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Mayor Johnston's sales tax plan faces critical vote from Denver City Council
The clash between some Denver City Council members and Mayor Mike Johnston could culminate Monday when the council decides whether to send the mayor's tax plan to voters.Why it matters: Johnston is counting on council approval for a ballot question to increase the local sales tax to raise $100 million annually for building and maintaining affordable housing over the next 10 years.Threat level: The mayor touts his plan as crucial for ensuring people across income levels can afford to live in Denver. About 44,000 units are needed to meet local affordable housing needs, according to the Denver Regional Council of...
Why plants wiggle, according to CU Boulder researchers
Though they seem stationary to the naked eye, local researchers have unveiled just how much plants actually move — and why. Why it matters: The findings, published this month in the journal Physical Review X, highlight surprising parallels between plant movements and animal social behaviors. What they did: Teams...
Denver Milk Market is adding three new food concepts and arcade games
An iconic local hot dog expert is leading one of the three new concepts inside Denver Milk Market, the popular LoDo food hall.The big picture: Jim Pittenger, of Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs fame, will serve specialty hot dogs at a new pop-up called Bikers & Bakers Mondays through Saturdays.As a Saturday special, Pittenger will craft breakfast dishes such as lemon ricotta pancakes, waffles and more out of the market's Lou's Hot & Naked stall.Bos Butcher & Deli, which serves American fare, and Fuso, an Italian eatery focused on hand-tossed pizzas, are the other new additions to the popular market, with all three opening last week.The vibe: The entire food hall got a recent facelift, with new tables and chairs, lighting, paint and a fresh mural by Colorado-based artist Graham Carraway titled "Highest Stakes," per a statement from Denver Milk Market.Flashback: The upgrades follow prominent local chef Frank Bonanno selling the market nearly a year ago to Denver-based Sage Hospitality after sales slumped to roughly half what they were pre-pandemic.If you go: Let your inner child out in the new game room, which includes Skee-ball, a shuffleboard table, Pac-Man and other games that are free to play.
Meet the woolly workforce maintaining Colorado trails
Llamas are taking the lead in maintaining Colorado's worn-down trails, which are increasingly eroding as people flock to them.Why it matters: With a nationwide shortage of public lands workers and the demanding nature of trail maintenance, llamas — with their docile demeanor and impressive strength — can be an ideal solution.The big picture: Two llamas, Wyatt and Junior, are helping the Leadville Ranger District this summer with several projects, including lugging heavy materials for bridge maintenance and rerouting two trails.The Leadville District is home to nine 14ers, with many of its trails towering at 9,000 feet in elevation or higher.That's a...
Colorado scientists make toad-ally "game-changing" discovery
For the first time in seven years, endangered boreal toad tadpoles have been discovered at a mountain wetland above Pitkin, northeast of Gunnison. Why it matters: The "potentially game-changing" finding marks a major victory in Colorado's conservation efforts. Local scientists have been working for decades to boost the state's boreal toad population, which has dramatically declined due to habitat loss and a deadly fungus.
Why some new Denver homes are getting smaller
Expect fewer hallways and more nooks that work as offices or pet rooms in newly built homes across the country.Why it matters: Many builders and architects say they're using every square foot of space and shrinking houses to cut costs."All that Tetris we played in the '90s has finally paid off," experts at John Burns Research and Consulting wrote in a recent report surveying industry pros nationwide.Zoom in: Major home builders like TriPointe Homes, Lennar and DR Horton are leaning into compact houses and townhouses featuring open floor plans with office and flex space in the Denver region.Take Candelas Townhomes,...
Colorado's jobless rate rises to highest level in two years
Colorado's unemployment rate rose in July to 3.9% — its highest in two years, according to the state jobs report released Friday.Why it matters: The uptick in joblessness could fuel fears that the labor market is slowing and the economy is at risk of a recession.By the numbers: July's unemployment was up one-tenth of a percentage point from June.That's slightly below the national average of 4.3% — the highest since 2021.Yes, but: Colorado's ongoing job growth suggests the market may not be as weak as the unemployment rate alone could indicate.The state's labor force added 4,800 jobs in July, a significant jump compared to 1,400 the month prior.The number of people employed in the state also increased by 3,600, up from 2,600 in June.What they're saying: Speaking in Colorado Springs earlier this month, U.S. Federal Reserve governor Michelle Bowman said, "the recent rise in unemployment may be exaggerating the degree of cooling in labor markets [and] largely reflects weaker hiring, as job searchers entering the labor force are taking longer to find a job, while layoffs remain low."The big picture: Colorado's jobless rate remains historically low. The last time the state saw unemployment above 3.9% was in 2015.
Colorado schools go all in on AI this fall
Artificial intelligence is top of mind for Colorado educators as the new school year begins, prompting some to overhaul their classes to embrace the super-smart software. Why it matters: AI has made cheating easier, but advocates see its unprecedented potential to positively reshape learning and teaching. The latest: This month,...
