In a recent enforcement operation, ICE agents arrested 243 immigrants without permanent legal status in the Denver Metro area over a nine-day period from July 12 to July 20.
The Office of Homeland Security confirmed these arrests, though only 50 of the individuals’ alleged crimes were disclosed.
These crimes include serious offenses such as assault, theft, and driving under the influence.
Notably, one detainee was wanted for murder, while another faced human trafficking charges.
According to the Colorado Newsline, at least 50 of the arrested individuals are subject to removal orders.
The number of arrests far surpasses the average figures recorded in recent months, where ICE operations in Colorado typically ranged around 104 arrests during similar nine-day intervals from May to June.
In the realm of local culture, the Front Range is buzzing with music enthusiasts as two annual festivals, Rockygrass Fest and the Underground Music Showcase (UMS), began this weekend.
Rockygrass Fest opened its gates in Lyons at 10 AM, showcasing its renowned bluegrass music alongside scenic views of the Saint Vrain Creek, where attendees can enjoy performances while cooling off in the water.
Conversely, the UMS kicked off its festivities this evening at 4 PM in Denver’s Broadway neighborhood, which runs between 6th Avenue and Alameda Avenue.
This year’s UMS, marking its 25th anniversary, celebrates smaller local and regional acts on multiple stages, featuring legacy performances from artists like Devotchka, MF Rukus, and Monica the Great.
While the UMS is still offering some festival passes, Rockygrass has sold out of tickets but has limited campground spots available.
Despite the vibrant festivities, the UMS will conclude this year, as the organizers announced it would be their last iteration of the event.
A conversation with one of UMS’s creators, Jami Duffy, is anticipated to address the reasons behind the closure and discuss the future of local music festivals in Denver.
In political news, U.S. Representative Gabe Evans faced scrutiny after inconsistencies were revealed regarding his grandfather’s immigration history.
Evans has routinely cited his grandfather’s narrative of immigrating legally to the U.S. by serving in the military during World War II as support for stringent border policies promoted by the Trump administration.
However, investigative reports from KUNC indicate that Evans’ grandfather, originally from Mexico, entered the U.S. illegally at the age of five.
He was later arrested by immigration officials at sixteen and faced possible deportation.
Evans has not commented on these revelations but has relied on his Mexican-American heritage while serving Colorado’s Eighth Congressional District, which holds the highest percentage of Latino voters in the state.
Lastly, the Boulder City Council has enacted new procedures for its Open Comment sessions in response to recent disruptions during meetings.
As part of the changes, city council meetings will now begin at 5:30 PM, allowing for a dedicated 45 minutes for public comment, where a random selection of 20 individuals will be permitted to speak.
Following this segment, council members will directly address the comments made before continuing with the formal agenda at 6:30 PM.
In an effort to manage disturbances—including those stemming from discussions related to the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict—the council meetings will now feature audio-only broadcasts during public commentary.
These procedural adjustments come amid broader discussions in other Colorado counties, such as Aurora and Weld County, which have reevaluated their public comment policies due to similar concerns.
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