🎃 Happy Thursday and 1st of October!

• Today's weather: Mostly cloudy, then sunny. High near 72.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Catherine Boggs!

🐺 Situational awareness: Colorado wildlife officials have temporarily suspended killing wolves that repeatedly attack livestock due to concerns the state's wolf population may not grow this year, Alayna reports.

• Officials have detected 45 wolves, including 20 pups born this year, but say low adult survival and other threats could jeopardize the population.
• They've lethally removed five wolves for chronic depredation since April.

Today’s newsletter is 993 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Political debates used to be a campaign staple. Now, candidates im Colorado and beyond increasingly see them as optional — or a political liability.

Why it matters: In a midterm cycle dominated by unprecedented spending on contrast ads, some candidates appear reluctant to challenge each other face-to-face.

• It's a sign of how campaigns have evolved — and how political norms have eroded.
• In the age of short, shareable clips, TV debates are near-equal parts opportunity and risk: An electric moment can go viral, but so can a gaffe.

Driving the news: Colorado's most prominent no-show is Victor Marx, the Republican candidate for governor.

• He most recently declined to debate at the Club 20 meeting in Grand Junction — historically a must-stop — and turned down other invitations from local media, including one he initially accepted.
• Instead of a moderated debate, he's pushed for a one-on-one conversation with his Democratic rival, Attorney General Phil Weiser, who dismissed the idea.

What they're saying: Some are dissing Marx's approach.

• He's "unwilling to present himself to the voters of Colorado unless it is under conditions he unilaterally dictates," wrote Aaron Harber, who planned to moderate a debate until Marx backed out.

The intrigue: Other candidates, including Democrat Manny Rutinel in the closely watched 8th Congressional District race, didn't agree to a primetime TV debate. His rival, U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, has proposed three debates, but Rutinel hasn't accepted them.

• Even Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who oversees elections, declined a TV debate with her opponent for attorney general, Republican District Attorney Michael Allen.

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Glendale spent years promising a new entertainment district, but all it's got is an escalating legal battle.

Why it matters: The $150 million 4 Mile District was supposed to transform 10 acres near Virginia Avenue and the Cherry Creek Trail into a destination packed with restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment, including an Alamo Drafthouse.

Driving the news: In a court filing last month, Glendale alleges developer Central Street Capital "manufactured a dispute" over what the project's first phase required to avoid closing on a critical land deal.

• An attorney representing Central Street tells BusinessDen that accusation is "false" and "directly contradicted" by public record.

State of play: The fight boils down to a disagreement over where — and when — the project needed to meet an important development requirement.

• Central Street says Glendale demanded 90,000 square feet of sales-tax-generating businesses on the project's first five acres.
• The developer argues it had all 10 acres to reach that mark.

Follow the money: The distinction matters because those sales taxes would help repay roughly $70 million in bonds financing the development.

The bottom line: With the project tied up in court, no one can say when — or whether — the promised 4 Mile District will arrive.

Full story ... Subscribe to Axios Arapahoe County

Leaf-peepers, your window for peak fall colors in Colorado may be closing fast, according to Explore Fall's foliage map.

Why it matters: This could be the last weekend for prime peeping in the high country, 9News' Weather Impact team reports.

Zoom in: Drought conditions pushed color earlier — and made it shorter-lived — than usual.

• After the high-country aspens fade, look lower: Try Colorado National Monument and the Grand Junction area for cottonwoods, Durango and the lower San Juan foothills, Cañon City and the Arkansas River corridor.
• Front Range spots can also hold color into October.

🏥 About 5,000 immigrants living legally in Colorado are expected to lose Medicaid coverage this week under H.R. 1.

• Those affected include refugees, asylum grantees and some survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. (Denver Post 🔑)

⚖️ Colorado AG Phil Weiser sued this week to stop GEO Group's from opening an ICE detention center in Hudson. (Colorado Sun)

🚨 An RTD bus and vehicle collided Tuesday night along Colfax Avenue's new bus rapid transit lanes, a day after the city celebrated the first section's grand opening.

• The RTD driver was ticketed for running a red light. (Denverite)

🏒 Avs coach Jared Bednar signed a four-year contract extension through the 2020-2031 season. (Denver Post 🔑)

For 2.5 years, Damu and Lupina have been waiting for someone to take a chance on them. The catch: They're a package deal.

Why it matters: The bonded buds are the longest-tenured residents at True Companions Animal Shelter & Clinic, a no-kill shelter in the La Alma-Lincoln Park neighborhood.

🎀 Meet Lupina: The 6-year-old Rottweiler mix has a big toothy grin and wears a pink floral collar that accentuates her 83-pound figure.

• Staff describe her as sweet and snuggly, equally happy lounging or going for a walk.

🐶 Meet Damu: Her 8-year-old pit bull mix bestie is friendly, goofy and a sucker for belly rubs.

• His favorite place is someone's lap — never mind his roughly 72-pound frame.

Yes, but: Lupina and Damu are reactive around other animals, so they need a home where they'll be the only pets.

The bottom line: They often get "overlooked" because of their size, adoption counselor Christine Kennedy tells Axios. But it turns out they're just "big babies."

• Adoption fees are $75 each.

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🥜 John thinks boiled peanuts are an underrated delicacy after being in Georgia for a few days.

😋 Alayna is certain the best boiled peanuts in Denver can be found at Rougarou.

😏 Esteban is enjoying the return of hoodie weather.

Thanks to our editor, Gigi Sukin.