Headlines November 24, 2021
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Denver Joins ‘Vax or Mask’ Mandate
Starting today, the City of Denver is joining nearly all jurisdictions in the metro area requiring masks in all indoor spaces. Businesses may exempt themselves if they show they require proof of vaccination from employees and customers against COVID-19.
At a news conference, Mayor Michael Hancock said that he is calling it a ‘Vax or Mask’ mandate. To receive a mask exemption, a business would have to submit a plan to a health department showing how it would verify that at least 95% of people in their establishments are vaccinated at any time.
Denverite reports that almost 90% of the city’s residents 12 and older, have received at least one dose and 8 out of ten are fully vaccinated. The head of Denver Health, Robin Wittenstein, said that people are coming into hospitals now sicker than ever before, and in larger numbers than seen before. She added that the system is on the brink of collapse.
Masking Mandates In Other Front Range Counties
In Aurora, a group of Republican City Council members are asking the city manager to disregard a mask mandate for Adams and Arapahoe counties. The Sentinel reports the order goes into effect today and requires everyone over two years old to wear a face covering in indoor public places. The group that is resisting the order includes Mayor Mike Kaufman. They claim the Tri-County Health agency doesn’t have authority over the entire city.
Boulder County has had a mask mandate since Friday, Sept. 3 that is in effect until the health director amends it.
Yesterday, Broomfield ordered that masks are required for everyone over the age of two in all City and County of Broomfield facilities.
A mask order in Larimer County went into effect in late October and will remain until infection and hospitalization levels are reduced.
Douglas County is the only jurisdiction in the metro Denver area that has not implemented a masking order. There, those over 18 can claim an exemption. However, the schools in Douglas County require face coverings.
Governor Polis Reluctant to Order Masking Statewide
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said yesterday he would not be ordering another statewide mask requirement. His statement came about an hour after a consortium of medical officials from Denver, Boulder and Jefferson counties said that they are implementing their masking orders in the metro area because of a lack of action by the state and to avoid overwhelming the state’s hospital system.
Unlawful Evictions in Aurora, Suit Claims
At least 10 residents of a motel in Aurora have sued the owner of the facility claiming they were illegally evicted last month.
The suit alleges armed private security guards told the residents of the Summit View Inn on East Colfax, to move out immediately with no notice or even time to gather their belongings according to KDVR. Attorneys say the people did not have time to collect passports, other forms of identification, medical prescriptions, or clothes.
The plaintiffs claim that the property owner violated state laws about eviction that require a court order, and only after such an order, the county sheriff, not private security guards, can enforce the eviction.
HelloFresh Workers Vote Against Unionizing
Workers at HelloFresh, a meal kit delivery firm, have voted not to form a union at its facility in Aurora. The vote was almost two-to-one against organizing. Colorado Public Radio reports that Kevin Abels, president of the union that helped the workers, said that HelloFresh spent thousands of dollars a day on anti-union consultants and held repeated captive audience meetings while workers were on the clock.
Former Boulder Immigration Attorney Facing New Charges
A former immigration attorney from Boulder is facing more charges from the District Attorney’s Office. Emily Cohen is already scheduled to be tried again on charges that she stole money from clients. The additional charges say she forged documents and is lying about COVID-19 test results.
The Daily Camera reports Cohen was found guilty seven years ago on 13 counts of theft of more than $40,000 from seven immigrant families, because she did not do the work she agreed to perform. That conviction was overturned in 2018, and Cohen is set to go to trial for a second time in about 10 days.
When Cohen failed to appear earlier this month at a court hearing, prosecutors say she submitted false documents indicating she had tested positive in order to excuse her absence. Currently, Cohen is in jail in Iowa and is awaiting extradition back to Colorado.
Aurora Police Arrest Suspect in Nome Park Shooting
Police in Aurora have arrested a teenage suspect in a shooting last week at Nome Park near Aurora Central High School in which six young people were injured. The incident occurred a week ago Monday. The 15-year-old who was arrested yesterday has been charged with attempted first degree murder. A second shooting in Aurora last week took place at Hinkley High School on Friday, and three teens have been arrested in that matter.