The Regional Transportation District's incoming police chief Steve Martingano knows how you feel about the transit agency.

The big picture: Martingano, who took over as acting co-chief last July, told Axios Denver in an interview yesterday he's committed to reversing the public perception vexing RTD's buses and train lines.

Why it matters: Reinforcing community safety is a critical step in regaining community trust and improving ridership for transit services spanning eight metro Denver counties.

Yes, but: Denver Union Station — where Martingano is scheduled to be sworn in this month — offers a prominent and tragic recent example of the transit agency's woes.

The latest: A woman shot in the neck near an escalator at Denver Union Station on Monday remains in critical condition, Denver police said yesterday.

• Police arrested 19-year-old Jakiem Whitham on Tuesday on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder after police said video surveillance helped identify him.
• Whitham faces additional potential charges and police believe he knew the victim.
• Martingano called the incident "isolated."

Context: The historic and recently renovated Union Station site has been plagued with security issues over recent years, stemming from drug use and surging crime.

• While it's been nicknamed "Denver's living room," officials have rejected its place as a hangout for the unhoused.

What they're saying: "That's really the message we're trying to get out, is we are very safe," Martingano, who has 32 years in law enforcement, tells us.

Zoom in: Since taking the acting role, Martingano has overseen a four-step action plan he credits with improving overall RTD safety.

• This includes ensuring officers patrol on foot and are visible, encouraging people to follow its code of conduct, beefing up fare enforcement, and using its nearly 12,000 cameras to coordinate safety responses.

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Fewer young adults in Denver are living with their parents compared to the rest of the country, per a recent Pew Research Center analysis of census data.

Why it matters: Moving back home has long been painted as a "failure to launch," but it can also reflect economic realities, cultural preferences, caregiving needs and other factors.

By the numbers: 11% of Denverites ages 25-34 lived in a parent's home as of 2023, below the national average of nearly 18%.

• That figure is even lower in Colorado Springs, at just 8% — among the lowest rates of major U.S. metros.

Between the lines: Metros with a large share of white, young adults, like Denver and Colorado Springs, tend to see fewer residents under their parents' roof.

The big picture: The national average is down a bit after steadily increasing from 2000-2017, a period marked by multiple financial crises that changed the leaving-home calculus for many young adults.

The bottom line: Even when young adults do move out, they often wind up close to home.

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The Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets are each headed to a decisive Game 7.

State of play: The Avs kept their playoff hopes alive with a 7-4 win at home last night against the Dallas Stars.

• The Nuggets lost 105-111 on the road to the L.A. Clippers, missing an opportunity to win the series.

The intrigue: The Avs scored one of the craziest goals you'll ever see to get ahead 5-4 in the third period.

• The Stars tried to clear the puck but it bounced off a teammate and into the net. The Avs then added two empty-net goals to seal the victory.

What we're watching: Both teams must win tomorrow to keep their seasons alive.

👀 Denver's sheriff department yesterday debuted its redesigned in-person visitation room at the county jail — a key piece of a broader overhaul first reported by Axios Denver, Alayna writes.

🍏 Colorado's universal preschool program — Gov. Jared Polis' top accomplishment — dramatically increased enrollment for 4-year-olds but lacks guardrails to ensure a quality education, a new report finds. (Chalkbeat)

🏠 Residential property values are decreasing or steady in much of the Denver metro, offering relief from rising property taxes and showing how the market has cooled since the pandemic. (Colorado Sun)

⛔ ICE announced more than $8 million in fines against three janitorial companies for employing at least 143 unauthorized workers. (CPR)

🚨 Xcel Energy is experiencing more power outages for longer periods, a state investigation finds. The company paid $6.5 million in fines. (CBS4)

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Film on the Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheater June 9 to August 18: Film on the Rocks is Denver's ultimate outdoor movie experience, showcasing a curated slate of movies under the stars at the world's most iconic outdoor venue: Red Rocks Amphitheater.

12th Annual Whiskey + Doughnuts at RiNo Art Park on May 31: Get ready to enjoy the most sugar-fueled event of the year. Local doughnut vendors from all over the front range of Colorado team up with local distilleries to create the ultimate pairing. $63.41.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Three orphaned baby rabbits are at Boulder County's Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center after being rescued in early April from the elephant enclosure at the Denver Zoo.

Catch up: In a pre-Easter surprise, zoo workers found three desert cottontails in a barn inside the elephant enclosure. And while tiny bunnies being raised by elephants might make for a great kids' movie, it's not an ideal real-life situation.

• The cottontails were about 4 weeks old when they were discovered and less than 3 inches long.
• Considering the danger posed by their well-meaning but much larger roommates, personnel relocated the rabbits to Greenwood.

What's next: Mysti Tatro, community relations manager for Greenwood, said the rabbits will be housed in one of the facility's enclosures until they are old enough to hopefully be released back into the wild.

Tell an animal lover