Ashley Portillo

4 weeks ago | cbsnews.com | Ashley Portillo

With years of deferred maintenance and not enough funding, some Arapahoe County roads are not getting the repairs they need and are quickly falling apart. County leaders say it's in part due to a major shortfall with the overall county budget and inflation. However, the county hopes that additional revenue generated by the passage of a ballot measure last November might help make much-needed road improvements.

4 weeks ago | cbsnews.com | Ashley Portillo

A new facility just opened in Englewood to help unhoused people in Arapahoe County. It's a collaborative effort between the Colorado county, Englewood, Littleton and Sheridan to address homelessness with an approach being seen more in the state: putting work first instead of housing first. Bringing the facility to Arapahoe County also represents a milestone in the Tri-Cities Homelessness Initiative, which addresses homelessness in these communities.

1 month ago | cbsnews.com | Ashley Portillo

Workers in the construction industry often face unique challenges that can impact their own mental health, leading to concerns like drug abuse or even suicide. A local task force and working group is now hoping to make change within the construction industry, while a local mother is turning her son's death into advocating for mental health awareness on job sites. "Throughout my life, I've lost people to suicide and to substance use disorder," Heather Gutierrez said.

1 month ago | cbsnews.com | Ashley Portillo

More restaurant workers say they're struggling with their mental health. To address those struggles, a Denver employer is prioritizing mental health by partnering with a local nonprofit. According to Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness, 63% of hospitality workers suffer from depression. Many workers are also uninsured or underinsured and can't afford help. Emily Biederman is the COO of Secret Sauce Food & Beverage, which owns and operates Ace Eat Serve and Steubens Uptown.

1 month ago | cbsnews.com | Ashley Portillo

The number of car thefts have dropped significantly in Arapahoe County. From 2023 to 2024, Arapahoe County car thefts dropped 36%, and arrests for car theft suspects have more than doubled. The Special Response Team with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office formed back in 2021, and the team responds to high-risk calls for service such as auto thefts.