The Denver Public Schools Foundation (DPS Foundation) proudly announces it will assume leadership of My Spark Denver, a transformative program originally created by the City and County of Denver, Mile High United Way, and Gary Community Ventures to increase access to afterschool and extracurricular activities for middle school students.
Launched as a pilot program in 2023, My Spark Denver provides eligible DPS middle schoolers who qualify for free or reduced lunch with $1,000 per year on a My Spark Card — allowing families to choose from over 200 local programs including sports, arts, dance, tutoring, and STEM. By putting funds directly in families’ hands, the program removes financial barriers, promotes positive youth development, and allows parents to invest in the experiences that matter most to their children.
“We are honored to continue the incredible work started by the City of Denver, Mile High United Way, and Gary Community Ventures,” said Sara Hazel, President & CEO of DPS Foundation. “My Spark aligns perfectly with DPS Foundation’s mission to increase opportunity and access for all DPS students, particularly those who have been historically underserved. Together, we’re helping young people ignite their passions, explore new interests, and thrive beyond the classroom.”
Since its launch, My Spark Denver has already shown a powerful impact:
80 percent of participating youth say they feel more connected to adults and friendships with peers
Families report stronger engagement, with 14 percent more adults always knowing where their child is after school
Students show increases in self-confidence, physical activity, and a reduction in screen time
Local enrichment providers, especially in underserved neighborhoods, have seen boosts in enrollment and revenue
“My Spark Denver helps working families access and choose the types of enrichment activities that set kids up for success, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Santhosh Ramdoss, President and CEO of Gary Community Ventures. “At Gary, we incubate bold solutions that meet real community needs and then partner with organizations that can steward those solutions for long-term success and greater impact. With its proximity to kids and families, the DPS Foundation is the ideal partner to ensure My Spark can impact even more kids well into the future.’
With approximately 11,500 eligible middle schoolers in DPS, the DPS Foundation expects to serve between 25-35 percent of eligible students annually under the updated program structure. Families can learn more or apply at mysparkdenver.org.
For many years in Pueblo, the start of school usually followed the last day of the State Fair. Those days are over. The new school year begins for Pueblo School District 60, Tuesday, August 19th. It will also begin with a new superintendent and one unforeseen challenge.
Dr. Barbara Kimzey begins her tenure in southern Colorado’s largest school district. Kimzey comes to Pueblo from Norfolk, Virginia, where she was Chief Schools Officer for Norfolk schools.
In Pueblo, Kimzey will be responsible for more than 14,000 students and slightly more than 2,400 teachers, staff and administrators.
Kimzey was selected last May after a nationwide search and given a three-year contract. She succeeds Charlotte Macaluso who retired last June and who’d served as superintendent for the past eight years. Kimzey’s first official day as superintendent was July 1st.
As she settled into her new job, Kimzey told KOAA-TV News that one of her highest priorities is to stem the chronic issue of truancy. “We can’t teach them if they’re not at school,” she said. Students cannot learn “if they’re not in school.”
Solving or, at least, improving the truancy rate is just one challenge Pueblo and schools across the country are facing. Another is addressing the colossal blow caused by the pandemic. Despite school’s best efforts, including providing tablets and hotspots for connecting, many students simply failed to maintain a reliable connection. No district in the country escaped the calamity caused by COVID
One unanticipated challenge Kimzey and District 60 will be dealing with is the closure of Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy. The school, which had operated as a charter for the past 25 years, was shuttered for, among other things, “failing to meet progress toward achievement and failing to meet accepted standards of fiscal management.”
An appeal by the school was rejected. The school which served an estimated 370 K-12 students had been under scrutiny for similar reasons for a number of years.
It is unclear where all of the CHPA students will begin in the fall, but in a statement released by District 60, it stated that it will assist families and students “throughout this process.”
Over the course of her more than three decades in education, Kimzey has been a classroom teacher and assistant principal and principal before moving into administration. As a classroom teacher, Kimzey taught both English and German. She has also worked in Texas, North Carolina and Virginia.
