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Attack ads and political collusion roil tight 1st District primary

Upstart Melat Kiros's campaign to oust U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette is getting testy.

News

The Democratic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="race to represent Denver" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/progressive-challenger-kiros-tests-degette-primary" data-vars-content-id="e7b9a6ab-51f5-437e-8c29-6c0a7c54c762" data-vars-headline="Attack ads and political collusion roil tight 1st District primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/progressive-challenger-kiros-tests-degette-primary" target="_self">race to represent Denver</a> is growing more combative just as voters receive primary ballots. Why it matters: A new attack ad targeting 1st Congressional District challenger Melat Kiros marks an escalation in a race deciding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="whether voters want change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/progressive-challenger-kiros-tests-degette-primary" data-vars-content-id="e7b9a6ab-51f5-437e-8c29-6c0a7c54c762" data-vars-headline="Attack ads and political collusion roil tight 1st District primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/04/02/progressive-challenger-kiros-tests-degette-primary" target="_self">whether voters want change</a> or the experience of U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette.

Colorado voter guide: What to know about the candidates and top races

Colorado voters go to the ballot box this month to decide which candidates will advance to the November general election.

Election

Colorado voters go to the ballot box this month to decide which candidates will advance to the November general election.Why it matters: Now that the Democrats are the dominant party in Colorado, primary elections <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hold as much importance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/11/colorado-democrats-primary-infighting-surges" data-vars-content-id="70fd0862-fbbd-4b15-8b3a-116ce50d6d64" data-vars-headline="Colorado voter guide: What to know about the candidates and top races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/11/colorado-democrats-primary-infighting-surges" target="_self">hold as much importance</a> as the November vote, particularly in key races where the majority party is expected to win.

9 ways to celebrate Father's Day around Denver

It's Dad's day out. Here's how to make it count.

Things to Do

Mom had her turn. Dad&#x27;s up next.The big picture: This Father&#x27;s Day weekend offers plenty of ways to spend time with the father figure in your life — whether that&#x27;s catching a Rockies game, practicing your golf swing or raising a pint.

Expanded Denver Juneteenth festival set for Five Points

The festival will mark its 15th anniversary this year.

Denver&#x27;s free <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Juneteenth celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.juneteenthmusicfestival.com/" data-vars-content-id="d877ae47-b156-4f66-be4e-9dc7279d49cb" data-vars-headline="Expanded Denver Juneteenth festival set for Five Points" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.juneteenthmusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">Juneteenth celebration</a> returns to the historic Five Points neighborhood this weekend — bigger and bolder with a three-day extravaganza.Why it matters: Organizers expanded this year&#x27;s festival after scaling back some of last year&#x27;s programming when corporate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sponsorship" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverpost.com/2025/04/22/juneteenth-festival-budget-funding-cuts-sponsors/" data-vars-content-id="d877ae47-b156-4f66-be4e-9dc7279d49cb" data-vars-headline="Expanded Denver Juneteenth festival set for Five Points" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2025/04/22/juneteenth-festival-budget-funding-cuts-sponsors/" target="_blank">sponsorship</a> waned back amid broader DEI rollbacks.

Denver's most-hyped new bagel is in Wash Park

This bagel sells out before lunch. We found out why.

Food and Drink

The hardest Denver bagel to get your hands on right now may be at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milly&#x27;s Bagels" data-vars-click-url="https://millysbagels.com/" data-vars-content-id="da32d5ed-a70c-4ff5-937e-8cbd08453bea" data-vars-headline="Denver&#x27;s most-hyped new bagel is in Wash Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://millysbagels.com/" target="_blank">Milly&#x27;s Bagels</a>, a tiny new shop on Pearl Street in West Wash Park.Why it matters: There are few bad days a great bagel can&#x27;t make at least a little better.

Denver chef Penelope Wong wins James Beard Award

Her journey from street-food sensation to award-winning restaurateur culminated Monday.

The chef who built a cult following for the dumplings she served from a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Denver food truck" data-vars-click-url="https://303magazine.com/2019/09/yuan-wonton-dumplings-denver/" data-vars-content-id="6832da55-2050-402f-8ce9-7f4d16d1a177" data-vars-headline="Denver chef Penelope Wong wins James Beard Award" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://303magazine.com/2019/09/yuan-wonton-dumplings-denver/" target="_blank">Denver food truck</a> is now a James Beard winner.Why it matters: Penelope Wong&#x27;s journey from street-food sensation to award-winning restaurateur culminated Monday with a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain.

Kelly Whitaker brings SHEEP pop-up to Cherry Creek

The Wolf's Tailor team is launching a fire-focused tasting menu this summer.

