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Gov. Jared Polis faces political pile-on after freeing Tina Peters

To hear his critics tell it, Gov. Jared Polis is an "accomplice" to President Trump.

Politics

To hear his critics tell it, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Jared Polis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/21/polis-pressure-tina-peters-transfer" data-vars-content-id="1b3c7479-0a88-44e6-98a3-43a41c737806" data-vars-headline="Gov. Jared Polis faces political pile-on after freeing Tina Peters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/21/polis-pressure-tina-peters-transfer" target="_self">Gov. Jared Polis</a> is an &quot;accomplice&quot; to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s attacks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/21/trump-threat-colorado-tina-peters" data-vars-content-id="1b3c7479-0a88-44e6-98a3-43a41c737806" data-vars-headline="Gov. Jared Polis faces political pile-on after freeing Tina Peters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/21/trump-threat-colorado-tina-peters" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s attacks</a> on democracy who gave Colorado &quot;a black eye&quot; and undermined the rule of law by granting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="clemency to Tina Peters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/15/polis-tina-peters-sentence-clemency" data-vars-content-id="1b3c7479-0a88-44e6-98a3-43a41c737806" data-vars-headline="Gov. Jared Polis faces political pile-on after freeing Tina Peters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/15/polis-tina-peters-sentence-clemency" target="_self">clemency to Tina Peters</a>.Why it matters: The harsh words — all from leaders of his own party — show how a single once-unthinkable act could tarnish Polis&#x27; eight-year legacy and his political future.

REI union asks for boycott of Denver flagship store

The boycott comes after the co-op and its union failed to reach a contract agreement last month.

Business

A union representing REI employees is urging customers to boycott the outdoor retailer&#x27;s anniversary sale this week, including at its Denver flagship store.Why it matters: The sale — running now through May 25 — is one of REI&#x27;s biggest of the year and draws large crowds.State of play: The boycott comes after the co-op and its union failed to reach a contract agreement last month, with the union calling management&#x27;s latest offer &quot;unacceptable.&quot;<ul><li>The union is imploring shoppers to skip the sale in solidarity after &quot;four years of bad faith contract negotiations and REI&#x27;s scorched-earth union-busting campaign.&quot;</li></ul>Eleven REI stores nationwide have unionized since 2022.<ul><li>Those stores are located in Chicago; Boston; New York; Berkeley and Santa Cruz, California; Cleveland, Ohio; Durham and Greensboro, North Carolina; Maple Grove, Minnesota; Castleton, Indiana; and Bellingham, Washington.</li><li>A 12th store recently filed to unionize in San Diego.</li></ul>Yes, but: Demonstrations backing the boycott are happening at non-union stores, such as those in Colorado, UFCW 3000 spokesperson Rich Smith tells Axios.<ul><li>A lone organizer stood outside the flagship store on Platte Street on Tuesday handing out leaflets to customers, most of whom hadn&#x27;t known about the boycott and ignored it.</li></ul>Between the lines: The union says REI&#x27;s latest proposal would restrict organizing activity at other stores and limit workers&#x27; public criticism of the company.<ul><li>The outdoor co-op, founded in Seattle and with more than 190 U.S. stores, is losing its soul, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="union workers say" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ufcw.org/press-releases/today-landmark-boycott-of-rei-begins-in-stores-and-online/" data-vars-content-id="e8322c90-1356-484f-9b01-f0f7c87f08da" data-vars-headline="REI union asks for boycott of Denver flagship store" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ufcw.org/press-releases/today-landmark-boycott-of-rei-begins-in-stores-and-online/" target="_blank">union workers say</a>.</li><li>The unionized stores want better pay, scheduling and working conditions.</li></ul>The other side: REI <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="says" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rei.com/newsroom/document/some-straightforward-facts-about-rei-co-op-s-union-negotiations" data-vars-content-id="e8322c90-1356-484f-9b01-f0f7c87f08da" data-vars-headline="REI union asks for boycott of Denver flagship store" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rei.com/newsroom/document/some-straightforward-facts-about-rei-co-op-s-union-negotiations" target="_blank">says</a> the union has taken bargaining discussions out of context.<ul><li>In a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="written statement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/rei-co-op-statement-on-bargaining-status-and-union-s-planned-boycott" data-vars-content-id="e8322c90-1356-484f-9b01-f0f7c87f08da" data-vars-headline="REI union asks for boycott of Denver flagship store" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/rei-co-op-statement-on-bargaining-status-and-union-s-planned-boycott" target="_blank">written statement</a> this month, the company called the boycott push &quot;a disappointing move&quot; that hurts the co-op &quot;instead of advancing negotiations.&quot;</li><li>REI also said it is &quot;ready to continue bargaining.&quot;</li></ul>

Denver street homelessness hits 9-year low

Street homelessness in Denver fell 64% since 2023, city leaders say.

