🗳️ AG Weiser on corporate payout accusations

📵 Denver Public Schools Adopt Cellphone Ban

On Monday, the Denver Public School Board of Education unanimously passed a bell-to-bell cellphone ban that also includes personal communication devices such as smartwatches, laptops, tablets, and wireless earbuds. The ban will go into effect starting in the 2026-27 academic year. [Denver7]

• What prompted the ban? Last year, Colorado passed a law requiring K-12 school districts to adopt a student cellphone policy by July 1. While state law doesn’t mandate a full ban, DPS’s decision this week does reflect a growing movement nationally to address the issue. [Chalkbeat; Denver Post]
• The survey: DPS issued a district-wide survey in May to parents, staff, and students. Over 60% of 7,000 respondents supported a ban on personal devices during the school day, including lunch and between classes. While 97% of DPS students opposed a ban, some acknowledge that personal devices can be distracting during learning time [Denver Public Schools; CPR News]
• Exceptions: The 2025 law stipulates that exceptions should be made for students who rely on their personal devices for their health, when responding to an emergency, and when personal devices can be used for instructional purposes. [Colorado General Assembly]
• Opposition to the ban: Many DPS parents and students expressed concern that a cellphone ban could prevent communication during an emergency. DPS does, however, have a text alert system for emergencies. [CBS News; Denver Public Schools]
• Next steps: In Denver, DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero is now tasked with implementing the policy and deciding whether students will still be able to keep turned-off devices in their possession.

🗳️ Attorney General Phil Weiser on His Run for Governor

Attorney General Phil Weiser is on today’s podcast to discuss his run for the highest office in the state and talk about everything from data center moratoriums to bike lanes. Plus, Weiser comments on his opponent Sen. Michael Bennet’s claims that the AG has accepted corporate money. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🫨 Tornado Sirens Mistakenly Activated … Again

You likely heard the tornado sirens on Monday afternoon, and despite Denver County being under a tornado watch, a “comprehensive review” by the city has confirmed that it was a false alarm. The Office of Emergency Management is attributing it to “human error” and that protocols were improperly managed. [KDVR; CPR News]

• Here we go again: This is the third time in five months the city has accidentally issued an emergency alert. When this last happened in January, a resident expressed concern that these false alarms could lead to a lack of trust in future warnings. [Denver Post 🔐; Denver 7]

👀 New Allegations Against Councilmember Flor Alvidrez

Divenia Johnson, a former Denver City Council aide, is suing District 7 Councilmember Flor Alvidrez and the city, alleging age, race, and gender discrimination, unequal treatment, and retaliation. Johnson claims she was fired after raising concerns about a hostile work environment, and that Alvidrez showed a preference for white employees. Another former aide has accused Alvidrez of bullying in 2024. [Denverite]

🛟 Northside Pool Closes After Leaking Thousands of Gallons

The city has closed the Aztlan Pool after discovering it was leaking over 16,000 gallons of water daily. The cause of the leak is not yet clear. Denver Parks and Recreation says the pool will likely need a full replacement, and funding will come from a $950 million Vibrant Denver Bond. [Westword]

• Plus: Gov. Jared Polis declared a statewide drought emergency this month. [CBS News]
• Take a dip: Outdoor pool season started this week. Check out schedules for 12 other city-operated pools. [Denver.gov]

🏥 Cigna Leaving CO Individual Health Market

Cigna Healthcare will exit individual health insurance markets nationwide, including Colorado, by January 2027. This is expected to impact over 40,000 people across the state. The move follows a trend of insurer withdrawals since 2022; six insurers remain on the individual market in Colorado. [Denver Gazette 🔐]