Its name is Spot — for now.

The big picture: Denver police yesterday unveiled a robotic dog assigned to the department's bomb squad that the agency says will help keep the public and its officers safe.

• Denver is the first police department in Colorado with such a robot, commander of special operations Mike O'Donnell said.

Why it matters: It's the latest way Denver police are deploying technology to help with policing, months after saying the department would explore drones to help determine call responses.

Yes, but: Robots' use in law enforcement nationwide has drawn scrutiny over their efficacy, potential to increase police surveillance and possible use of lethal force.

How it works: Spot can maneuver through varying terrain, is capable of climbing stairs, and comes equipped with an arm that can grab and lift objects.

• The new four-legged robot manufactured by Boston Dynamics has cameras and sensors and includes collision-avoidance technology to help it steer clear of other objects and even people.

The intrigue: The robot will be used to remove suspicious items, conduct preliminary searches and inspect potentially hazardous materials. It can even be outfitted with a device to detect radioactive material.

By the numbers: The robot cost roughly $328,000, paid for through federal and state emergency preparedness grants.

Between the lines: Spot cannot be armed, O'Donnell says, and won't be used to deploy lethal or so-called "less lethal" weapons.

What's next: DPD's robot will make its public debut at the Parade of Lights downtown on Saturday to help sweep the area.

• Students at Doull Elementary School will decide the robot dog's official name.

Full story

The mental health nonprofit Caring for Denver faces mounting questions about why it gave millions in tax dollars to organizations led by convicted felons and others without experience in providing behavioral services.

Why it matters: The initiative — funded by a 25-cent sales tax on a $100 purchase — provides few details about how it distributes money and whether it improves the city's mental health care crisis, according to a Colorado Public Radio investigation.

State of play: Caring for Denver has spent $170 million in tax dollars over its six-year existence and issued more than 450 grants to 200-plus organizations from 2020 to 2023.

• Much of the money was sent to organizations with a lengthy history of providing mental health and drug addiction services, but millions more were funneled to questionable organizations, including some located outside the city.
• Others have no background in mental health and drug addiction services and no licensed counselors.
• Some programs test unproven methods, such as art therapy for pregnant women or youth podcasting.

What they're saying: "This is disturbing information for me," Denver Auditor Timothy O'Brien told CPR about their findings. "The oversight of the grants and contracts is poor at best."

The big picture: When voters approved a dedicated tax for the nonprofit in 2018, the campaign vowed to provide help to "everybody who needs help" and "end overdose" deaths. It won with 70% of the vote.

Yes, but: Mental health care in Denver has grown worse and harder to access in recent years, even as other counties make progress.

Go deeper

The new owner of 5280 magazine has Mile High aspirations.

State of play: Charity Huff, a prominent Denver media entrepreneur and digital advertising leader, purchased the venerable magazine earlier this week from founder Daniel Brogan for an undisclosed sum.

• She's promising to lead the publication into a new era that embraces its print legacy while pushing it into the digital present.
• Expect to see more pages in the 55,000 copies per issue, more content on digital platforms and more events.

What she's saying: "5280 is something special, and I want it to be bigger and everywhere in Denver," she said in an interview yesterday. 

• "It welcomed me to the city when I moved here 27 years ago, and I know it's done the same for countless other people that wanted to be in Denver, wanted to be connected to Colorado."

The big picture: The move comes as the national magazine industry shrinks — both in terms of pages and consumer reach.

• But digital-focused media companies are seeing an opportunity to transform traditional publications and spur growth.

Keep reading

⚖️ Two alleged Tren de Aragua gang members who appeared in a viral Aurora security video that gained national attention in August were arrested in New York City last week. (Denverite)

🚨 Denver police are investigating an employee at a catering company at DIA after a traveler claimed the worker tried to photograph them while inside a bathroom stall. (CBS) 

🏥 Health officials in Colorado are warning about "uncertainty" looming over the health care industry as President-elect Trump weighs cuts to programs like Medicaid. (CPR)

⛔️ State Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Longmont) is the subject of a workplace harassment complaint for mistreating legislative aides. Senate leaders barred her from having state-paid aides moving forward. (Colorado Sun)

Denver's top song of the year was "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey and our collective top artist was Taylor Swift, according to the 2024 edition of Spotify Wrapped.

The big picture: This year is Swift's third consecutive landing at the top of local charts, and Denver's favorites mirrored global trends.

Zoom in: Here's a look at Denver's music preferences in 2024.

🎤 Top artists:

1. Taylor Swift
2. Zach Bryan
3. Drake
4. Morgan Wallen
5. $uicideboy$

🎵 Top songs:

1. "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey
2. "Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone
3. "I Remember Everything" by Zach Bryan
4. "Stick Season" by Noah Kahan
5. "I Had Some Help" by Post Malone

Denver's top albums