Each day in Colorado, an average of 281,000 vehicles travel on bridges in "poor" condition, a new Axios analysis finds.

Why it matters: Last week's closure of a critical bridge over the Blue Mesa reservoir — along with the bridge collapse in Baltimore last month — is directing attention to the state of America's infrastructure.

Threat level: Colorado counts 32 bridges in "poor" condition and is directing millions a year toward their repair, faring better than most states, our analysis of the National Bridge Inventory found.

• That's a fraction of the 3,000-plus bridges the Colorado Department of Transportation oversees.
• But roughly 60% are in "fair" condition, just a measure better and at risk of further deterioration, according to federal data.
• 35% of the state's bridges are rated "good."

Zoom in: The U.S. 50 bridge that closed at the reservoir was listed as "fair" in the federal data and wasn't on a separate list for state repairs. But a recent safety inspection found a 3-inch crack developed in a steel support beam.

• The timeline for reopening is unclear and the state transportation department is vowing to give it all resources possible.
• The detour is so long that students are taking a boat across the reservoir to get to class.

Between the lines: Colorado's dedicated money for bridge repair comes from a series of fees on motorists dating back to the 2009 FASTER program. The effort received an additional boost from new fees for delivery services.

• The bridge repair account is $159 million, or about 8% of the transportation department's budget.
• This year's state budget will infuse an additional $5.8 million.

Yes, but: Even as the money grows, so does the problem. 162 structures are in the queue for repairs, agency documents show, which is the most in at least six years.

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Denver's newest music venue is an intimate, laid-back reprieve along one of the city's busiest corridors.

The big picture: Two Moons Music Hall opened earlier this month on Larimer Street in the River North Art District, seeking to offer a stage for local and independent music and specialty acts.

The vibe: If you can't grab a table, couches are available across from one of the two contemporary-styled bars. It gives the entire place the feeling of a relaxed lounge.

• There's additional seating facing away from the stage and toward Larimer Street, while an outdoor seating area offers space to grab some air.

Between the lines: Owner Pearl Street Hospitality also operates local favorites including Hudson Hill in Cap Hill and Lady Jane in LoHi.

What to watch: The venue has booked several acts over the next few weeks, including DJ sets, lo-fi, jazz and even a honky-tonk night on Thursdays.

Stop by: It's open Tuesday through Sunday.

Food and drinks to try

The City of Denver has a new artificial intelligence chatbot named Sunny.

Why it matters: Denverites now essentially have their own version of Clippy, Microsoft's paperclip assistant, to help find city resources, report problems and learn about local events.

How it works: The city's website features a 24/7 virtual chat assistant in the bottom-right corner to help residents with things like scheduling a DMV appointment, reporting pothole and trash pickup issues, and asking about city services.

• Sunny offers answers in 72 languages, and there is no limit to the number of questions you can pose. "The more questions you ask Sunny, the smarter Sunny gets," the city's website says.
• Users can also use the feature through their cell phones by texting "hello" to 439311 (HEY311).

The big picture: Other cities across the country have rolled out similar AI assistants in recent months, including in California and New York.

Yes, but: Some have encountered problems. For example, New York City's chatbot for business owners was caught giving business owners wrong answers and advice that could break the law.

What they're saying: Although Sunny doesn't pull content from non-city sources, the city acknowledges information could be inaccurate and states it does not assume "any responsibility or liability" for the generated content.

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🐺 A wolf introduced under Colorado's state wildlife program was found dead in Larimer County, likely from natural causes. Meanwhile, another of the 10 animals reintroduced is likely pregnant. (Colorado Sun)

🚨 An Arizona grand jury indicted 18 people for their roles in attempting to overturn former President Trump's loss in the 2020 election, including two with ties to Colorado. (9News)

🏢 Groups representing large building owners are suing Denver and the state over rules requiring large buildings to reduce pollution, claiming the regulations are too costly and don't align with federal rules. (Denver Post 🔑)

⚖️ Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade is denying allegations that two coffee shops he used to run failed to pay back nearly $100,000 to a food distributor in 2018. (CPR)

🚩 A member of Metropolitan State University's student government is facing sexual harassment allegations from multiple women on campus, which the member denies. (Met Media)

The Michelin Guide yesterday dropped a new ranking of the best hotels in the country, and several Colorado destinations — including three in Denver — made the list.

Why it matters: Michelin is well known for handing out coveted stars to restaurants, but this is the first time it's honored hotels and resorts for having high standards and unique qualities.

Zoom in: Accolades for hotels range from one to three "Keys," with three being the best. Although Colorado came up short in the Three-Key category, eight local hotels were named in the One-Key class:

• Hotel Jerome (Aspen)
• The Little Nell (Aspen)
• Mollie Aspen (Aspen)
• Clayton Hotel & Members Club (Denver)
• Four Seasons Denver (Denver)
• The Crawford Hotel (Denver)
• Four Seasons Vail (Vail)
• Sonnenalp Hotel (Vail)

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