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Phil Weiser is poised to be Colorado's accidental governor

"The fluke of [the 2016] election is what propelled my first campaign," he said.

Politics

Back in 2016, when Democrats expected Hillary Clinton to win the White House, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phil Weiser" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/09/colorado-phil-weiser-lawsuit-trump-50" data-vars-content-id="1b473998-826c-4f96-9f99-b386e87170af" data-vars-headline="Phil Weiser is poised to be Colorado&#x27;s accidental governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/09/colorado-phil-weiser-lawsuit-trump-50" target="_self">Phil Weiser</a> planned to join her administration.Yes, but: President Trump won.

Denver considers 4am nightclub proposal

The change would mark a significant shift for Denver's nightlife.

News

A proposal to let some Denver nightclubs operate until 4am faces its first major test on Monday. Why it matters: The change would mark a significant shift for Denver&#x27;s nightlife, potentially giving venues a boost as the city looks to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strengthen its economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/09/denver-rolls-out-100m-jobs-strategy" data-vars-content-id="9abd34e4-e097-446d-8ea0-7040d6a0cb6d" data-vars-headline="Denver considers 4am nightclub proposal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/09/denver-rolls-out-100m-jobs-strategy" target="_self">strengthen its economy</a>.

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.

Reunion Bakery rises on South Pearl Street

Fresh bread, Portuguese pastries and brunch now fill the expanded café.

Food and Drink

Platt Park is home to a new bakery from one of Denver&#x27;s most acclaimed pastry chefs, bringing its signature Portuguese treats, an expanded menu and the smell of fresh bread that drifts down the block before you reach the front door.State of play: James Beard-nominated baker Ismael de Sousa opened Reunion Bakery&#x27;s new home at 1240 S. Pearl St. in early May after first launching inside The Source market hall in 2018. The bakery draws on his Portuguese family&#x27;s roots in Caracas, Venezuela.

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.

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.

Adjusted gross income needed to be in the top 1%

Bar chart showing the share of renter households spending over half their income on housing in 2023. Overall, about 26% of renter households in the U.S. have a high rent burden. Nearly all of the most-burdened metro areas are in Florida, with 37% of renters in Port St. Lucie spending more than half their income on rent. In Ogden, Utah, just 18% of renter households have high rent burdens. The share in Denver is 25%.

Money

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%

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