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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.

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.

Denver's rent dip among nation's highest

The median rent fell by nearly 5% year over year.

New data shows the Denver metro area recorded one of the steepest rent declines in the country over the past year.State of play: The median rent in metro Denver was down nearly 5% this February from a year earlier, to $1,600 a month, according to data from Apartment List, a rental site.

Metro Denver homeowners are staying put

The trend is keeping the housing market on ice for now.

Denver metro homeowners are staying in their houses for the longest time in at least 25 years, new data shows.Why it matters: The trend is keeping the housing market on ice for now.

How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Denver

The average time it takes to save for a home down payment in Denver is more than double the national average.

Real Estate

The average time it takes to save for a home down payment in Denver is nearly 15 years, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/downpayment-savings-december-2025/" data-vars-content-id="753685c3-d272-47f4-aa50-ee5add3d20dc" data-vars-headline="How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Denver" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/downpayment-savings-december-2025/" target="_blank">Realtor.com analysis</a>.Why it matters: A down payment is one of the biggest barriers to homeownership, and Denver&#x27;s timeline is more than double the national average.

What 2026 holds in store for Denver real estate

This year's housing market won't be flashy — and industry experts say that's a good thing.

Denver&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/02/more-denver-homeowners-are-staying-put" data-vars-content-id="f5df3321-e2b7-4725-8f74-96ce1a732369" data-vars-headline="What 2026 holds in store for Denver real estate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/12/02/more-denver-homeowners-are-staying-put" target="_self">housing market</a> in 2026 won&#x27;t be flashy — and industry experts say that&#x27;s a good thing.The big picture: After years of frenzied, unpredictable conditions, the market is expected to move toward something resembling normalcy. No boom, no bust — just balance.

PHOTOS: Palantir's Alex Karp buys Colorado monastery for $120M

St. Benedict's Monastery, a quiet refuge tucked into Old Snowmass, has long had an air of mystery — but its new owner adds a twist.

An Aspen-area ranch that for decades was home to a community of Trappist monks sold this week, becoming the largest residential sale in Pitkin County history, per listing firm Mirr Ranch Group.The intrigue: St. Benedict&#x27;s Monastery, a quiet refuge tucked into Old Snowmass, has long had an air of mystery — but its new owner adds a twist. The Wall Street Journal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-pays-record-120-million-for-colorado-monastery-33834f34" data-vars-content-id="7e88e72a-8bc9-4b8a-bf84-f5743f74ad34" data-vars-headline="PHOTOS: Palantir&#x27;s Alex Karp buys Colorado monastery for $120M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-pays-record-120-million-for-colorado-monastery-33834f34" target="_blank">reported</a> this week that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Karp" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/07/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-interview-axios" data-vars-content-id="7e88e72a-8bc9-4b8a-bf84-f5743f74ad34" data-vars-headline="PHOTOS: Palantir&#x27;s Alex Karp buys Colorado monastery for $120M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/07/palantir-ceo-alex-karp-interview-axios" target="_self">Alex Karp</a>, CEO of Denver-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Palantir" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/01/palantir-deportations-ice-immigration-trump" data-vars-content-id="7e88e72a-8bc9-4b8a-bf84-f5743f74ad34" data-vars-headline="PHOTOS: Palantir&#x27;s Alex Karp buys Colorado monastery for $120M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/01/palantir-deportations-ice-immigration-trump" target="_self">Palantir</a>, bought the property for $120 million.

Zillow's most-clicked Colorado home in 2025

Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most popular Zillow listing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/learn/most-popular-homes/" data-vars-content-id="67528b35-7fac-4b41-a6b0-3cb1e5f2bece" data-vars-headline="Zillow&#x27;s most-clicked Colorado home in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/learn/most-popular-homes/" target="_blank">most popular Zillow listing</a> this year was also the priciest among the platform&#x27;s fan favorites in every state.<ul><li>And yes — of course it&#x27;s in Aspen.</li></ul>

Black bear crashes Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Colorado show

HGTV's power duo is launching a limited series in Colorado that packs plenty of surprises — and a bear sighting is just the beginning.

&quot;Oh my gosh. It&#x27;s a bear. It&#x27;s a bear.&quot;HGTV power duo <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chip and Joanna Gaines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/11/01/mcmurtry-bookstore-chip-joanna-gaines-archer-city" data-vars-content-id="f1f44425-591b-41b3-80b5-6e90d722ff48" data-vars-headline="Black bear crashes Chip and Joanna Gaines&#x27; new Colorado show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/11/01/mcmurtry-bookstore-chip-joanna-gaines-archer-city" target="_self">Chip and Joanna Gaines</a> debut a three-part limited series set in Colorado on Tuesday that packs plenty of surprises for the Waco, Texas-based couple — and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="black bear sighting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/12/04/boulder-colorado-bear-activity-increases-2025" data-vars-content-id="f1f44425-591b-41b3-80b5-6e90d722ff48" data-vars-headline="Black bear crashes Chip and Joanna Gaines&#x27; new Colorado show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/12/04/boulder-colorado-bear-activity-increases-2025" target="_self">black bear sighting</a> is just the beginning.

