🏨 Is your tax money paying for a boutique hotel?

🧠 DPS Welcomes Mental Health-Focused School Facility

Next month, a new facility will open in Cherry Creek designed for students in crisis. Traverse Academy is a first-of-its-kind school setting meant to cater to students (grades 4-12) with social, behavioral, and mental health needs. Students will be referred to Traverse by school social workers or psychologists and will be able to stay anywhere from two to five months, getting the attention they need while maintaining their school work. Unique features include cozy nooks, open-air classrooms, and individual, group, or family therapy sessions. [Chalkbeat]

🏨 City Council NOT All In on All In Motel

This week, Denver City Council voted 8-5 to move forward with revamping and rebranding the historic All In Motel on East Colfax — but with some developer-led changes to the original proposal. The renovation will no longer include the addition of a new building for affordable retail and community spaces. The council members who oppose the project take issue with using a portion of local tax money to finance “anything other than housing.” [Denverite]

• More deets: Listen to today’s episode of the City Cast Denver podcast for more details on the project and how the motel almost became permanent housing … but didn’t.

🚩 Former BHA Director Alleges Racism

Dr. Morgan Medlock was hired in January 2022 to head the creation of Colorado’s new Behavioral Health Administration, but by April of 2023, she was fired from the position, “effective immediately.” At the time, Medlock cited interpersonal conflicts with the governor’s chief of staff, Alec Garnett. But now, Medlock has filed a complaint with the EEOC alleging racial hostility. [Denver Post 🔒]

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

🍺 Battle of the (Brewery) Bands | Friday | 9 p.m.

Beloved staff members of various breweries across the city will come together for this ultimate battle of the bands competition to play covers of their favorite metal songs. [City Park West; Free]

🎨 Denver Walls | Friday and Beyond | Times Vary

Celebrate all aspects of street art at this week-long festival featuring live painting, graffiti tours, special gallery shows, panels, and workshops. [RiNo; Prices vary]

• ⭐⭐⭐ Vandal Futurism | Saturday | 6-9 p.m.
  Artist Anthony Garcia Sr. curates a diverse show of local and global artists, showcasing the movement and history of graffiti, street art, and muralism. [Five Points; Free]

🏞️ National Public Lands Day | Saturday | All Day

Learn to be a steward of our national parks system with this nationwide volunteer event spotlighting preservation, celebration, and respect for our wondrous outdoor spaces. Plus, enter any national park for free! [Statewide; Free]

🚲 Denver Century Ride | Saturday | 6:30 a.m. (Departures Begin)

This massive community bike ride invites cyclists of all ages to explore the city and its surrounding suburbs from the seat of a bicycle, while engaging in bike advocacy. [Central Park; $64-$124]

🦙 National Alpaca Farm Days | Saturday | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Visit local alpaca farms across the state and get to know these gentle animals up-close and personal with farm tours, alpaca breeding education, and more. [Various locations; Prices vary]

🦸 Aurora Mini-Con | Saturday | 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Celebrate the magical world of comics and cosplay with themed arts and crafts, panel discussions, and a vendor market showcasing local creators. [Aurora; Free]

🥢 Korean Culture Festival | Saturday | 11 a.m.-7p.m.

Immerse yourself in Korean culture and community at this celebration featuring Taekwondo demonstrations, Korean cuisine, a KPop dance battle, and more. [Auraria; Free]

🇲🇽 Great Mexican Beer Fiesta | Saturday | Noon

Forget the Great American Beer Festival, celebrate the best in Mexican craft brews at this block party featuring live DJs, lucha libre, a vendor market, and of course, great local beer! [Highland; Free to attend]

🏈 CU Buffs v. Oregon Ducks | Saturday | 1:30 p.m.

Jump on the CU bandwagon and cheer on the Coach Prime-led Buffs as they take on the Oregon Ducks. [Livestream; Free]

🍨 Ice Cream Social | Sunday | 2-4 p.m.

Soak in American Elm’s great patio vibes and enjoy boozy milkshakes from Little Man Ice Cream, plus free scoops for the kiddos. [Highland; Free]

Last week’s answer: Trader Joe’s

• This was a tough one — that I admit was geographically biased — but I can’t put one past y’all’s keen eyes! Shoutout to reader Marlee H. for this astute stab in the dark 😂
  
  “I get Natural Groceries (AKA Natty Gro) vibes but I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen that mural before.”
  
  Other notable guesses included: Buffalo Bill’s Grave, Celestial Seasonings, and Hammond’s Candies.

Big claps for our quickest correct guessers:

• 🥳 Joy P. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• 👏 But Nancy B., Corbin G., and Trish H. weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU recognize these charming Japanese restaurant vibes? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

Denver's Got Statup Fever, More Hotels Not Housing, and a Green Chile Debate

Is AI having a moment in Denver’s growing entrepreneurial scene? As Denver Startup Week wraps up, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi chat with keynote speaker and tech startup master Adeel Khan to learn more about the Mile High’s place in the wide world of technology. Plus, a debate over green chile, a Colfax motel conundrum, and more news stories from the week.