Your Daily Guide

🎨 How and Where to Celebrate Denver Arts Week

Denver Arts Week is back for its 20th year starting this Friday, Nov. 6 through the 15th! With over 436 activations from concerts to exhibitions, there are plenty of ways to get in on the fun. [Denver Gazette]

• Night at the Museums: Visitors can check out 18 different Denver museums for free from 5-10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. They even have free shuttle service between museums!
• Art Walks: Put on your favorite sweater and hit any one of the five art walks happening around town! The Art District on Santa Fe will be hosting its Dia de Muertos celebration on Friday, Nov. 6, which will feature evening access to hundreds of exhibits and artists. There will be altars, performances, face painting, and more! Check out all the neighborhoods hosting first Friday events here.
• A workshop I’m eyeing: Community Clay Denver is putting on a ceramic handbuilding class where you will create your very own custom desk lamp from clay! The class includes lamp hardware and clay, but BYO lightbulb!
• Even more: Find something that inspires your inner artist here! [Visit Denver]

⚖️ Geo Group Goes to Trial

After 12 years, a federal lawsuit against the Aurora immigration detention center’s labor practices is scheduled to go to trial next week. The lawsuit covers the facility between 2004 and 2014, when advocates accuse the Geo Group, the private prison group that runs the ICE facility, of threatening detainees with solitary confinement if they did not clean their housing units. The lawsuit also alleges the company “unjustly enriched itself” through its voluntary work program. [Denver Post 🔒]

👋 The Head of DOTI is Out

The head of Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Amy Ford plans to leave the job next month. Ford spent three years at the department facing scrutiny over several incidents, including DOTI’s recent backtracking on the controversial Alameda road diet plan. Ford did not cite a reason for her departure, besides “pursuing a new role.” [Denver Post 🔒]

🤔 City Council Candidate Doesn’t Want Your Vote

Jake Browne, one of 10 candidates on the ballot running for Sarah Parady’s At-Large Denver City Council seat, doesn’t want your vote – instead, he urges voters to vote for Melissa Mejía. Browne worries the large number of candidates with similar values will make it easier for moderates to win, thus leading to his choice to endorse Mejía. Browne's campaign made a splash online with his savvy use of social media, the Fair Elections Fund, and community gatherings. [Denverite]

💔 The Hate State

While Colorado was one of the first states to legalize same-sex marriage, groups in Colorado Springs in the ‘90s brought forth an anti-gay movement that earned Colorado the moniker “the hate state.” Now, over thirty years later, LGBTQ+ rights are on the table again this election. Creators and hosts of the podcast The Hate State Ann Marie Awad and Xandra McMahon (former producer of this show!) join host Bree Davies today to talk about their new show, and what’s at stake this election for queer Coloradans. [City Cast Denver 🎧]