The Colorado Independent

No vacancy: DNC may displace Denver homeless

Convention-goers in search of lodging at next week’s Democratic National Convention may inadvertently squeeze homeless people out of temporary motel rooms.

Homeless families in Denver often board in the city’s most iconic and dilapidated motels along Colfax Avenue, Broadway and Colorado Boulevard when the shelters are full. But with the DNC quickly approaching, some motels are already booked or have raised prices in anticipation of better-to-do guests. Denver’s homeless officials worry that some families will be left to stay on the streets.

Commentary

McCain gaffe on water rights could lose Colorado voters

By John Orr 8/18/08

Did John McCain signal the end of his Republican presidential run and launch his next campaign for the U.S. Senate in a phone interview with The Pueblo Chieftain last week?

A novel approach to politics

By Bill Moyers and Michael Winship 8/14/08

ABC News’ political blog, “The Note,” points out this week that Paris Hilton is issuing policy statements while John McCain nominates his wife for a topless beauty contest. The world’s turned upside down. Who could blame a person for thinking that chronicling such oddness is beyond the skills of simple journalists? This is a job for the novelists.

Shocked — but not totally — over young Schaffer’s racist Facebook page

By Cara Degette 8/6/08

In a statement after his Facebook page, littered with racist trash, was exposed to the world this week, Justin Schaffer — whose dad is running for the U.S. Senate in Colorado — absurdly claimed, “I do not agree with the sentiment or content of the offensive material …” If that is true, the obvious question is: Why was it there in the first place? And, did any of the 438 “friends” connected to Justin Schaffer’s Facebook site demand he quit it with the bigotry? Did none of them find the imagery as disturbing as the rest of us?

‘Celebrating’ Rush Limbaugh, the Energizer Bunny of hatemongering

By Cara Degette 7/29/08

Human Events, the conservative tome that the Wall Street Journal calls a “Bible of the Right” and Ronald Reagan termed “essential reading,” is celebrating “Rush Week,” — that is, 20 years of Rush Limbaugh on the air — in a big way. Fox News’ Sean Hannity kicked the week off with a tribute to Limbaugh, describing him as the “Babe Ruth of Broadcasting.” What an honor, for a guy whose home runs are often little more than racist and misogynistic rantings.

Denver Post’s primary picks defy logic

By Wendy Norris 7/27/08

The Denver Post announced three congressional primary election endorsements on its Web site Friday with the print version appearing on the Sunday editorial page. The head-scratching nods and the apparent lack of logic behind them raise questions about whether blindfolds and lawn darts were involved in the editorial board’s decision-making process.

Doug Lamborn, after months of silence, emerges victorious

By Cara Degette 8/18/08

He was the quintessential invisible candidate. He ducked the limelight. He ignored the bloody primary battle between fellow Republicans Jeff Crank and Bentley Rayburn. He refused even to debate them, and even to talk with some local press. In his re-election bid, Doug Lamborn bypassed the formal nominating process — unheard of for an incumbent politician. And guess what? It worked. The day after the primary, Lamborn the winner popped his head out of the hole, picked up the telephone and called the Colorado Independent to talk about current events — and what he’s got cooking in Washington.

Protest planned against DNC lockup

By Erin Rosa 8/15/08

Activists with the Recreate 68 coalition are planning a rally today against a newly discovered detention center for mass arrests during the Democratic National Convention Aug. 25-28.

Loss of the Capitol news bureau

By Jason Kosena 8/15/08

As traditional newspapers transition to an Internet world filled with part-time bloggers, content-sharing Web sites and Google, embedded legislative correspondents have disappeared from the nation’s capitals, apparent victims of dwindling newsroom resources and a changing industry.

DNC: Hoteliers and city already counting the cash

By J.C. O'Connell 8/14/08

The inconveniences of having 50,000 guests in town during this month’s Democratic National Convention may be partially outweighed by the cash they’ll leave behind in city coffers.

Denver drafts plan for at-risk young protesters, kids of detainees at DNC

By Naomi Zeveloff 8/14/08

Some protesters plan on bringing children to the upcoming Democratic National Convention, but what will happen to those minors in the case of a clash with police is unclear.

Polis wins a nailbiter primary in CD 2: The highlights

By Bob Spencer 8/13/08

Anonymous dough flows into Colorado initiative campaigns

By Erin Rosa 8/13/08

Contributions of anonymous cash totaling more than $2.4 million are bankrolling anti-labor and anti-affirmative action campaigns in Colorado. The money is coming from nonprofit organizations that are not required to reveal their financial donors, prompting a former House member and state Senate candidate to consider legislation that could strengthen disclosure for certain nonprofit organizations that get involved with politics.

McCain makes Colorado a mainstay

By Jason Kosena 8/12/08

John McCain really likes Colorado.

After visiting the Centennial State three times in July, the Republican candidate for president will be back in Aspen this week for a fundraiser with deep-pocketed Republican donors. There is no word if he has other campaign events planned.

Colorado ACLU sues Denver for arresting innocent people in place of suspects

By Naomi Zeveloff 8/12/08

The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado filed suit Monday against the City and County of Denver and seven law enforcement officers on behalf of five people who were mistakenly arrested for crimes they did not commit. While the suit focuses on a handful of plaintiffs who suffered the effects of sloppy and negligent police work, the problem likely extends far beyond the five individuals, says ACLU legal director Mark Silverstein.

Fanning the radical anti-abortion flames in Colorado

By Wendy Norris 8/12/08

While ugly confrontation between reproductive-rights advocates and abortion opponents is inevitable, an internecine fight has been brewing between warring camps of absolutists that oppose abortion under any circumstances versus those who advocate for incremental change or are willing to make exceptions in certain cases.

A town hall of a Democratic convention

By Jason Kosena 8/11/08

Keeping with its message of inclusion and hope to involve everyday citizens in the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this month, DNCC organizers have announced a town hall theme for the week.

Democrats get down for GLBT Unity

By J.C. O'Connell 8/19/08 4:45 PM

Members of Colorado’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community are hosting a Unity Dance Aug. 23 to welcome convention visitors to Denver.

No investigation in District 2 County Commissioner primary switcheroo

By Bob Spencer 8/19/08 3:05 PM

Two recounts, one in front of judges from the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, put Interim Commissioner John Cordova on the ballot for the Democrats in Pueblo’s County Commissioner race.

Denver’s homeless motel guests increasing

By Naomi Zeveloff 8/19/08 1:02 PM

It’s a well-known fact that Denver’s ramshackle motels host some of the city’s most needy families. But just how many families live in temporary motel housing is impossible to say. During the summer months, the city typically doles out around 16 vouchers each day, which are redeemable at 16 motels. But the number of homeless families crashing along Colfax Avenue, Broadway and Colorado Boulevard is likely much higher. And it’s a hard figure to pin down.

Re-Create 68 announces DNC lineup

By Naomi Zeveloff 8/19/08 11:18 AM

The most dynamic part of Denver’s Democratic National Convention next week may occur outside the Pepsi Center. The major protest group Re-create 68 announced its schedule of events yesterday afternoon, and it’s a doozy of a lineup. More than 50 speakers and musicians will round out logistical trainings for the activists.

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No vacancy: DNC may displace Denver homeless

2008 Convention Coverage