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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Denver.

Axios Denver

Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters John Frank, Alayna Alvarez and Esteban L. Hernandez.

Axios Denver Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

A guide to fun things to do in Denver this weekend.

Axios Denver Weekender

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Axios Denver named best newsletter in Colorado

The Axios Denver team took home four awards from the Colorado Press Association.

News

Colorado brewers win big at GABF competition

Colorado brewers took home 40 medals at this year's Great American Beer Festival competition.

Food and Drink

Denver Walls takes local street art international

Denver is now an international destination for street art and fans of it.

Things to Do

Five Colorado restaurants earn Michelin stars

The stars are given to top restaurants serving some of the best dishes in the world.

How Colorado's summer weather looked in 3 maps

The Front Range experienced a cooler and wetter summer, but not the whole state.

Colorado&#x27;s summer weather is a tale of a great divide.State of play: The Front Range experienced a cooler and wetter summer, according to new data from NOAA that compared this year to the 30-year average.

Denver set to approve $6.5 million contract for new trash bins

The contract with manufacturer Toter would purchase bins for trash, recycling and compost.

Climate

Denver wants to buy more trash bins to complete its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pay-as-you-throw " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/06/28/bill-trash-pickup-denver" data-vars-content-id="b10baf8f-de1d-4c8d-81f8-9f997341738d" data-vars-headline="Denver set to approve $6.5 million contract for new trash bins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/06/28/bill-trash-pickup-denver" target="_self">pay-as-you-throw </a>program.Driving the news: The city is proposing an up to $6.5 million contract with manufacturer Toter to purchase bins for trash, recycling and compost.

Illustration of a dollar sign formed by recycled plastic items.

First snowfall arrives in Colorado

Several Colorado peaks are sporting frosted tips after picking up the first snow of the season Monday morning.

Winter is coming.What&#x27;s happening: Several Colorado peaks, including Longs and Pikes, are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sporting frosted tips" data-vars-click-url="https://kdvr.com/weather/wx-news/photos-1st-snowfall-on-colorado-peaks/" data-vars-content-id="4ca1a717-d0b0-485d-8341-2cb2c4712217" data-vars-headline="First snowfall arrives in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kdvr.com/weather/wx-news/photos-1st-snowfall-on-colorado-peaks/" target="_blank">sporting frosted tips</a> after picking up the first snow of the season Monday morning.

Humans caused 60% of Colorado wildfires over the past 30 years

Nearly 69,000 wildfires have raged across Colorado over the past three decades.

People caused the majority of the nearly 69,000 wildfires that raged across Colorado over the past three decades.Why it matters: With climate change <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing wildfire risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/02/climate-change-wildfires-main-cause-us-west" data-vars-content-id="b15f5fe2-9142-49bb-887e-9d4f2995b380" data-vars-headline="Humans caused 60% of Colorado wildfires over the past 30 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/02/climate-change-wildfires-main-cause-us-west" target="_self">increasing wildfire risk</a> throughout the West and smoke now regularly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blanketing cities like Denver" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/wildfire-smoke-colorado-denver-front-range-plains-hazy-sky/" data-vars-content-id="b15f5fe2-9142-49bb-887e-9d4f2995b380" data-vars-headline="Humans caused 60% of Colorado wildfires over the past 30 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/wildfire-smoke-colorado-denver-front-range-plains-hazy-sky/" target="_blank">blanketing cities like Denver</a>, changing human behavior could make a significant difference against a rising threat.

Denver seeks input on law that mandates businesses to recycle

The law intends to reduce waste sent to landfills, where decaying material emits greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

The city wants your help in recommending changes to the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waste No More" data-vars-click-url="https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Climate-Action-Sustainability-Resiliency/Zero-Waste/Waste-No-More" data-vars-content-id="847c60e6-0f93-4a29-bc16-65dd99d29aeb" data-vars-headline="Denver seeks input on law that mandates businesses to recycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Climate-Action-Sustainability-Resiliency/Zero-Waste/Waste-No-More" target="_blank">Waste No More</a> measure — a law requiring Denver businesses, like apartment buildings, restaurants and sporting arenas, to provide composting and recycling.Why it matters: The law intends to reduce waste sent to landfills, where decaying material emits greenhouse gasses like methane that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contribute to climate change." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/10/tracking-methane-space-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="847c60e6-0f93-4a29-bc16-65dd99d29aeb" data-vars-headline="Denver seeks input on law that mandates businesses to recycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/10/tracking-methane-space-climate-change" target="_self">contribute to climate change.</a>

Illustration of a recycling symbol repeating pattern. 

