🌊 Why did The Squire Lounge flood?

🚧 Squire Lounge Blames BRT Construction for Damaging Flood

Sudhir Kudva, who owns The Squire Lounge on Colfax Avenue, says the future of his bar is uncertain after it experienced major flooding last Friday. Three feet of standing water filled The Squire’s basement, causing about $10,000 worth of damage. [9News]

• Is it the construction’s fault? Kudva says he has experienced some flooding since he bought the place, but this is the worst it’s been in 22 years — and he believes the Colfax bus rapid transit construction project is to blame. He says construction crews replaced clay with topsoil for planters, which made the stormwater system more vulnerable. City officials say this is likely not the cause of flooding, but plan to investigate further. [KDVR]
• Flooding reignites frustration: The community is debating on social media over why the flooding got so bad this time. Some people say BRT construction crews blocked the storm drains. Others say the flooding was caused purely by the heavy rains. [Instagram]
• Tell me more: Has flooding on Colfax always been this bad? Could the construction project actually be at fault? Listen to the latest City Cast Denver podcast to get some context (and clues) into the flooding. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

👮 Aurora Police Officer Indicted On Second-Degree Murder Charge

On Friday, Aurora police officer Matthew Neely was indicted on a second-degree murder and manslaughter for shooting and killing 37-year-old Rajon Belt-Stubblefield. Neely, who was taken into custody on Saturday, has been released on $200,000 bail and is currently on unpaid administrative leave. He is set to appear in court again later this month. [Colorado Public Radio 🔐]

🛣️ Street Takeover Prompts Safety Calls

Residents are calling for safer roads after an illegal street takeover at South Broadway and Mississippi Avenue disrupted traffic late Friday night. During the incident, a crowd gathered around a group of stopped cars to watch a show of donuts, fireworks, and smoke. Although some people called 911 on Friday night, Denver police did not arrive until the crowd dispersed 18 minutes after the first reports came in. [CBS News]

🥟 Denver Chef Takes Flight

Recent James Beard Award winner Penelope Wong is one of 11 chefs who were selected to partake in United Airlines’ new in-flight meal program — a sister project of Netflix’s Chef’s Table series. Wong, co-owner of cult-favorite dumpling restaurant Yuan Wonton in Park Hill, created a specialty menu for first-class travelers flying directly from the Mile High City to select international destinations. [Denver Gazette 🔐]

🌵Statewide Drought Drags On

We’ve all heard about Denver’s watering restrictions (which some people are, um, opting out of), but recent data shows a bleak picture statewide. Half of Colorado is experiencing extreme or exceptional drought, causing ripple effects across industries.

• Farmers are losing millions. River recreation dollars are drying up. Experts say climate change will only worsen these conditions in years to come. [Denver Post 🔐]