Good morning, Denver.

The Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange is uniting ethnic news outlets to attract ad dollars after over 100 publications closed in 2025 amid DEI pushbacks.

It held a breakfast launch at the Marriott Denver Thornton hotel on Aug. 14, 2025 (Executive Director Brittany Winkfield leads the effort).

Arlene Olvey, a 103-year-old volunteer at La Cache (a volunteer-run shop), earned recognition as a Denver7 Everyday Hero today for over 40 years of service at Children’s Hospital Colorado, inspiring staff and customers with her dedication.

Denver restaurants can join a city-led 12-week challenge offering free help to reduce food waste and boost profit margins.

The next cohort starts on Feb. 2 and provides on-site assistance from DDPHE (Denver Department of Public Health and Environment).

The National Western Stock Show in Denver ended on Sunday after 16 days and drew over 750,000 attendees, breaking the record from 2006; planning is underway for next year’s show (Jan.

9-24).

The Aurora History Museum will open a Black history exhibit on July 14 with community suggestions gathered via an online survey (open until Spring) and a roundtable held last week to shape its story.

Former Cherry Creek School Board president Jennifer Churchfield urged the board to hold superintendent Chris Smith accountable amid concerns of a toxic culture exposed by an investigation; the board is meeting today in executive session (to discuss his performance and contract).

Negotiators from seven states are still debating how to manage the Colorado River as a Feb.

14 deadline nears. Interior officials plan a meeting on Jan. 30 & experts say lack of breakthrough may lead to water shortages and changes in reservoir management.

The Denver Zoo announced that two Malayan tapirs (ages 16 and 18) died after an accidental misdose of copper supplements last week; the zoo has begun corrective steps and a comprehensive review of its dietary procedures.

Colorado School of Mines professor Melissa Krebs is testing Cleragel, a transparent wound dressing that reduces inflammation and fights infection to help severe wounds heal faster.

GelSana Therapeutics will offer it for doctors by March and the material may soon assist military burn care.

Aurora Mental Health and Recovery has opened its new $43 million Potomac Pavilion to provide round-the-clock care for mental health and substance use challenges in Aurora.

The Connect to Care program runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while 24/7 services from the Crisis Walk-In Clinic, Crisis Stabilization Unit, and Withdrawal Management begin January 31.

Denver Department of Public Health & Environment reported a surge in overdose cases in 2025, with non-fatal overdoses rising from 2,620 in 2024 to 3,177 and overdose deaths increasing from 344 to 419, and Denver Public Libraries now offer free naloxone.