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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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Republican agenda gets rejected at Colorado capitol
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Approved, Axios Denver, State

Republican agenda gets rejected at Colorado capitol

By John Frank | Axios Denver GOP state senators started this legislative session with four bills they say would save Colorado families $4,500 a year by cutting regulations and fees. Why it matters: The legislation was doomed to fail in a Democratic-controlled Legislature. But it could force Democrats to take positions in favor of taxes and fees, which could haunt them on the campaign trail. State of play: Three of the GOP bills are dead and the other is not expected to advance. READ THE FULL STORY AT AXIOS DENVER
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Concealed carry permits spike in Denver as new rules loom
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Approved, Axios Denver, Local

Concealed carry permits spike in Denver as new rules loom

By Esteban L. Hernandez | Axios Denver Obtaining a concealed carry permit in Denver, already home to some of the state's strictest gun laws, will soon require additional steps. The big picture: A state law taking effect July 1 will add new requirements for obtaining concealed carry licenses, including mandating eight hours of in-person instruction and passing a live-fire test, where a person must shoot a minimum of 50 rounds. Why it matters: The new law will add barriers for responsible gun owners, including costlier training for a permit type that's grown in popularity over the past five years, as Colorado's gun laws grow increasingly restrictive. Yes, but: The city's chief compliance officer, Mary Dulacki, tells us she doesn't presume the new req...
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New law lets Colorado colleges cut checks to student athletes
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Approved, Axios Denver, State

New law lets Colorado colleges cut checks to student athletes

By Alayna Alvarez | Axios Denver Colorado universities can now put student athletes on the payroll for their name, image and likeness (NIL) rights — but what they're paid is off-limits to the public. Why it matters: The move aligns Colorado with a federal settlement (House v. NCAA) that will soon force colleges to share sports revenue with athletes. But it also shields those contracts from public records requests, raising bipartisan alarms about transparency. Catch up quick: The NCAA and its five power conferences voted last spring to let schools directly pay athletes — a seismic shift for a league that has long sought to maintain the amateur nature of college sports, Axios' Sareen Habeshian writes. Driving the news: Last week, Gov. Jared Polis signed C...
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