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Scoop: Broncos owners offered to buy historic Aztlan Theatre

Broncos owners' property acquisition ambitions around Burnham Yard reached the landmark building on Santa Fe Drive.

Real Estate

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver Broncos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/11/broncos-2026-season-preview" data-vars-content-id="a529c9f2-ab07-4b3e-8a29-b56376990440" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Broncos owners offered to buy historic Aztlan Theatre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/11/broncos-2026-season-preview" target="_self">Denver Broncos</a>&#x27; owners tried to buy the historic Aztlan Theatre in La Alma-Lincoln Park this year — with an offer its longtime owner says &quot;lowballed&quot; him.Why it matters: The previously unreported move shows the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group&#x27;s real estate ambitions extend beyond <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Burnham Yard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/04/broncos-release-new-burnham-yard-renderings" data-vars-content-id="a529c9f2-ab07-4b3e-8a29-b56376990440" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Broncos owners offered to buy historic Aztlan Theatre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/04/broncos-release-new-burnham-yard-renderings" target="_self">Burnham Yard</a> as it assembles land for a sprawling new stadium district.

Ethiopian Festival returns to City Park

The two-day event has drawn more than 15,000 people.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Taste of Ethiopia Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://tasteofethiopia.org/photo-gallery/" data-vars-content-id="5f486c98-18f7-42c9-b1eb-e4c7dcbfbd3d" data-vars-headline="Ethiopian Festival returns to City Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tasteofethiopia.org/photo-gallery/" target="_blank">The Taste of Ethiopia Festival</a> returns to City Park on Saturday for a free, two-day fair celebrating the East African country&#x27;s culture. Why it matters: The Denver <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bandstand&#x27;s March fire prompted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/city-park-bandstand-rebuild-denver-fire" data-vars-content-id="5f486c98-18f7-42c9-b1eb-e4c7dcbfbd3d" data-vars-headline="Ethiopian Festival returns to City Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/city-park-bandstand-rebuild-denver-fire" target="_self">bandstand&#x27;s March fire prompted</a> questions about the festival&#x27;s future, but organizers say they found a workaround to ensure the event moved forward.

After a record-hot summer, Colorado could soon get a cooldown

Denver could see its first fall-like weather soon.

News

Colorado just sweated through its hottest summer on record. Denver wasn&#x27;t far behind.By the numbers: The state averaged 69.4°F from June through August, the warmest meteorological summer since records began in 1895, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/time-series/5/tavg/3/8/1895-2026" data-vars-content-id="6ba34a85-fad4-42c2-ba0c-5404ddb180cd" data-vars-headline="After a record-hot summer, Colorado could soon get a cooldown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/statewide/time-series/5/tavg/3/8/1895-2026" target="_blank">data</a> shows.

Anschutz leads Colorado billionaires in Forbes 400 list

The mogul's net worth is estimated at nearly $20 billion.

The rich stayed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rich in Colorado" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/16/colorado-billionaires-forbes-ranking-wealthiest" data-vars-content-id="b90c9a60-1b87-4e7a-a175-66e9f5a782e6" data-vars-headline="Anschutz leads Colorado billionaires in Forbes 400 list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/16/colorado-billionaires-forbes-ranking-wealthiest" target="_self">rich in Colorado</a> this year. Zoom in: Four Colorado billionaires cracked the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Forbes 400" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/forbes-400/" data-vars-content-id="b90c9a60-1b87-4e7a-a175-66e9f5a782e6" data-vars-headline="Anschutz leads Colorado billionaires in Forbes 400 list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/forbes-400/" target="_blank">Forbes 400</a>, led by Philip Anschutz and his eye-popping $19.3 billion fortune.

Colorado affordability fears hit new high, poll finds

The state's affordability fears are hitting new highs.

Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordability challenges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/25/denver-affordable-housing-crisis-three-generations" data-vars-content-id="2cc1ebb8-c005-41be-b3b2-541bb8093fc0" data-vars-headline="Colorado affordability fears hit new high, poll finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/25/denver-affordable-housing-crisis-three-generations" target="_self">affordability challenges</a> are changing how people eat, seek medical care and plan their futures here, according to a bipartisan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.copulsepoll.org/" data-vars-content-id="2cc1ebb8-c005-41be-b3b2-541bb8093fc0" data-vars-headline="Colorado affordability fears hit new high, poll finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.copulsepoll.org/" target="_blank">survey</a> released Thursday by the Colorado Health Foundation.Why it matters: As statewide elections loom this November, the survey suggests years of economic pressure are turning financial anxiety into growing frustration with policymakers.

Denver ranks dead last for average metro credit scores

Denver natives have the lowest average credit score among metro-area counties, new Census-linked data shows.

Denver natives have the lowest average credit score among metro-area counties, new Census-linked data shows.Why it matters: Credit scores can determine access to loans, housing, better interest rates and more — despite their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flaws and biases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/11/how-structural-racism-plays-a-role-in-lowering-credit-scores.html" data-vars-content-id="79bbd842-062b-4e33-8199-2e879a1a71c8" data-vars-headline="Denver ranks dead last for average metro credit scores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/11/how-structural-racism-plays-a-role-in-lowering-credit-scores.html" target="_blank">flaws and biases</a>.

