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The greatest Red Rocks concerts of all time, according to readers

Immortal performances include Rage Against the Machine in 1996, U2 in 1983 and The Beatles in 1964.

Culture

The rush of hearing live music at a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="natural mountain amphitheater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/10/red-rocks-shows-attendance-capacity" data-vars-content-id="0a9166c5-b822-458b-a581-028814b0adff" data-vars-headline="The greatest Red Rocks concerts of all time, according to readers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/10/red-rocks-shows-attendance-capacity" target="_self">natural mountain amphitheater</a> in a sleepy Colorado town transforms a concert into something closer to a spiritual experience.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="That&#x27;s Red Rocks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/20/red-rocks-concerts-2026-lineup" data-vars-content-id="0a9166c5-b822-458b-a581-028814b0adff" data-vars-headline="The greatest Red Rocks concerts of all time, according to readers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/20/red-rocks-concerts-2026-lineup" target="_self">That&#x27;s Red Rocks</a>. Those two words represent countless memories, performances, sounds and unforgettable nights at the crown jewel of American music venues.

Rattlesnake bites are up in Colorado this summer

The state's warm, dry winter helped create conditions for the venomous reptiles to emerge earlier than usual..

News

Rattlesnake bites are climbing in Colorado and across <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="parts of the West" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/06/18/rattlesnake-bites-double-utah-hiking" data-vars-content-id="4fcc404b-e4e9-418b-a59e-a309638e4eec" data-vars-headline="Rattlesnake bites are up in Colorado this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/06/18/rattlesnake-bites-double-utah-hiking" target="_self">parts of the West</a> this summer due in part to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record-warm, dry 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="4fcc404b-e4e9-418b-a59e-a309638e4eec" data-vars-headline="Rattlesnake bites are up in Colorado this summer" 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">record-warm, dry winter</a> that experts say prompted the venomous reptiles to emerge earlier than usual.Why it matters: State wildlife officials say hikers, trail runners and dog owners should be extra vigilant as snake activity ramps up across the state.

Gut-wrecking stomach bug cases confirmed "throughout" Colorado

The state has recored 90 cases this year.

Health

Colorado public health officials have recorded 90 local cases of a parasite so far this year, though where specifically remains unclear.The big picture: The gastrointestinal illness — called cyclosporiasis — is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food

Colorado's CoCo passenger train unveils new logos and a mascot

CoCo — short for Colorado Connector — is more than a cute nickname.

Colorado&#x27;s planned Front Range passenger rail service officially has a name, a look and now a personality.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CoCo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/06/colorado-connector-front-range-rail-name" data-vars-content-id="08139e5d-9e3c-4f5d-be1d-25bd242d91e2" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s CoCo passenger train unveils new logos and a mascot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/06/colorado-connector-front-range-rail-name" target="_self">CoCo</a> — short for Colorado Connector — is more than a cute nickname. It will become the public face of a campaign to persuade voters <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to pay for " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/09/colorado-proposed-passenger-train-costs" data-vars-content-id="08139e5d-9e3c-4f5d-be1d-25bd242d91e2" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s CoCo passenger train unveils new logos and a mascot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/09/colorado-proposed-passenger-train-costs" target="_self">to pay for </a>the long-promised rail line linking Front Range communities from Fort Collins to Pueblo.

Public lands face increasing threats in Trump era, advocates warn

Public lands are at a crossroads and the headwinds are real, conservation advocates say.

The future of public lands is increasingly uncertain in the Trump era, conservation advocates warned Friday at an outdoor industry summit held in Denver.Why it matters: About 36% of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/20/colorado-public-lands-for-sale-congress-bill" data-vars-content-id="510df4ba-eea8-4c3f-a363-43dfb82ddf54" data-vars-headline="Public lands face increasing threats in Trump era, advocates warn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/20/colorado-public-lands-for-sale-congress-bill" target="_self">Colorado</a> is public land, totaling roughly 24 million acres and fueling the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$18 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/16/colorado-s-outdoor-recreation-economy-is-worth-18-1b" data-vars-content-id="510df4ba-eea8-4c3f-a363-43dfb82ddf54" data-vars-headline="Public lands face increasing threats in Trump era, advocates warn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/16/colorado-s-outdoor-recreation-economy-is-worth-18-1b" target="_self">$18 billion</a> outdoor recreation industry.

