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Colorado's drought sparks lawn wars

Denver Water has a message for anyone mourning their emerald green yard: "Brown lawns are a badge of honor right now."

News

Coloradans are keeping tabs on their neighbors&#x27; sprinklers as cities like Denver crack down on water use during one of the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most punishing droughts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/exceptional-drought-denver-worst-categories-colorado/" data-vars-content-id="45eac834-ffbe-47a3-abf6-cd2d6d1569cd" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s drought sparks lawn wars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/exceptional-drought-denver-worst-categories-colorado/" target="_blank">most punishing droughts</a> in decades.Why it matters: Extreme heat and scant precipitation are straining water supplies, turning neighborhood lawns into a public test of who&#x27;s naughty or nice.

Melat Kiros sits on a Democratic island in Colorado

The 29-year-old democratic socialist has spent most of the campaign alone on the trail.

Election

Two days after her upset in the Democratic primary for Colorado&#x27;s 1st Congressional District, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Melat Kiros" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/progressive-challenger-kiros-tests-degette-primary" data-vars-content-id="0bb490e3-96aa-4cbb-b3a3-cc8cf07fc2bd" data-vars-headline="Melat Kiros sits on a Democratic island in Colorado" 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/progressive-challenger-kiros-tests-degette-primary" target="_self">Melat Kiros</a> stood with party leaders behind a banner that read: &quot;Together We Win.&quot;<ul><li>Yes, but: Now she appears quite lonely.</li></ul>

Denver Public Schools starts year with sweeping phone ban

The personal communication device ban is one of the strictest in the state.

Denver Public School students return to class next Monday with a new rule: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No mobile phones in class" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/05/colorado-school-districts-crackdown-cellphones-classrooms" data-vars-content-id="ebb9c759-56b7-4203-8e92-2cd5b3894758" data-vars-headline="Denver Public Schools starts year with sweeping phone ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/05/colorado-school-districts-crackdown-cellphones-classrooms" target="_self">No mobile phones in class</a> — at least not until the final bell rings. Why it matters: Colorado&#x27;s largest school district is adopting one of the state&#x27;s strictest personal device bans — part of a broader push by educators to keep students focused on whiteboards instead of pocket-size screens.

Cooler weather arrives in Denver

The shift starting Thursday could bring some much-needed rain.

Relief from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scorching conditions should" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/27/colorados-summer-weather-outlook-is-wetter-and-hotter" data-vars-content-id="d38c1590-e886-4cf5-81af-134b1591a9e6" data-vars-headline="Cooler weather arrives in Denver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/27/colorados-summer-weather-outlook-is-wetter-and-hotter" target="_self">scorching conditions should</a> arrive in Denver soon.Why it matters: The shift this week could bring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some much-needed rain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/08/denver-water-drought-pricing-water-restrictions" data-vars-content-id="d38c1590-e886-4cf5-81af-134b1591a9e6" data-vars-headline="Cooler weather arrives in Denver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/08/denver-water-drought-pricing-water-restrictions" target="_self">some much-needed rain</a> and reprieve after July&#x27;s record-breaking heat crept into August.

Palmer Land Conservancy notches big wins

The conservancy secured 674 acres on the flank of Pikes Peak with the purchase of the Pinestone Ranch.

The Pikes Peak region&#x27;s identity is rooted in its natural landscape, and the Palmer Land Conservancy is making major moves to preserve it.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="region&#x27;s rapid growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/12/colorado-springs-continued-growth" data-vars-content-id="e3836f34-79f0-44fb-a283-f9c75b20e813" data-vars-headline="Palmer Land Conservancy notches big wins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/06/12/colorado-springs-continued-growth" target="_self">region&#x27;s rapid growth</a> is bringing development into open spaces, threatening farms, wildlife and water sources.

Colorado communities split on data center boom

Local communities' different approaches to data center development has created a patchwork of moratoriums, incentives and new restrictions.

Business

Colorado communities are taking dramatically different approaches to the boom in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/16/ai-data-center-water-regulations-cu-boulder" data-vars-content-id="0603ed11-e326-4195-bef4-abf5110ba9a1" data-vars-headline="Colorado communities split on data center boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/16/ai-data-center-water-regulations-cu-boulder" target="_self">data center development</a>, with a patchwork of moratoriums, incentives and new restrictions.Why it matters: The local experimentation is filling a vacuum left by state lawmakers, who failed last legislative session to agree on how Colorado should regulate the resource-hungry facilities.