To prepare for the start of the new school year, District 60 is offering an array of activities for students. On August 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.at Dutch Clark Stadium, a district news release announced a free giveaway for student supplies, free haircuts, face painting, information booths for students and families in need of information on activities and resources. Students, the release said, will also have the chance “to show their commitment to success by signing the pledge to miss no more than three school days” this school year.
Pueblo School District 60 operates 29 district schools and departments.
Denver International Airport (DEN) is moving forward immediately to identify private sector resources to help build the necessary infrastructure for further development of the land surrounding the airport.
“DEN has successfully built several key developments, including the Westin Hotel and the Final Approach, with several more breaking ground in the coming months, but we want to accelerate our efforts, and we need the horizontal infrastructure, such as water and sewer lines, electrical, roads and fiber optic cable, in place to do so and to do so now,” DEN CEO Phil Washington said.
DEN is working with a financial firm to assist in determining financial needs, defining the terms of the Request for Proposals (RFP); interviewing the market to understand the landscape; and suggesting a structure for a financing deal. Their work is expected to take six to eight months to complete, at which point an RFP will be shared with the market and bids will be accepted.
DEN Real Estate, in collaboration with Greenwood CRE, will host a virtual Industry Day webinar on Thursday, November 13th. Real estate developers, investors, construction and infrastructure firms will have the opportunity to learn more about development opportunities at DEN and connect with leaders in commercial real estate and Aerotropolis development. Interested businesses in the infrastructure industry are encouraged to contact Ken Cope, Senior Vice President of DEN Real Estate Development, at ken.cope@flydenver.com.
Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) has confirmed the first plague case of the year in a domestic cat located in Evergreen near Cub Creek Park. This is the first confirmed plague case in an animal in Jefferson County since 2023. The cat did not survive the illness.
Plague is a disease caused by a bacteria called Yersinia pestis. People and pets can get it from flea bites or direct contact with infected animals. While human cases of plague are rare, it can be life-threatening without prompt treatment. Plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics if caught early. Symptoms in humans may include sudden high fever, chills, headache, nausea and swollen lymph nodes. In pets, symptoms can include fever, low energy, loss of appetite and swollen lymph nodes.
“It’s not uncommon to see a few animal cases of plague in the warmer months in Colorado,” said Jim Rada, Jefferson County Environmental Health Director. “Like with this case, sometimes our local veterinarians are the first to see plague when our pets get sick. In many ways, they are a first line of defense both in helping keep our pets safe from fleas that could make our pets sick and in treating them if they are exposed to plague.”
Reduce the risk of plague for yourself and your pets:
Stay away from wild animals.
Never touch sick or dead animals.
Keep pets on a leash and away from wildlife.
Don’t let pets roam freely outside.
Talk to your vet about flea prevention for pets.
Watch for signs of illness in pets and seek veterinary care right away if needed.
If you feel sick, see a healthcare provider.
Anyone who is concerned that they have been exposed to plague or have symptoms should contact their healthcare provider right away. If there is concern that a pet has been exposed or has symptoms, residents should contact their veterinarian as soon as possible.
For more information about plague, visit our website or call Jefferson County Public Health at 303-232-6301.
President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics. The Executive Order establishes a task force to lead Federal coordination for the Olympic events, comprised of members of President Trump’s cabinet and key government agencies.
Colorado Governor
Governor Polis and the Global Business Development Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that Raven Space Systems (Raven), a 3D printing company that specializes in aerospace-grade composites, has selected Broomfield, Colorado, for its headquarters and manufacturing facility.
Denver Mayor
Mayor Mike Johnston announces DenAI Summit to return. The DenAI Summit, the first major city-led convening of the artificial intelligence (AI) community, today announced its return on Sep. 29-30, 2025, at the Denver Art Museum. The DenAI Summit organization partners include the City and County of Denver, Colorado Technology Association, the DenAI Summit Advisory Board, Range Ventures, Slalom, and Visit Denver.
Officials in Nigeria seized over 1,600 birds at Lagos International Airport. The country said it was its largest wildlife-trafficking bust. Nigeria is a popular transit hub for ivory, pangolin scales, and other wildlife products. The birds are now set to be handed over to the National Parks Service for rehabilitation before being released into the wild.
