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Denver outlines plan for first automated speed cameras

The cameras would be along Alameda and Federal boulevards.

News

Denver&#x27;s transportation and infrastructure department (DOTI) says it&#x27;s nearing a final draft for a bill to install the city&#x27;s first automated speed programs targeting two of the city&#x27;s most dangerous corridors.Why it matters: Speed is a major factor in serious auto accidents, and officials believe these cameras can help reduce the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="alarming rise in traffic deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/12/traffic-deaths-denver-2025-increase" data-vars-content-id="b26b3006-63cd-46f3-a86c-66c1a13d2e7c" data-vars-headline="Denver outlines plan for first automated speed cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/12/traffic-deaths-denver-2025-increase" target="_self">alarming rise in traffic deaths</a>.

The 5 cities in contention for the DNC in 2028

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia are competing to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention.

Politics

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia are competing to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, the party <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-announces-2028-convention-date-and-host-city-frontrunners/" data-vars-content-id="ad9ce1c8-56e3-4058-bc50-6b65f62ce343" data-vars-headline="The 5 cities in contention for the DNC in 2028" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-announces-2028-convention-date-and-host-city-frontrunners/" target="_blank">announced</a> Monday.Why it matters: The city selected will become the center of the political universe for one week and experience a major economic boost.

Metro Denver ranks poorly for safe streets

Denver ranked 41st in a new report report that scored metros on five metrics.

Denver metro areas roadways are a far cry from the country&#x27;s safest, according to a recent report looking at the nation&#x27;s biggest cities.The big picture: The New York, Boston and Portland, Oregon, metros have the country&#x27;s safest roadways, while Denver ranked 41st, per StreetLight Data&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" data-vars-content-id="18d64eeb-fc0a-4697-97f1-b0cebaf7f4d3" data-vars-headline="Metro Denver ranks poorly for safe streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" target="_blank">&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;</a>

Denver metro gas prices spike as global tensions rise

Analysts warn prices could keep climbing in the coming weeks.

Metro Denver can kiss goodbye its low gas prices.Why it matters: The increases have an immediate effect on motorists&#x27; pocketbooks and mood about the economy.

Denver cuts ties with Flock

The city says new data limits will restrict sharing with federal authorities.

Mayor Mike Johnston said Tuesday the city will not <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renew its contract with Flock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/05/police-license-plate-surveillance-denver-contract-ice" data-vars-content-id="7a52422e-5eb9-4bd9-a136-5ee2b3d8ff3d" data-vars-headline="Denver cuts ties with Flock" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/05/police-license-plate-surveillance-denver-contract-ice" target="_self">renew its contract with Flock</a> to operate the license plate reader system used by Denver police.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a major reversal for Johnston, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drew public ire last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/10/24/public-outrage-johnston-flock-contract-renewal" data-vars-content-id="7a52422e-5eb9-4bd9-a136-5ee2b3d8ff3d" data-vars-headline="Denver cuts ties with Flock" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/10/24/public-outrage-johnston-flock-contract-renewal" target="_self">drew public ire last year</a> when he unilaterally approved a new contract with the company despite concerns over mass surveillance and its potential misuse.

Denver council advances police mask ban

Council moves to bar most officers, including ICE agents, from wearing masks.

Denver City Council tentatively approved a bill that would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make it illegal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/09/denver-considers-ice-face-mask-ban" data-vars-content-id="672fd098-2043-42b4-b4e3-b9e334fe33c7" data-vars-headline="Denver council advances police mask ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/09/denver-considers-ice-face-mask-ban" target="_self">make it illegal</a> for police officers — including federal immigration agents — to wear face coverings while operating in the city. Friction point: A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Axios last month the agency <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would not comply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/12/dhs-blasts-city-council-ice-face-coverings" data-vars-content-id="672fd098-2043-42b4-b4e3-b9e334fe33c7" data-vars-headline="Denver council advances police mask ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/12/dhs-blasts-city-council-ice-face-coverings" target="_self">would not comply</a> if the measure becomes law — setting up a potential clash between Denver and the federal government.

Fatal fentanyl overdoses spike in Denver

The city tallied 515 total drug overdoses last year, a 7% jump from 2024.

Fatal overdoses in Denver rose last year, despite national figures showing a dip in drug deaths, possibly tied <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to a Chinese crackdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/09/china-fentanyl-crackdown-overdose-deaths" data-vars-content-id="c8f5d9ba-e029-46e8-9672-2863de0cf064" data-vars-headline="Fatal fentanyl overdoses spike in Denver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/09/china-fentanyl-crackdown-overdose-deaths" target="_self">to a Chinese crackdown</a> on fentanyl.By the numbers: Denver recorded a 24% increase in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drug overdoses involving fentanyl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/02/24/overdoses-rate-colorado-2023" data-vars-content-id="c8f5d9ba-e029-46e8-9672-2863de0cf064" data-vars-headline="Fatal fentanyl overdoses spike 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/2025/02/24/overdoses-rate-colorado-2023" target="_self">drug overdoses involving fentanyl</a> last year compared to 2024, preliminary data from the medical examiner&#x27;s office shows.

