💘 ‘Love Is Blind’ meets ‘Menver’

🚩 How Are School Shootings Still Happening?

Since the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, Colorado has launched a network of gun violence prevention initiatives — including reporting systems, mental health programs, and new laws. So how are incidents like last week’s shooting at Evergreen High School still happening at such an alarming frequency? [CPR]

🎧 Our past coverage:

• Reflecting on the Boulder King Soopers shooting
• An exploration of America’s obsession with guns
• Two East High students on gun violence in schools
• Could “gun-free” zones really keep Denverites safer?
• To be Black and own a gun in Denver
• Can Mayor Johnston reduce gun violence?
• Why Rep. Tom Sullivan thinks lawmakers aren’t talking about guns

📚 4 Libraries Set to Temporarily Close

The Eugene Field, Ross-University Hills, Hampden, and Ross-Broadway branches are all set to close later this year for planned renovations. But two of those closures are coming half a year early to save the city money in the midst of a budget crisis. The closures will get DPL more than halfway to its “target budget reduction.” Other branches will offer extended hours in the meantime. [Denverite]

💘 Denver’s Dating Scene in the Limelight

On Oct. 1, Netflix will premiere the Denver edition of the popular reality dating show “Love is Blind.” In anticipation, we’re listening back to the conversation we had last year with two reporters who analyzed Denver’s dating scene — the good and the bad! — from the apps to the bars to our longtime reputation as “Menver.” [City Cast Denver 🎧]

📺 South Park Pulls Charlie Kirk Episode

Following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk last week, Paramount removed the South Park episode poking fun at the conservative activist from its cable rotation. The episode, titled “Got a Nut,” is still available on Paramount’s streaming platforms though. Kirk previously called the parody “hilarious” and a “badge of honor.” [Westword]

East High School is commemorating its 150th anniversary this month with homecoming and alumni celebrations, the opening of a time capsule, and the premiere of “Angel Power!: 150 Years of East High Excellence,” a documentary about the historic school which will be screened during the school’s own film festival. In honor of the milestone, we’re taking a look back at one of Denver’s oldest educational institutions.

East’s One-Room School House Beginnings

Years before Colorado was even officially recognized as a state, the earliest iteration of what would eventually become East High School opened as The Union School in 1859 at 12th and Market streets (known then as McGaa Street). The then-private school was a one-room log cabin that served families arriving in Denver by wagon train. The following year, the education space moved to a more structurally stable building at 14th and Market streets. By 1862, Denver established its first school district and school board.

In 1873, the Union School was expanded and relocated to Arapahoe Street between 17th and 18th. It was renamed the Arapahoe School and became the city’s first dedicated high school. In 1875, Denverite James H. Baker was named principal of “the high school section” of the school — this is considered the “official” start of East High. Finally, in 1889 when the student body grew large enough, a brand new building on Stout Street between 19th and 20th streets opened officially as the “original” East High School.