Preliminary data shows homicides in Denver and Aurora fell in the first three months of 2025, as overall violent crime continued its post-pandemic drop in the nation's largest cities.

The big picture: Homicides in Denver fell by 58% — significantly higher than the rate of the largest cities in the country, which dropped 21%, per stats compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).

Why it matters: The numbers indicate the COVID-era crime wave has largely faded — even as some officials, including President Trump, falsely claim immigrants are driving increased crime rates.

Between the lines: This year's drop continues a yearslong trend of declining homicide rates in Denver.

What they're saying: Mayor Mike Johnston credited the downturn to "thoughtful" engagement and partnering with the community, he said at a community event last month.

• "What I'm most proud of is ... that we've been able to make these significant strides in public safety without having to over-police communities," Denver police chief Ron Thomas added.

The intrigue: Aurora, which Trump singled out, falsely claiming it's overrun by Venezuelan gangs, saw a 36% decline in homicide in early 2025.

• That followed a 5% drop in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the MCCA.

Zoom out

The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights emerged intact from the legislative session despite a late challenge from its critics.

State of play: Democratic lawmakers introduced a resolution to authorize a lawsuit challenging the voter-approved 1992 constitutional amendment but abandoned the effort in the final days of the session.

• The legal challenge sought to declare TABOR unconstitutional because it amounts to direct democracy, rather than the republican form of government outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
• TABOR restricts state revenue to inflation plus population growth, essentially taking the power of budget-setting out of lawmakers' hands, the sponsors argued.

What they're saying: The resolution cleared a committee vote but languished on the House calendar. Democratic supporters blamed their party for lacking the political will to push ahead, even though most state House Democrats — including the speaker — signed it as co-sponsors.

The other side: House Republican leaders counted the resolution's demise as one of their top accomplishments.

What to watch: The setback won't deter Democrats. The resolution's sponsors say they plan to give it a shot next session.

• "We need to start having these real, honest conversations on how our fiscal policy is, in fact, bad for Colorado," the resolution's prime sponsor Rep. Lorena Garcia told reporters.

Keep reading

The hottest trend in schools in Colorado and nationwide right now is actually hot.

The latest: Local school districts are warning of a new TikTok craze in which students try to set their school-issued Chromebooks on fire by sticking metal or pencils into the charging port.

Why it matters: The "Chromebook Challenge" is the latest social media stunt putting kids at risk, with more than two dozen incidents reported in Colorado's biggest school district. (Remember the Tide Pod saga or cinnamon challenge?)

State of play: Denver Public Schools has received over 30 reports of students attempting to roast their laptops, spokesperson Scott Pribble tells Axios Denver.

• In a memo to parents, DPS called the trend "dangerous," warning that tampering with lithium batteries can lead to explosions, burns or full-blown building fires.
• Students caught trying it, the district said, could face discipline or even legal charges.

Zoom out: The Colorado Springs Fire Department has reported at least 16 similar incidents and says it's now working with schools to educate students.

• The Boulder Valley School District sent out its own warning last week after six laptop fires were linked to the trend, the Denver Gazette reports.

Full story

⚖️ Attorney General Phil Weiser is leading a lawsuit against the Trump administration on behalf of 17 states challenging an order cancelling a federal program to build more EV charging stations, John reports.

🔎 The Auraria Campus in Denver will be the focus of a federal report examining antisemitism after pro-Palestinian protestors set up a 23-day encampment during demonstrations last year. (Denver Post 🔑)

🤑 Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington and eight top DIA executives flew first or business class on every leg of a trip to Madrid last month for an aviation conference. The trip cost about $165,000, including one ticket exceeding $19,000. (CBS4)

🏀 The Denver Nuggets lost Game 4 of their playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder 92-87 on Sunday. The series is now even at 2-2. (ESPN)

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Aurora will soon be home to a towering and contemporary take on the iconic Statue of Liberty.

Zoom in: The 58-foot sculpture called "Liberty" by artist Michael Benisty will be installed tomorrow at Hogan Park at Highlands Creek.

• The artwork will be visible for miles, positioned near The Aurora Highlands' entrance off of I-70, near Denver International Airport.
• It's the latest addition to the green space's physically imposing permanent art collection.

State of play: The polished stainless steel work with a mirrored finish debuted at Burning Man last year.

• The piece will include a companion poem and will be the second work by Benisty displayed at Hogan Park, joining a 25-foot-tall sculpture called "Broken but Together."

By the numbers: "Liberty" is 26 feet taller than Denver's Blucifer and 18 feet taller than the Blue Bear.

Tell an art lover