Good morning, Denver.

Aurora police arrested Venezuelan immigrant Michel Jordan Castellano-Fonseca after he fatally shot his wife’s sister and critically injured his wife at Aurora Meadows apartments early Sunday at 3 a.m., and officers used community surveillance technology+ ICE cooperation to locate him in a Taco Bell parking lot.

Former CBI forensic scientist Yvonne 'Missy' Woods, who faces over 100 felony charges for mishandling DNA evidence in more than 1,000 cases, had her first arraignment continued on Monday in Jefferson County Court & her attorneys requested the delay to review over 40,000 discovery pages, with her next hearing set for Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.

Carie Hallford, co-owner of a Penrose funeral home, pleaded guilty Monday to Count 11 of a federal felony wire fraud charge (she misused nearly $900,000 in COVID-19 relief funds for personal expenses) and her sentencing is set for Dec.

3 (after changing her plea twice).

Stephen Robert Geer, 43, pleaded not guilty after being charged with vehicular homicide and DUI-related offenses in connection with the November 6 crash on Highway 58 that killed Officer Dunn — his attorneys said they are considering a plea deal with a pre-trial conference scheduled for September 2.

This weekend, five wildfires started on Colorado’s Western Slope, adding to a total of nine that have burned nearly 32,000 acres from mostly lightning strikes under hot, dry conditions — prompting Gov. Jared Polis to declare a disaster so resources can be freed up.

Firefighters are building containment lines as they work to stop the flames and repair damaged structures.

Denver released a draft of its new Downtown Area Plan Monday that aims to double downtown's population, redevelop vacant spaces, and add more parks and art—its formal submission to the City Council will come by the end of the year.

The plan was built over nearly a year of public outreach and the community can weigh in until Aug. 29.

Activists in Denver met last Friday to propose simultaneous ballot measures in several states that would create a state-run system covering all residents—supporters say this could help counter federal budget cuts to health programs.

Opponents from local insurers and hospitals warn that such a single-payer system may fragment care and repeat past challenges seen in earlier efforts.

The USDA approved a waiver on Monday that will bar Colorado SNAP users from using benefits to buy soda and sugary drinks starting in 2026.

Governor Polis said the measure will improve public health by reducing obesity, diabetes and tooth decay—adding more shelf space for nutritious foods.