Alyssa Hurst

It’s been 30 years since Denver’s controversial pit bull ban began, and this November, for the first time since it was enacted, voters will have the opportunity to decide the prohibition’s fate. This isn’t the first challenge to the policy, described as breed-specific legislation (BSL). As recently as February 2020, Denver’s City Council voted to repeal the ban, but that decision was swiftly vetoed by Mayor Michael Hancock, who cited public safety and irresponsible pet owners in a letter to coun…

As Marie Berry sees it, the global community sits at a precarious intersection of three dangerous threats: catastrophic climate change, challenges to democracy and rampant inequality. While everyone from politicians and policymakers to diplomats and business leaders is on the hunt for solutions, Berry, an associate professor at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies, says they might be looking in the wrong places. “All three of those crises do not have solutions…

Colorado provides endless opportunities to see the creatures that light up our social feeds and warm our hearts. From greeting chipmunks and deer on the trail to petting the friendly pups that pack our local breweries, we get plenty of chances for a cozy dose of animal lovin’. Bookmark this list for the next time you need some soulful puppy eyes or want to snuggle up to more unconventional creatures. The Wild Animal Sanctuary The Denver Zoo isn’t the only place around to see exotic wildlife. The…

Three years ago, Anna Sher, a professor of biology in the University of Denver’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, called a meeting of women leaders from across the department. This would ultimately become the STEM Women Faculty Association, and since then, its members have dedicated themselves to understanding and addressing the needs of women-identified faculty. This month, Sher’s work has resulted in a prestigious Natural Science Foundation ADVANCE grant. The nearly $1 million gran…

With people everywhere hunkered down at home, pets are offering a steady source of comfort, companionship and entertainment. From the cat butts dancing through Zoom meetings to the tippy-tapping puppy paws begging for one more chance to fetch the stick, pets are taking center stage in daily existenc…

On April 22, 1970, the University of Denver celebrated the nation’s first Earth Day with a teach-in on environmental problems, sponsored by the DU ecology club, then known as Citizens for Environmental Control. Students from colleges and universities across the state gathered in a geodesic dome cons…

In 2008, the University of Denver joined what is now known as the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments, launching DU’s push to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Now, amid dire reports about the state of climate change, the University has moved the goalpost closer. “We at DU choose to be carbo…