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Lauren Boebert's fundraising is dismal

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert raised $90,000 in the first three months of the year.

Election

U.S. Rep <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lauren Boebert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/06/24/lauren-boebert-controversy-congress" data-vars-content-id="bf8191fc-f184-488a-b8da-cbc1b004dd1c" data-vars-headline="Lauren Boebert&#x27;s fundraising is dismal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/06/24/lauren-boebert-controversy-congress" target="_self">Lauren Boebert</a> raised a paltry $90,000 in the first three months of the year and reported just $219,000 in the bank ahead of the November election.Why it matters: The Windsor Republican&#x27;s fundraising is by far the weakest of any Colorado congressional incumbent, according to an Axios Denver analysis of new campaign filings.

Reimagined Denver Pavilions envisions site as new public square

The nearly 30-year-old site would see most of its buildings demolished under a new vision.

News

For the Denver Pavilions to be saved, it must come crumbling down.Why it matters: A sweeping blueprint calls for demolishing and reimagining the Denver Pavilions to make way for housing, retail and a public square — a dramatic reset for a fading 2000s-era downtown anchor.

Colorado's electricity bills are lower than the national average

Americans are projected to spend an average of $158 a month on household electricity.

Denver residents are spending an estimated $95 a month on their home electric bills, per a new Axios analysis of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" data-vars-content-id="425342a1-f75a-45b2-8b41-9744d020dc51" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s electricity bills are lower than the national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://electricity.heatmap.news/" target="_blank">data</a> collected and shared by climate newsroom Heatmap News.The big picture: Americans are projected to spend an average of $158 a month on household electricity.

Craft beer's decline sets new records in 2025

The persistent downward trend is startling the once-booming industry and forcing brewers to rethink their business models.

Food and Drink

The craft beer market continued <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its historic decline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/15/craft-beer-breweries-decline-2024" data-vars-content-id="b295ca84-8830-49d6-b2ff-ea2a18c4573d" data-vars-headline="Craft beer&#x27;s decline sets new records in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/15/craft-beer-breweries-decline-2024" target="_self">its historic decline</a> in 2025, with a 5.1% decrease in production and 2.9% contraction in U.S. breweries, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/a-year-of-correction-for-craft-beer-with-early-signals-of-recovery/" data-vars-content-id="b295ca84-8830-49d6-b2ff-ea2a18c4573d" data-vars-headline="Craft beer&#x27;s decline sets new records in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/a-year-of-correction-for-craft-beer-with-early-signals-of-recovery/" target="_blank">a new report</a> shows.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="persistent downward trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" data-vars-content-id="b295ca84-8830-49d6-b2ff-ea2a18c4573d" data-vars-headline="Craft beer&#x27;s decline sets new records in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" target="_self">persistent downward trend</a> is startling the once-booming industry and forcing brewers to rethink their business models and expand into non-beer beverages.

Colorado's competency system faces needed overhaul

Lawmakers are advancing legislation to make it easier to civilly commit a defendant.

Public Safety

In September, a man charged with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attempted second-degree murder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/man-released-from-jail-competency-law/73-77ceee3f-1ce7-40d3-85af-e22e72f1329a" data-vars-content-id="0f3245f0-9dd5-41a9-bb36-2f97a818fac4" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s competency system faces needed overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/man-released-from-jail-competency-law/73-77ceee3f-1ce7-40d3-85af-e22e72f1329a" target="_blank">attempted second-degree murder</a> walked out of a Weld County jail. Months earlier, a registered sex offender accused of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attempted kidnapping of a child" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kbtx.com/2025/07/15/prosecutors-drop-charges-against-man-accused-trying-kidnap-child-school-reports/" data-vars-content-id="0f3245f0-9dd5-41a9-bb36-2f97a818fac4" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s competency system faces needed overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kbtx.com/2025/07/15/prosecutors-drop-charges-against-man-accused-trying-kidnap-child-school-reports/" target="_blank">attempted kidnapping of a child</a> had his case dismissed.Why it matters: In both situations, the men were deemed mentally incompetent and unlikely to regain competency — triggering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a state law" data-vars-click-url="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1034" data-vars-content-id="0f3245f0-9dd5-41a9-bb36-2f97a818fac4" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s competency system faces needed overhaul" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1034" target="_blank">a state law</a> that required the court system to vacate the charges and set them free.<ul><li>The egregious cases are prompting an overhaul to the state&#x27;s troubled competency system, one that would close the gap and keep more people accused of violent crimes and other felonies off the street.</li></ul>

