How rogue officers stay on the job in Colorado

1 big thing: How rogue officers stay on the job

Swearing in former officer Christopher Valko, left. Photo courtesy of Parker Police Department 

2. 👀 Scoop: Hancock launches consulting biz

3. 😎 Glimpse into upscale cannabis club

4. Mile Highlights: Rent inches higher

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Stay booked and busy

Aurora native Caleb Hahne Quintana's paintings on exhibit at Art Basel

5. 🎨 Local artist featured at Art Basel

❄️ Today's weather: Winter returns (boo!).  One to 3 inches of snow possible, with highs near 42.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Denver member Gretchen Rosenberg!

Today's newsletter is 926 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🍺 John is interested in this Holiday beer fest at Hops & Pie this weekend.

🍸 Alayna is heading to Hazel on South Pearl Street for happy hour with friends.

☕ Esteban loved the whiskey barrel-aged cold brew from Frank and Roze.

Thanks to our editor Ross Terrell and copy editor Bill Kole.

Denver

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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Denver.

Axios Denver

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1 big thing: Denver marks a year since influx of migrants

Photo illustration collage of the Denver County Courthouse next to migrants at a makeshift shelter in Denver, CO. 

In her own words: Elijah McClain's mother, Sheneen, says injustice persists

2. Elijah McClain's mother: Injustice persists

Carrie Olson picked as next Denver school board president

3. Carrie Olson picked as Denver school board president

Denver school board president Carrie Olson, center, during a meeting in August. Photo: Andy Cross/Denver Post via Getty Images

4. Mile Highlights: Boulder makes Fodor's travel list

The Flatirons near Boulder. Photo: Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post

5. 🏈 Broncos lose in a heartbreaker

It's Monday, let's go. The end of the year is drawing near.

Today's weather: The warmup begins. Mostly sunny and breezy with highs near 58.

🏆 You could attend our Axios Denver Power Players reception on 12/13! Join us as a member by Wednesday and you could be one of the 10 lucky members to win a pair of tickets to this event celebrating impactful Denver leaders.

Existing members are automatically entered. Rules apply.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Denver member June Jose!

Today's newsletter is 907 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🍻 John is excited to hear Denver's Bruz Beers won gold in a European beer competition for its Belgian-style Flanders sour aged on Palisade peaches.

🥒 Alayna needs (yes, needs) everyone to follow Outside Pizza on Insta because they promised to serve their seasonal pickle pizza all year if they gain 10K followers by Dec. 31!!

🤠 Esteban is listening to this new song by Grupo Frontera and Carin Leon. 

1 big thing: Supreme Court skeptical of fight to block Trump from ballot

Former President Donald Trump campaigns Saturday in Ankeny, Iowa. Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

2. 📚 Denver Public Library staff's favorite reads

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3. Office building converted to housing

4. Mile Highlights: Rail line gets federal funding

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New jobs to check out

5. 📉 1 chart to go: Colorado emissions

✡️ Good Thursday morning — and Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate!

Today's weather: Sunny and breezy with a high of 66. Enjoy it, because snow arrives tomorrow.

⚖️ Situational awareness: The trial of two paramedics in the death of Elijah McClain is on hold until tomorrow after one juror reportedly may have COVID, 9News reports.

Today's newsletter is 852 words — a 3-minute read.

🎿 John is interested in the Out & Back Outdoor used gear sale today in Denver.

😋 Alayna is sharing Jewish cooking star Joan Nathan's go-to Hanukkah latke recipe in this Axios story.

🤔 Esteban wants to know if Santiago's breakfast burritos have gotten bigger.

1 big thing: Slowing and uneven job growth ahead in Colorado

2. Denver's new housing chief's plans

3. 🔥 CU women off to hot start

4. Mile Highlights: Toy drive for migrants

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Take your career to the next level

5. 🌭 The Easy Vegan ventures into veggie dogs

Happy Tuesday, neighbors. It's Colorado Gives Day.

Today's weather: Sunny skies, with a high near 60.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Denver member Kelly Wiley!

Today's newsletter is 918 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🛻 John is reading this Outside magazine story about increasing numbers of off-road rescues.

🦴 Alayna is excited to have discovered Luke & Company Fine Pet Supply & Outfitter, her new go-to for natural dog food, treats and toys.

👐🏽 Esteban is reading this thoughtful 5280 story on making friends as an adult. 

1 big thing: "Excited delirium" diagnosis cut from police training

Illustration of an emergency siren with a health symbol as the light. 

