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Axios Arapahoe County

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Axios Arapahoe County Thought Bubble

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Office space is sitting empty across the Denver Tech Center and south metro.

Why it matters: The pandemic triggered a permanent shift in how — and where — Denver-area workers show up.

Zoom in: About 19% of office space along the corridor from the Denver Tech Center to Lone Tree was vacant in the first quarter of 2026, according to CoStar data analyzed by Denver South, the region's economic development partnership.

That's roughly 9 million empty square feet, says Christine Shapard, Denver South's senior director of economic development.

The south metro's vacancy rate is down slightly — from about 20% late last year — a hint that the area may be starting to crawl out of its office-space trough.

The latest: Office vacancy rates hit a record high nationwide in the first three months of the year, per Moody's data shared exclusively with Axios.

About 21% of office space across 79 U.S. markets was vacant in the first quarter — up from 17% in 2020.

Follow the money: Still, a cooling labor market and uncertainty around how AI could reshape jobs are weighing on real estate demand.

Friction point: The vacancy rate is a sign of just how slow the commercial market moves.

Shapard says our region is still playing catch-up compared to faster-recovering hubs like Atlanta, Austin and Phoenix.

What they're saying: "Everyone got back into the offices in a lot of the other markets, and they haven't in the Denver market as quickly," she says.

"I do not know why. I don't even want to take a stab at it."

Yes, but: There are signs of life — especially in the DTC.

Aerospace companies are beginning to absorb space across office, flex and industrial properties.

York Space Systems is assembling satellites in a formerly vacant building at 6060 S. Willow Drive.

Smaller professional firms — including attorneys and accountants — are also backfilling space, seeing an opening to move from virtual operations into brick-and-mortar offices.

What to watch: The definition of "the office" is changing.

"More than ever, the office is no longer viewed solely as a place to work, but as a tool to attract and retain young talent," Moody's analysts write.

The bottom line: The office isn't dead in the Denver metro — but it won't snap back to the way it was.

Denver area office vacancies remain high in 2026

Nearly 9 million square feet of office space is sitting empty as hybrid work reshapes demand.

Illustration of an office chair neon sign with the word vacancy flashing next to it

Office space is sitting empty across the Denver Tech Center and south metro.Why it matters: The pandemic triggered a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permanent shift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/02/office-vacancies-moodys-real-estate" data-vars-content-id="168f7db5-2ccf-466b-bf5d-b1be701d7d35" data-vars-headline="Denver area office vacancies remain high in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/02/office-vacancies-moodys-real-estate" target="_self">permanent shift</a> in how — and where — Denver-area workers show up.

Real Estate

News

Job market uncertainty has crept into everyday life for most Americans, and the youngest students among us feel like they're shouldering much of that burden.

Why it matters: Twenty-three-year-old Lily Mazzoline, and millions of future grads like her, need jobs — but they're stressed, disappointed and a little ticked off.

The big picture: Confidence is low. In recent Gallup polling, just 27% of college grads say it's a good time to find a quality job, and only 19% feel optimistic about the broader job market as AI disruption looms.

Zoom in: Mazzoline, who's earning an associate's degree in business from Arapahoe Community College, attended her school's career fair in mid-April.

The Heritage High School grad hoped the event might spring her toward employment.

She's open to working in any field where she can interact directly with people.

By the numbers: After at least 30 applications and five interviews over the past three months, she's dejected about her prospects.

"I can't believe how competitive and closed-off the market feels right now," Mazzoline tells Axios. "Everything is like a door that you have to push your way through."

Representatives from about 30 small businesses, banks and government entities met ACC students at the fair.

Among them were BOK Financial, South Suburban Parks and Recreation, Aurora Police and the Cherry Creek School District.

What they're saying: "We have to think about what's going to be the next sector for growth and how do we connect our students and graduates to that," says Julie Beggs, ACC's vice president of economic mobility and workforce innovation.

Behind the scenes: ACC is rethinking how it educates its students — including determining which industries are about to pop.

ACC's recently launched Colorado Space Program will connect students to training opportunities in the state's burgeoning aerospace industry.

