🌱 No Taxes For TABOR Refunds + Mayoral Battle Ahead + Weed Lounge

Hello, Denver! I'm here right on time with your Saturday edition of the Denver Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening locally. Including updates on...

• Colorado Wildlife at risk when ingesting birds infected with avian flu
• Denver's mayor's race heats up with candidates sparring on stage at Regis University
• Coloradoans won't have to pay taxes on their TABOR refunds

Saturday's weather: Increasing cloudiness. High: 55 Low: 30.

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Here are the top stories in Denver today:

1. Denver's mayor's race heats up, 16 of the candidates spar on Thursday night at Regis. The first of two required debate events held under Denver's new Fair Elections Fund, those mayoral candidates that had qualified for the April 4 municipal ballot discussed their proposals to tackle issues like housing affordability, crime and transportation. (CO Newsline)
2. IRS announces it won't tax Colorado's TABOR refunds. The IRS has declared that Colorado residents won't have to include the 2022 TABOR refunds from last year on their tax returns. These refunds were among the special payments made to residents that qualified to received them. (FOX31)
3. Organizations continue to help immigrants that arrived in Denver. For the past two decades, Denver-based Centro Humanitario has been educating people about their rights as immigrant workers. Initially, the organization's focus was on providing workers with information about their rights, but over time, it expanded to include workforce development. (9News)
4. Wildlife being impacted after ingesting birds infected with avian flu. Cases of HPAI have been identified in multiple free-ranging wildlife species, including black bears, mountain lions, and skunks. The disease has caused widespread death among wild birds across the United States, with the first confirmation of this strain in wild geese in northwest Colorado occurring in March 2022. (Out There)
5. Two businesses in Denver aim to launch marijuana smoking lounges by spring. The Patterson Inn in Denver is eager to offer its lounge for Colorado residents to consume marijuana, but there are still some obstacles to overcome. "This has the potential to create a brand-new business," said the Inn's owner, Chris Chiari. (7News)

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Today in Denver:

• 2023 USA Curling Men’s & Women’s National Championships: Denver Coliseum. (Noon)
• Colorado All State Choir Concert: At Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre. (4 p.m.)
• Things to do in Denver this weekend: Feb. 10-12. (Denverite)

From my notebook:

• Denver's Pay as you throw program. City of Denver trash customers will be receiving a letter and invoice with an ID number. The ID number will allow you set up an account. Check out this video on how to manage your account. (Denver)
• Get a tree for your yard. The Park People and Denver Digs Trees tree adoption program is back for its 40th year. There are 12 varieties of high-quality, locally adapted trees to choose from in a range of sizes and features. (Park People)

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Featured events:

• Social Security Webinar (Feb. 13)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (Feb. 14)
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That's it for today! I'll see you on Monday morning with another edition of the Denver Daily. — Brad K. Evans

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