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Phil Weiser upsets Michael Bennet to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor

Weiser's win makes him the favorite entering the November general election.

Politics & Policy

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser won <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Democratic nomination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-democratic-primary-governor-bennet-weiser" data-vars-content-id="973927f8-aeb0-4b48-a4de-affc1e7defd4" data-vars-headline="Phil Weiser upsets Michael Bennet to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-democratic-primary-governor-bennet-weiser" target="_self">the Democratic nomination</a> for governor Tuesday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defeating" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/AP_RaceCalls/status/2072137336775647527?s=20" data-vars-content-id="973927f8-aeb0-4b48-a4de-affc1e7defd4" data-vars-headline="Phil Weiser upsets Michael Bennet to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/AP_RaceCalls/status/2072137336775647527?s=20" target="_blank">defeating</a> U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in a primary upset that underscored voter frustration with Washington.Why it matters: Democrats have dominated statewide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-voter-guide-what-to-know-about-the-candidates-and-top-races" data-vars-content-id="973927f8-aeb0-4b48-a4de-affc1e7defd4" data-vars-headline="Phil Weiser upsets Michael Bennet to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-voter-guide-what-to-know-about-the-candidates-and-top-races" target="_self">elections</a> for more than a decade, making Weiser the early favorite for November.

Kiros ousts U.S. Rep. DeGette in Colorado Democratic primary

Melat Kiros is poised to become the first Black woman to represent Colorado in Congress.

Progressive upstart Melat Kiros completed a monumental upset <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/17/attack-ads-political-collusion-1st-district-primary" data-vars-content-id="55cc1477-02b3-4c33-85f3-6fbe24a59008" data-vars-headline="Kiros ousts U.S. Rep. DeGette in Colorado Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/17/attack-ads-political-collusion-1st-district-primary" target="_self">over U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette</a>, defeating the 15-time incumbent on Tuesday to secure the Democratic nomination in Colorado&#x27;s 1st Congressional District, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP reports" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/AP_RaceCalls/status/2072169343215870142?s=20" data-vars-content-id="55cc1477-02b3-4c33-85f3-6fbe24a59008" data-vars-headline="Kiros ousts U.S. Rep. DeGette in Colorado Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/AP_RaceCalls/status/2072169343215870142?s=20" target="_blank">AP reports</a>.Why it matters: The 29-year-old&#x27;s victory proves that anti-establishment <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="victories in New York City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/mamdani-lander-valdez-chevalier-espaillat-goldman" data-vars-content-id="55cc1477-02b3-4c33-85f3-6fbe24a59008" data-vars-headline="Kiros ousts U.S. Rep. DeGette in Colorado Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/mamdani-lander-valdez-chevalier-espaillat-goldman" target="_self">victories in New York City</a> can be replicated, likely increasing anxiety for other Democratic incumbents.

Fort Collins named one of America's best towns to visit in 2026

The small city north of Denver is finally getting some national love.

Culture

Fort Collins landed at No. 5 on CNN Travel&#x27;s list of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s Best Towns to Visit in 2026" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/travel/best-towns-america-list-2026" data-vars-content-id="82ae11cb-cbd6-4826-84cf-4fe56ebb2fc8" data-vars-headline="Fort Collins named one of America&#x27;s best towns to visit in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/best-towns-america-list-2026" target="_blank">America&#x27;s Best Towns to Visit in 2026</a>, out Wednesday. Why it matters: This north-central Colorado city, about an hour from Denver, rarely gets national attention, making this recognition feel overdue.

3 takeaways from Colorado's primary election

A socialist and an upset: Colorado's leftward primary

The candidates who pushed against the status quo racked up victories and kept races closer than expected.

Colorado progressives flexed their muscle in Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/30/what-to-watch-primary-election-night-colorado" data-vars-content-id="c6a58634-8fb8-4404-9ece-895dbb09e4a0" data-vars-headline="3 takeaways from Colorado&#x27;s primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/30/what-to-watch-primary-election-night-colorado" target="_self">Democratic primary</a>, scoring marquee wins up and down the ballot.Why it matters: The results suggest Colorado Democrats aren&#x27;t just rebuking President Trump — they&#x27;re increasingly demanding a more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="confrontational brand of politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/17/colorado-democrats-adopt-fighter-mentality-on-campaign-trail" data-vars-content-id="c6a58634-8fb8-4404-9ece-895dbb09e4a0" data-vars-headline="3 takeaways from Colorado&#x27;s primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/17/colorado-democrats-adopt-fighter-mentality-on-campaign-trail" target="_self">confrontational brand of politics</a>.

