Among the many issues highlighted by last month’s deadly shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch is the role on-campus police officers play at our schools. In the wake of the mass shooting, we’d learn that STEM School staffed a private security guard instead of a school resource officer, thanks to a falling out with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
It’s not clear whether having a sheriff’s deputy on campus would have made a difference, but it led us to examine just how the Denver metro area’s school districts handle campus security.
Reporters Meg Wingerter and Elise Schmelzer collected and analyzed data from 14 school districts and various law enforcement agencies, and found that the Douglas County School District has fewer police officers on its middle school and high school campuses as compared to student population than any other district in the metro area.
Their reporting also revealed the patchwork of different arrangements between Denver-area school districts and law enforcement agencies to provide school resources officers. Some districts pay part of the cost for these police services, others don’t. And some school districts supplement on-campus law enforcement with their own security teams.
There’s no one answer to how the Denver area’s districts try to keep their schools safe, and that means some have students see more protection on their campuses than others.
— , Enterprise Editor of The Denver Post
Five of The Denver Post’s best stories this week
Amid complex web of Denver-area school security, Douglas County has fewest police officers by student population
An analysis of data from 14 Denver area school districts by The Denver Post shows that the Douglas County School District — which includes STEM School Highlands Ranch — has fewer police officers on its middle school and high school campuses as compared to student population than any other district in the Denver metro area. Read more from Meg Wingerter and Elise Schmelzer.
Some Colorado small-business owners pulling back from web sales as new tax rules become law
“In every way, I just think this was so ill-advised and premature,” said Laurie Hessemer, owner of Casa Verde Paint in Denver of new tax rules that impact e-commerce. Last week Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1240, which requires business to pay sales taxes for the jurisdiction they are selling to. That’s causing headaches for some small-business owners like Hessemer. Read more from Joe Rubino.
Denver mayoral race: Jamie Giellis and Michael Hancock on the issues
The two remaining candidates for Denver’s mayor have had quite a week. It began on Monday with the Denver Post debate, included a midweek apology from Michael Hancock and ended with news that a supporter of Jamie Giellis gave money to former candidate Lisa Calderón after she endorsed Giellis. The story above cuts through all that drama and lays out where the two candidates stand on the city’s biggest issues. Read more from Andrew Kenney and Jon Murray.
MORE COVERAGE OF THE DENVER MAYORAL RACE
- Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Jamie Giellis swing elbows in debate
- Denver Mayor Michael Hancock apologizes for comment about suggestive texts as officer accuses him of “telling additional lies”
- Giellis backer gives to Calderón after endorsement; developers pour in money for Hancock
“A new renaissance”: African-American businesses, investors celebrating new era on Five Points’ Welton Street
Courtney Samuel and his wife, Jennifer, moved their personal training and fitness studio into a low-slung building at the corner of 29th and Welton in August. He called the opportunity to operate a business in a historic cultural district once known as the “Harlem of the West” humbling and motivation to work harder. But he notes that nowadays, the neighborhood demographic has changed. Read more from Joe Rubino.
Why Cherry Creek’s Marc Johnson is our Mick Jagger, still rocking harder than coaches half his age
At last count, Johnson has tutored some 400 collegians and 51 MLB draft picks, six plucked in the first round, since he built the Bruins from the ground up in 1972. On May 13, Johnson became only the third prep coach in state history, in any sport, to amass 800 or more victories at one school. Read more from Sean Keeler.
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Quick Hits
+ Colorado has no state abortion protections – and advocates are OK with that for now
+ Colorado’s marijuana industry opens to outside investors, delivery and tasting rooms
+ Now that hemp is legal, Colorado wants to lead the way in promoting industry
+ Cherry Creek High student wins $75,000 for science fair project on spinal surgery
+ Denver native Yvie Oddly becomes first Coloradan to win “RuPaul’s Drag Race”
+ Bolder Boulder: Celebrating running but honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice
+ Longtime Rockies trainer Keith Dugger is the heart and soul of franchise
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