Denver science museum to unveil $20M makeover 

A free grand opening celebration will be held Sept. 1.

The Denver Museum of Nature &amp; Science is ready to reveal its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$20 million makeover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/03/17/denver-museum-of-nature-science-renovation-dmns" data-vars-content-id="57a9e096-5bb6-49f9-ae7d-7933ed281fce" data-vars-headline="Denver science museum to unveil $20M makeover " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/03/17/denver-museum-of-nature-science-renovation-dmns" target="_self">$20 million makeover</a>.The big picture: Renovations to the Sturm Family Wing, which began in April 2025, transformed the space&#x27;s theater, lobby and plaza. It opens to the public on Sept. 1.

Colorado's childhood vaccination rates slip lower

Colorado's vaccination rates are among the nation's lowest.

Colorado&#x27;s vaccination rates for kindergartners dipped across the board in the 2025-26 school year, while exemptions continued their post-pandemic rise, new CDC data <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="cea17424-8f19-4fc1-9291-577462f03368" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s childhood vaccination rates slip lower" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">shows</a>.Why it matters: Colorado&#x27;s vaccination rates are among the nation&#x27;s lowest, and public health officials worry about the possibility of outbreaks at schools and beyond.

Colorado's drought is sending hungry bears on the move

The state's brutal year is hitting bears, too.

Colorado is seeing a surge in bear activity, with reports on pace for a record year, according to wildlife officials.Why it matters: Bears are having a rough year. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Record-low snowpack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" data-vars-content-id="550e1694-cf8c-40dd-a9ee-f455cbd2f649" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s drought is sending hungry bears on the move" 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">Record-low snowpack</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/08/16/nx-s1-5918630/after-a-historic-drought-heres-one-way-colorado-is-keeping-its-taps-running" data-vars-content-id="550e1694-cf8c-40dd-a9ee-f455cbd2f649" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s drought is sending hungry bears on the move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/08/16/nx-s1-5918630/after-a-historic-drought-heres-one-way-colorado-is-keeping-its-taps-running" target="_blank">drought</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/10/colorado-fire-departments-funding-staff-shortage" data-vars-content-id="550e1694-cf8c-40dd-a9ee-f455cbd2f649" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s drought is sending hungry bears on the move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/10/colorado-fire-departments-funding-staff-shortage" target="_self">wildfires</a> have made food harder to find as they need to bulk up for hibernation.

Back-to-school shopping is changing in Denver

Local parents are relying on smarter shopping to manage climbing costs.

Metro Denver parents are bringing a bargain-hunter mentality to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back-to-school shopping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/01/back-to-school-shopping-region" data-vars-content-id="6f9d059f-8758-4642-891f-868a5e0567bb" data-vars-headline="Back-to-school shopping is changing in Denver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/01/back-to-school-shopping-region" target="_self">back-to-school shopping</a> this season, according to a new survey from consulting giant Deloitte.Why it matters: After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year&#x27;s jump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/01/school-shopping-costs-denver-deloitte-survey" data-vars-content-id="6f9d059f-8758-4642-891f-868a5e0567bb" data-vars-headline="Back-to-school shopping is changing in Denver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/01/school-shopping-costs-denver-deloitte-survey" target="_self">last year&#x27;s jump</a> in spending, Denver-area families are relying on smarter shopping to manage climbing costs.

Colorado homeowners are breaking up with grass

More people are trading thirsty turf for water-wise lawns.

The traditional green lawn is losing ground across the Front Range as homeowners trade thirsty turf for water-wise plants — and cities are paying them to do it.Why it matters: It&#x27;s expensive to keep a manicured lawn alive, and Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tightening water supplies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" data-vars-content-id="7cac51a9-8ff3-45a0-af5b-0b715f89f441" data-vars-headline="Colorado homeowners are breaking up with grass" 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">tightening water supplies</a> are making it harder to justify.

Axios Boulder

Independent Bob Chew bets big on Colorado Senate bid

Boulder

A line chart that shows kindergartner vaccine exemption rates and the U.S. average from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The local rate rose from 0.6% to 3%, with faster gains after 2020. It remained below the national average each year, which increased from 1.6% to 4.2%.

News 🗞

Independent Bob Chew bets big on Colorado Senate bid

Palmer Land Conservancy notches big wins

Colorado communities split on data center boom

Denver science museum to unveil $20M makeover

Colorado's childhood vaccination rates slip lower