🔌 Xcel weighs more power outages this week

🔌 High Winds + Drought = Perfect Fire Weather

Low humidity, high winds, and drought conditions have Xcel Energy considering public safety power shutoffs for multiple regions of Colorado to prevent wildfires this week. Xcel is still considering power shutoffs for the Northern Front Range on Thursday, but affected customers will be notified. [The Denver Post]

• Fire Weather Watch: 9News has issued a number of weather alerts, including a Fire Weather Watch for parts of Southern Colorado today. [9News]
• Is the drought getting worse? Water restrictions and planned outages have many Denverites worried, but relief could be in sight. Scientists predict that a super El Niño could bring above-average rainfall to Colorado from July through October. [The Denver Post]
• High winds: We’ve seen high winds across Colorado leave tens of thousands without power already this year, so it’s important to be prepared with an emergency kit even if you’re not in the planned outage zone. [Colorado Public Radio, Xcel]
• Colorado fires: Windy days and dry air have caused two notable fires to burn in Colorado so far this year, with the current Schwachheim fire nearly fully contained. [Colorado Sun]

🌆 Scott Gilmore Announces City Council Run

Scott Gilmore announced his run for the Denver City Council District 11 seat, which is currently held by his wife, Stacie Gilmore. The news comes after Scott Gilmore was laid off from his role as a deputy executive director at Denver Parks and Recreation last year. Together, the Gilmores have been outspoken critics of Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration and current Parks and Rec executive director Jolon Clark. [Denverite; Instagram]

• 🦬 Buffalo Exchange: Scott Gilmore joined us back in 2023 to talk about the Denver’s transfer of 35 bison to the Northern Cheyenne, Eastern Shoshone, Yuchi, and Tall Bull Memorial Council as part of an annual tradition to give back to the tribes that lived on the land that became the Mile High City. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🔎 Denver State Dept. Under Investigation

Millions of dollars in settlements, high leadership turnover, and a deluge of complaints have placed The Colorado Department of Human Services officially under investigation by the state. Employees claim they experienced abuse and discrimination from leadership, particularly from one executive director, Katy Morrison. Allegations against Morrison include making fun of employees, creating a psychologically harmful workplace, and threatening termination of workers. [The Denver Post 🔒]

📖 Another Book Society, Another Lawsuit

Denver Book Society is facing more drama this week. After a California-based bookstore named “Book Society” threatened to sue Denver Book Society for stealing their trademarked name, Denver store owner Rich Garvin filed a federal complaint in response, asking for the right to keep the name. This comes after Kwame Spearman stepped down from his role at Denver Book Society earlier this year following criticism of statements he made about immigration during his 2023 run for mayor. [Denverite]

🏗️ Is Denver’s Economy 'Deteriorating'?

230 business leaders think so. In a letter addressed to Mayor Mike Johnston, Governor Jared Polis, Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and others, local CEOs expressed concern over Colorado’s AI regulations and the loss of the headquarters of tech surveillance giant Palantir as a sign that the state is losing its edge in the national economy. Chief economist for the Colorado Legislative Council Greg Sobetski joins the podcast to explain why these concerns get more complicated when looking at employees’ and consumers’ role in the economy. [City Cast Denver 🎧]