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Denver's first PorchFest takes over Baker this weekend

Organizers are gearing up to debut the city's porch party.

Things to Do

The porches of Denver&#x27;s Baker neighborhood will transform into stages on Saturday for the city&#x27;s first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PorchFest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverporchfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="e33f0033-c4da-41b8-94b5-775f92c1f3a6" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s first PorchFest takes over Baker this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverporchfest.com/" target="_blank">PorchFest</a>.Why it matters: PorchFest gives local musicians a big new audience, nudges Denverites beyond their playlists and brings thousands of potential customers past Baker businesses.

Colorado winter outlook: Powerful El Niño boosts snow hopes

Colorado's best hope for breaking its historic snow drought is gaining strength in the Pacific.

News

Colorado&#x27;s best hope for breaking its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" data-vars-content-id="bf5b043f-e340-4fd1-a9fb-89b9e5f6775c" data-vars-headline="Colorado winter outlook: Powerful El Niño boosts snow hopes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" target="_self">historic drought</a> is gaining strength in the Pacific.Why it matters: We&#x27;re thirsty. Nearly 86% of the state is in drought, and this winter&#x27;s snowpack could help determine water supplies, wildfire risk — and the fortunes of the state&#x27;s ski economy.

Colorado candidates refuse to debate

Candidates increasingly view debates as optional, or as a political liability.

Politics

Political debates used to be a campaign staple. Now, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="candidates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/2026-midterm-elections" data-vars-content-id="e15f5746-7884-4334-8bf2-e071c42f3f10" data-vars-headline="Colorado candidates refuse to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/2026-midterm-elections" target="_self">candidates</a> increasingly see them as optional — or a political liability.Why it matters: In a midterm cycle dominated by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unprecedented spending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/18/house-republicans-fundraising-democrats" data-vars-content-id="e15f5746-7884-4334-8bf2-e071c42f3f10" data-vars-headline="Colorado candidates refuse to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/18/house-republicans-fundraising-democrats" target="_self">unprecedented spending</a> on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contrast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/19/republicans-midterms-hate-election" data-vars-content-id="e15f5746-7884-4334-8bf2-e071c42f3f10" data-vars-headline="Colorado candidates refuse to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/19/republicans-midterms-hate-election" target="_self">contrast</a> ads, the candidates are reluctant to challenge each other face-to-face.

Sweet Bloom Coffee in Lakewood wins top coffee prize

The Lakewood-based coffee company has three Front Range locations.

Food and Drink

Coloradans won&#x27;t need to travel far along the Front Range to find some of North America&#x27;s best coffee. Driving the news: Lakewood-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters" data-vars-click-url="https://sweetbloomcoffee.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4UJsR2QyN6YRakUwu-_XKnYnUWBKzRsiIQOKV_oVJgKRzScTz2z" data-vars-content-id="6a42146f-e85f-4f2a-9da6-8a55d1bc63c1" data-vars-headline="Sweet Bloom Coffee in Lakewood wins top coffee prize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sweetbloomcoffee.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4UJsR2QyN6YRakUwu-_XKnYnUWBKzRsiIQOKV_oVJgKRzScTz2z" target="_blank">Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters</a> recently earned the top prize at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Global Coffee Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://globalcoffeeawards.com/winners-us-canada-2026/" data-vars-content-id="6a42146f-e85f-4f2a-9da6-8a55d1bc63c1" data-vars-headline="Sweet Bloom Coffee in Lakewood wins top coffee prize" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://globalcoffeeawards.com/winners-us-canada-2026/" target="_blank">Global Coffee Awards</a>, winning Best Roaster in the U.S. and Canada, plus a gold and a silver in two additional categories. <ul><li>&quot;We don&#x27;t take any of it for granted,&quot; the company said in a statement. </li></ul>

Denver allows pizza boxes, other greasy stuff in compost 

The material can be reused for lawns, gardens and fields.