Workforce-ready students should be priority over college prep, Colorado says

2. 💼 Prioritizing workforce readiness

3. City to buy Post building as part of new push

4. Mile Highlights: Home listings up in Denver

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5. 🎅 Best new holiday movies, in 5 words or less

Today's weather: Hang the holiday lights — it'll be nice out. Sunny with highs near 69.

❗️It's the last day to win tickets to our Axios Denver Power Players reception on 12/13 featuring Gov. Jared Polis. Mingle with local power brokers, enjoy free food and drinks and meet us!

Sign up as a member before the day ends to be considered. Rules apply.

Today's newsletter is 904 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🍺 John is joining Cerebral Brewing's new Study Club.

🎄 Alayna is loving her little Christmas tree she picked up from Everitt Farms in Lakewood.

🎧 Esteban is reading Pitchfork's The 100 Best Songs of 2023.

FetchError

Finishing touches are being put on the first Colorado location of Texas-based Buc-ee's ahead of its scheduled March opening, but it was a bit of a bumpy ride to get here.

Driving the news: The colossal, cult-favorite convenience store chain — known for its tidy bathrooms, beef jerky walls and buck-toothed mascot — is now hiring 400 employees to staff the 74,000-square-foot store just off of Interstate 25 in Johnstown, between Fort Collins and Greeley.

The Colorado move is part of the empire's continued expansion from its existing 58 stores across Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Yes, but: Bringing those buck teeth to the Centennial State — the northernmost and westernmost point within the company's footprint — has presented new challenges, Buc-ee's general counsel Jeff Nadalo tells Axios Denver.

First have been the unpredictable weather conditions.

Then were the "unique engineering feats" required to adjust for water drainage from the mountains, Nadalo says.

A wall of beef jerky at Buc-ee's. Photo: William DeShazer/The Washington Post via Getty Images

What to watch: If openings of other Buc-ee's locations are any indication, expect die-hard fans to start lining up outside the doors days in advance, Nadalo tells us.

Of note: No other Colorado locations are in the works as of yet, but "we're always looking at new sites," he says.

Colorado's first Buc-ee's location to open in March

But bringing those buck teeth to the Centennial State has presented "unique" challenges.

A Buc-ee's convenience store in Katy, Texas. Photo: Craig Moseley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Finishing touches are being put on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first Colorado location of Texas-based Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/02/09/texas-bucees-gas-station-first-colorado-location" data-vars-content-id="08c5c073-c898-407e-a47a-3ab57f6fba3a" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s first Buc-ee&#x27;s location to open in March" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/02/09/texas-bucees-gas-station-first-colorado-location" target="_self">first Colorado location of Texas-based Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> ahead of its scheduled March opening, but it was a bit of a bumpy ride to get here.Driving the news: The colossal, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cult-favorite" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80oyG1Vl1Vc" data-vars-content-id="08c5c073-c898-407e-a47a-3ab57f6fba3a" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s first Buc-ee&#x27;s location to open in March" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80oyG1Vl1Vc" target="_blank">cult-favorite</a> convenience store chain — known for its tidy bathrooms, beef jerky walls and buck-toothed mascot — is now hiring 400 employees to staff the 74,000-square-foot store just off of Interstate 25 in Johnstown, between Fort Collins and Greeley.

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Axios Denver, anchored by John Frank and Alayna Alvarez, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.

Aurora native Caleb Hahne Quintana is showing his Southwestern-inspired paintings at Art Basel this year.

Why it matters: The art fair, which marks 21 years in Miami and opens to the public Friday, is the largest and one of the most influential in the world. It features 277 galleries from dozens of countries.

Details: Among Hahne Quintana has at least three oil paintings at the festival — "The Hand Whispers History," "Poem of the Plains" and "How Many Times Have I Given My Hand My Head To Hold?" — displayed in Anat Ebgi's gallery exhibit.

His intimate portraits tend to blend realism with fantasy and highlight the expansive landscape of the American West using rich, contrasting colors.

The oil painting, "How Many Times Have I Given My Hand My Head To Hold?" by Caleb Hahne Quintana, displayed at Art Basel on Dec. 8 in Miami. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios

Driving the news: The Brooklyn-based artist has quickly become one of the most-buzzed-about emerging talents on display at Art Basel.

This month, an "art-world insider" told Vogue that Hahne Quintana was one of the top two artists to see, and Culture Magazine named him one of six artists not to miss at the fair.

Meanwhile, Nylon magazine listed him among the art world's 10 "most exciting" up-and-coming painters.

