OCTOBER 11, 2018
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AG race draws sharp line between approaches Brauchler, Weiser offer starkly different views on policy, law BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Denver resident Taylor Nelson and his dog Ozzie at Berkeley Dog Park.
CASEY VAN DIVIER
Seeking more space for Fido City council debates $500,000 solution to dog-park problem BY CASEY VAN DIVIER SPECIAL TO LIFE ON CAPITOL HILL
For years, Taylor Nelson would load dogs Ozzie and Titan into his car, start the engine and embark on his half-hour daily commute. Except he wasn’t commuting to work — he was going to the dog park. “It was 25 minutes’ drive each way, and that was the closest one,” said Nelson, who formerly lived in Washington Park. “It was a lot. The things we do for our kids.” For those in Washington Park and many others, long dog park
commutes are just part of the daily routine. But in response to requests from many residents for additional dog parks, Denver officials are considering using more than $500,000 of the 2019 budget to build a new dog park somewhere in south Denver. The Denver area currently has 12 dog parks, which are designated spaces where owners can take their dogs off-leash. Anywhere else in the city, pet owners are required by law to keep their dogs on a leash. In comparison, Las Vegas, a city with about 60,000 fewer residents than Denver’s 693,060, boasts 18 off-leash sites, according to website BringFido. SEE SPACE, P6
GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK The Denver City Council must vote on the 2019 budget on or before its first November meeting. The $2.45 billion proposed budget includes more than $500,000 to build a new dog park in south Denver. The city council wants to hear on the subject from all residents. “We’re actively looking for feedback on everything in the proposed budget,” council President Jolon Clark said. “Now’s the time to reach out to your councilperson and tell them what you think.” To provide feedback, send an email to your district’s representative or to a council member at large. Council member contact information is available at www. denvergov.org.
One prosecuted the Aurora theater shooter. The other worked as an assistant to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. One’s the elected district attorney in a south metro district of more than 1 million people. The other worked in President Barack Obama’s Justice Department. And one says his opponent wants Washington to dictate to Colorado, while the other says his rival’s background readies him for only 10 percent of the state attorney general’s job. Republican George Brauchler, district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, and Democrat Phil Weiser, a professor and former dean at the University of Colorado Law School, stand opposite each other not only on political values, but in the approaches they would bring to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. And amid the starkly polarized governor’s race between Republican state Treasurer Walker Stapleton and Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, one veteran political analyst says the outcome of the contest for attorney general won’t necessarily be in line with the gubernatorial race. SEE AG RACE, P11
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“There is a different mentality at airports now that is no different than swap meets and garage sales. Come as you are. Be as rude as you want.” Craig Marshall Smith, columnist | Page 8 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10 | CALENDAR: PAGE 12 VOLUME 91 | ISSUE 49