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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Denver.

Axios Denver

Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters John Frank, Alayna Alvarez and Esteban L. Hernandez.

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

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Axios Denver named best newsletter in Colorado

The Axios Denver team took home four awards from the Colorado Press Association.

News

Five Colorado restaurants earn Michelin stars

The stars are given to top restaurants serving some of the best dishes in the world.

Lyons still remembering and recovering 10 years after historic Colorado floods

“It’s not a question of will this happen ... or even when it does happen again."

Half Baked Harvest's Tieghan Gerard is bringing her recipes directly to doorsteps

Her new partnership with Home Chef "takes the thinking out of cooking," she told us in an interview.

Food and Drink

Colorado brewers win big at GABF competition

Colorado brewers took home 40 medals at this year's Great American Beer Festival competition.

Colorado brewers dominated this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great American Beer Festival competition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/2023-winners/" data-vars-content-id="cccc8d35-705d-4976-a44b-eef8da93702d" data-vars-headline="Colorado brewers win big at GABF competition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/2023-winners/" target="_blank">Great American Beer Festival competition</a>, taking home a stunning 40 medals, including 14 golds.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GABF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/17/gabf-denver-beer-week-2023" data-vars-content-id="cccc8d35-705d-4976-a44b-eef8da93702d" data-vars-headline="Colorado brewers win big at GABF competition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/17/gabf-denver-beer-week-2023" target="_self">GABF</a> is the most prestigious U.S. beer contest, and the medal haul is the largest in recent memory.

Wibby Brewing staff hold a University of Colorado flag as they accept their Great American Beer Festival trophy on Saturday in Denver. Photo: John Frank/Axios

Denver's food hall craze may be waning

Many food halls are still struggling to capture the crowds they did before COVID.

Denver&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="once-flourishing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverpost.com/2019/10/09/junction-food-hall-denver/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw06-oBhC6ARIsAGuzdw17opZz9jBAkCrJ0OqKV1vAo0HDZ8swdu6IxJypXEOIiCxnHbICTh4aAtWEEALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="cd7633b6-de03-4b81-9b95-e1688ace00eb" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s food hall craze may be waning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2019/10/09/junction-food-hall-denver/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw06-oBhC6ARIsAGuzdw17opZz9jBAkCrJ0OqKV1vAo0HDZ8swdu6IxJypXEOIiCxnHbICTh4aAtWEEALw_wcB" target="_blank">once-flourishing</a> food hall scene appears to be fading.Why it matters: Apart from being hangout hubs, food halls act as &quot;amazing incubator models&quot; for up-and-coming chefs and offer new opportunities for budding business owners, Denise Mickelsen with the Colorado Restaurant Association tells Axios.

What's new for Denver Beer Week and GABF in 2023

Denver is America's beer capital this week.

Denver is America&#x27;s beer capital this week.What&#x27;s happening: The arrival of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great American Beer Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/" data-vars-content-id="747b1ee9-4c9b-42a4-8278-3502bc7c194e" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new for Denver Beer Week and GABF in 2023" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/" target="_blank">Great American Beer Festival</a> this week coincides with the city&#x27;s long-running <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oktoberfest celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/14/denver-oktoberfest-events" data-vars-content-id="747b1ee9-4c9b-42a4-8278-3502bc7c194e" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new for Denver Beer Week and GABF in 2023" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/14/denver-oktoberfest-events" target="_self">Oktoberfest celebration</a> and combines to make the 14th annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver Beer Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denver.org/denver-beer-week/" data-vars-content-id="747b1ee9-4c9b-42a4-8278-3502bc7c194e" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new for Denver Beer Week and GABF in 2023" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denver.org/denver-beer-week/" target="_blank">Denver Beer Week</a> one of the beeriest.

GABF events: Where to find the best beer during Denver Beer Week

Here's where to find the nation's top breweries and special sips that don't pour often in Denver.

