🛫 Headed to DIA? Get in line.

🔎 What’s the Truth About McAuliffe’s ‘Seclusion Room’?

A “seclusion room” (or “de-escalation room,” depending on who you ask) at Denver’s McAuliffe International middle school has spurred investigations by both DPS officials and the Denver Police Department. The district’s investigation found that McAuliffe staff violated DPS policies by putting students in the room without proper supervision, however it did NOT find sufficient evidence that students were placed in the room based on race or ethnicity. [Denver Post 🔒]

• Perspective from a parent: The mother of a former McAuliffe student has come forward to say her son was often placed in the “seclusion room” during his time there, and their experience is NOT the same one being painted in the media. [9News]
• Hear from a teacher: We recently had community activist, local educator, and brand new State Rep. Tim Hernández on our podcast to talk about everything unfolding at McAuliffe. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🛫 Traveling? Get in Line

Denver International Airport estimates more than 410,000 passengers will pass through the airport for the holiday, a projected 6.2% increase from this time last year. In 2022, DIA ranked as the third busiest airport in the world — and June this year was DIA’s busiest month ever. [Denver Post 🔒]

• Know before you go: You can monitor TSA wait times in real time at FlyDenver.com.
• Kill time: Here are our recommendations for making the best of your time trapped in the airport. Need a listen for the plane? Check out our DIA conspiracy deep dive. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

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

🛩️ History Comes to Life | Friday-Monday | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

All Labor Day weekend, Wings Over the Rockies will host the historic WWII C-47 airplane that led the invasion on D-Day in 1944. You can tour the rare, iconic aircraft at the museum’s South Denver flight campus (or even take flight in it for a whopping $275). [Englewood; $15-$25]

🎶 Ukefest 2023 | Friday-Saturday | Times Vary

Swallow Hill Music is bringing all things ukulele to Denver — master classes, live performances, all-level workshops, and much more. [Rosedale; $35-$160]

🌳 City Park Lake Cleanup | Saturday | 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Come together with the community to collect trash from City Park Lake while learning more about the lake’s unique ecosystem and local conservation efforts. [City Park; Free]

⭐⭐⭐ Brew Fest and Baseball | Saturday | 4-7 p.m.

Sample beers from local and regional breweries before casting your vote for which one deserves its own tap at The Rooftop for Opening Day 2024. Then stick around to root for the Rockies as they take on the Blue Jays. [LoDo; $40-$100]

🪴 Plant Swap Party | Saturday | 3-5 p.m.

Grab a beer, order some pub grub, and trade cuttings and clippings with other plant-lovers. Stick around for prizes and giveaways! [Speer; Free]

🦸 Mutiny Comic Book Auction | Saturday | 1-4 p.m.

Calling all comic book collectors — now’s your chance to nab coveted special editions or niche faves at this live comic book auction at Mutiny Information Cafe. [Baker; Free]

🇲🇽 Amor a la Mexicana | Saturday | 5:30-10 p.m.

Spend an evening at the stunning and historic Old St. Cajetan’s Church celebrating la cultura Mexicana through art, dance, tapas, live mariachi, and tequila and mezcal sampling. [Auraria; GA $75; VIP $125]

🐦 Free Bird Walk | Saturday | 7:30-10 a.m.

Enjoy a fresh early morning stroll around Bluff Lake with your eye to the sky for a glimpse of the area’s many renowned bird residents. [Central Park; Free]

👟 Broncos Fit 7K | Sunday | 7:30-10 a.m.

Kick off the start of Broncos season with a community 7K that begins at Empower Field, ventures into Sloan’s Lake, and culminates back on the stadium field. [Sun Valley; $60]

Last week’s answer: The children's play area at Cherry Creek Mall

• More specifically, these cute little dinos are part of Dinosaur Gulch, an interactive children’s exhibit presented by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on the first floor of the mall near Macy’s. It was the museum’s first “off-site exhibition for early learners” when it debuted back in 2015. (Before that, the play area boasted larger-than-life breakfast foods that I fondly remember scrambling all over as a wee tot, RIP.) You can now also find Mars Outpost — a space-themed play exhibit from DMNS — at Colorado Mills Mall.

Congrats to our quickest guessers:

• 🦖 Libby M. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• 🦕 But Sarah F., Meghan W., Joy W., Jodi K., and Keith S. weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU recognize this inconspicuous lounge entrance? (Hint: This Barnum West breakfast staple has held its spot off Sheridan for more than 40 years!) Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

When a Senator Gets Towed, Baby Orangutans, and Jack Harlow Hearts Denver

State Senator Julie Gonzales was towed from a parking garage last week … after she had crafted the Towing Bill of Rights in 2022 that should have prevented such a situation. The legislator is on the podcast today to tell host Bree Davies and returning fan-favorite guest, comedian Joshua Emerson, about the ongoing towing saga and how she hopes strengthening the laws will prevent predatory towing in the future. Plus, the crew shares their Denver wins and fails for the week!