BARna opens as soccer mecca on Colfax

One of Denver's newest bars caters to the soccer-obsessed, just in time for the FIFA World Cup.

Things to Do

One of Denver&#x27;s newest bars caters to the soccer-obsessed, just in time for the sport&#x27;s biggest international tournament.The latest: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BARna&#x27;s opening on Colfax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverpost.com/2026/06/30/denver-colfax-barna-tapas-soccor-bar/?utm_campaign=mrf-facebook-denverpost&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;mrfcid=202606306a443a4453df58001071f961" data-vars-content-id="80df3f13-7970-472f-b441-48d17e737e7e" data-vars-headline="BARna opens as soccer mecca on Colfax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2026/06/30/denver-colfax-barna-tapas-soccor-bar/?utm_campaign=mrf-facebook-denverpost&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;mrfcid=202606306a443a4453df58001071f961" target="_blank">BARna&#x27;s opening on Colfax</a> last month coincided with the start of the FIFA World Cup.

The duo behind The Easy Vegan has a new restaurant

Mother Other is bringing plant-based comfort food to the Baker neighborhood.

News

After years of building a cult following through farmers markets, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a Food Network win" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/01/the-easy-vegan-denver-wins-great-food-truck-race-food-network" data-vars-content-id="1a616ddd-fec6-4c93-bede-1c6ce483789d" data-vars-headline="The duo behind The Easy Vegan has a new restaurant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/01/the-easy-vegan-denver-wins-great-food-truck-race-food-network" target="_self">a Food Network win</a> and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="veggie hot dog concept" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/12/04/the-easy-vegan-veggie-hot-dogs" data-vars-content-id="1a616ddd-fec6-4c93-bede-1c6ce483789d" data-vars-headline="The duo behind The Easy Vegan has a new restaurant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/12/04/the-easy-vegan-veggie-hot-dogs" target="_self">veggie hot dog concept</a>, The Easy Vegan team is opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Denver this weekend.Dig in: Chef Alexi Mandolini and her partner Taylor Herbert are launching <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mother Other" data-vars-click-url="https://www.motherother.com/" data-vars-content-id="1a616ddd-fec6-4c93-bede-1c6ce483789d" data-vars-headline="The duo behind The Easy Vegan has a new restaurant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.motherother.com/" target="_blank">Mother Other</a>, a vegan bar and restaurant in Baker.

Denver scoops up 3 spots on Yelp's top ice cream list

A new Yelp ranking suggests some of the country's most sought-after scoop shops are right here at home.

Food and Drink

Three Denver ice cream institutions are among America&#x27;s most-bookmarked, according to Yelp&#x27;s 2026 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most-saved scoop shops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.yelp.com/article/most-saved-ice-cream-2026" data-vars-content-id="3083dfe6-75d0-4c56-87cd-a4ab31c73fb7" data-vars-headline="Denver scoops up 3 spots on Yelp&#x27;s top ice cream list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.yelp.com/article/most-saved-ice-cream-2026" target="_blank">most-saved scoop shops</a> list out Wednesday.Why it matters: The ranking suggests some of the country&#x27;s most sought-after sweets are right here at home.

Denver's most-hyped new bagel is in Wash Park

This bagel sells out before lunch. We found out why.

The hardest Denver bagel to get your hands on right now may be at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milly&#x27;s Bagels" data-vars-click-url="https://millysbagels.com/" data-vars-content-id="da32d5ed-a70c-4ff5-937e-8cbd08453bea" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s most-hyped new bagel is in Wash Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://millysbagels.com/" target="_blank">Milly&#x27;s Bagels</a>, a tiny new shop on Pearl Street in West Wash Park.Why it matters: There are few bad days a great bagel can&#x27;t make at least a little better.

Denver chef Penelope Wong wins James Beard Award

Her journey from street-food sensation to award-winning restaurateur culminated Monday.

