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Denver shelter's longest-waiting duo needs a home

Staff say these "big babies" are often overlooked because of their size and the need to adopt them together.

News

For 2.5 years, Damu and Lupina have been waiting for someone to take a chance on them. The catch: They&#x27;re a package deal.Why it matters: The bonded best friends are the longest-tenured residents at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="True Companions Animal Shelter &amp; Clinic" data-vars-click-url="https://truecompanions.org/" data-vars-content-id="10b8687e-45fa-4feb-86e8-957e9126c71b" data-vars-headline="Denver shelter&#x27;s longest-waiting duo needs a home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://truecompanions.org/" target="_blank">True Companions Animal Shelter &amp; Clinic</a>, a no-kill shelter in Denver&#x27;s La Alma-Lincoln Park neighborhood, staff tell us.

Sweet Bloom Coffee in Lakewood wins top coffee prize

The Lakewood-based coffee company has three Front Range locations.

Food and Drink

Coloradans won&#x27;t need to travel far along the Front Range to find some of North America&#x27;s best coffee. Driving the news: Lakewood-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters" data-vars-click-url="https://sweetbloomcoffee.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4UJsR2QyN6YRakUwu-_XKnYnUWBKzRsiIQOKV_oVJgKRzScTz2z" data-vars-content-id="6a42146f-e85f-4f2a-9da6-8a55d1bc63c1" data-vars-headline="Sweet Bloom Coffee in Lakewood wins top coffee prize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sweetbloomcoffee.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4UJsR2QyN6YRakUwu-_XKnYnUWBKzRsiIQOKV_oVJgKRzScTz2z" target="_blank">Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters</a> recently earned the top prize at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Global Coffee Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://globalcoffeeawards.com/winners-us-canada-2026/" data-vars-content-id="6a42146f-e85f-4f2a-9da6-8a55d1bc63c1" data-vars-headline="Sweet Bloom Coffee in Lakewood wins top coffee prize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://globalcoffeeawards.com/winners-us-canada-2026/" target="_blank">Global Coffee Awards</a>, winning Best Roaster in the U.S. and Canada, plus a gold and a silver in two additional categories. <ul><li>&quot;We don&#x27;t take any of it for granted,&quot; the company said in a statement. </li></ul>

Arc opens its first thrift bins

Arc's first-ever outlet sells massively discounted clothing and goods,

Business

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.

What's at stake on Colorado's ballot in 2026

The lengthy ballot, with its record number of measures and key races, will determine Colorado's policy future and the players that shape it.

Election

As early voting gets underway in Colorado, the stakes of the 2026 election are coming into focus.Why it matters: Who&#x27;s in charge, what Colorado&#x27;s cultural norms look like and how the state collects and spends money are all at stake in this election.

Colorado governor candidates Marx, Weiser clash over domestic violence

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

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.

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.

Key 2026 election dates in Colorado

Here are the dates to know before voting ends.

Mail ballots are landing in voters&#x27; mailboxes this week, kicking off the final sprint to Election Day.Zoom in: Here are the key dates to know:

Colorado prints longest-ever Blue Book voter guide

This year's election in Colorado feels like a college exam.

This year&#x27;s Colorado ballot feels a little like a college exam — thankfully, there&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a Blue Book" data-vars-click-url="https://leg.colorado.gov/bluebook" data-vars-content-id="03047dd6-0d81-4019-b7ee-7e6af3788c99" data-vars-headline="Colorado prints longest-ever Blue Book voter guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bluebook" target="_blank">a Blue Book</a> to help.State of play: Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of nine states" data-vars-click-url="https://ballotpedia.org/Features_of_official_voter_guides,_compared_by_state#voterguide-comparisonofvoterguides-2" data-vars-content-id="03047dd6-0d81-4019-b7ee-7e6af3788c99" data-vars-headline="Colorado prints longest-ever Blue Book voter guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Features_of_official_voter_guides,_compared_by_state#voterguide-comparisonofvoterguides-2" target="_blank">one of nine states</a> that produced a nonpartisan voter guide explaining ballot language and potential impacts.

Colorado's 2026 ballot is packed with big policy fights

Colorado voters will decide more than a dozen ballot measures this November.

Colorado voters will decide more than a dozen ballot measures this November, from remaking the state&#x27;s tax system to banning gender-affirming surgery for minors.Why it matters: Beyond the candidates, voters will have a direct say on major changes to taxes, immigration, criminal justice and other hot-button issues.

Gabe Evans spent big on taxpayer-funded "franking"

The messages helped the 8th District Republican build his name recognition.

