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	<title>Opinion &amp; Commentary Archives | Denver Westword</title>
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	<description>The Leading Independent News Source in Denver, Colorado</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:16:26 +0000</pubDate>
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				<title>Denver Westword</title>
				<description>The Leading Independent News Source in Denver, Colorado</description>
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		<title>State of the Union: We Watched, So You Didn&#8217;t Have to</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/watching-donald-trump-state-of-union-40849160/</link>
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					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/watching-donald-trump-state-of-union-40849160/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:11:57 -0700</pubDate>
						<enclosure url="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/ww-media/mediaserver/den/2025-15/trumpvotingbooth-377855730.webp" length="0" type="image/webp" />
				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/ww-media/mediaserver/den/2025-15/trumpvotingbooth-377855730.webp" alt="trump coming out" /><p>Thirteen months after Donald Trump moved back into the White House, we're in a state of disbelief.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/watching-donald-trump-state-of-union-40849160/">State of the Union: We Watched, So You Didn&#8217;t Have to</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
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		<title>Hungry for Change: Round Two of the Colorado Tamale Bill</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/colorado-bill-would-expand-home-business-options-40847187/</link>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/?p=40847187</guid>
					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/colorado-bill-would-expand-home-business-options-40847187/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:37:00 -0700</pubDate>
						<enclosure url="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/tamales.webp" length="0" type="image/webp" />
				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/tamales.webp" alt="tamales" /><p>Many successful food businesses have started with nothing more than a home kitchen and a dream.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/colorado-bill-would-expand-home-business-options-40847187/">Hungry for Change: Round Two of the Colorado Tamale Bill</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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		<title>Reader: For What Leven Charges, Those Bills Should Have Been Paid</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/denver-diners-bite-into-leven-deli-supply-40848315/</link>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/?p=40848315</guid>
					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/denver-diners-bite-into-leven-deli-supply-40848315/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:21:13 -0700</pubDate>
				<category domain="foundation:section-category">Opinion &amp; Commentary</category>
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				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/levenwine.webp" alt="wine glasses" /><p>On February 17, fans heading to Leven Supply found the doors locked, with a note that the State of Colorado had seized the Wash Park market/deli over unpaid taxes. The action did not affect Leven Deli, the Golden Triangle hot spot whose owners had opened Leven Supply last year, expanding their reach as well as [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/denver-diners-bite-into-leven-deli-supply-40848315/">Reader: For What Leven Charges, Those Bills Should Have Been Paid</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
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		<title>&#8220;Palantir May Be Gone, but Big Brother Is Still Watching Us&#8221;</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/denver-responds-to-palantir-leaving-colorado-for-miami-40848318/</link>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/?p=40848318</guid>
					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/denver-responds-to-palantir-leaving-colorado-for-miami-40848318/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 09:39:03 -0700</pubDate>
				<category domain="foundation:section-category">Opinion &amp; Commentary</category>
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				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/palantirprotest.webp" alt="protest" /><p>Colorado just said goodbye and good riddance to a controversial company. Or did it?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/denver-responds-to-palantir-leaving-colorado-for-miami-40848318/">&#8220;Palantir May Be Gone, but Big Brother Is Still Watching Us&#8221;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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		<title>A Letter to Denver: Things Are Getting Ugly</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/ugly-new-denver-buildings-need-design-help-40848295/</link>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/?p=40848295</guid>
					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/ugly-new-denver-buildings-need-design-help-40848295/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:48:48 -0700</pubDate>
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				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/fug1-1.jpg" alt="buildings" /><p>"Denver, I love you in a way that’s not always polite. I love you like someone who notices the chipped nail polish, but still holds your hand."</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/ugly-new-denver-buildings-need-design-help-40848295/">A Letter to Denver: Things Are Getting Ugly</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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		<title>Colorado&#8217;s Seeds Are Coated in Pesticides, Even When It Isn&#8217;t Necessary</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/colorado-seeds-are-coated-in-pesticides-40847331/</link>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/?p=40847331</guid>
