Denver

Denver Alerts

Alert

Picture of the Denver skyline with DEN written across it.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Denver with Alayna Alvarez, John Frank, and Esteban L. Hernandez.

Axios Denver

Standard

Axios Denver Partners

Axios Denver Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

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

Axios Denver Weekender

Weekender

Axios Denver Deep Dive

Deep Dive

Denver Members

Membership

Colorado paid $767M in Trump tariffs before SCOTUS ruling

The question now is whether businesses — or everyday Americans — will get refunds.

News

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court declared a large swath of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s tariffs illegal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="cf8904ab-5df9-477a-a8b6-4b0686605804" data-vars-headline="Colorado paid $767M in Trump tariffs before SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s tariffs illegal</a>, the question is whether businesses — or everyday Americans — will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="get refunds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" data-vars-content-id="cf8904ab-5df9-477a-a8b6-4b0686605804" data-vars-headline="Colorado paid $767M in Trump tariffs before SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" target="_self">get refunds</a>.

Community leaders rally, demand unity amid increased ICE activity

Immigrant advocates, community leaders, artists and a state lawmaker urged unity against what they characterize as aggressive immigration enforcement.

Parents are afraid to take their children to school. People are skipping important cultural celebrations. Others are hesitant to go to work.State of play: Those are some of the ripple effects described Friday by community leaders, who say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Immigration and Customs Enforcement&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/27/colorado-immigration-ice-state-lawmakers" data-vars-content-id="f559426e-8e44-47e6-8327-9fe1dce57448" data-vars-headline="Community leaders rally, demand unity amid increased ICE activity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/27/colorado-immigration-ice-state-lawmakers" target="_self">Immigration and Customs Enforcement&#x27;s</a> increased activity is affecting daily routines in parts of Denver&#x27;s Indigenous, Asian American, Black and Latino communities.

Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows

From President Trump's first term to his second, Westerners have become more intensely concerned about the rollback of environmental protections.

From President Trump&#x27;s first term to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his second" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/02/19/colorado-voters-oppose-trump-cuts-federal-public-lands-poll" data-vars-content-id="5468e355-c646-47d0-8cd9-1e88f8232d86" data-vars-headline="Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/02/19/colorado-voters-oppose-trump-cuts-federal-public-lands-poll" target="_self">his second</a>, Westerners have become more intensely concerned about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the rollback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/18/epa-endangerment-finding-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="5468e355-c646-47d0-8cd9-1e88f8232d86" data-vars-headline="Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/18/epa-endangerment-finding-lawsuit" target="_self">the rollback</a> of environmental protections, a new poll shows.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="numbers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026-poll-data/cc-national-press-release.pdf" data-vars-content-id="5468e355-c646-47d0-8cd9-1e88f8232d86" data-vars-headline="Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026-poll-data/cc-national-press-release.pdf" target="_blank">numbers</a> from the annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Conservation in the West poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026.html" data-vars-content-id="5468e355-c646-47d0-8cd9-1e88f8232d86" data-vars-headline="Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026.html" target="_blank">Conservation in the West poll</a> released Wednesday suggest conservation isn&#x27;t a niche issue — it&#x27;s political bedrock in eight Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.

Colorado group seeks new congressional maps to counter Trump-backed redistricting push

Coloradans for a Level Playing Field filed four potential ballot initiatives.

Election

A new Colorado ballot initiative set for introduction Wednesday would ask voters to temporarily suspend the state&#x27;s independent congressional redistricting system and approve new maps for the 2028 and 2030 elections, arguing the move is necessary to counter a GOP-led <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mid-decade redistricting drive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/redistricting-illinois-indiana-trump-jeffries" data-vars-content-id="7ba3aa77-f2dc-444a-bdc0-63fe74eb7ba5" data-vars-headline="Colorado group seeks new congressional maps to counter Trump-backed redistricting push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/redistricting-illinois-indiana-trump-jeffries" target="_self">mid-decade redistricting drive</a>.Why it matters: Colorado voters created an independent commission in 2018 as part of an effort to curb partisan gerrymandering. Now, Democratic-aligned organizers want to manipulate the drawing of congressional districts.

Weiser's fundraising most aligns with Gov.  Jared Polis'

Endorsements and fundraising are key indicators of a candidate's strength in the early days of a campaign.

