Denver, CO

Opinion: Between a rock and a hard place, we must care for the South American migrants

Published

2 years ago

February 25, 2024

Opinion: Between a rock and a hard place, we must care for the South American migrants

If only navigating public policy were like a “choose your own adventure” novel where the right choices lead inexorably to a successful and satisfying ending. In real life, there are no solutions, only imperfect options, difficult trade-offs, and partial remedies. To complicate matters, sometimes the most ethical choice is the least practical.

The current migrant crisis is one such case. Denver has made the right decision and born the cost while other Front Range cities have shut their doors.

In addition to Ukrainians and Afghans who come to our shores by plane, a record number of migrants from Venezuela, Central America, the Caribbean, and other places are coming daily by land.

Thanks to dysfunction at the border — too few judges, too loose a standard for qualifying for asylum, and too little room in detention centers — most migrants at the southern border are allowed to enter the country with the expectation they will attend a court hearing in the future. According to Department of Justice data, more than half of those released into the country attend their hearing.

Some of these migrants meet the definition of asylee; they have suffered harm because of their race, religion, political affiliations, or other distinctions and are likely to be abused or killed if they return. In 2022, less than a third of Venezuelan applicants were granted asylum, a higher percentage than other Latin American applicants. This suggests a majority of asylum seekers are fleeing poverty rather than persecution.

Since the socialist takeover, life in Venezuela has descended into poverty and oppression. Middle-class workers like nurses and teachers make $3 a month. Critics of the government are jailed and tortured. People disappear. More than 7 million Venezuelans have left the country, the vast majority of which, 86%, are living in Latin America and the Caribbean. Colombia alone has absorbed 2 million fleeing Venezuelans.

When migrants arrive, they seek available work. In the U.S., asylum seekers may apply for work permits but must wait six months. Those who have received Temporary Protected Status or humanitarian parole can work sooner. In the interim, migrants must rely on relatives, nonprofits, and communities to meet their daily needs.

The City of Denver recently spent $42 million to provide support for some 38,000 migrants. Presently, 4,000 migrants are housed in temporary shelters. Although the city has received $3.5 million from the state, most of the funding has come from Denver’s budget. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has asked city departments to cut back and has announced cuts to Parks and Recreation and Denver Motor Vehicle offices. Meanwhile, UCHealth has spent $17 million over the past three months to treat migrant patients. Denver Public Schools have absorbed the cost of enrolling 3,000 new students from migrant families.

By contrast, Colorado Springs and Lakewood have essentially closed their doors to migrants. The Colorado Springs City Council passed a resolution stating the city is not a sanctuary city and will not spend public funds to support illegal immigrants. Officials also urged nonprofits not to help migrants after learning the Colorado Springs Salvation Amy had helped 24 migrant families.

The Lakewood City Council hosted a packed meeting of denizens concerned about false rumors the city was considering becoming a sanctuary city and offering shelter to migrants. City council members have assured them they have no intention.

A “sanctuary city” refers to a jurisdiction that has chosen to limit police cooperation with federal law enforcement. Denver, Aurora and Boulder all limit such cooperation, but only Boulder has officially adopted the label. The state also limits police cooperation and provides immigrants here without legal status access to instate tuition, financial aid, driver’s licenses, housing assistance, and occupational licenses. Colorado could be considered a sanctuary state.

Could these policies encourage settlement of migrants with asylum claims awaiting adjudication or illegal immigrants? That’s worth discussing, but changing the laws now will not help the migrants who need a place to sleep and a bite to eat.

Does Congress need to address the deficiencies at the border in a bipartisan way? Certainly, and in ordinary times it might be possible. This is an election year.

Are people frustrated by migrants wading into traffic with squeegees and worried about the impact of immigration on hospitals, schools, and city budgets? Understandably, yes. There are no good solutions.

In this between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place situation, however, Denver (and the Colorado Springs Salvation Army) have nonetheless made the best choice. They fed the hungry, bandaged their wounds, taught their children, and gave them a place to rest their heads.

Krista L. Kafer is a weekly Denver Post columnist. Follow her on Twitter: @kristakafer.

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Denver, CO

Denver weather: Strong wind and increased fire danger Wednesday

Published

7 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Denver weather: Strong wind and increased fire danger Wednesday

DENVER (KDVR) — A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day has been issued for Wednesday as fire danger increases in Denver due to strong wind gusts and dry conditions, with even stronger wind gusts to the west into the foothills.