Denverites can now toss those greasy pizza boxes into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the city&#x27;s composting bins" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/07/11/denver-composting-enforcement" data-vars-content-id="2749326e-d049-42c7-bbbb-bd2682dcca99" data-vars-headline="Denver allows pizza boxes, other greasy stuff in compost " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/07/11/denver-composting-enforcement" target="_self">the city&#x27;s composting bins</a>. State of play: Acceptable compost items now include food-soiled paper, the city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/News-Outreach/2026-News/Denver-Makes-Composting-Easier-Greasy-Pizza-Boxes-Now-Welcome" data-vars-content-id="2749326e-d049-42c7-bbbb-bd2682dcca99" data-vars-headline="Denver allows pizza boxes, other greasy stuff in compost " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/News-Outreach/2026-News/Denver-Makes-Composting-Easier-Greasy-Pizza-Boxes-Now-Welcome" target="_blank">announced</a> Tuesday.

Summit FC breaks ground on stadium 

New plans call for slightly less seating capacity.

Summit FC broke ground Thursday on its permanent stadium at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Santa Fe Yards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/23/denver-womens-soccer-stadium-approved" data-vars-content-id="b7203488-1b7b-4ae1-904e-5bcf60160c9f" data-vars-headline="Summit FC breaks ground on stadium " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/23/denver-womens-soccer-stadium-approved" target="_self">Santa Fe Yards</a>, unveiling new renderings of its future home. State of play: The 14-acre site near South Broadway and I-25 will be anchored by the 12,500-seat stadium, with standing-room capacity expanding the total to 13,000 seats, per the club.

Denver shelter's longest-waiting duo needs a home

Staff say these "big babies" are often overlooked because of their size and the need to adopt them together.

For 2.5 years, Damu and Lupina have been waiting for someone to take a chance on them. The catch: They&#x27;re a package deal.Why it matters: The bonded best friends are the longest-tenured residents at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="True Companions Animal Shelter &amp; Clinic" data-vars-click-url="https://truecompanions.org/" data-vars-content-id="10b8687e-45fa-4feb-86e8-957e9126c71b" data-vars-headline="Denver shelter&#x27;s longest-waiting duo needs a home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://truecompanions.org/" target="_blank">True Companions Animal Shelter &amp; Clinic</a>, a no-kill shelter in Denver&#x27;s La Alma-Lincoln Park neighborhood, staff tell us.

Children's Hospital Colorado sees 65% spike in mental health ER visits

Inpatient psychiatric admissions are also increasing.

Children&#x27;s Hospital Colorado saw pediatric ER visits involving mental health concerns jump about 65% <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="from 2019 to 2025" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/06/16/health-of-colorado-kids-crumbles-amid-covid" data-vars-content-id="6a720447-782a-4401-9f1f-4d35af651d1b" data-vars-headline="Children&#x27;s Hospital Colorado sees 65% spike in mental health ER visits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/06/16/health-of-colorado-kids-crumbles-amid-covid" target="_self">from 2019 to 2025</a>, and the number could climb even higher this year, hospital officials tell us. Why it matters: The surge comes as Colorado records some of the highest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suicide rates among children" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/10/09/young-adult-suicide-spikes-colorado" data-vars-content-id="6a720447-782a-4401-9f1f-4d35af651d1b" data-vars-headline="Children&#x27;s Hospital Colorado sees 65% spike in mental health ER visits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/10/09/young-adult-suicide-spikes-colorado" target="_self">suicide rates among children</a> and young adults in the country.

2027 National Western Stock Show tickets go on sale

It&#x27;s time to dust off those cowboy boots: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Stock Show&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/08/things-to-do-national-western-stock-show" data-vars-content-id="7843c2f9-61fd-4141-81d4-66e0fca60548" data-vars-headline="2027 National Western Stock Show tickets go on sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/08/things-to-do-national-western-stock-show" target="_self">The Stock Show&#x27;s</a> a-coming. Why it matters: After record-shattering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attendance this year," data-vars-click-url="https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/2026-national-western-stock-show-shatters-attendance-record" data-vars-content-id="7843c2f9-61fd-4141-81d4-66e0fca60548" data-vars-headline="2027 National Western Stock Show tickets go on sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/2026-national-western-stock-show-shatters-attendance-record" target="_blank">attendance this year,</a> organizers are encouraging people to snatch up tickets sooner than later.

