Denver

Denver Alerts

Alert

Picture of the Denver skyline with DEN written across it.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Denver with Alayna Alvarez, John Frank, and Esteban L. Hernandez.

Axios Denver

Standard

Axios Denver Partners

Axios Denver Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

A guide to fun things to do in Denver this weekend.

Axios Denver Weekender

Weekender

Axios Denver Deep Dive

Deep Dive

Denver Members

Membership

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.

Colorado lawmakers propose shrinking RTD's board

The bill sponsors' goal is to improve accountability and accelerate decision-making.

News

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) board of directors could shrink by nearly half under a new proposal from state lawmakers aiming to overhaul the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="troubled agency." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/08/05/colorado-state-audit-rtd-financial-problems" data-vars-content-id="941fc7eb-7758-4a0f-afba-9837e5810998" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers propose shrinking RTD&#x27;s board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/08/05/colorado-state-audit-rtd-financial-problems" target="_self">troubled agency.</a>Why it matters: RTD has struggled for years with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/03/rtd-study-reducing-drug-use-transit-stations" data-vars-content-id="941fc7eb-7758-4a0f-afba-9837e5810998" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers propose shrinking RTD&#x27;s board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/03/rtd-study-reducing-drug-use-transit-stations" target="_self">safety concerns</a>,<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" slumping ridership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/13/rtd-ridership-decline" data-vars-content-id="941fc7eb-7758-4a0f-afba-9837e5810998" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers propose shrinking RTD&#x27;s board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/08/13/rtd-ridership-decline" target="_self"> slumping ridership</a> and unreliable service across the eight Front Range counties it serves — and lawmakers argue its 15-member board is too large to fix those problems efficiently or effectively.

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.

Progressive challenger tests DeGette's hold

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

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.

City Council approves Axon as new license plate reader vendor

Denver approved a $150,000 deal with Axon to install 50 cameras, replacing Flock.

In a 7–6 vote on Tuesday, the Denver City Council narrowly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="selected Axon " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/24/axon-license-plate-cameras-public-split" data-vars-content-id="51d52e29-05ee-4d4c-9dcc-7fadf44a7adc" data-vars-headline="City Council approves Axon as new license plate reader vendor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/24/axon-license-plate-cameras-public-split" target="_self">selected Axon </a>as the city&#x27;s automated license plate reader vendor for a one-year contract.Why it matters: The vote caps a fraught process, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some council members" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/02/license-plate-denver-readers-mass-surveillance" data-vars-content-id="51d52e29-05ee-4d4c-9dcc-7fadf44a7adc" data-vars-headline="City Council approves Axon as new license plate reader vendor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/02/license-plate-denver-readers-mass-surveillance" target="_self">some council members</a> wary of the cameras&#x27; capabilities and Mayor Mike Johnston&#x27;s administration backing the deal.

Progressives flex power at Democratic assembly

Delegates backed challengers and adopted a more progressive platform at the state assembly.

Chanting &quot;when we fight, we win,&quot; Colorado Democrats on Saturday overwhelmingly endorsed a challenger to an incumbent U.S. senator, a former two-term governor.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The progressive faction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/09/progressive-democratic-party-establishment-2026-election" data-vars-content-id="ef5a3d8e-4113-486d-ac85-848981e0f5c2" data-vars-headline="Progressives flex power at Democratic assembly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/09/progressive-democratic-party-establishment-2026-election" target="_self">The progressive faction</a> within the party flexed its influence at the state assembly in Pueblo and delivered a loud and clear message to their leaders: No seat is safe, especially not the status quo.

Two Democratic candidates qualify for secretary of state race

The office is currently held by Democrats.

Jefferson County clerk Amanda Gonzalez and state Sen. Jessie Danielson will compete in the Democratic Party primary for secretary of state after earning enough votes at Saturday&#x27;s party assembly.Why it matters: The office is currently held by Democrats, and the party is confident it will retain the seat, making the primary winner the automatic frontrunner.

Julie Gonzales qualifies for ballot to challenge to challenge Hickenlooper in U.S. Senate race

The opposition to the first-term senator's re-election campaign represents a rebuke from the party's progressive wing.

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper will face a progressive state senator in the Democratic primary election to secure reelection.Why it matters: The opposition became clear at the Democratic Party assembly Saturday in Pueblo, which Hickenlooper didn&#x27;t attend, as progressives cheered loudly for his rivals.

Without Bennet, Weiser dominates assembly vote for governor

The race is the most high-profile contest in the June 30 party primary.

Phil Weiser declared himself the &quot;candidate of Colorado&quot; and labeled his absent rival, Michael Bennet, the &quot;candidate of Washington&quot; at the Democratic Party assembly Saturday.Why it matters: Weiser&#x27;s remark is set to define the testy Democratic contest for governor ahead of June&#x27;s primary.

DeGette avoids upset, makes 1st District ballot

The winner of June's Democratic primary is essentially guaranteed a win in November.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette narrowly secured a position in the 1st Congressional District primary election Friday, but the 15-term incumbent&#x27;s name won&#x27;t appear first on the ballot.Why it matters: In the deep blue Denver district, the winner of June&#x27;s Democratic primary is essentially guaranteed to win the seat in November.

Why Pueblo is key to the 2026 election in Colorado

Pueblo becomes the center of the Colorado politiverse as thousands of Democrats and later Republicans descend for state party assemblies.

