WEEK OF FEBRUARY 27, 2025
VOLUME 37| ISSUE 9
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King Soopers strike ends with vow to work on deal BY TAMARA CHUANG THE COLORADO SUN
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• Vestas to lay off 200 employees •27J Schools moves online-only Dec. 1
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LOCAL OBITUARIES LEGALS CLASSIFIED
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More than 10,000 supermarket workers involved in a two-week labor walkout will return to their jobs at King Soopers stores Feb. 18 after the labor union and the Colorado grocery chain reached an agreement late Monday to stop picketing and get back to work. There’s no new contract yet, but the two sides plan to resume negotiations to work out their differences. They agreed to a “100-day period of labor peace, ensuring negotiations continue in good faith and without further disruptions,” according to King Soopers officials. The strike ended at midnight, two days earlier than the planned twoweek walkout. “We have taken a big step forward and ensured that Kroger knows that staffing is a key concern to workers and customers alike,” said Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7, in an emailed statement. “This strike was about thousands of everyday grocery store workers, collectively standing together and facing one of the largest corporations in America and saying ENOUGH. Our strike was just the beginning of this effort and elevated staffing in grocery stores to a national level with more workers and allies joining together.” Joe Kelley, president of Krogerowned King Soopers, called workers “the heart of King Soopers” and said the goal is to reach a “fair agreement that honors their hard work while ensuring we continue to provide fresh, affordable groceries for the families who rely on us.” Local 7 represented the 77 Denverarea stores that went on a planned two-week strike starting Feb. 6, just before Super Bowl weekend. Two stores in Pueblo joined a day later. Negotiations had stalled after Jan. 16, more than a week after many Denver contracts expired. More stores were expected to join as their contracts expired Feb. 15. But the Colorado Springs stores, which had voted last month to authorize a strike, never participated.
Adams City High School students, Alejandra (left) and Cynthia (right), hold up a handmade poster with information to report ICE activity or to file a JACKIE RAMIREZ complaint at the school in Commerce City.
Adams City High School students come together to show support for each other and their community BY JACKIE RAMIREZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Amid ICE raids occurring in nearby communities and negative narratives against immigrants, Adams City High School students organized a cultural event on Feb. 14 to remind their peers of the support among each other and their community. A week before on Feb. 5, immigration raids took place at Cedar Run Apartments in Denver and at another apart-
ment complex in Aurora, all while hundreds of students from Denver Public Schools walked out to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. “We’re here to support you. You have built your seat at the table,” said Aliyah Acevedo to her peers inside the school’s gymnasium. Acevedo was one of the students that organized the cultural event at Adams City High School. “Your parents coming alone was such a sacrifice that they built this
home for you. We are the seeds that continue to grow, and we want you guys to remember that.” As students walked in, they were greeted by other students holding up handmade posters that featured a hot line number to report ICE activity as well as a number and email to file a complaint on ICE. Behind them was a stand that sold cookies, with proceeds from sales going to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. CIRC has been working
with Adams 14 to inform staff, students and families of their rights when interacting with an immigration officer. The event began with students addressing the recent ICE raids and reminding them that they have rights and that when interacting with an ICE official, to ask for warrants. They also emphasized the importance of checking to see that warrants had been signed by a judge. SEE SUPPORT, P4
SEE STRIKE, P8
BRIEFS: PAGE 2 | OBITUARIES: PAGE 6 | LEGALS: PAGE 12
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