Business

Metro Denver, which encompasses 1.4 million households, had fewer than 1,500 homes for sale at the end of 2021, compared to 2,541 last year, according to the latest data from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.

What they're saying: "Demand is not slowing, it is only limited by what is for sale," Nicole Reuth, a producing branch manager for Fairway Independent Mortgage in Englewood, said following the DMAR report presentation.

The strike that sent more than 8,000 King Soopers employees to the picket lines Wednesday could persist for nearly a month and expand to additional stores, according to the grocery workers union.

State of play: Nearly 80 Denver-area stores sat largely empty Wednesday as workers and supporters carried signs outside reading: "Please do not patronize."

Just six months into the job, Denver International Airport's brand new CEO may have his legacy on the line.

Driving the news: The Denver City Council this week approved Phil Washington's vision to spend another $1.1 billion to complete the Great Hall project at DIA, doubling its overall cost to $2.3 billion and pushing construction completion from 2024 to 2028.

Expect Colorado lawmakers to file hundreds of bills this session and for hundreds to win approval.

For the record: Most will have limited impact, but a handful of major issues will face fierce debate.

One of Colorado's main strategies for battling the pandemic is providing access to free COVID-19 testing.

Zoom out: The state's free rapid test program is even being emulated by the White House, which is working to distribute a half-billion tests across the country and require insurers to cover the cost.

Colorado is one of the top six sports betting states in the U.S. since local voters first legalized sports gambling in 2020 — and this month may prove the most profitable yet.

Why it matters: The state collects tax revenue from sports betting and funnels it directly into gambling addiction services, including crisis hotlines and counseling, as well as infrastructure investments like water conservation and storage projects.

Restaurants and bars in the Denver area are being forced to pivot yet again as the Omicron variant and a labor shortage leave the service industry even more understaffed.

What's happening: Businesses are curtailing their hours, canceling reservations and posting last-minute closures on social media amid the outbreaks. Some, like Owlette Bakery and Third Culture Bakery, have closed for good.

Colorado schools opened their doors for the spring semester this week amid a record surge of COVID cases — and it didn't take long for them to close their doors again.

Driving the news: Staffing shortages coupled with the latest COVID spike caused nearly 20 Denver district schools to switch to full or partial remote learning on Wednesday.