News

Denver&#x27;s homelessness fell to its lowest level in nine years, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest point-in-time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/09/homelessness-denver-point-in-time-count" data-vars-content-id="a7314d4e-720a-4129-9f83-1c9cb37c85f8" data-vars-headline="Denver street homelessness hits 9-year low" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/09/homelessness-denver-point-in-time-count" target="_self">latest point-in-time</a> (PIT) count, which found street homelessness has dropped 64% since Mayor Mike Johnston took office in 2023. Why it matters: The sharp decline marks a major milestone for Johnston&#x27;s signature homelessness initiative, All In Mile High (AIMH), which has garnered both <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national acclaim" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/29/denvers-homelessness-strategy-earns-national-recognition" data-vars-content-id="a7314d4e-720a-4129-9f83-1c9cb37c85f8" data-vars-headline="Denver street homelessness hits 9-year low" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/29/denvers-homelessness-strategy-earns-national-recognition" target="_self">national acclaim</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local scrutiny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/07/mayor-johnston-clash-denver-auditor" data-vars-content-id="a7314d4e-720a-4129-9f83-1c9cb37c85f8" data-vars-headline="Denver street homelessness hits 9-year low" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/07/mayor-johnston-clash-denver-auditor" target="_self">local scrutiny</a> since launching three years ago.

House GOP seeks Denver immigration records

The House Judiciary Committee sent letters to three city agencies Wednesday.

Denver is in the crosshairs of congressional Republicans targeting &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sanctuary cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/democrats-trump-sanctuary-cities-ice-funding" data-vars-content-id="fa98b64d-875c-4558-8187-b17edb9a0ede" data-vars-headline="House GOP seeks Denver immigration records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/democrats-trump-sanctuary-cities-ice-funding" target="_self">sanctuary cities</a>&quot; that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.Why it matters: A U.S. House committee is demanding immigration policy records from Denver law enforcement, thrusting the city deeper into another national fight over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="policies dividing residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/21/denver-capitol-rally-ice-enforcement" data-vars-content-id="fa98b64d-875c-4558-8187-b17edb9a0ede" data-vars-headline="House GOP seeks Denver immigration records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/21/denver-capitol-rally-ice-enforcement" target="_self">policies dividing residents</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drawing federal scrutiny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/trump-sanctuary-cities-mayors-ice-immigration" data-vars-content-id="fa98b64d-875c-4558-8187-b17edb9a0ede" data-vars-headline="House GOP seeks Denver immigration records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/trump-sanctuary-cities-mayors-ice-immigration" target="_self">drawing federal scrutiny</a>.

Colorado voters to decide on TABOR refunds or more school funding

Before they adjourned, Colorado lawmakers left voters some homework: a ballot measure.

Before they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adjourned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/14/2026-legislative-session-colorado-adjournment" data-vars-content-id="88c956f6-1141-4589-9daa-d1003fde0acb" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters to decide on TABOR refunds or more school funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/14/2026-legislative-session-colorado-adjournment" target="_self">adjourned</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado lawmakers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/14/bills-legislation-passed-colorado-legislature-adjourn" data-vars-content-id="88c956f6-1141-4589-9daa-d1003fde0acb" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters to decide on TABOR refunds or more school funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/14/bills-legislation-passed-colorado-legislature-adjourn" target="_self">Colorado lawmakers</a> left voters some homework: a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot measure" data-vars-click-url="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB26-135" data-vars-content-id="88c956f6-1141-4589-9daa-d1003fde0acb" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters to decide on TABOR refunds or more school funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB26-135" target="_blank">ballot measure</a> asking permission to trade tax refunds for more K-12 funding.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The referendum" data-vars-click-url="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB26-135" data-vars-content-id="88c956f6-1141-4589-9daa-d1003fde0acb" data-vars-headline="Colorado voters to decide on TABOR refunds or more school funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB26-135" target="_blank">The referendum</a> tees up one of Colorado&#x27;s biggest tax-and-spending fights in years, touching the third rail in state politics: the Taxpayer&#x27;s Bill of Rights.

