💵 Why CO needs to spend $1.5B ASAP

🏗️ Home Building Blunders

Denver Auditor Timothy O’Brien released a scathing report on the city’s residential permitting process, citing errors, confusion, and inadequate oversight. The audit reveals a slow permitting process, leading to safety concerns and lost money for both developers and homeowners. The planning department has agreed to most of the report’s 20 recommendations. [Denverite]

🏠 The Real Reasons Homelessness is on the Rise

Relationship problems and housing costs are the leading causes of homelessness in Denver, not personal shortcomings, according to a new study by the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative. Of those surveyed, 94% said homelessness was not a choice, and 44% said this was their first time experiencing homelessness. [Axios Denver]

• 📄 Read the full report. [Metro Denver Homeless Initiative]
• Related: How to Help Denver's Unhoused [Hey Denver 📰]

💵 State Needs to Spend $1.5B Quickly

Colorado is racing against time to spend $1.5 billion in leftover federal pandemic aid by the end of 2024, following a misinterpretation of guidance language from the U.S. Treasury Department. State officials originally thought they had until the end of 2026 to spend the money, but now they’re frantically pushing to revise the current fiscal year’s budget. [Colorado Sun]

🏛️ State Republican DUI Scandal

Colorado House Minority Leader Mike Lynch narrowly survived a no-confidence vote by the chamber’s 19-member Republican caucus following revelations of his 2022 DUI arrest. The incident, which included a charge for possession of a gun while intoxicated, was not made public until last week, not long after State Rep. Lynch announced his bid to represent the state’s 4th District, a crowded race that includes U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. [Colorado Sun]

Banning LOLs on I70, a Park Hill Preservation Fight, and Your Meat-Free Recs

There’s another historic landmark preservation fight brewing and this time, the Park HIll neighborhood is fighting not to save an old home. Then, are CDOT’s road signs supposed to convey information, be funny, or both? We dig into these stories and more news that matters this week.