Axios Denver

May 11, 2026
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Today's newsletter is 898 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Denver police clarifies Taser policy
Denver police say a recent Taser policy rewrite was published "in error" after the city's Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM) publicly warned the updated guidelines expanded officers' right to use their stun guns.
Why it matters: The rewrite drew scrutiny because the watchdog warned it could increase unnecessary Taser use — and because the mistaken publication raises questions about the department's review process.
State of play: Denver police said the proposed revision was wrongly published, adding in a statement to Axios that it had not changed the department's Taser use policy, despite what the OIM's report said.
- DPD clarified that it rescinded the changes once it caught the error.
Catch up quick: An OIM report published last week said DPD loosened its Taser policy April 14, allowing officers to use stun guns on people who are not attacking or threatening officers or others.
- The report said DPD revised its policy without allowing the watchdog to review changes or provide feedback, which the city's Department of Safety requested from the OIM by April 23.
Yes, but: DPD said recommendations made by the OIM are still subject to review and response.
Context: DPD clarified that it will rewrite its policy after upgrading to a newer Taser model under a contract inked last December.
- The agreement with manufacturer Axon — the same company behind the city's license plate readers — provided DPD with Tasers with less voltage than previous models.
Reality check: Tasers can be deadly, and as Denver's use-of-force cases continue to climb, misconduct settlements have already cost the city millions.
2. ⛷️ Hot doggin'
Colorado's ski season isn't over — yet.
State of play: Arapahoe Basin planned to close yesterday, but the ski area announced it would remain open one more weekend — May 15-17.
- The high elevation and May snowstorms are allowing A-Basin to boast the longest ski season in the state despite the low snowpack and warm temperatures.
Zoom in: Black Mountain Express and the Lenawee Express lifts will provide access to mostly blue, intermediate runs.
What they're saying: "Our snowpack is holding on for a bit longer, so we'll keep the vibe alive," spokesperson Shayna Silverman said in a statement.
3. 🤔 Nuggets fans: Who survives the offseason?
The Denver Nuggets' front office effectively put its entire roster — minus superstar Nikola Jokić, of course — on notice after April's woeful first-round playoff exit.
What they're saying: "Everything is going to be on the table – outside of trading Nikola," Nuggets president Josh Kroenke said during a press conference.
Zoom in: That likely leaves Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray as Denver's most valuable bargaining chips.
- Murray's two-man game with Jokić is fun to watch, and his typical playoff surge has kept the team in contention ... until this year.
- Meanwhile, Gordon is Mr. Nugget, a fan favorite, a defensive star and the team's emotional metronome. But injuries have severely limited his availability.
📣 Nuggets fans: Who should return next season?
- Hit reply with your response! Your answer may be used in a future story.
4. Mile Highlights: Polis signs state budget
💰 Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a $46.8 billion state budget, effective July 1, that includes closing a $1.5 billion shortfall, saying it "required difficult decisions," John reports.
🐺 The leader of Colorado's wolf reintroduction program announced his retirement after years of turmoil and said the initiative is at an "inflection point." (Colorado Sun)
🏈 Broncos GM George Paton and the team owners struck a deal for a new 5-year contract. (9News)
⛰️ Reservations are now available to visit Mount Blue Sky ahead of its May 22 opening, John reports.
⚖️ A federal judge heard arguments that President Trump is retaliating against Colorado for its mail-ballot system and for not freeing Tina Peters from prison, all part of a case involving the dismantling of NCAR. (9News)
✈️ A Frontier Airlines plane hit and killed a pedestrian late Friday on the runway while taking off from Denver International Airport. (9News)
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5. 🪴 9 perennials to plant in Colorado
If you — like me — struggle to keep your garden alive in Colorado's snow-in-May-but-not-in-January climate, here's a little advice from the experts on what to plant.
Why it matters: Between drought conditions and late frosts, it's not easy to have a green thumb in Colorado.
State of play: The perennial plants listed below all earned the title of "top performers" after enduring three summers and two winters in a study conducted by Colorado State University.
Here's what the experts suggest:
- Honeycomb blue grama grass: A "great clump-forming grass grows about 24" tall and makes a statement as a mass planting. This grass is tidy, compact, and drought-tolerant."
- Crazy Blue Russian sage: "This sage lives up to its name — copious amounts of intense, crazy blue-purple flowers for several weeks adorn the stems!"
- Rock 'N Grow Midnight Velvet stonecrop: "By mid-summer, mauve-pink flower buds appear, giving way to rich rosy-red flowers — a pollinator favorite!"
- Salute Neon Pink meadow sage: "The stunning, prolific, rich neon-pink flowers borne on darker pink, almost mahogany spires caught the eyes of many [CSU] garden visitors."
- Luminary Prismatic Pink garden phlox: "This phlox showed no powdery mildew in our trials! The intense pink panicles were robust and held on strong stems."
🤠 John is binge-watching the "Yellowstone" spin-off "Marshals" on CBS and Paramount+.
⚽ Esteban is watching this awesome Adidas football commercial starring Timothée Chalamet.
Thanks to our editor Gigi Sukin.
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