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Can converting empty offices to apartments solve Denver’s housing shortfall?

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

Denver’s mayoral candidates, as well as Mayor Michael Hancock’s administration, have emphasized converting underused office buildings into apartments or condos as an important way to address the city’s housing shortfall and revitalize the downtown area.The idea represents a “kill two birds with one stone” solution. The pandemic reduced the number of people working in offices, which has caused vacancy rates to soar and mortgage loans to go into default. At the same time, Denver has struggled with some of the biggest home price and rent gains seen in any city outside of California.“While many employers have embraced hybrid work policies, commercial offices are unlikely to return fully to the way they were pre-pandemic. The city believes there is an opportunity here to help create a more complete neighborhood downtown with more housing options by focusing on vacant commercial and office space,” said Laura Swartz, communications director for Den...

Colorado doctors, advocates tackle “pervasive” health misinformation head-on

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

Before the pandemic, the conventional wisdom in public health was that trying to engage with misinformation was like throwing water on a grease fire — nearly guaranteed to spread the problem.But it’s become clear over the last few years that bad information about vaccines and other hot health topics is already so widespread that it’s unlikely that the first time someone encounters a myth will be when they see a post debunking it, said Emily Clancy, communications director for Immunize Colorado.A 2021 poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found 78% of adults had heard at least one myth about COVID-19 vaccines and either believed it or weren’t sure whether it was true.For example, if almost no one had heard the idea that COVID-19 vaccines could change their DNA, pointing out that they can’t might spread the lie to people who wouldn’t have otherwise heard it. But as is, almost everyone has heard those kinds of falsehoods, so that’s not much of a...

What happens if Park Hill golf course developers don’t keep up their end of the bargain?

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

Denver voters hold the future of the Park Hill golf course property in their hands in the city’s Tuesday election. Again.Referred Question 2O asks voters if they want to lift a conversation easement that bans any development on the property beyond an 18-hole golf course and secondary recreational uses like a driving range or tennis courts. Lifting the easement would make way for commercial and residential development on the land located off Colorado Boulevard and East 35th Avenue. The ballot question specifies that “development” in this case would include affordable housing plus a public regional park.But how can voters — assuming yes votes prevail — be sure they are getting what they vote for?The short answer from the property owner and city officials is there is a legally binding agreement already locked into place via a City Council vote.“The development agreement basically says that if the developer breaches any component of the development agreement the ...

PHOTOS: Mikaela Shiffrin honored in Vail for record 87th Alpine Ski World Cup victory

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

A crowd greeted Mikaela Shiffrin for a homecoming celebration honoring her record 87 Alpine Ski World Cup victories at Solaris Plaza in Vail, Colorado on Sunday, April, 2, 2023.Related ArticlesSports | Shiffrin ends World Cup ski season with yet another record Sports | Mikaela Shiffrin receives slalom trophy; Petra Vlhova wins last race Sports | Mikaela Shiffrin sets World Cup skiing record with 87th win Sports | Mikaela Shiffrin’s quest for win 86 moves to Ingemar Stenmark’s Sweden Sports | Kiszla: Mikaela Shiffrin makes now the best time ever for a Colorado sports fan to be alive

How Casa Bonita springboarded local man’s career in high diving

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

This story is one in a series featuring trips down memory lane with longtime Casa Bonita fans and former employees who shared their fondest tales with The Denver Post. The restaurant and entertainment venue in Lakewood is expected to reopen in May.As a kid growing up in Lakewood in the 1970s and ‘80s, Mike Dvorak was well acquainted with Casa Bonita. Like many locals, he and his family always took out-of-town visitors to the pink palace to enjoy its unique atmosphere. But Dvorak never expected that the restaurant would change the course of his life.Dvorak, 54, was a professional high diver until he retired in 2003 after an illustrious career that started within the humble halls of Casa Bonita. And he’s the first to admit that wasn’t his original career plan.“If I wouldn’t have been at Casa Bonita I probably would have never gone down that life path of being a world high diver,” said Dvorak, a self-proclaimed sopapilla junkie.In 1985, Dvorak was fresh off earning his GED and attendin...

