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Axios Denver
50,000 hungry fans flood Casa Bonita's new reservation system
Casa Bonita started accepting public reservations this week — but scoring a table at Colorado's iconic pink palace still isn't easy.The latest: Not long after the new reservation system opened at 9am Monday, a virtual line of 50,000 hungry fans formed, Denverite reports.By 11:30am, Casa Bonita sent an email: Reservations are fully booked for October and November.As of Tuesday morning, not a single spot appeared available through Dec. 15 — the farthest date the system currently offers.Flashback: Before the reservation system went live, the only way to visit Casa Bonita was by winning a golden ticket in a tightly controlled lottery.The big picture: Since "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone bought the "greatest restaurant in the world" in 2021 and poured over $40 million into its epic facelift, Casa Bonita's popularity has skyrocketed — and it's showing no signs of slowing.
Meet Kent Thiry, the money man who wants to change Colorado elections
Deep-pocketed Kent Thiry is crusading once again to change how Colorado elects its leaders.Why it matters: The former embattled DaVita CEO touts a 9-for-9 record when it comes to winning ballot initiatives, but his push this November to abolish party primaries and establish ranked-choice voting may prove his greatest challenge to date.State of play: Thiry is the money man behind Proposition 131 and one of the top political donors in Colorado, with a record of supporting conservative causes, opposing progressive Democrats and backing efforts to overhaul elections.He has spent at least $13 million on federal and state races across the...
25% of Denver-area renters spend half their paycheck on housing
About a quarter (24.7%) of Denver metro renters are spending more than half their income on housing, according to new data from the Census Bureau. Why it matters: An excessive rent burden can make it harder to afford other basic needs like groceries and transportation — or to save for a down payment.
In 8th District, Yadira Caraveo relies on prior record to fill resume gap
U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo is leaning on her work in the Colorado Capitol — not the U.S. Capitol — in her re-election bid.Why it matters: The Democratic congresswoman spent her first two years in the minority party, where passing legislation is more difficult, and she needs to fill the gaps in her resume as she competes in one of the nation's most closely watched 2024 races.State of play: In her first Spanish commercial, which began airing last week, Caraveo touts her record addressing the rising cost of living by "expanding free kindergarten and preschool, cutting wasteful spending, cutting taxes for...
Denver Startup Week arrives with tech heavy hitters
Denver Startup Week kicks off Monday for its 13th year and is again expected to draw more than 10,000 people to downtown.Why it matters: The startup celebration, which runs Sept. 16-20, is considered the largest free event of its kind and an indicator of the city's innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.Local leaders say they have seen a direct correlation between the growth of Startup Week and the development of the entrepreneurial and tech sectors in Denver.The big picture: This year, organizers with the Downtown Denver Partnership have condensed the schedule down from one week to three days and consolidated the number...
Here's what the fee structure for Denver's sidewalk program looks like
The way residents pay for sidewalk improvements in Denver is set to be finalized Monday.The big picture: The Denver City Council will vote on a measure to create rules for a bill initially passed by voters in November 2022 seeking to change how the cost of sidewalk repairs is covered.The new guidelines establish the fee structure before the city is scheduled to start collecting money next January. The measure shifts maintenance responsibilities from residents to the city and allows Denver to collect fees.How it works: Most property owners will pay an annual $150 fee under the plan, Department of Infrastructure...
Lauren Boebert's Democratic foe boasts major fundraising haul
Democrat Trish Calvarese is facing one of her party's most prominent targets: controversial Republican firebrand Lauren Boebert. State of play: It turns out a marquee foe makes it easy to raise money for the opposing campaign. Calvarese has collected more than $2.3 million in campaign cash in 110,000 donations since...
GetRight's bakery in Wheat Ridge is expanding
What began as a pandemic-era, at-home bakery and plant shop has steadily grown — first into a brick-and-mortar spot in Wheat Ridge, and now into something more. The latest: GetRight's — named by Westword as the best new bakery of 2024 — is rolling out a 40-seat outdoor seasonal patio with plans for afternoon and evening dining a few nights each week, starting next month.
New real estate commission rules could push out "mediocre" Denver agents
Real estate brokers may be singing for their suppers after new rules on commissions kicked in last month. Why it matters: Changes from a National Association of Realtors settlement could prove especially tough for what Business Insider calls the country's "glut of mediocre Realtors," including amateurs and those whose services might not be worth the price to homebuyers.
Our favorite breakfast sandwiches in Denver
Finding a delicious breakfast sandwich takes patience, perseverance and courage.The big picture: Okay, so maybe it's not that serious; but when you're looking for a perfect combination of egg, cheese and accouterments tucked between two slices of bread, you know how hard that morning craving hits.We combined our breakfast sando picks with some reader recommendations. Take a peek — and plan accordingly: A breakfast sandwich from Odie B's. Photo: Alayna Alvarez/AxiosCall Your MotherNew to the scene but quickly gaining a following, Call Your Mother, which has multiple locations, boasts the Bacon Sun City, which comes on an everything bagel with...
