AM
Denver
Friday, September 26th, 2025
Good morning, Denver. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 26th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Denver Public Schools crossing guards received de-escalation training at Bruce Randolph High School on September 22—practicing role plays with live actors to manage defiant drivers and enhance student safety during busy pickup and dropoff times. They shared new strategies to better respond to road rage and ensure safer school zones. Colorado Public Radio
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Xcel Energy said it would pay $640M to settle lawsuits from a Denver-area wildfire that killed two people and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes in 2021—canceling a trial set for about 4,000 claimants. The company maintained its equipment did not start the fire and noted that about $350M of the settlement will be covered by insurance while claimants must opt in for confidential payouts. Sentinel Colorado
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Two hospitals said on Thursday that the conditions of both Evergreen High School students injured in a shooting on September 10 have improved to fair as the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the previously identified suspect acted alone. Denver7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cherry Creek High School seniors Kiran Herz and Jaiden Hwang are asking voters to pass a measure that guarantees state university admission for students in the top 10% of their class— a move aimed at reducing college application stress. They need over 124,000 signatures by December to put the proposal on the November 2026 ballot. Sentinel Colorado
- ➤ A Denver Public Schools parent at Brown International Academy is pushing for more school streets to protect children biking and walking to school, following his success during National Bike to School Day in May. He plans to share research with city leaders while the current permit process remains slow and costly—factors that may hinder broader safety improvements. Denver7
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Bill McKibben revived Sun Day by leading over 450 solar events nationwide — including a local celebration at City Park Esplanade in Denver — to stress the need for policy changes that keep rooftop solar affordable. Colorado Public Radio
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Denver leaders trimmed funding for Monroe Tiny Home Village that has helped over 130 people, and the program will lose funding by July as the city shifts to permanent workforce housing—advocates worry this change could leave residents without needed transitional support. Denver7
- ➤ Judges are using a new competency diversion program to help people charged with minor crimes receive a fuller mental health check and connect to services instead of waiting in jail for long competency evaluations. The program—rolling out since April and expanding in October—lets courts drop charges if participants follow their treatment plans or continue prosecution if they do not. Colorado Public Radio
- ➤ The Denver Department of Parks & Recreation announced on Thursday that it cut $11 million from its 2026 budget to help address a $200 million shortfall. The department consolidated its permitting and volunteer programs — and reduced its Kidwatch program and other services — while keeping rec center hours unchanged. Denver7
- ➤ On Thursday night, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston hosted a town hall at the Central Park Recreation Center to outline how his All In Mile High initiative will focus on long-term housing for those experiencing homelessness—he noted that closing the Comfort Inn in March was aimed at moving people from shelters. Advocates like Cathy Alderman from the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless said they hope more housing options will help bridge the gap for people who get only one in five housing vouchers. Denver7
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If you're not willing to be mocked, you're not going to do anything new.
~ Jeff Bezos
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