Rwanda agrees to take hundreds of migrants
Rwanda government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the country plans to accept up to 250 migrants from the United States. The migrants will be given workforce training, health care, and other accommodations, Makolo said. The Untied States has yet to comment on the deal but said it’s constantly talking to countries willing to take migrants.
Asia
Thousands of mosquito-born virus reported in China
At least 7,000 cases of a mosquito-born viruses have been reported in China’s Guangdong province the past month. The virus is spread through infected mosquito bites and can cause fever and severe joint pain. This type of infection is rare in China but common in other parts of the world like South and Southeast Asia and parts of Africa.
Dozens missing in India from flash floods
Rescue operations are under way in India’s Uttarakhand state as dozens of people remain missing after a cloudburst triggered flash flooding. At least 100 people are missing, and one person has died. Cloudbursts involve an extreme downpour of rain over a small area in a short amount of time.
Europe
Former Romanian president passes
Ion Illiescu, who served as Romania’s president from 1990-1996 and 2000-2004, has passed away at the age of 95. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in early June. Illiescu became the country’s first freely elected president. In 1989, he was accused of crimes against humanity over the violent revolt to topple Romania’s previous leadership. Prosecutors indicted him in 2018 for his role in the 1989 revolution, but charges were eventually dropped.
Wildfire spreads in France
Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes in southern France because of a massive wildfire. Meanwhile, an elderly woman died in her home, and one person remains missing. The fire started on August 5 and burned more than 50 square miles of land.
Latin America
Nine people missing in Haiti after kidnapping
Authorities in Haiti are searching for nine people, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, who were kidnapped from an orphanage. Local leaders said the attack on the orphanage was planned. Haitian media reported that gang members are believed to be responsible for the attack.
Mexican prosecutor shot and killed
Ernesto Cuitlahuac Vasquez Reyna, a federal prosecutor who worked in Mexico’s Tamaulipas state, was killed in a drive-by shooting. Authorities are still investigating the attack, but early reports suggest the incident may have been linked to organized criminal gangs. Tamaulipas Governor Americo Villareal condemned the attack in a social media post and offered to help the Attorney General’s Office and Mexico’s Government in “the search for justice and the construction of peace.”
North America
U.S. cancels $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccines
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is set to cancel $500 million in funding for vaccine development to fight viruses like the flu and COVID-19. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy , Jr. said mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits. He added that the department will use the funding for “safer, broader vaccine platforms.”
Man arrested, accused of killing four people and abandoning baby
Police in Tennessee have arrested a man who is suspected of killing members of his girlfriend’s family and leaving a baby abandoned in front of a stranger’s home. The man, Austin Robert Drummond, was on the run for a week before he was arrested. Officials have yet to release a motive, and the baby is safe and being cared for.
In August of 2013, six young kids posed in front of University Hall on the University of Denver campus for LaVozColorado’s Education Edition. Twelve years later, August of 2025, they came together to recreate the photo as they prepare for college and other future endeavors.
Left to right: Chloe, Roman, Gianna, Brooklyn, DeAndres and Caleb Photo courtesy: LaVozColoradoLeft to right: Chloe, Roman, Gianna, Brooklyn, DeAndres and Caleb Photo courtesy: LaVozColorado Staff
One of the most interesting political races in the country is shaping up just a few hundred miles from Denver. While it currently features a handful of candidates, some better known than others, one name stands out.
Photo courtesy: State of New Mexico
That name belongs to former New Mexico Congresswoman and Cabinet Secretary Deb Haaland. Haaland is a Democrat. Among the other names are a district attorney, mayor and an assortment of local elected officials. Of the six declared candidates, three are Democrat, three are Republican.
Haaland’s story is as interesting as any candidate’s, not just in the New Mexico race, but as interesting as any in the nation. It is a tale strung on an irrepressible cable that has supported both amazing highs and heart wrenching lows.