Denver weather tonight: Mainly clear

Denver weather tomorrow: Warm & windy

Wednesday will be warm and windy.

As high temperatures climb to the mid-60s, wind gusts will pick up to over 40 mph.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued across the urban corridor as strong wind gusts are paired with dry conditions on the ground and low humidity, leading to high fire danger for the potential of rapid fire spread.

The strongest wind gusts will be west of the metro. High wind warnings are set to go into effect Wednesday morning and continue into early Thursday. During this time, gusts could reach 65-85 mph, especially for areas above 6,000 feet.

Above 9000 feet, there is a chance for light snowfall. Even though most places will only see 4″ of snowfall or less, blowing snow from strong wind gusts will lead to limited visibility and difficult driving conditions.

Looking ahead: Staying warmer through the weekend

Temperatures will drop on Thursday to around 50 degrees, which is still more than five degrees above normal for this time of year.

Friday, sunny, breezy and warm weather returns. High temperatures will climb to record range, which in Denver is a high of 67 degrees, last hit in 2023.

More dry and warmer than normal conditions will continue into the weekend, with a high in the mid-60s Saturday, then just shy of 60 degrees by kickoff of the Broncos game. Then the workweek starts with sunshine and high temperatures reaching record levels.

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Denver, CO

Where To Eat Christmas Eve Dinner In Denver – 303 Magazine

Published

19 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Where To Eat Christmas Eve Dinner In Denver – 303 Magazine

For Christmas Eve dinner in Denver, options range from upscale steakhouses like Elway’s and Urban Farmer to Italian spots like Cranelli’s, seafood at Jax Fish House, Mexican at Kachina Cantina, and varied American/international cuisine at places like Tavernetta, Root Down, with many offering both dine-in and takeout for prime rib, seafood feasts, or holiday boxes, but reservations are essential.

Remember to book early, as many of these places fill up fast. Check the websites or call to confirm holiday hours and make reservations.

Steak & Upscale

Elway’s Downtown
Featuring their classic steakhouse menu plus festive additions like Duck Breast and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms.
Make a reservation HERE

Urban Farmer Denver
Offers prime rib and Peking duck to-go or dine-in options.
Make a reservation HERE

The Capital Grille
Another upscale steakhouse option for the holiday.
Make a reservation HERE

Italian & European

Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant
Featuring a la carte menu with seasonal luxuries.
Make a reservation HERE

Tavernetta
Featuring a la carte menu with seasonal luxuries.
Make a reservation HERE

Le French – 9+CO
Focusing on decadent food like oysters, foie gras, seafood, turkey/goose, and the iconic chocolate log cake.
Make a reservation HERE

Seafood & American

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Featuring seven Fresh Fishes, Five Golden Courses, and an unforgettable Christmas Eve.
Make a reservation HERE

Local Jones
Savor carving stations, classic holiday favorites, specialty desserts, and more
Make a reservation HERE

Root Down
Creative American cuisine with global influences offering prix fixe or a la carte menue
Make a reservation HERE

Mexican & Latin

Kachina Cantina
Features a Christmas Eve Prime Rib special.
Make a reservation

SOL Mexican Cocina
Featuring Prime Rib served with Truffle Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Bacon Brussels Sprouts & Maple Syrup Glazed Carrots
Make a reservation HERE

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Denver, CO

Keeler: Broncos, Sean Payton reuniting with Justin Simmons would be surprise. Denver becoming AFC West’s next dynasty would not be.

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Keeler: Broncos, Sean Payton reuniting with Justin Simmons would be surprise. Denver becoming AFC West’s next dynasty would not be.

The Grinch has more room for nostalgia in his heart than one Patrick Sean Payton.

Before we get to the good stuff, just know that what applies to Von Miller and Payton absolutely applies to Justin Simmons, too. Even though the Broncos now have a starting safety slot wide open while a former Pro Bowl safety in Simmons is local and looking for a gig, the locker room in Dove Valley might not be big enough for the both of them. Although stranger things have happened, and it’s almost Christmas.

Speaking of presents, the Chiefs finally returned the AFC West throne to the store, receipt and all, after hogging that thing for 3,270 days. Eight years, 11 months, and 14 days, officially.

