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From traditional bungalows to an industrial loft, this week's collection of hot homes is packed with character.

Why we love it: An open layout 12.5-foot ceilings, exposed brick walls and concrete columns give this LoDo loft an industrial feel.

Specs: 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms, 995 square feet

Listed by: Lana Cordier at LIV Sotheby's International Realty

Features: Parking, guest suite, dedicated desk space. 

Why we love it: If you're on the hunt for a more unique home, perhaps a shrine-turned-luxury-condo might do the trick. 

Specs: 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms, 1,431 square feet

Listed by: Linda Kukulski Miller at Redfin

Features: Reserved parking and storage room, eat-in island, spacious layout.

Why we love it: This home's textured accent walls, light-filled dining room and  private backyard earned this adorable bungalow a spot in this week's roundup. 

Specs: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1,004 square feet

Listed by: Samantha Messmer at West and Main Homes Inc.

Features: Updated bathroom, walkable to breweries and restaurants, covered patio. 

Photo by Jason Vaz/SuiteShot, courtesy of Samantha Messmer

Why we love it: This three-bed packs a lot of charm, but the fenced-in yard with a pergola-covered patio looks especially dreamy. 

Specs: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,650 square feet

Listed by:  Bret Weinstein at Guide Real Estate

Features: Finished basement, curb appeal, built-ins. 

Why we love it: I love when a home's entry sets the tone for the rest of this house. This one lets us know to expect original ornate crown moldings and other Victorian-inspired architectural details throughout. 

Specs: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 2,466 square feet

Listed by: Mary Ebel Decherd at Equity Colorado Real Estate

Features: Gracious front porch, early 20th century fireplace, two-car garage. 

Photo courtesy of Mary Ebel Decherd, staging by Ziccardi Designs 

Hot homes: 5 houses for sale in Denver starting at $625.5k

Real estate

From traditional bungalows to an industrial loft, this week&#x27;s collection of hot homes is packed with character.<h5><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1301 Wazee St. Unit 2A — $625,500" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/CO/Denver/1301-Wazee-St-80204/unit-2A/home/34226223" data-vars-content-id="6556fd4e-3b8c-4e6b-92f6-97b77387f73d" data-vars-headline="Hot homes: 5 houses for sale in Denver starting at $625.5k" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/CO/Denver/1301-Wazee-St-80204/unit-2A/home/34226223" target="_blank">1301 Wazee St. Unit 2A — $625,500</a></h5>Why we love it: An open layout 12.5-foot ceilings, exposed brick walls and concrete columns give this LoDo loft an industrial feel.

Real Estate

Axios Denver, anchored by John Frank and Alayna Alvarez, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.

The median home sales price for the Denver metro area was $536,500 in January, down 1.11% year over year.

And down 3.33% from December 2022, according to the latest from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.

Why it matters: We're finally starting to see a little change, after months of market cool-down talk.

Yes, but: Spring activity is already picking up, as buyers have become more comfortable with mortgage rates, and more appealing homes hit the market, milehimodern's Grace Sullivan tells Axios.

Driving the news: Denver has a lot of motivated buyers who are moving due to lifestyle changes like growing a family, divorce or rent increases, Sullivan tells Axios.

What's happening: Turn-key properties are attracting multiple offers upwards of 5% over asking, Sullivan says.

Last weekend, for example, Sullivan had three bidding wars, although she says early spring 2023 hasn't been as frenetic as 2022.

What's next: Spring will likely follow typical seasonal trends — more inventory, multiple offers on turn-key properties, higher home prices.

The bottom line: Denver's market has cooled off, but home prices are likely to pick back up soon.

Denver housing prices are down, for now

The market is finally cooling down, but spring is right around the corner.

The median home sales price for the Denver metro area was $536,500 in January, down 1.11% year over year.<ul><li>And down 3.33% from December 2022, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dmarealtors.com/sites/default/files/file/2023-02/DMAR_MarketTrendsReport_February2023_V1.pdf" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dmarealtors.com/sites/default/files/file/2023-02/DMAR_MarketTrendsReport_February2023_V1.pdf" target="_blank">latest from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors</a>.</li></ul>

Denver's largest employers have a range of parental leave policies, from paid time off to reimbursement for adoption expenses.