Colorado students report more concerns to Safe2Tell hotline than ever before
The anonymous safety tip line Safe2Tell drew a record number of reports this past school year, reaching an all-time high, from students, parents and the public. The big picture: The 28,218 reports issued during the 2023-24 school year marked a 25% increase over the previous academic year, according to a statement Tuesday from the Attorney General's Office, which oversees the program.
The Denver Nuggets season schedule it out. Here are the can't-miss games.
Don't get it twisted: Despite an early playoff exit last season, the Denver Nuggets remain legitimate title contenders.The big picture: The NBA released the upcoming season schedules on Thursday, and if you can't get to Ball Arena to watch the reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and company, you'll have plenty of chances to catch them for nationally televised games. Zoom in: The Nuggets start their season against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 24 at Ball Arena.The game will likely be off-season signing Russell Westbrook's debut with the Nuggets, against the team that drafted him fourth overall in 2008. ...
Here's what's happening this weekend in Denver
This weekend, see the Broncos in preseason action, catch Ice Spice in concert or peruse the night market at Civic Center.1. 🏈 Broncos vs. PackersThe Broncos' quarterback battle could heat up this Sunday night as the team welcomes the Green Bay Packers to Empower Field.Why it matters: Since it's preseason, tickets will be more affordable compared to regular season home games.Driving the news: Rookie Bo Nix impressed in his first game last week in Indianapolis.The No. 12 overall pick completed 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.Yes, but: The starting job is still up for grabs between...
Colorado governor orders special session on property taxes
For the second time in less than a year, Colorado lawmakers will return to the Capitol for a special session to address rising property taxes.Why it matters: The high-stakes showdown that starts Aug. 26 is designed to limit major tax cuts that could gut state and local budgets.State of play: Gov. Jared Polis, lawmakers and business interests failed to reach a deal in the regular session that ended in May. As a result, competing plans to lower property taxes may head to the November ballot.If a conservative group cancels their ballot questions — Initiatives 108 and 50 — the governor...
The city agency that hires police officers just got a new director
The Denver Civil Service Commission introduced Gracie Perez as its latest executive director Wednesday, more than two months after its previous leader was fired.The big picture: Perez will lead the agency responsible for hiring and promoting police and firefighters, and will play a key role in Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's goal to hire 167 police officers this year to combat crime and reduce response times.State of play: Previous director Niecy Murray was fired by the Board of Commissioners in May after criticizing the Johnston administration's approach to hiring more police officers.Murray suggested agency standards were declining due to political pressure...
Molson Coors stages exit from the craft beer industry
Molson Coors is divesting its four craft beer brands and shutting down its own craft label as the brewing behemoth exits an industry it once longed to access.Why it matters: The whiplash further signals that big beer makers are no longer enamored with craft brands as that slice of the market posts negative growth for the first time in its history.Driving the news: Molson Coors announced Tuesday the sale of its craft beer portfolio — Hop Valley in Oregon, Terrapin in Georgia, Revolver in Texas and Atwater in Michigan — to Tilray, a Canadian company with interests in cannabis and...
Homelessness in Denver ticks up for third straight year, despite fewer living on streets
Data: Metro Denver Homeless Initiative; Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no unsheltered count was conducted in 2021.; Chart: Alayna Alvarez/AxiosWhile homelessness in Denver increased for the third consecutive year, there's a silver lining — fewer people are sleeping on the streets, according to data released Wednesday.Why it matters: This year's 12% uptick is a slowdown compared to the 21% rise between 2022 and 2023. However, the unhoused population continues to grow despite roughly $2 billion spent on addressing the crisis in the Denver metro area between 2021 and 2023.Meanwhile, the city of Denver will spend around $155 million on...
Colorado's average car insurance costs, charted
The blows to the pocketbook keep coming. Not only is home insurance in Colorado among the nation's highest, so is car insurance. Why it matters: Both contribute to the state's cost of living. By the numbers: The average annual cost of car insurance in the state reached $2,619 through June,...
Boulder experiments with giving cash to parents with young children
Boulder County is looking to give low-income parents with young children cash payments as part of a new experiment to help families with the rising cost of living. State of play: The $300-a-month payments — funded with $6 million in federal pandemic relief dollars — are designed to reach families without access to other social safety net benefits, particularly immigrants who reside in the country illegally.
Colorado's fastest-growing private companies in 2024
Alpine IQ, a Broomfield-based software company, was Colorado's fastest-growing private business between 2020 and 2023, according to the recently released 2024 Inc. 5000 list.Zoom in: Over the past three years, Alpine IQ's revenue growth skyrocketed by a staggering 16,469% — making it the 10th fastest-growing private company nationwide.The business, founded in 2019, focuses on products that manage customer data and sync consumer experiences across both in-store and online platforms, driving its rapid expansion.The Luxe Room, a Denver-based medical spa and laser clinic specializing in cosmetic injectable treatments, is the second local business to break into the top 100, landing at...
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