					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/colorado-seeds-are-coated-in-pesticides-40847331/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 06:55:27 -0700</pubDate>
						<enclosure url="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/madison.jpg" length="0" type="image/jpeg" />
				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/madison.jpg" alt="woman with bees" /><p>The SEED Act would base seed treatment decisions on actual pest risk instead of default packaging.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/colorado-seeds-are-coated-in-pesticides-40847331/">Colorado&#8217;s Seeds Are Coated in Pesticides, Even When It Isn&#8217;t Necessary</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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		<title>Celebrate Black History Month by Supporting Small Businesses</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/celebrate-black-history-month-by-supporting-small-businesses-40847168/</link>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/?p=40847168</guid>
					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/celebrate-black-history-month-by-supporting-small-businesses-40847168/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 06:58:23 -0700</pubDate>
						<enclosure url="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/weltonstcafe.webp" length="0" type="image/webp" />
				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/weltonstcafe.webp" alt="outside cafe" /><p>Honor the past by building a better future for Black entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/celebrate-black-history-month-by-supporting-small-businesses-40847168/">Celebrate Black History Month by Supporting Small Businesses</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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		<title>Why &#8220;Doing Things Legally&#8221; Isn&#8217;t the Same as Doing Them Right</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/first-generation-immigrant-colorado-longs-to-belong-40844288/</link>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/?p=40844288</guid>
					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/first-generation-immigrant-colorado-longs-to-belong-40844288/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:13:00 -0700</pubDate>
						<enclosure url="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/capitolprotest.webp" length="0" type="image/webp" />
				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/capitolprotest.webp" alt="protest at capitol" /><p> Even after finally obtaining my green card, that sense of arrival remains unfinished. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/first-generation-immigrant-colorado-longs-to-belong-40844288/">Why &#8220;Doing Things Legally&#8221; Isn&#8217;t the Same as Doing Them Right</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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		<title>RIP Dark Horse: Remember the Good Times</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/fans-remember-dark-horse-closing-for-boulder-development-40844378/</link>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/?p=40844378</guid>
					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/fans-remember-dark-horse-closing-for-boulder-development-40844378/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:37:20 -0700</pubDate>
				<category domain="foundation:section-category">Opinion &amp; Commentary</category>
						<enclosure url="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/darkhorseoutside.webp" length="0" type="image/webp" />
				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/darkhorseoutside.webp" alt="bar exterior" /><p>The legendary Boulder bar will close on March 14, its 51st birthday.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/fans-remember-dark-horse-closing-for-boulder-development-40844378/">RIP Dark Horse: Remember the Good Times</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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		<title>Why Colorado&#8217;s Record Heat and Dismal Snowpack Are an Environmental Justice Issue</title>
		<link>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/colorado-record-heat-and-low-snowpack-an-environmental-justice-problem-40844275/</link>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/?p=40844275</guid>
					<dc:creator>Patricia Calhoun</dc:creator>
				<comments>https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/colorado-record-heat-and-low-snowpack-an-environmental-justice-problem-40844275/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 06:51:51 -0700</pubDate>
						<enclosure url="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/ww-media/mediaserver/den/2018-17/istock-618756142.webp" length="0" type="image/webp" />
				<description><![CDATA[<img src="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/ww-media/mediaserver/den/2018-17/istock-618756142.webp" alt="Why Colorado&#8217;s Record Heat and Dismal Snowpack Are an Environmental Justice Issue" /><p>Commerce City is grappling with Denver's desertification.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com/opinion/colorado-record-heat-and-low-snowpack-an-environmental-justice-problem-40844275/">Why Colorado&#8217;s Record Heat and Dismal Snowpack Are an Environmental Justice Issue</a> appeared first on <a href="https://westword-dev-wpvip.md-staging.com">Denver Westword</a>.</p>
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