The City of Aurora appointed its first woman Police Chief, Vanessa Wilson, in 2020. She is the exception that proves the rule.
Let’s Talk about Gender Diversity in Policing
Police Training: “Stress Inoculation”
Law enforcement may well be the only profession where you can be called upon to change a tire, address neighbors’ disputes over barking dogs, intervene on behalf of someone who has been physically battered by a spouse, and talk down a gunman. All in one day. “Regardless of the purpose of the call,” says Capt. Sylvia Sich, the 38-year Denver Police Department veteran now in charge of the Police Academy, “that is the most important thing happening in that person’s life right now…And you respond to it that way.”
City Park Golf Course Tees Off
Denver’s historic City Park Golf Course reopened September 1 after years of major work and considerable controversy that spanned petitions, protests and even a lawsuit over the now-completed changes.
Q&A with Chief Pazen
Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen held a virtual town hall on June 3 to listen to community concerns and respond to questions. The Front Porch transcribed questions from that session and edited for length and clarity.
Controlling the coronavirus: Where we stand. Where we’re going.
How is Denver doing at flattening the curve? What symptoms are Denverites reporting and how does that help track illness in the community—even before tests are done? Are we having Covid outbreaks in our grocery stores? What should we do when someone isn’t wearing a mask in the grocery store? What is the projection for how well the virus will be contained in coming months?
And, in a broader view, why do bats spread pathogens; and how are llamas contributing to possible treatments?
Impacting Communities —Where It’s Needed Most
Sam Gary made a tremendous fortune in the oil and gas industry—and made a commitment to use his fortune to give back to the community. “Sam’s vision was to find the ways to make a big impact on the community—and he never really cared if he got the credit,” says Mike Johnston, a former state senator and Stapleton resident who was just recently named CEO of Gary’s charitable organizations, the Piton Foundation and Gary Community Investments (GCI).
Governor and Mayor Heighten COVID-19 Restrictions. All Denver non-essential to stay at home.
Mayor Hancock announces citywide stay at home order and closure of non-essential businesses from March 24 to April 10. That follows Gov. Polis’ statewide order for all businesses to cut back their on-site staff to at least 50%. Social distancing orders remain in effect.
Water, Unleaded Please
East Colfax homeowner Jasmine DeCelles recalls when her husband was washing something in the sink back in 2017 and noticed “a yucky film over the top of water sitting in a clean bowl.” Not even thinking about lead at the time, she requested a free testing kit from Denver Water, hoping to learn what was causing the water’s iridescent appearance.
Red Flag Law: Implementation Varies by County
On January 8, a Windsor man petitioned the Denver Probate Court to have his son XYZ’s weapons confiscated under Colorado’s fledgling Red Flag Law. Two days earlier, a Limon woman had filed a similar petition in Lincoln County. His was granted. Hers was denied. The discrepancy is rooted in two different philosophies about how to […]
Young Adult Diversion “Growing to See My Own Light”
District Attorney Beth McCann implemented a young adult diversion program in May 2018 to put eligible young adult offenders on track for a future without incarceration.