Colorado's summer weather outlook is wetter and hotter

More precipitation is welcome news after a record warm and dry winter.

Colorado can expect a hotter and wetter summer, the latest National Weather Service <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="forecast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" data-vars-content-id="81bb8aab-2b98-428a-9adb-209b85f1fb8c" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s summer weather outlook is wetter and hotter" 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">forecast</a> shows.Why it matters: More precipitation is welcome news after a record warm and dry winter; however, hotter temperatures may create favorable <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conditions for wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/30/colorado-wildfire-risk-2026-drought" data-vars-content-id="81bb8aab-2b98-428a-9adb-209b85f1fb8c" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s summer weather outlook is wetter and hotter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/30/colorado-wildfire-risk-2026-drought" target="_self">conditions for wildfires</a>.

Colorado opens mountain passes early after low snowpack

Most years, the passes won't open until the end of May, if not June.

This year&#x27;s low snowpack is not all bad news: Colorado&#x27;s mountain passes are opening earlier than ever.Why it matters: Not only does it make trips faster, but opening the passes &quot;signifies the winter to summer weather transition,&quot; Colorado Department of Transportation executive director Shoshana Lew said in a statement.

9 great perennials to plant in Colorado

Between drought conditions and late frosts, it's not easy being a green thumb in Colorado.

Things to Do

If you — like many — struggle to keep your garden alive in Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="snow-in-May-but-not-in-January" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/04/colorado-winter-storm-may" data-vars-content-id="3e5da12c-e039-44ba-a299-ce7715287a41" data-vars-headline="9 great perennials to plant 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/2026/05/04/colorado-winter-storm-may" target="_self">snow-in-May-but-not-in-January</a> climate, we have a little advice from the experts on what to plant.Why it matters: Between drought conditions and late frosts, it&#x27;s not easy being a green thumb in Colorado.

Colorado braces for major winter storm in May

Hope you didn't plant that garden or put away your snow shovel yet.

Hope you didn&#x27;t plant that garden or put away your snow shovel yet.Why it matters: A major winter storm will hit much of Colorado on Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing rain, snow and freezing temperatures, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/media/bou/DssPacket.pdf" data-vars-content-id="6638b7bc-3ecd-4ccb-a3df-3b199732bef3" data-vars-headline="Colorado braces for major winter storm in May" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/media/bou/DssPacket.pdf" target="_blank">per the National Weather Service</a>.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis promises $800 cut in homeowners' insurance

Home insurance rates in Colorado have increased 100% from 2018 to 2024, the state's insurance department reports.

Gov. Jared Polis is promising to lower homeowners&#x27; insurance by an average $800 by the end of 2027.Why it matters: The Democrat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced a plan" data-vars-click-url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hxFv8nHszadLNBO05DcCLxOnDBMoH2D0/view" data-vars-content-id="91fe1c03-fbac-4a35-aa6b-9f581cf5720c" data-vars-headline="Colorado Gov. Jared Polis promises $800 cut in homeowners&#x27; insurance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hxFv8nHszadLNBO05DcCLxOnDBMoH2D0/view" target="_blank">announced a plan</a> Thursday to address one of the main drivers of Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising cost of living" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/07/19/home-insurance-costs-are-higher-in-colorado" data-vars-content-id="91fe1c03-fbac-4a35-aa6b-9f581cf5720c" data-vars-headline="Colorado Gov. Jared Polis promises $800 cut in homeowners&#x27; insurance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/07/19/home-insurance-costs-are-higher-in-colorado" target="_self">rising cost of living</a>.

Denver metro prepares for freezing temps and snow

Winter is returning to the Front Range this week with freeze warnings and snow starting Friday.

Winter is returning to the Front Range this week with freeze warnings and snow starting tomorrow.Why it matters: Temperatures are expected to drop 50 degrees in 24 hours, threatening sensitive plants, water pipes and irrigation lines, and the wintry precipitation is bound to impact travel.

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

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.

Climate 🌿

Judge blocks NCAR lab transfer

Public lands face increasing threats in Trump era, advocates warn

Colorado's summer weather outlook is wetter and hotter

Colorado opens mountain passes early after low snowpack

9 great perennials to plant in Colorado