gaza is Blown off the map, they’ll have Trump’s vote to thank.” one user tweets. “Good luck with new Trump settlements,” another user comments on Instagram. Another prominent Twitter user by the name of Derrick Daniello, whose account was recently suspended, tweets, “Don’t worry… they’re gonna die under Trump. I hope Netanyahu levels Gaza…America isn’t an Arab state. The craziness we see in Europe will never happen in America.”

Latino and Hispanic Americans have also been faced with the brunt of the Democratic reaction to Trump’s win, as many Democrats expressed their lack of care and support for the deportation of Latinos and Hispanics who voted for Trump. The American Journalist Ronald Martin told the Independent, ““If that dude’s [a Trump voter] mama gets deported, that’s on him, and I’m gonna play Scarface’s ‘No Tears,’” expressing no sympathy toward the deportation of Latinos and directing the blame on them for voting for a presidency that many claims is Anti-immigrant. 

While Arab Americans, specifically Palestinian and Lebanese Americans, have been witness to the relentless annihilation of their people and destruction of their homes, the Democratic party and its followers believe that Arab Americans should unequivocally stand by the party that is funding the murder of their families. 

According to the United Nations, the number of children killed by Israel in Gaza since October 7 is higher than four years of world conflict. Two days before the election, Al Jazeera stated that 70% of the Palestinians killed in Gaza have been women and children. 

What’s next? Are American voters seeking justice and reform today, or only when it pertains to them? While the next four years may seem rather bleak, one thing that we Americans can take the time to do is reflect and focus our energy inward toward the failure of the Democratic party that felt imperialism and genocide were more important than winning an election. 

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter (and get our printed copy monthly at home.)

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post A Nation in Flux: Local Elections, National Debates, and a Polarized Future appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Staff contribution

Today, the Colorado Energy Carbon & Management Commission (ECMC) deliberated on the Draco Oil & Gas Development Project (OGDP) during their regularly scheduled weekly meeting. The Draco OGDP consists of 26 horizontal wellbores, which will run an unprecedented five miles from unincorporated Weld County, under the Town of Erie, and into Boulder County, intersecting more than 22 existing wells along its path.

The meeting began with a public comment period, during which sixteen speakers addressed the Commission. Speakers included Boulder County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, Town of Erie Environmental Services Director David Frank, and Sami Carroll, representing the Flatiron Meadows Oil & Gas Monitoring Group.

Flatiron Meadows Oil & Gas Monitoring Group was the petitioner for the public hearing (referred to as a 511 hearing under ECMC Rule 511) held on October 29th at Erie Middle School. During the October public hearing, over 150 people attended, and 41 individuals spoke during the three-hour meeting.

Since July, over 418 people have submitted comments during the 2A location application’s 30-day public comment period, with an additional 271 written comments added to the public record.

During today’s hearing, Weld County Commissioner Jason Maxey, Director/Local Government Designee of the Weld County Oil & Gas Energy Department; Heidi Majerik, Vice President & General Manager of Southern Land Company; as well as Extraction Oil & Gas employees and their attorneys, Jillian Fulcher and Ryan McKee of Beatty & Wozniak, P.C., addressed the Commission.

A recording of today’s hearing will be available on the ECMC YouTube Channel later this week.

Today’s hearing was initially scheduled for August 28, 2024. However, the 511 hearing and the limited availability of ECMC Commissioners due to the mandated cumulative impacts of rulemaking delayed the hearing until today.

The hearing ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the conclusion of the session, only two of the five Commissioners had provided their deliberations. During deliberations, Commissioner Cross expressed support for approving the proposal but noted his disappointment in Extraction’s lack of proactive community outreach until the hearing. On the other hand, Commissioner Messner stated he was leaning toward denying the proposal, citing concerns that the Draco project did not adhere to ECMC’s Mitigation Hierarchy, particularly the requirement that an OGDP must avoid adverse impacts.

Commissioner Messner specifically highlighted the Southern Land Company’s Westerly development, which has been in planning since 2017, and Extraction’s awareness of the proposed homes that would be within the 2,000-foot setback required by law.

The hearing will continue on Friday, November 15, at 9 a.m.

More information can be found at ecmc.state.co.us.

Read additional YS stories about the Draco Pad.

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter (and get our printed copy monthly at home.)

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years..

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. We’ve been telling the truth for 24 years. Your support helps us keep telling it for at least the next four years.

The post ECMC Delays Decision on Draco Pad, Hearing Rescheduled for Friday, November 15 at 9 a.m. appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.