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Jeffco Schools Reject Federal Ruling On Transgender Sports Policies
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Axios Denver, Approved, Local

Jeffco Schools Reject Federal Ruling On Transgender Sports Policies

By John Frank | Axios Denver Jefferson County Schools is rebuking the Trump administration's claim that the district violated federal civil rights protections by allowing transgender students to compete in girls' sports and access their facilities. Why it matters: The clash between the Trump administration and Colorado's second-largest school district highlights the widening national debate over how federal civil rights law applies to transgender students. The dispute could also lead to a legal showdown over the interaction of federal policy, which defines sex based on biology, and state laws that protect gender identity and transgender students' rights. What they're saying: Jeffco officials said in a statement that the administration's legal arguments...
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Robotaxis Coming to Denver as Colorado Opens Door to AV Innovation
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Axios Denver, Approved, Local

Robotaxis Coming to Denver as Colorado Opens Door to AV Innovation

By John Frank | Axios Denver In the near future, you can hop in a driverless car and cruise through Denver. Why it matters: The technology promises to reduce vehicle fatalities and crashes, and to increase mobility for people who are elderly, disabled or impaired. State of play: Waymo is preparing to deploy its robotaxis on Denver roads starting next year, a spokesperson confirmed this week. The company began testing in September to map streets and gather data on driving patterns. The next step is to test the vehicles in autonomous mode with a driver on board, though a date for those efforts is TBD. A date for the company to start offering driverless rides is not yet set. Between the lines: The company also is meeting with c...
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Colorado teens hailed as heroes after Evergreen High School shooting
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Axios Denver, Approved, Local

Colorado teens hailed as heroes after Evergreen High School shooting

By Alayna Alvarez | Axios Denver The two teenage boys wounded in the Sept. 10 Evergreen High School shooting were injured while trying to stop the alleged gunman and save other students' lives, according to new details from authorities. The big picture: The revelations highlight their bravery in the middle of a nine-minute attack that left two students hospitalized and the suspected shooter dead. The latest: Authorities on Thursday said the second victim was a 14-year-old boy, whose family has yet to release his name. The other victim, identified earlier this month, is 18-year-old Matthew Silverstone. Zoom in: The younger teen's family said he and a friend confronted the assailant face-to-face before the 14-year-old was shot at close...
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Poll shows Trump policies unpopular yet Democrats face their own backlash
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Axios Denver, Approved, State

Poll shows Trump policies unpopular yet Democrats face their own backlash

By John Frank | Axios Denver President Trump and his policies are deeply unpopular in blue-state Colorado, according to a new independent poll, but the numbers still offer Republicans a glimmer of hope. Why it matters: The wide-ranging survey released Monday by Colorado-based Magellan Strategies comes a year before the 2026 midterm elections and reflects deep cynicism among voters toward both major parties. State of play: Trump's job approval in Colorado is 41% with 59% disapproving, a familiar upside-down result driven by the opposition to his agenda. Two out of every three Colorado voters view the One Big Beautiful Bill Act unfavorably. About 60% oppose Trump's cuts to federal agencies. 57% oppose the president's tariffs on foreign goo...
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Denver Mayor Accused of Political Purge After City Hall Layoffs
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Local, Approved, Axios Denver

Denver Mayor Accused of Political Purge After City Hall Layoffs

By: John Frank | Axios Denver Some Denver elected officials and laid-off staff are accusing Mayor Mike Johnston of weaponizing budget cuts to punish critics of his administration. The big picture: Their reproach reflects growing resentment at City Hall toward Johnston, whose governing style has frustrated many city policymakers. What they're saying: City Clerk and Recorder Paul López on Tuesday suggested this week's layoffs were retaliatory, calling them "part of a deliberate, hand-selected purge of those in the ranks who've … maintained responsibility and transparency in an administration that is neither." López also blamed job cuts on Johnston's "mishandling" of the city's budget. Councilmember Stacie Gilmore, a frequent challenger...
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Denver City Council Rejects Ranked Choice Voting in Narrow Vote
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Local, Approved, Axios Denver

