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Evans, Rutinel clash in high-stakes congressional debate

Both parties are keen on capturing the 8th Congressional District seat.

News

Republican Gabe Evans and Democrat Manny Rutinel traded sharp attacks Wednesday in a heated debate in Colorado&#x27;s closely <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="watched 8th Congressional District seat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/trump-latino-voters-competitive-district" data-vars-content-id="60f86175-388e-480f-87f1-1c4a79947781" data-vars-headline="Evans, Rutinel clash in high-stakes congressional debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/trump-latino-voters-competitive-district" target="_self">watched 8th Congressional District seat</a>. Why it matters: In their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="only scheduled debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/29/colorado-candidates-refuse-debate-2026-election" data-vars-content-id="60f86175-388e-480f-87f1-1c4a79947781" data-vars-headline="Evans, Rutinel clash in high-stakes congressional debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/29/colorado-candidates-refuse-debate-2026-election" target="_self">only scheduled debate</a>, the candidates spent more time sparring than spelling out how they&#x27;d address voters&#x27; concerns — even as the race could determine the balance of power in Congress.

Walmart drones are coming to Denver

The retailer is preparing to drop groceries and other goods at customers' homes in as little as 30 minutes.

Business

Walmart is deploying drone delivery to Denver, promising to drop groceries and other goods at customers&#x27; homes in as little as 30 minutes. Why it matters: The robot ramp-up is in full force. Driverless cars are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roaming Denver&#x27;s streets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/waymo-launches-denver" data-vars-content-id="8c165c1a-5bcf-4231-9391-680eebe8d200" data-vars-headline="Walmart drones are coming to Denver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/waymo-launches-denver" target="_self">roaming Denver&#x27;s streets</a>. Now drones are taking to the skies.

Arc opens its first thrift bins

Arc's first-ever outlet sells massively discounted clothing and goods,

Arc Thrift Stores opened its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-ever outlet" data-vars-click-url="https://arcthrift.com/outlet" data-vars-content-id="6f9e1cb3-e2aa-4daa-900c-4ca55ec5ff29" data-vars-headline="Arc opens its first thrift bins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arcthrift.com/outlet" target="_blank">first-ever outlet</a> yesterday.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a big deal if you&#x27;re in the thrifting game.

What's at stake on Colorado's ballot in 2026

The lengthy ballot, with its record number of measures and key races, will determine Colorado's policy future and the players that shape it.

Election

As early voting gets underway in Colorado, the stakes of the 2026 election are coming into focus.Why it matters: Who&#x27;s in charge, what Colorado&#x27;s cultural norms look like and how the state collects and spends money are all at stake in this election.

Denver taps team to shape data center future

The city has selected 26 people to weigh data center rules as backlash grows.

Denver has assembled a team to decide if and how the city should make room for more power-hungry <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" data-vars-content-id="9bfa5698-f343-4c46-a51d-121000b8eef1" data-vars-headline="Denver taps team to shape data center future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/25/data-centers-ai-electricity-water-politics" target="_self">data centers</a>.Why it matters: The move comes amid the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moratorium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/19/denver-data-center-moratorium-approved" data-vars-content-id="9bfa5698-f343-4c46-a51d-121000b8eef1" data-vars-headline="Denver taps team to shape data center future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/19/denver-data-center-moratorium-approved" target="_self">moratorium</a> on new data center development through at least May 2027, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/15/colorado-poll-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-ai" data-vars-content-id="9bfa5698-f343-4c46-a51d-121000b8eef1" data-vars-headline="Denver taps team to shape data center future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/15/colorado-poll-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-ai" target="_self">pushback</a> grows across Colorado.

Horror bookstore set to open soon on South Broadway

A "cozy haunted nook" is coming this fall.

A horror-themed bookstore is creeping up on South Broadway. Zoom in: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Broom Book &amp; Candle" data-vars-click-url="https://broombookcandle.com/" data-vars-content-id="4e13bd64-a032-44ac-a917-17cfd54f9908" data-vars-headline="Horror bookstore set to open soon on South Broadway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://broombookcandle.com/" target="_blank">Broom Book &amp; Candle</a> — a 2,400-square-foot shop, cafe and wine bar — plans to begin a phased opening at 482 S. Broadway in early November.

Summit FC breaks ground on stadium 

New plans call for slightly less seating capacity.

Summit FC broke ground Thursday on its permanent stadium at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Santa Fe Yards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/23/denver-womens-soccer-stadium-approved" data-vars-content-id="b7203488-1b7b-4ae1-904e-5bcf60160c9f" data-vars-headline="Summit FC breaks ground on stadium " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/23/denver-womens-soccer-stadium-approved" target="_self">Santa Fe Yards</a>, unveiling new renderings of its future home. State of play: The 14-acre site near South Broadway and I-25 will be anchored by the 12,500-seat stadium, with standing-room capacity expanding the total to 13,000 seats, per the club.

How to prepare your business for the next chapter

Succession planning before a sale or retirement is critical for business owners who want to leave a legacy.

