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Colorado governor candidates Marx, Weiser clash over domestic violence

More than the issues, the candidates' approach to answering questions drew the most attention.

Election

In their first — and likely only — campaign forum, Colorado&#x27;s top gubernatorial candidates mostly played nice, until the final minutes.Why it matters: Democratic candidate Phil Weiser and Republican candidate Victor Marx used the Thursday event, hosted by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce in Denver, to outline their agendas for addressing affordability and boosting business growth.

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.

2027 National Western Stock Show tickets go on sale

It&#x27;s time to dust off those cowboy boots: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Stock Show&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/08/things-to-do-national-western-stock-show" data-vars-content-id="7843c2f9-61fd-4141-81d4-66e0fca60548" data-vars-headline="2027 National Western Stock Show tickets go on sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/08/things-to-do-national-western-stock-show" target="_self">The Stock Show&#x27;s</a> a-coming. Why it matters: After record-shattering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attendance this year," data-vars-click-url="https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/2026-national-western-stock-show-shatters-attendance-record" data-vars-content-id="7843c2f9-61fd-4141-81d4-66e0fca60548" data-vars-headline="2027 National Western Stock Show tickets go on sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/2026-national-western-stock-show-shatters-attendance-record" target="_blank">attendance this year,</a> organizers are encouraging people to snatch up tickets sooner than later.

Dolly Parton receives City Council proclamation 

The late megastar's book gifting program provided more than 375,000 books to local children.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton&#x27;s kindness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-death-imagination-library-kansas-city" data-vars-content-id="61e6849b-2644-4205-ba0a-013dac173d70" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton receives City Council proclamation " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-death-imagination-library-kansas-city" target="_self">Dolly Parton&#x27;s kindness</a> is now officially recognized in Denver. Driving the news: The Denver City Council on Monday approved a proclamation <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for the late megastar," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="61e6849b-2644-4205-ba0a-013dac173d70" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton receives City Council proclamation " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" target="_self">for the late megastar,</a> who&#x27;s credited with helping millions of American children access books through her Imagination Library program.

Denver Art Museum to host powwow during free day

The free event boasts hands-on activities, food and vendor.

Things to Do

The Denver Art Museum&#x27;s annual Friendship Powwow invites the public to enjoy music, dance and art from the local and regional Indigenous community. Why it matters: Saturday&#x27;s event offers a chance to learn and celebrate Native culture, but also marks the debut of a dance regalia set made by celebrated Dakota and Nakoda artists.

Ethiopian Festival returns to City Park

The two-day event has drawn more than 15,000 people.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Taste of Ethiopia Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://tasteofethiopia.org/photo-gallery/" data-vars-content-id="5f486c98-18f7-42c9-b1eb-e4c7dcbfbd3d" data-vars-headline="Ethiopian Festival returns to City Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tasteofethiopia.org/photo-gallery/" target="_blank">The Taste of Ethiopia Festival</a> returns to City Park on Saturday for a free, two-day fair celebrating the East African country&#x27;s culture. Why it matters: The Denver <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bandstand&#x27;s March fire prompted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/city-park-bandstand-rebuild-denver-fire" data-vars-content-id="5f486c98-18f7-42c9-b1eb-e4c7dcbfbd3d" data-vars-headline="Ethiopian Festival returns to City Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/city-park-bandstand-rebuild-denver-fire" target="_self">bandstand&#x27;s March fire prompted</a> questions about the festival&#x27;s future, but organizers say they found a workaround to ensure the event moved forward.

Vintage photos of September around Denver

Some things never change (like sitting in leaf-peeping traffic).

Local Brief

Some things never change: Back-to-school season, soaking up the last of warm days and bumper-to-bumper traffic on the way home from leaf-peeping.Here&#x27;s a look at how locals spent Septembers past:

An ode to Denver's old faithful restaurants 

The affordable and never fussy eating options.