Tina Peters' attorneys ask appellate court to toss her conviction

The former Mesa County clerk is one of the nation's most prominent election deniers.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tina Peters&#x27;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/03/09/colorado-election-clerk-tina-peters-indicted-2020-election" data-vars-content-id="42d1d190-e6c9-40a6-a10c-2b2e885e79cf" data-vars-headline="Tina Peters&#x27; attorneys ask appellate court to toss her conviction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/03/09/colorado-election-clerk-tina-peters-indicted-2020-election" target="_self">Tina Peters&#x27;</a> attorneys asked the Colorado Court of Appeals on Wednesday to reverse her conviction for tampering with voting equipment and set her free, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump has demanded." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/21/trump-threat-colorado-tina-peters" data-vars-content-id="42d1d190-e6c9-40a6-a10c-2b2e885e79cf" data-vars-headline="Tina Peters&#x27; attorneys ask appellate court to toss her conviction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/21/trump-threat-colorado-tina-peters" target="_self">President Trump has demanded.</a>Why it matters: The former Mesa County clerk is one of the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most prominent election deniers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/02/14/tina-peters-arrest-2020-election-fraud-colorado" data-vars-content-id="42d1d190-e6c9-40a6-a10c-2b2e885e79cf" data-vars-headline="Tina Peters&#x27; attorneys ask appellate court to toss her conviction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/02/14/tina-peters-arrest-2020-election-fraud-colorado" target="_self">most prominent election deniers</a> and the first convicted for an election breach related to the 2020 election.

The most-stolen cars in Colorado in 2025

Chevy Silverados were the most popular cars among thieves.

If you own a 2004 Chevy Silverado and live in Denver, you might want to invest in extra security.The big picture: The model was the most stolen car in Colorado last year, while Denver led the entire state in auto thefts, data shared this month by Colorado State Patrol shows.

DHS blasts City Council plan targeting ICE face coverings

The ban on some kinds of face coverings would apply to any law enforcement officer operating in the city.

The Department of Homeland Security says it won&#x27;t comply with a Denver City Council proposal targeting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE agents who wear face coverings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/09/denver-considers-ice-face-mask-ban" data-vars-content-id="456ff40d-0e2d-49d0-8231-7670e05e3ea6" data-vars-headline="DHS blasts City Council plan targeting ICE face coverings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/09/denver-considers-ice-face-mask-ban" target="_self">ICE agents who wear face coverings</a>.The big picture: Council&#x27;s proposal would ban face coverings for any law enforcement officer operating in the city, including Denver police and sheriff&#x27;s deputies, according to a presentation Monday.

Traffic deaths surge in Denver

It's one of the deadliest years on record for the city's roads.

Last year ended as one of the deadliest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on record for Denver&#x27;s roads" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/10/02/pedestrian-deaths-spike" data-vars-content-id="3fcc10b1-9db2-4417-a42c-f0116583f20b" data-vars-headline="Traffic deaths surge 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/2025/10/02/pedestrian-deaths-spike" target="_self">on record for Denver&#x27;s roads</a>.The big picture: 93 people were killed on local streets in 2025 — 13 more than in the previous year — marking the highest tally since 2013, based on data from the city&#x27;s Vision Zero program.

State Sen. Faith Winter was legally drunk, caused wreck that killed her

Sen. Faith Winter had a 0.185% blood alcohol level, per sheriff's report.

State Sen. Faith Winter posted a blood-alcohol level two times the legal limit and died in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="car crash that authorities say she caused" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/01/faith-winter-colorado-senator-obituary-car-crash" data-vars-content-id="fdd6a4b5-1cf2-44cb-90a3-6f8e5bb7d171" data-vars-headline="State Sen. Faith Winter was legally drunk, caused wreck that killed her" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/01/faith-winter-colorado-senator-obituary-car-crash" target="_self">car crash that authorities say she caused</a> last month, per the Arapahoe County Sheriff&#x27;s Office.Why it matters: An <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://files.arapahoeco.gov/Sheriffs%20Office/news/News%20Release/November%20Crash%20Inv.pdf?t=202512191752300&amp;t=202512191752300" data-vars-content-id="fdd6a4b5-1cf2-44cb-90a3-6f8e5bb7d171" data-vars-headline="State Sen. Faith Winter was legally drunk, caused wreck that killed her" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://files.arapahoeco.gov/Sheriffs%20Office/news/News%20Release/November%20Crash%20Inv.pdf?t=202512191752300&amp;t=202512191752300" target="_blank">investigation</a> determined that Winter was &quot;at fault&quot; when her Hyundai Ioniq 5 rear-ended a Ford F-350 truck.

Public Safety

Denver outlines plan for first automated speed cameras

Metro Denver ranks poorly for safe streets

Denver cuts ties with Flock

Denver council advances police mask ban

Fatal fentanyl overdoses spike in Denver