Partners

For many founders, being indispensable is part of what makes a business successful.Okay, but: A company can become harder to scale and more difficult to transition when authority, customer relationships, and institutional knowledge all rest with one person.

Denver is becoming a rideshare testing ground

Throo, a New York City-based ride-hailing app built around a 0% commission model, is now in Denver.

Denver&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ride-hailing scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/waymo-launches-denver" data-vars-content-id="edf74162-a052-4631-a27a-359480708425" data-vars-headline="Denver is becoming a rideshare testing ground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/waymo-launches-denver" target="_self">ride-hailing scene</a> is getting crowded — and experimental.Driving the news: Throo, a ride-hailing app built around a 0% commission model, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/throo-takes-its-0-commission-model-beyond-new-york-city-to-denver-302886555.html?tc=eml_cleartime&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="edf74162-a052-4631-a27a-359480708425" data-vars-headline="Denver is becoming a rideshare testing ground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/throo-takes-its-0-commission-model-beyond-new-york-city-to-denver-302886555.html?tc=eml_cleartime&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">announced</a> its Denver expansion this week, its first market <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outside New York City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/nyregion/can-throo-compete-with-uber-and-lyft.html" data-vars-content-id="edf74162-a052-4631-a27a-359480708425" data-vars-headline="Denver is becoming a rideshare testing ground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/nyregion/can-throo-compete-with-uber-and-lyft.html" target="_blank">outside New York City</a> just three months after launching.

Ball Arena plans $135M makeover

The renovation would give the 27-year-old venue a glassier, more modern look.

Development

A $135 million renovation is expected to transform <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ball Arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/10/21/ball-arena-redevelopment-plan-passes" data-vars-content-id="16753994-2f52-49b5-a020-5be5fdf754b3" data-vars-headline="Ball Arena plans $135M makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/10/21/ball-arena-redevelopment-plan-passes" target="_self">Ball Arena</a>, giving the 27-year-old venue a glassier, more modern look.Why it matters: The investment offers one of the first tangible signs of Kroenke Sports &amp; Entertainment&#x27;s sweeping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redevelopment vision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/11/ball-arena-development-rezoning" data-vars-content-id="16753994-2f52-49b5-a020-5be5fdf754b3" data-vars-headline="Ball Arena plans $135M makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/11/ball-arena-development-rezoning" target="_self">redevelopment vision</a> for the area coming to life.

Colorado lawmakers seek new AI safeguards

Bipartisan concern is growing, but lawmakers differ on what new AI rules should do.

AI&#x27;s catastrophic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="risks to humanity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/anthropic-insiders-warn-ai-could-kill-all-humans" data-vars-content-id="74a8b343-3818-4fc1-b694-ea09786e52f1" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers seek new AI safeguards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/anthropic-insiders-warn-ai-could-kill-all-humans" target="_self">risks to humanity</a> are fueling fresh calls for regulation, with Colorado lawmakers in both parties agreeing that more guardrails are needed.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Public alarm over" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/15/colorado-poll-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-ai" data-vars-content-id="74a8b343-3818-4fc1-b694-ea09786e52f1" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers seek new AI safeguards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/09/15/colorado-poll-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-ai" target="_self">Public alarm over</a> the rapidly advancing technology is creating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a rare bipartisan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/15/ai-congress-regulation-bill-trump-bipartisan" data-vars-content-id="74a8b343-3818-4fc1-b694-ea09786e52f1" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers seek new AI safeguards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/15/ai-congress-regulation-bill-trump-bipartisan" target="_self">a rare bipartisan</a> opening in Congress to act.

Denver airport satisfaction improves but lags peers

DIA ranked 18th out of 20 North American mega airports in JD Power's annual survey.

Passenger satisfaction at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/26/denver-airport-dia-den-walkways-between-concourses" data-vars-content-id="6ea9de6a-cc96-4b44-9758-93cd58630457" data-vars-headline="Denver airport satisfaction improves but lags peers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/26/denver-airport-dia-den-walkways-between-concourses" target="_self">Denver International Airport</a> keeps improving as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="construction progresses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/04/denver-airport-new-east-security-checkpoint" data-vars-content-id="6ea9de6a-cc96-4b44-9758-93cd58630457" data-vars-headline="Denver airport satisfaction improves but lags peers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/04/denver-airport-new-east-security-checkpoint" target="_self">construction progresses</a> and more local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food and drink options" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/05/denver-international-airport-new-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="6ea9de6a-cc96-4b44-9758-93cd58630457" data-vars-headline="Denver airport satisfaction improves but lags peers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/05/denver-international-airport-new-restaurants" target="_self">food and drink options</a> debut.Why it matters: Maybe all those construction headaches are paying off.

Business 🏦

Denver taps team to shape data center future

Boulder climate case gets boost in Supreme Court

Arc opens its first thrift bins

Walmart drones are coming to Denver

Horror bookstore set to open soon on South Broadway