- Our first story today is about the city of Pueblo hiring a mediator to help bring a resolution to the Christopher Columbus statue protests. Over the last seven weeks, protestors have gathered around the statue and there have also been protests outside the Pueblo Police Department. Protesters have been demanding change in law enforcement across the country after the death of George Floyd. Some local protesters want the statue removed, and some want it to stay. Mayor Nick Gradisar said, “Altogether with the initial costs for overtime and for police officers to be present and renting barricades, the cost has been about $65,000 to date.” The Sons of Italy gifted the statue to the city in 1905, and they want the statue to stay in the city. Some other protesters suggest the statue should be taken down and put into a museum. So, the mayor is in the process of hiring Frank Galvez, who was born and raised in Pueblo, as a potential mediator because he knows the history the city holds and the multiple cultures represented in Pueblo. The city council approved the ordinance in its first reading and will move into the next reading in two weeks for the final vote. Galvez will meet with both sides August 8th and 9th in hopes of coming to a resolution that makes both sides happy.

- [https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/29/pueblo-hiring-mediator-to-find-solution-amid-christopher-columbus-statue-protests/](https://www.kktv.com/2020/07/29/pueblo-hiring-mediator-to-find-solution-amid-christopher-columbus-statue-protests/)

- Our second story today is about a potetion ballot measure that would charge shoppers 10 cents per single-use plastic bag in the Springs. There would not be a charge for paper bags. It's expected to raise $1.2 million if implemented. Proceeds would be split between stores and the city, with 40% of the money made from the fee staying in stores. The other 60% would go to the city of Colorado Springs to be used for cleanup efforts and environmental education programs. There are some exceptions inside the proposal. Shoppers who use state or federal food assistance programs would not have to pay the fee. Certain single-use plastic bags would still be allowed, like for produce, newspapers, or small jewelry items. The proposal will go before city council again on August 11th.

- [https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/29/colorado-springs-plastic-bag-fee-proposal-up-for-discussion/](https://krdo.com/news/2020/07/29/colorado-springs-plastic-bag-fee-proposal-up-for-discussion/)

- Our last story today is about visitors here in Colorado Springs. A study by data firm STR found 81.7 percent of Colorado Springs’ hotel rooms are full on the weekends. Typically, occupancy in the summer hovers around 90 percent but Visit Colorado Springs President and CEO Doug Price says this year is going better than expected. Price said, “Because of our wide-open spaces, people feel so much more comfortable being in their own car and being outdoors. Gov. Polis also acknowledges that plenty of people are coming from states that are hot spots for COVID-19. Gov. Polis said visitors from hot spots are one of the reasons why his statewide mask mandate is important. Manitou Springs implemented a stronger mask mandate than the state order last week that also comes with a $25-$30 fine. El Paso County Commissioners as well as Colorado Springs City Council have refused to take further measures, instead relying on the “#MaskUpCOS” campaign. Price calls that campaign ‘brilliant” but thinks he has a plan to inspire visitors to step up their mask game. It hasn’t been implemented yet, but he hopes to roll out a “Peak of Safety” pledge. It would give coupons for visitors