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Denver's first PorchFest takes over Baker this weekend

Organizers are gearing up to debut the city's porch party.

Things to Do

The porches of Denver&#x27;s Baker neighborhood will transform into stages on Saturday for the city&#x27;s first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PorchFest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverporchfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="e33f0033-c4da-41b8-94b5-775f92c1f3a6" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s first PorchFest takes over Baker this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverporchfest.com/" target="_blank">PorchFest</a>.Why it matters: PorchFest gives local musicians a big new audience, nudges Denverites beyond their playlists and brings thousands of potential customers past Baker businesses.

Colorado winter outlook: Powerful El Niño boosts snow hopes

Colorado's best hope for breaking its historic snow drought is gaining strength in the Pacific.

News

Colorado&#x27;s best hope for breaking its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" data-vars-content-id="bf5b043f-e340-4fd1-a9fb-89b9e5f6775c" data-vars-headline="Colorado winter outlook: Powerful El Niño boosts snow hopes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" target="_self">historic drought</a> is gaining strength in the Pacific.Why it matters: We&#x27;re thirsty. Nearly 86% of the state is in drought, and this winter&#x27;s snowpack could help determine water supplies, wildfire risk — and the fortunes of the state&#x27;s ski economy.

Colorado candidates refuse to debate

Candidates increasingly view debates as optional, or as a political liability.

Politics

Political debates used to be a campaign staple. Now, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="candidates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/2026-midterm-elections" data-vars-content-id="e15f5746-7884-4334-8bf2-e071c42f3f10" data-vars-headline="Colorado candidates refuse to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/2026-midterm-elections" target="_self">candidates</a> increasingly see them as optional — or a political liability.Why it matters: In a midterm cycle dominated by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unprecedented spending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/18/house-republicans-fundraising-democrats" data-vars-content-id="e15f5746-7884-4334-8bf2-e071c42f3f10" data-vars-headline="Colorado candidates refuse to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/18/house-republicans-fundraising-democrats" target="_self">unprecedented spending</a> on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contrast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/19/republicans-midterms-hate-election" data-vars-content-id="e15f5746-7884-4334-8bf2-e071c42f3f10" data-vars-headline="Colorado candidates refuse to debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/19/republicans-midterms-hate-election" target="_self">contrast</a> ads, the candidates are reluctant to challenge each other face-to-face.

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>

Hipcamp names Colorado's best campsites

Goats, cliffside tents stand out among Hipcamp's 2026 Colorado picks.

Business

Dump the packed loop, jackhammering generator and that stranger chopping firewood 10 yards from your pillow.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hipcamp&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US?utm_source=adwords&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=23923712053&amp;utm_content=196534401839&amp;utm_term=hipcamp&amp;device=c&amp;pid=googleads_int&amp;gad_source=1" data-vars-content-id="14db8719-9b26-48c5-9bba-d4f2cf64d597" data-vars-headline="Hipcamp names Colorado&#x27;s best campsites" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US?utm_source=adwords&amp;utm_medium=paid_search&amp;utm_campaign=23923712053&amp;utm_content=196534401839&amp;utm_term=hipcamp&amp;device=c&amp;pid=googleads_int&amp;gad_source=1" target="_blank">Hipcamp&#x27;s</a> best Colorado campsites this year venture beyond the obvious. The picks suggest travelers want campsites with personality, not just parking spots near trees.

Denver airport to build walkways between concourses

Construction is expected to start in 2027.

Denver International Airport is finally giving travelers another way to get between concourses — and yes, it involves those <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mysterious tunnels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/23/denver-airport-conspiracies-theories" data-vars-content-id="9919f46f-3e8f-4389-8ef8-a917e7a52437" data-vars-headline="Denver airport to build walkways between concourses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/07/23/denver-airport-conspiracies-theories" target="_self">mysterious tunnels</a>.Why it matters: The new underground pedestrian walkways between the A, B and C concourses will offer passengers a second option when the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beleaguered" data-vars-click-url="https://www.9news.com/article/travel/denver-international-airport/new-dia-train-cars-linked-to-recent-outages/73-26c52b1d-f439-4d7b-a48f-51d373eef89f" data-vars-content-id="9919f46f-3e8f-4389-8ef8-a917e7a52437" data-vars-headline="Denver airport to build walkways between concourses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.9news.com/article/travel/denver-international-airport/new-dia-train-cars-linked-to-recent-outages/73-26c52b1d-f439-4d7b-a48f-51d373eef89f" target="_blank">beleaguered</a> train system gets crowded or stops working.

Denver's best flight deals right now

Despite skyrocketing costs, some flights are more affordable.

It&#x27;s no secret that airfares <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are skyrocketing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/iran-war-strait-of-hormuz-flights" data-vars-content-id="2f14e8dc-a3f2-4dbb-81f8-2e9bb68dbbf6" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s best flight deals right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/iran-war-strait-of-hormuz-flights" target="_self">are skyrocketing</a> right now. Yes, but: You can still score deals out of Denver, including on some domestic and international routes, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="travel search engine KAYAK" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kayak.com/news/monthly-flight-deals/" data-vars-content-id="2f14e8dc-a3f2-4dbb-81f8-2e9bb68dbbf6" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s best flight deals right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kayak.com/news/monthly-flight-deals/" target="_blank">travel search engine KAYAK</a>.

DIA nets below-average customer satisfaction score

DIA's rating grew by eight points, per the annual JD Power airport survey released Wednesday.