Food and Drink

Denver&#x27;s dining scene is more elevated than ever, peppered with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Beard Award-winning chefs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/16/chef-penelope-wong-wins-james-beard-award" data-vars-content-id="db92984e-a94e-499d-951e-2310a5a7a192" data-vars-headline="An ode to Denver&#x27;s old faithful restaurants " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/16/chef-penelope-wong-wins-james-beard-award" target="_self">James Beard Award-winning chefs</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin-starred restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/11/michelin-guide-colorado-expansion" data-vars-content-id="db92984e-a94e-499d-951e-2310a5a7a192" data-vars-headline="An ode to Denver&#x27;s old faithful restaurants " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/11/michelin-guide-colorado-expansion" target="_self">Michelin-starred restaurants</a>. Yes, but: Good food doesn&#x27;t need accolades, stars, trophies or anything glittery to secure a sterling reputation — it just needs good ingredients.

Hipcamp names Colorado's best campsites

Goats, cliffside tents stand out among Hipcamp's 2026 Colorado picks.

Dump the packed loop, jackhammering generator and that stranger chopping firewood 10 yards from your pillow.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hipcamp&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US?utm_source=adwords&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=23923712053&amp;utm_content=196534401839&amp;utm_term=hipcamp&amp;device=c&amp;pid=googleads_int&amp;gad_source=1" data-vars-content-id="14db8719-9b26-48c5-9bba-d4f2cf64d597" data-vars-headline="Hipcamp names Colorado&#x27;s best campsites" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US?utm_source=adwords&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=23923712053&amp;utm_content=196534401839&amp;utm_term=hipcamp&amp;device=c&amp;pid=googleads_int&amp;gad_source=1" target="_blank">Hipcamp&#x27;s</a> best Colorado campsites this year venture beyond the obvious. The picks suggest travelers want campsites with personality, not just parking spots near trees.

A quick guide to the Colorado State Fair 

The fair runs Aug. 28–Sept. 7 in Pueblo.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Colorado State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradostatefair.com/" data-vars-content-id="f76b2d06-dbd7-4ba0-b741-c73c6627bb79" data-vars-headline="A quick guide to the Colorado State Fair " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradostatefair.com/" target="_blank">The Colorado State Fair</a> gets underway Friday in Pueblo to start an 11-day extravaganza. 🥳 Why it matters: This year&#x27;s fair doubles as a celebration of two milestone birthdays: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado&#x27;s 150th" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/07/30/colorado-birthday-150-belonging" data-vars-content-id="f76b2d06-dbd7-4ba0-b741-c73c6627bb79" data-vars-headline="A quick guide to the Colorado State Fair " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/07/30/colorado-birthday-150-belonging" target="_self">Colorado&#x27;s 150th</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" data-vars-content-id="f76b2d06-dbd7-4ba0-b741-c73c6627bb79" data-vars-headline="A quick guide to the Colorado State Fair " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" target="_self">America&#x27;s 250th</a>.

Olivia Rodrigo just changed this Colorado business overnight

The Fort Collins-based temporary tattoo business has seen sales skyrocket as a result.

A Fort Collins temporary tattoo maker has landed a collaboration with Olivia Rodrigo.Why it matters: The partnership has put the Colorado business in front of the global pop star&#x27;s millions of fans, translating into an overnight surge in sales for founder Emma Mannino&#x27;s small business.

How to celebrate Colorado's sesquicentennial

Celebrate Colorado Day with cake, music, art and more across metro Denver.

It&#x27;s time to wish Colorado a very happy 150th birthday. State of play: Local businesses, cultural institutions and the state Capitol in Denver will commemorate the Centennial State&#x27;s sesquicentennial this weekend.

Culture

2027 National Western Stock Show tickets go on sale

Dolly Parton receives City Council proclamation

Denver Art Museum to host powwow during free day

Ethiopian Festival returns to City Park

Vintage photos of September around Denver