🏠 Apartments on 16th Street Mall?

🚩 Johnston’s First Sweep

The very first encampment sweep under the Johnston administration will take place this morning. All eyes are on the new mayor and his ambitious goals for combatting homelessness. Johnston has acknowledged that the current protocols for sweeps are ineffective and inhumane — and is promising major change — but he greenlit this first sweep in response to a reported rat infestation posing health and safety risks that city officials say were too serious to ignore. [Westword]

⚖️ DougCo Students Allege Racism

The families of four BIPOC students in Douglas County are suing the district for failing to protect the students from pervasive racism and bullying. The plaintiffs allege that the incidents were so frequent it didn’t allow the students to have the same educational experience as their white peers. [CPR]

🏠 Apartments on 16th Street Mall?

A largely vacant, 8-story office building on 16th and Champa streets is being earmarked for potential residential conversion. The building’s current owner, a California-based investment firm, is hoping to sell the property to someone who will own and occupy the space (not another investment firm). But if they don’t receive a “satisfactory offer,” they will instead consider converting the old office building into residential units. [BusinessDen🔒]

💒 Colorado Wedding Catastrophe

What’s the craziest Colorado wedding you’ve ever been to, and can it beat the “horrific wedding nightmare” that cost this bride and groom over $2 million? A party so bad even early 2000s rapper Nelly was disappointed? Tune into today’s podcast for the deets on that and so much more. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

⭐⭐⭐ = The official City Cast Denver ‘Maybe’ of the weekend, as in maybe you’ll see us there! Listen to today’s podcast for more deets.

✨ Bright Nights | All Weekend + Beyond | Times Vary

Experience Four Mile Historic Park like never before — decked out in beautifully illuminated, larger-than-life lantern sculptures. This exhibit runs Wednesday through Sunday now through Oct. 1. [Glendale; Kids $15, Adults $25]

🥳 Denver Days | Friday-Sunday | Times Vary

This weekend marks the 12th annual Denver Days, a citywide celebration of community. There will be dozens of free block parties, picnics, and volunteer opportunities in neighborhoods across the city. Find a full list here! [Citywide; Free]

🫖 TeaLee’s Happy Hour | Friday | 4-6 p.m.

This North Denver tea house and bookstore is launching a brand new Friday happy hour. Stop by tonight for its very first edition featuring a live DJ, cocktails, mocktails, tea, and small bites.  [Five Points; Free admission]

💐 Clip Your Own Flowers | Friday | 6-7 p.m.

Pick your own bouquet of flowers from Lakewood’s Half Moon urban flower and veggie farm, then let the Half Moon experts teach you how to cut, grow, and dry your own florals. [Lakewood; $40]

🦪 National Oyster Day | Saturday | All Day

Get your oyster fix at any Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar location where they will be doling out oyster flights, rolls, and shooter specials. Bonus: If you can find the Jax oyster truck (which will be posted up in a surprise location), they’ll be shucking free oysters until they're gone! [Multiple locations; All-day specials]

🎒 Back to School Kickoff | Saturday | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Aurora Public Schools students and families are invited to meet school staff and faculty, explore district resources, and nab free backpacks and school supplies while they last. There will also be low- or no-cost vaccinations available. [Aurora; Free]

🇪🇹 Taste of Ethiopia | Saturday | 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

After a three-year hiatus, north Denver’s free Taste of Ethiopia festival is finally back! Learn about and celebrate the food, music, and culture of Colorado’s second-largest immigrant community. [Green Valley Ranch; Free]

⭐⭐⭐ Hops in the Hangar | Saturday | 5-9 p.m.

Sample unlimited beer tastings from 19 local brewers — plus ciders, seltzers, and non-alcoholic offerings! — while perusing the epic air and space memorabilia at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. [Lowry; Members $70, Non-members $75, At the Door $80]

🐝 Parker Honey Festival | Sunday | 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Explore all things beekeeping at Parker’s 16th annual Honey Festival. There will be over 20 local honey vendors to sample from and an array of displays and programming from Colorado beekeeping organizations. [Parker; Free]

🍽️ Olde Town Pig Roast | Sunday | 2-7 p.m.

The Bluegrass Coffee & Bourbon Lounge in Olde Town Arvada is celebrating its 8th anniversary with a whole pig roast! There will also be free giveaways, special bourbon tastings, live music, and more. [Arvada; Free]

Last week’s answer: York Street and Colfax Avenue

• The ornate building on the southwest corner of York and Colfax has lived many lives — among them a grocery store, an art gallery, and most recently, a yoga studio. The 1930 structure was designed for the Rexall Drug Store by Harry Edbrooke, who is also credited for the intricate tile and brickwork of Valverde Elementary, and the architectural majesty of former movie houses, the Bluebird Theater and the Ogden Theatre.

A special shoutout to these Denver experts:

• 🏆 Sarah M. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• 👏 But Cara T., Leonard T., Katey B., Chala M., Leah J., and Stacey M. weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU know where to go to order a bucket of pasta? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

Colorado Wedding Flops, Trash Pickups for Encampments, and Fancy-ish Toast

It’s Friday, and today on the City Cast Denver podcast, host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi and CCD politics / green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to talk about the Aspen wedding that will “go down in infamy,” Denver’s best new brunch spot (according to Paul), what the death of Twitter means for Colorado politics, and much more.