Why it matters: A host of research shows paid parental leave leads to better birth outcomes, healthier families and household stability.

Driving the news: Job seekers are the most motivated by generous benefits and personal well-being, according to a study from Gallup, and companies see better benefits as a competitive advantage when recruiting talent.

In 2022, better pay and benefits ranked at the top of what employees want in their next job, compared to No. 4 in 2015.

What we did: We reached out to the top 10 largest employers in Denver, as ranked by the state's economic development office.

The policy details below, and local employee counts, came from spokespersons at the companies.

Of note: Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, certain employees are guaranteed up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave after a year, or 1,250 hours over the past 12 months. Colorado employees are eligible for another 40 hours under state law.

What to watch: Starting in 2024, Colorado employees are eligible for paid leave and will receive a portion of their paycheck (up to $1,100 a week). Employees cover the state's cost of the program through a payroll deduction.

The City of Denver has 8,000 employees who are eligible for their paid family leave program called Care bank.

Paid family leave: The Care bank offers all parents, including adoptive, eight paid weeks of leave.

Transition back to work: Some employees can return to work part-time or in a limited capacity.

Fertility: Parents who experience a miscarriage or pregnancy loss are able to take off up to eight weeks paid.

Denver's medical insurance plans provide three completed egg retrievals, unlimited embryo transfers and fertility preservation measures.

In the Denver area, HealthONE has 11,600-plus employees.

Paid family leave: HealthONE offers eight weeks of paid maternity leave for primary caregivers and two weeks for secondary caregivers.

Those who adopt have a minimum of two weeks paid leave.

Transition back to work: Employees have a few options for returning to work, including longer personal leave or extended medical leave, if needed.

Some HealthONE employees are able to transition to part-time work or PRN (per diem) hours.

Fertility: HealthONE partners with Progyny, which provides supplemental fertility coverage at no extra cost for employees.

Employees experiencing pregnancy loss or miscarriage are eligible to apply for medical leave and short-term disability benefits.

Employees can also get eight free counseling sessions with Optum.

Adoption: Through an application process, employees can be reimbursed up to $12,000 for adoption expenses like attorneys fees, home studies and transportation expenses required to bring the child home.

Century Link, a Lumen Technologies brand, has approximately 4,490 in the Denver metro area.

Paid family leave: All employees receive eight weeks of paid parental leave. This applies to adoption, surrogacy or biological means.

Birth mothers also may be eligible for six to eight weeks of short-term disability prior to the eight-week family leave.

Full-time employees can work fewer hours during the first four weeks back to work following birth or placement of a child.

Fertility: Employees can access supplemental fertility benefits through either Progyny or Fertility Solutions to cover costs of testing, medication, egg or sperm preservation, etc.

Employees can take 10 paid days off and an additional 20 unpaid days off in the event of a miscarriage.

Adoption: Lumen employees can be reimbursed up to $5,000 per adopted child, or up to $6,000 for children with special needs.

Kaiser Permanente has approximately 6,000 employees, most of whom are based in the Denver metro area.

Paid family leave: Kaiser Permanente doesn't offer paid family leave. Instead, employees can use PTO or paid sick days.

Birthing parents can use short-term disability.

They offer flexible return-to-work plans when medically necessary.

Fertility: Fertility services, including IVF and medications, are offered at the same copays as all other medical services.

Paid family leave: Primary caregivers get 18 weeks of paid parental leave, and secondary caregivers get 10 weeks of paid leave.

Fertility: Medical insurance provides coverage for fertility testing and treatment, IVF, etc. There's a lifetime max of $25,000.

They offer three days of bereavement for pregnancy loss and miscarriage.

Adoption:  Parents who adopt can receive 10 weeks of paid leave, and up to $10,000 reimbursement for adoption expenses.

Foster parents are eligible for 10 weeks of paid leave.

