💉 Having trouble finding a COVID booster?

🥳 Apply for a Community Event Grant

In the city’s latest push to bring foot traffic back to downtown Denver, Mayor Mike Johnston announced plans to distribute more than $350,000 in grants to “activate the city” in a way that will help people “remember why they fell in love with downtown Denver in the first place.” Individuals, nonprofits, community groups, and businesses are all eligible to apply for funding, as long as their events are free, engaging, inclusive, and open to the public. [Westword]

💰 City Council’s Budget Suggestions

Denver City Council came up with 28 suggestions for Mayor Johnston’s 2024 budget proposal, which would rearrange about $80 million of the $4 billion budget. The biggest suggestion was dedicating $17.5 million more to emergency rental assistance. Some of the other changes sought more money for: Denver Health, libraries, transportation safety initiatives, fresh food contracts, a participatory budget, wiping medical debt, and continuing the Denver Basic Income project. Johnston has until Oct. 16 to consider these suggestions and send back a final budget draft. [Denverite]

❓ Why Did Triangle Bar Close?

Triangle Bar closed “indefinitely” last week and cited nearby encampments as the primary reason. Owners said a recent survey of patrons showed that guests have stopped coming because they’re uncomfortable with the unhoused residents outside. However, past managers and a former co-owner told reporters the reality is the business was still struggling to recover from COVID-19. [Denverite]

• Dive deeper: City Cast Denver host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the details of this story on today’s podcast episode. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Hey loyal reader, what’s on your mind? 🤔

🏓 More on Denver’s pickleball debate — Dave M. says:

• “In Congress Park they built the courts as close to houses as possible. Dumb, but I bet the city was unaware of the noise. Can’t they move them to the west side of the tennis area? They can use the space of the old, cracked, virtually unplayable tennis courts that are there now.”

🍽️ Ketih M. has a restaurant recommendation:

• “Stone Cellar Bistro in Olde Town Arvada. It’s been getting tons of press lately. The food is incredible and sustainable. Because it’s in JeffCo, it wasn’t considered for Michelin guide awards. In my opinion, it’s doing more exciting food than Bruto. (I’ve dined at both this summer).”

🚏 Erin enjoyed our recent conversation on the City Cast Denver podcast about RTD and other local transit news:

• “I just wanted to say thank you for covering what's been going on with RTD. My work commute is from Wash Park to downtown, but with all the recent construction, that commute has often taken over an hour. I've always been a huge fan of RTD (I think they get a bad rap), but these past couple months have really [been frustrating].”

👽 When we recently shared this list of Colorado’s most haunted places, Ted H. flagged a small mistake! (Thanks, Ted!)

• “Just a heads up it looks like the links for the UFO tower and the 3rd Bridge are switched. Just trying to help my fellow UFO weirdos get their fix.”

🎧 Five Points Audio Tour | All Week | Any Time

Doors Open Denver returns with self-guided audio tours of unique buildings and the stories behind historic neighborhoods — like Five Points and its many culturally significant structures. [Five Points; Free]

🎥 ‘Heartbeat of a Nation’ Screening | Wednesday | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

As part of the ongoing Indigenous Film & Arts Festival, enjoy this documentary exploring the traditions of caribou drum making, followed by a Q&A with drum maker Brant Janvier, additional short film screenings, and more. [City Park; Free]

📚 DPS School Board Candidate Debate | Wednesday | 7-9 p.m.

Learn more about the candidates who are running for three open seats on the board of the state’s largest school district at this community forum. [Regis; Free]

Why Triangle Bar Closed, Kaiser Strike Not So Permanente, and Albuquerque

Negotiations continue following a Kaiser Permanente employee strike last week, so what does that mean for patients? Then, the Triangle Bar closed citing encampments as a main reason, but there’s much more to the story … Today on the City Cast Denver podcast, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into these stories and more news that matters this week.