Congrats, it's Hump Day!
If there is a Pizza God, he heard my prayers, 'cause the highlight of my week so far is seeing Blue Pan Pizza (my favorite) make it to the Elite Eight in The Know's Denver pizza bracket (which I'm now fully emotionally invested in). And something that has me just as excited: the Denver Zoo's free ticket lottery!
—Peyton Garcia (@peytonmgarcia)
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Weather Check: ☀️Yesterday's snow? Already gone. Today will be sunny with highs in the 50s, and temps only heading upward the rest of the week.
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🔊 What's Denver Talking About?
The CDC called: your rent's not due
[Colorado Sun]
On Monday, the CDC announced an extension of the national eviction moratorium.
What's that mean?
The public health order, which places a temporary halt on residential evictions in the midst of the global pandemic, was originally set to expire today, March 31. It is now extended through June 30, giving renters an additional three months of reprieve.
Why is it important?
As of March 21, there were still more than 20,000 applicants requesting rent assistance from Colorado's Department of Local Affairs, despite the $58.9 million officials have already spent on assistance since last summer. The department is now dipping into the $247 million reserve that came from the federal relief package that passed in December.
How does it work?
To try to make the application process easier, the state combined the Property Owner Preservation program (help for landlords) and the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (help for renters) to create the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) for both. It began accepting applications over the weekend.
Other housing crisis resources can be found at the bottom of this Colorado Sun article.
“I would implore folks, don’t leave your home just because you’ve received a demand for compliance or if you have a landlord that (threatens eviction). Vet that information.” —Peter Lifari, executive director at Maiker Housing Partners
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☝️Also This...
Not quite an A+, but a solid B- at least
A new Senate bill is awaiting review from the House Education Committee. The bill would create a dedicated legislative fund for teacher and school staff raises. We don't know where the money would come from yet, but bill advocates believe it's a big step in the right direction. [CO Sun]
Think cash money is dying out? Think again.
Discouraging the use of cash at the peak of the pandemic was a matter of public health and safety. Since then, some businesses have wanted to keep things cards-only. But a new bill is in front of state legislature that would make cash acceptance mandatory for retailers. [CPR]
Don't miss this: help determine RTD's summer services
RTD is set to host two virtual community meetings today (at noon and 5 p.m.) for feedback on some proposed service changes for bus and light rail schedules, routes, and boarding locations. Find the links to the meetings here. [CO Politics]
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🕵️ You Asked, We Answered
Have a question about Denver that you think we can answer? Send it our way at denver@citycast.fm.
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What's the plan for the 16th Street Mall?
City Cast Denver listener/reader Sue B. asked us: I would like to hear about the revitalization of 16th Street Mall — are they going to change anything else? Downtown used to be so fun. But now, it just seems like it is for tourists.
Here's what we found: For readers who may not know, city officials announced in January that they were moving forward with a $150 million facelift to 16th Street Mall. While the project is still very new, here's what we can tell you about it: It's expected to take at least three years. Some of the main areas of improvement will include replacing the entire granite streetscape, consolidating the bus lanes, and expanding the sidewalks for kiosks and small businesses. The renovation is expected to bring in 1,500 new jobs, $107 million in wages and benefits, and $261 million in sales. You can read more on the project and hear from some of the mall's business owners in this Denver Post article.
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Everyone will be eligible for the vaccine, but who still won’t have access?
It feels like the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been a source of controversy since the vaccines were first announced. Who should be eligible first? When can they get it? And where? But now that everyone will soon be eligible — this Friday, April 2, according to Gov. Jared Polis — it’s time to talk about vaccine access, specifically for our disabled community members. Today on the podcast, City Cast host Bree Davies speaks with disability advocate Rosemary McDonnell-Horita about her personal struggle getting a vaccine, her role as part of Polis’ Health Equity Response Team, and the work that still needs to be done to make sure all Coloradans have access to a vaccine. Listen now. 👇
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