🌱 Alterra Settles Lawsuit + Local Zoning Rules At Risk + Mayor Debate

Hey, friends! It's Saturday in Denver and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally. Today's issue includes news about...

• Once a top city to move to, Denver has lost some of its luster
• Denver's Fair Election Fund debate has candidates sparring over solutions for homelessness and affordability
• Denver struggles to meet its Vision Zero goals, gets federal funding for more studies

Saturday's weather: Partly sunny. High: 52 Low: 28.

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Here are the top stories in Denver today:

1. Alterra Mountain Co. has reached a settlement with Ikon Pass holders. The operator of various ski resorts has resolved a class-action lawsuit regarding the Ikon Pass and the closure of ski areas during the pandemic in 2020. As part of the settlement, the company will pay $17.5 million to Ikon Pass holders who filed the lawsuit and an additional $2.9 million to their legal representatives. (CO Sun)
2. Could Colorado legislators take control of local zoning codes? A significant land use bill is being developed at the state capitol, which has the potential for the State of Colorado to superseding local zoning regulations, as part of an effort to permit greater density. The idea is being considered by legislator and is "part of the conversation." (CPR)
3. Denver's mayoral debate focused on homelessness, crime, affordability during 9NEWS' first debate. The initial 9NEWS debate featuring candidates for Denver Mayor focused on issues of homelessness, crime, and affordability, and was hosted in collaboration with Metropolitan State University of Denver as part of the City of Denver's Fair Elections Fund. Only candidates that qualified for the FEF participated. (9News)
4. Denver gets money to study its most dangerous intersections. Federal funds have been allocated to the City of Denver to study nine perilous roadways in pursuit of Vision Zero objectives. Tragically traffic fatalities have risen annually since the implementation of Vision Zero in 2017, with the exception of 2020, where there was a noteworthy decline attributed to stay-at-home directives. (Denverite)
5. As a city to move to, Denver has lost its luster. The population of Colorado has surged over the past two decades, including Denver. Nonetheless, the influx of newcomers to the state has decelerated since its peak in 2015, with 2021 marking the year of the lowest influx of individuals moving to the state since 2005. (FOX31)

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Today in Denver:

• Jackie Kashian: At Comedy Works. (7:15 p.m.)
• Things to do in Denver: This weekend, Feb. 17-19. (Denverite)
• More things to do this weekend: Check it out (9News)

From my notebook:

• Check out the newest Clyfford Still exhibition. Awful Bigness will run from Feb. 17 to Sept. 10. The installation follows a chronological display of Still's works in the museum's first four rooms of the museum. (CSM)
• Most City and County of Denver offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of Presidents Day. Denver Health and Denver International Airport will remain open. (Denver)
• More mountain snow on the way on Colorado's busiest ski weekends of the year. (Patch)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be in your first thing on Monday morning with your next update. — Brad K. Evans

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Denver Patch newsletter? Contact me at denverdaily@yahoo.com