How parental leave policies at Denver's biggest employers compare

A host of research shows paid parental leave leads to better outcomes.

Illustration of a stork holding a briefcase.

Denver&#x27;s largest employers have a range of parental leave policies, from paid time off to reimbursement for adoption expenses.Why it matters: A host of research shows <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="p" data-vars-click-url="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/04/feature-parental-leave" data-vars-content-id="c1472d40-096b-48fb-af43-dbd323ad9750" data-vars-headline="How parental leave policies at Denver&#x27;s biggest employers compare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/04/feature-parental-leave" target="_blank">p</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aid parental leave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/04/feature-parental-leave" data-vars-content-id="c1472d40-096b-48fb-af43-dbd323ad9750" data-vars-headline="How parental leave policies at Denver&#x27;s biggest employers compare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/04/feature-parental-leave" target="_blank">aid parental leave</a> leads to better <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="birth outcomes" data-vars-click-url="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10995-017-2393-x" data-vars-content-id="c1472d40-096b-48fb-af43-dbd323ad9750" data-vars-headline="How parental leave policies at Denver&#x27;s biggest employers compare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10995-017-2393-x" target="_blank">birth outcomes</a>, healthier families and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="household stability" data-vars-click-url="https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/its-good-new-moms-when-dads-can-stay-home" data-vars-content-id="c1472d40-096b-48fb-af43-dbd323ad9750" data-vars-headline="How parental leave policies at Denver&#x27;s biggest employers compare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/its-good-new-moms-when-dads-can-stay-home" target="_blank">household stability</a>.Driving the news: Job seekers are the most motivated by generous <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="benefits and personal well-being" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gallup.com/workplace/389807/top-things-employees-next-job.aspx" data-vars-content-id="c1472d40-096b-48fb-af43-dbd323ad9750" data-vars-headline="How parental leave policies at Denver&#x27;s biggest employers compare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gallup.com/workplace/389807/top-things-employees-next-job.aspx" target="_blank">benefits and personal well-being</a>, according to a study from Gallup, and companies see better benefits as a competitive advantage when recruiting talent.<ul><li>In 2022, better pay and benefits ranked at the top of what employees want in their next job, compared to No. 4 in 2015.</li></ul>What we did: We reached out to the top 10 largest employers in Denver, as ranked by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state&#x27;s economic development office" data-vars-click-url="https://choosecolorado.com/doing-business/major-employers/" data-vars-content-id="c1472d40-096b-48fb-af43-dbd323ad9750" data-vars-headline="How parental leave policies at Denver&#x27;s biggest employers compare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://choosecolorado.com/doing-business/major-employers/" target="_blank">state&#x27;s economic development office</a>.<ul><li>The policy details below, and local employee counts, came from spokespersons at the companies.</li></ul>Of note: Under the federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Family and Medical Leave Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/benefits-leave/fmla" data-vars-content-id="c1472d40-096b-48fb-af43-dbd323ad9750" data-vars-headline="How parental leave policies at Denver&#x27;s biggest employers compare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/benefits-leave/fmla" target="_blank">Family and Medical Leave Act</a>, certain employees are guaranteed up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave after a year, or 1,250 hours over the past 12 months. Colorado employees are eligible for another 40 hours <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="under state law" data-vars-click-url="https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/time-off-leave/family-medical-leave-act-fmla" data-vars-content-id="c1472d40-096b-48fb-af43-dbd323ad9750" data-vars-headline="How