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Colorado has a new No. 1 hospital after 14 years

The state's hospital hierarchy just changed.

News

Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital is Colorado&#x27;s new top-ranked hospital, according to U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Hospitals ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="cfc6193d-c823-4ec5-9189-6a2216a60520" data-vars-headline="Colorado has a new No. 1 hospital after 14 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">Best Hospitals ranking</a>. Why it matters: The ranking ends UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="14-year run" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uchealth.org/newsroom/us-news--world-report-ranks-three-uchealth-hospitals-among-colorados-best/" data-vars-content-id="cfc6193d-c823-4ec5-9189-6a2216a60520" data-vars-headline="Colorado has a new No. 1 hospital after 14 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uchealth.org/newsroom/us-news--world-report-ranks-three-uchealth-hospitals-among-colorados-best/" target="_blank">14-year run</a> as the state&#x27;s leading hospital in one of the nation&#x27;s most influential guides for patients comparing care.

Colorado Rockies quietly reach major milestone

The Rox eclipsed their dismal 43-win total from last season.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Colorado Rockies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/colorado-rockies-2026-season-preview" data-vars-content-id="c4ae3ddd-651a-4d04-84fc-51f10aba4c83" data-vars-headline="Colorado Rockies quietly reach major milestone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/colorado-rockies-2026-season-preview" target="_self">The Colorado Rockies</a> are finally winning. Sort of.Why it matters: The Rox quietly eclipsed their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dismal 43-win total" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/21/colorado-rockies-could-avoid-historically-bad-season" data-vars-content-id="c4ae3ddd-651a-4d04-84fc-51f10aba4c83" data-vars-headline="Colorado Rockies quietly reach major milestone" 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/colorado-rockies-could-avoid-historically-bad-season" target="_self">dismal 43-win total</a> from last season after sweeping the Kansas City Royals this past weekend, a promising sign for a franchise attempting to emerge from MLB&#x27;s basement.

4 numbers to know in Colorado's governor's race

The Colorado governor's race is a high-dollar affair, new campaign finance reports show, with millions more in spending expected before November.

Election

The Colorado governor&#x27;s race is a high-dollar affair, new campaign finance reports show, with millions more in spending expected before November.Why it matters: Fundraising is a barometer of a campaign&#x27;s strength and a key to a candidate&#x27;s ability to get their message to voters, especially for Republicans in Colorado, who will need to do a lot of convincing to stay competitive.

Broncos release new Burnham Yard renderings

The team still isn't releasing renderings for the proposed stadium itself.

The Denver Broncos are giving fans the latest sneak preview of their potential new home <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at Burnham Yard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/13/broncos-unveil-preliminary-framework-new-stadium" data-vars-content-id="285299fa-7b0d-4312-9878-4f1d8bca95ca" data-vars-headline="Broncos release new Burnham Yard renderings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/13/broncos-unveil-preliminary-framework-new-stadium" target="_self">at Burnham Yard</a>.Why it matters: Updated master plan renderings of the team&#x27;s preferred stadium site incorporate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public feedback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/05/byca-new-broncos-stadium" data-vars-content-id="285299fa-7b0d-4312-9878-4f1d8bca95ca" data-vars-headline="Broncos release new Burnham Yard renderings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/05/byca-new-broncos-stadium" target="_self">public feedback</a>, a critical step toward building support — and excitement — in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Denver Botanic Garden's rare "death bloom" nears its end

The 25-year-old Utah agave will die within the next few weeks.

Things to Do

The Utah agave at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver Botanic Gardens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/05/05/best-botanic-gardens-vogue-tripadvisor" data-vars-content-id="61bd7ae6-14ba-4f15-84f8-7a0323897d80" data-vars-headline="Denver Botanic Garden&#x27;s rare &quot;death bloom&quot; nears its end" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/05/05/best-botanic-gardens-vogue-tripadvisor" target="_self">Denver Botanic Gardens</a> survived hail storms, snowstorms and a polar vortex. But like any living thing, it can&#x27;t outrun Mother Nature. The big picture: The plant recently reached its &quot;death bloom,&quot; producing a stalk over 10 feet tall.

Jane Fonda boosts Elyria-Swansea's fight over data center

The Oscar-winning actor joined dozens of community members blocks from a data center construction site.

Actress and activist Jane Fonda brought her star power to town Thursday, backing Elyria-Swansea residents in their fight against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a massive data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/02/denvers-considers-data-center-moratorium" data-vars-content-id="b137a963-7f10-4090-9d57-de62c246ec77" data-vars-headline="Jane Fonda boosts Elyria-Swansea&#x27;s fight over data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/02/denvers-considers-data-center-moratorium" target="_self">a massive data center</a> they say will worsen conditions in the neighborhood. Why it matters: Fonda&#x27;s appearance in the historically Latino area and one <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="of the most polluted ZIP codes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rmpbs.org/news/rocky-mountain-pbs/80216-polluted-zip-code-timeline" data-vars-content-id="b137a963-7f10-4090-9d57-de62c246ec77" data-vars-headline="Jane Fonda boosts Elyria-Swansea&#x27;s fight over data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rmpbs.org/news/rocky-mountain-pbs/80216-polluted-zip-code-timeline" target="_blank">of the most polluted ZIP codes</a> in the country underscores how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="communities nationwide are grappling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/georgia-ai-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="b137a963-7f10-4090-9d57-de62c246ec77" data-vars-headline="Jane Fonda boosts Elyria-Swansea&#x27;s fight over data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/georgia-ai-data-centers" target="_self">communities nationwide are grappling</a> with the environmental impact of data centers.

