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Phil Weiser upsets Michael Bennet to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor

Weiser's win makes him the favorite entering the November general election.

Politics & Policy

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser won <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Democratic nomination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-democratic-primary-governor-bennet-weiser" data-vars-content-id="973927f8-aeb0-4b48-a4de-affc1e7defd4" data-vars-headline="Phil Weiser upsets Michael Bennet to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-democratic-primary-governor-bennet-weiser" target="_self">the Democratic nomination</a> for governor Tuesday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defeating" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/AP_RaceCalls/status/2072137336775647527?s=20" data-vars-content-id="973927f8-aeb0-4b48-a4de-affc1e7defd4" data-vars-headline="Phil Weiser upsets Michael Bennet to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/AP_RaceCalls/status/2072137336775647527?s=20" target="_blank">defeating</a> U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in a primary upset that underscored voter frustration with Washington.Why it matters: Democrats have dominated statewide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-voter-guide-what-to-know-about-the-candidates-and-top-races" data-vars-content-id="973927f8-aeb0-4b48-a4de-affc1e7defd4" data-vars-headline="Phil Weiser upsets Michael Bennet to win Democratic primary for Colorado governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/23/colorado-voter-guide-what-to-know-about-the-candidates-and-top-races" target="_self">elections</a> for more than a decade, making Weiser the early favorite for November.

Kiros ousts U.S. Rep. DeGette in Colorado Democratic primary

Melat Kiros is poised to become the first Black woman to represent Colorado in Congress.

Progressive upstart Melat Kiros completed a monumental upset <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/17/attack-ads-political-collusion-1st-district-primary" data-vars-content-id="55cc1477-02b3-4c33-85f3-6fbe24a59008" data-vars-headline="Kiros ousts U.S. Rep. DeGette in Colorado Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/17/attack-ads-political-collusion-1st-district-primary" target="_self">over U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette</a>, defeating the 15-time incumbent on Tuesday to secure the Democratic nomination in Colorado&#x27;s 1st Congressional District, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP reports" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/AP_RaceCalls/status/2072169343215870142?s=20" data-vars-content-id="55cc1477-02b3-4c33-85f3-6fbe24a59008" data-vars-headline="Kiros ousts U.S. Rep. DeGette in Colorado Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/AP_RaceCalls/status/2072169343215870142?s=20" target="_blank">AP reports</a>.Why it matters: The 29-year-old&#x27;s victory proves that anti-establishment <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="victories in New York City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/mamdani-lander-valdez-chevalier-espaillat-goldman" data-vars-content-id="55cc1477-02b3-4c33-85f3-6fbe24a59008" data-vars-headline="Kiros ousts U.S. Rep. DeGette in Colorado Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/mamdani-lander-valdez-chevalier-espaillat-goldman" target="_self">victories in New York City</a> can be replicated, likely increasing anxiety for other Democratic incumbents.

Rattlesnake bites are up in Colorado this summer

The state's warm, dry winter helped create conditions for the venomous reptiles to emerge earlier than usual..

News

Rattlesnake bites are climbing in Colorado and across <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="parts of the West" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/06/18/rattlesnake-bites-double-utah-hiking" data-vars-content-id="4fcc404b-e4e9-418b-a59e-a309638e4eec" data-vars-headline="Rattlesnake bites are up in Colorado this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/06/18/rattlesnake-bites-double-utah-hiking" target="_self">parts of the West</a> this summer due in part to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record-warm, dry winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/23/the-west-s-record-breaking-warm-winter-mapped" data-vars-content-id="4fcc404b-e4e9-418b-a59e-a309638e4eec" data-vars-headline="Rattlesnake bites are up in Colorado this summer" 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/the-west-s-record-breaking-warm-winter-mapped" target="_self">record-warm, dry winter</a> that experts say prompted the venomous reptiles to emerge earlier than usual.Why it matters: State wildlife officials say hikers, trail runners and dog owners should be extra vigilant as snake activity ramps up across the state.

