🎉 Good news: Rec centers return!

🔎 An Investigation into Xcel

In response to extreme wind conditions last weekend, Xcel Energy issued a “preemptive” power outage for some 55,000 customers across the Front Range that lasted three days. Public outcry over Xcel’s poor communication of the event has led Gov. Polis to order an investigation into the utility company’s actions by state officials. [Denver Post]

• Tell me more: I dug into what exactly happened, why it happened, and whether it might happen again. [Hey Denver]

🧑‍🚀 Colorado’s Place in Outer Space

Space exploration is rocketing to new heights and Colorado wants to be at the center of it. The Centennial State ranks No. 1 in the nation for the most private aerospace jobs per capita. Notably, Golden-based Lunar Outpost and Jeffco’s Lockheed Martin Space are making waves in the industry, and just last week Colorado Springs hosted the 39th annual global Space Symposium. [Axios Denver]

• Dive deeper: A few years ago we spoke with Denver Business Journal reporter Greg Avery about just how Colorado was leading the charge in this new age space race. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

✂️ A New Budget Cut Proposal

As the City of Denver pivots away from a “crisis response” for new arrivals from Central and South America, Mayor Johnston is asking City Council to approve $45.5 million in budget cuts across city agencies to help fund a more sustainable solution: the Denver Asylum Seekers Program. The mayor expects to spend $90 million on the program — half of the $180 million he originally projected for this year’s new arrival response. Johnston says the money would mostly come from leaving vacant city positions empty, deferring big tech projects, and cutting back on things like staff travel. [Denverite]

• Good news: The mayor also announced he will be restoring Denver DMVs and rec centers to normal operating hours, after scaling them back as part of budget cut efforts earlier this year.

🚓 Johnston’s Plan to Tackle Gun Violence

In an attempt to reduce gun violence in Denver, Mayor Mike Johnston will target “crime hot spots” across the city as part of his newly announced public safety plan. It was a tactic also deployed by Johnston’s predecessor, former mayor Michael Hancock. So will the results be any better this time around? [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Can Mayor Johnston Reduce Gun Violence by 20%?

As Colorado works to reverse course on the record number of gun deaths seen across the state in 2021, Mayor Mike Johnston has sworn to do his part by promising to reduce gun crime in Denver by 20% in 2024. His plan? Not so different from his predecessor Michael Hancock. Criminal justice professor and former mayoral candidate herself, Lisa Calderón, breaks down Johnston’s strategy and discusses what she’d be doing differently.