🚦 Denver’s worst intersections

🗳️ No ‘Freezing Sweeps’ Bill Narrowly Passes

A divided City Council voted 7-6 to approve a legislation that would ban some city agencies from conducting encampment sweeps when outside temperatures drop below 33 degrees. The vote was shy of the nine-vote supermajority needed to avoid a mayoral veto, which is not out of the question. [Denver Post]

• Related: What counts as “homeless,” and how is Denver tallying the numbers? [Hey Denver 📰]

💰 State Lands Climate Startup Funding

Colorado and Wyoming have secured $15 million in funding from the National Science Foundation to launch a Colorado-based hub for climate solutions and clean energy innovation. The “Regional Innovations Engines” initiative will support startups focusing on carbon capture, clean energy, and methane reduction, with additional fund matching from federal, local, and private sources. It is estimated to contribute $1.5 billion to the regional economy over the next decade. [Colorado Sun]

🦈 Littleton Petting Zoo Closing After Complaints

SeaQuest, a national animal entertainment chain, announced on social media last week that they will permanently close their Littleton location on February 4. The facility, which opened in 2018, has received criticism from animal rights activists, along with a number of citations from the USDA and state agricultural inspectors, some of which included makeshift cages and unsanitary conditions. [KDVR]

🚦 What’s Denver’s Worst Traffic Intersection?

We all have our least favorite roadways, but what actually constitutes a bad intersection? Denver7’s “traffic guy” Jayson Luber shares his theories and digs into why we love to hate bad intersections. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

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

💃 After listening to our episode about how to have a booze-free good time in Denver, Erin from Wash Park wrote in to say:

• “I want to echo Bree’s recommendation of swing dancing at the Merc. I've been going for a long time, and it's so wonderful. On Sunday nights, they also have lessons and then they have a live band and it is so fun. It's one of the few places I'll go by myself at night as a single woman. It's such a great community.”

💘 Ahead of Valentine’s Day, I asked for some date-night suggestions to share. Lauren C. offers this:

• “A picnic in the Botanic Gardens: Bring in whatever food you want and relax on the grass, at one of the many benches, or at a table at the cafe if it's not too crowded. Then wander the gardens and soak in the beauty. You'll automatically feel relaxed and whimsical.”👉 Psst! What’s your perfect Denver date night? 💌Let me know!

🍽️ I recently shared a list of the new restaurants I’m most looking forward to in 2024. Cheyenne M. adds:

• “I’m excited for Moonrise Garden Bar & Food Trucks in Wheat Ridge! They just posted a walkthrough video on their Instagram and the vibes look amazing. As a fellow AAPI, I’m eager to support them!”

Are These Denver’s Worst Intersections?

What makes a particular intersection worse than another? When we opened up the Bad Intersection Hotline, listeners shared tons of suggestions. We invited Denver7’s “Traffic Guy” Jayson Luber to help answer some of your voicemails and texts about these bad roadways, and break down why we love to hate them.