Things to Do

The secret about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver Beer Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denver.org/denver-beer-week/" data-vars-content-id="a1aa5a6c-c924-47ac-ba78-f3615e9c0745" data-vars-headline="GABF events: Where to find the best beer during Denver Beer Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denver.org/denver-beer-week/" target="_blank">Denver Beer Week</a>: Some of the best beer is poured on the sidelines of the festival, so you don&#x27;t need a ticket to partake.Where to go: Here are our top picks for where to find the nation&#x27;s top breweries and special sips that don&#x27;t pour often in Denver.<ul><li>Of note: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="What&#x27;s new at GABF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/17/gabf-denver-beer-week-2023" data-vars-content-id="a1aa5a6c-c924-47ac-ba78-f3615e9c0745" data-vars-headline="GABF events: Where to find the best beer during Denver Beer Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/17/gabf-denver-beer-week-2023" target="_self">What&#x27;s new at GABF</a> ... <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the best breweries at the festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/17/gabf-guide-best-beer-breweries-2023-festival" data-vars-content-id="a1aa5a6c-c924-47ac-ba78-f3615e9c0745" data-vars-headline="GABF events: Where to find the best beer during Denver Beer Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/17/gabf-guide-best-beer-breweries-2023-festival" target="_self">the best breweries at the festival</a>.</li></ul>

What the Michelin Guide means for Colorado's dining scene

Chefs we spoke to felt thrilled about the recognition while recognizing the honor comes with additional demand.

Chef Michael Diaz de Leon gripped the clear, clover-shaped trophy in disbelief.Driving the news: Moments earlier, Denver&#x27;s Brutø, where he serves as executive chef, had been awarded a Michelin star — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of five restaurants in" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/13/five-colorado-restaurants-earn-michelin-stars" data-vars-content-id="7cb90c69-1069-40b9-ab63-959f3179bfd6" data-vars-headline="What the Michelin Guide means for Colorado&#x27;s dining scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/09/13/five-colorado-restaurants-earn-michelin-stars" target="_self">one of five restaurants in</a> the state to earn the coveted honor in the first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin Colorado Guide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/14/colorado-lands-coveted-michelin-guide" data-vars-content-id="7cb90c69-1069-40b9-ab63-959f3179bfd6" data-vars-headline="What the Michelin Guide means for Colorado&#x27;s dining scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/14/colorado-lands-coveted-michelin-guide" target="_self">Michelin Colorado Guide</a> unveiled Tuesday.

Denver's latest restaurant openings and closings

There's a lot happening in Denver's dining scene.

🥟 A three-in-one restaurant debuted this month at 2878 Fairfax St. in Denver&#x27;s Park Hill neighborhood. The space is shared between cult-followed food trucks <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Yuan Wonton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/05/07/yuan-wontons-food-truck-dumplings-denver" data-vars-content-id="6f5d6778-1e09-436e-a125-5ba96b4547da" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s latest restaurant openings and closings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/05/07/yuan-wontons-food-truck-dumplings-denver" target="_self">Yuan Wonton</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pho King Rapidos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/15/pho-king-rapidos-food-truck-opens-avanti-food-hall-denver" data-vars-content-id="6f5d6778-1e09-436e-a125-5ba96b4547da" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s latest restaurant openings and closings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/15/pho-king-rapidos-food-truck-opens-avanti-food-hall-denver" target="_self">Pho King Rapidos</a>, as well as artisan bakery <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sweets &amp; Sourdough" data-vars-click-url="https://sweetsandsourdough.square.site/" data-vars-content-id="6f5d6778-1e09-436e-a125-5ba96b4547da" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s latest restaurant openings and closings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sweetsandsourdough.square.site/" target="_blank">Sweets &amp; Sourdough</a>, The trio will alternate their days and hours.🍕 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dough Counter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doughcounter.com/" data-vars-content-id="6f5d6778-1e09-436e-a125-5ba96b4547da" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s latest restaurant openings and closings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doughcounter.com/" target="_blank">Dough Counter</a> is a new fast-casual restaurant that specializes in New York-style and Sicilian pan pizza. Located on South Colorado Boulevard, it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="owned by the family behind Marco&#x27;s Coal Fired" data-vars-click-url="https://www.westword.com/restaurants/marcos-coal-fired-family-debuts-new-pizzeria-dough-counter-17747132" data-vars-content-id="6f5d6778-1e09-436e-a125-5ba96b4547da" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s latest restaurant openings and closings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.westword.com/restaurants/marcos-coal-fired-family-debuts-new-pizzeria-dough-counter-17747132" target="_blank">owned by the family behind Marco&#x27;s Coal Fired</a> in Denver&#x27;s Ballpark neighborhood.

