Headlines November 16, 2021
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Six Teenagers Wounded In Drive-by Shooting Near Aurora Central High
A drive-by shooting at Aurora’s Nome Park left six teenagers from Aurora Central High School wounded yesterday. The Aurora Police Department has confirmed the victims are in high school and range from 14 to 18 years old. One student underwent emergency surgery but officials say all six are in stable condition. Police say they believe assailants fired multiple guns from a car and possibly on foot in and near the park. As of this morning, they have reported no arrests.
Yesterday’s shooting comes amid a rise in violent crime targeting youth in Aurora. The Denver Post reports gunfire has killed three teens in Aurora in the past three weeks. According to the gun violence prevention groups Students Demand Action and Moms Demand Action, firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado. In an average year in Colorado, guns kill 805 people and wound 360 people. Gun deaths have increased 32% from 2010 to 2019, compared to a 17% increase nationwide. Gun violence costs Colorado $5.6 billion each year, of which $170.2 million is paid by taxpayers.
Colorado Supreme Court Approves New State House And Senate Maps
The Colorado Supreme Court unanimously approved the state house and senate maps drawn by the Colorado Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission yesterday. The court’s approval is the last step for the congressional and redistricting process done once a decade. For the first time, an independent commission created through voter passage of Amendments Y and Z in 2018 oversaw the process.
The Colorado Supreme Court previously approved the new U.S. House congressional maps on November 1st. According to The Colorado Sun, the new state legislative maps appear to favor Democrats maintaining a majority in the General Assembly.
Boulder Reopens Royal Arch Trail After Six-Month Closure
The City of Boulder has reopened the popular Royal Arch Trail. The trail was closed for six months because of significant maintenance and re-construction work. According to the city’s new release, the Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department conducted extensive reconstruction along 1,000 feet of the trail to realign it away from more sensitive wildlife and plant habitats. The department will conduct additional maintenance along the trail in 2022, which will require additional closures.
Boulder Housing Partners Awarded Tax Credits For Affordable Senior Community In South Boulder
The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority has awarded Boulder Housing Partners tax credits to help finance the Mount Calvary senior apartment community in South Boulder. The award includes close to $700,000 in state affordable housing tax credits and roughly over $1 million in 4% state low-income housing tax credits.
According to a Boulder Housing Partners news release, the Mount Calvary development features 60 apartment homes for residents 55 and older and includes 15 homes for older adults exiting homelessness. Boulder Housing Partners plans to break ground on the apartment community mid-2022.