Comment on Oklahoma City-area community briefs

The legality of Aurora’s $80 million purchase of a farm and its water rights is disputed by leaders in southeastern Colorado, who say the deal violates a two-decade-old agreement to stop the booming suburban city from using water meant for crops. Aurora city officials on April 18 finalized the deal to buy a 5,475-acre farm and its water rights in rural Otero County.

Colorado is ending its contract with the organization that answers local calls to the national 988 Lifeline, but state officials haven’t said why — or who will take over the suicide and crisis line. Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners currently answers calls to both 988 and the state’s 844-493-8255 (TALK) suicide prevention hotline, but its contract is scheduled to end June 30. The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration has issued a “notice of intent” to contract with another organization, but won’t release information about it until it finalizes the agreement. Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, which has more than 400 employees, has held the 988 contract in Colorado since the new number rolled out in 2022 and has run the state crisis line since 2011. “The state procures services regularly to ensure state funds are issued in a transparent and competitive manner — it is common practice for agencies to conduct a full procurement process when a contract ends,” spokeswoman Stefany Busch said in a statement. Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners CEO Bev Marquez declined to comment, but multiple employees reached out to The Denver Post expressing concerns about their jobs and the effects that a change in provider could have on Lifeline callers.

There is something invigorating about seeing the exhibitions of student work that college art galleries present at this time of year. The air is full of optimism, even though all that eager talent that is about to graduate faces an uncertain career path. Artists never have it easy. I pop into these exhibitions all the time, though I rarely write about them.

Randi Kleiner felt like an 8-year-old at her birthday party as she fretted inside the Sie FilmCenter. It was 2015, the opening year of the SeriesFest TV festival and, as with a birthday party, there was no guarantee people were going to show up. ” ‘Is anyone actually coming?’ ” the festival co-creator recalled wondering as she unlocked the doors at the theater on East Colfax Avenue.

Dear Amy: My boyfriend’s dad is a CPA, with decades of experience. A few years ago he offered to do my taxes, due to the sudden complexity because of an inheritance — and I was using cheap software for very basic returns. Since taking over my yearly filing he has consistently made mistakes that have cost me quite a bit of money.

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Capricorn. Happy Birthday for Monday, April 29, 2024: You are generous, supportive and energetic. You have impeccable manners and appreciate the finer things in life. Be open to creative change this year. Be courageous and stay light on your feet so you can be ready for new avenues and opportunities.