Denver Development and Controversial Impact of “Slot Houses”

The topic of development in Denver raises passions among plenty of locals — particularly those who don’t like the looks of many new buildings being erected across the Mile High City. Take the comment of one reader, who likened the structures to 1950s prison complexes. Such reactions are of particular interest…

“Die, Woman”: More Female Guards Describe Denver Jail as House of Horrors

In November 2015, two female deputies with the Denver Sheriff Department filed a lawsuit alleging that Denver County Jail is a house of horrors for female guards. The complaint suggested that profane verbal abuse, sexual harassment and intentional masturbation are common occurrences at the facility and argued that female deputies are “discouraged…

Justices’ Photo Prompts Request for Removal in Death-Penalty Case

The decade-long legal battle over one of Colorado’s most infamous death-penalty cases keeps getting stranger. First came the abrupt removal of Arapahoe County District Judge Gerald Rafferty, who presided over the trials of defendants Robert Ray and Sir Mario Owens — a move contested by Owens’s attorneys, who believed Rafferty…

Real-Estate Developers No-Shows at Affordable-Housing Meeting

At the second public meeting held to discuss the city’s proposed affordable housing plan, the cafeteria at North High School was packed with over one hundred community members. Among them were various organizations, grouped together by their matching T-shirts to make their presence known. They included Denver Homeless Out Loud,…

Medical Marijuana Supported by Testimony at Senate Judiciary Hearing

At a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing convened last week to consider “the potential medical benefits of marijuana,” lawmakers heard from cannabis advocates and doctors alike. Their testimony overwhelmingly supported marijuana being used for medical purposes; many of the speakers also supported rescheduling cannabis to a Schedule II substance. Numerous…

How Much Space $1,500 Rents You in Denver and Beyond

Since at least 2014, when the owners of the former Hotel VQ began leasing 330 square foot micro-apartments for $900, local renters have complained about the high prices they were paying for small spaces in Denver. Of course, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to the cost of…

Eight Sex-Crime Reports to Denver Police That Started on Tinder

The Denver District Attorney’s Office has formally charged Brett Sisman with sexually assaulting a woman he met using the dating app Tinder. The incident allegedly caused so many injuries to the victim that they were documented by as many as one-hundred photos. This is the second time in just over…

Why Colorado Tokers Love Grape Ape

Sharing weed stories has become commonplace over the past ten years or so. As with sexcapades, drunken stupors and fisherman’s tales, everyone has a story about some one-hitter strain that took them higher than they’d ever been. More than half the time, those stories begin with the words “This purple…

Dear Stoner: Does the Pot Industry Need Civil Engineers?

Dear Stoner: My dad has expressed an interest in getting in on all this marijuana business; as a supportive daughter, I’m wondering if there is any opportunity for a veteran civil engineer in the industry. Marisa Dear Marisa: Your dad is probably overqualified for 99.5 percent of the jobs in…