💚 How to help Denver’s unhoused

⚕️ State’s New Mental Health System Off to a Rocky Start

When Colorado lawmakers passed a 2021 bill to create the Behavioral Health Administration, they envisioned an overarching agency that would take over operations for all of the state’s existing mental health resources — but that’s not how things turned out. With only six months until the official launch date (which was postponed from its original target date of April), the BHA isn’t quite what was promised and is taking significantly more time and money than expected. Local mental health providers say the project expectations were “unrealistic” from the start. [Denver Post 🔒]

🗑️ City to Offer Trash Services at Homeless Camps

For the first time, Denver officials are offering trash pickup services to some encampments in the city. Outreach teams have distributed trash bags — which will be replenished regularly — and routine pickups are scheduled. It’s a promising beginning to the new mayor’s ambitious housing goals, but unhoused residents and housing advocates are quick to point out that the first Johnston-era encampment sweep is also scheduled for this week. [Denverite]

• ​​♻️ Speaking of trash: The first wave of the city’s phased rollout for its new waste collection program — which charges for trash pickup, but offers compost and recycling services for free — begins this week with select neighborhoods receiving their new compost bins. [Denverite]
• 🎧 What you need to know: The rules for compost are complex and ever-changing, so we dug deep into the dirty details of the city’s new program just for you. [City Cast Denver]

🍹 National Spritz Day | Tuesday | All Day

Celebrate National Spritz Day at Sofia’s Roman Pizza on 16th Street Mall, which will be offering $8 spritzes all day! If you swing by from 4-7 p.m., you can score a free slice of pizza with your beverage purchase. [Downtown; $8 spritzes]

💙 Colorado Day | Tuesday | All Day

It’s the Centennial state’s 147th birthday! You can find free events and other specials and discounts at museums and institutions across town. [Citywide; Prices vary ]

👮 National Night Out | Tuesday | All Evening

In honor of National Night Out — a 39-year-old campaign to strengthen police-community relationships — the Denver Police Department will be hosting free neighborhood events at six city parks featuring family-friendly fun and free ice cream! [Citywide; Free]

Drivers Hitting Stuff, Downtown's Bounceback, and DIA Art Needs a Nickname

Over the weekend, a driver crashed into a building at Lakeside Amusement Park and another into a streetlight pole on South Broadway while the strip was full of music fans enjoying the Underground Music Showcase. These scary crashes near pedestrian-centered spaces have us wondering: Is driving more dangerous in Denver these days? Downtown is also seeing record levels of traffic, but it’s a good sign — more people are coming to the city center than before the pandemic. But why? Host Bree Davies and Producer Paul Karolyi ponder these car conundrums, plus hear from listeners about their fave rec centers, and more on today’s news roundup.