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Kyle Harris

@kyle-a-harris.bsky.social
2.1K followers 266 following 93 posts

I’m a reporter for Denverite and Colorado Public Radio. I write about affordability, growth, power and people in Denver. I’d love to hear your stories. Shoot me a note at kharris@denverite.com.

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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Denver was planning to put its second biggest homeless shelter next door to these neighbors in Clayton. One problem: The city didn't let the neighbors know. denverite.com/2026/09/09/c...
denverite.com
Denver forgot to tell Clayton neighbors it's building a 400-bed homeless shelter next door
Neighbors wonder why they had to find out online.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Even Sarah Parady's political opponents say Denver City Council was better because of her leadership. A special election to fill the at-large vacancy starts now. denverite.com/2026/08/05/s...
denverite.com
Sarah Parady resigns from Denver City Council, setting up an unusual election season
The at-large council member's seat will be up for election twice.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Among the criticisms is that the shelter pays guests $25 for four hours of work for job training. That amounts to $6.25 an hour. Guests say that is not just below minimum wage in Colorado but even in the country — and Coffman says the shelter provider may face legal action.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Coffman says he has stayed at the shelter, in the roughest quarters, every Friday night since late February. Not everybody appreciated his presence — and many have criticized him and the shelter. His goal has been to listen and learn to improve what the city offers.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
"There is an economic dimension to homelessness,” he told me yesterday. “People that live paycheck to paycheck, if something happens, they can become homeless, they can become unhoused. And I don't think I recognized that before, but I recognize it now.”
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
A lot of people armchair quarterback homelessness from a distance, believing they have all the answers. It's fascinating to watch someone like Coffman shift his position after spending a night each week listening and sharing space with people staying at the shelter.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Not long ago, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman attributed homelessness to mental health and addiction issues. After spending a night each week at the city's new shelter, he's acknowledging an economic dimension, too. Each individual, he says, has unique needs. denverite.com/2026/06/18/a...
denverite.com
Aurora’s mayor sleeps in the city’s homeless shelter. It ‘shifted’ his view
For five months, Mike Coffman has spent Friday nights at the Aurora Regional Navigation Center.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
This is powerful reporting from @sethklamann.bsky.social and the @denverpost.com. www.denverpost.com/2026/05/24/c...
denverpost.com
With no options left, a Venezuelan family living in Colorado walks into ICE custody, seeking to go back home
Cecilia’s husband had vanished into a Centennial ICE field office during an appointment. Now she and her children were preparing to surrender there, too, for a voluntary departure back to Venezuela.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
This 600-person, 12-block town of Mountain View is punching above its weight when it comes to political drama. @kiarademare.bsky.social's story is absolutely wild. denverite.com/2026/05/22/m...
denverite.com
This tiny town in Denver has 12 blocks, 600 people and a lot of drama
Members of the Mountain View Town Council are pushing to expel the mayor and a council member.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
This attorney has lived in her car for a decade. The community offered help, which she largely rejected. In March, police, neighbors, advocates and city hall tried to force her to move her indoors. This story is about what happened after she refused. denverite.com/2026/05/04/d...
denverite.com
She has lived in her car for a decade. Denver neighbors wanted her gone
In a city trying to end homelessness, Suzanne Elaine McKinney has refused everybody’s efforts to bring her inside.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Things I'm not ready to see in a city council agenda: "The Department of Finance will present the 2027 budget kickoff."
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Reposted by Kyle Harris
Matt Sebastian @mattsebastian.com · 08/04/2026
Journalism ethics experts tell @samtabachnik.bsky.social they'd never heard of a reporter getting caught fabricating quotes or inventing sources, then just changing their name in order to keep practicing the trade elsewhere. “It’s safe to say this is historically unprecedented in the modern era.”
denverpost.com
A Colorado newspaper fired a journalist for making up quotes. She changed her name, got back in the game — and now she’s facing prison.
At various points in her career, journalist April Morganroth reinvented herself to start fresh in a new state, leaving behind a wake of professional and personal misconduct.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
A judge has ruled the Trump administration can't force Denver and Colorado to use local resources on immigration enforcement. denverite.com/2026/03/31/d...
denverite.com
Court rejects Trump’s effort to overrule Denver and Colorado immigration protections
The administration sued the city and state over so-called “sanctuary city policies” in May 2025.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
This is massive news for Denver. Patty is a legend, a brilliant editor and a mentor to so many of us working in Denver media. Thankfully, even after retiring, she’ll still be writing. www.westword.com/opinion/patr...
westword.com
This Year’s Best of Denver Marks the End of an Era
Westword’s founder and editor-in-chief, Patricia Calhoun, will retire this summer.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
This is a brutal line from this powerful essay from my former editor @obedmanuel.bsky.social @thebarbedwire.com: "It takes valor to free one’s self from the grip of a country that is too foolish to recognize your worth."