Between the lines: Hahne Quintana, whose work has been featured at the Denver Art Museum, uses his medium to reclaim his Mexican heritage and honor the stories of his ancestors.

Of note: His solo exhibition "Aurora," inspired by his hometown, was featured last year at Anat Ebgi Gallery in Los Angeles.

How Many Times Have I Given My Hand My Head To Hold?

The Brooklyn-based artist has quickly become one of the most-buzzed-about emerging talents at the fair.

The scene during Art Basel Miami Beach's VIP Preview at the Miami Convention Center on Wednesday. Photo: Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Aurora native <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Caleb Hahne Quintana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/c.hahnequintana/" data-vars-content-id="85b0b0c7-e191-4426-8e07-3e3be6ed743a" data-vars-headline="Aurora native Caleb Hahne Quintana&#x27;s paintings on exhibit at Art Basel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/c.hahnequintana/" target="_blank">Caleb Hahne Quintana</a> is showing his Southwestern-inspired paintings at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Art Basel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/12/04/art-week-fairs-art-basel-2023-guide-planner" data-vars-content-id="85b0b0c7-e191-4426-8e07-3e3be6ed743a" data-vars-headline="Aurora native Caleb Hahne Quintana&#x27;s paintings on exhibit at Art Basel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/12/04/art-week-fairs-art-basel-2023-guide-planner" target="_self">Art Basel</a> this year.Why it matters: The art fair, which marks 21 years in Miami and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opens to the public Friday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/12/08/art-basel-things-to-do-guide-parking-south-beach" data-vars-content-id="85b0b0c7-e191-4426-8e07-3e3be6ed743a" data-vars-headline="Aurora native Caleb Hahne Quintana&#x27;s paintings on exhibit at Art Basel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/12/08/art-basel-things-to-do-guide-parking-south-beach" target="_self">opens to the public Friday</a>, is the largest and one of the most influential in the world. It <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="features 277 galleries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.artbasel.com/miami-beach/exhibitors#138284" data-vars-content-id="85b0b0c7-e191-4426-8e07-3e3be6ed743a" data-vars-headline="Aurora native Caleb Hahne Quintana&#x27;s paintings on exhibit at Art Basel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.artbasel.com/miami-beach/exhibitors#138284" target="_blank">features 277 galleries</a> from dozens of countries.

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Culture

The Easy Vegan — a queer-owned, plant-based pop-up kitchen in Denver and recent winner of a Food Network competition — is cooking up a new concept.

Driving the news: Last weekend, Easy Vegan co-founders Taylor Herbert and Alexi Mandolini soft-launched The Other Dog, a sister business that will sling vegan hot dogs and real Italian ice.

The team plans on hard-launching as early as spring, complete with a fixed hot dog cart and other pop-ups around town, they announced on social media at the end of November.

Why it matters: Although you can find meat-free hot dogs across the city, few spots specialize in them.

What they're saying: Herbert and Mandolini "wanted to focus on one or two things and focus on doing them well," the couple said in a statement.

😋 My thought bubble: I was lucky enough to try the loaded potato dog, with crispy fried potatoes, creamy Sriracha aioli and garlicky sour cream before they sold out on Sunday. As a pescatarian, it can be hard to find a good, veggie-friendly dog — but this checked all the boxes for me.

My husband, a Chicago native, aptly opted for the Chicago dog, complete with yellow mustard, sport peppers, celery salt and a poppy seed bun. He said it tasted like home — aside from the bun, which wasn't steamed in traditional fashion.

The Easy Vegan is venturing into veggie dogs

Although you can find meat-free hot dogs across the city, few spots specialize in them.

The Chicago dog and loaded potato dog from The Other Dog. Photo: Alayna Alvarez/Axios

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Easy Vegan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theeasyvegandenver.com/" data-vars-content-id="91fdd1ba-fe12-46de-8574-6a00ee253ed1" data-vars-headline="The Easy Vegan is venturing into veggie dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theeasyvegandenver.com/" target="_blank">The Easy Vegan</a> — a queer-owned, plant-based pop-up kitchen in Denver and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent winner of a Food Network competition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/01/the-easy-vegan-denver-wins-great-food-truck-race-food-network" data-vars-content-id="91fdd1ba-fe12-46de-8574-6a00ee253ed1" data-vars-headline="The Easy Vegan is venturing into veggie dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/01/the-easy-vegan-denver-wins-great-food-truck-race-food-network" target="_self">recent winner of a Food Network competition</a> — is cooking up a new concept.Driving the news: Last weekend, Easy Vegan co-founders Taylor Herbert and Alexi Mandolini soft-launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Other Dog" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/otherdogdenver/" data-vars-content-id="91fdd1ba-fe12-46de-8574-6a00ee253ed1" data-vars-headline="The Easy Vegan is venturing into veggie dogs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/otherdogdenver/" target="_blank">The Other Dog</a>, a sister business that will sling vegan hot dogs and real Italian ice.

