Paul Lopez

Latino politicians criticize GOP for criticizing Obama on new immigration policy

With the fight for Latino votes in the presidential race heating up nationally this week, Colorado GOP leaders recently criticized President Obama in this space for playing politics via his new policy easing back on deporting undocumented youth. Today, local Democrats struck back by criticizing the ... More >>

Update: Undocumented immigrant activists call off hunger strike, sit-in

After a six-day sit in and hunger strike, young undocumented immigrants Javier Hernandez and Veronica Gomez left their brief home at the Obama For America headquarters at 5:20 p.m. today. As the National Immigrant Youth Alliance pushes plans to spread their call for an executive order from Obama to ... More >>

Albus Brooks regrets Facebooking, tweeting urban camping ban critics

On Monday, Denver City Council voted 9-4 to pass an urban camping ordinance, and the meeting wasn't pretty: Opponents shouted "Shame!" at the councilmembers, turned their backs on the proceedings and launched a sit-in outside council chambers. From there, roughly fifty protesters followed the pro-ba ... More >>

Photos: Cries of "Shame!" as camping ban passes at tense council meeting

The mood was charged from the beginning. Even before City Council voted nine to four to approve Denver's new urban camping ordinance, one audience member made a point during the Pledge of Allegiance. During its conclusion of "peace and justice for all," he shouted "ALL!" in protest against the measu ... More >>

Photos: Denver City Council preliminarily passes urban camping ban

Before last night's epic Denver City Council meeting started, and well before its members voted nine to four to preliminarily approve the proposed urban camping ordinance, the line for public attendance stretched far outside the City and County Building. Many of these people left during the followin ... More >>

4/20: Did organizer Miguel Lopez assault councilman's mom, sister over burritos?

Between the two days of Denver's most recent 4/20 celebration, the Denver Police Department cited or arrested a total of 92 people. And while the event's organizer, Miguel Lopez, is not on that roster, he was detained on 4/21 and faces investigation for allegedly assaulting an at-risk adult. The biz ... More >>

Urban camping ban: Denver City Council delays vote -- for a week

Today, after the Commission on Homelessness called for an additional four weeks to consider an urban camping ordinance, Denver City Council moved its final consideration date to May 14, one week later than previously scheduled. The decision came with a final vote of four to three. If approved, the b ... More >>

Urban camping ban: Denver Police Department promises restraint in enforcement

At a city council meeting yesterday afternoon, Police Chief Robert White outlined what he called a "passive" plan for the Denver Police Department to enforce the urban camping ban if it is passed. As drafted, the strategy calls for law enforcement to partner with outreach workers, and White promises ... More >>

Urban camping ban heats up packed city council committee meeting

"Everyone take a deep breath." So began today's first public meeting about the proposed urban camping ban, organized by City Council's Land Use, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in front of a group so large it breached fire code. While organizers stressed its purpose as an informational mee ... More >>

Cafe Cultura's Rise Up! offers free HIV and AIDS testing this Friday

​The hardest part about getting tested for HIV and AIDS often isn't the test itself -- it's the anxiety surrounding the whole experience. For the last three years, Café Cultura has set out to east that tension by offering free testing in a comfortable atmosphere. In honor of National Women and G ... More >>

Alex Martinez, Denver's new Manager of Safety and DPD overseer: What would you ask him?

Have something you want to ask Alex Martinez, Denver's new Manager of Safety? This is your chance: Westword writers will be meeting with the former Colorado Supreme Court justice this morning, to get an overview of the office and ask about some specific issues, including the recent rulings overtur ... More >>

Red light photo tickets for crossing stop line should start with warning, councilwoman says

Last week, City Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz questioned Denver's photo ticket program when it comes to fines for crossing the stop line; they're the same as if the driver ran a red light. Nonetheless, the full council approved extending the approach through 2012 during a first reading last night. But M ... More >>

Jose Sanchez lawsuit: $30K settlement in racial profiling case includes new police training

Flickr​Update: At a meeting last night, the Denver City Council approved a $30,000 payment to settle a lawsuit over alleged Denver Police racial profiling. Equally important, says the ACLU's Mark Silverstein, is a DPD agreement to improve training to try to prevent such incidents in the future ... More >>

The GIVE Denver Center: Volunteerism at the heart of Department of Human Services project

Big pics below.​The newest service at the Denver Human Services Building is a completely volunteer and donation-based project known as The GIVE Denver Center. Stationed on the first floor of DHS at 1200 Federal Boulevard, this small spot is doing big things for the people of Denver.

