The Denver Police Department is limiting its officers from making certain low-level traffic stops to free them up to focus on more serious crimes.

Why it matters: The policy shift, approved May 1, is intended to improve efficiency for an agency short 167 officers and seeing longer response times. It's also an attempt to reduce incidents of racial profiling by police, which critics say too often lead to violence.

• Multiple analyses in recent years have shown that DPD tends to stop, ticket and arrest Black and Hispanic people at a disproportionately higher rate than white residents.

What they're saying: "This is a move towards earning and regaining that public trust" and "making better use of our time," police chief Ron Thomas told CBS4.

• "A lot of our traffic stops that we would make don't result in an arrest or citation … so, clearly, we're not getting what is expected out of them," he said.

How it works: DPD will no longer pull people over for low-level offenses, which the agency defines as "minor traffic infractions that do not pose an immediate threat to public safety," according to agency documents provided to Axios Denver.

• That includes things like expired registration tags, driving without fully functioning headlights or taillights, or failing to use a turn signal.

Yes, but: Speeding, driving under the influence, running red lights or stop signs, reckless and careless driving — or being suspected of a crime like drug and firearm possession or burglary — will still warrant a stop, DPD documents show.

• You can also still be ticketed for a low-level offense if you're pulled over for a more serious violation that presents a public safety risk.

What we're watching: Denver City Council members are expected to recommend related policing policies that they would like to see funded in the mayor's 2025 budget as early as today, council spokesperson Robert Austin told us.

The big picture

Attorney General Phil Weiser says election security is a major concern during the 2024 campaigns, but he feels confident that Colorado's system is among the best in the country.

The big picture: Calling the state's paper ballots the "gold standard," Weiser, a Democrat, still says "threats" targeting election officials are worrisome, including intimidation from people seeking to advocate for a specific party.

• Weiser made the comments yesterday during an Axios Denver Newsmakers event hosted at the Denver Press Club.

Between the lines: The potential for deepfakes to affect elections is another potential problem, Weiser says, pointing to a law passed by this year's legislative session giving his office more authority to go after people who attempt to use them to influence elections.

• "We continue to be vigilant on this issue — we can never be complacent," Weiser says.

What we're watching: Weiser's office is observing how election workers, who are facing what he characterized as "tormenting" actions including doxxing, are treated in the upcoming election.

• "We need people to volunteer as election workers," Weiser says. "Threats against election workers (are) not OK. I'm worried about that. We'll see how much of a worry that materializes."

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All-cash home purchases are on the rise in Denver, according to new data from Redfin.

The big picture: Denver's rate of 27.7% mirrors a national increase as 1 in 3 homes in the U.S. are purchased this way.

Why it matters: High-income people can adapt to the pricey market more easily than typical buyers needing a loan.

What they're saying: Those winning in this economy treat homes like savings accounts, Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather says.

• It's a relatively safe place to store your cash, and you can always borrow against the home if needed.

The intrigue: Jon Larrance, CEO and owner of Denver-based real estate company Corcoran Perry & Co., tells us people are downsizing from larger and more expensive homes to condos in more walkable neighborhoods, like Cherry Creek.

• The company oversaw the sales of a $9.3 million and $7.7 million property last year, which Larrance said were homes bought by "older buyers" who paid cash after selling their houses.

Full story

💰 Gov. Jared Polis signed into law yesterday new TABOR refund mechanisms, a property tax overhaul and other measures to reduce the tax burden on lower-income families, John reports.

🏠 Denver is adding $12 million to its rental assistance program through nonprofit partners as it responds to rising evictions. (Denver Gazette 🔑)

🚩 Two Black Denver elementary students were targeted by a racist tirade from an anonymous person who "Zoom-bombed" the public comment portion of Denver City Council's meeting Monday night. (Westword)

🚨 10 more pro-Palestinian protesters were cited for trespassing and disturbing the peace Monday after the group would not leave an Auraria Campus building. (Denver Post 🔑)

🗓️ Start planning your days ahead.

Half Marathon & 5k Fun Run at Breckenridge Brewery on June 9: The course starts and ends at this beautiful Colorado brewery. The out-and-back course along the South Platte trail will offer scenic views of the Front Range while running along the South Platte River. $0-$75.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Acclaimed chef Makoto Okuwa's modern Japanese food infuses dishes with traditional sushi techniques and his own personal touch.

The big picture: Okuwa brought his lauded cuisine to Colorado earlier this year, opening Makoto Vail in a town known for its luxury as much as its skiing.

Between the lines: Makoto Vail, located inside Grand Hyatt Vail, offers a menu including raw and cooked dishes like sakura pork tonkatsu and a Koji butter-aged steak, which he recommends.

We recently caught up with the chef about his daily routine and current favorites.

Here's what he told us