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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Denver.

Axios Denver

Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters John Frank, Alayna Alvarez and Esteban L. Hernandez.

Axios Denver Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

A guide to fun things to do in Denver this weekend.

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Axios Denver named best newsletter in Colorado

The Axios Denver team took home four awards from the Colorado Press Association.

News

Colorado brewers win big at GABF competition

Colorado brewers took home 40 medals at this year's Great American Beer Festival competition.

Food and Drink

Denver Walls takes local street art international

Denver is now an international destination for street art and fans of it.

Things to Do

Five Colorado restaurants earn Michelin stars

The stars are given to top restaurants serving some of the best dishes in the world.

Questions remain about mayor's plan to house Denver's homeless

The mayor has been trying to secure public support for his proposal to get Denverites out of homeless encampments.

Residents still have questions about a major part of Mayor Mike Johnston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plan to shelter 1,000 people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/26/denver-mayor-mike-johnston-homelessness-plan-decommissioning" data-vars-content-id="4d0c997e-fac1-4044-afd4-4b935d51ae88" data-vars-headline="Questions remain about mayor&#x27;s plan to house Denver&#x27;s homeless" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/26/denver-mayor-mike-johnston-homelessness-plan-decommissioning" target="_self">plan to shelter 1,000 people</a> this year.Why it matters: The mayor has been trying to secure public support for his proposal to get Denverites out of homeless encampments by housing them in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="11 micro-communities across the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/25/denver-homeless-sites-mike-johnston" data-vars-content-id="4d0c997e-fac1-4044-afd4-4b935d51ae88" data-vars-headline="Questions remain about mayor&#x27;s plan to house Denver&#x27;s homeless" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/25/denver-homeless-sites-mike-johnston" target="_self">11 micro-communities across the city</a>.

What a government shutdown would mean for Colorado residents

The potential impacts include the closure of Rocky Mountain National Park at peak fall color.

The looming federal government shutdown would hit extraordinarily hard in Colorado.What to know: The potential impacts include:<ul><li>The closure of Rocky Mountain National Park at peak fall color, a huge blow for tourism in Northern Colorado.</li></ul>

Illustration of the Capitol Building with a closed lock in place of the dome

Denver's migrant and housing crises are colliding

A surge in new migrants is coinciding with an already troubling housing crisis, putting unprecedented strain on resources.

During his first months in office, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has been navigating two housing crises at once: the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing number of unhoused people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/03/denver-homeless-deaths-mike-johnston-sweeps" data-vars-content-id="8dda9143-76be-4c5b-912f-cfaf2c4a8ed0" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s migrant and housing crises are colliding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/03/denver-homeless-deaths-mike-johnston-sweeps" target="_self">growing number of unhoused people</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thousands of newly arrived migrants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/23/denver-increase-migrant-arrivals-august" data-vars-content-id="8dda9143-76be-4c5b-912f-cfaf2c4a8ed0" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s migrant and housing crises are colliding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/23/denver-increase-migrant-arrivals-august" target="_self">thousands of newly arrived migrants</a>.Why it matters: The city simply doesn&#x27;t have enough affordable homes, shelters or money to help everyone who needs it, straining scarce resources and leaving people out on the street.

Photo illustration of a collage of key shapes, a family of four holding hands and abstract textures.

Inside Mayor Mike Johnston's first budget

This is Johnston's first budget as mayor and serves as a test to whether he is fulfilling the lofty campaign promises he made earlier this year.

Politics

Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$4 billion budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/finance/documents/budget/2024/final-september-2024-budget_9.14.23.pdf" data-vars-content-id="051c30b8-41df-4411-a5a7-ccd007d13c8a" data-vars-headline="Inside Mayor Mike Johnston&#x27;s first budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/finance/documents/budget/2024/final-september-2024-budget_9.14.23.pdf" target="_blank">$4 billion budget</a> Thursday that includes millions to curb homelessness, build affordable homes, revive downtown, improve public safety and reduce pollution.Why it matters: This is Johnston&#x27;s first budget as mayor, and serves as a test of whether he is fulfilling the lofty <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign promises" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/18/five-takeaways-denver-mayor-mike-johnston-inaugural-address" data-vars-content-id="051c30b8-41df-4411-a5a7-ccd007d13c8a" data-vars-headline="Inside Mayor Mike Johnston&#x27;s first budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/18/five-takeaways-denver-mayor-mike-johnston-inaugural-address" target="_self">campaign promises</a> he made earlier this year.

Illustration of a small dollar sign magnified by a monocle.