Record Store Day returns; here are some jazz albums to look out for

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

Record Store Day endures.To be honest, I sort of thought the vinyl renaissance would have wound down by now. But people seem more eager to fork over their hard-earned dollars for multicolored discs than any time since the 1970s. This year’s Record Store Day, when independent retailers are happy to sell you some analog rarities, is coming on Saturday, April 22.There’s some terrific music being made available in limited editions. So, if you enjoy the thrill of elbowing fellow vinyl lovers as you rush to grasp your holy grail, be sure to seek out one or two of these jazz titles. The following will be available on compact disc soon, too.Related ArticlesMusic | The Mile High Stash podcast forces Denver musicians to face the apocalypse Music | City Park Jazz 2023 reveals full lineup, dates for outdoor summer concerts Music | Levitt Pavilion reveals its lineup of free concerts for 2023 Music | Dave Douglas back in Denver, Bill Fris...

Gabriel Sanchez paints his young Cuban friends making their way through troubled times

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

Human Rights Watch, the international nonprofit organization that monitors the way governments treat their citizens around the globe, sums up the current situation in Cuba in acute terms.“The government continues to repress and punish virtually all forms of dissent and public criticism, as Cubans endure a dire economic crisis affecting their rights,” states the opening line of HRW’s 2023 World Report.The report goes on to detail shortages of medicine, food and energy as a backdrop to arrests of protesters and political opposition leaders who are held in overcrowded prisons; harassment of bloggers and journalists suspected of anti-government views; and violence and structural discrimination against women, Afro-Cubans and the LGBT community.“Hung Up to Dry,” a painting by Gabriel Sanchez. His subjects often stare out at some mysterious thing in the distance. (Provided by David B. Smith Gallery)It is within this context of national trauma that Gabriel Sanchez paints people, his friends...

This Breckenridge hot sauce shop brings the pleasure and the pain | Opinion

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

Editor’s note: This is part of The Know’s series, Staff Favorites. Each week, we offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. (We’ll also let you in on some hidden gems).People talk about hell like it’s a bad thing. For my fellow hot-sauce lovers and me, it’s heaven.Rocky Mountain Cannery makes delicious salsas, preserves and sauces — some of them incredibly spicy. (Provided by Rocky Mountain Cannery)Every time I’m in on vacation I seek out tourist-y hot-sauce retailers. You know the kind — sandwiched between fudge shops and overpriced Western-art galleries. Every ski resort town has one.My favorite is Rocky Mountain Cannery. The Breckenridge-based shop sells dozens of types of bottled hot sauce, from mild and tangy varieties to internationally rated sauces wrought from Carolina Reaper and Trinidad Scorpion peppers (two of the hottest, though they’re always being topped...

Last-minute voter guide for Denver’s 2023 election

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

The Denver Post voter guide rounds up our explainers, stories, candidate Q&As and endorsements for the 2023 Denver municipal election.JUMP TO:Election issues • Candidates • Ballot measures • EndorsementsDenver election issuesHousingStory Rents doubled in Denver during Hancock’s tenure. What can the next mayor do to make housing more affordable?Candidate Q&A Here’s what every Denver mayor candidate says about Denver’s lack of affordable housingCrime and public safetyStory Crime, cops and reform: Here’s what Denverites say the next mayor needs to address about public safetyCandidate Q&A Here’s what every Denver mayor candidate says about the city’s greatest public safety concernHomelessnessStory What can Denver’s next mayor do about homelessness? Here’s what 5 other cities are doing.Candidate Q&A Here’s what every Denver mayor candidate says about homelessnessThe future of downtown DenverStory What Denver’s next mayor can do to help downtown bust its slumpCandidate Q&a...

High wind warning issued for parts of Southern California

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:37:05 GMT

A high wind warning is in effect for areas of Southern California Monday.The warning was issued at 5 a.m. in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Apple and Lucerne valleys, the Cadiz Basin, the Coachella Valley, the eastern and western Mojave Desert, the Morongo Basin, the Riverside County, San Bernardino County and western Santa Ynez mountains, and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, according to the National Weather Service.The inside slider is bringing strong west to northwest winds. Gusts of 60 to 75 mph are expected in the mountains and the Antelope Valley, while gusts between 35 and 55 mph are expected in the coasts and valleys, NWS indicated.Gusty crosswinds could bring hazardous driving conditions, low visibility, downed trees and tree limbs, possible power outages and travel delays across mountains, specifically the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine.The Weather Service is also warning of gale force winds, with a speed of 35 to 45 knots expected. “Mariners without proper experience s...