Denver furlough day prompts no compost collection week of Aug. 25

The Denver Department of Transportation and infrastructure (DOTI) will not collect compost the week of Aug. 25, as staff works a shortened, 32-hour workweek and takes a furlough day on Friday, Aug. 29. All collections, including compost, will resume the week of Sept. 4 on a one-day delayed schedule, as staff observe Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4.

The city is currently implementing a tiered furlough system, with some employees taking two unpaid days off, while others will take up to seven days off. The furloughs are part of a broader plan to address the city’s $250 million budget shortfall.

Also, effectively immediately, DOTI is asking residents to set out trash, recycling, and compost carts, and large item pickup items, by 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. on their scheduled collection day. Equipment operators are starting their day earlier, aiming to serve residents better.

Setting out carts the night before your collection day is also acceptable.

The DenAI Summit slated for Sept. 29-30

The City of Denver has announced the return of its city-led gathering of the artificial intelligence (AI) community on Sept. 29-30, 2025, at the Denver Art Museum.

The annual event invites those interested in a deeper look at how AI can modernize and transform government by both increasing the effectiveness of public services and decreasing the cost.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Jennifer Pahlka, founder of Code for America and former U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer.

For more information about the summit, a complete list of speakers and to register for the DenAI Summit, visit DenAISummit.com. 

Annual Polish Food Festival returns

Holy perogies! Denver’s 12th Annual Polish Food Festival will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Parish, 517 E. 46th Ave. in Globeville.

Attendees will find a variety of Polish food, Polish beer, and plenty of live traditional music and dancing.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS: The Polish Food Festival takes place across two properties near East 46th and East 47th Avenues. To allow safe guest movement between locations, the southern third of the alley between Pennsylvania Street and Pearl Street will be closed from 6 a.m. on Aug. 23 to 6 p.m. on August 24. Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation or rideshare to reduce traffic and parking congestion.

Admission is free. For more festival details, visit polishfoodfestival.org.