In the Democratic race for governor, Phil Weiser&#x27;s fundraising aligns the closest with current Gov. Jared Polis, a new analysis shows.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Endorsements and fundraising" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/16/michael-bloomberg-michael-bennet-phil-weiser-campaign-fundraising" data-vars-content-id="21a02de1-c7d1-45af-a5dc-d4c5253c6a41" data-vars-headline="Weiser&#x27;s fundraising most aligns with Gov. Jared Polis&#x27;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/16/michael-bloomberg-michael-bennet-phil-weiser-campaign-fundraising" target="_self">Endorsements and fundraising</a> are key indicators of a candidate&#x27;s strength in the early days of a campaign, often known as the invisible primary.

Colorado election officials left their jobs at a high rates

The threats to election officials are still real, especially because President Trump continues repeating false claims about election fraud.

Twenty-nine chief local election officials in Colorado left their jobs in the last five years, a troubling loss of expertise that a new report attributes to ongoing threats and pressure from conspiracies about the 2020 election.Why it matters: The threats to election officials are still real, especially because President Trump <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continues repeating" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-people-will-soon-be-prosecuted-for-2020-election-outcome" data-vars-content-id="f8935e97-9404-46a2-94f6-6d6e6f68b4e7" data-vars-headline="Colorado election officials left their jobs at a high rates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-people-will-soon-be-prosecuted-for-2020-election-outcome" target="_blank">continues repeating</a> false claims about election fraud and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the FBI&#x27;s recent raid of" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/kash-patel-fbi-georgia-fulton-county-raid-ballots" data-vars-content-id="f8935e97-9404-46a2-94f6-6d6e6f68b4e7" data-vars-headline="Colorado election officials left their jobs at a high rates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/kash-patel-fbi-georgia-fulton-county-raid-ballots" target="_self">the FBI&#x27;s recent raid of</a> a county&#x27;s election office in Georgia.

Evans holds big cash lead as Dems battle in 8th District primary

The U.S. House seat north of Denver is one of the 2026 midterm election's most competitive contests.

U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans continues to hold a substantial fundraising advantage, with more in his campaign account to start 2026 than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his three top" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/10/16/colorado-8th-district-fundraising-rutinel-bird-evans" data-vars-content-id="357228b4-bacd-4b28-9cdf-519c4f1700cf" data-vars-headline="Evans holds big cash lead as Dems battle in 8th District primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/10/16/colorado-8th-district-fundraising-rutinel-bird-evans" target="_self">his three top</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic rivals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/17/colorado-8th-congressional-district-2026-democratic-primary" data-vars-content-id="357228b4-bacd-4b28-9cdf-519c4f1700cf" data-vars-headline="Evans holds big cash lead as Dems battle in 8th District primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/17/colorado-8th-congressional-district-2026-democratic-primary" target="_self">Democratic rivals</a> combined, according to an Axios review of campaign finance reports filed Saturday.Why it matters: The 8th District seat north of Denver is one of the 2026 midterm election&#x27;s most competitive contests, and fundraising is key to winning over voters.

Trump looms large in Colorado's Democratic governor primary

The central question for voters: how the candidates would confront Trump and protect Colorado.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michael Bennet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/11/michael-bennet-defeat-trumpism-colorado-governor" data-vars-content-id="074a71ae-2785-4eb5-b38e-bed9ef7d4fac" data-vars-headline="Trump looms large in Colorado&#x27;s Democratic governor primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/11/michael-bennet-defeat-trumpism-colorado-governor" target="_self">Michael Bennet</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phil Weiser" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/21/phil-weiser-tv-ad-colorado-governor-democratic-race" data-vars-content-id="074a71ae-2785-4eb5-b38e-bed9ef7d4fac" data-vars-headline="Trump looms large in Colorado&#x27;s Democratic governor primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/21/phil-weiser-tv-ad-colorado-governor-democratic-race" target="_self">Phil Weiser</a> want to talk about why they&#x27;re running for Colorado governor, but instead, the conversation keeps drifting back to the elephant in the room.Why it matters: Like it or not, President Trump is dominating the early phase of the primary contest. The central question for voters: how the candidates would confront Trump and protect Colorado.

GOP contenders for Colorado governor are all over the map

Four contenders outlined their platforms at a candidate forum Thursday evening in Fort Lupton.