Haaland, 64, is an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo Nation, one of New Mexico’s 23 recognized tribal nations. Her native pride is underscored in both her everyday deportment and her desire to help so many others who have walked the same bumpy roads as her.
It would not be hard to imagine her life story, with its amazing arcs and equally dramatic lows, one day being made into a movie.
Haaland’s story contains chapters that include homelessness and alcoholism; living on food stamps and earning a law degree; running New Mexico’s second largest casino; leading the state’s Democratic Party; winning a congressional seat; sitting in a Presidential Cabinet meeting. And doing it all as a single mother.
Haaland, who became sober after enrolling in college in 1988, became active in politics as a volunteer in John Kerry’s 2004 presidential run. She has not stopped since, working on Barack Obama’s campaigns along with a number of local and state races, as well. She ran unsuccessfully for New Mexico Lieutenant Governor in 2014.
But it was in 2018 when Haaland’s political career really took off. She won the state’s 1st Congressional District race, an area that encompasses Albuquerque and its suburbs. She pinned her Campaign on clean energy—a plank that did not endear her to her state’s oil and gas industry—health care for all and immigration reform. Her win, along with Kansas Republican Sharice Davids, was historic. The pair were the first Native American women to serve in Congress.
In the 116th Congress, Haaland won the distinction of being the freshman whose name appeared as co-sponsor on the largest number of bills. She also became the first Native American woman to preside at the U.S. House of Representatives.
A month before taking the oath of office, then President-elect Joe Biden announced that he would be nominating Haaland as his Secretary of the Interior. His choice in Haaland was endorsed by Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Elizabeth Warren. Haaland also received the endorsement of Republicans Don Warren and Oklahoma’s Tom Cole, a member of his state’s Chickasaw Nation.
Despite serving only a single term in the House, Haaland earned the respect of numerous House colleagues. Following Haaland’s confirmation where she wore native clothing and jewelry, Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, one of the current leading Democratic voices in the body, gushed over the Haaland selection.
“Congratulations to my beloved colleague Deb Haaland,” he said. While no longer in ‘the people’s House,’ Raskin said, “You will be the people’s voice as our new Interior Secretary.” He called her selection “a breakthrough appointment for America.”
At Interior, Haaland underscored her continued commitment to moving forward on one of every Indian nation’s most vexing and painful realities, the ongoing horror of missing and murdered indigenous women.
Another of Haaland’s imperatives as Secretary of the Interior was lifting the veil on the federal government’s abusive Indian Boarding School program that began in the late 19th century and continued through the mid-part of the 20th century. The program called for removing Native children from their homes and families and placing them in government run boarding schools.
The schools focused on indoctrinating Native children on an ‘American’ way of living that meant erasing native languages and customs. There were hundreds of these schools across the country, including five in Colorado, one of which is Fort Lewis College in Durango.
Investigations into the histories of these schools have documented countless chapters of forced labor, physical abuse and deaths of these young students. Returning the remains of these children continues to be an ongoing battle.
New Mexico’s primary election is set for June 2, 2026. While it is still nearly a year off, Haaland leads her rivals in both money raised and significant endorsements. She has reported more than $3 million in the bank, with her closest rival, Bernalillo County DA Sam Bregman, next with just over a million raised.
Haaland has earned endorsements from most of the state’s elected Democratic legislators and a number of former state legislators. She has also gotten the backing of a number of mayors and elected local officials from across the state.
One endorsement she has not received is that from current New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who by law cannot seek another term. Traditionally sitting governors withhold endorsements until after the primary election. But Haaland has gotten ringing endorsements from former House colleagues and the state’s senior Senator, Ben Ray Lujan.
Haaland, said Lujan, “knows the challenges that New Mexicans face because she’s lived them.” He also said he worked with her as Interior Secretary and that “she has what it takes to continue meeting the demands of the state’s highest office. “Deb Haaland knows the challenges that New Mexicans face because she’s lived them. I’ve worked with her up close when she served in Congress and as America’s first Native American Cabinet Secretary…she has what it takes to continue delivering for New Mexico.”
