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Melat Kiros sits on a Democratic island in Colorado

The 29-year-old democratic socialist has spent most of the campaign alone on the trail.

Election

Two days after her upset in the Democratic primary for Colorado&#x27;s 1st Congressional District, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Melat Kiros" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/progressive-challenger-kiros-tests-degette-primary" data-vars-content-id="0bb490e3-96aa-4cbb-b3a3-cc8cf07fc2bd" data-vars-headline="Melat Kiros sits on a Democratic island 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/2026/04/02/progressive-challenger-kiros-tests-degette-primary" target="_self">Melat Kiros</a> stood with party leaders behind a banner that read: &quot;Together We Win.&quot;<ul><li>Yes, but: Now she appears quite lonely.</li></ul>

Tina Peters' comeback tests Polis' clemency gamble

Peters' post-prison comeback is complicating Colorado Gov. Jared Polis' clemency decision.

Politics

Former Mesa County clerk <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tina Peters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/03/09/colorado-election-clerk-tina-peters-indicted-2020-election" data-vars-content-id="f3e3cdcd-1815-44f9-babf-e228b42148cb" data-vars-headline="Tina Peters&#x27; comeback tests Polis&#x27; clemency gamble" 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</a> is considering a return to election administration three months after Gov. Jared Polis <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="freed her from prison" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/15/polis-tina-peters-sentence-clemency" data-vars-content-id="f3e3cdcd-1815-44f9-babf-e228b42148cb" data-vars-headline="Tina Peters&#x27; comeback tests Polis&#x27; clemency gamble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/15/polis-tina-peters-sentence-clemency" target="_self">freed her from prison</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="convicted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/10/03/tina-peters-sentenced-election-tampering-colorado" data-vars-content-id="f3e3cdcd-1815-44f9-babf-e228b42148cb" data-vars-headline="Tina Peters&#x27; comeback tests Polis&#x27; clemency gamble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/10/03/tina-peters-sentenced-election-tampering-colorado" target="_self">convicted</a> election denier&#x27;s comeback threatens to turn a late-term clemency decision into a lasting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="liability for Polis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/18/colorado-jared-polis-faces-impeachment-tina-peters-clemency" data-vars-content-id="f3e3cdcd-1815-44f9-babf-e228b42148cb" data-vars-headline="Tina Peters&#x27; comeback tests Polis&#x27; clemency gamble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/05/18/colorado-jared-polis-faces-impeachment-tina-peters-clemency" target="_self">liability for Polis</a>, as he looks to cement his eight-year legacy and weighs his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political future" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/22/colorado-gov-polis-on-2028-presidential-bid-00142669" data-vars-content-id="f3e3cdcd-1815-44f9-babf-e228b42148cb" data-vars-headline="Tina Peters&#x27; comeback tests Polis&#x27; clemency gamble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/22/colorado-gov-polis-on-2028-presidential-bid-00142669" target="_blank">political future</a>.

Denver Public Schools starts year with sweeping phone ban

The personal communication device ban is one of the strictest in the state.

News

Denver Public School students return to class next Monday with a new rule: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No mobile phones in class" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/05/colorado-school-districts-crackdown-cellphones-classrooms" data-vars-content-id="ebb9c759-56b7-4203-8e92-2cd5b3894758" data-vars-headline="Denver Public Schools starts year with sweeping phone ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/05/colorado-school-districts-crackdown-cellphones-classrooms" target="_self">No mobile phones in class</a> — at least not until the final bell rings. Why it matters: Colorado&#x27;s largest school district is adopting one of the state&#x27;s strictest personal device bans — part of a broader push by educators to keep students focused on whiteboards instead of pocket-size screens.

Who's hot (and who's not) in Colorado's beer scene

A pack of craft brewers is defying the industry's slide and rebounding in a tough market.

Food and Drink

The hottest brewery in Colorado right now is Tivoli, thanks to its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Outlaw Light" data-vars-click-url="https://outlawbeer.com/" data-vars-content-id="c1bbb458-ebe7-48d4-81a6-1d03144af375" data-vars-headline="Who&#x27;s hot (and who&#x27;s not) in Colorado&#x27;s beer scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://outlawbeer.com/" target="_blank">Outlaw Light</a> brand of light lager.Why it matters: The venerable brand&#x27;s growth leads a pack of brewers defying <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the craft industry&#x27;s downward slide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/14/craft-beer-production-breweries-2025" data-vars-content-id="c1bbb458-ebe7-48d4-81a6-1d03144af375" data-vars-headline="Who&#x27;s hot (and who&#x27;s not) in Colorado&#x27;s beer scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/14/craft-beer-production-breweries-2025" target="_self">the craft industry&#x27;s downward slide</a> and rebounding in a tough market with increased production to meet demand, an exclusive Axios analysis finds.

Why Denver's rent relief may not last long

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

Real Estate

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.

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.

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.

Real Estate 🏠

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

Denver's best neighborhoods and what makes them special

Why Denver wants to buy a state-owned building