The number of murders in Denver increased in the first half of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, city figures show.

Why it matters: The Mile High City appears to be bucking a national trend.

• Homicides in major U.S. cities dropped in the first half of 2022 — though total violent crime rose from the same period last year, Axios' Russell Contreras writes from a midyear survey of large law enforcement agencies.

By the numbers: Denver recorded 53 murders from Jan. 1 to June 30, a 23% jump from the same stretch in 2021, according to the survey.

• Robberies increased 7%, and aggravated assaults rose 11%.
• Year-to-date, violent crime remains 21% higher compared to the city's three-year average between 2019 and 2021, per police department data.

Threat level: With at least 62 murders year-to-date, local law enforcement leaders have warned that the city is on pace to exceed last year's total of 96 — and could potentially break its all-time annual high of 100 homicides set in 1981.

What's happening: Socioeconomic issues associated with the pandemic are fueling violence here and nationwide, crime researchers tell Axios.

• Another factor at play, experts say, is that police departments — including in Denver — remain understaffed.

The intrigue: Violent crime this year has also plagued numerous Colorado cities outside Denver — many of which are Republican-led — like Aurora, Colorado Springs, Greeley and Pueblo.

The big picture … what to watch

The campaign trail sounds different this year when it comes to health care.

State of play: While the Affordable Care Act dominated the conversation in prior elections, the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has shifted focus on abortion and broader health care access.

• Yadira Caraveo, a state Democratic lawmaker and pediatrician, typically fields questions from voters about their latest medical malady or hospital bill. As she campaigns for the open 8th Congressional District seat, it's more about "future limitations for what is medical care," she tells Axios Denver.

Why it matters: The issue is one of the major differentiators between the candidates.

The big picture: The focus on abortion is benefiting Democrats and challenging Republicans, who are mostly silent on health care and the law they once derided as "Obamacare," Axios' Victoria Knight writes.

Zoom in: This is evident in the contest for the 8th District, north of Denver, where the Latino vote is a primary focus.

🚨 Arvada police have identified Sonny Thomas Almanza, 31, as the suspect in the fatal shooting of officer Dillon Michael Vakoff. Police say Vakoff was killed when he responded to a disturbance in the 6700 block of West 51st Avenue in Arvada. (9News)

👮 Denver City Council on Monday unanimously approved a change to the collective bargaining agreement with the union representing sheriffs, giving deputies a $7,000 retention bonus.

📈 A new report suggests Black and Latino families in Arapahoe County have higher incomes than in other counties in the metro area. Their incomes are increasing at a higher rate than the national average. (CBS)

✈️ The FAA has issued a cautionary message to pilots about elevated midair collision dangers near DIA, after finding airline crews are turning off collision-avoidance technology — something the FAA says could result in significant risks. (Colorado Sun)

🍺 Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales, one of Colorado's most-hyped breweries, has closed. Owner James Howat blamed the pandemic and changing beer market. (Denver Post)

Russell Wilson, the Broncos' new quarterback, had his moment of vindication against his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, in the opening game of the season.

The play: With the ball and four minutes to go in the fourth quarter on an opening weekend of crazy NFL finishes, Wilson was unable to advance the Broncos farther than the Seahawks' 46 yard line.

• With 20 seconds left and facing fourth down, Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett sent in kicker Brandon McManus to attempt a career-long field goal of 64 yards. McManus missed. The Broncos lost 17-16.

The bottom line: The Broncos flashed — like the 67-yard pass from Wilson to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in the first half — but ultimately ended up in the loss column.

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Denver's Gabby Windey is down to her final rose.

Why it matters: It doesn't, really.

• Whether the 31-year-old former Denver Broncos cheerleader and ICU nurse finds true love on "The Bachelorette," her future seems bright as she cruises toward a role on the upcoming season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

What to know: Erich Schwer — a 29-year-old real estate agent from Bedminster, New Jersey, known for his quiet confidence and modern mullet — is Windey's last man standing after she tossed out her two final suitors for getting cold feet at the thought of engagement.

What's next: The first half of the live, two-part season finale airs 7pm tonight on ABC.

• Host Jesse Palmer promised a "shocking" conclusion — among the show's "most dramatic" yet.

Details

Tacos Selene — a family-run business that got its start as a food truck in the '90s — celebrated the opening of its new brick-and-mortar location yesterday in Denver's Art District on Santa Fe.

• The taco joint — which locals deemed one of the Front Range's best — has locations in Aurora and Littleton, but this marks its first in the Mile High City.

Of note: Breakfast burritos are served from 8-10am. Tacos cost just $2 a pop, and homemade menudo is available for $12.50 on Saturdays and Sundays.