Michael Hancock election night victory party gallery (PHOTOS)

Big pics below.​During Michael Hancock's victory party at the Exdo Event Center last night, rumblings about Scott Ewing and Denver Players links took a backseat to celebrating a huge win over rival Chris Romer. Westword photographer Kate Levy was on hand to capture the scene. Check out her im ... More >>

Needle exchanges: City council approves making Denver ordinance allowing them more flexible

​Update: Last night, the city council voted 10-0 to approve amendments to the city's 1997 needle-exchange ordinance. The decision thrilled Lisa Raville, director of Denver's Harm Reduction Action Center, whose mission is to empower and advocate for injection drug users.

Andrea Merida's classroom behavior has earned her a seat apart on the Denver school board

Immigration rally at North High School in favor of DREAM Act: Photos plus one advocate's take

Full-sized photos below.​In yesterday's preview of an immigration rally at North High School in favor of the DREAM Act, which would provide a path for citizenship for certain undocumented graduates of U.S. high schools, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition communications director Alan Kaplan ho ... More >>

Immigration rally in favor of DREAM Act tries to prove people power stronger than politics

​At 4 p.m. today, a rally will be held in support of the DREAM Act, a proposal that would allow select undocumented students who've lived in America for at least five years and graduate from a U.S. high school the chance to earn legal residency status. The measure faces steep obstacles -- but ... More >>

Denver Public Schools launches radio program to teach English to Spanish speakers

Tom Boasberg speaking at Kepner this morning.​Denver Public Schools is launching a radio series aimed at teaching English to Spanish-speaking parents and families. Called Maestro en Casa (Teacher at Home), the series will debut on September 15 on MARIA 1090 AM. At a press conference at Kepn ... More >>

Denver City Council collectable back-to-school lunchboxes: Kenny Be's Fotochop Friday

Full-sized art below.​Out in the real world, "there ain't so such thing as a free lunch," but don't tell that to Denver City Council. Mayor Hickenlooper has asked every department in city government to reduce their budgets by ten percent. City Council has only been able to find a 4 percent sav ... More >>

Medical marijuana showdown: City council members target Altitude Organic Medicine

Altitude Organic Medicine.​Altitude Organic Medicine received a rave as part of our Mile Highs and Lows dispensary reviews. But AOM may get a much more negative critique at today's city council meeting. Owner Brian Cook says two members are trying to shut down his business over what he sees as ... More >>

Immigration reform must happen now, says Denver City Council proclamation

Chris Nevitt has something to proclaim.​The controversial Arizona immigration bill hasn't stopped any folks from coming into this country illegally yet. After all, it won't take effect until July. But it's certainly led to a bumper crop of proclamations, including denunciations by Denver Publi ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: Where there's smoke, there's ire at Denver City Council's medical marijuana hearing

​Our throats were dry, our eyes were red. Blame it on pot. Specifically, on listening to four hours of pot testimony and discussion -- on top of the salute to the National Western Stock Show and another hour of civic housekeeping -- at last night's Denver City Council meeting. But there was ... More >>

Live blog: Safety committee hears Charlie Brown's latest pot proposal

Charlie Brown's back in the pot spotlight.​Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown is back before council's safety committee this morning, presenting his proposed ordinance to regulate the city's medical marijuana dispensaries. We're live-blogging the hearing. You'll find Brown's proposal at the ... More >>

Live blog: Charlie Brown presents his pot proposal

Charlie Brown is the man with the plan.​This morning, Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown presented his proposed ordinance to regulate the city's medical marijuana dispensaries to the council's Safety Committee. We live blogged the hearing; you'll find Brown's proposal at the bottom of this p ... More >>

Kenny Be's Sign Language: You're invited to a gigantic guitar art party in Westwood

click image to enlarge​ The tiara-topped, oversized red guitar sitting on the new Westwood welcome sign seems to have magically appeared out of nowhere last weekend, but it has actually been over ten years in the making. The newly landscaped corner lot where Morrison Road meets South Sherida ... More >>

The Peak is forced to pull up its tent stakes on Block 162

Gary Sweeney's Villa Park

Dueling Press Conferences at the Courthouse!

Ray Ruybal Made His Mark

The longtime head of Denver's graffiti unit fought to clean up the city -- until he felt he was beating his head against the wall.

50,000 to March for Immigration Reform

2001 Best of Denver Winners

The Real Results of the Colorado Caucuses

The Organizer

Can councilman Paul Lopez reconcile his anti-city government past with his establishment future?

Shut Down Denver. Vote for Paul Lopez.

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West Side Story

Auraria's neighbors don't trust its latest development scheme.

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