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Colorado voters sour on Democratic leaders

Colorado voters are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the state's Democratic leaders, a new poll shows.

Election

Colorado voters are increasingly pessimistic about the state&#x27;s Democratic leaders, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new poll" data-vars-click-url="https://copollinginstitute.org/poll/2026-04-november-statewide-poll/" data-vars-content-id="d53cf352-0222-46fd-86f2-bb52a3d626ed" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters sour on Democratic leaders" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://copollinginstitute.org/poll/2026-04-november-statewide-poll/" target="_blank">a new poll</a> shows.Why it matters: The attitude shift among likely voters comes ahead of the 2026 election and offers insight into June&#x27;s primary contests.

Molly Brown House debuts rare Titanic artifacts

The new artifacts will be on display through December.

Things to Do

Five days before the Titanic sank, American writer Archibald Gracie penned an unknowingly foreboding letter aboard the colossal ocean liner.Zoom in: &quot;It is a fine ship this, but I shall await my journey&#x27;s end before I pass judgment on her,&quot; he wrote in a letter dated April 10, 1912, sending the letter a day later when the ship was docked in Queenstown, Ireland.

Six new spots to eat and drink in Denver

Some debuts come straight from local culinary luminaries.

Food and Drink

Several new and upcoming bars and restaurants are lighting up the city, including a sprinkling of high-profile debuts from culinary luminaries.Zoom in: We found six spots that recently opened or are set for a spring debut.

Colorado is losing companies to rival states, report finds

The findings sound an alarm about the state's economic competitiveness and business environment.

Business

Major companies are increasingly departing Colorado, shrinking their footprint or bypassing it altogether for expansion or relocation, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://cochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025-Relocations-Tracker.pdf" data-vars-content-id="dfa6ef34-106a-4f85-8dfe-3f96559b4f74" data-vars-headline="Colorado is losing companies to rival states, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025-Relocations-Tracker.pdf" target="_blank">a new report</a> shows.Why it matters: The findings — from a recent Colorado Chamber Foundation study — are sounding an alarm about the state&#x27;s economic competitiveness and business environment.

Denver Water bills will get more expensive. Blame the drought.

For the first time in more than two decades, Denver Water on Wednesday announced an added surcharge on water bills to encourage conservation

News

For the first time in more than two decades, Denver Water on Wednesday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverwater.org/tap/denver-board-water-commissioners-approves-temporary-drought-pricing-part-stage-1-drought" data-vars-content-id="b10594b2-b63b-4e57-a36c-2bc59f69d38e" data-vars-headline="Denver Water bills will get more expensive. Blame the drought." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverwater.org/tap/denver-board-water-commissioners-approves-temporary-drought-pricing-part-stage-1-drought" target="_blank">announced</a> an added surcharge on water bills to encourage conservation amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the ongoing drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/25/denver-water-water-restrictions-drought" data-vars-content-id="b10594b2-b63b-4e57-a36c-2bc59f69d38e" data-vars-headline="Denver Water bills will get more expensive. Blame the drought." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/25/denver-water-water-restrictions-drought" target="_self">the ongoing drought</a>.Why it matters: The utility — which serves 1.5 million in the area — is putting the onus on its customers to use less water, but the additional fees inevitably add to the region&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost-of-living" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/11/17/coloardo-cost-of-living-denver-westminster-colorado-springs" data-vars-content-id="b10594b2-b63b-4e57-a36c-2bc59f69d38e" data-vars-headline="Denver Water bills will get more expensive. Blame the drought." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/11/17/coloardo-cost-of-living-denver-westminster-colorado-springs" target="_self">cost-of-living</a> concerns.

Colorado ski resorts close early amid rising temps and low snowpack

This past winter ranks among the shortest seasons in recent memory.

