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Two days after her upset in the Democratic primary for Colorado's 1st Congressional District, Melat Kiros stood with party leaders behind a banner that read: "Together We Win."

• Yes, but: Now she appears quite lonely.

The intrigue: Some Democratic candidates are keeping their distance from the 29-year-old democratic socialist on the campaign trail.

• And at least three Democratic moderate candidates are expressing concern about her candidacy.

Why it matters: The box-out on Kiros exposes divisions in the Democratic Party and undercuts its unity messaging heading into the midterms.

State of play: Kiros defeated 30-year incumbent U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette by more than 13 percentage points in the June primary.

• At a Democratic Party unity event July 1, she said she was "so honored and so excited to be standing here among fighters."
• U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) are backing her bid, their spokespeople say. But other members of Colorado's federal delegation are keeping her at arm's length.

Context: Much of the concern centers on Kiros' refusal to call 2025's deadly Boulder firebombing antisemitic and her remarks that the 9/11 attacks were "inevitable."

Zoom in: Three Democratic candidates told Axios they won't endorse her: Dwayne Romero, the 3rd District Democratic nominee, Eileen Laubacher in the 4th District and Jessica Killin in the 5th District.

• "To be honest with you, some of the things that she said, the idea that 9/11 was America's fault … just frankly makes me sick," Laubacher, a military veteran, told Axios.
• Romero told us Kiros' rhetoric "is beneath the standard we should hold our leaders to."

Zoom out: Kiros is finding an out-of-state audience.

• She campaigned for Donavan McKinney in Michigan's 13th Congressional District ahead of his victory over an incumbent.
• And last weekend, she was listed as a speaker among "national young changemakers" at a Voters of Tomorrow event in Raleigh, North Carolina, that brought together Gen Z voters.

Full story

Colorado could become a regular stop for the world's best golfers as the PGA Tour considers Denver for a coveted spot on its dramatically revamped schedule.

Why it matters: Landing a PGA event would give us something we haven't had in two decades: a consistent presence on golf's premier circuit.

• The state's long faced hurdles to hosting elite pro golf events, including concerns that the dry air and elevation allow the world's longest hitters to overpower courses.

Driving the news: The PGA Tour announced this summer it's overhauling its schedule and season format starting in 2028.

• Longstanding events in Hawaii, Memphis and Atlanta are canceled, paving the way for new tournaments in new markets.
• And the Denver area is on the short list, along with Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Go deeper

Colorado is seeing a surge in bear activity, with reports on pace for a record year.

Why it matters: Low snowpack, drought and wildfires have bears roaming farther — and taking bigger risks — to find food before winter.

By the numbers: Colorado Parks and Wildlife received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts through Aug. 13 — nearly double the same point last year and more than the 5,299 reports logged in 2025.

Driving the news: A bear cub crashed swanky Aspen restaurant Sant Ambroeus this month, scrambling over tables after wandering in a side door.

• An employee ushered the cub out after its roughly three-minute romp.

The bottom line: This doesn't give Coloradans a pass to feed bears, CPW warns.

• A new law effective this month cracks down on people who knowingly leave out food that attracts bears — and eliminates the required warning for first-time offenders.

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🤩 Actress Kristen Bell surprised fans at Saturday's Savannah Bananas game at Coors Field with a medley that included a song from "Frozen," the Disney movie in which she voices Anna. (People)

⏪ The Denver Sheriff's Department is backtracking on plans to overhaul reviews for some internal misconduct cases after pushback from watchdog groups. (Denver Post 🔑)

⚖️ Some constitutional law professors say the White House's actions in December that appear to punish Colorado, revealed in a newly disclosed email, are likely illegal.

• U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper has called for an investigation. (Denver Post 🔑)

Four public artworks are returning to the airport's Jeppesen Terminal this month, a move officials say signals the Great Hall project is nearing completion.

Why it matters: The colorful pieces, which have been in storage for years, have long been part of DIA's visual identity, offering travelers a peek into Colorado's history, culture and character.

The art returning to Level 5 includes:

• "America, Why I Love Her" by Gary Sweeney
• "In Peace and Harmony with Nature," by Leo Tanguma
• "Mile High and Rising" by Marcus Akinlana
• "La Memoria de Nuestra Tierra (Our Land Has Memory)" by Judith Baca

The intrigue: One piece the airport isn't returning yet is a provocative mural by Leo Tanguma titled, "Children of the World Dream of Peace," per 9News.

• Some people connect the unusual piece — which sought to critique violence's place in society — to conspiracy theories.
• Yes, but: It's expected to come out of storage in 2028, an airport spokesperson tells us, along with two others.

🛻 John is pumped about the Overland Expo this weekend in Loveland.

🥹 Alayna is feeling maternal toward Lorelai Gillmore, the zoo's stumpy stingray whose "uniqueness is her superpower."

🍿 Esteban is watching "The Drama" on HBO Max.

Thanks to our editor, Gigi Sukin.