Aurora police followed departmental protocol after Elijah McClain died in their custody in August 2019. The chief promised transparency and called in the team of Denver and Aurora detectives normally used to investigate police shootings. The detectives conducted an investigation and turned it over to the district attorney. “There were more than just the Aurora Police Department’s eyes on this investigation,” Aurora police Chief Vanessa Wilson said last week. Yet the initial criminal investigation led by Aurora police detectives into how police officers treated McClain was deeply flawed and “stretched the record to exonerate the officers,” an external review of the case found . The report’s findings, released last week, have prompted questions about whether the system used by Colorado law enforcement to investigate police shootings and other killings by officers effectively prevents bias and corruption. Unlike many other agencies on the Front Range, Denver and Aurora police … [Read more...] about Agreement between Denver and Aurora allows departments to investigate their own police killings
Metro state univ denver
Judge hits brakes on car dealers’ lawsuit against state rule boosting fuel efficiency
A state district judge has dismissed a lawsuit by the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association that said tougher statewide vehicle fuel standards are unlawful and should be tossed out. Denver District Judge Martin Egelhoff wrote in a decision released Monday that the dealers’ association didn’t have legal standing to challenge the rule, meaning it didn’t show that the rule would harm its legally protected interests. The trade association sued after the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission approved a rule last November to boost the fuel efficiency standard for cars sold in the state. Starting in 2022, new lightweight and medium-duty vehicles will have to get roughly 39 miles per gallon. RELATED: Colorado car dealers sue regulators to repeal tougher vehicle fuel efficiency standards The auto dealers’ association said in its lawsuit that the rule, based on California’s standard, will drive up the price of vehicles for dealers and buyers. The trade group also accused state … [Read more...] about Judge hits brakes on car dealers’ lawsuit against state rule boosting fuel efficiency
Colorado’s real estate market hasn’t just recovered, it has surpassed 2019’s performance
The real estate market has seen many ups and downs throughout this year. Restrictions due to social distancing made a major impact on how people buy and sell homes, resulting in a decrease in activity during the spring. However, that dip did not last long. LIV Sotheby’s International Realty (LIV SIR) is pleased to report that the housing market has not only bounced back, but it has exceeded last year’s performance. Each quarter, LIV SIR reports on Colorado’s real estate activity in 10 key markets throughout the state, including Denver Metro, West Metro, South Metro, the Foothills, Colorado Springs, Summit County, the Vail Valley, Boulder, Crested Butte, and Telluride. By looking at key performance indicators such as the number of listings sold, average price, and the days on market, consumers can gain a better understanding of the overall health of the market and therefore make more informed financial and real estate decisions. When comparing the Q3 performance of 2020 to that of … [Read more...] about Colorado’s real estate market hasn’t just recovered, it has surpassed 2019’s performance
Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy grows to $62.5 billion, new report says
The value of Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy has grown to $62.5 billion, almost double what it was just five years ago, and now supports about 511,000 jobs across the state, says a state report released Friday. Gov. John Hickelooper joined staffers from several different state and federal agencies, outdoor businesses and conservation groups along the South Platte River in Lower Downtown to unveil the latest survey of the state’s outdoor recreation economy. Hickenlooper noted the big increase in the overall economic contribution — to $62.5 billion from $34 billion in 2013. “This puts it as one of the top economic drivers of our economy,” Hickenlooper said. “That’s a $35 billion contribution to our GDP (Gross Domestic Product). That’s more than 10 percent. “And this is the one that is really staggering. This is up about 60 percent from the last number I saw — 511,000 jobs. That is a monster of commitment to our economy,” Hickenlooper said. Those jobs, up from roughly … [Read more...] about Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy grows to $62.5 billion, new report says
Colorado wants to spark move to electric vehicles in a big way — with buses, trucks, fleets
When the engine in one of Via Mobility’s buses blew up last summer, the Boulder-based transportation service weighed whether to ditch the vehicle or replace the diesel engine. Via did the Boulder kind of thing — it recycled the bus. And it went electric. Now, The Hop, which circulates between downtown Boulder, the Twenty Ninth Street Mall and the University of Colorado campus, is even more noticeable for what it doesn’t do. “It’s quiet. It has no emissions,” said Frank Bruno, VIA CEO. “And it has a great wrap on the back that says it’s Boulder’s first electric bus.” Via Mobility Services, a nonprofit that contracts with the city of Boulder, Regional Transportation District and others to provide a range of services, wants to electrify more of its fleet. Bruno said Via decided to make the No.15 Hop electric after connecting at a conference with Lightning Systems , a Loveland company that designs and manufactures all-electric power trains for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. … [Read more...] about Colorado wants to spark move to electric vehicles in a big way — with buses, trucks, fleets