To promote his work in Congress, U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans spent more than $320,000 on taxpayer-funded advertising in his first term — steering more than $225,000 to his campaign consultant, an exclusive Axios analysis finds.Why it matters: The radio, mail, web and text messages helped the 8th District Republican raise his name recognition ahead of his reelection bid this November and at times blurred the line between campaign-style messaging and official congressional communication.

Trump loses ground among Latinos in competitive Colorado district

Latino voters in the state's most competitive district are shifting away from Trump.

Latinos in what&#x27;s arguably Colorado&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="competitive U.S. House district" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/25/voters-talk-colorados-8th-congressional-district" data-vars-content-id="46ecd203-4c5a-4e4d-9612-b08388146b12" data-vars-headline="Trump loses ground among Latinos in competitive Colorado district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/25/voters-talk-colorados-8th-congressional-district" target="_self">competitive U.S. House district</a> are souring on President Trump, a poll released Tuesday shows. Why it matters: Its findings could spell trouble for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/02/gabe-evans-fundraising-rutinel-bird-munsing-2026" data-vars-content-id="46ecd203-4c5a-4e4d-9612-b08388146b12" data-vars-headline="Trump loses ground among Latinos in competitive Colorado district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/02/gabe-evans-fundraising-rutinel-bird-munsing-2026" target="_self">Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans</a>, whose ties to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/19/gabe-evans-donald-trump-colorado-8th-district/" data-vars-content-id="46ecd203-4c5a-4e4d-9612-b08388146b12" data-vars-headline="Trump loses ground among Latinos in competitive Colorado district" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/19/gabe-evans-donald-trump-colorado-8th-district/" target="_blank">Trump</a> could hurt his reelection bid in Colorado&#x27;s 8th District, where Latinos make up nearly 40% of its population.

Scoop: Nancy Pelosi to headline Jason Crow's CrowFest

Crowfest drew more than 700 people and raised nearly $200,000 last year.

Politics

Before <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="she retires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/nancy-pelosi-retire-congress-speaker-california" data-vars-content-id="bf3125f8-6ec0-494f-b1b7-0da341eb2743" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Nancy Pelosi to headline Jason Crow&#x27;s CrowFest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/nancy-pelosi-retire-congress-speaker-california" target="_self">she retires</a>, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hitting the campaign trail" data-vars-click-url="https://spectrumlocalnews.com/ca/bay-area/politics/2026/02/25/we-have-to-win---in-final-campaign--pelosi-seeks-to--flip--the-house" data-vars-content-id="bf3125f8-6ec0-494f-b1b7-0da341eb2743" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Nancy Pelosi to headline Jason Crow&#x27;s CrowFest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://spectrumlocalnews.com/ca/bay-area/politics/2026/02/25/we-have-to-win---in-final-campaign--pelosi-seeks-to--flip--the-house" target="_blank">hitting the campaign trail</a> to help Democrats retake the U.S. House — a path that&#x27;ll bring her to Colorado later this month.State of play: Pelosi headlines U.S. Rep. Jason Crow&#x27;s fifth annual CrowFest, one of Colorado&#x27;s largest political events of the year, Axios has learned.

Jewish leaders press Kiros over antisemitism claims

The congressional frontrunner says she wants to continue working with the Jewish community.

Some Jewish leaders in Colorado are calling for more engagement from congressional candidate Melat Kiros as she goes from political <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newcomer to frontrunner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/07/denver-dsa-biggest-win-melat-kiros" data-vars-content-id="23dbf6ea-b301-4ff0-9bdb-0ca7cf9d13c2" data-vars-headline="Jewish leaders press Kiros over antisemitism claims" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/07/denver-dsa-biggest-win-melat-kiros" target="_self">newcomer to frontrunner</a> in the 1st District race.Why it matters: The tensions arrive amid heightened concern <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over antisemitic hate crimes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/02/antisemitic-violence-colorado" data-vars-content-id="23dbf6ea-b301-4ff0-9bdb-0ca7cf9d13c2" data-vars-headline="Jewish leaders press Kiros over antisemitism claims" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/02/antisemitic-violence-colorado" target="_self">over antisemitic hate crimes</a> locally and nationwide, as well as broader debate over where criticism of Israel ends and antisemitism begins.

Election 🗳️

Colorado governor candidates Marx, Weiser clash over domestic violence

Evans, Rutinel clash in high-stakes congressional debate

What's at stake on Colorado's ballot in 2026

Key 2026 election dates in Colorado

Colorado prints longest-ever Blue Book voter guide