Denver Public School Board President Xóchitl Gaytán has been working with immigration advocacy groups to create a set of policy changes that would add further protections for undocumented students. However, some community members believe the proposal goes too far.

For Gaytán, protecting undocumented students is personal.

“I am the only board member on the DPS board of education that has a lived experience as being someone who is undocumented for half of her life,” said Gaytán. Therefore, for me, this issue is something that I have deep ties with.”

Which is why she’s working with immigration groups to propose a new policy that would enhance protections such as establishing safe zones and would not allow any student to be questioned, detained or removed from ICE within those zones without a warrant. 

“Our students, our families, are very scared, like I mentioned, their education is being interrupted and not showing up to school,” said Berenice Aguirre, the interim executive director for Movimiento Poder.

Movimiento Poder is one of the organizations that helped create the language in the proposal.

“I think there’s an urgency on all parts, and that’s why we want to work together, collaborate and ensure that there are stronger protections,” Aguirre added.

Gaytán recently tried to introduce the proposal for public comment, but the board decided they needed more time to look into it. Since then, concerns have been raised by community members over a portion that would prohibit a school resource officer from arresting or issuing a citation to a student that’s undocumented.

“I think that the district as a whole lacks adequate consequences and appropriate consequences for students’ behavior,” said Melissa Craven, Denver resident and former DPS employee and parent. “And so, if you now have a group of students that have no consequences, I’m concerned about the safety of everyone, including the staff in those buildings as well.”

Craven previously served as DPS Deputy Chief of the Department of Safety and Security.  

“When you give a free pass for bad behavior, harmful behavior, risky behavior, kids are typically going to take it and run if they’re inclined to do so, and that puts everybody at risk,” said Craven, who supports the other proposed provisions.

Gaytán told CBS Colorado her hope is to bring the proposal forward again at another public comment session. Right now, the next one on the schedule is in March.

The owners of Denver’s Underground Music Showcase are reviving the indie music festival in a big way this summer, but with a major new financial partner, and in a new part of town.

Previously held along South Broadway in the Baker neighborhood, the multi-day music fest known as The UMS will take over the River North Art District, July 24-26, said Keanan Stoner, owner of the Denver-based Two Parts marketing and production company. It announced before last year’s event, however, that 2025 would be its final iteration in its longtime, South Broadway location.

The RiNo Business Improvement District will purchase a 50% stake in the event, Stoner said, valued at $250,000. That follows monthslong negotiations that began when the BID approached Two Parts early last fall about acquiring the fest. The BID’s board has also pledged $250,000 annually for UMS title sponsorship for the next three years, which will shore up the fest’s estimated $1.4 million budget — and which brings the BID’s overall investment to $1 million.

After the purchase, Stoner will transition from CEO of Two Parts to director of The UMS this year — a contract job, he said.

The festival is valuable not only for its artistic discovery but also for its commercial potential, said Terry Madeksza, executive director of the RiNo BID. She was up front about the organization’s interest in the event as an economic engine that promotes RiNo’s businesses and promotes its cultural offerings, but that remains affordable for fans, and reliable in paying bands, artists and venues what they’re worth.

She expects a number of public and private partners, from big promoters to independent businesses, to take part, but has yet to start that process of reaching out to them. BIDs are private-public partnerships that collect money from local businesses in a particular area to fund services, improve public areas, and develop economic opportunities.

“Yes, it is about the music and the festival (experience),” Madeksza said. “But it’s also about the businesses and venues that will participate, or be adjacent to music venues. If we can involve people and engage visitors while also showcasing and celebrating the arts, it can provide more exposure for RiNo.”

Two Parts has owned The UMS for several years, and last year produced its final event with nonprofit partner Youth on Record (YOR), which owned a 30% stake. As a music education organization, YOR ultimately said costs were too high to sustain the festival, forcing it to divest and refocus on its core mission, according to executive director Jami Duffy.

The retooled event is scheduled to return on its traditional weekend and with a similar format to last year, Stoner said. That includes welcoming an estimated 10,000 people per day and hundreds of mostly local and regional bands on multiple indoor and outdoor stages.

Past UMS Denver acts have included Nathaniel Rateliff (pre-Night Sweats), DeVotchKa, Dressy Bessy, and Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, as well as acclaimed national headliners such as Blonde Redhead, Amyl and the Sniffers, The Beths, Real Estate, Lord Huron, and many more.

RiNo’s BID already had money set aside for a “signature event” for 2026, Madeksza said, but didn’t have an idea for what that would be until The UMS announced its final event of South Broadway last year. Harnessing the name recognition and overall experience of the 25-year-old UMS could boost local breweries, restaurants, performance venues, galleries and boutiques in the area northeast of downtown Denver, she said.

RiNo includes large and small music venues ranging from promoter AEG Presents’ Mission Ballroom to rock clubs such as the Larimer Lounge, the jazz-forward Nocturne, Two Moons Music Hall, The Meadowlark, and others. Stoner said he did not commission an impact report on South Broadway visitation or spending during its time there, but that he hopes to do so in RiNo to gather more data.

“We have some wonderful outdoor, public spaces like Denargo or the Art Park, not just for the festival but in general, and we have the stages, so there’s an enthusiasm to tap into that naturally built infrastructure,” Madeksza said.

Those who tearfully waved goodbye to The UMS last year might be surprised by how quickly it roared back, Stoner said. But that was never the plan.

The NFL’s 2026-27 season is now underway. In 2025-26, the Denver Broncos made it to the cusp of the Super Bowl. With all that success, you would think that their odds are pretty decent to make a run at the championship in 2026. The sportsbooks already have odds ready for fans who believe the Broncos are worth betting money on.

FanDuel has released their way-too-early Super Bowl 61 odds, and it sure feels like the Denver Broncos are getting disrespected here after winning the AFC West and having the league’s best record last season.

A quick look at the AFC West

Every offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers are the media darlings. 2027 will be no different, with the books saying they are the favorite to win the AFC West. Look for this story to have teeth until about week 10 when the wheels inevitably start falling off the Charger’s bus.

The question for Kansas City is whether or not Patrick Mahomes has enough of a fire lit under him to get back to work on being the best quarterback in the league, or if he’s instead going to keep whining to the refs about how they are getting it wrong when he’s throwing bad passes and his team lacks talent because of his ridiculous contract.

I’m not really sure how the Las Vegas Raiders got bumped up so many spots. Their franchise is an absolute dumpster fire that is literally going to lose one of the league’s best defenders in Maxx Crosby. Hopefully, they make that #1 draft pick count, and maybe they will end up the season better than six other NFL teams.

Why the Broncos look like a longer shot

Denver Broncos fans are looking forward to next season with good reason. The Broncos have one of the league’s best young starting quarterbacks. They have a stellar defense with Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph returning for another run. Given that the team will finally have cap room now that they are out from under that horrendous Russel Wilson contract, they will look to be movers and shakers in free agency. They also hold their full slate of draft picks this year with an extra 7th rounder to boot.

I honestly feel like the odds here for the Broncos feel pretty accurate for such an early prognosis. They will be playing a pretty tough first-place schedule next season. I don’t think the Chiefs will be nearly as big of pushovers as they were in 2026. I also do believe the Chargers got better by adding Mike McDaniel as the Offensive Coordinator.

I would have a hard time if I were a betting man laying money that the Broncos are going to the Super Bowl in 2027. At +2000, would you take that Super Bowl bet on the Broncos next season?