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Jeff Bridges wins Democratic nomination in Colorado treasurer's race

The three-way Democratic contest for state treasurer is now a one-candidate race.

Election

The three-way Democratic contest for state treasurer is now a one-candidate race.State of play: State Sen. Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) won 44% of the vote at the Democratic Party assembly Saturday in Pueblo.

Progressive challenger tests DeGette's hold

Rep. Diana DeGette, a 15-term Colorado congresswoman, faces a challenge from a first-time democratic socialist candidate.

News

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette&#x27;s iron grip on the Denver seat she&#x27;s held for nearly three decades faces its most formidable challenge in years from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="progressive newcomer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/11/degette-cd1-2026-race-progressive-challenger" data-vars-content-id="aa268bfc-60a1-4dc5-99e9-295bd31c4872" data-vars-headline="Progressive challenger tests DeGette&#x27;s hold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/11/degette-cd1-2026-race-progressive-challenger" target="_self">progressive newcomer</a> Melat Kiros.Why it matters: Kiros, a democratic socialist, aims to unseat Colorado&#x27;s longest-serving Congress member — a potential upset that could signal a broader progressive push to topple <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="establishment Democrats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/democrats-2026-midterms-house-primaries-jeffries" data-vars-content-id="aa268bfc-60a1-4dc5-99e9-295bd31c4872" data-vars-headline="Progressive challenger tests DeGette&#x27;s hold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/democrats-2026-midterms-house-primaries-jeffries" target="_self">establishment Democrats</a> nationwide.

Colorado's Artemis moment

Colorado companies are playing an outsize role in this week's Artemis II mission.

Colorado&#x27;s aerospace industry is playing an outsize role in Wednesday&#x27;s Artemis II mission — a high-stakes crewed test flight for NASA&#x27;s return to the Moon.Why it matters: Florida may get the glory for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hosting the launch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/30/mosi-to-host-artemis-ii-watch-party" data-vars-content-id="2e63651c-09ea-4d62-bb5b-f96cb50de6e1" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s Artemis moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/30/mosi-to-host-artemis-ii-watch-party" target="_self">hosting the launch</a>, but Colorado&#x27;s status as a hub for space innovation stands to get a boost from the mission&#x27;s ripple effects.

Colorado AG primary remains tight after party assembly

Democrats hold the advantage in Colorado entering the 2026 election.

The Democratic primary for attorney general remains a four-way, competitive contest after two high-profile candidates qualified at Saturday&#x27;s party assembly in Pueblo.Why it matters: Democrats <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hold the advantage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/11/15/colorado-democrat-2024-election-polls" data-vars-content-id="4766bc9c-d4d9-4b3e-a215-81420febff68" data-vars-headline="Colorado AG primary remains tight after party assembly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/11/15/colorado-democrat-2024-election-polls" target="_self">hold the advantage</a> in Colorado entering the 2026 election, and the winner of the party primary will start as the frontrunner for the November election.

Colorado's oil and gas wars resume with new ballot measures

The two-year ceasefire between the oil and gas industry and environmentalists appears to be coming to an end.

Politics

The two-year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ceasefire" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradonewsline.com/2024/04/30/colorado-democrats-announce-deal-to-extend-truce-on-oil-and-gas-ballot-measures-in-2024/" data-vars-content-id="6fb4abeb-2980-4cd4-8182-6ae96faf038f" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s oil and gas wars resume with new ballot measures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradonewsline.com/2024/04/30/colorado-democrats-announce-deal-to-extend-truce-on-oil-and-gas-ballot-measures-in-2024/" target="_blank">ceasefire</a> between the oil and gas industry and environmentalists appears to be coming to an end as the two sides return to the ballot battlefield.Why it matters: In a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fragile 2024 truce" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpr.org/2024/05/03/deal-behind-colorados-oil-and-gas-deal-no-new-drilling-policies-until-2028/" data-vars-content-id="6fb4abeb-2980-4cd4-8182-6ae96faf038f" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s oil and gas wars resume with new ballot measures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpr.org/2024/05/03/deal-behind-colorados-oil-and-gas-deal-no-new-drilling-policies-until-2028/" target="_blank">fragile 2024 truce</a>, negotiated by Gov. Jared Polis, industry supporters and environmental groups vowed not to introduce additional competing ballot measures designed to boost or regulate oil and gas operations.