Chef Kelly Whitaker — the creative force behind Denver&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two Michelin-starred Wolf&#x27;s Tailor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/15/michelin-denver-restaurants-stars-wolfs-tailor" data-vars-content-id="3cac4680-2581-49cc-984e-96b1924abff6" data-vars-headline="Kelly Whitaker brings SHEEP pop-up to Cherry Creek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/15/michelin-denver-restaurants-stars-wolfs-tailor" target="_self">two Michelin-starred Wolf&#x27;s Tailor</a> — will debut a Cherry Creek pop-up next month called SHEEP. Dig in: The three-month residency, tucked inside the Clayton Hotel &amp; Members Club, will incorporate local ingredients, fermentation, open-fire cooking and the restaurant group&#x27;s zero-waste ethos — hallmarks of Whitaker&#x27;s style at his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sunnyside eatery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thewolfstailor.com/" data-vars-content-id="3cac4680-2581-49cc-984e-96b1924abff6" data-vars-headline="Kelly Whitaker brings SHEEP pop-up to Cherry Creek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thewolfstailor.com/" target="_blank">Sunnyside eatery</a>.

New King Soopers opens in Virginia Village

The full service grocery store replaces the former Belcaro store.

King Soopers opens its new Virginia Village store on Wednesday — just a mile from the Belcaro location it replaces.State of play: The Kroger-owned grocer is betting shoppers will follow it to a bigger, amenity-packed store at 4201 E. Arkansas Ave. after the longtime Belcaro location closed for good yesterday.

Denver kids can get free summer meals

The Tasty Food program runs through Aug. 21.

Free meals for kids are coming to a recreation center near you. Why it matters: Many families could use extra support <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="right now" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-grocery-prices" data-vars-content-id="f6f38684-6fe8-473e-aba5-2bd3f4a4dfd4" data-vars-headline="Denver kids can get free summer meals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-grocery-prices" target="_self">right now</a> as grocery prices remain high.

What's cookin' in Denver's food scene

The highly anticipated Madeline restaurant is now open on 6th Avenue in the former Fruition space.

New restaurants, new booze and a speakeasy — Denver&#x27;s food scene is cookin&#x27;. Here&#x27;s the latest news to know.😋 The highly anticipated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Madeline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.restaurantmadeline.com/" data-vars-content-id="0cc68125-f90e-4783-b4bc-f6c9ac980f53" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s cookin&#x27; in Denver&#x27;s food scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.restaurantmadeline.com/" target="_blank">Madeline</a> restaurant is now open on 6th Avenue in the former Fruition space.

Civic Center EATS is back for the season

Food trucks are rolling back into Civic Center Park.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Civic Center EATS" data-vars-click-url="https://civiccenterpark.org/events/eats/" data-vars-content-id="539f29c9-86d5-477e-ad31-6a98dca291a9" data-vars-headline="Civic Center EATS is back for the season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://civiccenterpark.org/events/eats/" target="_blank">Civic Center EATS</a> returns Wednesday, relocating to Bannock Street in front of city hall due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing park renovations." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/18/civic-center-park-construction-begins" data-vars-content-id="539f29c9-86d5-477e-ad31-6a98dca291a9" data-vars-headline="Civic Center EATS is back for the season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/18/civic-center-park-construction-begins" target="_self">ongoing park renovations.</a>

Austin restaurants are taking over Denver's food scene

Austin isn't a plane ride away anymore. The Texas capital is coming to Denver.

Austin isn&#x27;t a plane ride away anymore. The Texas capital is coming to you — one taco, omakase counter and boozy brunch at a time.Why it matters: What <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="started as a trickle" data-vars-click-url="https://5280.com/denver-austin-restaurant-exchange-program/" data-vars-content-id="1a2ba243-0cbf-4abe-a40b-7705b2663e62" data-vars-headline="Austin restaurants are taking over Denver&#x27;s food scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://5280.com/denver-austin-restaurant-exchange-program/" target="_blank">started as a trickle</a> of Texas-born concepts in Denver has become a culinary raid reshaping the local food and beverage scene just as the city attempts to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rebuild" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/20/16th-street-mall-renamed" data-vars-content-id="1a2ba243-0cbf-4abe-a40b-7705b2663e62" data-vars-headline="Austin restaurants are taking over Denver&#x27;s food scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/20/16th-street-mall-renamed" target="_self">rebuild</a> its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="identity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/01/16th-street-reopens-downtown-denver" data-vars-content-id="1a2ba243-0cbf-4abe-a40b-7705b2663e62" data-vars-headline="Austin restaurants are taking over Denver&#x27;s food scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/06/01/16th-street-reopens-downtown-denver" target="_self">identity</a>.

Score these deals during Cinco de Mayo in Denver

We got five local deals on tacos and tequila for you.

We have several deals to help you mark Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday, just in case you missed this past weekend&#x27;s festival in Denver. Yes, but: First, some context — it&#x27;s not Mexican Independence Day, which is Sept. 16.

What to know about Asian Food Week

The eight-day event showcases the diversity of Colorado's food scene with 73 vendors from Aurora to Colorado Springs participating.

Now in its fourth year, Mile High Asian Food Week does not disappoint.Why it matters: The eight-day event showcases the diversity of Colorado&#x27;s food scene with 73 vendors from Aurora to Colorado Springs participating.

Food and Drink 🍽

What we loved at Aspen's Food & Wine Classic

Denver's most-hyped new bagel is in Wash Park

Denver chef Penelope Wong wins James Beard Award

Kelly Whitaker brings SHEEP pop-up to Cherry Creek

New King Soopers opens in Virginia Village