Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Will Denver’s $100 million downtown bet actually pay off?

And on the Denver Patch calendar - Artist Reception for "A Stitch in Time," fabric art exhibition by Terise Harrington Phillips

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Friday August 21st Patch AM
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Hi there, Denver! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will Denver's $100 million downtown bet actually pay off?
  • How a Denver nonprofit is cooling and cleaning air for vulnerable neighbors.
  • What losing ShotSpotter could mean for gunshot detection in Denver.

Also on today's calendar: Artist Reception for "A Stitch in Time," fabric art exhibition by Terise Harrington Phillips and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A stray afternoon t-shower, with a high of 98 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: A stray afternoon t-shower, temps: high: 90, low: 64.
  • Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 92 and low of 66 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Denver Bets $100 Million On ­Downtown's Next Chapter (glendalecherrycreek.com) — Denver is committing $100 million through its Denver Jobs Agenda and related incentives to revive a struggling downtown still reeling from hybrid work and high office vacancies. The plan mixes job creation, business recruitment, and office‑to‑housing conversions like High Fidelity Plaza, while sparking debate over how much public money should support private development and whether these projects will truly benefit residents citywide.
   

2. Denver nonprofit distributes free AC units and air purifiers to heat-vulnerable families (denver7.com) — A Denver nonprofit is giving free portable AC units and air purifiers to heat-vulnerable families in Northeast Denver's Globeville-Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods, funded by city climate grants. The program, part of Denver's Cool Homes initiative, targets households with kids or older adults, addressing both extreme heat and air pollution while offering installation help and discounted equipment.
   

3. Denver police letting ShotSpotter contract expire after more than a decade of gunshot detection (denver7.com) — Denver police will let their ShotSpotter gunshot-detection contract expire at the end of 2026, ending more than a decade of sensor-based alerts to the city's 911 center. Community leaders are split, with some worried about losing a policing tool and others raising equity and surveillance concerns as DPD explores alternative vendors and phases out coverage in Sun Valley and Park Hill.
   

4. Paying $800 an hour for four lawyers sends Denver legal bills soaring (cbsnews.com) — As Denver grapples with a $200 million budget deficit, the city has paid a private law firm about $852,000 in four months, with some lawyers billing $800 an hour to defend two employee lawsuits. Critics, including former and neighboring city attorneys, question why work wasn't kept in‑house or competitively bid, while city officials argue the firm's expertise could ultimately save taxpayers money.
   

5. More transparency needed after brick sewer discovered under 16th Street: Auditor (kdvr.com) — Denver's auditor says the 16th Street Improvement Project ran more than 300 days long and $18 million over because planners didn't account for an old brick sewer discovered near Lawrence Street. He criticizes how city staff communicated delays and contract changes to Denver City Council, while DOTI defends its handling of the complex project and overall performance.
   

📸 Around Denver

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Denver

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📣 Denver Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Comcast Launches Xfinity Shield, Redefining Intelligent Home Protection in Colorado —Zach Pagano Read on Patch
  • Charitable Organizations' Alert! —Viking Foundation Read on Patch
  • Concert Golf Partners Joins Audubon International —Michael Abramowitz Read on Patch
  • I spotted a BEAR 🐻 while walking on the highline canal trail between Hampden Ave and Colorado Blvd this morning around 7am.
    I have never even heard of bears making their way this far east. He ran before I could get my phone out for a picture. Anyone else see him? (Nextdoor Wellshire East)
  • Found this little guy just now, 7 am Bayaud park and Rosemary.
    No tags oridentification marks. Will take to the Humane Colorado if I don't get any response. Very nice boy, but scared. Update: Dropped this sweet… (Nextdoor Lowry)
  • Holland & Hart LLP posted a job opening for Legal Support Manager in Denver. Apply here.
  • American Airlines Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Ramp Service Agent Full Time in Denver. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Denver here.

Ok Denver! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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