Colorado scrambles to find more prison beds

In the $46.8 billion budget package introduced this week, lawmakers earmarked about $26 million to address the problem.

Politics

To address rising inmate populations, Colorado is preparing to spend more than $26 million in next year&#x27;s budget on additional prison capacity.Why it matters: The money is making it harder for state lawmakers to balance a budget with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.5 billion shortfall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/19/colorados-budget-deficit-grows-march-economic-outlook" data-vars-content-id="9b5b8b78-2010-49f7-a530-1973c91927ca" data-vars-headline="Colorado scrambles to find more prison beds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/19/colorados-budget-deficit-grows-march-economic-outlook" target="_self">$1.5 billion shortfall</a>.

New contract aims to fix Denver sheriff staffing shortage

The sheriff's department has just under 600 deputies.

Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins says a newly approved collective bargaining agreement will help recruit new deputies and retain more staff.Why it matters: The department is only about 65% staffed — just under 600 deputies — as Diggins works to rebuild the ranks.

City Council approves Axon as new license plate reader vendor

Denver approved a $150,000 deal with Axon to install 50 cameras, replacing Flock.

In a 7–6 vote on Tuesday, the Denver City Council narrowly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="selected Axon " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/24/axon-license-plate-cameras-public-split" data-vars-content-id="51d52e29-05ee-4d4c-9dcc-7fadf44a7adc" data-vars-headline="City Council approves Axon as new license plate reader vendor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/24/axon-license-plate-cameras-public-split" target="_self">selected Axon </a>as the city&#x27;s automated license plate reader vendor for a one-year contract.Why it matters: The vote caps a fraught process, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some council members" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/02/license-plate-denver-readers-mass-surveillance" data-vars-content-id="51d52e29-05ee-4d4c-9dcc-7fadf44a7adc" data-vars-headline="City Council approves Axon as new license plate reader vendor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/02/license-plate-denver-readers-mass-surveillance" target="_self">some council members</a> wary of the cameras&#x27; capabilities and Mayor Mike Johnston&#x27;s administration backing the deal.

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.

Dozens of No Kings protests planned across Colorado

Millions are expected to attend thousands of events in the U.S.

More than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="70 No Kings protests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/local/colorado/2026/03/22/colorado-no-kings-march-28-protests-update-locations/89250262007/" data-vars-content-id="dff040c1-4d9e-4aee-81ad-46fd1559433c" data-vars-headline="Dozens of No Kings protests planned across Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/local/colorado/2026/03/22/colorado-no-kings-march-28-protests-update-locations/89250262007/" target="_blank">70 No Kings protests</a> against President Trump are planned across Colorado this Saturday, with a marquee event at the State Capitol. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the third time protesters will take to the streets for the No Kings rallies since Trump took office in January 2025.

Axon's license plate cameras divide public opinion

Denver City Council hosted a public hearing to get public feedback on the controversial proposal.

Nearly two dozen speakers on Monday evening offered contrasting views <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on a controversial contract" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/11/new-axon-contract-details" data-vars-content-id="d5800153-f528-4103-8e15-c24782760346" data-vars-headline="Axon&#x27;s license plate cameras divide public opinion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/11/new-axon-contract-details" target="_self">on a controversial contract</a> for a new automated license plate reader camera operator in Denver. Why it matters: The feedback indicates public opinion is divided. Supporters siding with Mayor Mike Johnston&#x27;s administration say Axon is a valuable police tool, while opponents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="characterize the cameras as mass surveillance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/24/denver-replace-flock-surveillance-axon-license-plate-readers" data-vars-content-id="d5800153-f528-4103-8e15-c24782760346" data-vars-headline="Axon&#x27;s license plate cameras divide public opinion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/24/denver-replace-flock-surveillance-axon-license-plate-readers" target="_self">characterize the cameras as mass surveillance</a>.

