🌱 Property Taxes Skyrocketing + Mayor Spends $500K On Int'l Travel

Hi all. I'm back with your new edition of the Denver Patch newsletter. Here's what you need to know about what's happening these days in town. In today's issue of the newsletter, you'll read about these stories and more:

• Denver property owners should expect their property tax bill to skyrocket next year.
• Denver taxpayers have paid nearly $500,000 for Mayor Michael Hancock's international travel costs since 2019.
• Governor's affordable housing bill gutted as it moves toward passage.

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Friday's weather: A bit of snow and rain. High: 56 Low: 38.

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Here are the top stories today in Denver:

1. The shelter in Denver has witnessed a concerning increase in the number of dogs being surrendered. The Denver Animal Shelter is appealing to the community for assistance as it grapples with a concerning rise in the number of dogs being surrendered. Between Jan. 1 and April 23, the shelter received 477 surrendered animals, primarily larger dogs, as opposed to 348 during the same period last year, representing a surge of 37 percent. (9News)
2. Denver taxpayers continue to fund Mayor Michael Hancock's international travel. Axios Denver's analysis reveals that since the beginning his third term in 2019, Hancock and his team have spent over $424,000 on four overseas trips alone. (Axios)
3. Colorado lawmakers dump legislation that would legalize drug-use sites this year. Democrats rejected a Colorado bill that aimed to establish "safe injection sites" where individuals could consume illegal drugs under the supervision of trained staff capable of reversing an overdose. The Democrats expressed apprehension about promoting addiction and the absence of appropriate safeguards. (9News)
4. Get ready for it, your property tax bill is going up next year. Letters from the Denver assessor are going out next week that'll inform Denver homeowners how much their property values have increased — which in some cases may come as a shock. The rise in property values will have a significant impact on 2023 property taxes. According to the Denver Assessor, the increase in home values, with a median increase of 33 percent from July 2020 to June 2022, is unprecedented during his time in office. (Denverite)
5. State legislators gut Gov. Jared Polis' affordable housing bill as they move it toward approval. The updated and authorized edition will include $15 million for researching local housing requirements. The way the bill is now written, acknowledges the impracticability of a statewide solution and will grants mountain resort towns their own accessible housing alternatives, if ultimately approved. (Axios)

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Today in Denver:

• Elton Dan & The Rocket Band: Live in concert at The Soiled Dove Underground. (7 p.m.)
• Global Dance Festival, Nathaniel Rateliff and Every New Denver Concert Announcement (Westword)

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From my notebook:

• ThriftCon Returns to Denver: Denver's most exciting and unique thrifting experience at the National Western Center. (303)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update. — Brad K. Evans

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Denver Patch newsletter? Contact me at denverdaily@yahoo.com