Animated illustration of a sign reading, COME IN, WE'RE OPEN flipping over to read SORRY, WE'RE CLOSED.

Five Colorado restaurants — including three in Denver — earned a coveted Michelin star in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its first guide for Colorado" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/14/colorado-lands-coveted-michelin-guide" data-vars-content-id="eeeb0860-7afd-49c4-91bb-e4d68387986b" data-vars-headline="Five Colorado restaurants earn Michelin stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/14/colorado-lands-coveted-michelin-guide" target="_self">its first guide for Colorado</a> released Tuesday night. Why it matters: The guide&#x27;s inaugural picks firmly establish Denver, Boulder and its luxury mountain towns as premier dining destinations in the American West.

The best bites from the 2023 Denver Food + Wine Festival

The premier food event of the year in Denver left few hungry.

The premier food event of the year in Denver left few hungry as the area&#x27;s top restaurants, food trucks and cocktail artisans showcased their best bites in a week of events.What to know: We scoured the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver Food + Wine Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://denverfoodandwine.com/" data-vars-content-id="1c8bfc8d-9e49-43ff-84b1-c6b597e1b289" data-vars-headline="The best bites from the 2023 Denver Food + Wine Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://denverfoodandwine.com/" target="_blank">Denver Food + Wine Festival</a> events last week for the tastiest treats.

Tieghan Gerard — Colorado&#x27;s famous food blogger behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Half Baked Harvest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/" data-vars-content-id="714e4c79-9793-43f2-a71b-6b5573f7281f" data-vars-headline="Half Baked Harvest&#x27;s Tieghan Gerard is bringing her recipes directly to doorsteps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/" target="_blank">Half Baked Harvest</a> — is cooking up new adventures.What&#x27;s happening: The Silverthorne-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best-selling author" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/04/14/tieghan-gerard-half-baked-harvest-bestselling-cookbook" data-vars-content-id="714e4c79-9793-43f2-a71b-6b5573f7281f" data-vars-headline="Half Baked Harvest&#x27;s Tieghan Gerard is bringing her recipes directly to doorsteps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/04/14/tieghan-gerard-half-baked-harvest-bestselling-cookbook" target="_self">best-selling author</a> is launching a limited-time partnership Thursday with meal kit brand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Home Chef" data-vars-click-url="http://www.homechef.com/" data-vars-content-id="714e4c79-9793-43f2-a71b-6b5573f7281f" data-vars-headline="Half Baked Harvest&#x27;s Tieghan Gerard is bringing her recipes directly to doorsteps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.homechef.com/" target="_blank">Home Chef</a> to easily bring ingredients for her recipes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="directly into people&#x27;s homes" data-vars-click-url="https://cook.homechef.com/half-baked-harvest" data-vars-content-id="714e4c79-9793-43f2-a71b-6b5573f7281f" data-vars-headline="Half Baked Harvest&#x27;s Tieghan Gerard is bringing her recipes directly to doorsteps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cook.homechef.com/half-baked-harvest" target="_blank">directly into people&#x27;s homes</a>.

What to know about the 2023 Denver Food + Wine fest

A cocktail and food truck competition called Shake + Brake Showdown will pit eight local food trucks and 12 bartenders against each other.

The city&#x27;s premier culinary extravaganza, the Denver Food + Wine Festival, begins Wednesday.Driving the news: The festival kicks off on Wednesday with a seminar aimed at helping amateur sommeliers learn more about how wine glass shapes can improve your drinking experience. Tickets: $95.

Food and Drink 🍽