How much Proposition HH will lower Colorado property taxes

The question on this November's ballot asks Colorado voters to make a high-stakes tradeoff.

The Proposition HH <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="question" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/ballot/contacts/2023.html#gsc.tab=0" data-vars-content-id="1a856b42-8fbf-4c42-8079-1cedb9711849" data-vars-headline="How much Proposition HH will lower Colorado property taxes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/ballot/contacts/2023.html#gsc.tab=0" target="_blank">question</a> on this November&#x27;s ballot asks Colorado voters to make a high-stakes tradeoff.<ul><li>The state will lower property tax rates for 10 years — if you <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="give back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/01/colorado-property-tax-tabor-proposition-hh" data-vars-content-id="1a856b42-8fbf-4c42-8079-1cedb9711849" data-vars-headline="How much Proposition HH will lower Colorado property taxes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/01/colorado-property-tax-tabor-proposition-hh" target="_self">give back</a> part of your expected refund under the Taxpayer&#x27;s Bill of Rights.</li></ul>

A range plot showing the low and high estimates of total average property tax savings from Prop. HH from 2023 2024.

How much Prop. HH will cut TABOR refunds in Colorado

One word is missing from the Prop. HH ballot language: TABOR.

One word is missing from the Prop. HH ballot language: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TABOR" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/05/01/colorado-property-tax-tabor-proposition-hh" data-vars-content-id="faa08a7f-d612-491f-94fc-bf7ba0747c9c" data-vars-headline="How much Prop. HH will cut TABOR refunds 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/2023/05/01/colorado-property-tax-tabor-proposition-hh" target="_self">TABOR</a>.Yes, but: It&#x27;s a huge factor in the debate.What to know: TABOR refunds will increase beyond current levels for 60% of taxpayers in tax year 2023 if the ballot measure passes.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston names his first cabinet members

Phil Washington was named to continue serving as CEO of Denver's airport, and Anne-Marie Braga was selected to be the next head of human services.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston&#x27;s cabinet is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finally starting to take shape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/01/denver-mayor-mike-johnston-cabinet-key-roles" data-vars-content-id="3d35f0aa-a735-4a09-9e9b-732a922aa83d" data-vars-headline="Denver Mayor Mike Johnston names his first cabinet members" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/08/01/denver-mayor-mike-johnston-cabinet-key-roles" target="_self">finally starting to take shape</a>.Driving the news: On Wednesday, Johnston unveiled his first two nominations for key positions in his administration.

Colorado business leaders feel pessimistic about economy

Colorado's escalating cost of living and increasing regulatory burden on business is souring the economic mood.

Business

Colorado&#x27;s escalating cost of living and increasing regulatory burden on business is souring the economic mood.Driving the news: 60% of business leaders say the state&#x27;s economy is on the wrong track compared to the national picture, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new survey" data-vars-click-url="https://cochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-Business-Survey.pdf" data-vars-content-id="9587d036-f01d-407b-89bf-9bf65846c38b" data-vars-headline="Colorado business leaders feel pessimistic about economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-Business-Survey.pdf" target="_blank">a new survey</a> conducted by research firm CHS &amp; Associates on behalf of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce.

Denver voters support returning police officers to schools, poll shows

Only a slim majority of Denver voters, 51%, believe the city's public schools are safe for students.

Only a slim majority of Denver voters, 51%, believe the city&#x27;s public schools are safe for students, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.copollinginstitute.org/research/dps-august-2023" data-vars-content-id="ccfbdf58-935d-4202-9ca3-dc7a21c299c9" data-vars-headline="Denver voters support returning police officers to schools, poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.copollinginstitute.org/research/dps-august-2023" target="_blank">a new poll</a> finds.<ul><li>And nearly two-thirds support putting police officers back into schools after a series of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-profile shootings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/03/22/parents-families-frustrated-after-denver-east-high-school-shooting" data-vars-content-id="ccfbdf58-935d-4202-9ca3-dc7a21c299c9" data-vars-headline="Denver voters support returning police officers to schools, poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/03/22/parents-families-frustrated-after-denver-east-high-school-shooting" target="_self">high-profile shootings</a> in prior school year.</li></ul>

How Adam Frisch plans to win in 3rd District election rematch

What a difference a year makes for Adam Frisch.

What a difference a year makes for Adam Frisch.What&#x27;s happening: A year ago, the Democrat barely registered on the political radar in his bid to unseat Republican Lauren Boebert in Colorado&#x27;s 3rd Congressional District.

Politics 🇺🇸