🏙️ A new idea to improve downtown

🍎 Auon’tai Anderson Changes Course … Again

Former vice president of the Denver school board Auon’tai Anderson is dropping out of the race for House District 8. He will instead turn his focus to launching a nonprofit committed to creating a pipeline for marginalized communities to run for local school boards. [Denver Post 🔒]

❄️ Cold Weather Bill Passes First Council Vote

A new bill that would prohibit the city from sweeping homeless encampments during freezing temperatures cleared its first hurdle with a 9-4 vote by City Council on Monday. It will face a second and final vote next week. [Denverite]

• Dive deeper: We spoke with a doctor about the health impacts that freezing temperatures have on the body. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🏙️ Are City Ambassadors the Solution Denver Needs?

Mayor Mike Johnston has announced a new campaign to improve the safety and economy of downtown Denver that includes appointing 650 “Denver Ambassadors” made up of police officers, nonprofit outreach workers, and city employees, all unified and identifiable by bright yellow vests. [Denverite]

• Denverite reports: “The distinction between the public and private [will be] blended through fashion, and it will be harder to tell a social worker from a cop.”

🌎 City Council Speaks Out on Israel-Hamas Conflict

Denver City Council members are calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in a resolution proposed this week by councilmembers Shontel Lewis and Sarah Parady. It’s the first time Council has formally weighed in on the conflict. [Axios Denver]

• More local takes: State Rep. Tim Hernández came under fire last year after making public comments about the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. We spoke with the lawmaker about the incident and what it might mean for his position with the legislature. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

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

🍺 Looking for a raucous time at the Stock Show? Schmidt recommends:

• “The Stockyards Saloon (aka the Yard Bar). It’s open all [year round], but during the Stock Show great live music is on deck every night. It gets rowdy so make sure you are ready.”

😌 For Tara G. (hi, mom 👋) the Stock Show brings back fond memories:

• “We always went to the Stock Show on a class field trip. We all would wear our best western gear and pack a lunch. My mom would be a chaperone. It was a great time and we all looked forward to it every year!"

🐂 Celia S. has an … uh … underrated recommendation:

• “One year I stumbled onto the cattle sperm auction. It’s another world…”
  
  👀 Psst! Curious? We’ve got the deets on the show’s bull semen trade in our members-only podcast feed. You can sign up here to listen.

🐄 Here are just some of Peter M.’s favorite parts of NWSS:

• “The cattle car-wash on the lower level, where enormous bovines are given the scrub down by ranch hands and then meticulously blow dried and primped for their big moments, [and] the barbecue joint in the outdoor food court where they serve platter-sized pork chops.”

🦆 Amy S. is hoping the baby ducks are back this year:

• “I always liked the ducklings. They had a ferris wheel and diving board for going into the water. It was so cute. When I went last year they didn't have birds at all because of bird flu.”

🤔 Molly wants to know:

• “I'm wondering why the stock show parade is during the week and not on the weekend, because I would love to go look at some cows walk down the street, but I have to work.”

Live at the National Western Stock Show: Tips, Tricks, and Hijinks

We’re going to the Stock Show! Host Bree Davies and returning guest, stand-up comic, and co-chair of the Denver American Indian Commission Joshua Emerson talk to the ranchers, vendors, old-timers, outlaws, and other colorful characters that make up this Mile High tradition.