👎 Denver isn’t so desirable anymore

🎓 Former Manual High Students Finally Get Their Graduation

This week, Denver Public Schools issued honorary diplomas to 11 former students of Manual High School along with an apology. The recipients are students who would have graduated from Manual, but were displaced when the district voted to close the school in 2006. [Chalkbeat]

🚔 Denver And Aurora Play The Blame Game

Officers from both the Denver and Aurora police departments are facing lawsuits over excessive force and other misconduct allegations during the 2020 racial justice protests. But the two cities are pointing the finger at each other over who should cough up settlement money and cover legal fees. [Denver Post 🔒]

📉 Denver’s Desirability Drops Dramatically

The Mile High City just barely squeaked into the top 100 best places to live in the country according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking, landing in slot 99. It’s a steep decline from slot no. 2, which Denver held on the 2020 list. Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins all placed among the top 25. [Westword]

🗳️ What Can Kelly Brough Do For Denver?

Ballots for the June 6 runoff election are in the mail this week, and Denverites are preparing to decide our city’s first new mayor in 12 years. So we invite you to hear from finalist Kelly Brough one more time on some of the tough issues facing Denver right now, including public transit, safe injection sites, and more. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

• 🎙️ Stay tuned: Tomorrow we’ll bring you a conversation with Brough’s challenger, Mike Johnston.

Hey loyal reader, what’s been on your mind lately? 🤔

🌮 We’re ALL desperate for information on Casa Bonita’s reopening. Here’s the latest goss:

• Danielle L.: “I have a friend who is on the payroll on the entertainment side of things and it sounds.... chaotic. I get the sense that Matt and Trey may have a bit of shiny object syndrome / wanting to come out the gate with all kinds of fun absurdity, but it sounds like they're trying to accomplish things before opening that would take months, if not years, to properly accomplish.”

• Kenny M.: “I had a Lyft driver who told me a friend got invited to an event in mid-May. He made it sound VIP. He said the 26th of May for an opening date.”

🌱 Last week, I shared some tips on reviving your snow-sick lawn. Reader John S. has some tips of his own:

• “You want to reinvigorate your lawn? Let it go. Stop doing anything to it. You're wasting water in a desert, during a drought, cultivating a non-native plant. If people plant native species of grasses and wildflowers they not only get a beautiful yard full of amazing colors, but they don't have to keep up with the insane amount of water it takes to keep non-native grasses green.”

🍺 Following our recent neighborhood guide on Platt Park, readers wanted to make sure Platt Park Brewing got some love:

• JulieAnne D.: “The brewmaster has been brewing for over 20 years! They are most well known for their Madagascar Dream cream ale on nitro. Plus, the deli attached (Gates Deli) has some of the best sandos!”

• Ryan L.: “It’s an excellent brewery with a full bar (for people that don't like beer), a kitchen, and a great shaded patio for summer.”

🥪 Snarf’s Day Of Giving | Wednesday | All day

Today if you dine at Snarf’s or Snarburger, 100% of profits will be donated to local food banks. [Across Colorado; Prices vary]

📽️ Stories On Screen | Wednesday | 10:30 a.m.-Noon

The Caring for Denver Foundation will partner with Rocky Mountain Public Media to share real, local stories and experiences about mental health and substance use. [Five Points; Free]

🥡 Civic Center Eats | Wednesday | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Civic Center Park’s summer food truck series kicks off today — find the trucks there every Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. [Civic Center; Free to stop by]

🗳️ City Council Runoff Forum | Wednesday | 5:30 p.m.

Hear from the candidates running for the open Denver city council seats in districts 8, 9, and 10. The city will stream the forum virtually on Facebook, YouTube, and at denverdecides.org. [Virtual; Free]

Mayoral Madness: Kelly Brough Makes One Last Case For Your Vote

Today on the City Cast Denver podcast, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi talk to mayoral candidate Kelly Brough just ahead of the June 6 runoff election.

(Psst — Stay tuned for tomorrow’s conversation with Kelly’s challenger, Mike Johnston!)