The school may eventually eliminate select programs in arts and sciences and business.

Zoom out: Like other soon-to-be grads, Mazzoline is unsure how to stand out in the sea of applicants.

"The way companies are using AI to scan resumes, it feels like I'm on a dating site," she says.

Reality check: It's a struggle for soon-to-be grads.

"I've definitely gone through the deflated feeling, like, "Oh, my gosh, when am I going to find a job?'" says Mazzoline, who recently moved back into her childhood home. "Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough."

The bottom line: She said she's "not done trying."

The BOK representative asked to connect on LinkedIn and Mazzoline plans to follow up soon.

"I believe there's a place for me, I just have to keep pushing until I find it."

South metro grads face tough job market

Job market uncertainty has crept into everyday life for most Americans.

Illustration of a businessman lying on a bed with a pillow over his face

Job market uncertainty has crept into everyday life for most Americans, and the youngest students among us feel like they&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shouldering much of that burden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/jobs-labor-college-gallup" data-vars-content-id="1dadcfd9-3658-427f-a15a-304cc8f695c1" data-vars-headline="South metro grads face tough job market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/jobs-labor-college-gallup" target="_self">shouldering much of that burden</a>.Why it matters: Twenty-three-year-old Lily Mazzoline, and millions of future grads like her, need jobs — but they&#x27;re stressed, disappointed and a little ticked off.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

The City of Aurora is formally curbing water use in response to historically low snowpack and amid growing water shortage concerns ahead of warming weather.

Why it matters: Aurora Water wants a 20% reduction in water use, affecting everything from lawn watering to development, as the city tries to stretch limited supplies.

Restaurants are serving water only upon request.

Even-numbered addresses water outdoors Thursdays and Sundays.

Odd-numbered addresses water outdoors Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Check Aurora's website for the monthly list of time per zone for automatic sprinkler systems.

Hand-watering lawns is subject to the same restrictions as automatic sprinklers.

Hand-watering of vegetable or flower gardens is allowed at any time.

New cool-weather turf can't be installed.

The bottom line: Thinking about sneaking in extra watering days for your parched lawn?

First-time violators get a warning, but if you water more than twice a week — or outside Aurora Water's restricted times — you'll get an immediate violation.

A second violation earns you a $250 fine; the third is $1,000.

Commercial users get a $500 fine for a second violation and the third is $2,000.

Aurora water restrictions: What you need to know

New rules limit watering days and add fines as Aurora faces low snowpack.

Illustration of an hourglass filled with water, running out. 

The City of Aurora is formally curbing water use in response to historically <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="low snowpack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" data-vars-content-id="5c2d21d6-826d-430c-93c1-de7c13753702" data-vars-headline="Aurora water restrictions: What you need to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" target="_self">low snowpack</a> and amid growing water shortage concerns ahead of warming weather.Why it matters: Aurora Water wants a 20% reduction in water use, affecting everything from lawn watering to development, as the city tries to stretch limited supplies.

Climate

Water

Environment

Farmers market season means parking lots, downtown streets and shopping centers across Arapahoe County fill with tents, local produce and the promise of a sun-drenched, caffeine-fueled morning.

The big picture: This lineup features weekend and weekday markets, each with unique offerings guaranteed to get you outside and activated.

The county's markets are a diverse bunch, anchored in Littleton and stretching east into Aurora. Suburban setups range from polished purveyor to community bazaar — because who doesn't enjoy a little party time with a fistful of just-picked carrots?

This weekday option is an established market that draws vendors hawking everything from Palisade peaches to dried sea moss. Its timing gives shoppers a lunchtime work break and — for the planners among us — a prime opportunity to keep weekends open while stocking up for Sunday dinnertime veggies and beef.

Runs: Fridays, June–September; 10am–2pm

Set in historic downtown, this relaxed Sunday market is known for its top-notch produce — including gourmet mushrooms and heirloom tomatoes. This is a popular setup because of its location, so arrive before your favorites disappear.

