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Today's newsletter is 916 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Denver election officials are preparing for scenarios ranging from blizzards and power outages to federal immigration agents at polling places as November's midterms approach.

Why it matters: With Election Day less than seven weeks away, officials are bracing for federal actions that may never happen — but could disrupt voting if they do.

Driving the news: One major uncertainty disappeared this week when the Supreme Court blocked President Trump's plan to impose new mail-ballot restrictions before the midterms.

• Colorado election officials had been readying for the possibility that the rule could hamper the state's mail-ballot system.
• The Colorado County Clerks Association said Monday's ruling avoids "significant disruption and confusion" so close to the election.

Zoom in: Denver's also asking a federal judge to block armed federal immigration agents from conducting enforcement at polling locations.

• The city filed the lawsuit last week with Latino civil rights and government watchdog groups, seeking a ruling before voting begins.
• The mayor and Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul López doubled down in an op-ed Monday, writing they're acting now "before a single Denver voter has to decide whether casting a ballot is worth the risk."

State of play: Local election workers are developing protocols for identifying federal agents, documenting their presence and de-escalating encounters, López told Axios.

Reality check: There's no known plan for ICE agents to target Denver polling places, federal officials say.

• Mayor Johnston's spokesperson, Jon Ewing, told Axios the city hasn't received specific threats and called the lawsuit "preemptive."
• And López himself said he doesn't expect ICE activity. "But ... we prepare for every scenario," he said.

The big picture: For López, planning for the once-unthinkable has become the norm since he took office in 2019.

• "I don't know what it's like to be an elections official" outside the post-2020 environment, he said.

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The rich stayed rich in Colorado this year.

Four local billionaires cracked the Forbes 400, led by Philip Anschutz and his eye-popping $19.3 billion fortune.

• The 86-year-old energy, sports and entertainment mogul ranks as the 60th-richest person in the U.S.

Zoom in: Colorado's other mega-rich members of the club are EchoStar cofounder Charles Ergen ($12.8 billion), venture capitalist Mark Stevens ($11.8B) and cable television baron John Malone ($11.4B).

• Ergen made the biggest jump, rising to No. 2 in Colorado after ranking fifth among the state's billionaires on Forbes' global list last year.
• Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche owner Stan Kroenke, who lives in Texas but has deep Colorado roots, ranked 41st nationally with a $27.6 billion net worth.

Yes, but: Just being a billionaire wasn't enough — $4.4 billion was required to make the Forbes 400 this year, up from $3.8 billion in 2025.

• That cost Pat Stryker — the only woman among Colorado's billionaires on Forbes' list last year — her ranking.
• Her fortune is estimated at $4 billion.

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Passenger satisfaction at Denver's airport keeps improving as renovations progress and more local food and drink options debut.

Why it matters: Maybe all those construction headaches are paying off.

By the numbers: DIA ranked 18th out of 20 North American mega airports in JD Power's annual survey, released yesterday.

• Denver's airport scored 602 out of 1,000 — up slightly from 596 last year.
• It's the second straight year passenger satisfaction has risen.

Yes, but: We're losing ground.

• DIA's score is 15 points below the mega-airport average.
• That gap has more than doubled since 2024, when Denver ranked 12th.

What we're watching: DIA travelers have a while before construction cones disappear.

• The multibillion-dollar Great Hall renovation is expected to finish in late 2027 — just as another major terminal expansion ramps up.
• City leaders last month approved a $135 million contract to expand the north terminal. That runs for 10 years, the Denver Business Journal reports.

Full story

🏔️ Colorado 14ers received their first true snowfall of the season this week — unusually late for this time of year. (9News)

🌙 The Mercury Cafe's new owners intend to reopen the charming Five Points venue after tax issues prompted its closure earlier this year. (Westword)

🗳️ A Trump-tied super PAC has spent roughly $1.5 million to defend incumbent Republican lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, who faces what's arguably Colorado's most competitive race. (Colorado Sun)

Colorado diners are middle-of-the-pack tippers compared with the rest of the country, Toast data shared first with Axios shows.

By the numbers: Tips average around 19% here, ranking 21st among states.

Zoom out: Delaware, West Virginia and New Hampshire lead the bunch, with diners leaving around 21% on average.

• At the other end: D.C., California and Washington state average less than 18%.

The fine print: Toast's report is based on data from restaurants using its platform. Cash tips aren't included.

💰 What's next: Local tipped workers will get a raise in 2027.

• Denver's tipped minimum wage jumps 55 cents to $16.82 an hour starting Jan. 1, while Colorado's will increase to $12.69.

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❄️ John is reading this fascinating article about a new avalanche prevention system at Crested Butte.

🐕 Alayna is cracking up at this video of a golden retriever bringing his toy to an intruder breaking into the house.

🍷 Esteban loves the beer and wine selection at Rino Grog Shop.

Thanks to our editor, Gigi Sukin.