💰 A big win for working Denverites

🏥 Kaiser Employees Celebrate New Union Contract

Kaiser Permanente employees in Colorado will see a $23 minimum hourly wage, plus a 21% wage increase over four years thanks to a new union contract. The agreement comes after thousands of Kaiser healthcare workers across the country held a three-day strike in October to demand better wages and staffing levels. [AP via CPR]

• Dive deeper: How do strikes work in an industry where patients’ lives are part of the equation? We chatted about the Kaiser situation on the podcast last month. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

✊ A Big Win for Working Denverites

Thanks to stronger wage theft protections passed by Denver City Council at the start of this year, the city auditor’s office has already recovered more than $2 million in unpaid wages — a record high — for some 3,500 working Denverites. [Denverite]

❌ Many Venezuelan Migrants Face Restrictions on Work

The federal government approved temporary work permits for asylum-seeking Venezuelans in September. But the daunting application process and a $545 application fee have made it impossible for most. [CO Sun]

• What’s the latest? You can see real-time data about the migrants currently in Denver on this city dashboard.
• How to help: The Rose Community Foundation is raising funds to help migrants pay the application fee.

🌎 Colorado Lags Behind Its Climate Goals

Last week, state officials reported that despite their efforts, Colorado is on track to miss its 2030 goals for reducing carbon dioxide emissions — by a lot. They also laid out their best ideas to get back on track. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

📚 Book Club | Monday | 7-9 p.m.

Join Fiction Beer Co.’s monthly book club — November’s pick is “Black Cake,” a multi-generational drama selected in honor of Thanksgiving. [Montclair; Free]

📝 Writers Blok | Monday | 7-9 p.m.

Gather with fellow writers for 90 minutes of deep working, then a group debrief with wine, coffee, and chocolate. [Civic Center; $12]

🎤 Laugh Night | Wednesday | 8-9 p.m.

Join Denver comic Zac Maas and other local stand-up comedians for an evening of free laughs and good vibes. [West Colfax; Free]

Why Colorado Is Failing Its Climate Goals

Colorado’s Energy Office is responsible for making sure we are hitting our climate goals as a state, and the numbers are not looking so good. So we called up Colorado Sun reporter Michael Booth to ask about the state’s best ideas to get us back on track, from a Front Range Passenger Rail to Gov. Polis’ plan to get zoning reform through the legislature.