⚰️ The Wild West of funeral homes may be ending

🧑‍🚒 Tragic Accident in Empty Missile Silo

An 18-year-old sustained serious injuries when he fell 30 feet inside an abandoned missile silo about 50 miles east of Denver early Sunday morning. The young man was exploring the Cold War-era silo late at night with a group of fellow students from the Cherry Creek School District. Rescue teams encountered “a maze of tunnels” and “twisted metal” before a helicopter airlift helped him escape. [Denver Gazette]

🏗️ Rare Condo Project Planned Downtown

Developers have revealed plans for a new 461-unit condo building, dubbed Upton Residencies, at the site of the old Shelby’s Bar & Grille at 18th and Glenarm. It would be the largest condo building built in Denver since 2009, providing new fodder for the yearslong debate over construction defect law, which critics say is hampering condo construction. [Denverite]

🏛️ Legislative Session Down to the Wire

It’s crunch time at the statehouse as the 2024 legislative session approaches its thrilling finale on Wednesday — as of Monday morning, 168 bills had been signed into law, 114 had been postponed indefinitely, and more than 100 were still in committee. Here’s the latest:

• Democratic sponsor Sen. Julie Gonzales postponed this year’s effort to ban the sale of so-called assault weapons “indefinitely” after the bill faced overwhelming opposition in a Democrat-controlled Senate committee. [Denver Post]
• Two bills designed to bring Colorado’s mortuary regulations in line with the rest of the country are awaiting the governor’s signature (or veto). [Associated Press]
• A last-minute, “secret deal” that would impose new fees on the oil & gas industry and boost transportation funding has already passed the Senate. [Denver Gazette]

🍷 Does the Legislature Have a Drinking Problem?

After Sen. Faith Winter showed up to a community meeting allegedly intoxicated, she stepped down from some of her duties at the statehouse. But Northglenn City Council has now filed an ethics complaint against her, highlighting concerns about a drinking culture in the legislature. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Lawmakers Who Drink, Banning Rent Algorithms, and an Exciting Announcement

After a state senator showed up to a community meeting allegedly intoxicated, concerns have surfaced over just how much elected officials may be drinking on the job. Plus, legislators kill a bill that could have banned rent-setting algorithms, an update on the Palestinian solidarity protest at Auraria Campus, and more news of the week — including a special announcement from the City Cast Denver crew!