parental leave policies at Denver&#x27;s biggest employers compare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/time-off-leave/family-medical-leave-act-fmla" target="_blank">under state law</a>.What to watch: Starting in 2024, Colorado employees are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eligible for paid leave" data-vars-click-url="https://famli.colorado.gov/individuals-and-families" data-vars-content-id="c1472d40-096b-48fb-af43-dbd323ad9750" data-vars-headline="How parental leave policies at Denver&#x27;s biggest employers compare" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://famli.colorado.gov/individuals-and-families" target="_blank">eligible for paid leave</a> and will receive a portion of their paycheck (up to $1,100 a week). Employees cover the state&#x27;s cost of the program through a payroll deduction.<h5>City of Denver</h5>The City of Denver has 8,000 employees who are eligible for their paid family leave program called Care bank.Paid family leave: The Care bank offers all parents, including adoptive, eight paid weeks of leave.Transition back to work: Some employees can return to work part-time or in a limited capacity.Fertility: Parents who experience a miscarriage or pregnancy loss are able to take off up to eight weeks paid.<ul><li>Denver&#x27;s medical insurance plans provide three completed egg retrievals, unlimited embryo transfers and fertility preservation measures.</li></ul><h5>HealthONE</h5>In the Denver area, HealthONE has 11,600-plus employees.Paid family leave: HealthONE offers eight weeks of paid maternity leave for primary caregivers and two weeks for secondary caregivers.<ul><li>Those who adopt have a minimum of two weeks paid leave.</li></ul>Transition back to work: Employees have a few options for returning to work, including longer personal leave or extended medical leave, if needed.<ul><li>Some HealthONE employees are able to transition to part-time work or PRN (per diem) hours.</li></ul>Fertility: HealthONE partners with Progyny, which provides supplemental fertility coverage at no extra cost for employees.<ul><li>Employees experiencing pregnancy loss or miscarriage are eligible to apply for medical leave and short-term disability benefits.</li><li>Employees can also get eight free counseling sessions with Optum.</li></ul>Adoption: Through an application process, employees can be reimbursed up to $12,000 for adoption expenses like attorneys fees, home studies and transportation expenses required to bring the child home.<h5>Century Link</h5>Century Link, a Lumen Technologies brand, has approximately 4,490 in the Denver metro area.Paid family leave: All employees receive eight weeks of paid parental leave. This applies to adoption, surrogacy or biological means.<ul><li>Birth mothers also may be eligible for six to eight weeks of short-term disability prior to the eight-week family leave.</li><li>Full-time employees can work fewer hours during the first four weeks back to work following birth or placement of a child.</li></ul>Fertility: Employees can access supplemental fertility benefits through either Progyny or Fertility Solutions to cover costs of testing, medication, egg or sperm preservation, etc.<ul><li>Employees can take 10 paid days off and an additional 20 unpaid days off in the event of a miscarriage.</li></ul>Adoption: Lumen employees can be reimbursed up to $5,000 per adopted child, or up to $6,000 for children with special needs.<h5>Kaiser Permanente</h5>Kaiser Permanente has approximately 6,000 employees, most of whom are based in the Denver metro area.Paid family leave: Kaiser Permanente doesn&#x27;t offer paid family leave. Instead, employees can use PTO or paid sick days.<ul><li>Birthing parents can use short-term disability.</li><li>They offer flexible return-to-work plans when medically necessary.</li></ul>Fertility: Fertility services, including IVF and medications, are offered at the same copays as all other medical services.<h5> Western Union</h5>Western Union has 912 Denver employees.Paid family leave: Primary caregivers get 18 weeks of paid parental leave, and secondary caregivers get 10 weeks of paid leave.Fertility: Medical insurance provides coverage for fertility testing and treatment, IVF, etc. There&#x27;s a lifetime max of $25,000.<ul><li>They offer three days of bereavement for pregnancy loss and miscarriage.</li></ul>Adoption: Parents who adopt can receive 10 weeks of paid leave, and up to $10,000 reimbursement for adoption expenses.<ul><li>Foster parents are eligible for 10 weeks of paid leave.</li></ul>