Food and Drink

"Excited delirium" — a controversial medical term commonly used by first responders — will soon be banned across Colorado law enforcement agencies.

What it means: The term is applied to diagnose suspects who appear to be acutely distressed, hyperactive or aggressive during police encounters.

Why it matters: Excited delirium — which police have used to assert that suspects possessed "superhuman strength" — has been criticized by advocates as racially motivated, unscientific and a way to get officers off the hook for a death on their watch.

It's also playing a central role in the ongoing trial of two Aurora paramedics charged in the death of Elijah McClain.

Driving the news: This month, the state's Peace Officers Standards and Training board unanimously made the decision to ban state-mandated excited delirium training for all officers.

That means, starting in 2024, no law enforcement member can use the term in an official capacity or train on the diagnosis.

The board also voted to wipe "cocaine psychosis" and "sudden in-custody death" from all training documents, CPR reports.

Of note: Numerous physician groups, including the National Association of Medical Examiners, have taken a stand against the diagnosis.

Zoom in: Aurora paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec are accused of deviating from the standard protocols in August 2019, when they fatally injected McClain with ketamine after diagnosing him with the condition.

Aurora police officers, who arrived first on the scene, had told the two paramedics McClain was exhibiting "crazy" strength.

McClain stopped breathing shortly after and died days later.

By the numbers: Across the U.S., more than 225 deaths at the hands of law enforcement have been linked to the term since 2010, a 9News investigation found.

Between 2010 and 2020, at least 56% of deaths that occurred in police custody and were attributed to excited delirium involved Black and Latino people, a study by Virginia Law Review found.

The big picture: The term has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, pushing local leaders in other parts of the country to take action.

In October, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law prohibiting medical examiners from using the phrase as a cause of death after a fatal police altercation.

In March, the Minneapolis City Council banned excited delirium training in a settlement agreement with the state that forced major policing changes to its embattled police department.

Colorado cuts controversial "excited delirium" diagnosis from law enforcement training

The controversial term will be banned across Colorado law enforcement agencies, starting in 2024.

&quot;Excited delirium&quot; — a controversial medical term commonly used by first responders — will soon be banned across Colorado law enforcement agencies.What it means: The term is applied to diagnose suspects who appear to be acutely distressed, hyperactive or aggressive during police encounters.

Former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, who left office in July after a three-term tenure, is embarking on his next venture as a consultant.

Driving the news: Hancock is launching a company called Hancock Global Services as founder and principal consultant, Axios Denver has learned.

It will provide "executive consulting services" in public affairs advocacy, economic development and more, according to an Instagram account for the company.

Why it matters: In his 12-year term, the former mayor made major connections at the local and national level, and his new business puts him in a position to capitalize on his experience.

The intrigue: Hancock Global was formed in March, four months before he was termed out as chief executive, according to previously unreported records filed with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office.

What he's saying: Hancock declined an interview with Axios Denver about his new venture and client list.

In early 2021, Hancock told us that when his third term ended he would likely take a break from politics "to go enjoy family and life for a while and earn a decent living."

Of note: In his final year as mayor, he earned a salary of $188,429.

Scoop: Former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock launches consulting business

Hancock Global will provide  "executive consulting services" in public affairs advocacy and economic development.

Former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock during his goodbye speech on July 17. Photo: Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="left office in July" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/17/denver-mayor-michael-hancock-exit-farewell-legacy" data-vars-content-id="d56d9f04-d996-46f2-9451-42b8e34fa9b3" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock launches consulting business" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/17/denver-mayor-michael-hancock-exit-farewell-legacy" target="_self">left office in July</a> after a three-term tenure, is embarking on his next venture as a consultant.Driving the news: Hancock is launching a company called Hancock Global Services as founder and principal consultant, Axios Denver has learned.

Alayna Alvarez

Stories

Colorado's first Buc-ee's location to open in March

Aurora native Caleb Hahne Quintana's paintings on exhibit at Art Basel

Scoop: Former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock launches consulting business

Colorado cuts controversial "excited delirium" diagnosis from law enforcement training

The Easy Vegan is venturing into veggie dogs

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