Good morning, Denver.

The family of Rashaud Johnson, an unarmed man shot in an off-site DIA parking lot in May, is suing Aurora police officer Brandon Mills for his use of lethal force, with attorneys seeking justice for their loss.

The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame will honor Boulder band Hot Rize with an induction and reunion concert in Kentucky on September 18 — the band will perform its original lineup in a ceremony that celebrates its lasting impact on bluegrass.

Hot Rize formed in 1978 and reunited for a show at RockyGrass in 2022, helping bring Colorado bluegrass to national attention.

CU Denver is accepting applications for its 16-week psychedelic facilitator training program that will prepare licensed mental health providers to lead psilocybin-assisted therapy sessions using online lessons and virtual classes—tuition is $7,500 plus fees—and the fall application deadline is August 8 with admission decisions by August 12.

Gov. Polis declared a state of disaster for Western Slope wildfires after the Lee and Grease fires merged overnight into a blaze covering more than 14,000 acres on public land southwest of Meeker.

About 300 firefighters are working under Rocky Mountain Incident Command & evacuation orders remain in effect with more likely as hot, dry, windy conditions fuel the fire.

Denver City Council voted to eliminate parking minimums for new projects to boost housing and lower building costs, and the policy will take effect Monday, August 11.

Developers can build as many or as few parking spaces as needed—existing lots that met the old requirements may be converted if they still follow zoning codes.

Colorado’s congressional delegation called on the federal government to release $140 million in Bucket 2 funding for 15 water projects — funding meant to help reduce drought impacts in the Colorado River Basin.

A spokesperson with the Department of the Interior said the funds are under inventory and review to align with current administration priorities.