🌱 Denver Auditor vs. City Council + RTD Death Spiral + DIA $33.5M

Happy Friday, Denver! Let's get this day started. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening around Denver today.

Saturday's weather: Intervals of clouds and sun. High: 65 Low: 33.

Here are the top stories today in Denver:

1. Judge rules that DIA still owes more than $30M to Adams County. On Thursday, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that Denver International Airport still owes Adams County $33.5 million for past noise violations. (Aviation Pros)
2. Why is the Denver auditor fighting City Council in court? The Denver Auditor is suing the Denver City Council, claiming that a rule passed last May is chipping away at the power of the auditor's office. The auditor also claims that City Council refused to agree to the necessary changes to make the rule compliant with the city's charter. (Westword)
3. Theater students across the state return to the stage for spring musicals. As things seem to be returning to normal after two years of pandemic-related cancellations, school-aged students are back to performing on stage. (7News)
4. Is RTD really in a "death spiral?" Denverite's transportation writer Nathaniel Minor takes a deep dive on Denver's transportation system and what the future holds with this informative Q & A. (Denverite)
5. Nonprofit helping to provide dogs with a second chance. Volunteers for the nonprofit, Hwy 50 Freedom Ride, have used their own vehicles to pick up stray dogs after the agency's van broke down. (KGUN)

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Today in Denver:

• Opening Reception: ASLD Print Fair — Art Students League of Denver. (5:30 p.m.)
• March First Friday: At Denver Art Society. (6 p.m.)
• Black Ink: Month of Print Fundraiser at TRVE Brewing. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Denver Restaurant Week runs from March 11-20. Make as many reservations as soon as you can! Don’t miss out on the sweet deals. Visit the link for more information: (Visit Denver)
• Construction on the Denver Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services greenhouse in southwest Denver has started thanks to grants from Healthy Foods for Denver Kids, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and bond funds approved by Denver voters. (Facebook)
• Denver rolling out Near Northwest Area Plan: Starting next week, city planners will be hosting a series of virtual discussions on key topics in the neighborhoods of Chaffee Park, Highland, Jefferson Park, and Sunnyside. (Denver)
• Where to get the best mac and cheese in Denver. 5280 Magazine explores the options and shares their favorite places to grab the best mac and cheese in Denver. (5280)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Wow! Jack Hadley is back LIVE at BOCO Cider! (March 6)
• Denver St Patrick's Day Pub Crawl & Block Party (March 12)
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Gigs & services:

• Small chest freezer (7 cu ft) needs repair not cooling. (Details)
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That's it for today! I'll see you first thing on Monday morning with a brand new edition of the Denver Daily. — Brad K. Evans