Your Daily Guide

📵 How DPS’s New “Bell to Bell” Phone Ban is Going

Unanimously approved by the DPS Board in June, the new phone policy replaces a patchwork of rules that differed between schools with a simple new expectation: no devices, all day, with exceptions only for students who need special education or have medical needs. The policy requires schools to provide one reliable means of communication between students and their parents or guardians. After classes started last week, the reviews are rolling in! [Denverite]

• Administrators say: The ban has boosted student success, with teachers reporting students are staying more focused and engaging with each other more often. Principal Jason Sanders tells Denverite that “the in-class advantages have been clear and obvious.”
• Parents say: At least one parent is worried about staying in touch with their kids during an emergency. “A parent's need to know is absolute,” said Highline Academy parent Karla Galindo. “The thought of being cut off from my child in [an emergency situation] is my greatest worry. A simple text from your child could change all of that.” Some parents have also expressed concern that school staffing isn’t adequate to keep parents and students in touch.
• Students say: They want their phones (duh). Thomas Jefferson High School student Natty Taylor misses “that little break from other people. No one asks adults to be ‘on’ with other people all day. Even our teachers get breaks from interacting.”
• Reddit says:

• “[Parents] don't need instant access to their kids at all times. Total bans of phones during school hours was the norm just a decade ago and everyone was fine.” - u/Neverending_Rain
• “The policy is a blunt instrument to fix a nuanced problem.” - u/Ewilliamsen
• “Thank the universe. These kids can't freaking read.” - u/scared_of_Low_stuff
• “Oh hell no is my response. Unless and until they can guarantee my child's safety while they're there, then they get to keep the damn phone. School shootings still happen and I want my child to be able to reach out.” - u/runnerkim
• “Its been pretty awesome. My daughter is a sophomore and its forced her to engage more with her peers. She’s a lot happier” -u/bobloblaw500

What do you think? Whether you’re a teacher, student, DPS employee, or just a concerned citizen, we’d love to hear what you think about how DPS’ new phone ban is going so far!

💩 Sewage Tsunami Could Hit Colorado Reservoir

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says 4.25 million gallons of untreated sewage entered the Arkansas River and is heading towards John Martin Reservoir in southeast Colorado, where it could spread E. Coli and other contaminants. The sewage release was reportedly caused when a stormwater discharge pipe suffered a pressure burst. The pipe has been repaired and John Martin Reservoir State Park remains open, but visitors and pets are advised to avoid direct water contact. [9News/Colorado Sun]

🍁 Your Guide to September in Denver

Join host Bree Davies and City Cast Denver’s Green Chile Correspondent Justine Sandoval as they discuss all things September in the Mile High City. They’ve got the inside scoop on art in the Casa Bonita parking lot, take-home dips from Shish Kabob Grill, and making the most of Lakeside’s last month of the season. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🚨 ICE Arrests Spike in July

ICE agents arrested 495 people in Colorado this July, a 93% surge since March, when arrests were slowing amid protests over the killing of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota. Nationwide, July was the most arrest-heavy month of President Donald Trump’s second term. [Denver Post 🔒]

• New filings by Colorado attorneys allege ICE has acted illegally and violently, violating both a court order and federal law limiting agents’ use of warrantless arrests in Colorado. One recent case involved an 18-year-old whose face ICE agents allegedly slammed repeatedly into pavement in a 7-Eleven parking lot.

🎻 Colorado Symphony’s $120M Home Renovation

When it opened in 1978, Denver’s Boettcher Concert Hall was the first ‘in-the-round’ concert venue in the nation. But now, Julie DeWoody, the Colorado Symphony's chief philanthropy officer, says it needs $120 million for an overdue overhaul. Everything from the lobby, seating, accessibility, and acoustics will be updated, with the majority of funds already secured from the Vibrant Denver bond, Denver Arts and Venues, and city funds. The Colorado Symphony is reportedly responsible for selling the naming rights to the historic venue to raise the last $15 million. [Denver7]

• My pitch: ‘Jason Paton Concert Hall.’ Anybody? … anybody?

🌳 New Pickleball Courts

Three new pickleball courts opened at Rosamond Park, completing the last phase of an improvement project that updated other sporting and playground facilities at the park, added lighting and benches, and replaced turf with native landscaping. [9News]

• Has pickleball’s moment passed? Seems to us like there were a lot of pickleballers calling for new courts like this a few years ago, but the clamor has since died down a bit. What do you think: Is pickleball still going strong in Denver?