❌ City to shut down 2 more encampments

❌ Colorado Ends ‘Excited Delirium’ Diagnosis

Colorado law enforcement officers are no longer permitted to diagnose people with “excited delirium,” a controversial term often used to justify use of force or chemical sedation in police altercations. It’s what Aurora paramedics diagnosed Elijah McClain with on the night he died. [CPR]

🏠 City to Shut Down 2 More Encampments

The mayor’s office has announced plans to permanently close two more homeless encampments this month and move the 200-plus people living there into converted hotel shelters. If everything goes according to plan, the move would put Mayor Johnston half way to his House1000 goal. [Denverite]

🚔 15 Arrested at Pro-Palestinian Protests

Fifteen people were arrested on charges of obstruction and failure to obey police while protesting the Jewish National Fund’s Global Conference for Israel over the weekend. Protesters who formed a human chain using duct-taped tubes and metal wire stopped traffic at the intersection of Speer Boulevard and Champa Street for over an hour. [Denverite]

• On that topic: We spoke with Rep. Tim Hernández about why he said what he said at a recent Palestinian solidarity rally. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🍿 Denverites Rally to ‘Save the Esquire’

After word got around that the owners of Denver’s century-old Esquire Theatre submitted plans to the city to redevelop the property, devoted Esquire fans have launched an online petition to try to “save” the Denver landmark. So far, the petition has garnered some 3,700 signatures. [Westword]

• Need a new movie theater? From best popcorn to most artsy, here are our favorites. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🎄 Village Lighting | Tuesday | 5:30-8 p.m.

The Veterans Community Project is hosting a holiday lighting ceremony in Longmont, complete with caroling, cookies, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa. [Longmont; Free]

🥧 Holiday Pie Palooza | Thursday | 5-8 p.m.

Sample holiday dessert offerings from Denver bakeries and put in your pre-order ahead of the holiday rush. Proceeds benefit local businesses and schools. [East Colfax; $10 at the door ($7 online)]

🥃 Mezcal Paired Dinner | Thursday | 6:30-10 p.m.

Join chef Jose Avila at La Diabla (of Michelin, James Beard, and Bon Appétit fame!) for a six-course paired mezcal dinner. [Congress Park; $125]

Red Rocks Hailstorm Texts Revealed. Plus, Did ‘Zero Fare for Better Air’ Work?

After a severe hailstorm injured dozens at a Red Rocks concert over the summer, the venue faced criticism over how the situation was handled. Now, a lawsuit filed by 9News and reporter Steve Staeger reveals text messages between Red Rocks and city employees and law enforcement that have people fired up all over again. Today on the podcast, we dig into that and all the other stories you should know this week.