Headlines September 21, 2021
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Colorado Giving $275 Million for Childcare Support
Governor Jared Polis announced yesterday that the state will allocate $275 million to alleviate childcare costs and fund pre-schools. The money will go towards programs that support the health and mental health of children, families and child care providers. According to the Governor’s press release, “The funding will result in $100 million kept in the pockets of families across the state, with families saving an average of about $450 per child in tuition reductions over the nine month grant.” The Denver Post reports infant childcare in Colorado costs about 21% of a family’s income and only about 6.2% of families in Colorado can afford infant childcare.
Denver High Schools Stage Walk-out
Hundreds of high school students across Denver walked out of class yesterday morning and marched toward the downtown administrative offices of Denver Public Schools.The students demanded the removal or resignation of school board member Tay Anderson.
A recent third-party investigation determined Anderson flirted with a 16 year-old student before learning her age. He then intimidated witnesses through social media posts. The investigation also concluded Anderson made unwelcome sexual comments and advances towards female students involved in a student-led gun control group that Anderson co-founded. Anderson is reported to have admitted and apologized to those allegations. Investigators were not able to substantiate Anderson’s sexual assault charges. According to The Colorado Sun, during yesterday’s protest a few students from each school met with school board members and voiced their concerns about Anderson.
Boulder County Discusses Critical Race Theory
The YWCA of Boulder County and NAACP of Boulder County will be hosting a virtual information session this evening to discuss Critical Race Theory. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes a panel of experts. Organizers invite students, parents, teachers and community members to attend. The moderated discussion will address “the information needed to challenge the misrepresentation of Critical Race Theory being used to create barriers for educators who are working toward more inclusive curriculum and equity programming in schools.”
Denver City Council Approves Funding For Two New Affordable Housing Complexes
Denver City Council members approved just over $27 million to fund two new affordable housing complexes last night. According to The Denver Gazette, council members approved funding for the construction of an 82 unit complex on East Colfax. The site of the complex was formerly a strip club which closed in 2017 after the city purchased the property in an effort to revive the area. The complex will be for tenants who make less than 70% of the area’s median income. The complex will also have an early childhood education center, on-site behavioral health services, financial literacy, job training, resume assistance, health food education, and after school programming.
The Denver Gazette reports that Denver City Council has also approved bond funding for the construction of an apartment complex that will house residents experiencing homelessness. The 49 unit complex, called Rhonda’s Place, will be located on South Federal Boulevard and will be reserved for residents who make less than 30% of the area’s median income. The complex will have on-site addiction recovery services, case management, nurse practitioner visits, education programs, benefits assistance, psychiatry services, and transportation to grocery stores and physician visits.
Funds Approved For Boulder County Bike Path Expansion
A safe, separated multi-use path for bikers and hikers may connect Boulder and Lyons in the not-too-distant future. The Denver Council of Regional Governments has awarded a $400,000 grant to Boulder County to carry out a feasibility study for the bikeway. The funding comes with a matching requirement. The advocacy group Cyclists 4 Community is in conversations with Boulder County officials to financially contribute to the match. According to Cyclists 4 Community, the grant award came after two years of discussions with county officials to create a safe route between Lyons and Boulder.
Boulder City Council Will Hold Vote Tonight On CU-South Annexation Agreement
Boulder City Council is set to hold a vote tonight on the CU-South Annexation Agreement that will guide flood control mitigation and the development of the 308 acre property owned by the University of Colorado Boulder. According to The Daily Camera, if the city council decides to annex the property, the flood mitigation project will still need to receive approval from various state and federal agencies. The Daily Camera reports the annexation agreement includes a provision that allows the city to disconnect the site from within its limits if any of the agencies do not authorize necessary permits. The city council meeting is set to begin at 6pm tonight.