🏘️ Is a ‘micro-community’ coming to your neighborhood?

🏠 Johnston’s Plan for ‘Micro-Communities’

Mayor Mike Johnston revealed the next steps for his plan to house 1,000 unhoused folks by the end of the year. He is requesting proposals from local nonprofit organizations to help build, operate, and service “micro-communities” across Denver. Johnston is hoping to locate at least one in each of Denver’s 10 city council districts, each hosting 40-100 people in need of shelter. City officials have not provided a cost estimate or a timeline for the project.  [Westword]

• 🗣️ Speak your mind: Denverites can share their thoughts on the project at any of the mayor’s ongoing Homelessness Town Hall meetings.

🏙️ Can We Really Turn Empty Buildings into Housing?

A new city-funded analysis dug into the feasibility of Denver’s proposal to convert vacant downtown office buildings into residential complexes. The study narrowed the list of potential properties to 16 buildings — including the Republic Plaza, the Denver Energy Center, and the Capitol Center — as especially compatible for adaptive reuse. If all 16 became residential properties, it would bring more than 5,000 housing units to the city. [DBJ 🔒]

• 🔎 Dive Deeper: Take a closer look at the vacant-office-to-housing pipeline with local urban planner and real estate economist Brad Segal. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

⚖️ Free Preschool Program Draws Lawsuits

A group representing a number of Colorado superintendents, school districts, and special education directors has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Jared Polis and state education leaders over the new universal preschool program (UPK). The sweeping lawsuit broadly alleges loss of revenue, loss of local control, broken promises, added barriers for high-risk students, and disability law violations. [CPR]

• 🚩 Related: The Denver Catholic Archdiocese is also suing the state for excluding Catholic preschools from participating in the UPK program because of their anti-LGBTQ policies. [Denver Post 🔒]

🐲 Saigon Azteca Night | Friday | 6-10 p.m.

Enjoy this cross-cultural night market celebrating the diversity of Asian and Latinx cultures in the southwest Denver community with food, music, dancing, and more. [Westwood; Free]

✨ Central Park Drone Show | Friday | 9:15 p.m.

Kick back in the grass and take in the intricate patterns, beautiful lights, and magical choreography of this late summer drone show. [Central Park; Free]

🥦 Healthy Denver | Saturday | 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Revel in live music, healthy food, and family-friendly games and entertainment at this weekend fest going down in beautiful Sculpture Park. [Downtown; Free]

🌎 Global Fest | Saturday | 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Get to know the many cultures that make up Aurora’s vast community at this global fashion show and international marketplace, where there will be food, music, and so much more! [Aurora; Free]

🌮 Tacolandia | Saturday | 4-7 p.m.

The big taco throwdown returns with dozens of culinary giants slinging their finest bites and beverages along with lucha libre, live music, ax throwing, and more. [Civic Center; $45-$55]

🥢 ElevAsian | Saturday | 4-10 p.m.

Support AAPI women-led businesses and restaurants at this night market and party raising funds for Asian youth in the community.  [Auraria; $24.99+]

📚  Used Book Sale | Friday-Sunday | Times Vary

Calling all bookworms — the DPL Friends Foundation is hosting a massive three-day used book sale at the Historic Elitch Garden Theater.  [Highland; Free]

💿 Rocky Mountain Record Show | Saturday-Sunday | Times Vary

Record collectors, vinyl nerds, and music aficionados share their love of limited edition albums, hard-to-find classics, and more at this massive music sale. [RiNo; Free-$32]

🥘 Taste of the South | Saturday-Sunday | Noon-8 p.m.

This two-day festival at George Washington High School will tout live music, Southern cuisine, family-friendly field day activities, and more than 70 local vendors selling their wares. [Virginia Vale; Free]

👟 Denver Rocks Run | Sunday | 8 a.m.

Show off your city pride at this 5K / 10K that traverses the best views and most iconic landmarks of Denver. Registrants get discounted tickets to Sunday’s Rockies game. [City Park; $49-$69]

🎷 Genesee Jazz | Sunday | 4-6 p.m.

Enjoy a free performance from the Denver Municipal Band in the fresh air and wide open space of Genesee Park. [Golden; Free]

Last week’s answer: This mural of the late, great Robin Williams is at 13th Avenue and Grant Street in Cap Hill (right by the original Quiznos, as so many of you noted!)

• Reader Danielle R. adds: “This is featuring Williams as Mork from ‘Mork & Mindy’ which was filmed in Boulder!”

SO many of you knew the answer for this one! 💗 Big claps for our quickest guessers:

• 🏆 Rudie A. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• 👏 But Leah J., Kelsey C., Sarah H., Lin S., Keith S., and Linda B. weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU know where this galactic space Jimi is located? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

The New Labor Wars, a Forgotten Theme Park, and Indigenous Biology

From homeless shelters to restaurants, industries across Colorado are seeing more employee efforts to unionize. So, what does it mean when a restaurant / independent music venue like the Mercury Cafe’s staff starts organizing? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by City Cast Denver returning fave Joshua Emerson to talk about the economics of unions and more on today’s show.