Colorado's new artificial intelligence legislation is drawing strange political bedfellows.

Why it matters: For supporters, that's a symptom of good policy. For critics, it's a warning sign about legislation crafted behind closed doors.

Driving the news: In the bill's first hearing yesterday, the ACLU and Colorado Chamber of Commerce expressed support, despite often being on opposite sides of major issues.

• The bill is "an important step toward ensuring that people affected by automated decision-making technology can understand how the systems shape outcomes in some of the most important decisions of our lives," Anaya Robinson, the ACLU's public policy director, told lawmakers.
• "We found a balance that addresses the interests of businesses and consumers while trying to protect Colorado's competitiveness," Chamber president and CEO Loren Furman added.

The other side: Other technology and consumer advocates expressed concern. They wanted to see competing changes to ease enforcement on companies developing the system or add more user protections.

• The disagreements revive a debate that doomed the state's initial AI bill and recent attempts to amend it.

The big picture: The final draft of the transparency requirements on companies developing and using AI would permit them to correct mistakes before facing sanctions.

• It would simultaneously reduce the risk of discrimination in "consequential decisions" and allow consumers access to the information being used in AI systems.

What they're saying: The bill's main sponsor, state Sen. Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver), expressed reluctance about softening existing rules but acknowledged the compromise.

• "I am not happy with the end-all product of this bill, but it's a start," he told colleagues.

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City Park Jazz will return this summer on a temporary stage 300 feet south of the fire-ravaged bandstand, near the main sidewalk intersection by the food trucks.

Why it matters: The new setup will force concertgoers to rethink their well-established seating for the popular free concert series.

Driving the news: Organizers and the production company received city approval to erect the temporary stage for concerts on June 7, 14 and 21.

• The stage will face Ferril Lake and the pavilion — an area that's typically popular for audience members.

Catch up quick: A March 26 fire destroyed the bandstand, causing part of it to collapse into the water.

• The nonprofit that organizes the event has received thousands of dollars to rebuild the 102-year-old bandstand, but it won't happen in time for the first shows.
• The city estimates it will cost $250,000 to rebuild after insurance.

The latest: The fire remains under investigation.

What we're watching: So far, organizers have permits only for June, and it's unclear what's in store for the July and August shows.

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Two months before June's primary election, the governor's race has topped $20 million.

Why it matters: The big money reflects the high stakes in the 2026 contest, where candidates with the most cash have a clear edge.

State of play: The latest campaign finance reports filed Monday reveal the governor's race is the priciest contest on the ballot, but others are quickly turning into high-dollar battles.

Here are our takeaways:

1. The six candidates in the governor's race — two Democrats and four Republicans —raised a combined $20.3 million through April.

• Current Attorney General Phil Weiser holds a significant fundraising advantage, with nearly $6 million in total receipts and $2.7 million cash on hand.
• His Democratic rival, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, has collected $4.4 million and shows $1.1 million left in his campaign account.

2. A super PAC supporting Bennet is looking to close the financial gap. Rocky Mountain Way topped $6 million in contributions through April 30 with $4.6 million in the bank. The money is fueling TV ads that paint Bennet as a fighter against the Trump administration.

3. The single largest donor in the governor's race is former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. He gave $1.25 million to Bennet's PAC, putting his total investment at $2.5 million so far.

Two more

⚖️ President Trump's administration made good on its promise to sue Denver over the city's refusal to repeal its longstanding assault-style firearms ban, saying the law violates the Second Amendment. (Denverite)

🚨 Thornton police cleared an officer of wrongdoing after an investigation prompted by allegations that officers ran more than 10,000 Flock searches over a nearly two-year period. (9News)

👮 An appeals court upheld the suspensions of two Denver police officers over their handling of a domestic violence case in April 2021. (Colorado Politics 🔑)

Sixteen West Denver organizations launched a coalition yesterday to negotiate a community benefits agreement (CBA) with the Broncos over the team's planned stadium in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Why it matters: The legally binding agreement could determine public support for the stadium in the historically working-class area.

Zoom in: The group plans to negotiate on behalf of the community, looking to spell out how the development will benefit residents, including affordable housing, youth programs, jobs and more.

State of play: Called Burnham Yard Community Action (BYCA), the group says the agreement would be the first enforceable CBA in the NFL.

How it works: They will negotiate around six guiding principles: equity, housing, economic opportunity, arts and culture, youth and education, and quality of life.

Between the lines: All 16 members have ties to the area.

• Members include the Art District on Santa Fe, Denver Inner City Parish, Santa Fe Business Improvement District, plus three area registered neighborhood associations and two unions.

Future negotiations between the team and BYCA will be confidential.

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