North Denver News

By London Lyle Denver district attorney candidates John Walsh and Leora Joseph will face off in the June 25 Democratic primary election. With no Republican challengers, the winner will go on to run unopposed in November. Current DA Beth McCann, who has endorsed Walsh, will step down in January. This primary is crucial for voters as the DA significantly influences the legal system, especially in prosecuting crimes and protecting... Read more...

North Denver’s Lawmakers Reflect on Progress, Frustrations  By Cassis Tingley The Colorado Legislature adjourned May 8, wrapping up a 120-day session that saw gains in for-cause eviction, restrictions on the use of force by police and funding wins for DPS. However, it was also marred by conflict between and within parties, and ugly social media exchanges. The Denver North Star sat down with three of North Denver’s elected... Read more...

By Kathryn White News organizations across Colorado have been asking themselves if traditional election coverage has served communities well, if it’s been too driven by the horse race of polls and pundits, or if reporters have listened too much to candidates and not enough to you, the voters. The Denver North Star is joining newsrooms across the state in doing something that we all need to get better at: listening.  Voter Voices... Read more...

Voters are at the heart of every election. We want to know what issues most matter to you. Your hopes and concerns will set the agenda for how we report and write about the issues — and the stakes — of the 2024 election.  Please take a few moments to tell us what you think candidates should be talking about as they compete for your vote. We will use your contact information only to reach out if a reporter wants to better understand your... Read more...

By Cameron Kabot  Editor’s note: The status of these bills may have changed since The Denver North Star went to print. Visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills to search by bill number or topic to see where a bill you’re interested in currently stands. You can use that same website to contact elected officials and learn about ways to view and participate in proceedings. As the Colorado legislative session hits its halfway point entering... Read more...

By Cassis Tingley House District Four (HD4) is facing its first formal election since Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez resigned to serve on Denver City Council last summer. Rep. Tim Hernández, the former North High School teacher who won the vacancy contest in August, will face former immigration judge Cecelia Espenoza and small-business advocate Antonio Soto in this spring’s Democratic primary. Given HD4’s overwhelming Democratic performance... Read more...

By Talia Traskos-Hart Colorado state legislators began the 2024 legislative session last week with broad goals for the year. State legislators from North Denver—Representatives Alex Valdez and Tim Hernández—have centered affordable housing and support for students among other legislative priorities. Rep. Valdez, who has represented House District 5 since 2019, said that the 2024 session may provide chances to build back from delays in... Read more...

By Kathryn White Every year from mid-September to mid-November, a formal process unfolds between the City Council, the mayor and members of the public that determines how the city’s annual budget will be allocated.  The bulk of Denver’s revenue comes from sales and use taxes, which Mayor Mike Johnston estimated in his 2024 proposed budget (released Sept. 14) will add up to approximately 57% of the city’s 2024 operating revenue.... Read more...

By Kathryn White Voters in a C-shaped swath of the city making up Denver Public Schools (DPS) District 5 will cast votes starting this week through Nov. 7 deciding between incumbent Charmaine Lindsay and two challengers, Marlene De La Rosa and Adam Slutzker. Lindsay was appointed by the DPS board in June 2022 to serve the remaining 17 months of Rev. Brad Laurvick’s term when he moved out of the district. The Denver North Star... Read more...

By Talia Traskos-Hart Next month, Denver voters will decide whether to make permanent the current 0.15% sales and use tax funding the Denver Preschool Program (DPP). Since 2006, the tax has increased from the initial 0.12% and expanded access to preschool for 65,000 children. Some students from the first DPP cohort will graduate from college this year.  The measure, Denver Ballot Question 2P, would not raise current taxes, but it... Read more...