Business

News

Data: Dwellsy; Chart: Axios Visuals/Axios

Denver is among the most expensive cities in the country for renters, per the latest report from rental company Dwellsy.

Why it matters: Already expensive rents have grown pricier in 2022, making it tougher for people to afford housing.

What's happening: Many would-be buyers are stuck renting as surging mortgage rates make buying unattainable.

High demand and critically low supply drive up rents.

Once landlords realize they can charge more for a unit, "they're going to keep increasing the price to capture as much profit as they can," Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather told Axios' Emily Peck.

By the numbers: The Mile High City's median asking rent among the thousands of Denver-area listings posted through Dwellsy totaled $2,550 last month, a 45.7% spike from August 2021, the report showed. 

Denver is the ninth most expensive metro in the country. 

Driving the news: Demand for single-family home rentals is driving the market, per Dwellsy's August report. 

Rent for those homes is up more than 36% year over year, while apartment rent only rose 4.7%.

Yes, but: Rents could finally be peaking. 

Realtor.com's latest report shows August median rental prices nationwide were down from July, the first decrease since November 2021, Peck writes.

Editor's note: This story was corrected to clarify that the median rent data was based on active listings from Dwellsy, not all rental units.

Denver ranks 9th most expensive metro for renters

The Mile High City's median rent totaled $2,550 last month, a 45.7% spike from August 2021.

Denver is among the most expensive cities in the country for renters, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest report" data-vars-click-url="https://dwellsy.com/blog/rent-price-data/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dwellsy.com/blog/rent-price-data/" target="_blank">latest report</a> from rental company Dwellsy.Why it matters: Already expensive rents have grown pricier in 2022, making it tougher for people to afford housing.

Whether you're on the hunt for a cozy condo or a modern mansion, this week's roundup runs the gamut. 

Why we love it: This light-filled one-bedroom condo is tucked inside a 19th century Victorian.

Specs: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 629 square feet

Listed by:  Zahra Al-Arahawi at Price and Company

Features: French doors, fireplace, exposed brick walls, spacious bedroom with two closets. 

Why we love it: If you're on the hunt for a new build in a walkable location, this Jefferson Park condo might do the trick. 

Specs: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 1,153 square feet

Listed by: Katie Muller at RE/MAX of Boulder

Features: Open layout, modern kitchen, neutral finishes throughout, community rooftop.

Why we love it: With an open layout, garage and fenced-in yard, this stylish ranch-style home is ideal for families. 

Specs: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,453 square feet

Listed by: Tonya Weekley at Lynn Real Estate

Features: Restoration Hardware marble vanity, green kitchen cabinets, remodeled primary suite. 

3496 E. Nielsen Ln. kitchen with green cabinets

Why we love it: From the welcoming covered front porch to the remodeled open kitchen, there's a lot to love about this charming bungalow. 

Specs: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,704 square feet

Listed by: Matt Clark at Thrive Real Estate Group

Features: Two-car garage, fenced-in yard, two en-suites. 

Why we love it: This modern home is stunning, but the star feature is sliding door in the kitchen which allows you to have indoor-outdoor entertaining space. 

Specs: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,028 square feet

Listed by: Emily Lemere at Unique Properties LLC

Features: Bonus space with kitchenette above garage, custom cabinetry, private balcony off primary bedroom.

Hot homes: 5 houses for sale in Denver starting at $340k

Whether you're on the hunt for a cozy condo or a modern mansion, this week's roundup runs the gamut.

3496 E. Nielsen Ln. Photo courtesy of Tonya Weekley

Whether you&#x27;re on the hunt for a cozy condo or a modern mansion, this week&#x27;s roundup runs the gamut. <h5><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1057 N. Emerson St. Unit A — $340,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/CO/Denver/1057-Emerson-St-80218/unit-A/home/34222510" data-vars-content-id="eae42e08-ef1c-488d-bdcf-15d07e67465d" data-vars-headline="Hot homes: 5 houses for sale in Denver starting at $340k" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/CO/Denver/1057-Emerson-St-80218/unit-A/home/34222510" target="_blank">1057 N. Emerson St. Unit A — $340,000</a></h5>Why we love it: This light-filled one-bedroom condo is tucked inside a 19th century Victorian.

Brianna Crane

Featured stories

How parental leave policies at Denver's biggest employers compare

Denver housing prices are down, for now

Denver ranks 9th most expensive metro for renters

Hot homes: 5 houses for sale in Denver starting at $625.5k

Hot homes: 5 houses for sale in Denver starting at $340k