🚔 Can Johnston keep shelters safe?

🎓 A Degree in Psychedelics

As Colorado continues to blaze the trail for a burgeoning industry in psychedelic-assisted therapy, a college in Boulder is hoping to prepare the young professionals who will eventually man the field. The Buddhism-rooted Naropa University has plans to offer a minor in psychedelic studies, hopefully as early as the fall 2024 semester. The university already hosts a post-grad psychedelic-assisted therapies certificate program. [Denver Post]

💵 Another Round of Basic Income

City Council agreed to extend the Denver Basic Income Project through July with a $2 million funding infusion. The program, which launched in 2022, gives direct cash payments to Denverites experiencing homelessness with no strings attached. [Denverite]

🥤 Healthier Drinks for Kids

Beginning in July 2025, all Denver restaurants will be required to remove soda and juice from their kids menus, offering instead only milk or water as the default drink choices for children. Other beverages will still be available on request, but the idea is to put healthier options first. [Denver Post]

🚔 Security Concerns at City Shelters

When people die at a City-operated, Salvation Army-managed homeless shelter, who is to blame? As Mayor Johnston’s housing plan continues its rollout, a spotlight is being shined on issues of crime and safety. 9News anchor Kyle Clark joins the podcast to dig into that and more news of the week. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Last week’s answer: Urban Farmer 🍷🥩

• This “modern steakhouse” located inside LoDo’s historic Oxford Hotel made its Denver debut in 2017 — the restaurant's flagship location is in Portland, Oregon. Aligning with the company’s commitment to sourcing locally and responsibly, the Denver location has been known to get its honey from its own rooftop beehive and its mushrooms from its basement terrarium.

👏 A round of applause our correct guessers:

• Megan K. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• But Rebekah M., and Kiersten L. weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do recognize this literature lovers’ mural? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

📸 Want to submit a photo? Send me a snapshot of somewhere in Denver, and I’ll consider it for an upcoming photo trivia segment!

‘Inevitable’ Shelter Deaths, Poop in the Park, and Kyle Clark!

Two people were found dead at the hotel-turned-shelter in Central Park recently, raising questions about who is in charge of security — the City or the contracted operator, Salvation Army? Then, Westminster is considering cutting down its massive off-leash dog park by 400 acres citing habitat degradation, overcrowding, and dog poop problems.