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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.

News

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.

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>

Arc opens its first thrift bins

Arc's first-ever outlet sells massively discounted clothing and goods,

Business

Arc Thrift Stores opened its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-ever outlet" data-vars-click-url="https://arcthrift.com/outlet" data-vars-content-id="6f9e1cb3-e2aa-4daa-900c-4ca55ec5ff29" data-vars-headline="Arc opens its first thrift bins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arcthrift.com/outlet" target="_blank">first-ever outlet</a> yesterday.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a big deal if you&#x27;re in the thrifting game.

What's at stake on Colorado's ballot in 2026

The lengthy ballot, with its record number of measures and key races, will determine Colorado's policy future and the players that shape it.

Election

As early voting gets underway in Colorado, the stakes of the 2026 election are coming into focus.Why it matters: Who&#x27;s in charge, what Colorado&#x27;s cultural norms look like and how the state collects and spends money are all at stake in this election.

The best week to buy a home in Denver is almost here

Late September could be local house hunters' best time to buy.

Real Estate

Denver house hunters, circle Sept. 27–Oct. 3 on your calendars.Why it matters: That may be the best week of the year to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="buy a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/28/housing-mortgages-prices-economy" data-vars-content-id="82c8d904-b14d-424a-bf2e-c17f232b32c5" data-vars-headline="The best week to buy a home in Denver is almost here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/28/housing-mortgages-prices-economy" target="_self">buy a home</a>, according to a new Realtor.com <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/best-time-to-buy-2026" data-vars-content-id="82c8d904-b14d-424a-bf2e-c17f232b32c5" data-vars-headline="The best week to buy a home in Denver is almost here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/best-time-to-buy-2026" target="_blank">report</a>.

Scoop: Broncos owners offered to buy historic Aztlan Theatre

Broncos owners' property acquisition ambitions around Burnham Yard reached the landmark building on Santa Fe Drive.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver Broncos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/11/broncos-2026-season-preview" data-vars-content-id="a529c9f2-ab07-4b3e-8a29-b56376990440" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Broncos owners offered to buy historic Aztlan Theatre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/09/11/broncos-2026-season-preview" target="_self">Denver Broncos</a>&#x27; owners tried to buy the historic Aztlan Theatre in La Alma-Lincoln Park this year — with an offer its longtime owner says &quot;lowballed&quot; him.Why it matters: The previously unreported move shows the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group&#x27;s real estate ambitions extend beyond <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Burnham Yard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/08/04/broncos-release-new-burnham-yard-renderings" data-vars-content-id="a529c9f2-ab07-4b3e-8a29-b56376990440" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Broncos owners offered to buy historic Aztlan Theatre" 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/broncos-release-new-burnham-yard-renderings" target="_self">Burnham Yard</a> as it assembles land for a sprawling new stadium district.

Why Denver's rent relief may not last long

Denver renters are seeing the nation's biggest discounts — for now.

A historic apartment building boom means metro Denver renters are getting some of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best deals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/02/18/charted-concessions-for-denver-renters" data-vars-content-id="1ce42524-a03b-45ed-93c0-354b1fc90a84" data-vars-headline="Why Denver&#x27;s rent relief may not last long" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/02/18/charted-concessions-for-denver-renters" target="_self">best deals</a> in the country — for now.Why it matters: A flood of new apartments in 2024 has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lowered rents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/23/denver-rents-drop-landlord-incentives-2026" data-vars-content-id="1ce42524-a03b-45ed-93c0-354b1fc90a84" data-vars-headline="Why Denver&#x27;s rent relief may not last long" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/23/denver-rents-drop-landlord-incentives-2026" target="_self">lowered rents</a> and produced what industry analysts say are the nation&#x27;s biggest rental concessions. But that window could close quickly as construction slows and vacant units fill.

How modular housing could help solve Denver's affordability crunch

A new development project has transformed a concrete platform into a four-story building in just days.

