🚬 Flavored tobacco ban back on the table

🐄 The End of a Stock Show Era

After 14 years at the helm of a century-old Denver tradition, Paul Andrews has announced plans to leave his post as CEO of the National Western Stock Show following the 2025 event. Though he’s proud of his work navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, spearheading a massive remodel project, and wiping away the National Western Center’s $10 million in debt, Andrews says it’s time to hand over the reins to someone new. [Denver Post 🔒]

🏓 A Solution to Denver’s Pickleball Problems?

City officials are piloting a potential solution to Denver’s old pickleball debate. After shutting down four popular courts at Mamie D. Eisenhower Park last year due to noise complaints from nearby residents, the city is reopening them on one condition: only specialty foam pickleballs designed to reduce noise are permitted for play. [Westword]

👎 Broken Appliances, Broken Promises

Tenants in a new apartment building called X Denver were promised top-of-the-line fitness facilities, co-working spaces, a full service restaurant, and more. Now, just three years since opening, none of these amenities exist, and some renters even say their units are uninhabitable. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🥊 Flavored Tobacco Fight: Round 2

Denver City Council is poised to once again consider a citywide ban on flavored tobacco products this week. Council approved a ban in 2021, but the proposal was ultimately vetoed by then-mayor Michael Hancock. Conversely, Mayor Johnston has already pledged his support of a ban. [Axios Denver]

• Who’s in the fight: While Big Tobacco is throwing its weight against the ban, local students rallied outside the Denver City and County Building on Monday to speak in support of the proposal. [Westword]

🌮 A Glowing Casa Bonita Review

Longtime listener and reader Stan P. finally nabbed a coveted table at the Pink Palace, and he’s happy to report back with an A+ review:

• “Service was perfect and attentive, the chips and salsa were way better than we were expecting. One friend had the carnitas nachos, I had the burrito christmas-style, and my wife had the enchiladas (no cheese sauce in sight!) … Also, I looked it up, (with all the complaints of prices) and the price of food currently is in line with inflation as to what it was in ’75.”
  
  👉 Pssst! Still trying to get a reservation at CB? We’ve got the deets on how.

💚 More Local Organizations to Support

After checking out our recent list of local organizations to support this time of year, listener and reader John H. wanted to share two more:

• “1) Rooted With Roofs is a group that has been supporting Venezuelan immigration families with jobs, paperwork, legal advice, housing, and all the different things. And 2) the work that Cross Purpose is doing — taking people from generational poverty to generational wealth building — is having a huge impact on the city.”

🏓 Anything But Pickleball, Please

When city officials suggested they’re considering installing pickleball courts in the empty space next to the Civic Center RTD station, readers came back with some alternate ideas:

• “How about something peaceful? A garden, please, that has no entrance fee.” — Emily O.
• “How about a giant art sculpture of dinosaur bones that you can climb on and is actually a skate park too, and maybe even a splash pad!” — Morgan D.
• “How about travel shelters for those waiting for the bus? Or food trucks and port-a-potties?” — Kate W.
• “How about a center for exchanging needles, mental health support, and or addiction resources?” — Susan B.