Denver, CO
Denver school board censures John Youngquist over his treatment of DPS staff
The Denver Public Schools Board of Education on Thursday formally reprimanded director John Youngquist for his behavior toward district staff, which an outside investigation found was “belittling, dismissive and condescending.”
The school board voted 5 to 1 to censure Youngquist, a rare move that came at the request of Superintendent Alex Marrero and after directors already publicly scolded their colleague twice this year for his behavior toward DPS employees. Youngquist abstained from the vote.
“The decision to impose censure on a fellow board member is not taken lightly,” board Vice President Marlene De La Rosa said. “It is essential that every member of this board uphold the values of equity, professionalism, accountability and respect that our district stands for.”
Thursday’s vote was the second time in four years that a DPS school board has censured a member, which is the strongest step directors can take to rebuke a colleague. The board does not have the authority to remove a member.
A previous board censured former director Auon’tai Anderson in 2021 after a third-party investigation found he flirted online with a teenage student and made intimidating social media posts.
Youngquist has remained defiant in the face of the investigation’s results, accusing DPS leaders of retaliating against him and refusing to issue a blanket apology.
The board launched the investigation into Youngquist after Marrero, in an email to board President Carrie Olson, accused Youngquist of hostile behavior toward district staffers — especially employees of color — and of wanting his job.
The investigation, the results of which were released last month, found that Youngquist showed biases in his interaction with employees of color, but was inconclusive on whether that bias was deliberate, as the director did not show overt racism, such as the use of slurs.
DPS employees, most of whom are people of color, told investigators that Youngquist cuts them off in conversations, has refused to shake hands and declines to meet with them. Staff said the director questions them in a way that it appears Youngquist believes they are lying or unable to do their jobs, according to the report.
Attorneys with the Denver-based firm Garnett Powell Maximon Barlow and Farbes conducted the investigation.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
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Denver, CO
Denver officers cited for separate incidents, 1 fired
DENVER (KDVR) — Two officers, one now formerly of the Denver Police Department, face multiple charges relating to separate incidents in the past two months.
According to a release, now-former Denver Police Officer Gabriel Lucero was issued a citation for third-degree assault, official misconduct and false reporting, while Officer Javon Leach was cited for reckless driving and eluding.
The incident involving Lucero reportedly occurred on May 22 just before 1 a.m. in the 500 block of 16th Street. According to a release, Lucero was involved in an assault at a business, as he allegedly assaulted a person and walked away as others continued to assault the victim.
Security guards and an off-duty officer escorted him and the group out; however, Lucero reportedly identified himself as a Denver police officer and attempted to re-enter by using his police badge.
Lucero reportedly provided a false name without any other information, and further investigation verified Lucero as the person involved. Lucero was hired in 2025 and, due to his current probationary status, was fired as of Wednesday.
The incident involving Leach occurred around 1:41 a.m. on June 21, when Leach was reportedly pulling out of a parking lot on Larimer Street, attempting to drive against traffic.
Leach reportedly refused commands to stop as he left the area. Officials said he was found just seven minutes later, traveling at high speeds northbound on Park Avenue West.
He reportedly fled a traffic stop and continued to drive away, and officials deemed Leach to be the suspect following an investigation. He was placed in an off-line assignment while the case progresses, as they are considered misdemeanors.
“The Denver Police Department’s administrative review of Leach’s incident will begin once the criminal case is adjudicated, and that process includes the Denver Department of Safety and the Office of the Independent Monitor, a civilian oversight agency,” the release said.
Denver, CO
Peyton Watson landing spots: Could Nuggets star actually leave Denver?
Denver Nuggets standout forward Peyton Watson could find himself on another team before you know it.
With the Nuggets reportedly open to a sign-and-trade of Watson, could Denver really lose a core piece to their rotation?
It’s hard to imagine many teams being able to shoulder the financial weight of a Watson contract at this point because of the aprons and such, but he’s absolutely an asset to any contending team.
We’ve gone through and identified a few teams that make sense for Watson in the fall… including the one he’s already on at the moment. Hey, he might stay home, you never know!
The Clippers have been linked to Watson as a possible destination; he could help them immensely.
The Pistons have also been linked to Watson, which would help them a lot to contend for an NBA title.
Look, HYPOTHETICALLY, the Nets could move around some cap space with some player trades and such and get a deal done. They are one of the only teams in the NBA right now not in the negative with cap space.
The Grizzlies are the team with the least amount of negative cap space right now, per Spotrac. If they really wanted to pull off a Watson sign-and-trade… it would be hypothetically possible from a money standpoint.
Denver Nuggts
Look, it’s very possible Watson just stays in Denver on a brand-new deal. Who knows at this point?
Denver, CO
City of Denver says images of piling waste a case of illegal dumping
DENVER (KDVR) – A Denver Park Hill Resident says trash in her alley hasn’t been picked up by city-run waste collection in more than 2 months.
“It’s starting to be frustrating because that pile has been there 2.5 months, and I’m not kidding about that,” Andrea Sanders-Childs said.
A spokesperson for Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) says they did receive a call about the address on Krameria in mid-June and are investigating the case as ‘illegal dumping’ versus ‘missed collection.’
The DOTI spokesperson says more information will be available when the inspector assigned to the area returns on Wednesday.
Sanders-Childs said that the people who live in the home closest to the mess had actually rented a dumpster; however, it was eventually picked up and towed away.
In the meantime, for Denver residents, DOTI provided FOX31 with the following reminders:
- Carts that are overfilled, stuffed or too heavy cannot be emptied
- All trash must be inside the cart, and overflow trash cannot be collected
- To report illegal dumping, call 311
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