A child born on New Year’s Day 2017, the actual start of the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC West dynasty, would be halfway through third grade as of Monday. At last, Heaven help us, we can clearly see the end, a light at the end of long, red tunnel of darkness.

The Chiefs were mathematically eliminated from the postseason this past Sunday. Kansas City is slated to be $43.8 million over the cap in 2026. Travis Kelce just turned 36. Chris Jones will be 32 next summer. Mahomes will be 31 next September, and his left knee just went kablooey in a home loss to the Chargers. Legends live forever in our hearts, but every anterior cruciate ligament comes with an expiration date.

The second-hardest thing in the NFL is to win a championship. The hardest is to pull it off multiple times. It never ceases to amuse me how the most popular sports league in America, land of me-first, is simultaneously a screaming bastion of socialism and enforced parity. The good of all before the one.

Bad teams get the best draft picks. A salary cap that prevents elite teams from hoarding all the elite players, so long as those elite players want to get paid. And they do.

All that being said, the Broncos (12-2) aren’t just poised to win a division title this fall. They’re in a really good position to follow in the Chiefs’ cleats and go on a little dynastic run of their own. And we’ll give you five reasons why:

1. The Chiefs’ best players are getting old

Even if Kelce, who can become an unrestricted free agent next year, elects to return, the Chiefs’ books are looking fairly lopsided. Per Spotrac, Kansas City will have 44.9% of its cap space for 2026 taken up by four players who will be 31 years or older: Jones ($44.85 million), K Harrison Butker ($7.3 million), LB Drue Tranquill ($7.5 million) and Mahomes ($78.2 million).

The Broncos’ 31-and-older club, depending on what becomes of linebacker Alex Singleton, is slated to take up 24.9% of next year’s cap.

2. The Chargers’ best players are already old

The Bolts have 33.3% of their active roster cap tied up in 17 players who are at least 29 years old. And at least 10 of those guys are scheduled to hit the open market after this season.

QB Justin Herbert is better with one good hand than most NFL signal-callers are with two. He’s just 27. Although working with Jim Harbaugh has been known to age people prematurely.

3. The Broncos’ best players are … not

The Broncos went into Week 1, per PhillyVoice.com, with the eighth fewest number of players among NFL rosters who were aged 29 or older (10).

Bo Nix, the QB1 who keeps rising to the moment, is 25 and on a rookie contract through 2027 (for now).

Also signed through ’27, per Spotrac.com (deep breath): CB Pat Surtain II, RT Mike McGlinchey, DL Zach Allen, WR Courtland Sutton, LT Garett Bolles, OLB Jonathon Cooper, OLB Nik Bonitto, S Talanoa Hufanga, DB Jahdae Barron, DL D.J. Jones, LB Dre Greenlaw, G Quinn Meinerz, DL Malcolm Roach, C Luke Wattenberg, OLB Jonah Elliss, RB RJ Harvey, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, K Wil Lutz and P Jeremy Crawshaw. Oh, and WRs Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant.

Pretty good core, that. Especially when you consider that only five of those guys are 30 years or older — and one of those five happens to be Lutz.

4. GM George Paton has the drafting part down

And he always did. Nine of Denver’s 11 starters are former Broncos draft picks or former collegiate free agents. As are five of the 11 guys who usually start for Vance Joseph’s defense. The more expensive Nix’s contract becomes, the more important hitting on rookies immediately is going to get.

5. Sean Payton has done this before

Yes, Sunshine Sean loves the screen game more than Homer Simpson loves Duff Beer. Yes, he holds fools and journalists in equal disdain. But the man also won seven division titles in New Orleans, including four straight (2017-2020) after his 2012 suspension. From 2018-2022, talk about the Broncos largely focused on the franchise’s sagging floor. Now it’s about the ceiling. Whether you like him personally or not, there’s no denying the degree to which Payton flipped the script.

Tom Brady was 42 when he signed with Tampa Bay and 45 when he retired for the second time. Rob Gronkowski hung ’em up for the USAA life at age 33. Savor the now. When a window opens, you don’t walk through it. You sprint like there’s a raging, snorting Nederland moose in hot pursuit.

In the NFL, age is a running clock. As any Broncomaniac can tell you, there’s one defensive coordinator worse than Belichick, a mastermind not even Mahomes, Brees, Elway or Manning could lick: Father Time. For the first time in a decade, he’s finally on the Broncos’ side.

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