The Sunriser | Denver workers could finally get bargaining rights

Good morning and happy (primary) Election Day!

We’ve got everything you need to make your voice heard in what is shaping up to be one of the most consequential primaries in years.

So rather than spend much time in this intro distracting you from your democratic duty, here’s a photo of what I think is a double-crested cormorant that was hanging out at Sloan’s Lake last week. Not for any particular reason, just excited that I was carrying a camera with a long lens when I saw it.

A double-crested cormorant dries off on a branch of driftwood at Sloan’s Lake on June 18. (Eric Lubbers, The Colorado Sun)

So let’s spread our wings and fly into some news, shall we?

P.S. Our Democracy Days campaign ends TOMORROW! We are only $2,100 away from meeting our goal of $30,000. Will you help us get there? When you support local journalism, you are supporting the news that helps you make informed decisions about your community. THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far!

A ballot drop-off box is seen Nov. 7 at Windsor Gardens Community Center in Denver. (Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun via Report for America)

You might already know the basics about casting your vote, but just in case, here’s a quick guide to where you need to drop off your ballot (do not put it in the mail today) and a bunch of reading material if you need some context about any of the high profile races. Plus links to follow our reporters on social media as they cover the results tonight. Happy voting!

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Chris Hinds, Denver councilman of District 10, speaks during a news conference Monday at the Denver City and County Building. Attendees called for a ballot measure to extend collective bargaining rights to non-supervisory City and County of Denver employees. (Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun via Report for America)

Park rangers, library employees, trash collectors, social workers and other municipal employees who would gain bargaining rights.

Denver is one of the only major cities in a blue state where city employees do not have collective bargaining rights. Parker Yamasaki digs into the effort to bring those rights to workers in the city, including who is sponsoring the amendment to the city’s charter, how the amendment process works and what effect it would have for the workers it would cover.

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Starting at 11 a.m. today (Tuesday), the Colorado Department of Local Affairs is opening a three-day pre-application process for Colorado residents who have fallen behind on rent and risk eviction. From that pool, applicants will be randomly selected for application and could receive assistance by September. Tatiana Flowers reports on how the process will work and why state leaders say it’s a necessary step to stem an eviction crisis.

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Ouray Police Chief Jeff Wood, pictured in December 2019, after he was hired to lead the department. (Photo courtesy of Ouray County Plaindealer)

What do you want candidates to talk about during the 2024 election as they compete for your vote? Our survey is still open. Tell us what you think!

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Fifteen-year-old Eve and her 13-year-old sister, Vera, have recently lost their father. Now their widowed mom, Jane, a graduate student in paleobiology, has brought them with her on a research trip to Siberia. Ramona Ausubel’s Colorado Book Award finalist “The Last Animal” is built around the idea of using genetic research to recreate an extinct woolly mammoth — but as the excerpt quickly makes clear, the story revolves largely around the dynamics of family.

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One more reminder: You have until 7 p.m. today to drop off your ballot and make your voice heard.

— Eric and the whole staff of The Sun

Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.