Colorado nears deal to amend AI law

A long-stalled deal to rewrite the state's far-reaching artificial intelligence regulations appears suddenly within reach.

Business

A long-stalled deal to rewrite the state&#x27;s far-reaching <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artificial intelligence regulations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/21/colorado-democrats-ai-regulations-special-session" data-vars-content-id="e92d24ee-da8b-4749-b2c6-4f6ac71157cd" data-vars-headline="Colorado nears deal to amend AI law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/21/colorado-democrats-ai-regulations-special-session" target="_self">artificial intelligence regulations</a> appears suddenly within reach.Why it matters: Colorado&#x27;s first-in-the-nation AI regulations <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="set the standard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/08/06/colorado-ai-bill-national-model" data-vars-content-id="e92d24ee-da8b-4749-b2c6-4f6ac71157cd" data-vars-headline="Colorado nears deal to amend AI law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/08/06/colorado-ai-bill-national-model" target="_self">set the standard</a>, but disagreements over liability and scope forced advocates back to the table to draft a last-minute overhaul before the session ends in May.

Marijuana prices in Colorado hit record low

For the fourth straight year, annual marijuana sales in Colorado dropped.

The bud&#x27;s a bargain in Colorado.Why it matters: Legal marijuana prices are hitting a record low as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the industry struggles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/05/01/marijuana-federal-reclassification-colorado-industry-taxes-dispensaries" data-vars-content-id="ae09fc44-6dcf-4013-96e0-0949a25bb52a" data-vars-headline="Marijuana prices in Colorado hit record low" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/05/01/marijuana-federal-reclassification-colorado-industry-taxes-dispensaries" target="_self">the industry struggles</a> to recalibrate from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="declining sales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/11/13/marijuana-deliveries-sales-plummeting" data-vars-content-id="ae09fc44-6dcf-4013-96e0-0949a25bb52a" data-vars-headline="Marijuana prices in Colorado hit record low" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/11/13/marijuana-deliveries-sales-plummeting" target="_self">declining sales</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="competition from other states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/04/18/state-of-colorado-marijuana-industry-finances-economy" data-vars-content-id="ae09fc44-6dcf-4013-96e0-0949a25bb52a" data-vars-headline="Marijuana prices in Colorado hit record low" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/04/18/state-of-colorado-marijuana-industry-finances-economy" target="_self">competition from other states</a>.

Inside the new All Inn Hotel on Colfax Avenue

The former All Inn motel on East Colfax Avenue sat unattended for years, morphing into an eyesore along the busy commercial corridor.Yes, but: After $22 million toward its transformation — including Denver City Council-approved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tax-increment financing" data-vars-click-url="https://denverite.com/2023/09/19/all-in-motel-east-colfax-updated-plan/" data-vars-content-id="c89a0030-4344-4b9c-9be9-10b99e8ca7a0" data-vars-headline="Inside the new All Inn Hotel on Colfax Avenue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://denverite.com/2023/09/19/all-in-motel-east-colfax-updated-plan/" target="_blank">tax-increment financing</a> — it&#x27;s an eyesore no more.

Colorado's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

67% of the state's 80-plus hospitals analyzed in the Yale study are concentrated in ownership or represent a monopoly in certain markets.

Colorado&#x27;s health care system is heavily consolidated among a few hospital systems, a dynamic that is raising concerns among state lawmakers.Why it matters: As rising health care costs put more financial strain on Americans, &quot;one major and underappreciated factor driving price increases is rising consolidation among U.S. hospitals,&quot; according to Yale&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Health Care Affordability Lab" data-vars-click-url="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" data-vars-content-id="6b02dfb8-a885-4aed-a3f3-15f2e9e8ed4b" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" target="_blank">Health Care Affordability Lab</a>.

Democrats want $60M in new fees for alcohol industry

The legislation would pass the social costs of alcohol misuse to the industry.