Report: Denver sees nation's sharpest drop in home values

It's a major reversal in a market that spent the pandemic shattering price records.

More metro Denver homes lost value over the past year than in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="any other major U.S. metro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/home-value-loss-map" data-vars-content-id="4195cf75-ecba-405d-984d-e2d884c78605" data-vars-headline="Report: Denver sees nation&#x27;s sharpest drop in home values" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/home-value-loss-map" target="_self">any other major U.S. metro</a>, a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/research/home-value-decline-35724/" data-vars-content-id="4195cf75-ecba-405d-984d-e2d884c78605" data-vars-headline="Report: Denver sees nation&#x27;s sharpest drop in home values" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/research/home-value-decline-35724/" target="_blank">Zillow analysis</a> shows.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a major reversal in a market that spent the pandemic shattering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="price records" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/06/02/denver-homebuyers-overpaid-real-estate" data-vars-content-id="4195cf75-ecba-405d-984d-e2d884c78605" data-vars-headline="Report: Denver sees nation&#x27;s sharpest drop in home values" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/06/02/denver-homebuyers-overpaid-real-estate" target="_self">price records</a>. Still, most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeowners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/04/homebuyer-age-first-time" data-vars-content-id="4195cf75-ecba-405d-984d-e2d884c78605" data-vars-headline="Report: Denver sees nation&#x27;s sharpest drop in home values" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/04/homebuyer-age-first-time" target="_self">homeowners</a> &quot;have plenty to feel good about,&quot; the real estate site <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-11-17-53-of-U-S-homes-lost-value-in-the-past-year,-the-most-since-2012" data-vars-content-id="4195cf75-ecba-405d-984d-e2d884c78605" data-vars-headline="Report: Denver sees nation&#x27;s sharpest drop in home values" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-11-17-53-of-U-S-homes-lost-value-in-the-past-year,-the-most-since-2012" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Fewer millennials are house hunting in metro Denver

Mortgage purchase inquiries dropped by 5 points in 2024 from 2023.

The number of millennials looking for a home in metro Denver has dropped, per a recent LendingTree analysis.By the numbers: Millennials — age 28 to 43 — made up 54% of mortgage purchase inquiries in metro Denver in 2024, down from 59% in 2023.

Metro Denver rents drop to lowest rates since 2022

It's a lucrative time for renters in the Mile High City.

It&#x27;s a lucrative time for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prospective renters in Denver" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/24/renters-market-denver-apartment-vacancy" data-vars-content-id="c9c2baa0-9a0a-4bbd-87b9-7c4d01264076" data-vars-headline="Metro Denver rents drop to lowest rates since 2022" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/24/renters-market-denver-apartment-vacancy" target="_self">prospective renters in Denver</a>.The big picture: Concessions like free rent are piling up, giving renters a shot at scoring better deals as landlords rush to fill their available units.

A symbol map of 54 U.S. metro areas showing estimated change in median rent from February 2025 to February 2026. Rents decreased in 34 metros, mostly in the South, and increased in 20 metros, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest. Virginia Beach increased the most, by 5.3%, and Austin decreased the most, by 5.9%.

Change in median rent from February 2025 to February 2026

🏠 Mapped: HOA fees

HOA's are popular in Colorado

A map shows the share of homes listed for sale in 2025 that included HOA fees, by state. On average, 43.6% of listings included HOA fees. The states where HOA fees were most often included were Nevada (68%), Arizona (65%) and Florida (65%).

Share of homes listed for sale with HOA fees, 2025

🏠 Homebuyers are scoring deals

Denver metro homebuyers are scoring deals

A bar chart showing the average price difference among homes that sold below their original list price. On average, homes sold for 7.8% less than asking. Homes in West Palm Beach, Fla, Detroit and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. went for 10-11% below asking. Homes in the Denver metro area went for 6.5% below asking.

Price difference among homes that sold below asking

A line chart showing average homeowner tenure in the Denver metro area compared to the U.S. overall. Tenure is the time between the most recent and previous sale dates of a home. Nationally, average tenure has risen from 3.7 years in Q1 2005 to 8.6 years in Q4 2025. In Denver, average tenure has risen from 3.1 years to 8.5 years over the same period.

Average homeowner tenure in Denver

🏠 Renting vs. owning

Renting is cheaper than owning a home in Denver

A chart showing the monthly median cost to rent or own by metro area in 2024 among the 100 largest metros. In all metro areas, it was cheaper to rent than it was to own a home. The national average rent price was $1,487 compared to $2,035 to own. In the Denver metro, the median rental cost was $1,943 compared to $2,681 to own.

Real Estate 🏠

Denver's rent dip among nation's highest

HOA's are popular in Colorado

Denver metro homebuyers are scoring deals

Metro Denver homeowners are staying put

Renting is cheaper than owning a home in Denver