Denver use-of-force cases, complaints rise

Nearly 1,000 use-of-force cases were recorded by Denver police in 2025.

Reported use-of-force incidents by Denver police rose 13% in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of gradual increase.Why it matters: The continued increase raises concerns about a tactic that can erode <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public trust in law enforcement " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/28/how-george-floyd-protests-changed-denver-and-where-the-movement-stands-now" data-vars-content-id="f916fe6c-c33f-4a88-a73e-993864d7522a" data-vars-headline="Denver use-of-force cases, complaints rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/28/how-george-floyd-protests-changed-denver-and-where-the-movement-stands-now" target="_self">public trust in law enforcement </a>and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost the city millions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/10/19/denver-jury-denver-police-lodo-shooting-verdict" data-vars-content-id="f916fe6c-c33f-4a88-a73e-993864d7522a" data-vars-headline="Denver use-of-force cases, complaints rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/10/19/denver-jury-denver-police-lodo-shooting-verdict" target="_self">cost the city millions</a> in settlements.

Denver's proposed license plate reader company has ties to DHS

DHS says Axon helps "fulfill its mission of protecting American citizens."

Axon, the company Mayor Mike Johnston&#x27;s administration tapped to take over the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="automated license plate reader system," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/24/denver-replace-flock-surveillance-axon-license-plate-readers" data-vars-content-id="1941b8dd-6b04-47fe-b803-387f43c2bee4" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s proposed license plate reader company has ties to DHS" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/24/denver-replace-flock-surveillance-axon-license-plate-readers" target="_self">automated license plate reader system,</a> currently has a contract with the Department of Homeland Security, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="USASpending.gov" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70VT1525F00015_7004_70B03C23D00000006_7014" data-vars-content-id="1941b8dd-6b04-47fe-b803-387f43c2bee4" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s proposed license plate reader company has ties to DHS" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70VT1525F00015_7004_70B03C23D00000006_7014" target="_blank">USASpending.gov</a>.Why it matters: Axon&#x27;s direct ties to a federal agency overseeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement put it at odds with a city whose leaders publicly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="denounced ICE&#x27;s tactics and policies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/26/denver-mayor-bars-federal-immigration-city-buildings" data-vars-content-id="1941b8dd-6b04-47fe-b803-387f43c2bee4" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s proposed license plate reader company has ties to DHS" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/02/26/denver-mayor-bars-federal-immigration-city-buildings" target="_self">denounced ICE&#x27;s tactics and policies</a>.

Nextdoor fuels crime fears in neighborhoods, study finds

Nextdoor bills itself as an essential neighborhood news source in an era when local journalism is declining.

Social media platform Nextdoor is creating exaggerated fears about crime and more support for aggressive policing tactics, a new University of Colorado Boulder <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/14614448241303114" data-vars-content-id="0ba4c114-6638-4f3a-895a-76a68791bedf" data-vars-headline="Nextdoor fuels crime fears in neighborhoods, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/14614448241303114" target="_blank">study</a> finds.Why it matters: Nextdoor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bills itself" data-vars-click-url="https://about.nextdoor.com/" data-vars-content-id="0ba4c114-6638-4f3a-895a-76a68791bedf" data-vars-headline="Nextdoor fuels crime fears in neighborhoods, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://about.nextdoor.com/" target="_blank">bills itself</a> as an essential neighborhood news source in an era when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local journalism is declining" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/24/most-us-counties-have-little-to-no-local-news-sources" data-vars-content-id="0ba4c114-6638-4f3a-895a-76a68791bedf" data-vars-headline="Nextdoor fuels crime fears in neighborhoods, study finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/24/most-us-counties-have-little-to-no-local-news-sources" target="_self">local journalism is declining</a>, but the platform&#x27;s content is warping some users&#x27; perception of reality, the study says.