Denver, CO
Denver community upset with temporary removal of artifacts from African-American Research Library
A controversy has been brewing at Denver’s Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library after several historical artifacts were removed from public display, raising concerns and frustration within the community.
Library staff said the removal was a misunderstanding, explaining that the items were taken down to protect fragile artifacts from potential damage. However, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and other community members argue that the issue isn’t about preservation, but rather a lack of communication, especially during a sensitive time for race relations.
“I worked full time, went to school full time,” said Dr. Faye Rison, a pioneering educator and community advocate. Rison, who has decades of work and personal achievements displayed at the Blair-Caldwell Library, hopes her contributions will inspire others, especially Black women striving to break barriers.
“I think if I can do it, they can do it. And I’ve told that to many, many women who made a difference,” she said.
Rison expressed concern when she visited the library late last year and found her display missing. “And nobody could tell me what happened,” she said.
Webb was also upset to learn that a replica of a mayoral desk, which had been displayed on the third floor, was quietly removed.
“It’s not their stuff to move,” Webb said.
He stressed that the removal of the display should have gone through a formal process, with proper communication and consideration. “We have to go through the process. If there are concerns or if they want to go digital or more interactive, it has to be a process by which you do that. One, it is not good manners. It’s not even courteous to take other people’s stuff and just take it or move it without their knowledge.”
Webb’s comments reflect broader frustrations within the community, a sentiment shared at a recent town hall. There, interim Library Director Theresa Liguori offered an apology. “We apologize for any feelings of erasure. That was never our intent,” Liguori said.
Special Collections Director Rachel Vagts explained that exposure to light had already caused significant damage to items, including a signed Tuskegee Airmen display.
“Only one signature is still visible; we can’t get that back,” Vagts said.
Library officials also face challenges related to ownership of the artifacts. Many items were donated informally, and the library does not legally own them. Liguori clarified, “If you want us to preserve or loan these items, we need proper agreements in writing.”
The library is working to collaborate with families to document ownership and provide additional context for the artifacts, a step they say was overlooked two decades ago.
“These artifacts carry deep stories. They deserve to be told right,” said Dexter Nelson II, Museum Manager.
The artifacts have been returned to display, but the conversation surrounding preservation, representation, and future renovations at the library is just beginning.
The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.
Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.
“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.
Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.
The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Class 5A Sweet 16 has arrived, and both Grand Junction and Palisade are still standing with trips to the Great Eight in Denver on the line.
At The Jungle, the No. 2 seed Grand Junction Tigers set the tone early against No. 18 Golden. Defense carried the Tigers from the opening tip as they held the Demons to nine first quarter points while scoring 16 of their own.
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Grand Junction added eight points in the second quarter while Golden managed six, sending the Tigers into halftime with a nine point lead.
Golden responded in the third quarter, outscoring Grand Junction 16 to 11 to cut the deficit to five entering the fourth. The Tigers answered in the final period, attacking the rim and converting key shots to win the quarter 19 to 10. Grand Junction secured a 54 to 41 victory to protect its home court and advance to the Great Eight in Denver.
Top seeded Palisade also defended its home floor with a trip to Denver at stake. The Bulldogs opened with nine straight points to energize a packed gym, but Frederick settled in and closed the first quarter on a run to tie the game at nine.
Frederick continued to respond in the second quarter and took an eight point lead into halftime.
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Palisade shifted momentum after the break. The Bulldogs tightened defensively, holding Frederick to 21 points in the second half while scoring 39 of their own. Palisade completed the comeback to advance to the Great Eight.
Colorado Mesa University Women Deliver Historic RMAC Tournament Win
In collegiate action, the top seeded Colorado Mesa University women’s basketball team defeated Colorado School of Mines 96 to 51 in the RMAC Tournament, marking the largest margin of victory in the tournament this century.
Olivia Reed-Thyne led the Mavericks with 34 points on 11 of 15 shooting, her third 30 point performance this season. Mason Rowland added 22 points and Hallie Clark contributed 10 as Colorado Mesa matched a program record with its 31st win. The Mavericks will host the semifinals Friday with a berth in the championship game at stake.
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Colorado Mesa University Men Survive Overtime Thriller
The Colorado Mesa University men’s basketball team faced New Mexico Highlands University for the third time this season. The Mavericks scored 36 first half points and led by four at the break.
New Mexico Highlands shot 50 percent in the second half, received 21 bench points and outscored Colorado Mesa 43 to 39 to force a late push. With the season in the balance, Ty Allred hit a game tying 3 pointer to make it 75 and send the game to overtime. Allred scored seven points in the extra period as Colorado Mesa earned a 91 to 90 victory to advance to the next round.
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