Reporter Sam Tabachnik traveled in June to southwest Colorado for a reporting trip for several upcoming stories in The Denver Post. One idea was to follow up on the devastating 416 wildfire and how Durango’s tourism economy was bouncing back this season.
But he found an even better story, which is what good reporters do when they listen to the people they interview.
A handful of local residents have sued the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad company for starting the fire. The U.S. government also has sued. Now, the town has divided into two camps: Those who believe the train should be held liable for the damage and those who believe it’s a serious mistake to target the region’s economic golden goose.
There is no easy answer and this question will loom over the town as the cases make their way through the courts. Thanks for reading.
– Noelle Phillips, Breaking News Editor, The Denver Post
Durango residents divided as beloved coal-fired train faces lawsuits over its role in the 416 fire
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Five of The Denver Post’s best stories this week
Shambhala suppressed allegations of abuse, ex-members say
Shambhala, the Boulder-born Buddhist and mindfulness community, for decades suppressed allegations of abuse — from child molestation to clerical abuse — through internal processes that often failed to deliver justice for victims, The Denver Post found through dozens of interviews with current and former members and a review of hundreds of pages of internal documents, police records and private communications. Read more here.
RELATED:
- What is Shambhala? International Tibetan Buddhist community has deep roots in Colorado
- Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Boulder-bred ‘king’ of Shambhala, chosen by his father to lead Buddhist community
Colorado lawmakers consider special session on expected TABOR refunds
Statehouse Democrats and Gov. Jared Polis want to keep about $300 million to $575 million that state economists expect Colorado to have to return to taxpayers in 2020 because it exceeds the amount of revenue that can be collected under TABOR, Anna Staver reports.
Developers on Lakewood’s anti-growth vote: “Uncertainty is never a businessperson’s friend”
This week, residents of Lakewood passed a strict growth-control measure that limits how many new residential buildings can be constructed each year. Exactly how the new policy will be implemented remains unclear, as is the reaction from developers, reports John Aguilar.
RELATED: At last check, opponents of the measure outspent those pushing for the growth limits 25 to 1
Don’t sleep on Nuggets’ forward Jarred Vanderbilt. He has the same mission as Michael Porter Jr.
The 6-foot-9 power forward and former five-star recruit hasn’t resembled what he believes is his true self on the court in more than two years. After rebounding from injuries, Jarred Vanderbilt is getting his first opportunity to have a fresh start to his pro career this week during Summer League in Las Vegas, Parth Upadhyaya reports.
MORE NUGGETS NEWS:
- Clippers’ seismic Kawhi Leonard move shakes NBA, but Nuggets believe in their foundation
- Zion Williamson makes thrilling Summer League debut before earthquake hits and Michael Porter Jr. can only watch
- The Michael Porter Jr. show is canceled, but Nuggets still have plenty at stake at Summer League
- Nuggets rookie Michael Porter Jr. suffers left knee sprain, unlikely to play in Las Vegas Summer League
Hemp’s legal. Tell that to the financial service providers, social media companies, industry officials say
The 2018 federal farm bill legalized hemp. But Linda Main, co-owner of G&L CBD Oils, can’t find a credit card company willing to process transactions at her store in Fort Morgan, where she sells CBD merchandise. Main’s situation reflects some of the growing pains of an emerging industry that has hit the ground running before learning to walk steadily, Judith Kohler reports.
Quick Hits
+ RTD at 50: The freeway fight that paved the way for transit in metro Denver
+ FOLLOW UP: Suncor oil refinery operators hit by Colorado health department for emitting toxic gas
+ Denver’s Interstate 70 project is producing a whole lot of dirt
+ Here comes the sun: Colorado communities organizing to tap solar resources
+ Golden eagles survive amid suburbia of Highlands Ranch, thanks to preservation of natural habitat
+ Colorado Republicans’ recall efforts get Democrats fired up
+ Law aimed at speeding up coal-plant closures cast as both boon, danger to Colorado ratepayers
+ Curtis Brooks, sentenced to die in prison at age 17, is free after 24 years behind bars
+ Colorado’s writing of new oil, gas rules off to a rocky start
+ Denver Water proposes to replace all lead pipes in system
+ John Hickenlooper’s presidential run in doubt after staff exodus, low donor numbers
+ Rockies can’t afford defense to be a question mark heading into second half of season
Photo of the Week
Regular readers will recognize this photo from last week’s Post Premium. But just in case you didn’t get a chance to read it then, we wanted to include it again here. There are a lot of elements to this 18-month project, including the main photo essay, a video, interactive maps and a behind-the-scenes look.