How one company plans to put a nuclear microreactor at Buckley

The portable device could be tested as soon as this summer.

Radiant Industries wants to become the first American company to successfully build a new generation of small nuclear reactors set for eventual deployment in Aurora.Why it matters: A decision tied to President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="push to expand nuclear power" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/climate-deals/2025/05/23/nuclear-cheers-trump-orders" data-vars-content-id="b6798660-bb90-4e3d-8843-fbf2d4ecae3b" data-vars-headline="How one company plans to put a nuclear microreactor at Buckley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/climate-deals/2025/05/23/nuclear-cheers-trump-orders" target="_self">push to expand nuclear power</a> could put a small but potent reactor near hundreds of backyards in Colorado&#x27;s third-largest city.

How a large load tariff could work for Xcel

The utility company's proposal would set separate rates for large electricity users.

To handle surging <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center power use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/02/denvers-considers-data-center-moratorium" data-vars-content-id="eaa6827e-fdf7-4385-b6c2-956044372971" data-vars-headline="How a large load tariff could work for Xcel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/02/denvers-considers-data-center-moratorium" target="_self">data center power use</a>, Xcel Energy is turning to a tool that&#x27;s gaining traction nationwide: a large load tariff.Why it matters: The tariff could help alleviate costs for households and prepare utility companies for a spike in energy demand from power-hungry data centers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driven largely by AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/data-centers-dominate-rising-us-demand" data-vars-content-id="eaa6827e-fdf7-4385-b6c2-956044372971" data-vars-headline="How a large load tariff could work for Xcel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/data-centers-dominate-rising-us-demand" target="_self">driven largely by AI</a>.

Why Denver's considering a data center moratorium

Forty-six data centers currently operate in Denver.

Denver City Councilmember Paul Kashmann says the city must pause data center development over their massive size, heavy power and water demands, as well as over vague definitions in current zoning laws.State of play: The plan announced last week with Mayor Mike Johnston calls for a one-year moratorium on building data centers, likely starting this spring.

How to recycle your Christmas tree in Denver

Denver's Treecycle program will run until Jan. 30.

You can turn your Christmas tree into one last holiday gift this month by transforming it into mulch.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver&#x27;s Treecycle program" data-vars-click-url="https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Recycle-Compost-Trash/Seasonal-Programs/Treecycle" data-vars-content-id="f5fc6270-77de-490a-b995-9310bb7fb9ab" data-vars-headline="How to recycle your Christmas tree in Denver" 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/Recycle-Compost-Trash/Seasonal-Programs/Treecycle" target="_blank">Denver&#x27;s Treecycle program</a> will make three tree drop sites available on weekdays until Jan. 30 from 8am to 2pm, including:

Why you should not eat snow

Think about the snowflake you cut in kindergarten, the one with all the different edges and angles.

Environment

Musician Frank Zappa once famously <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woDy6LwXS1g" data-vars-content-id="b9ab4af7-aa66-469a-bd24-59981e1ca72a" data-vars-headline="Why you should not eat snow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woDy6LwXS1g" target="_blank">warned</a>, &quot;Don&#x27;t eat the yellow snow.&quot;The intrigue: Colorado State University hydrologist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Steven Fassnacht" data-vars-click-url="https://sites.warnercnr.colostate.edu/srf/" data-vars-content-id="b9ab4af7-aa66-469a-bd24-59981e1ca72a" data-vars-headline="Why you should not eat snow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sites.warnercnr.colostate.edu/srf/" target="_blank">Steven Fassnacht</a> said it&#x27;s not the only snow you should avoid ingesting.

A clean energy future is possible in Colorado

Western Resource Advocates is helping Colorado retire coal plants and cut emissions by 2030.

Climate

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) are the watchdogs keeping Colorado&#x27;s climate progress on track as political winds shift and threaten progress.Why it&#x27;s important: Pollution from power plants, gas-powered vehicles, buildings, and homes drives climate change and threatens the health and livelihoods of our communities.<ul><li>Cutting fossil fuel use protects both people and landscapes across the West.</li></ul>

Colorado sees dangerous heat waves increase

Nearly 200 cities across the nation have recorded more consecutive heat waves.

The two largest cities in Colorado are getting more heat streaks, raising health risks for residents, a new analysis finds.The big picture: Denver and Colorado Springs both had four additional heat streaks on average between 1970 and 2024, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/extreme-heat-streaks-2025" data-vars-content-id="a52aebbe-0126-4d63-809f-be2eaa142522" data-vars-headline="Colorado sees dangerous heat waves increase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/extreme-heat-streaks-2025" target="_blank">new report</a> from research group Climate Central.

Fireflies are flourishing in Colorado

The luminous insects often emerge near wetlands.

You&#x27;re not imagining it. Fireflies are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="having a good year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/07/01/fireflies-good-summer-mild-spring" data-vars-content-id="8692d5e6-3fb6-462b-9e8d-16706dee7210" data-vars-headline="Fireflies are flourishing in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/07/01/fireflies-good-summer-mild-spring" target="_self">having a good year</a>.Why it matters: Firefly populations have declined over the last 100 years.

Environment

CU study challenges Colorado's moose origin story

Denver Botanic Garden's rare "death bloom" nears its end

Jane Fonda boosts Elyria-Swansea's fight over data center

How one company plans to put a nuclear microreactor at Buckley

How a large load tariff could work for Xcel