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
"Bookstores should be places of quiet discovery, not headlines," he wrote in Westword. "And so I'm moving on." www.westword.com/opinion/kwam...
westword.com
Turning the Page on the Denver Book Society
Bookstores should be places of quiet discovery, not headlines. And so I'm moving on.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Denver Book Society and Kwame Spearman have parted ways. "It became clear that a change in leadership was needed,” the store wrote. “This transition is not a change in direction," Spearman wrote in @westword.com. "It is the completion of the original plan.” denverite.com/2026/03/20/d...
denverite.com
'Change in leadership' at Denver Book Society after uproar over Kwame Spearman
The new bookstore's owner said "a change in leadership was needed," though Spearman argues the split was always planned.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
At the intersection of Colfax and Colorado, four unrelated people wore shorts as temperatures dipped into the 20s. Meanwhile, I spent a chunk of my afternoon with some folks staying warm by making a fire on railroad property. Denver is a weird place.
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Reposted by Kyle Harris
sam stroozas @samstroozas.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
hello minnesota and beyond! thank you for your kind messages. it is very weird to be the news when you cover the news. i love this beautiful state and journalism, and i am hopeful for better days. but we will be forever changed bc of the last two months.
mpr.org
Meet Minnesota Bathrobe Lady Sam Stroozas of MPR News | Minnesota Public Radio
Earlier this week, an unexpected and fast-moving incident unfolded in St. Paul, Minnesota involving both federal and local law enforcement. As crowds gathered and questions mounted, one of our MPR New...
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
"If you believe in what you can do, nothing is impossible." — Dr. Daddio, a true Denver radio legend and community giant. denverite.com/2026/01/27/d...
denverite.com
Remembering Black radio pioneer James “Dr. Daddio” Walker, a Denver legend
Dr. Daddio built a Black radio institution and inspired generations of youth. James “Dr. Daddio” Walker, the legendary radio personality and longtime owner and operator of AM 1510 KDKO Radio, has died...
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Denver's mayor will open cold-weather shelter at 4040 Quebec St. despite objections from council members. denverite.com/2026/01/23/d...
denverite.com
Mayor opens cold-weather shelter in northeast Denver despite council objections
Denver City Council had rejected the emergency site, saying the city had concentrated services in northeast Denver.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Denver officials are scrambling for enough cold-weather shelter beds as temperatures drop to single digits. This comes weeks after the city council voted against opening an emergency winter shelter at a long-term hotel shelter where many people are sleeping outside.
denverite.com
Freezing weather is coming, and both the mayor and advocates say there isn't enough shelter
The mayor’s team is scrambling to find beds and begging council to open up shelter where advocates say it’s most needed — now.
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Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition @coloradofoic.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
A decision by legislative leaders Wednesday means that Coloradans will be able to watch — not just hear — what happens in committee meetings when the 2026 session of the General Assembly convenes Jan. 14.
coloradofoic.org
Coming soon to your laptop and phone: Video (not just audio) of Colorado legislative committee meetings - Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition
A decision by legislative leaders means that Coloradans will be able to watch — not just hear — what happens in committee meetings when the 2026 session of the General Assembly convenes Jan. 14.
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Reposted by Kyle Harris
The Colorado Sun ☀️ @coloradosun.com · 30/12/2025
As two other Colorado youth homeless shelters close, Urban Peak waitlist grows
coloradosun.com
As two other Colorado youth homeless shelters close, Urban Peak waitlist grows
The four-story homeless shelter for youth ages 12-24 opened a year a half ago and has had a waitlist since its first day
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Denver is struggling to get contracts for winter homeless shelters passed in neighborhoods that have shouldered the city's homelessness response under Mayor Johnston. Wealthier neighborhoods that have done little to shelter unhoused residents could raise their hands and offer space. So far, no dice.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Denver City Council will vote to approve two major contracts with Urban Alchemy, a young homeless service provider whose CEO is paid $370K and flies first class. denverite.com/2025/12/08/u...
denverite.com
Denver’s next homelessness contractor flies first class and pays its CEO $370K
Urban Alchemy is the newest big dog in Denver’s nonprofit world.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
If HUD's cuts to permanent supportive housing funding withstand multiple lawsuits, homelessness in Colorado could rise by more than 40 percent, nonprofit leaders warn. Nationwide, 170,000 additional people could face homelessness. denverite.com/2025/12/03/p...
denverite.com
Thousands of Coloradans could lose supportive housing in 2026, major nonprofits warn
President Donald Trump has ordered cuts and changes to the national program for permanent supportive housing.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
How are you feeling about tonight’s election? I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the text message campaigning to stop.
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Reposted by Kyle Harris
Kyle Clark @kylec.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
@denverite.bsky.social examines another false/misleading claim from Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. We've explored three on 9NEWS recently. All four claims deal with public safety as the Mayor positions himself as tougher on crime than progressives on City Council. denverite.com/2025/11/04/d...
denverite.com
No evidence for Denver mayor’s claim of ‘anti-migrant’ shooter at shelter
Mayor Mike Johnston made the claims about the 2023 attack in a City Cast Denver interview last week.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Denver's mayor told @citycastdenver.bsky.social that a police captain was shot by an "anti-migrant activist" who intended "to shoot up" a migrant shelter. One problem: A police investigation found no evidence to support that claim.
denverite.com
No evidence for Denver mayor’s claim of ‘anti-migrant’ shooter at shelter
Mayor Mike Johnston made the claims about the 2023 attack in a City Cast Denver interview last week.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
When I asked 20 residents about this fight about how elections work for at-large city council candidates, nobody really cared. In fact, not one person I spoke with could name a single Denver City Council member. So does this measure matter? It turns out, a lot is at stake.
denverite.com
This high-stakes fight in Denver’s government has voters yawning
What’s the deal with at-large elections and measure 2G?
