Colorado Democrats are presenting a unified front after last week's primary elevated progressives across the ballot, betting their coalition is an asset, not a liability.

Why it matters: Democrats' embrace of their far-left wing gives Republicans a direct line of attack heading into November as they recast the party.

Driving the news: At a post-primary rally last week, top Democratic leaders downplayed philosophical differences and emphasized shared priorities like defeating President Trump, affordability and expanding opportunity for younger Coloradans.

• They framed this year's diverse slate of candidates — in age, faith, background and ideology — as a political strength.

Reality check: Democratic leaders aren't papering over their ideological divides.

• They're arguing those debates were settled in the primary — and a "big tent" is key to winning this fall.

What they're saying: State Democratic Party chair Shad Murib bets the party comes out on top by expanding its reach. "Whether you are a Blue Dog Democrat … a Democratic socialist, or … somewhere in between, we win through addition," he said.

• Melat Kiros, the 29-year-old democratic socialist who unseated 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette in Denver's 1st Congressional District, told Axios Denver the party's differences mostly come down to tactics, not goals.

The other side: While Democrats say ideological diversity is proof the party's healthy, Republicans see an opening to sway voters.

• "The socialists have taken over the Democrat Party," U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, who faces progressive challenger Manny Rutinel this fall in Colorado's 8th Congressional District, said in an interview last week.

The bottom line: Colorado Democrats hope their "big tent" is big enough to win. Republicans hope to poke holes in it before November.

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Nearly 7,900 Coloradans were diagnosed with melanoma between 2019 and 2023, newly released federal data shows.

Why it matters: Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and Colorado's high elevation means stronger UV exposure than at sea level.

Zoom in: Colorado's age-adjusted melanoma rate was 23.9 cases per 100,000 people for 2019–2023, per CDC data.

• In total, 7,871 cases were reported.

Reality check: Colorado's reputation for "300 days of sunshine" and outdoorsy culture didn't translate to one of the nation's highest melanoma rates.

But that's just one piece of the puzzle.

• In Denver, it's closer to 200–250 mostly or fully sunny days per year, though brief periods of sunshine help fuel the popular myth, 9News reports.

Between the lines: Researchers say differences in screening, population demographics, indoor tanning and occupational sun exposure all help explain why some states have higher melanoma rates than others.

The big picture: Melanoma diagnoses continue to climb nationwide.

🧠 Be smart: UV rays can damage your skin year-round — even on cloudy days. The CDC recommends:

☀️ Seek shade when possible.

☀️ Wear protective clothing and a wide-brim hat.

☀️ Wear wraparound sunglasses.

☀️ Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

One of Denver's newest bars caters to the soccer-obsessed, just in time for the sport's biggest international tournament.

The latest: BARna's June opening on Colfax coincided with the start of the World Cup.

• It's already drawing crowds inside its two-floor space, which boasts a cavernous room with a nearly floor-to-ceiling projection showing the games.

Dig in: The restaurant specializes in tapas and Spanish-inspired cocktails.

• The first thing that stood out was the reasonable prices, with tapas and snacks ranging from $5 to $15. The servings were small but enough for two to three people to share.

Best bites: The fried chicken thighs drizzled with aioli are a must.

• The mussels are another tasty option — the sauce they're served in is perfect for bread dipping — as is the calamari and the lechon flatbread, a savory dish with serrano ham (jamón) served with gorgonzola.

What's next: BARna (1201 E. Colfax Ave.) will air the U.S. men's national team in the latest playoff round against Belgium today at 6pm.

✈️ DIA was awarded $88.8 million in federal grants for infrastructure upgrades, including runway reconstruction, as part of a broader $1.776 billion package for airport renovations nationwide, Alayna reports.

⚖️ The family of a man killed at Denver's Downtown Detention Center last June filed a federal civil lawsuit last week, alleging his death was preventable. (Denverite)

🚨 A 13-year-old boy has died from injuries after being struck by a driver on West Colfax while riding a Veo e-bike, just six days after the service launched. (Westword)

🦧 The votes are in: Rambutan was picked as the name for the Denver Zoo's infant male orangutan, Alayna reports. It refers to a fruit that's a favorite snack for the species.

Fort Collins landed at No. 5 on CNN Travel's new list of America's Best Towns to Visit in 2026.

• CNN's annual ranking looked beyond the top tourist towns to spotlight lesser-known communities where "unexpected histories and curiosities have been obscured by splashier attractions."

Zoom in: Fort Collins earned praise for its historic downtown, thriving beverage scene (we're looking at you, New Belgium Brewing), and easy outdoor access.

• "Home to a nationally famous brewery, a totally awesome '80s cafe, the coolest of indie movie theaters and great coffee shops — all while retaining its historical roots, Fort Collins feels like a theme park," CNN wrote.

The intrigue: There's good reason for that. Fort Collins native Harper Goff, the art director who helped design Disneyland's Main Street, USA, modeled parts of the boulevard and several buildings after his hometown's Old Town.

The big picture: Other towns topping CNN's list include:

1. Sarasota, Florida
2. New Haven, Connecticut
3. Greenville, South Carolina
4. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Tell a tourist