Denver is becoming a rideshare testing ground

Throo, a New York City-based ride-hailing app built around a 0% commission model, is now in Denver.

Denver&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ride-hailing scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/waymo-launches-denver" data-vars-content-id="edf74162-a052-4631-a27a-359480708425" data-vars-headline="Denver is becoming a rideshare testing ground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/waymo-launches-denver" target="_self">ride-hailing scene</a> is getting crowded — and experimental.Driving the news: Throo, a ride-hailing app built around a 0% commission model, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/throo-takes-its-0-commission-model-beyond-new-york-city-to-denver-302886555.html?tc=eml_cleartime&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="edf74162-a052-4631-a27a-359480708425" data-vars-headline="Denver is becoming a rideshare testing ground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/throo-takes-its-0-commission-model-beyond-new-york-city-to-denver-302886555.html?tc=eml_cleartime&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">announced</a> its Denver expansion this week, its first market <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outside New York City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/nyregion/can-throo-compete-with-uber-and-lyft.html" data-vars-content-id="edf74162-a052-4631-a27a-359480708425" data-vars-headline="Denver is becoming a rideshare testing ground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/nyregion/can-throo-compete-with-uber-and-lyft.html" target="_blank">outside New York City</a> just three months after launching.

The Rockies' history-making 100th loss

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Colorado Rockies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/colorado-rockies-2026-season-preview" data-vars-content-id="6d1a320d-92d9-400c-9fef-b2b8f1919cf8" data-vars-headline="The Rockies&#x27; history-making 100th loss" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/colorado-rockies-2026-season-preview" target="_self">The Colorado Rockies</a> just matched a 61-year-old record nobody wanted.State of play: The Rockies notched their 100th loss this week, clinching the club&#x27;s fourth consecutive century-losing campaign, despite an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="encouraging start to the season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/04/colorado-rockies-quietly-reach-major-milestone" data-vars-content-id="6d1a320d-92d9-400c-9fef-b2b8f1919cf8" data-vars-headline="The Rockies&#x27; history-making 100th loss" 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/colorado-rockies-quietly-reach-major-milestone" target="_self">encouraging start to the season</a>.

Denver's at-large contest draws over $300K in fundraising 

Money could be a deciding factor in the 10-person race.

Candidates vying for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the open at-large seat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/city-council-open-seat-candidates" data-vars-content-id="a023295e-4947-44cd-b090-5fcb37560bdf" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s at-large contest draws over $300K in fundraising " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/01/city-council-open-seat-candidates" target="_self">the open at-large seat</a> on the Denver City Council are raking in campaign cash as next month&#x27;s ballot drop looms. Why it matters: With just six weeks left to win over voters citywide, money could help candidates break through in the 10-person field for a seat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="representing every resident" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/05/special-election-denver-city-council-seat" data-vars-content-id="a023295e-4947-44cd-b090-5fcb37560bdf" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s at-large contest draws over $300K in fundraising " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/05/special-election-denver-city-council-seat" target="_self">representing every resident</a>.

Why fentanyl is on the Colorado ballot 

Proponents say Proposition 132 addresses the opioid crisis. Opponents say it'll make things worse.

Voters will decide this November whether to make possession of any <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fentanyl amount a felony" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/03/colorado-ballot-measures-2026-taxes-transgender-tabor" data-vars-content-id="b7b56911-ff2c-43fa-a220-d377c2bf6c8f" data-vars-headline="Why fentanyl is on the Colorado ballot " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/03/colorado-ballot-measures-2026-taxes-transgender-tabor" target="_self">fentanyl amount a felony</a>.Why it matters: Advocates say doing so will help reduce fatal overdoses, but critics warn it&#x27;ll only worsen the crisis.

News 🗞

Denver allows pizza boxes, other greasy stuff in compost

Summit FC breaks ground on stadium

Denver shelter's longest-waiting duo needs a home

Children's Hospital Colorado sees 65% spike in mental health ER visits

2027 National Western Stock Show tickets go on sale