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Denver is losing sheriff deputies faster than it trains them. I reviewed resignation documents of more than 50 employees to understand what's going on and why so many deputies say the jail is increasingly unsafe for both inmates and employees. denverite.com/2025/10/20/d...
denverite.com
Denver jails are missing nearly a third of their staff. What went wrong?
The understaffing is putting deputies, civilian staff and inmates in danger, sheriff employees who have resigned say.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Waymo's robot cars have arrived in the city and will go driverless sometime next year. denverite.com/2025/09/02/d...
denverite.com
Waymo’s driverless cars are coming to Denver, but you can’t ride one yet
The company's robo-taxis will begin a pilot project downtown.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Just weeks after laying off 170 city workers, the mayor was all over a recent conference about using AI to make government more efficient. denverite.com/2025/10/01/d...
denverite.com
Denver embraces AI as mayor tries to shrink government
The city is already using AI to cut its call center budget.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Earlier this year, out-of-state cops who were working with ICE had access to the city's license plate surveillance data provided by Flock. denverite.com/2025/07/01/d...
denverite.com
Out-of-state cops had access to Denver license plate data for immigration cases for months
The city shut down national access to its database in April.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
The police are working with the surveillance company Flock on a new Drone First Responder program. denverite.com/2025/10/14/d...
denverite.com
Denver Police has a contract with Flock for drone first responders
The company’s surveillance cameras have drawn civil rights concerns.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
How are you all feeling about the role of AI, drones and robots in Denver? Do you feel safer? Do you have privacy and civil liberties concerns? What about labor issues? I've linked a few stories below for context.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Denver does not prioritize families when deciding who receives rental assistance. The city's family homeless system is overloaded. Meet a single mom of three kids — one of more than 9,300 households who faced eviction court in the city in 2025 alone. denverite.com/2025/08/12/d...
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
I'm super excited that @juanitah23.bsky.social has joined the @denverite.bsky.social team! Give her a follow. Her first story about Saturday's No Kings Protest went live today. denverite.com/2025/06/11/n...
denverite.com
Here’s what to know about No Kings Day protest in Denver
The Saturday, June 14, protest falls on the same day as President Donald Trump’s birthday and a military parade.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
For years, government employment was considered a stable path to retirement. Now, the city of Denver may make it easier to lay off longtime city workers. denverite.com/2025/06/04/d...
denverite.com
Denver may make it easier to lay off longtime workers
Facing a $250 million budget hole, Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration could do away with seniority protections.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Denver is joining other cities in suing the Trump administration for the second time this month. Hundreds of millions in federal grants for transportation and infrastructure are on the line. denverite.com/2025/05/23/d...
denverite.com
Denver sues Trump administration to protect $300M in federal funding for transportation and infrastructure
The administration has threatened to strip funding from local governments that do not conform to Trump’s DEI and immigration policies.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Denver city workers are facing furloughs and layoffs. Programs and departments will see cuts, as the city has fallen into a $250 million budget hole. Looking at next year's budget, "everything is on the table," the mayor says. denverite.com/2025/05/22/d...
denverite.com
Denver’s $250M budget hole will force major cuts, furloughs, freezes and likely layoffs
The city’s budget will need to be slashed by more than 12 percent.
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Reposted by Kyle Harris
The Middle with Jeremy Hobson @listentothemiddle.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
“There are people who are here with citizenship who have told me they are afraid of being deported by ICE” @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social of @denverite.bsky.social on the latest #onethingtrumpdid podcast about deportations in Denver. @cprnews.bsky.social Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
OTTD: Deportations in Denver
Podcast Episode · The Middle with Jeremy Hobson · 03/24/2025 · 38m
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Happy to chat about it! Send me a dm with your contact.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
I’m running lines with my kid for their production of Julius Caesar, and I keep saying Publius like Pube-lius, and it’s reminding me of this lesson from my worst copyediting nightmare: In “public,” the “L” is super important.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
As the federal government looks at stripping funding from Denver over the city's immigration policies, Mayor Mike Johnston is being summoned to Washington to be grilled by congress members. It will likely be wild. denverite.com/2025/03/01/d...
denverite.com
Denver's mayor is about to face Rep. Boebert and Republicans in DC. The city has a lot to lose
Congressional Republicans' investigation into “sanctuary” cities could have serious implications for Denver’s finances and its future.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Yep! Hope you’re hanging in there. Let’s catch up soon.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Hey Denver renters! How is paying rent going? I'm looking to talk to people who have seen changes in rent prices and want to hear how it impacts you. Consider this a super broad net, so if you have a related but different story, I want to hear that, too. Email me at kharris@denverite.com.
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
This is the legit one!
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Kyle Harris @kyle-a-harris.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Good question! I’ll ask their PIO.
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