Colorado's statewide e-bike rebate program set to debut

The state's program will offer a $500 rebate for people making between 80% to 100% of their area's median income.

After the massive success <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="of Denver&#x27;s e-bike rebate program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/01/09/denver-e-bike-rebates-are-back-but-smaller" data-vars-content-id="a5701d75-b635-47fa-a16e-712919c9c41d" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s statewide e-bike rebate program set to debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/01/09/denver-e-bike-rebates-are-back-but-smaller" target="_self">of Denver&#x27;s e-bike rebate program</a>, the state&#x27;s Energy Office will launch its own.Why it matters: The program makes bike purchases more financially accessible to people and can reduce the number of cars on roads, which means cutting down on emissions <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contributing to climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/20/denver-summers-are-getting-hotter" data-vars-content-id="a5701d75-b635-47fa-a16e-712919c9c41d" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s statewide e-bike rebate program set to debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/20/denver-summers-are-getting-hotter" target="_self">contributing to climate change</a>.

Illustration of an electric bike with a lightning bolt on the frame.

Colorado and Xcel defer to private interests  to build EV charging network

Colorado is awarding $17 million to Tesla, gas stations and other private entities as part of a federal program.

Business

Colorado is awarding $17 million to Tesla, gas stations and other private entities to build new charging stations as part of an effort to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expand the state&#x27;s existing network" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/02/25/how-colorados-ev-charging-network-could-expand" data-vars-content-id="35278416-ecaa-4088-b6ea-89fe05bbd482" data-vars-headline="Colorado and Xcel defer to private interests to build EV charging network" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/02/25/how-colorados-ev-charging-network-could-expand" target="_self">expand the state&#x27;s existing network</a> of 871 fast-chargers to priority locations.<ul><li>Only one government — the City of Pueblo — received a grant, which is the first batch from a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$5 billion federal program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/03/ev-highway-charging-network-chargers-electric-cars" data-vars-content-id="35278416-ecaa-4088-b6ea-89fe05bbd482" data-vars-headline="Colorado and Xcel defer to private interests to build EV charging network" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/03/ev-highway-charging-network-chargers-electric-cars" target="_self">$5 billion federal program</a> designed to buy electric vehicles.</li></ul>

"Unprecedented" outbreak of West Nile virus alarms Colorado health officials

The virus has been found in mosquitoes in eight of the 11 counties that have tested the insects this season.

The number of mosquitos infected with West Nile virus this season is the highest Colorado health officials have seen in years.Driving the news: A Weld County resident recently died from the virus, marking the state&#x27;s first West Nile-related fatality in 2023, officials announced this month.

Small worms pose big threats for Colorado corn crops

Colorado's largest corn producer is harvesting three times less than the amount in a typical season.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Yet another insect" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/28/mormon-crickets-colorado-invasion" data-vars-content-id="ca0de686-5c9b-4bcb-bb91-8a899d03a039" data-vars-headline="Small worms pose big threats for Colorado corn crops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/28/mormon-crickets-colorado-invasion" target="_self">Yet another insect</a> is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wreaking havoc" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/06/mosquito-season-colorado-denver-2023-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="ca0de686-5c9b-4bcb-bb91-8a899d03a039" data-vars-headline="Small worms pose big threats for Colorado corn crops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/06/mosquito-season-colorado-denver-2023-climate-change" target="_self">wreaking havoc</a> on the Centennial State, thanks to a deluge of downpours this spring and summer. The result will mean less corn at the grocery store.Driving the news: Colorado&#x27;s largest corn producer, Tuxedo Corn, is only packing about 3,000 boxes of corn a day — three times less than the amount in a typical season, the Colorado Sun <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosun.com/2023/07/27/olathe-sweet-corn-crop-earworm/" data-vars-content-id="ca0de686-5c9b-4bcb-bb91-8a899d03a039" data-vars-headline="Small worms pose big threats for Colorado corn crops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosun.com/2023/07/27/olathe-sweet-corn-crop-earworm/" target="_blank">reports</a>.

How quantum computers will be used to improve our electrical grid

A project between Atom Computing and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) aims to optimize the country's electrical grid.

Some of the most powerful computers in the world are being unleashed to help keep your lights on.Details: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atom Computing" data-vars-click-url="https://atom-computing.com/" data-vars-content-id="10ed4156-78d6-4942-be59-eaefc4aea928" data-vars-headline="How quantum computers will be used to improve our electrical grid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://atom-computing.com/" target="_blank">Atom Computing</a>, a California-based company building quantum computers, last week announced it&#x27;s working with Golden&#x27;s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on a project to optimize the country&#x27;s electrical grid.

Illustration of a computer chip as an atom. 

Climate 🌿