⛰️ Mount Evans has its new name

⚖️ The Elijah McClain Trials Begin

Four years after the death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain, the first of three criminal trials will begin this week to determine if Aurora police and medical responders are responsible for his death. The five accused defendants (three police officers and two paramedics) are all charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide — all five have pleaded not guilty. [CPR]

💰 The New Mayor’s Plan to Spend Denver’s Dollars

Last Thursday, Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled his first budget plan as chief of the city. It rang in at 770 pages and $4.04 billion. The TL;DR version: The mayor plans to drop dough on affordable housing, ending homelessness, transit, climate protection, and additional funding for the police. But all of that is pending approval from City Council, which will have budget hearings all this week. After considering council’s tweaks and changes, Johnston is expected to release his final proposal by Oct. 16. [Denverite]

• Get involved: Check out council’s budget hearing schedule, then tune in virtually or in person.

⛰️ Mount Evans Has Its New Name

On Friday, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names voted 15-1 to rename Mount Evans, one of the state’s most popular 14ers, as Mount Blue Sky. Formerly named after John Evans, the Colorado territorial governor responsible for the infamous Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, Mount Blue Sky now honors the Arapaho and Cheyenne Indigenous tribes. [Denver7]

🎓 Unrest at CU Boulder

Staff, faculty, and students at the University of Colorado Boulder staged a walkout last week to demand better treatment and higher wages for non-tenure track employees. Many of the protesters were members of United Campus Workers Colorado, an unrecognized union of workers across the CU system. For its part, the university said it will “continue to address employee concerns through our established shared governance groups.” [CPR]

• But at least there’s Coach Prime: A few weeks ago on the City Cast Denver podcast, we discussed new CU Boulder head football coach Deion “Prime” Sanders and the astounding impact he’s having in Boulder on the field and off.

🦕 Free Day at DMNS | Monday | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy vintage animal dioramas from across the world, admire a massive gems and minerals collection, and learn about Colorado’s dinosaur history at this free museum day! [City Park; Free; Reservations encouraged]

🍔 National Cheeseburger Day | Tuesday | All Day

From Dairy Queen to Shake Shack, burger-lovers have their pick of tasty spots across the Mile High to grab a good deal on this day of meat and cheesy celebration. [Citywide; Prices vary]

🚲Morning Bike Ride | Wednesday | 6:30-7:30 a.m.

Join this early morning bike ride that starts in the Sloans Lake neighborhood and continues for 25-35 miles across the city. All levels of bike riders are welcome. [Sloans Lake; Free]

🦋 Bugs and Brews | Thursday | 5-7 p.m.

Bond over bugs and booze while wandering around a beautiful butterfly wonderland, drink in hand, with fellow nature lovers at this adults-only after-hours party at the Butterfly Pavilion. [Broomfield; $40-$45]

Has Denver’s Dumpling Moment Finally Arrived?

Denver’s having a dumpling moment. It’s true! Just ask 5280 Assistant Food Editor Ethan Pan. He’s chronicling it all in his new monthly dumpling column “In the Fold.” Today on the City Cast Denver podcast, producer Paul Karolyi and I sit down with Ethan to dive deep into Denver’s dynamic dumpling scene.