3 takeaways from Colorado's primary election

A socialist and an upset: Colorado's leftward primary

The candidates who pushed against the status quo racked up victories and kept races closer than expected.

Colorado progressives flexed their muscle in Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic primary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/30/what-to-watch-primary-election-night-colorado" data-vars-content-id="c6a58634-8fb8-4404-9ece-895dbb09e4a0" data-vars-headline="3 takeaways from Colorado&#x27;s primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/30/what-to-watch-primary-election-night-colorado" target="_self">Democratic primary</a>, scoring marquee wins up and down the ballot.Why it matters: The results suggest Colorado Democrats aren&#x27;t just rebuking President Trump — they&#x27;re increasingly demanding a more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="confrontational brand of politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/17/colorado-democrats-adopt-fighter-mentality-on-campaign-trail" data-vars-content-id="c6a58634-8fb8-4404-9ece-895dbb09e4a0" data-vars-headline="3 takeaways from Colorado&#x27;s primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/17/colorado-democrats-adopt-fighter-mentality-on-campaign-trail" target="_self">confrontational brand of politics</a>.

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.

How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Denver

The average time it takes to save for a home down payment in Denver is more than double the national average.

Real Estate

The average time it takes to save for a home down payment in Denver is nearly 15 years, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/downpayment-savings-december-2025/" data-vars-content-id="753685c3-d272-47f4-aa50-ee5add3d20dc" data-vars-headline="How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Denver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/downpayment-savings-december-2025/" target="_blank">Realtor.com analysis</a>.Why it matters: A down payment is one of the biggest barriers to homeownership, and Denver&#x27;s timeline is more than double the national average.

What 2026 holds in store for Denver real estate

This year's housing market won't be flashy — and industry experts say that's a good thing.

Denver&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/02/more-denver-homeowners-are-staying-put" data-vars-content-id="f5df3321-e2b7-4725-8f74-96ce1a732369" data-vars-headline="What 2026 holds in store for Denver real estate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/02/more-denver-homeowners-are-staying-put" target="_self">housing market</a> in 2026 won&#x27;t be flashy — and industry experts say that&#x27;s a good thing.The big picture: After years of frenzied, unpredictable conditions, the market is expected to move toward something resembling normalcy. No boom, no bust — just balance.

PHOTOS: Palantir's Alex Karp buys Colorado monastery for $120M

St. Benedict's Monastery, a quiet refuge tucked into Old Snowmass, has long had an air of mystery — but its new owner adds a twist.

An Aspen-area ranch that for decades was home to a community of Trappist monks sold this week, becoming the largest residential sale in Pitkin County history, per listing firm Mirr Ranch Group.The intrigue: St. Benedict&#x27;s Monastery, a quiet refuge tucked into Old Snowmass, has long had an air of mystery — but its new owner adds a twist. The Wall Street Journal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-pays-record-120-million-for-colorado-monastery-33834f34" data-vars-content-id="7e88e72a-8bc9-4b8a-bf84-f5743f74ad34" data-vars-headline="PHOTOS: Palantir&#x27;s Alex Karp buys Colorado monastery for $120M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-pays-record-120-million-for-colorado-monastery-33834f34" target="_blank">reported</a> this week that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Karp" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/07/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-interview-axios" data-vars-content-id="7e88e72a-8bc9-4b8a-bf84-f5743f74ad34" data-vars-headline="PHOTOS: Palantir&#x27;s Alex Karp buys Colorado monastery for $120M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/07/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-interview-axios" target="_self">Alex Karp</a>, CEO of Denver-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Palantir" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/01/palantir-deportations-ice-immigration-trump" data-vars-content-id="7e88e72a-8bc9-4b8a-bf84-f5743f74ad34" data-vars-headline="PHOTOS: Palantir&#x27;s Alex Karp buys Colorado monastery for $120M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/01/palantir-deportations-ice-immigration-trump" target="_self">Palantir</a>, bought the property for $120 million.

Real Estate 🏠

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Denver's best neighborhoods and what makes them special

Why Denver wants to buy a state-owned building

Reimagined Denver Pavilions envisions site as new public square