Starting this weekend, Pueblo becomes the center of the Colorado politiverse as thousands of Democrats, and later Republicans, descend on the southeastern city for state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="party assemblies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/02/colorado-caucus-2026-explained" data-vars-content-id="d1a045ac-6c62-4ec0-84ef-fc452e9e6fe8" data-vars-headline="Why Pueblo is key to the 2026 election in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/02/colorado-caucus-2026-explained" target="_self">party assemblies</a>.Why it matters: The attention given to the city of 169,000 residents is no accident. Pueblo County is the premier battleground in Colorado, and both parties want to plant their flag with victories in the 2026 midterm elections.<ul><li>For Democrats, it&#x27;s a litmus test for support among working-class white and Latino voters, those who abandoned the party in the 2024 elections.</li><li>For Republicans, it&#x27;s a temperature check on President Trump&#x27;s coalition, the MAGA supporters who twice flipped the traditionally blue county to his side.</li></ul>State of play: The statewide Democratic Party assembly is Saturday, and the GOP&#x27;s happens April 11, at which both parties will select candidates and hone their messages for the 2026 elections to win over disheartened voters <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in Pueblo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbgf_Grr8tg" data-vars-content-id="d1a045ac-6c62-4ec0-84ef-fc452e9e6fe8" data-vars-headline="Why Pueblo is key to the 2026 election in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbgf_Grr8tg" target="_blank">in Pueblo</a> and elsewhere who are struggling to make ends meet amid a statewide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordability crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/27/colorado-household-income-growth" data-vars-content-id="d1a045ac-6c62-4ec0-84ef-fc452e9e6fe8" data-vars-headline="Why Pueblo is key to the 2026 election in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/27/colorado-household-income-growth" target="_self">affordability crisis</a>.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;It&#x27;s a critical county for us to be able to show which direction the state&#x27;s heading,&quot; Colorado Democratic Party chair Shad Murib said in an interview. &quot;My theory is you can&#x27;t win if you don&#x27;t show up. And so this is us showing up in a big way.&quot;<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Outgoing" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/13/brita-horns-resigns-colorado-gop-chair/" data-vars-content-id="d1a045ac-6c62-4ec0-84ef-fc452e9e6fe8" data-vars-headline="Why Pueblo is key to the 2026 election in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/13/brita-horns-resigns-colorado-gop-chair/" target="_blank">Outgoing</a> Republican chair Brita Horn championed Pueblo for the party assembly because it &quot;sends a powerful message [that] we are building a bigger, broader Republican Party that fights for every corner of this great state.&quot;</li></ul>The big picture: Pueblo is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one-time Democratic stronghold" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverpost.com/2016/09/30/donald-trump-pueblo-colorado-election/" data-vars-content-id="d1a045ac-6c62-4ec0-84ef-fc452e9e6fe8" data-vars-headline="Why Pueblo is key to the 2026 election in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2016/09/30/donald-trump-pueblo-colorado-election/" target="_blank">one-time Democratic stronghold</a>, thanks mostly to its strong union presence dating to the now-defunct steel mill days.<ul><li>The party still holds a six-point advantage over Republicans in terms of party registration, 28.7% compared to 22.5%, but 46% of voters are now <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unaffiliated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/17/colorado-registered-voter-unaffiliated-democrat-republican" data-vars-content-id="d1a045ac-6c62-4ec0-84ef-fc452e9e6fe8" data-vars-headline="Why Pueblo is key to the 2026 election in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/17/colorado-registered-voter-unaffiliated-democrat-republican" target="_self">unaffiliated</a>.</li></ul>The intrigue: Despite its heritage, Trump <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="won Pueblo County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/11/donald-trumps-support-from-blue-collar-colorado-voters-led-to-upset-in-a-democratic-stronghold/" data-vars-content-id="d1a045ac-6c62-4ec0-84ef-fc452e9e6fe8" data-vars-headline="Why Pueblo is key to the 2026 election in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/11/donald-trumps-support-from-blue-collar-colorado-voters-led-to-upset-in-a-democratic-stronghold/" target="_blank">won Pueblo County</a> in 2016 — the first time for a Republican since Richard Nixon in 1972 — by a fraction, just 390 votes.<ul><li>Former President Biden reclaimed the territory in 2020, winning by 1,520 votes, but Trump won with 51% in 2024.</li></ul>Zoom in: Murib said the party &quot;learned a tough lesson&quot; in 2024 by not addressing the electorate&#x27;s economic concerns. One of his first actions as the party&#x27;s leader included hiring an organizer in Pueblo to help gather support. He is also targeting the 3rd Congressional District, which wraps from the Western Slope into Pueblo.<ul><li>&quot;We&#x27;ve been trying to build infrastructure there that can serve long-term party-building … and make sure that we grow our presence there,&quot; he said.</li></ul>His counterpart, Horn, emphasized the power of door-to-door campaigning in Pueblo with a message about affordability and concerns about crime.<ul><li>&quot;We know we&#x27;re going to have to really have good messaging, and make sure we&#x27;re doing the work … in the trenches,&quot; she said.</li></ul>

Politics 🇺🇸

Progressive challenger tests DeGette's hold

City Council approves Axon as new license plate reader vendor

Progressives flex power at Democratic assembly

Two Democratic candidates qualify for secretary of state race

Colorado AG primary remains tight after party assembly