Part farmers market, part street festival, this Aurora favorite is a standout for its produce and prepared foods. The Main Street setting makes this one of the south-metro's liveliest and family-accessible markets.

Runs: Saturdays, May–September; 8am–1pm

The bottom line: Whether you're a Friday planner or a weekend produce peruser, Arapahoe County's markets have moved beyond run-of-the-mill stands and into food-driven community staples.

Arapahoe County farmers markets return for the season

This lineup features weekend and weekday markets, each with unique offerings.

Organic multicolored carrots at Colorado farmers market. 

Organic multicolored carrots at a Colorado farmers market. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images

Farmers market season means parking lots, downtown streets and shopping centers across Arapahoe County fill with tents, local produce and the promise of a sun-drenched, caffeine-fueled morning.The big picture: This lineup features weekend and weekday markets, each with unique offerings guaranteed to get you outside and activated.

Food and Drink

Things to Do

Aurora residents soon could be living near a nuclear microreactor.

The big picture: Neighbors in the shadows of Buckley Space Force Base say the April announcement naming the base a preferred site for a nuclear project came without warning.

What we're hearing: Among a dozen residents who spoke to Axios, none said they knew a microreactor was under consideration at Buckley.

"It's the cost of living next to a military base," said Ruth Wilcox, 69, a 23-year Murphy Creek resident who can see the base from her neighborhood.

"We need a grocery store and infrastructure improvements more than a reactor in our backyard," said Kevin Gibson, 44, who also lives in Murphy Creek and disapproves of the microreactor. "We already have the [Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site] landfill, so why do we need something else that could negatively impact our homes?"

Yes, but: That support comes with caveats.

"Any time you're talking about nuclear, there's going to be a serious conversation about what that means," said Terry Hunt, a 45-year resident of the Lexington East neighborhood near Buckley.

Zoom out: Nuclear energy is having a moment.

Federal officials are pushing to deploy small, advanced reactors to power critical infrastructure as threats to the grid grow — from cyberattacks to extreme weather.

And Buckley isn't alone. Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base could also get a microreactor.

Zoom in: At Buckley, the reactor would power systems tied to space surveillance and ground-based radar.

The base is home to Space Delta 4, which manages missile warnings for the U.S. and its allies.

The intrigue: Microreactors are compact nuclear plants that can produce up to 20 megawatts of energy and operate independently from the commercial power grid.

Unlike traditional, large-scale nuclear facilities, they're designed with built-in safety features to prevent a meltdown. They can run for long stretches between refueling, helping operations stay online even if the surrounding grid fails.

What to watch: Final approval for the microreactors depends on licensing and environmental reviews. There are no community meetings scheduled with Buckley's neighbors — yet.

A Buckley spokesperson told Axios the project is "early in the process," but a discussion with neighbors is likely.

The Department of the Air Force estimates the microreactor could be completed by 2030.

What they're saying: "Nuclear is happening, it's the future, and there's not much you can do about it," said Audrey Myers, 67, who lives in Murphy Creek.

Homeowners' associations near Buckley did not respond to Axios' requests for comment.

Neighbors react to nuclear plan at Buckley Space Force base

Some neighbors support a proposed microreactor, but concerns remain.

Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado.

Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado. Photo: Robert Sanchez/Axios

Aurora residents soon could be living near a nuclear microreactor.The big picture: Neighbors in the shadows of Buckley Space Force Base say the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="April announcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ans.org/news/article-7930/colorado-montana-bases-selected-for-dod-microreactor-program/" data-vars-content-id="cfc0df60-54ec-420a-bf05-da85d52f72f2" data-vars-headline="Neighbors react to nuclear plan at Buckley Space Force base" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ans.org/news/article-7930/colorado-montana-bases-selected-for-dod-microreactor-program/" target="_blank">April announcement</a> naming the base a preferred site for a nuclear project came without warning.

Robert Sanchez

Featured stories

Neighbors react to nuclear plan at Buckley Space Force base

Arapahoe County farmers markets return for the season

Your guide to Douglas County farmers markets

Aurora water restrictions: What you need to know

South metro grads face tough job market