Politics

One said he would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hang his political enemies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.9news.com/article/news/politics/joe-oltmann-running-for-colorado-governor/73-cb3d81e6-e43d-4eac-a1a5-2785beb3287d" data-vars-content-id="ddc2468f-3777-41cd-bbfc-c6a06cf3008a" data-vars-headline="GOP contenders for Colorado governor are all over the map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.9news.com/article/news/politics/joe-oltmann-running-for-colorado-governor/73-cb3d81e6-e43d-4eac-a1a5-2785beb3287d" target="_blank">hang his political enemies</a>. Some didn&#x27;t understand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TABOR" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/05/06/colorado-tabor-refunds-changes" data-vars-content-id="ddc2468f-3777-41cd-bbfc-c6a06cf3008a" data-vars-headline="GOP contenders for Colorado governor are all over the map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/05/06/colorado-tabor-refunds-changes" target="_self">TABOR</a>. Another voted for northern counties <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to " data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosun.com/2022/08/08/barbara-kirkmeyer-secession-northeast-colorado/" data-vars-content-id="ddc2468f-3777-41cd-bbfc-c6a06cf3008a" data-vars-headline="GOP contenders for Colorado governor are all over the map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosun.com/2022/08/08/barbara-kirkmeyer-secession-northeast-colorado/" target="_blank">to </a>secede from the state. And a fourth wanted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local law enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tellercounty.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/239" data-vars-content-id="ddc2468f-3777-41cd-bbfc-c6a06cf3008a" data-vars-headline="GOP contenders for Colorado governor are all over the map" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tellercounty.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/239" target="_blank">local law enforcement</a> to participate in President Trump&#x27;s mass deportation plan.Why it matters: These are four of the 21 Republican candidates for governor in Colorado.

Griswold, not Trump, is 1st target in Colorado's Democratic attorney general race

Four Democrats — including two first-time contenders — are competing to win the party's nomination in the June primary election.

Before blasting President Trump at a recent campaign forum, three Democratic candidates for attorney general instead took aim at one of their rivals, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jena Griswold" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/07/democrat-jena-griswold-running-attorney-general" data-vars-content-id="b1c5eed2-0677-4901-87d6-75c4de17d795" data-vars-headline="Griswold, not Trump, is 1st target in Colorado&#x27;s Democratic attorney general race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/07/democrat-jena-griswold-running-attorney-general" target="_self">Jena Griswold</a>.Why it matters: The intraparty fight this early in the contest reflects the packed field of top-tier candidates and the unusually high stakes of the race as the Trump administration <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="targets Colorado" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/12/colorado-trump-administration-fights-escalate" data-vars-content-id="b1c5eed2-0677-4901-87d6-75c4de17d795" data-vars-headline="Griswold, not Trump, is 1st target in Colorado&#x27;s Democratic attorney general race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/12/colorado-trump-administration-fights-escalate" target="_self">targets Colorado</a>.

2026 holds huge stakes for Colorado's political landscape

The stakes for the 2026 election and legislative session are enormous.

The stakes for the 2026 election and legislative session are enormous and the outcomes will determine Colorado&#x27;s future political landscape.State of play: Here are five storylines we&#x27;re watching.

In Colorado, progressives challenge establishment Democrats for party's future

The dynamic reflects the split in the national party and the current battle for its future in the MAGA era.

As the 2026 election approaches, Colorado is emerging as a test case for the Democratic Party&#x27;s future.Why it matters: Up and down the ballot, progressives are challenging the Democratic centrist establishment, reflecting the split in the national party and the current battle for its future in the MAGA era.

Progressive enters U.S. Senate race to challenge Hickenlooper

The challenge pits the progressive wing of the party against the establishment.

Democratic state Sen. Julie Gonzales announced Monday she is running for U.S. Senate, saying she&#x27;s ready to &quot;rip the reins away from the billionaires and put them back in the hands of the people.&quot;Why it matters: The surprising challenge to Democratic U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper in the 2026 election pits the progressive Gonzales against the moderate-minded incumbent.

Election 🗳️

Colorado group seeks new congressional maps to counter Trump-backed redistricting push

Weiser's fundraising most aligns with Gov. Jared Polis'

Colorado election officials left their jobs at a high rates

Evans holds big cash lead as Dems battle in 8th District primary

Trump looms large in Colorado's Democratic governor primary