Denver, CO
The spiders are back in Westminster, global street food, and more things to do in Denver this week
Butterfly Pavilion’s spiders are back
Saturday-Oct. 31. Most visitors to Westminster’s Butterfly Pavilion know of the lovable (er, mostly) mascot Rosie the Tarantula. But if she’s not enough for you, check out the Sept. 21-Oct. 31 return of “Spiders Around the World.” The limited-time programming leads up to Halloween with a stunning diversity of spiders sprinkled throughout the facility.
No, they’re not all in captivity. The exhibition features not just 20-plus tarantula species, but an 80-foot Spider Zone of free-roaming Orb Weaving spiders — some the size of a human hand — baby tarantulas, and more. Like any zoo, it dovetails nicely with Butterfly Pavilion’s ecological research and conservation efforts. (And for anyone who loves creepy-crawlies.)
Included with general admission, $11-$16. Kids 2 and under are free. 6252 W. 104th Ave. in Westminster. 303-469-5441 or butterflies.org.
Far East Center’s free Mid-Autumn Fest
Saturday. Westwood’s historic, multicultural mini-mall known as the Far East Center is this weekend hosting its 4th Mid-Autumn Festival. The sleepy name belies a variety of delights at the event, which takes place 2-8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 333 S. Federal Blvd. in the Little Saigon Business District in Denver.
Expect live music and dance from diverse Southeast Asian cultures, contests (pho eating, K-Pop Dance Battles, karaoke), a kid’s fashion show focused on traditional cultural wear, lantern-making for kids, international street food, a night market, and more. It’s free and family-friendly, but reserve your tickets now at bit.ly/fecmidautumnfestival24.
Newman Center Presents’ new season
Sunday. The latest season of the Newman Center Presents series kicks off this week with the dazzling Cécile McLorin Salvant, a triple Grammy winner who brings a narrative flair to her vast musical interpretations. The Miami, Fla., native is known best for her vocal and jazz recordings, but tackles 12th-century music with the same skill and subtlety as one of her original compositions.
Her 7:30 p.m. show on Sunday, Sept. 22, show takes place at Gates Concert Hall, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Tickets are $42-$86, fees included. Call 303-871-7720 or visit newmancenterpresents.com.
A really big “Last Splash”
Thursday. Alt-rock band The Breeders, which hit fame in the ’90s with its album “Last Splash” and sugar-shocked single “Cannonball,” has lately been championed by massive pop stars like Olivia Rodrigo, helping set the quartet’s legacy for younger generations.
The Dayton, Ohio, act, led by sisters Kim and Kelley Deal, will make good on that on Thursday, Sept. 26, as it plays the “Last Splash” and “Pod” albums in their entirety for Mission Ballroom. 8 p.m. at 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver. Tickets for the 16-and-up concert, with opener Man on Man, are $67-$112 at axs.com.
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If you use Santa Fe Drive as a part of your daily commute, you will notice full closures this weekend on a popular section, from Florida Avenue to Evans Avenue, for the installation of a pedestrian bridge.
Once the 370-foot pedestrian bridge is completed, it will connect the east and west portions of Denver’s Overland neighborhood. This bridge will be used by pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says this closure is needed to keep the traveling public safe. Large cranes will be used to set the two spans in place. Each one weighs about 215,000 pounds and is 180 feet long.
Once the bridge is completed in 2027, it will create a safer connection for pedestrians and bicyclists. It will link neighborhoods to trails, transit, parks, and local businesses without requiring residents to cross heavy traffic.
“Our neighborhood is quartered by transportation routes, so having a safe pedestrian bridge that can take people from one side to the other is an amazing development that neighbors have been asking for for years,” Jenn Greiving, President, Overland Park Neighborhood Association, said.
The Santa Fe Drive closure will begin at midnight on Saturday, July 11, and end on Monday, July 13, at 5 a.m. There will be detours in place. This includes:
- Southbound Santa Fe Drive Detour: Traffic will be routed to Platte River Drive to reenter southbound Santa Fe Drive at the West Evans Avenue on-ramp.
- Northbound Santa Fe Drive Detour: Access to northbound Santa Fe Drive will be at Mississippi Avenue via South Broadway Street.
- On-Ramp Closure: The West Evans Avenue on-ramp to northbound Santa Fe Drive will close at noon on Friday, July 10, to prepare for the full weekend closure and will remain closed until 5 a.m. on Monday, July 13. Traffic will be detoured to South Broadway Street to re-enter northbound Santa Fe Drive via Mississippi Avenue.
- Off-Ramp Closure: The southbound Santa Fe Drive off-ramp to West Evans Avenue will close for the full weekend period and remain closed until Friday, Sept. 11, while crews build new sidewalks and perform other concrete work at the southwest corner of the project. Detours will be posted to West Florida Avenue, West Dartmouth Avenue or West Hampden Avenue to bypass the ramp closure
During this closure, DOTI will reopen the underpass on Iowa Avenue. This is a new ADA accessible pathway that will be available between Santa Fe Drive and Acoma Street.
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 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?
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