The chef who built a cult following for the dumplings she served from a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver food truck" data-vars-click-url="https://303magazine.com/2019/09/yuan-wonton-dumplings-denver/" data-vars-content-id="6832da55-2050-402f-8ce9-7f4d16d1a177" data-vars-headline="Denver chef Penelope Wong wins James Beard Award" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://303magazine.com/2019/09/yuan-wonton-dumplings-denver/" target="_blank">Denver food truck</a> is now a James Beard winner.Why it matters: Penelope Wong&#x27;s journey from street-food sensation to award-winning restaurateur culminated Monday with a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain.

Kelly Whitaker brings SHEEP pop-up to Cherry Creek

The Wolf's Tailor team is launching a fire-focused tasting menu this summer.

Chef Kelly Whitaker — the creative force behind Denver&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two Michelin-starred Wolf&#x27;s Tailor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/15/michelin-denver-restaurants-stars-wolfs-tailor" data-vars-content-id="3cac4680-2581-49cc-984e-96b1924abff6" data-vars-headline="Kelly Whitaker brings SHEEP pop-up to Cherry Creek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/15/michelin-denver-restaurants-stars-wolfs-tailor" target="_self">two Michelin-starred Wolf&#x27;s Tailor</a> — will debut a Cherry Creek pop-up next month called SHEEP. Dig in: The three-month residency, tucked inside the Clayton Hotel &amp; Members Club, will incorporate local ingredients, fermentation, open-fire cooking and the restaurant group&#x27;s zero-waste ethos — hallmarks of Whitaker&#x27;s style at his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sunnyside eatery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thewolfstailor.com/" data-vars-content-id="3cac4680-2581-49cc-984e-96b1924abff6" data-vars-headline="Kelly Whitaker brings SHEEP pop-up to Cherry Creek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thewolfstailor.com/" target="_blank">Sunnyside eatery</a>.

New King Soopers opens in Virginia Village

The full service grocery store replaces the former Belcaro store.

King Soopers opens its new Virginia Village store on Wednesday — just a mile from the Belcaro location it replaces.State of play: The Kroger-owned grocer is betting shoppers will follow it to a bigger, amenity-packed store at 4201 E. Arkansas Ave. after the longtime Belcaro location closed for good yesterday.

Denver kids can get free summer meals

The Tasty Food program runs through Aug. 21.

Free meals for kids are coming to a recreation center near you. Why it matters: Many families could use extra support <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="right now" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-grocery-prices" data-vars-content-id="f6f38684-6fe8-473e-aba5-2bd3f4a4dfd4" data-vars-headline="Denver kids can get free summer meals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-grocery-prices" target="_self">right now</a> as grocery prices remain high.

What's cookin' in Denver's food scene

The highly anticipated Madeline restaurant is now open on 6th Avenue in the former Fruition space.

New restaurants, new booze and a speakeasy — Denver&#x27;s food scene is cookin&#x27;. Here&#x27;s the latest news to know.😋 The highly anticipated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Madeline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.restaurantmadeline.com/" data-vars-content-id="0cc68125-f90e-4783-b4bc-f6c9ac980f53" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s cookin&#x27; in Denver&#x27;s food scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.restaurantmadeline.com/" target="_blank">Madeline</a> restaurant is now open on 6th Avenue in the former Fruition space.

Civic Center EATS is back for the season

Food trucks are rolling back into Civic Center Park.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Civic Center EATS" data-vars-click-url="https://civiccenterpark.org/events/eats/" data-vars-content-id="539f29c9-86d5-477e-ad31-6a98dca291a9" data-vars-headline="Civic Center EATS is back for the season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://civiccenterpark.org/events/eats/" target="_blank">Civic Center EATS</a> returns Wednesday, relocating to Bannock Street in front of city hall due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing park renovations." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/18/civic-center-park-construction-begins" data-vars-content-id="539f29c9-86d5-477e-ad31-6a98dca291a9" data-vars-headline="Civic Center EATS is back for the season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/18/civic-center-park-construction-begins" target="_self">ongoing park renovations.</a>

Food and Drink 🍽

BARna opens as soccer mecca on Colfax

Colorado beer season peaks at July 4

Atrevida Beer Co. leaves its mark on Colorado craft beer scene

The duo behind The Easy Vegan has a new restaurant

Denver scoops up 3 spots on Yelp's top ice cream list