Airport satisfaction at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/07/10/denver-international-airport-shoe-removal-tsa" data-vars-content-id="423a8f8a-283d-4eb2-aaf2-9eb95c16f458" data-vars-headline="DIA nets below-average customer satisfaction score" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/07/10/denver-international-airport-shoe-removal-tsa" target="_self">Denver International Airport</a> rose slightly this year. The big picture: DIA&#x27;s rating grew by eight points this year to 596, per the annual JD Power North America airport <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey released Wednesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-north-america-airport-satisfaction-study" data-vars-content-id="423a8f8a-283d-4eb2-aaf2-9eb95c16f458" data-vars-headline="DIA nets below-average customer satisfaction score" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-north-america-airport-satisfaction-study" target="_blank">survey released Wednesday</a>.

DIA tickets are less expensive than U.S. average

Domestic airfare from DIA cost $337 on average last year.

Flying out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/02/19/denver-international-airport-great-hall-construction-completion-2027" data-vars-content-id="0d4d20d1-1a94-457c-97ac-5881d27895eb" data-vars-headline="DIA tickets are less expensive than U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/02/19/denver-international-airport-great-hall-construction-completion-2027" target="_self">Denver International Airport</a> costs a bit less than the national average.By the numbers: Domestic airfare from DIA cost $337, about $29 less than the average among the 50 busiest airports nationwide, per the latest Transportation Department data from the third quarter of 2024.

Why this act signed by Biden means so much for the West

One of President Biden's final acts will leave a lasting impact on outdoor recreation in the West.

One of President Biden&#x27;s final acts will leave a lasting impact on outdoor recreation in the West.State of play: The bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="(EXPLORE) Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6492" data-vars-content-id="145c3e53-5813-47e1-bb70-8e688d90d1e3" data-vars-headline="Why this act signed by Biden means so much for the West" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6492" target="_blank">(EXPLORE) Act</a> is hailed as a first-of-its-kind effort to boost the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.2 trillion outdoor recreation industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/11/20/colorado-outdoor-recreation-industry-17-billion-bea" data-vars-content-id="145c3e53-5813-47e1-bb70-8e688d90d1e3" data-vars-headline="Why this act signed by Biden means so much for the West" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/11/20/colorado-outdoor-recreation-industry-17-billion-bea" target="_self">$1.2 trillion outdoor recreation industry</a> by modernizing and improving public lands access.

How to save money on skiing and snowboarding

Winter sports can come with a hefty price tag.

Sports

From clothes and equipment to lift passes, winter sports can come with a hefty price tag.Zoom in: The cost escalates quickly. So we compiled tips from experts and personal experience on how to save money at the slopes.

The 8 toughest ski runs in Colorado

If you want to challenge yourself, Colorado offers some of the gnarliest runs in the U.S.

If you want to challenge yourself, Colorado offers some of the gnarliest runs in the U.S. that you can find on inbounds terrain.Zoom in: Most ski resorts have a famous double-black diamond, experts-only ski run. But the Colorado resorts listed below boast the toughest runs in the state, according to experts.

Here's when not to travel I-70 in the Colorado mountains

Nothing in Colorado is as miserable as being stuck in Interstate 70 mountain traffic.

Transit

Nothing in Colorado is as miserable as being stuck in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Interstate 70 mountain traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/03/08/eisenhower-tunnel-colorado-50-year-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="6bf7b410-9f5d-4226-b547-56cca6db84b0" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s when not to travel I-70 in the Colorado mountains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/03/08/eisenhower-tunnel-colorado-50-year-anniversary" target="_self">Interstate 70 mountain traffic</a>.Why it matters: It happens often in the winter as weather, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/10/01/i-70-traffic-holds-floyd-hill" data-vars-content-id="6bf7b410-9f5d-4226-b547-56cca6db84b0" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s when not to travel I-70 in the Colorado mountains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/10/01/i-70-traffic-holds-floyd-hill" target="_self">construction</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eisenhower Tunnel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/03/08/eisenhower-tunnel-colorado-50-year-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="6bf7b410-9f5d-4226-b547-56cca6db84b0" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s when not to travel I-70 in the Colorado mountains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/03/08/eisenhower-tunnel-colorado-50-year-anniversary" target="_self">Eisenhower Tunnel</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="congestion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/04/23/colorado-i70-traffic-utah-gondola-mountains" data-vars-content-id="6bf7b410-9f5d-4226-b547-56cca6db84b0" data-vars-headline="Here&#x27;s when not to travel I-70 in the Colorado mountains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/04/23/colorado-i70-traffic-utah-gondola-mountains" target="_self">congestion</a> combine to turn the interstate into a parking lot.

Where to detour to wait out I-70 traffic jams in Colorado mountains

Colorado's mountain towns offer a bounty of restaurants, shops and sights to see.

Travel

If you need to wait for I-70 traffic to ease, whether in the mornings or evenings, you can find plenty of fun pit stops along the way.Dig in: Colorado&#x27;s mountain towns offer a bounty of restaurants, shops and sights to see.

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Bar chart showing average domestic airfare in Q3 2024 among the 50 busiest U.S. airports. A domestic flight cost an average of $366 that quarter. The most expensive flights were from D.C.'s Dulles airport at $473, followed by John Wayne and San Francisco International, both in California. The least expensive flights originated from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (FLL) at $252, followed by San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) and Orlando, Florida (MCO). The average price in Denver (DEN) was $337.