DENVER — The sphere of candidates for Denver’s subsequent mayor has narrowed — barely — with Kwame Spearman dropping out of the race, and endorsing Kelly Brough.
With Spearman’s departure, that leaves 16 candidate vying to steer the town. We needed to search out out what impression, if any, the excessive variety of selections might have on voter turnout.
To make sure, native elections and off-year elections already are inclined to have low turnout traditionally. Denver’s election in April will fall in to each classes.
Dr. Phil Chen, an assistant professor of political science on the College of Denver, stated that forecasts low participation even whatever the candidates on the poll.
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“This if a reasonably typical off cycle, low data election, and it’s compounded by the truth that there are simply so many candidates on the poll,” Dr. Chen stated. “We already would anticipate folks to not be significantly invested or educated about an election like this, after which to have the quantity of candidates that we do have makes it simply far much less possible that persons are going to be totally knowledgeable about all of the candidates.”
The Colorado Secretary of State’s workplace web site exhibits simply over 34% of registered voters turned out to vote in 2019.
In conversations with voters in downtown Denver, a number of informed Denver7 they deliberate to vote in April, however do really feel “overwhelmed” by the quantity of analysis they might want to do to make an knowledgeable alternative. Some voters in Denver, nevertheless, are adopting a unique plan: To attend for a runoff in June to forged their ballots, when there can be simply two candidates to decide on between.
“Sixteen complete candidates — it’s similar to, you’re crippled by alternative at that time,” one voter who didn’t want to be recognized for this story informed us. “And, you’re sure to have just a few candidates that every one are the identical, proper? I feel it’s greatest to filter it all the way down to hopefully the perfect after which determine from there.”
Dr. Chen stated he does anticipate some voters to make this calculus; for many, nevertheless, he believes the choice to not vote was baked in nicely earlier than the sphere of candidates was established.
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“I feel some folks will open their poll and say, ‘okay, this can be a lot,’ get midway by means of and say ‘I don’t really feel like doing it,” Dr. Chen stated. “I feel the overwhelming majority of persons are both simply not going to open their poll, or are going to have already determined that they don’t care in regards to the election.”
There may be one issue that each specialists and voters stated will assist Denver’s voter turnout: Vote by mail. Many research, similar to this analysis from the College of Virginia, have discovered that main-in balloting will increase total turnout however doesn’t profit both political celebration. Within the case of Denver’s upcoming election, Dr. Chen argued it’ll give voters extra time to analysis the numerous candidates they’re selecting between.
“As a result of folks have time, they don’t have to take a seat there and fill all of it out at one time,” he defined. “Which will make it a bit bit extra possible that individuals take the time to be taught in regards to the candidates.”
Denver7 sat down with every of the candidates operating for mayor to be taught extra about their platforms. You may get to know them every right here. The final day to vote is Election Day, April 4.
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The executive director of Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development is stepping down after only 13 months in the job, saying his “mission is now complete.”
Manish Kumar cited plans for the new Denver Permitting Office, decreases in permitting times and a reorganization of the department as proof of that success in a social media post about his departure.
“This journey has been fast, focused, and incredibly fulfilling,” he wrote. “As I prepare for my next chapter, I leave with immense gratitude and lasting admiration.”
He didn’t mention any other reason for his resignation or what role he might take on next. In an email to CPD staff last week, Mayor Mike Johnston, who appointed Kumar, said the city will announce an interim executive director this week and then conduct a search for his permanent replacement. Kumar’s last day is Friday.
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“Manish’s leadership has helped lay a strong foundation for the work ahead, and we thank him for his service,” Johnston’s email said.
Developers have long cited Denver’s permitting process as overly burdensome, making it difficult to build new commercial and residential properties. In April, Johnston and Kumar announced the Denver Permitting Office initiative with the intention of streamlining that process.
The office has a goal of processing all applications in about six months.
Kumar’s departure comes as Denver faces a budget crisis that prompted city leadership to back down from an effort to give raises to Johnston’s appointees. Under the proposal, which officials have postponed until the fall, Kumar would have gotten a 17% raise, bringing his salary to about $216,000.
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Boulder police are responding to a reported attack in the heart of downtown Boulder at 13th and Pearl streets, with initial reports indicating multiple victims.
Authorities issued an alert on social media shortly after 2 p.m., urging the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel respond to the incident.
We are responding to a report of an attack at 13th and Pearl streets with reports of several victims. PLEASE AVOID THE AREA! We will put out more information soon
— Boulder Police Dept. (@boulderpolice) June 1, 2025
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Initial eyewitness reports told the Denver Gazette that just before 2 p.m., an altercation occurred between pro-Israel protestors and a “man dressed as a gardener”, who was witnessed throwing homemade Molotov cocktails into the crowd.
Jen Livovich told the Denver Gazette that she was eating lunch nearby when she heard ambulances heading towards the scene. She said she witnessed at least one person being carried away on a stretcher.
Additional details surrounding the nature of the attack, the number of victims, or whether a suspect is in custody remain unclear. Witnesses have described a heavy police presence and multiple ambulances in the area.
Carol McKinley contributed to this report.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are available.
It was impossible to miss as royal blue caps and baseball gloves soared into the air on a cloudless Saturday, celebrating Cherry Creek’s 10th state baseball title.