If Haaland wins her party’s nomination and goes on to win the November 2026 election, she would become New Mexico’s first Native American governor in the state’s 113 year history.
From the Publisher: El Museo de las Americas has provided cultural and arts events throughout its history. The museum brings a new summer exhibit to Denver’s community in a few weeks. Please consider attending and possibly donating to this valuable nonprofit.
Museo de las Americas is announces their Summer POP-UP exhibition: “Museo es tu Casa / Museo is your Home,” on view August 21st through September 21st, 2025. This show features 18 Latinx and Chicanx artists who were selected through Museo’s open-call-to-art exhibition process. Museo es tu Casa is a visual arts showcase for reflection, exploration and artistic expression recognizing the diverse contributions of Colorado artists through a lens of hospitality. The free opening reception will be held on August 21, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Museo de las Americas.
As a community museum that promotes the diverse arts and cultures of Latin America, this exhibition serves as an early welcoming celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. In the spirit of hospitality, Museo opens its doors as the home (la casa) through an open call-for-art to host artists and their artwork. Latinx and Chicanx Colorado-based artists of all levels were invited to submit artwork that engages and explores the concept of hospitality in Latin American culture. The artworks went through an “open call for art” selection process by the museum’s advisory committee and is curated by Museo’s Exhibitions Manager.
The selected artworks bring about the artists’ personal journeys and relationship with hospitality. Their work, ranging from paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media and found objects, convey the multiple dynamics in which hospitality can be perceived and shared—from the interpersonal and intimate to the communal and celebratory. Within them, layered connections to the earth, its resources, food, family, generosity and faith can be experienced.
Featured Artists: Alfredo J. Cárdenas, Amanda López, Anthony LeCombe, Frank Zamora, Gabriela Carrión, Jaime Chihuan, Kimberly Nick Gutierrez, Lupita Borjas, Lupita Jimenez, Mariana Pereira Vieira, Martha Saavedra, Maurilio Tapia, Norberto Mojardin, Odalis Canchola, Romelia Carrillo, Rosa Nájera, Ruth Álvarez Luna, and Tony Ortega.
Event information
Opening Reception: August 21, 2025 – 6:00 p.m.
Exhibition Dates: August 21 – September 21, 2025
Location: Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204
The Broncos are in the Bay Area this weekend to face the San Francisco 49ers in their first preseason game.
The Broncos have had a successful training camp up to this point with both offense and defense making remarkable plays. Bo Nix, specifically has gained the praise of head coach Sean Payton going as far as saying, “He’s going to be one of the top four or five quarterbacks in the league the next two years,” adding, “That’s what we’re seeing right now. He doesn’t take sacks. He’s got exceptional arm strength.
At Monday’s practice, coach Payton made it clear that he plans to play his starters in Sunday’s game saying this, “There’s this feeling that, ‘Oh if I practice them a bunch, then I’m not gonna play them in a game.’ We’re playing guys in the game.”
There’s a different kind of buzz around the city of Denver as the regular season quickly approaches. The optimism is palpable with fans praising how mature their second year quarterback has grown since his successful rookie season.
Sunday’s game will be played at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California at 6:30 MST.
In other news the Colorado Rockies have reached 30 wins with less than two months left in the season. On Friday the Rockies achieved a wild comeback after trailing 7 runs in just the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates, eventually winning on a walk-off homer, 17-16.
The following day they were able to beat the Pirates again, 8-5, however; the Rockies fell short of the sweep losing to Pittsburgh 9-5 on Sunday in game three.
On Monday the Rockies kicked off a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays getting walloped 15-1 at home. The Rockies finish the three-game series Wednesday (results of games two and three not available at the time of this writing) before heading to Arizona to face the Diamondbacks over the weekend.
The Leagues Cup kicked off at the end of July with the Colorado Rapids defeating Santos Laguna 2-1 but losing to Club Tijuana 2-1 on Sunday. This Thursday the Rapids will face Cruz Azul Matchday 3 of 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
The Rapids have dropped to 9th in the Western Conference Standings 16 points behind the conference-leading San Diego FC.