Denver may revamp its public financing laws

A councilmember supporting the changes says it would "strengthen" the city's campaign finance program.

Politics

Major changes could be on the horizon for Denver&#x27;s taxpayer-funded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign finance system." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/05/01/public-campaign-financing-system-staff-needed" data-vars-content-id="adee1060-c232-4202-ae66-575dbe9b007c" data-vars-headline="Denver may revamp its public financing laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/05/01/public-campaign-financing-system-staff-needed" target="_self">campaign finance system.</a>Why it matters: A retool of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fair Elections Fund" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/02/03/denver-public-financing-majority-money-mayor-race" data-vars-content-id="adee1060-c232-4202-ae66-575dbe9b007c" data-vars-headline="Denver may revamp its public financing laws" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/02/03/denver-public-financing-majority-money-mayor-race" target="_self">Fair Elections Fund</a> could impact who runs for office and how millions in public money will be used by future mayoral, city council, city auditor and clerk and recorder candidates.

What it takes to be in Colorado's top 1%

You need to make nearly $900,000 a year to join <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado&#x27;s ultra-wealthy club." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/04/30/colorado-billionaires-forbes-list-2024" data-vars-content-id="7c4940ea-dca6-4fef-8a5a-bd39a66a5922" data-vars-headline="What it takes to be in Colorado&#x27;s top 1%" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/04/30/colorado-billionaires-forbes-list-2024" target="_self">Colorado&#x27;s ultra-wealthy club.</a>By the numbers: Making at least $876,743 annually is enough to put someone in the state&#x27;s top 1% of earners.

25% of Denver-area renters spend half their paycheck on housing

About a quarter (24.7%) of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver metro renters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/07/gen-z-rent-income-housing-denver" data-vars-content-id="5a4936aa-c8a3-43c7-bd11-0744ba19b238" data-vars-headline="25% of Denver-area renters spend half their paycheck on housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/07/gen-z-rent-income-housing-denver" target="_self">Denver metro renters</a> are spending more than half their income on housing, according to new data from the Census Bureau.Why it matters: An excessive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rent burden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/27/rent-unaffordable-housing-market-apartment-prices-cost" data-vars-content-id="5a4936aa-c8a3-43c7-bd11-0744ba19b238" data-vars-headline="25% of Denver-area renters spend half their paycheck on housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/27/rent-unaffordable-housing-market-apartment-prices-cost" target="_self">rent burden</a> can make it harder to afford other basic needs like groceries and transportation — or to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="save for a down payment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/06/22/gen-z-homeownership-rent-prices" data-vars-content-id="5a4936aa-c8a3-43c7-bd11-0744ba19b238" data-vars-headline="25% of Denver-area renters spend half their paycheck on housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/06/22/gen-z-homeownership-rent-prices" target="_self">save for a down payment</a>.

New tax plan will test voters' appetite for rate hike

Denver voters have approved seven tax hikes since 2014.

Denver leaders want voters to increase local taxes this fall, pushing the city&#x27;s overall rate past 9%, and testing taxpayers at a time when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consumer spending has slowed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/18/consumer-retail-spending-slowdown-economy" data-vars-content-id="87eab227-21c4-4239-865d-b7c56d26b1b0" data-vars-headline="New tax plan will test voters&#x27; appetite for rate hike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/18/consumer-retail-spending-slowdown-economy" target="_self">consumer spending has slowed</a>.The big picture: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston wants a 0.5% sales tax raise to generate $100 million annually to meet the city&#x27;s affordable housing needs. Meanwhile, Denver Health, the city&#x27;s safety net hospital, seeks a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="0.34% hike to raise $70 million annually" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/06/05/denver-health-sales-tax-increase-hospital-services" data-vars-content-id="87eab227-21c4-4239-865d-b7c56d26b1b0" data-vars-headline="New tax plan will test voters&#x27; appetite for rate hike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/06/05/denver-health-sales-tax-increase-hospital-services" target="_self">0.34% hike to raise $70 million annually</a> to cover operating costs.

A bar chart that shows which problems Colorado adults call most serious in a March 14-April 9, 2026, survey of 2,240 people. Rising cost of living and housing cost tie for highest at 85%, followed by healthcare cost at 82%. Drug overdoses rank lowest at 54%.

What Coloradans say are the state's most serious problems

Data: Colorado Health Foundation; Chart: Alayna Alvarez/Axios

Axios What's Next

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the average credit score by county of birth in 2020 for those born from 1978 through 1985. Slope County, N.D. leads at 757, while East Carroll Parish, La. trails at 593. The South tends to have the lowest scores, while the Upper Midwest tends to have the highest.

Average credit score by childhood county

Data: Opportunity Atlas; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the adjusted gross income needed to be in the top 1% of earners by state, using IRS tax year 2021 data adjusted to October 2024 dollars. Washington, D.C. leads at $1,222,791.28, while West Virginia trails at $425,816.40. The national figure is $797,760.07.

Money

Anschutz leads Colorado billionaires in Forbes 400 list

Colorado affordability fears hit new high, poll finds

Denver ranks dead last for average metro credit scores

Denver may revamp its public financing laws

What it takes to be in Colorado's top 1%