🗳️ Will Denver switch to ranked-choice voting?

We’re back with more recommendations from City Cast Denver Neighbors about their fave local people, spots, and organizations in the Mile High, so they can become your favorites too 💕

📣 Lindsey D. shouts out El Sistema, a local nonprofit that offers free after-school music lessons to youth.

📣 Steve L. shines the spotlight on Lot 46 Music Bar for revitalizing the Edgewater Inn and adding a “fantastic music venue and biergarten.”

📣 Dan R. thanks the Mizel Arts and Culture Center at the Jewish Community Center Denver for producing Denver Children’s Theatre, Denver Jewish Film Festival, and Klez Colorado.

Become a City Cast Denver Neighbor today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter and on the podcast 🎤

🗳️ Denver Considering Ranked Choice Voting for Council Seats

City Council is considering two proposals to change the local election process — one would implement ranked choice voting and the other would split the election for two at-large council members into individual races. Voters will have to approve whatever change the council moves forward with. [Denverite]

• What is ranked choice voting anyway? We broke down how it works, plus talked to a millionaire in favor of it, and a politician against it.

🐴 $800M National Western Center Expansion Will Move Forward

City Council approved the expansion of the National Western Center, which will bring equestrian facilities, a hotel, parking, and more to Elyria-Swansea. The vote on the project was delayed multiple times after activists requested more time to work with the National Western Authority to provide more community benefits. The postponement didn’t lead to any changes, but the Authority is promising revenue from a 1% hotel fee, a community center, and open space. [Denver Post 🔒]

💰 Denver’s Plan to Bring Back Businesses

Layoffs, furlough days, and a hiring freeze have already been announced as the city grapples with a projected $250 million budget shortfall. So, what’s the plan to get the Mile High’s economic situation back on track? Mayor Johnston’s head of economic development explains the administration’s strategy to attract more businesses to the many vacant storefronts and bring people back downtown to spend their time and money. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🚓 Immigration Officials Detain Accused Boulder Attacker’s Family

Following the arrest of Mohamed Sabry Soliman for the attack on Jewish demonstrators in Boulder, immigration officials have detained his wife and five children. Soliman, born in Egypt, was living in the country on an expired visa, but federal officials have not detailed the immigration status or histories of his wife and children. Officials say they are investigating whether the family was aware of Soliman’s plan. [Denver Post 🔒]