To combat Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/01/11/colorado-alcohol-deaths-overdoses-alarming-rates" data-vars-content-id="f64a936b-2f97-488a-b044-33802e9809fb" data-vars-headline="Democrats want $60M in new fees for alcohol industry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/01/11/colorado-alcohol-deaths-overdoses-alarming-rates" target="_self">high rate</a> of alcohol-related deaths, Democratic lawmakers want to levy as much as $60 million in fees on manufacturers of beer, wine and spirits.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislation" data-vars-click-url="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb26-1271" data-vars-content-id="f64a936b-2f97-488a-b044-33802e9809fb" data-vars-headline="Democrats want $60M in new fees for alcohol industry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb26-1271" target="_blank">legislation</a> would shift more of the public costs of alcohol misuse — like health care and treatment programs — onto manufacturers instead of taxpayers. But the industry says it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="can&#x27;t absorb another hit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" data-vars-content-id="f64a936b-2f97-488a-b044-33802e9809fb" data-vars-headline="Democrats want $60M in new fees for alcohol industry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/craft-beer-production-closings-gabf" target="_self">can&#x27;t absorb another hit</a>.

Why Denver's considering a data center moratorium

Forty-six data centers currently operate in Denver.

Denver City Councilmember Paul Kashmann says the city must pause data center development over their massive size, heavy power and water demands, as well as over vague definitions in current zoning laws.State of play: The plan announced last week with Mayor Mike Johnston calls for a one-year moratorium on building data centers, likely starting this spring.

Colorado's data center divide: tax breaks vs. tough rules

Colorado lawmakers are locked in a high-stakes debate over how the state should handle the coming wave of data-center construction driven by the artificial intelligence boom.

Colorado lawmakers are locked in a high-stakes debate over how the state should handle the coming wave of data-center construction driven by the artificial intelligence boom.Why it matters: The result will determine whether the state becomes a major data-center hub or keeps development more constrained.

Colorado paid $767M in Trump tariffs before SCOTUS ruling

The question now is whether businesses — or everyday Americans — will get refunds.

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court declared a large swath of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s tariffs illegal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="cf8904ab-5df9-477a-a8b6-4b0686605804" data-vars-headline="Colorado paid $767M in Trump tariffs before SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s tariffs illegal</a>, the question is whether businesses — or everyday Americans — will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="get refunds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" data-vars-content-id="cf8904ab-5df9-477a-a8b6-4b0686605804" data-vars-headline="Colorado paid $767M in Trump tariffs before SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" target="_self">get refunds</a>.

Colorado moves to end tax breaks, create new family credit

Together, the measures represent a sweeping attempt to reshape Colorado's tax code.

Democratic state lawmakers unveiled four bills Tuesday to close corporate tax loopholes and create a new tax credit for families.Why it matters: Together, the measures represent a sweeping attempt to reshape Colorado&#x27;s tax code, one that would force some businesses to pay higher state taxes amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic uncertainty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/08/colorado-economy-2026-business-projections" data-vars-content-id="d9318a7d-8868-4734-92d8-ce8e21bcde8d" data-vars-headline="Colorado moves to end tax breaks, create new family credit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/08/colorado-economy-2026-business-projections" target="_self">economic uncertainty</a>.

A line chart that tracks the average market rate for unprocessed retail cannabis bud from Q3 2017 to Q1 2026. The rate peaked at $1,307 in Q4 2017 and falls to a low of $649 in Q4 2025.

Median market price for retail marijuana flower in Colorado

Data: Colorado Department of Revenue; Note: Q2 2026 value will go into effect on April 1, 2026; Chart: Axios Visuals

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing share of hospitals that are in a highly concentrated market or part of a monopoly in 2025. In North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, all hospitals are highly concentrated or part of a monopoly. In D.C., none are. Market concentration is particularly high in the mountain west and coastal south.

Business 🏦

Colorado's oil and gas wars resume with new ballot measures

Colorado nears deal to amend AI law

Marijuana prices in Colorado hit record low

Inside the new All Inn Hotel on Colfax Avenue

Colorado's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows