🌱 Outdoor Dining To Become Permanent + $2.4M Rent Funds Mistake

Happy Wednesday, Denver! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today — from an outdoor dining plan, to a $2.4 million rental assistance funding mistake, to the return of a popular local holiday market.

First, today's weather:

You can expect winds to grow strong today, and bring in cooler air. High: 54 Low: 35.

Here are the top stories in Denver today:

1. Mayor Michael Hancock announced Tuesday the city's plan for making its outdoor dining program permanent. Some restaurateurs joined the mayor for the announcement and explained how essential the program has been for their businesses. (CBS Denver)
2. Six Colorado colleges have been named among the best universities in the world, according to a new ranking by U.S. News & World Report. CU Denver and DU both made the cut, and CU Boulder was ranked the top college in our state. (Boulder Patch)
3. A Colorado emergency rent assistance fund paid out $2.4 million in error, according to a report released Tuesday by the Colorado Office of the State Auditor. The amount, which was 5 percent of the $47 million given out, was due to the speed of the program, officials said. (FOX31 Denver)
4. Denver is known for a lot of great things: breweries, dispensaries, access to beautiful mountain ranges and an outdoorsy lifestyle. One thing we may not want to be known for, however, is the overwhelming number of rats creeping through our streets and backyards. Unfortunately, Denver was ranked No. 9 this year on Orkin's list of the Top 50 "Rattiest" Cities. (Denver Patch)
5. After a successful first year last holiday season, the Cherry Creek Holiday Market has become an annual tradition — the second market will be open daily from Nov. 18 to Dec. 24. (Denver Patch)

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Today in metro Denver:

• 2021 NAFWS Fish & Wildlife Webinar Series (11 a.m.)
• Career Exploration Event - Tech and Business Panel (2 p.m.)
• Corporate Women's Group - Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce (4 p.m.)

Denver Patch Notebook

• VISIT DENVER: "Opera Colorado opens their season with Puccini’s heart-racing drama, Tosca. Overflowing with power struggles and vengeance, a corrupt chief of police has a cruel ultimatum for Tosca, Rome’s most-celebrated prima donna ..." (Facebook)
• Denver Police Department: "IT'S ALMOST (HALLOWEEN) PARTY TIME! And we're hosting nine parties this week! So, load up the minivan with your costumed kiddos and join us for a night of free Halloween fun and games!" (Facebook)
• Denver Public Schools: "As part of the College Ready On Track Network, DPS is implementing Design Improvement for Equity at all district-managed high schools by the 2022-23 school year ..." (Facebook)
• City and County of Denver Government: "Denver has invested $5.5 million with the goal of less kids going hungry. This money funds 20 new projects that will address youth food insecurity in Denver..." (Facebook)
• Denver Art Museum: "This mural in the newly reopened Martin Building titled "I Invent It, My Hands Draw A Cloud" is by local creatives Emily Hope Dobkin and Olive Moya. The community contributed more than 700 photos that Dobkin and Moya compiled ..." (Facebook)

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Events:

• Save 15 Percent On Boo-tiful Flowers This Halloween! (Oct. 31)
• Social Security Seminar (AM & PM) (Nov. 2)
• Becoming A Millionaire Through Apartment Investing (Nov. 2)
• Psychic Medium John Edward live in Denver (Nov. 7)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (Nov. 8)
• Dakota Ridge Soccer Indoor Clinic/Tournament (Nov. 14)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you around. If you're liking these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Amber Fisher

About me: I'm a Patch editor covering news in Denver's metro area and Boulder. I've spent the past nine years working for various news outlets across North America, including Chicago Patch, Global News and WBEZ. I've covered high-profile court cases, civil rights abuses, mass shootings, natural disasters and major crimes — but also countless happy news stories about kindness, innovation and resilience. When I'm not writing articles, I can be found hiking, snowboarding, debating politics with my husband and attempting to be a sci-fi and astronomy geek.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Denver Daily? I'm all ears. You can email me at amber.fisher@patch.com.