Denver's homicide surge among highest in the U.S.
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Denver's homicide spike during the first half of the year is among the highest in the country for major cities, according to preliminary data reviewed by Axios.
Why it matters: Deadly crime in Denver is bucking a national trend among the largest cities in the country, which are mostly recording dips in homicides.
State of play: An Axios analysis of the Major Cities Chiefs Association's (MCCA) survey of 66 large U.S. communities found drops in violent crime in the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
- Data showed declines in homicides (-17.2%), robberies (-16.6%), rapes (-6.2%.) and aggravated assaults (-5.7%) among the police departments analyzed.
Zoom in: While homicides rose roughly 30% in Denver, per MCCA, the city did record lower numbers of reported rape (-5%), robbery (-12%) and aggravated assault (-13%).
What we're watching: Whether Denver police's new strategy to combat homicides helps reduce the bloodshed.