🚨 Has police accountability improved?

🚨 A Concerning State of Police Accountability

Following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, state officials promised a new era for police accountability — but a 10-month investigation led by the Colorado News Collaborative (COLab) has exposed serious shortcomings. A public database launched in 2022 was supposed to offer a record of officers who lost their badges or are being investigated for wrongdoing. However, reporters found that the disciplinary data is often out-of-date, incorrect, or at times, not there at all, allowing the questionable cops to remain in the system. You can read the full report from COLab. [Axios Denver; CO Sun]

🇺🇸 Johnston’s Housing Plan Gets Federal Support

Mayor Mike Johnston now has a “fully embedded federal leader” at his disposal to aid in his ambitious housing goals. It’s a perk that comes with Denver joining President Biden’s ALL INside initiative, a program meant to offer direct federal support to local housing efforts. Despite some local officials voicing concerns about Johnston’s House1000 plan, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Jeff Olivet has high praise for the mayor, saying “Denver gives me hope right now.” [Denverite; Westword]

📚 A New Chapter for Tattered Cover?

The Tattered Cover filed for bankruptcy this week, closing three stores and laying off more than two dozen workers. While the local chain still has four remaining locations, the fate of the beloved bookstore — and its significance to booklovers, local authors, and remaining workers — hangs in the balance. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

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

🎤 Nick Ellis + Friends Comedy Show | Friday | 7:30 p.m.

Share some free laughs with Denver’s best local comics at Oasis Brewing. [Highland; Free]

🤘 Denver Punk Party | Friday | 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

Come to The Rickhouse for a night of punk rock partying with Reno Divorce, The Sleights, Fragile City, and Draft Punk. [Northeast Park Hill; $15+]

🥪 Feed the City | Saturday | 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Join nonprofit Feed the City in making sack lunches to distribute to people in need. [Westminster; Free]

🛩️ Hauntings in the Hangar | Saturday | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Bring the whole family for tricks, treats, and more Halloween fun at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. [Lowry; Free-$18.95]

🎃 Carving & Cocktails | Saturday | 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tickets to this pumpkin carving patio party at Union Station include the pumpkin, carving tools, two beverages, and a nacho bar. [LoDo; $65]

👻 6th Annual Broadway Halloween Parade | Saturday | 6-8 p.m.

Spooktacular floats and costumed performers will take to Broadway this weekend for the neighborhood's 6th annual Halloween Parade. [Baker; Free]

⭐⭐⭐ Spirits & Spirits | Saturday | 6-10 p.m.

Roam the Four Mile Historic Park after dark (with cocktail in hand) at this exploration of Victorian Spiritualism and all things metaphysical. [Virginia Vale; $40 GA, $85 VIP]

🍬 Trick-or-Treat Trail | Saturday + Sunday | 5:30 p.m.

On top of all the fun already on offer at the Denver Zoo, this after-hours experience includes costumes, candy, pumpkin carving, a silent disco, and more. [City Park; $20]

👟 Ghosts and Goblins 5K | Sunday | 9 a.m.

Enjoy an early morning autumn jaunt through City Park that finishes with food, drinks, and swag. [City Park; $36]

🐾 Howl-o-Ween Fundraiser | Sunday | 2-5 p.m.

Put your pup in their Halloween best and head over to River North Brewery to help raise funds for the Denver Animal Shelter. [North Denver; Free]

🍂 CU Fall Color Tree Walk | Monday | 5:15 p.m.

Stroll through CU Boulder’s historic campus with an expert arborist to admire the beautiful fall foliage. [Free; Boulder]

🏳️‍🌈 ‘Gay Revolt at Denver City Council’ | Monday | 6:30 p.m.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Gay Revolt at Denver City Council, Denver Film will screen a documentary chronicling the event, followed by a panel and reception. [Congress Park; Free]

Last week’s answer: Bar 404

• Westword food editor Molly Martin shares a little about the space’s history in her 2021 piece covering Bar 404’s opening. She writes:
  
  “Built in 1929, it opened as a bar the day after Prohibition ended in 1933. In 1951, it was purchased by then-underaged Jerry Feld, who had to use his uncle's name on the liquor license. For over sixty years, Feld's Club 404 was one of Denver's go-to watering holes. But he sold the bar in 2012 … The building was briefly Denver Wheel Club 404, a bicycle-themed bar, then Brendan's Pub. New owners Kevin Geraghty and Brian Keller remodeled the place and reopened it as Rory's Tavern in 2017. But the bar was already struggling when COVID-19 hit, and in August 2020, it shut down for good.”

🥳 Big claps for our correct guessers:

• Carrie M. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• But Lin S. and Andy J. weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU know where this neon blue aquarium stands? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

Tattered Cover’s Bankruptcy, Meow Wolf’s New Bar, and Denver’s Worst Bridges

Denver’s iconic bookseller, the Tattered Cover, announced it was filing for bankruptcy this week, closing several stores and cutting jobs. Will the remaining locations be able to hang on as the company “restructures”? Horror novelist Erika T. Wurth joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the unclear future of the once-paradise for bookworms. Plus, the crew highlights their Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week.