🌱 Mayoral Debates Planned + GOCO Gets $75M + Aloft Emergency Housing

Hey, neighbors. It's Wednesday in Denver and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally. Today you'll find news about...

• Several mayoral runoff debates are planned as part of a plan to help voters pick between two candidates that qualified for a runoff election on June 6.
• Polis' plan for a state takeover of land planning is opposed by most of the state's local municipal leaders.
• Colorado Lottery is providing $75 million to Great Outdoors Colorado for parks and open space.

Wednesday's weather: Very warm. High: 83 Low: 54.

Shoutout to the awesome local business that keeps this newsletter running:

Looking for the area’s best gourmet groceries? Denver’s Choice Market, with four locations in downtown Denver, features locally sourced groceries, smoothies, coffee, and freshly prepared meals from their in-store scratch kitchens. Stop by one of their stores — located at 1770 N Broadway, 939 Bannock, 2200 E Colfax and 1737 E Evans and mention Patch for $5 off a $25 in-store order. Choice also offers fast delivery for online orders here.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top stories in Denver today:

1. Residents took their concerns to Denver City Council about the end of emergency housing at the Aloft Hotel. Over the past few years, the Aloft hotel located in downtown Denver has provided housing for some of the most vulnerable individuals in the city. The city is getting ready for the closure of the emergency shelter that was opened during the pandemic. (CBS4)
2. The land use plan proposed by Gov. Jared Polis is opposed by metro area mayors. The proposed comprehensive land use bill has come under fire from the Metro Mayors Caucus, the Colorado Municipal League and Colorado Counties, Inc, which collectively represents most municipalities in Colorado and have banded together to oppose the new legislation. (CO Politics)
3. After hitting its fiscal cap, the Colorado Lottery is giving $75 million to Great Outdoors Colorado. The reason GOCO is getting additional dollars is because of two enormous jackpots this year totaling over two billion dollars. The Colorado Lottery provides funds to GOCO, which helps fund parks, recreation and open space projects across the state. (KRDO)
4. Debates for the city's mayoral runoff are planned on CBS. The news organization is collaborating with various community organizations to organize or co-host multiple forums and debates between Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston. These debates will give voters a clearer perspective on the two candidates' similarities and contrasts in advance of the mayoral race's runoff election on June 6. (CBS4)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Denver Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99 percent of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their supp ort a nd for making today’s Denver Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Denver:

• Crossing Over: with Psychic Medium John Edward. (7 p.m.)
• ASIST Suicide: Prevention Workshop (9 a.m.)
• OverDrive: To Libby Transition assistance. (1 p.m.)
• Networking Happy Hour: ATD Rocky Mountain chapter. (6 p.m.)
• Intercambio: Spanish conversation table. (6:30 p.m.)
• Things to do in Colorado this weekend: April 14-16. (9News)

From my notebook:

• Here's a list of the best dog parks in the Denver metro area. (FOX 31)
• A fire weather watch has been issued for these areas due to hot and dry conditions. (KDVR)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Discount Dumpster — (Visit website)
• The Better Mattress — (Visit Website)
• Improovy Painters Denver — (Visit website)
• MILE HIGH GUTTER, LLC. — (Visit website)
• Colorado Custom Welding — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward! Live event! (April 12)
• Social Security Webinar (April 13)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on April 17 and 19 at Belmar Library (April 17)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Justice Seekers (Details)
• Add your announcement

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow 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