Why top companies keep coming back to Leeds

In a volatile hiring market, 99% of Leeds grads report positive career outcomes within six months.

Education

For business students, six months can define a career. But at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder, 99% of undergraduates report positive career outcomes within six months of graduation.*Why it&#x27;s important: Entry-level hiring has grown more competitive as AI absorbs the rote analytical work once assigned to early-career professionals.<ul><li>Employers increasingly look for graduates who can contribute beyond automation on day one.</li></ul>

Jeffco schools push back against Trump administration

Jefferson County Schools is rebuking the Trump administration's claim that the district violated federal civil rights protections.

Jefferson County Schools is rebuking the Trump administration&#x27;s claim that the district violated federal civil rights protections by allowing transgender students to compete in girls&#x27; sports and access their facilities.Why it matters: The clash between the Trump administration and Colorado&#x27;s second-largest school district highlights the widening national debate over how federal civil rights law applies to transgender students.

How Denver's future policymakers learn from live reform

Students are helping Denver measure which housing reforms increase supply.

Partners

Cities across the country are under pressure to build more housing fast, and Denver is no exception.The challenge: Colorado faces a shortage of more than 134,000 affordable and available homes, with low- and middle-income households feeling the strain.<ul><li>Evidence-based policymaking has never been more essential — and Denver is a particularly dynamic setting for this work.</li></ul>

Colorado education storylines to watch in 2026

The concerns start with how much money the education system will get in the state budget.

What&#x27;s old is new again in 2026 for education.Why it matters: 2025 left many unresolved questions about everything from spending to religious freedom — and the answers are expected to come this year, our education reporting partners at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chalkbeat write" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/12/22/seven-colorado-education-issues-to-watch-in-2026/" data-vars-content-id="c88ec4ab-8930-4078-bc27-e00e05a760d3" data-vars-headline="Colorado education storylines to watch in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/12/22/seven-colorado-education-issues-to-watch-in-2026/" target="_blank">Chalkbeat write</a>.

Colorado's K-12 system needs an overhaul, voters say

Like politics and the economy, Colorado voters are pessimistic about the state's K-12 public education system.

Like they say about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/20/poll-colorado-voters-politics-crisis" data-vars-content-id="1cd1db32-f6a8-4160-a180-f4cedb496cb3" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s K-12 system needs an overhaul, voters say" 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/poll-colorado-voters-politics-crisis" target="_self">politics</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/07/15/colorado-pulse-poll-health-foundation-2025" data-vars-content-id="1cd1db32-f6a8-4160-a180-f4cedb496cb3" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s K-12 system needs an overhaul, voters say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/07/15/colorado-pulse-poll-health-foundation-2025" target="_self">economy</a>, Colorado voters are pessimistic about the state&#x27;s K-12 public education system, a newly released poll finds.Why it matters: It&#x27;s not a good look for policymakers, particularly Gov. Jared Polis, who has made education his top priority since taking office in 2019.

How Colorado teachers unions won big in 2025 election

The 2025 election tilted the balance of power toward the teachers union in the state.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/05/colorado-2025-election-results" data-vars-content-id="03f2f29c-f9a4-4cb3-9eb5-4e25e9af88d2" data-vars-headline="How Colorado teachers unions won big in 2025 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/05/colorado-2025-election-results" target="_self">2025 election</a> tilted the balance of power toward the teachers union in Colorado.Why it matters: The success of the union-backed candidates exemplifies how the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blue wave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/05/democrats-blue-wave-progressives-moderates" data-vars-content-id="03f2f29c-f9a4-4cb3-9eb5-4e25e9af88d2" data-vars-headline="How Colorado teachers unions won big in 2025 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/05/democrats-blue-wave-progressives-moderates" target="_self">blue wave</a>&quot; that swept the nation manifested in Colorado, our reporting partners at Chalkbeat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="write" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/11/06/why-school-board-candidates-backed-by-the-teachers-union-won-in-denver/" data-vars-content-id="03f2f29c-f9a4-4cb3-9eb5-4e25e9af88d2" data-vars-headline="How Colorado teachers unions won big in 2025 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/11/06/why-school-board-candidates-backed-by-the-teachers-union-won-in-denver/" target="_blank">write</a>.