Climate

Despite this week&#x27;s snowstorms, Colorado ski areas are closing early after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a record-warm winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/23/the-west-s-record-breaking-warm-winter-mapped" data-vars-content-id="ce8449f1-85a7-44c8-bc18-4b64b369445e" data-vars-headline="Colorado ski resorts close early amid rising temps and low snowpack" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/23/the-west-s-record-breaking-warm-winter-mapped" target="_self">a record-warm winter</a> left slopes unusually high and dry.State of play: This winter ranks among the shortest seasons in recent memory.

Denver Water implements new restrictions

"We're dealing with conditions that we've never seen before," the Board of Water Commissioners president said.

Denver Water enacted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mandatory watering restrictions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/12/denver-water-restrictions-snowpack-drought" data-vars-content-id="f4bf6e4c-f92f-4087-9fc8-b2553687c759" data-vars-headline="Denver Water implements new restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/12/denver-water-restrictions-snowpack-drought" target="_self">mandatory watering restrictions</a> on Wednesday for the first time in more than a decade amid drought conditions following <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a warm" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/BianchiWeather/status/2031366379467846013?s=20" data-vars-content-id="f4bf6e4c-f92f-4087-9fc8-b2553687c759" data-vars-headline="Denver Water implements new restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/BianchiWeather/status/2031366379467846013?s=20" target="_blank">a warm</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dry winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverwater.org/tap/denver-water-snowpack-and-water-supply-update" data-vars-content-id="f4bf6e4c-f92f-4087-9fc8-b2553687c759" data-vars-headline="Denver Water implements new restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverwater.org/tap/denver-water-snowpack-and-water-supply-update" target="_blank">dry winter</a>.Why it matters: The limits on outdoor watering and more will affect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1.5 million customers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverwater.org/about-us/how-we-operate/key-facts" data-vars-content-id="f4bf6e4c-f92f-4087-9fc8-b2553687c759" data-vars-headline="Denver Water implements new restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverwater.org/about-us/how-we-operate/key-facts" target="_blank">1.5 million customers</a> in Denver and the surrounding suburbs.

Denver readies for potentially record-high temps

A heat wave is projected to hit Denver on Tuesday.

Denver&#x27;s weather could reach unprecedented levels this week.Why it matters: The city is predicted to tie or even break record highs as the region grapples with drought conditions already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prompting water restrictions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/12/denver-water-restrictions-snowpack-drought" data-vars-content-id="36d796ce-e082-4031-bc5e-8f70fd61c20c" data-vars-headline="Denver readies for potentially record-high temps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/12/denver-water-restrictions-snowpack-drought" target="_self">prompting water restrictions</a>.

An Arctic blast is about to slap Colorado

The storm starts late Thursday with low temperatures falling into the teens overnight.

An Arctic blast arrives in Colorado today, delivering the coldest temperatures so far this season with wind chills reaching -20 for parts of the Eastern Plains.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" data-vars-content-id="cf88433a-eed2-451b-835a-b7f21edb56fe" data-vars-headline="An Arctic blast is about to slap Colorado" 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">Winter</a> is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/20/denver-s-record-setting-winter-weather" data-vars-content-id="cf88433a-eed2-451b-835a-b7f21edb56fe" data-vars-headline="An Arctic blast is about to slap Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/20/denver-s-record-setting-winter-weather" target="_self">back</a>.

Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising

Colorado and much of the Southwest are experiencing warmer average fall temperatures, a new analysis finds.

