5 feel-good Colorado stories from April (plus the biggest headlines)
A woman and two children admire a nurse mural painted on the side of a building on East Colfax Avenue in Denver on April 15, 2020. Photo by David Zalubowski / AP Photonews
There was a lot of news to keep up with – and even more stories that made us feel good about Centennial State.
• April 30, 2020
While you were staying at home, looking after family, preparing meals, homeschooling, working, looking for work, and so much more doing this month, you may not have had time to read all of the big headlines.
Don’t worry, I’m here to recap some of the month’s greatest moments. As I type this, the sun just creeps over the houses in my neighborhood, throwing everything into a new ocher day. At moments like this, it’s easy to both forget our new normal and be grateful for the everyday things like sunrises and really big cups of coffee that familiarize every day at strange times. Up to this point this month, Colorado journalists have come together in an unprecedented collaboration to document one day – April 16 – for a number of Coloradans. The stories that follow Governor Jared Polis and Mayor Michael Hancock, but also pharmacists, flight attendants, medical researchers and others are a historical look at life in the time of COVID-19.
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The news roll
- If you had asked me on January 1st what would be the biggest story of the year, I would have guessed the 2020 election. I would have been wrong, but the elections are still going on and the Colorado Senate race remains a big story. This month both major parties held their state meetings and conventions – virtually. For the Republicans, incumbent Cory Gardner secured his place. Meanwhile, Democrats voted Andrew Romanoff with more than 85 percent of the vote in the State Assembly (he joins John Hickenlooper, who petitioned for the election). But the story of which names will be featured in the main vote isn’t over yet. Colorado Politics reports that several candidates, including Erik Underwood, Diana Bray, Michelle Ferrigno Warren and Lorena Garcia, are suing or suing against the vote.
- During our “lost month,” Polis spent a lot of time explaining, reassuring, and even more explaining, especially when the state announced plans to move from home to safer home. For the latest information on what’s open and what’s not open in Colorado, click here.
- UFO? “Unknown aerial phenomena”? Something to distract you from the COVID-19 news? To discuss.
A couple of things to smile about
- While some of us have mastered sourdough and others are just trying to keep up with the laundry between virtual meetings, David Krause was also busy. The paleontologist at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science helped announce the discovery of the “mad beast” (also known as Adalatherium hui), a Mesozoic mammal (9News). You can learn more about the discovery and the animal during a free Zoom event on May 6th.
- There’s always news about permanent closings (goodbye to Racines!), But LoDo’s the Market’s legendary Spring Fling Cake can persist – if you can make it home thanks to this recipe at Know.
- If you’re like me, the Denver Botanic Gardens spring plant sale is a public holiday (no, really; I take the day off every year). Sales went online this week – orders will be picked up using social distancing techniques in early May – and while it’s not the same as strolling the gardens, it was still great fun. Of course, this is not the only event that goes online. The first Fridays are virtual and other classic Denver events, including the Denver PrideFest (the Know) and the Five Points Jazz Festival (Denverite), will also be online.
- We always knew Denverites were creative, but these days you’re really showing off your talents – from a health care worker mural (FOX31) to neighborhood art shows (7News). Bonus: Here are some ways to get your artistic side going.
- There are so many stories of people giving back right now (go ahead!), But Nick Groke’s (the Athletic) account of how the Colorado Rockies and Kroenke Sports gave pallets of toilet paper to the Denver Rescue Mission is uplifting read .
(MORE: Read last month’s ICYMI)
Natasha Gardner
Natasha Gardner is a Denver-based writer and former article editor for 5280.
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