Casa Bonita's troubles and triumphs take shape on the big screen
For Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the 2021 purchase of Casa Bonita went from a childhood dream to a living hell in days. State of play: Naive and overly nostalgic, the pair behind the TV show "South Park" hoped the landmark pink attraction needed new carpets and fresh paint when they bought it out of bankruptcy for $3.1 million.
Mayor Mike Johnston unveils slim spending plan for Denver
Denver's general fund will grow just 0.6% over last year's budget — the lowest growth rate in 14 years, not counting the pandemic — under a proposal presented Thursday by Mayor Mike Johnston. The big picture: The $1.76 billion in discretionary spending for 2025 reduces spending for migrant services by $77 million and the mayor's signature homeless initiative program by $84 million. Why it matters: Johnston framed his second spending plan as mayor as reducing the government's size while investing in priorities like affordability, safety and vibrancy. Between the lines: Sales taxes, which city chief financial officer Nicole Doheny says...
Here's what's happening this weekend in Denver
This weekend, catch the Rocky Mountain Showdown or the Broncos game at a local bar, kick off the season of Oktoberfest with an inaugural event or see country star Kacey Musgraves in concert. 1. 🏈 Football watch partiesFootball will be front and center this weekend in Colorado.State of play: The Rocky Mountain Showdown between the Colorado State Rams and the Colorado Buffaloes kicks off at 5:30pm Saturday in Fort Collins.The home opener for the Denver Broncos is 2:25pm Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Here are a few watch parties you can attend:🥃 DNVR Bar is offering $4 house shots, specials on...
Fall is getting warmer in Colorado
Data: Climate Central; Chart: Axios VisualsColorado's forecasted hot and dry fall this year is part of a larger trend.The big picture: Autumn is getting warmer in Denver and across the continental U.S., according to a new Climate Central analysis.Zoom in: Denver's fall temperatures rose by an average of 3.4°F between 1970 and 2023, the report found.The nonprofit's analysis is based on average temperatures recorded each year from September through November.The bottom line: The fall trends are consistent with climate science findings showing how the planet is responding to human-caused increases in greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide.All other seasons are warming, too.
Developers lay groundwork for massive revamp at Ball Arena
A project set to transform the space around Ball Arena just cleared a major hurdle. The big picture: A request from Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, Ball Arena's owner, to rezone the area surrounding the venue was approved Wednesday by the South Platte River Committee. State of play: KSE, which owns...
Aurora backtracks on "overstated" claims of Venezuelan gang activity
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Aurora City Council member Danielle Jurinsky issued a joint statement on Wednesday downplaying Venezuelan gang activity in the Denver metro area.Why it matters: Both city leaders — who have fueled much of the misinformation on the issue — are now backpedaling and calling for calm one day after unfounded claims about gang violence in Aurora took center stage at Tuesday's presidential debate.What they're saying: The prison gang Tren de Aragua "has not 'taken over' the city," the two Republican officials said in a statement Wednesday."The overstated claims fueled by social media and through select news...
Why Lyft is eliminating dockless scooters and bikes in Denver
Data: Ride Report; Chart: Alayna Alvarez/AxiosLyft is pulling the plug on its dockless scooter and e-bike operations in Denver, even as demand for alternative transportation grows.The latest: Lyft announced this month it will "no longer operate standalone dockless bikes and scooters" in Denver and is "exploring alternatives."It also cut scooter operations in Washington, D.C., and is "narrowing [its] product portfolio to focus on [its] best-in-class bikes and e-bikes, scooters, electrified docking stations, and software, to better sell to, serve, and electrify cities," according to the announcement.Why it matters: Lyft's exit could reshape Denver's rideshare offerings and policy around micromobility.The big...
Unfounded Venezuelan gang rumors spill into national immigration debate
Exaggerated claims over gang activity in Aurora are turning the city into the latest flashpoint in the national immigration debate. Why it matters: Republicans — including former President Trump — are perpetuating misinformation that gangs are overrunning apartment complexes in Aurora, which local police and residents deny. Catch...
New movie " Rally Caps" showcases Colorado film scene
A new feel-good movie about youth baseball showcases Colorado's growing film industry.State of play: Director and writer Lee Cipolla and his wife and producer, Katherine Borda, recently moved to Boulder to get away from the bustle of Los Angeles.With their latest film, "Rally Caps," they want to prove you don't need the bright lights of Hollywood to make it big in the movie business.What they're saying: "Our goal is to help inspire the locals with our film to show them that anything is possible if you have a dream and are willing to work for it," Cipolla told Axios."You don't...
Denver keeps paying out settlements over George Floyd protests
The Denver Police Department's conduct during widespread protests over George Floyd's 2020 murder continues to cost the city millions of dollars. The big picture: The city paid out its latest settlement on Monday to a trust connected to protesters Nicolas Orlin and Shawn Murphy. The two will receive $465,000 in...
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