Colorado and much of the Southwest are experiencing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warmer average fall temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/fall-warming-temperatures-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/fall-warming-temperatures-climate-change" target="_self">warmer average fall temperatures</a>, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: Warmer falls could increase cooling demand (and lead to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bigger bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/29/electric-power-bill-costs-ai-grid-reasons" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/29/electric-power-bill-costs-ai-grid-reasons" target="_self">bigger bills</a> and more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strain on the electric grid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/electricity-demand-projection-2050-icf" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/electricity-demand-projection-2050-icf" target="_self">strain on the electric grid</a>), affect growing and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allergy seasons," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/allergy-season-longer-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/allergy-season-longer-climate-change" target="_self">allergy seasons,</a> and have health impacts for vulnerable groups.By the numbers: Fall temperatures increased 3.7°F in Denver, 4.7°F in Colorado Springs and 1.1°F in Grand Junction between 1970 and 2024, according to a new report from Climate Central, a climate research group.The big picture: Average <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/daylight-loss-fall-equinox-us" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/daylight-loss-fall-equinox-us" target="_self">fall</a> temperatures are rising almost universally nationwide, a new analysis finds.<ul><li>Temps rose in 98% of the 243 cities analyzed in the report.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: The Climate Prediction Center&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest seasonal outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" target="_blank">latest seasonal outlook</a> for fall forecasts above-normal temperatures for Colorado, particularly in the southwestern, drought-ridden part of the state.

When fall colors peak in Colorado

Colorado's golden aspens and red gambel oaks are emerging earlier this year.

Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="golden aspens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/04/colorado-fall-colors-leaves-photos-2023" data-vars-content-id="e7ce462f-8f44-4525-9abe-aa6ac580964a" data-vars-headline="When fall colors peak in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/04/colorado-fall-colors-leaves-photos-2023" target="_self">golden aspens</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red gambel oaks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/29/colorado-fall-colors-gambel-oak-red-leaves" data-vars-content-id="e7ce462f-8f44-4525-9abe-aa6ac580964a" data-vars-headline="When fall colors peak in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/29/colorado-fall-colors-gambel-oak-red-leaves" target="_self">red gambel oaks</a> are emerging earlier this year, thanks to drought conditions throughout much of the state.Why it matters: Fall is arguably Colorado&#x27;s prettiest season, and the foliage draws tourists from far and wide.

A clean energy future is possible in Colorado

Western Resource Advocates is helping Colorado retire coal plants and cut emissions by 2030.

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) are the watchdogs keeping Colorado&#x27;s climate progress on track as political winds shift and threaten progress.Why it&#x27;s important: Pollution from power plants, gas-powered vehicles, buildings, and homes drives climate change and threatens the health and livelihoods of our communities.<ul><li>Cutting fossil fuel use protects both people and landscapes across the West.</li></ul>

Fireflies are flourishing in Colorado

The luminous insects often emerge near wetlands.

You&#x27;re not imagining it. Fireflies are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="having a good year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/07/01/fireflies-good-summer-mild-spring" data-vars-content-id="8692d5e6-3fb6-462b-9e8d-16706dee7210" data-vars-headline="Fireflies are flourishing in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/07/01/fireflies-good-summer-mild-spring" target="_self">having a good year</a>.Why it matters: Firefly populations have declined over the last 100 years.

CU's storm chasers are studying hailstorms

Frew and his small team of students are part of the largest hail study in decades, dubbed ICECHIP.

University of Colorado Boulder&#x27;s Eric Frew is eager to get a drone in the air. It&#x27;s June in the Plains, and that means hailstorm season.Why it matters: Hail causes billions of dollars in damage every year and leads to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="higher insurance rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/03/colorado-insurance-rates-extreme-weather-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="b0cc1675-87b2-41a2-a341-2018a37a7001" data-vars-headline="CU&#x27;s storm chasers are studying hailstorms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/03/colorado-insurance-rates-extreme-weather-climate-change" target="_self">higher insurance rates</a> nationwide. Yet, we know little about how it forms, says Frew.

🌡️ How the West was warmed

The West's record-breaking warm winter, mapped

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing counties with record high average temperatures between December 2025 and February 2026, over 131 years of record-keeping. 

Climate 🌿

Denver Water bills will get more expensive. Blame the drought.

Colorado ski resorts close early amid rising temps and low snowpack

Denver Water implements new restrictions

The West's record-breaking warm winter, mapped

Denver readies for potentially record-high temps