The arrival of spring has many Denverites grooming their gardens for guests and outdoor gatherings.

Yes, but: Before you get to work, consider native plants that will thrive and foster an eco-conscious garden.

Why it matters: Pollinators are vital to the creation of many plant-based foods, beverages, medicines and fabrics, experts at Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG) tell Alayna.

Details: To make your garden welcoming for pollinators year-round, DBG suggests you:

• Plant early- and late-season flowers to provide food for fueling up when fewer plants are in bloom. Pasqueflower, creeping phlox, catmint, poppies and beardtongues give early-season sustenance. Late-season food comes from asters, sneezeweed, sage and goldenrod.
• Cut your garden back in spring.
• Leave some ground uncovered by weed barrier or mulch for native bees that nest in dead branches and the hollows of flowering perennials' dried stems.
• Provide water with bird baths or simply a bowl placed in the open.
• Reduce or eliminate your use of chemicals. "Even organic treatments can harm pollinators," Gardens spokesperson Erin Bird says.

Be smart: Here are 11 native plants that experts tell us attract pollinators:

1. Blazing Star (Liatris punctata)

• Attracts butterflies and moths

10 more pollinator-friendly plants

A deadly fungal disease called white-nose syndrome has infected a bat in Colorado for the first time, state wildlife officials announced yesterday.

Why it matters: It could be devastating for our local bat populations. The disease has decimated over 90% of three North American bat species in under 10 years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

• Nationwide, bats save more than $3 billion annually in crop damage and pesticide costs by eating insects, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates.

Details: On March 29, an adult female Yuma bat at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in southeastern Colorado was found on the ground and unable to fly.

• Wildlife officials noticed the bat had a white powdery substance on its forearms and chose to euthanize it for testing.
• Lab tests confirmed wing lesions characteristic of white-nose syndrome. The bat also tested positive for the fungus that causes the fatal condition.

By the numbers: At least 13 of Colorado's 19 native bat species are susceptible to the disease, according to the state's parks and wildlife department.

Threat level: The fungus doesn't affect humans or pets — but it can be spread to other bats by gear and clothing that comes in contact with places they dwell, like caves.

What they're saying

A 121-year-old mansion in City Park West will stay intact despite its owner's intention to demolish it.

Driving the news: The Denver City Council yesterday voted unanimously to designate the mansion as a city landmark, making it virtually impossible to destroy.

• Landmark status is given to properties with historical, architectural or cultural significance to the city.

Why it matters: Monday's decision is only the second time in city history that the council has made something a landmark against the owner's wishes.

• It last happened in 2014, when the council bestowed the designation on the former Beth-Eden Baptist Church in the West Highland neighborhood.

Context: Property owner Mike Mathieson last year filed an application to potentially demolish the property and build a 37-unit apartment complex in its place.

• His application triggered a study from the city's planning office to determine whether the mansion was historically significant. The office found it was eligible.
• Since Mathieson sought to demolish the property, he did not file a separate landmark application.
• However, city law allows members of the public to file one, and three did in February.

Of note: East High School, the Brown Palace Hotel and Union Station are among the more than 350 individual buildings designated landmarks in the city.

Full story

🎤 Drake didn't snub Denver after all. The Grammy Award-winning rapper has added a dozen dates to his 2023 tour, including a stop at Ball Arena on Sept. 8. (Billboard)

🏈 More than a dozen CU Buffs football players have entered the transfer portal since Sunday, signaling a fresh start under new head coach Deion Sanders. (CBS Sports)

🤝 Denver mayoral runoff candidate Mike Johnston secured an endorsement yesterday from state Rep. Leslie Herod, who also ran for the position but finished fifth. (Denver Post)

✅ Flor Alvidrez has become the de facto winner in the runoff election for Denver City Council District 7 after Nick Campion dropped out yesterday. (Denverite)

🚨 Denver police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that occurred yesterday afternoon inside the American Elm restaurant in West Highland. The eatery has closed for the week. (Denver Post)

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Mayors and civic leaders from across the continent are meeting in Denver this week for the inaugural Cities Summit of the Americas.

Why it matters: The event gives city leaders a chance to meet and discuss solutions to their most pressing issues and encourages cooperation between them.

• Sessions featuring civic leaders begin Thursday and cover numerous topics, including housing, migrant and refugee resettlement, and climate and the environment.

Zoom in: Denver's airport, business and technology community, and efforts to elevate arts and culture from the Americas, make the city an "ideal" host, summit executive director FloraJane DiRienzo tells us.

By the numbers: 250 mayors will participate this year, including Denver's Michael Hancock, who will be joined by leaders from cities like Calgary, Bogota, Mexico City, Miami, Seattle and Rio de Janeiro.

• DiRienzo said more than 4,000 people from 35 countries registered for the event.

How to participate