Denver school board race favors union-backed candidates

The union's preferred candidates have held control of the board for the last six years.

Election

Denver voters stayed the course, electing a union-friendly school board that backs Superintendent Alex Marrero, unofficial election results show.Why it matters: With a majority of the board seats at stake, the election had the potential to shift the balance of power in the state&#x27;s largest school district, our education reporting partners at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chalkbeat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/11/04/election-results-denver-school-board-2025/" data-vars-content-id="5eba0aa9-cd39-4a96-8303-cae2d082e0a4" data-vars-headline="Denver school board race favors union-backed candidates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/11/04/election-results-denver-school-board-2025/" target="_blank">Chalkbeat</a> write.

CU Denver opens applications for psychedelic training program

The program is accepting applications through September.

The University of Colorado Denver is stepping into uncharted educational territory this fall, offering a program teaching people to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="administer psychedelic therapy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/12/05/providers-prepares-psychedelic-therapy-launch" data-vars-content-id="ce60ddb9-1c19-489e-907b-d30119596da0" data-vars-headline="CU Denver opens applications for psychedelic training program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/12/05/providers-prepares-psychedelic-therapy-launch" target="_self">administer psychedelic therapy</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first public university-affiliated program for licensure in the country in a nascent field providing an alternative to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traditional medical practices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/16/2025-psychedelics-science-conference" data-vars-content-id="ce60ddb9-1c19-489e-907b-d30119596da0" data-vars-headline="CU Denver opens applications for psychedelic training program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/16/2025-psychedelics-science-conference" target="_self">traditional medical practices</a>.

Colorado teachers report increasing attacks by students

The alarming findings, outlined in a new state-ordered report, are focusing attention on an underreported issue in schools.

Colorado teachers are increasingly becoming the targets of violence in the classroom with half in a recent survey saying they&#x27;ve been injured by a student.Why it matters: The alarming findings, outlined in a new state-ordered report, are focusing attention on an underreported issue in schools.Driving the news: The Colorado Educator Safety Task Force issued roughly two dozen recommendations to improve conditions in classrooms, starting with de-escalation training for teachers and school response teams.<ul><li>A call for more mental and behavioral services for students is another key component, along with more support for educators and better reporting systems.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;We really have to acknowledge that educator safety is a priority,&quot; Chris Harms, the director of the Colorado Office of School Safety and a member of the task force, told our editorial partners at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chalkbeat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/07/21/aggressive-student-behavior-toward-teachers-prompts-task-force-solutions/" data-vars-content-id="ce36420c-ab96-4f61-bbed-0b5a3cf72b98" data-vars-headline="Colorado teachers report increasing attacks by students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/07/21/aggressive-student-behavior-toward-teachers-prompts-task-force-solutions/" target="_blank">Chalkbeat</a>.<ul><li>&quot;We heard over and over again people feeling like this has become normalized,&quot; she said. &quot;That people are expected to expect getting hurt on the job. And we don&#x27;t think that is what should be.&quot;</li></ul>By the numbers: The task force&#x27;s survey of Colorado teachers found that the prevalence of student violence against teachers is higher than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="previous estimates" data-vars-click-url="https://indd.adobe.com/view/b0e7eabe-e492-4ee1-a27d-c0c431fbc71b" data-vars-content-id="ce36420c-ab96-4f61-bbed-0b5a3cf72b98" data-vars-headline="Colorado teachers report increasing attacks by students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://indd.adobe.com/view/b0e7eabe-e492-4ee1-a27d-c0c431fbc71b" target="_blank">previous estimates</a>.<ul><li>Three-quarters said they witnessed a student try to harm them or another adult at school.</li></ul>Zoom in: The stories from individual educators stuck with the task force members.Tricia Van Horssen, a school social worker in the Poudre School District, told Chalkbeat about being attacked after trying to diffuse an incident between students.<ul><li>She was knocked to the ground by a raging student who pulled her hair, headbutted her and kicked her in the chest. But she blames societal problems, not the student.</li></ul>&quot;If I were to say, &#x27;What does the student who assaulted me need?&#x27;&quot; Van Horssen said. &quot;What he needs, we don&#x27;t have.&quot;

Education 📚

Colorado voters to decide on TABOR refunds or more school funding

CU delays ChatGPT access for students

Why top companies keep coming back to Leeds

Jeffco schools push back against Trump administration

How Denver's future policymakers learn from live reform