In the Santa Fe Arts District, a towering crane is stacking apartment units like LEGO blocks, transforming a concrete slab into a four-story building in just days.Why it matters: The project offers a glimpse at how Denver could build affordable housing faster — and cheaper — as the city confronts a shortage one recent analysis found could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="take nearly a century to erase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/25/denver-affordable-housing-crisis-three-generations" data-vars-content-id="c4c566a6-47a2-43c0-aa21-6f225a27c4fe" data-vars-headline="How modular housing could help solve Denver&#x27;s affordability crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/25/denver-affordable-housing-crisis-three-generations" target="_self">take nearly a century to erase</a> at today&#x27;s pace.

Denver's best neighborhoods and what makes them special

Part of what makes Denver special is its vibrant mix of neighborhoods, each with different character.

Part of what <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="makes Denver special" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/25/denver-move-relocation-colorado" data-vars-content-id="9af8c69f-e01c-45bf-a7b5-972859ae45b0" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s best neighborhoods and what makes them special" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/06/25/denver-move-relocation-colorado" target="_self">makes Denver special</a> is its vibrant mix of neighborhoods, each with different character, commercial districts and curb appeal.State of play: The vibes make it hard to quantify how each compares to the other, but 5280 magazine&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Neighborhoods in Denver" data-vars-click-url="https://5280.com/neighborhoods/" data-vars-content-id="9af8c69f-e01c-45bf-a7b5-972859ae45b0" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s best neighborhoods and what makes them special" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://5280.com/neighborhoods/" target="_blank">Best Neighborhoods in Denver</a> rankings offer a baseline.

Why Denver wants to buy a state-owned building

The $4.5 million deal could add future affordable homes near transit.

Mayor Mike Johnston&#x27;s administration moved forward Tuesday with a plan to spend $4.5 million on a vacant Capitol Hill office building that could become a future site for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="much-needed affordable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/15/our-housing-gap" data-vars-content-id="74ab5991-2421-4f7f-901e-d60c389f9fac" data-vars-headline="Why Denver wants to buy a state-owned building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/15/our-housing-gap" target="_self">much-needed affordable</a> housing.Why it matters: Purchasing the state-owned building in Denver&#x27;s Capitol Hill neighborhood is a small but notable step toward addressing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the city&#x27;s housing crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/19/polis-housing-shortage-colorado-cities" data-vars-content-id="74ab5991-2421-4f7f-901e-d60c389f9fac" data-vars-headline="Why Denver wants to buy a state-owned building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/19/polis-housing-shortage-colorado-cities" target="_self">the city&#x27;s housing crisis</a>.

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.

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.

Former Denver Mayor Hancock is now a real estate investor

After serving in public office and then as a political consultant, Hancock appears to be shifting toward a more lucrative second act.

Politics

Former Denver Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michael Hancock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/17/denver-mayor-michael-hancock-exit-farewell-legacy" data-vars-content-id="fc60a7e1-c815-46f6-aaed-4cd923ef1663" data-vars-headline="Former Denver Mayor Hancock is now a real estate investor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/17/denver-mayor-michael-hancock-exit-farewell-legacy" target="_self">Michael Hancock</a> is making a post-City Hall pivot into real estate investing.Why it matters: After serving in public office and then as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a political consultant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/12/07/former-mayor-michael-hancock-consulting-business" data-vars-content-id="fc60a7e1-c815-46f6-aaed-4cd923ef1663" data-vars-headline="Former Denver Mayor Hancock is now a real estate investor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/12/07/former-mayor-michael-hancock-consulting-business" target="_self">a political consultant</a>, Hancock appears to be shifting toward a more lucrative second act.

Denver's rent dip among nation's highest

The median rent fell by nearly 5% year over year.

New data shows the Denver metro area recorded one of the steepest rent declines in the country over the past year.State of play: The median rent in metro Denver was down nearly 5% this February from a year earlier, to $1,600 a month, according to data from Apartment List, a rental site.

Metro Denver homeowners are staying put

The trend is keeping the housing market on ice for now.

Denver metro homeowners are staying in their houses for the longest time in at least 25 years, new data shows.Why it matters: The trend is keeping the housing market on ice for now.

Real Estate 🏠

The best week to buy a home in Denver is almost here

Scoop: Broncos owners offered to buy historic Aztlan Theatre

Why Denver's rent relief may not last long

How modular housing could help solve Denver's affordability crunch

Aurora neighborhood awaits Stanley's future