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Progressive challenger tests DeGette's hold

Rep. Diana DeGette, a 15-term Colorado congresswoman, faces a challenge from a first-time democratic socialist candidate.

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U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette&#x27;s iron grip on the Denver seat she&#x27;s held for nearly three decades faces its most formidable challenge in years from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="progressive newcomer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/11/degette-cd1-2026-race-progressive-challenger" data-vars-content-id="aa268bfc-60a1-4dc5-99e9-295bd31c4872" data-vars-headline="Progressive challenger tests DeGette&#x27;s hold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/11/degette-cd1-2026-race-progressive-challenger" target="_self">progressive newcomer</a> Melat Kiros.Why it matters: Kiros, a democratic socialist, aims to unseat Colorado&#x27;s longest-serving Congress member — a potential upset that could signal a broader progressive push to topple <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="establishment Democrats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/democrats-2026-midterms-house-primaries-jeffries" data-vars-content-id="aa268bfc-60a1-4dc5-99e9-295bd31c4872" data-vars-headline="Progressive challenger tests DeGette&#x27;s hold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/democrats-2026-midterms-house-primaries-jeffries" target="_self">establishment Democrats</a> nationwide.

Colorado's Artemis moment

Colorado companies are playing an outsize role in this week's Artemis II mission.

Colorado&#x27;s aerospace industry is playing an outsize role in Wednesday&#x27;s Artemis II mission — a high-stakes crewed test flight for NASA&#x27;s return to the Moon.Why it matters: Florida may get the glory for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hosting the launch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/30/mosi-to-host-artemis-ii-watch-party" data-vars-content-id="2e63651c-09ea-4d62-bb5b-f96cb50de6e1" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s Artemis moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/30/mosi-to-host-artemis-ii-watch-party" target="_self">hosting the launch</a>, but Colorado&#x27;s status as a hub for space innovation stands to get a boost from the mission&#x27;s ripple effects.

Progressives flex power at Democratic assembly

Delegates backed challengers and adopted a more progressive platform at the state assembly.

Chanting &quot;when we fight, we win,&quot; Colorado Democrats on Saturday overwhelmingly endorsed a challenger to an incumbent U.S. senator, a former two-term governor.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The progressive faction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/09/progressive-democratic-party-establishment-2026-election" data-vars-content-id="ef5a3d8e-4113-486d-ac85-848981e0f5c2" data-vars-headline="Progressives flex power at Democratic assembly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/09/progressive-democratic-party-establishment-2026-election" target="_self">The progressive faction</a> within the party flexed its influence at the state assembly in Pueblo and delivered a loud and clear message to their leaders: No seat is safe, especially not the status quo.

Colorado lawmakers propose shrinking RTD's board

The bill sponsors' goal is to improve accountability and accelerate decision-making.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) board of directors could shrink by nearly half under a new proposal from state lawmakers aiming to overhaul the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="troubled agency." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/08/05/colorado-state-audit-rtd-financial-problems" data-vars-content-id="941fc7eb-7758-4a0f-afba-9837e5810998" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers propose shrinking RTD&#x27;s board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/08/05/colorado-state-audit-rtd-financial-problems" target="_self">troubled agency.</a>Why it matters: RTD has struggled for years with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/03/rtd-study-reducing-drug-use-transit-stations" data-vars-content-id="941fc7eb-7758-4a0f-afba-9837e5810998" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers propose shrinking RTD&#x27;s board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/03/rtd-study-reducing-drug-use-transit-stations" target="_self">safety concerns</a>,<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" slumping ridership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/13/rtd-ridership-decline" data-vars-content-id="941fc7eb-7758-4a0f-afba-9837e5810998" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers propose shrinking RTD&#x27;s board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/13/rtd-ridership-decline" target="_self"> slumping ridership</a> and unreliable service across the eight Front Range counties it serves — and lawmakers argue its 15-member board is too large to fix those problems efficiently or effectively.

Red Rocks set for renovations following historic year

2025 marked a record-setting year for the historic outdoor amphitheatre.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre will get new upgrades this year following one of its most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="successful seasons on record" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/10/red-rocks-shows-attendance-capacity" data-vars-content-id="cd8a2f87-8691-4b8c-befa-152c21176531" data-vars-headline="Red Rocks set for renovations following historic year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/10/red-rocks-shows-attendance-capacity" target="_self">successful seasons on record</a>.The big picture: A merchandise stand and an east terrace used for security checks and scanning is on tap for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver-owned venue in Morrison" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/22/red-rocks-hail-storm-denver-colorado-safety-changes" data-vars-content-id="cd8a2f87-8691-4b8c-befa-152c21176531" data-vars-headline="Red Rocks set for renovations following historic year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/22/red-rocks-hail-storm-denver-colorado-safety-changes" target="_self">Denver-owned venue in Morrison</a>, city staff said Tuesday.

Denver's Destiny Bond named among the world's best new bands

The Mile High City is continuing to make a name for itself in the music industry.

The Mile High City is continuing to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make a name for itself " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/26/denver-vinyl-chief-lands-on-billboards-40-under-40-vinyl-me-please" data-vars-content-id="7b62d1a9-d826-4643-8b83-c966a3e9dfb1" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s Destiny Bond named among the world&#x27;s best new bands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/26/denver-vinyl-chief-lands-on-billboards-40-under-40-vinyl-me-please" target="_self">make a name for itself </a>in the music industry.Driving the news: Denver-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Destiny Bond" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4XGRuOMAK9ritE48mxQgYs?si=SISmRSYQQlOvIEvSXoM_tg" data-vars-content-id="7b62d1a9-d826-4643-8b83-c966a3e9dfb1" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s Destiny Bond named among the world&#x27;s best new bands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4XGRuOMAK9ritE48mxQgYs?si=SISmRSYQQlOvIEvSXoM_tg" target="_blank">Destiny Bond</a> just landed on global music blog Stereogum&#x27;s list of the world&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="40 Best New Bands of 2023" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stereogum.com/2241572/best-new-bands-2023/lists/best-new-bands/" data-vars-content-id="7b62d1a9-d826-4643-8b83-c966a3e9dfb1" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s Destiny Bond named among the world&#x27;s best new bands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stereogum.com/2241572/best-new-bands-2023/lists/best-new-bands/" target="_blank">40 Best New Bands of 2023</a>.

Music

Red Rocks set for renovations following historic year

Nathaniel Rateliff wins big at 2025 Americana Awards

Denver's Destiny Bond named among the world's best new bands