💰 Denver’s paid $10.3 million in protest settlements so far

💰 2020 Protest Settlements Cost Denver Big Bucks

According to city data, Denver has settled 19 lawsuits related to police misconduct during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The cost has so far totaled $10.3 million, paid out to protesters who suffered at the hands of police. That amount does not include an additional $14 million the city was ordered to pay protesters by a federal jury last year — a ruling the city plans to appeal. Money for settlements comes from the city’s Liability Claims Fund, which is padded by things like sales tax, property tax, and permit fees. [Axios Denver]

🏠 Denverites Fight Johnston on Proposed Micro-Communities

Some 150 Golden Triangle residents gathered at a town hall with Mayor Johnston last week to push back on the two “micro-community” sites proposed for their neighborhood. Opponents argued that the area — which houses several city buildings and art museums — will suffer economically. Additionally, it’s the only neighborhood on the tentative micro-community map that is set to host two sites instead of one. Johnston stuck to his guns though, countering with two main points: 1) the area has the most viable real estate options; 2) it’s already where a lot of unhoused residents are sheltering. [Westword]

• Take a closer look: Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig deeper into this conversation about Johnston’s proposed micro-community locations on today’s podcast episode. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

💀 Ofrendas Workshop | Wednesday | 11:30 a.m.

Part of the Latino Cultural Arts Center’s annual series of Día de los Muertos ofrendas workshops, this week’s class at Sun Valley Kitchen will explore the tradition of sugar skulls. [Sun Valley; Free]

🥕 Metro Denver Food Summit | Wednesday | 5-8 p.m.

Participate in this community event that aims to foster engaging discussions around food and how it intersects with art, agriculture, policy and health. [Elyria-Swansea; Free]

☄️ ‘After the Asteroid’ | Wednesday | 6 p.m.

Join the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for a members-only screening of “After the Asteroid,” a documentary looking at the plants and animals that have inhabited our planet for millions of years, followed by a Q+A with the film team. [City Park; $10 adults; $8 youth]

Megafights Over Micro-Communities, a Social Media Lawsuit, and Ecoterrorism

Mayor Johnston’s plan to house a thousand people by the end of the year is in full swing — but some neighborhoods aren’t stoked about the sites being proposed for these “micro-communities.” There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, so City Cast Denver producer Paul Karolyi shares what he learned after talking to folks involved. Then, host Bree Davies digs into the latest Denver school board drama playing out in court, and a listener weighs in on Colorado’s biggest polluters.