Why Brandon Johnson Got 5 Years For Selling Fentanyl That Proved Deadly

In February 2016, as we’ve reported, Brandon Johnson and William Lancaster were charged with felony manslaughter for selling Mark Largay fentanyl, a powerful opioid that wound up killing him. Two years later, Johnson has been sentenced for a lesser crime, distributing a controlled substance, but still must serve five years behind bars because of an aggravating factor. Johnson was confined in a community corrections facility in Denver when he took part in what proved to be a fatal transaction.

Is DPS Investigating Sexual Harassment Claims Against Former Manual High Principal?

Outgoing Manual High School principal Nickolas Dawkins created a stir when he alleged in his resignation that he was being “targeted by those who called me n*gger.” The district alleges that Dawkins created a hostile work environment and was being investigated for concerns about his leadership. Now, more information may potentially point to allegations of sexual harassment that led to Dawkins’ resignation.

Why Denver Is America’s Number-One Power Market for Luxury-Home Sellers

If you’re selling a luxury home in Denver right now, expect to make a mint. In its recently published global luxury report, accessible below, Coldwell Banker calls the Mile High City the number one “power market” for luxury home sellers in the United States. And according to Chris Mygatt, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker-Colorado, transplants from major markets where prices are even higher than here represent a big reason why.

Wayne McDonald Attorney Plans New Suit Over Michael Hancock Texts

Earlier this month, the lawyer for former City of Denver employee Wayne McDonald, who was paid $200,000 to settle a lawsuit four years after his 2012 firing, hinted that public statements made by Mayor Michael Hancock in his video apology for sending inappropriate texts to Detective Leslie Branch-Wise during the 2011-2012 period when she was on his security detail may have breached the agreement.

How Michael Hancock’s Sexy Text Victim Made Denver City Council Blink

At this time yesterday, March 18, political observers were wondering if Denver City Council would investigate Mayor Michael Hancock after a new call for an inquiry from his alleged victim, Denver police detective Leslie Branch-Wise. By the evening, the answer had moved close to a “yes,” with council president Albus Brooks, who’d previously said “I continue to maintain that an investigation is not warranted because there are no disputed facts about the case” reversing course in dramatic fashion.

Denver Gets Defensive Over Michael Marshall Jail Death Report

Late last year, the City of Denver agreed to pay $4.65 million and make major changes in its jail policies to settle claims involving Michael Marshall, who died in a Denver detention center circa 2015 during a mental-health crisis captured on video. But that wasn’t enough according to a scathing new report from Denver’s Office of the Independent Monitor, which makes eight recommendations for policy change above and beyond ones already agreed to in the settlement pact.

New City Fund Will Pay for Lawyers to Defend Immigrants Facing Removal

On Monday, March 19, Denver launched a long-anticipated legal defense fund for immigrants with $385,000 in its coffers. The aim of the fund is to provide legal representation to Denver residents who are fighting removal orders or who have requested relief through avenues like Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals, asylum applications, naturalization or certain visas.

27J Becomes First Urban District in Colorado to Implement a Four-Day Week

After months of heated parent town halls and tough community discussions, a school district in Adams County has become the first urban district in the state to transition to a four-day school week starting this August. Years of low teacher pay had taken its toll, and district leadership were desperate to try something different to change the tides amid a statewide teacher shortage and an underfunded education budget.

Will City Council Investigate Michael Hancock After New Victim Statement?

Denver City Councilman Rafael Espinoza’s call for an investigation over improper texts that Denver Mayor Michael Hancock sent to Denver police detective Leslie Branch-Wise when she was a member of his security detail circa 2011-2012 didn’t gain support from other members of the panel, which issued a joint statement rejecting the launch of such a probe.