Uncommon Knowledge
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The city of Denver has contingency funds to sustain migrant surges for only about two more months.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, said during a town hall last week that his city is being forced to cycle migrant families in and out of shelters due to immigration surges. Following a temporary pause to avoid migrants being forced out into colder conditions, the process reportedly began on Monday, as more than 120 migrant families were told to leave their dwellings—the first group of some 800 families in total who will be forced to find new refuge within the next two weeks.
Johnston, who said that every city and county hotel room is at capacity, recently gained attention by supporting Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott in his border battle against the Biden administration. Johnston said he sympathized with Abbott’s concerns and that he shouldn’t have to shoulder the load of an entire “newcomer population.”
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
“The city is currently in the process of drawing funds from our contingency reserves to meet the needs of the most recent surge in arrivals,” said Laura Swartz, spokesperson for the Denver Department of Finance, according to local reports. “This funding is anticipated to cover costs through April. All agencies have also been asked to identify potential savings within their 2024 budgets.
“It is too early right now to say what specific savings will be until we have had the time to assess and identify options. That work is underway now and will take several weeks to a few months to complete.”
Newsweek reached out to Swartz and the mayor’s office via email for comment.
As of Monday, a dashboard documenting migrants within city limits showed that 38,386 migrants have been served by the city—including 3,782 currently in shelters.
Denver has spent more than $40 million offering migrants the option of either accepting a spot in a shelter or taking tickets to be transferred to another location, according to Westword. Nearly half of them take the tickets.
The financial ramifications have reportedly led Johnston and city officials to determine how to curb such costs as projections show that Denver may ultimately spend up to $180 million, or about 10 percent of the city’s operating budget, this year. They are also set to receive $14.1 million from federal government reimbursements.
Denver’s migrant surge is the country’s biggest per capita, according to Johnston. In the coming days, he and Denver City Council will debate a potential $50 million in immigration funding, according to the Denver Gazette.
One facet of that is a $25 million cash transfer from the city’s general and capital improvement funds into the Border Crisis Special Revenue Fund, expected to be voted on at a February 12 meeting.
The other item to be debated and voted on relates to a $25 million master purchase order with Quebec Hospitality (Colorado Hospitality Services) to provide hotel rooms to temporarily house migrants.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
For the first time in the team’s history, Altitude Sports is broadcasting Denver Nuggets home games in Spanish. Kroenke Sports and Entertainment announced it has contracted a team to broadcast its games in Spanish for the playoffs.
“I think that is what the public wanted,” said Ivan De La Garza, producer for the broadcast team.
A team of three people, two commentators and a producer, sit in a press box at the top of Ball Arena. Their commentary is then synced with the traditional Altitude broadcast video and shared on the Altitude Plus application.
“With the Nuggets winning in the last five years, there is a tremendous amount of following from Latino people trying to listen to and watch the games in Spanish,” said Andres Casas, color commentator for the broadcast.
Casas said he strives to bring the same energy fans get during soccer broadcasts into the basketball broadcasts.
“That excitement that gets you. We want people to feel they are at the game,” Casas said.
“It has been so amazing to be a part of the Spanish broadcast for the Nuggets. I have been a fan of the Nuggets for my whole life,” said Jena Garcia, play-by-play commentator.
Garcia said it has been a dream come true to help bring this broadcast to her community.
“I’ve always desired to hear a Spanish broadcast, just as a fan. To be a part of it is just incredible,” Garcia said.
Those working in the broadcast said they are honored to help expand the reach of the Nuggets and sports in accessing diverse communities.
“We love sports. We are passionate, we are loud. We like to get together and enjoy sports,” De La Garza said.
“The Nuggets have a huge following, especially on the Spanish side. So, it is great for them to be able to listen to what is going on, game by game, especially into the playoffs,” Casas said.
“It is just another step of access that they are getting to be a fan of basketball,” Garcia said.
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The 2026 NBA postseason is finally here after a thrilling Play-In Tournament saw the Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers officially earn their spot in the playoffs
The postseason action continues on Saturday as the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the first round. We’ve got you covered on everything you need to know to tune in for tip off.
Want to see the full National Basketball Association schedule for April 18 and how to watch all the games? Check out our sortable NBA schedule to filter by team or division.
Tip off between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, April 18.
All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:45 a.m.
Watch the NBA Playoffs on Fubo
See scores, results for all of today’s games. .
See NBA scores, results from April 17
The latest NBA odds can be found below from the best sports betting apps . Some odds may include games scheduled on future dates.
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