On the All-Star Park field after an 8-1 victory over Regis Jesuit, teammates screamed and hugged as parents, overcome with emotion, wiped away tears. There is nothing like finishing a season as a champion.
For Wyatt and Walker Rudden, it represented their last time on a high school diamond together. Wyatt, the senior ace on his way to Michigan, and Walker, the gritty junior second baseman who refused to give up on his dream of starting, paused when trying to wrap their heads around the scene unfolding around them.
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“His last pitch was a groundball to me,” Walker said, shaking his head. “Can you believe that?”
“He battled all year to get out there,” added Wyatt. “This was really special.”
Joy comes in many forms.
On the mound, Wyatt operates more like a middle linebacker than a pitcher. His fastball reaches 88 miles per hour, and he throws inside without fear, a trait “that really separates him and leads to his success,” explained Bruins pitching coach Dave Veres.
Wyatt reacted to three inning-ending strikeouts by flexing like Hulk Hogan before his finishing move.
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“There might be a sip of an energy drink involved,” said Walker, who allowed one run on three hits, while navigating six walks with eight Ks over five innings. “What can I say? I love to compete. And the stakes were high.”
Joy comes in many forms.
Behind home plate, mother Megan stood watching, cheering, hiding her anxiety with polite conversation and a nervous smile. Husband Nick planted down the left field line, watching as a proud father and former Cherry Creek feeder team coach who worked with many of the kids on the roster.
“It means so much not because of the outcome but everything that goes into it,” Nick said. “We are blessed.”
The Rudden family is a Cherry Creek family. Nick and his three brothers played for legendary coach Marc Johnson. Nick won back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999 as part of the school’s five-year run of dominance.
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He carved out a role as a utility player at Michigan before returning home. That is when reality clobbered him over the head. His sister Tammy Rudden Krause’s 5-year-old daughter Gabby was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2003. She passed away after a 19-month battle.
Joy, even when facing unimaginable pain and loss, comes in many forms.
Tammy created the Bags of Fun Foundation in Gabby’s honor. Over 15,000 backpacks with toys and games have been given to children fighting critical, long-term and life-threatening conditions in Denver, Kansas City and Omaha.
“Gabby was so brave, such a strong spirit,” said Dananne Solomon, the foundation’s director in Colorado. “She turned her own fight into a movement of laughter.”
Gabby Krause died of brain cancer, inspiring her mother, Tammy Krause, to create the Bags of Fun, a foundation that aims to provide every child fighting a critical, long-term and life-threatening condition a bag of fun. Gabby’s cousins, Wyatt and Walker Rudden, key members of Cherry Creek’s state championship win Saturday, volunteer and “do anything we can to honor her legacy,” Walker said. (Photo courtesy of Bags of Fun Foundation)
The program relies on fundraising — Cherry Creek High School plays an important role during their spring power week — and volunteers. Wyatt and Walker never met Gabby, but became immersed in her memory as they helped out in any way they could.
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“They are always available for work at the warehouse,” said Tammy, who has been attending Cherry Creek games for decades, watching her brothers and nephews. “They go to work and do the not-so-fun stuff behind the scenes.”
The way Nick sees it, he would not have a family if not for Gabby. Megan worked as Gabby’s nanny after college. That is how she met Nick.
“My wife and our children, none of it exists without the cause. It is hard to articulate who Gabby was, her resilience,” Nick said. “I can’t do justice on what she has meant to us.”
It was around middle school when Wyatt and Walker began to realize how special Gabby was. It was natural for them to volunteer. But it went beyond that. At Cherry Creek, they recruited teammates and classmates. They saw firsthand how awful cancer is, and how customized bags of toys can allow kids to be kids again, even if only for a few hours.
“It just changes their lives. It’s horrible to have to deal with cancer,” Walker said. “This gives them some control in a situation where they often feel like they don’t have any.”
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Wyatt has also viewed Gabby as someone who put others before herself. Not long ago, he listened to a classmate recall his experience with cancer. It brought everything full circle.
“He got a Bag of Fun. And just to hear his story was amazing. He had a really tough time and that really helped him through his process,” Wyatt said. “It was a reminder of just how meaningful the work and the (foundation) are.”
Joy comes in many forms.
Holding a trophy, surrounded by friends you have played with for years, creates goosebumps. These teammates will walk together forever.
But there was something deeper than sports at work on this sun-bleached afternoon. When the cheering stopped, and the long walk began to the parking lot, there was humility learned from small victories that are a lot bigger than a baseball game.
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“My sister has taken the memory of Gabby and created a legacy. I can’t tell you how proud I am of her, of what she’s done,” Nick said. “She has inspired our family, Wyatt, Walker, Annabelle and Hudson. She has inspired the Cherry Creek baseball community to help, to never take anything for granted. Today is a day when Gabby’s memory lives on.”
The Rudden family, from left, father Nick, kids Wyatt, Hudson, Annabelle and Walker, and mother Megan stand for a photo after Cherry Creek won their 10th state title at All-Star Park in Lakewood, Colorado, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The win that had deeper meaning because of the family’s connection to the Bags of Fun Foundation. (Photo by Troy Renck/The Denver Post)
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