Denver City Council Rejects Ranked Choice Voting in Narrow Vote

By Esteban L. Hernandez | Axios Denver The way Denver elects its mayors, city council members and other local officials is staying put for now. The latest: The Denver City Council voted 7-6 Monday night to reject putting a measure on the November ballot that would changed the city's municipal elections to a ranked choice voting method. The system lets voters rank multiple candidates in order of preference. Why it matters: The move could have reshaped how candidates campaign — and how voters choose — for Denver's top offices. State of play: Supporters said the new system would have increased voter turnout, save money and boost candidate engagement. The other side: Councilmember Kevin Flynn led opposition on the voting method. Flynn pointe...
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Denver City Council Eyes Risky Shift to Ranked-Choice Voting for Local Elections
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Local, Approved, Axios Denver

Denver City Council Eyes Risky Shift to Ranked-Choice Voting for Local Elections

By Esteban L. Hernandez | Axios Denver If Denver's current municipal election system isn't broken, why fix it? The big picture: It's a refrain from Denver City Council members opposing a bill that would change city elections to ranked choice voting. Yes, but: Despite reservations, they advanced the bill Tuesday to the full council. Why it matters: Voters may decide this fall whether to fundamentally change how local elections work. The other side: Council members who back the bill, including Sarah Parady and Darrell Watson, say it will boost turnout, increase candidate engagement with voters and save money. How it works: Ranked choice voting allows people to rank candidates in order of preference when multiple contestants are available (...
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Colorado Lawmakers Reject Federal Overtime Exemption Prioritizing Revenue Over Relief
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State, Approved, Axios Denver

Colorado Lawmakers Reject Federal Overtime Exemption Prioritizing Revenue Over Relief

By John Frank | AXIOS President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" would make some overtime pay exempt from federal income taxes. Yes, but: Colorado won't do the same. State of play: State lawmakers tucked a little-noticed provision into a lengthy tax bill earlier this year to decouple from federal law when it comes to overtime pay, starting in 2027. This means you'll have to pay Colorado's 4.4% income tax on overtime wages, state legislative analysts confirmed, even with a federal exemption. Context: Colorado typically aligns with federal tax law, meaning if there are tax exemptions at the federal level, they would apply to state taxes. In this case, the state decided to break from federal law if the spending bill passes. What they're saying: Rep. Lorena Garc...
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Polis’ $10M ‘bridge to nowhere’ sparks public backlash
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Approved, Axios Denver, State

Polis’ $10M ‘bridge to nowhere’ sparks public backlash

By John Frank | Axios To celebrate Colorado's 150th birthday, Gov. Jared Polis wants to build a pedestrian bridge to nowhere. Why it matters: The project — financed with public and private dollars — is generating significant opposition from those who say it would serve little purpose and upset the aesthetics of downtown Denver. Driving the news: Polis is the chief promoter of the overpass to connect the state Capitol grounds with the state-owned Veterans Park, just across Lincoln Street. He is soliciting donations from private entities, ranging from $10,000 to $1.5 million, including from interests with business in front of his administration. The bridge is set for completion in summer 2026. Yes, but: The design renderings for the 11,000-square-...
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Colorado lawmakers hike fees to fill budget gaps
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Approved, Axios Denver, State

Colorado lawmakers hike fees to fill budget gaps

By John Frank | Axios Denver If you own a car, run a restaurant or go to court, expect to pay more in fees in coming years. Why it matters: The Democratic majority at the state Capitol is using fees to fill spending gaps in an austere budget year — even though it works against their promises to reduce Coloradans' cost of living. Catch up quick: The small-dollar increases are easy to overlook, but a handful of bills would generate big money for the state. READ THE FULL STORY AT AXIOS DENVER
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