In Colorado, significant developments are unfolding as workers at the Safeway grocery chain continue their strike, which has now entered its second week.
This strike has recently expanded to include the Boulder store located at Iris Avenue and 28th Street, making it the first store in Boulder County to join the walkout.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union is leading the strike, emphasizing key issues such as staffing levels, wages, and protections for worker health benefits.
Currently, the strike encompasses at least two stores in Denver along with locations in Lakewood and Aurora.
A store in Colorado Springs has also joined the strike, and union representatives indicate that more stores may be added to the list of participating locations, although specific ones have not yet been identified by the union.
Contract negotiations resumed last week following the initiation of the strike, but discussions broke off after a few days, revealing ongoing tensions between the union and Safeway with no new talks scheduled as of now.
In a different sector, Denver Public Schools has reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with the teachers’ union after what has been described as a “marathon” 18-hour bargaining session.
This agreement follows months of intensive negotiations and provides educators with three $1,000 cost-of-living increases along with a one-time $1,000 bonus for the current year.
Furthermore, the contract mandates that classrooms exceeding 30 students will be reported to the class size committee beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, addressing a critical issue for educators.
The new contract will now proceed to the union members for ratification; pending their approval, it will be reviewed by the Denver Public Schools Board of Education for final approval.
On the legislative front, a recent decision in Congress has resulted in the removal of a provision from the Republican budget bill that would have mandated the sale of millions of acres of public lands, including over 14 million acres in Colorado.
The provision was eliminated after a ruling from the Senate Parliamentarian determined that the potential sale did not comply with the bill’s guidelines.
Conservation groups have hailed this ruling as a significant victory in the ongoing effort to protect public lands, strengthening the call to keep these areas in public ownership.
Following the ruling, Colorado’s Democratic Representative Joe Neguse asserted on social media that Democrats will utilize all available resources to safeguard public lands against future threats.
In a separate development concerning social services, the city of Denver has decided to extend its contract with the Salvation Army for the Crossroads homeless shelter, following a split vote among city council members.
The approved contract, worth $4.5 million, will ensure continued operations for the shelter throughout 2025.
Supporters of the contract extension argued that it was crucial for the shelter’s survival, with the director of Denver’s Department of Housing Stability stating that it would be exceptionally challenging to maintain operations without this funding.
However, some city council members expressed concerns about the Salvation Army’s ability to effectively manage the shelter, especially in light of ongoing scrutiny and notable incidents, such as a recent sexual assault charge involving an employee at another shelter and a double homicide from the previous year.
Advocates from organizations like the Housekeys Action Network Denver have voiced strong opposition to the Salvation Army’s ongoing management of the shelter, questioning their capacity to provide necessary services effectively.
To cap this week, it is also worth noting that today marks Bike to Work Day throughout Boulder and Colorado, an event that encourages residents to cycle to their places of employment.
Thousands of cyclists are expected to participate in this traditional celebration, which has its roots extending back to the 1970s, highlighting the community’s commitment to sustainable transportation.
Various breakfast stations have been set up across the area to welcome cyclists, including one located at KGNU, offering complimentary breakfast items for participants.
In Denver, numerous breakfast stations, supported by the Colorado Department of Transportation, will provide similar amenities, reinforcing the day’s message of promoting air quality improvement and reducing traffic congestion through cycling.
Together, these developments reflect a dynamic and evolving landscape in Colorado, from labor actions and educational agreements to legislative victories and community engagement.
image source from：kgnu
