🚩 Aurora police confirm gang activity

🇺🇸 Is Colorado’s Legislature Undemocratic?

When State Sen. Chris Hansen announced his resignation last month, he triggered an increasingly controversial and surprisingly common feature of Colorado’s political system: the vacancy committee election. Only about 110 Democrats in central Denver will elect his replacement. And it leaves us wondering: Is that democratic? [City Cast Denver 🎧]

💸 Are Denver Renters Being Gouged?

Nearly half of local apartment renters — those whose landlords use RealPage’s algorithm to set prices — are paying $136 more every month on average, according to new data from a White House analysis. Colorado’s Attorney General Phil Weiser recently joined the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against RealPage over alleged price-fixing. [KDVR]

🚩 Gang Activity Confirmed at Troubled Aurora Apartment

A violent kidnapping and burglary in Aurora this week is widely being connected to Tren de Aragua (TdA), the Venezuelan gang that has been the source of national hysteria this year. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said the incident is “without question” gang-related, but did not confirm the involvement of TdA. [9News]

👮 DPD to Change Hiring Standards Next Year

Beginning next year, anyone interested in joining the Denver Police Department will face fewer eligibility requirements; a quicker, cheaper application test; and a reduced training period. The changes come as the city continues to struggle to bring the force to its full “authorized strength.” [Axios Denver]