❓ Are ICE raids really happening in Denver?

❓What You Need to Know About Denver’s Immigration Situation

Since President Trump announced his plans for sweeping deportations in a project dubbed “Operation Aurora” back in October, all eyes have been on Colorado. This week, the ICE raid of a “makeshift nightclub” allegedly run by members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua only amped up the tension around the topic of immigration. One local reporter has been following the issue closely, and breaks down what’s fact and what’s false when it comes to the deportation rumors currently swirling in the Denver metro. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Related news to watch:

• The feds are investigating Denver and other “sanctuary cities” for their local immigration policies’ impacts on federal enforcement efforts. [Axios Denver]
  
• Democratic Gov. Jared Polis is adamant that Colorado is NOT a “sanctuary state.” He encourages local governments to “cooperate fully with federal partners on all criminal matters.” [9News]
  
• National media outlets are reporting on rumors that there will be ICE raids in Aurora this week. Local officials have not confirmed those claims. [Denver Post 🔒]
  
• The state’s largest organization offering free legal services to immigrants — the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, which receives federal funding — has been ordered to pause operations by the U.S. Department of Justice. [CO Sun]
  
• In the meantime, we put together an extensive list of local organizations that offer supportive services for immigrants and refugees. [Hey Denver]

🚻 Feds Investigate DPS All-Gender Bathroom

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is launching an investigation into Denver Public Schools over the new all-gender bathroom recently debuted at East High School. The school converted a girls restroom into an all-gender bathroom, but the result means the school now has a bathroom exclusively for boys on the second floor but not for girls — a direct Title IX violation. [Denver Post 🔒]

Hey loyal readers and listeners. We love hearing from you! Got a question about something going on in the city? A spicy take on a trending topic? Commentary on a recent podcast episode or newsletter? We want to hear it 💌 Here’s the latest from the inbox:

👀 Spotted Around Town: Old Jolly Rancher Trucks

Hey Denver reader Anna G. recently snapped this photo 👆 of some decommissioned Jolly Rancher trucks near the site of the old Jolly Rancher factory in Golden. Who knew there were any left!

📽️ Sundance Film Festival

The chatter around Sundance Film Festival’s potential relocation to Boulder is getting spicy. We recently spoke with our colleague from City Cast Salt Lake to ask her what it would really mean if the event came to Colorado.

City Cast Denver listener Matt W. shares his two cents:

• “Boulder Film Festival, Denver Film Festival, and the Horror Festival do not compete in any way with Sundance. Local film should be clamoring to get Sundance into town. Colorado should be a natural hub for production — we have the airport, we're close to LA, it's a beautiful state with many different locations, and we have incredible expanses of land where soundstages could be built. THE premier festival could anchor that transformation. Hollywood shouldn't scare local productions, it should be aspirational.”

💘 A Valentine’s Day Giveaway!

The sweetest day of the year is just around the corner. We’re soliciting your best Denver date ideas to share! Fancy dinner on Larimer Square and a show at the DCPA? Tapas at Barcelona Wine Bar and a round of mini-golf at Puttshack?

Whoever sends in our favorite submission will get two FREE tickets to the late-night showing of “Mortified Live: Doomed Valentine’s” on Feb. 14 — part stand-up comedy, part live confessional, 100% good time guaranteed.