🐻 Who was Billy Bryan the black bear?

🛒 New Costco Could Combat Food Insecurity

Green Valley Ranch is finally getting its long-awaited Costco. The superstore, located at 4741 Airport Way, is set to open July 19.  Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore said this Costco brings the neighborhood — historically, one of Denver’s food deserts — one step closer to closing the city’s food insecurity gap. [Denverite]

🦠 Health Officials Hope to Get Ahead of Mpox

State health officials are trying to get ahead of a potential summer surge in mpox outbreaks (formerly known as monkeypox). So far this year, Colorado has recorded only four mpox cases. Last year, however, the state saw a significant spike in numbers. The state health department will host two mobile vaccination clinics tomorrow. [CO Sun]

📚 Does the Barnum Library Need a New Name?

The Denver Public Library system is soliciting community feedback on whether it should rename its Ross-Barnum branch in West Denver after research highlighted namesake P.T. Barnum’s  controversial past. (Limited information was found on Frederick Ross, the other half of the building’s namesake.) Barnum is most notable for the creation of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey traveling circus company. Research shows he also knowingly exploited Black people and people with disabilities. [Denverite]

♻️ Denver Kicks Off Free Composting Program

Beginning tomorrow, the city is launching its new, free composting program. But the rules for compost are tricky and ever-changing. (What counts as compostable anyway?) So we’re digging into the dirty details on what you can — and can’t! — put in your new compost bin. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🌱 Seedlings: Fun in the Sun | Thursday | 9:15 / 10:30 a.m.

Denver families with young children are invited to this hands-on indoor / outdoor event meant to inspire a love and appreciation for nature and plants at a young age. [Cheesman Park; $9-$11 per toddler, accompanying parents are free]

🦸 FanExpo Kickoff | Thursday | 5-10 p.m.

FanExpo Denver 2023 is kicking things off with an all-ages cosplay party at Meow Wolf. [Sun Valley; $35-$50]

🐾 Yappy Hour on the Plaza | Thursday | 4-7 p.m.

You and your four-legged friends are invited to the Terminal Bar patio for drink specials, pet swag, and puppy cuddles, all to benefit local dog rescues and nonprofits. [Union Station; Free]

✊🏾 Black Community Forum | Thursday | 6-8 p.m.

Denver’s established and emerging Black-led / Black-serving businesses and organizations will come together for an evening of community building and networking. [Free; Cap Hill]

The News Rules of Compost

Today on the City Cast Denver podcast, host Bree Davies chats with CCD regular guest and official gardening expert Ann Marie Awad to get into the nitty gritty need-to-know details about Denver’s brand new free composting program.