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Denver Minimum Wage Increase Raises Questions Over Prices, Jobs, and Affordability
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Denver Minimum Wage Increase Raises Questions Over Prices, Jobs, and Affordability

By Sophia Villalba | Denver7 DENVER — Denver's minimum wage will rise to $19.84 an hour on Jan. 1, renewing debate over how higher labor costs affect workers and businesses. Some say the increase is necessary, while others say the higher wages could impact business operations. Every business owner implements cost-cutting methods however they can. At Elemental Bakery and Coffeehouse, owner Cindy Wright chooses to take on more work herself to save some money. “Instead of hiring a dish person, we all do the dishes. We're not looking to raise prices or anything right now,” Elemental Bakery & Coffeehouse owner Cindy Wright said. Spending is top of mind, especially with another minimum wage increase on the horizon. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT DENVE...
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Megan Trussell’s Legacy Drives New Colorado Missing Student Law
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DENVER7, Approved, State

Megan Trussell’s Legacy Drives New Colorado Missing Student Law

By Danielle Kreutter | Denver7 Denver7 sits down with the parents of Megan Trussell, a CU student who was found dead in Boulder days after going missing, who championed the new law. DENVER — Megan Trussell's parents hope her legacy is one of justice and integrity. Through their support of SB26-120, which went into effect Aug. 12, they hope they continue to strive for that. "I hope that Megan is remembered. And, she is remembered as the person she was. As the unique, funny, magnetic person that she was," said Joe Trussell, Megan's father. The University of Colorado student disappeared in February 2025 and was found dead days later. Megan's parents have long been critical of the response when she first went missing. "One of the most frust...
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Six Colorado Traffic Laws Take Effect With New Rules for Drivers and School Zones
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DENVER7, Approved, State

Six Colorado Traffic Laws Take Effect With New Rules for Drivers and School Zones

By Ethan Carlson | Denver7 Laws named for Magnus White and Liam Stewart are among six traffic safety measures now in effect, with four more set to take effect before year's end. DENVER — Six significant traffic safety laws took effect across Colorado on Wednesday, and the families who fought for them gathered at the State Capitol to mark the moment. Lawmakers, advocates and relatives of people killed in vehicle collisions joined AAA, MADD, The White Line and Bicycle Colorado at a news conference in the Capitol's West Foyer to discuss what the new laws mean for Colorado drivers. Among the laws now in effect is Magnus's Law, named for Magnus White, who was killed at age 17 on July 29, 2023, while riding his bicycle in Boulder. The law mandates that an offic...
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Aurora Keeps Door Open to Data Centers While Pursuing New Regulations
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DENVER7, Approved, Local

Aurora Keeps Door Open to Data Centers While Pursuing New Regulations

By Adria Iraheta | Denver7 The Aurora City Council voted 6-5 against a temporary moratorium on data center construction, but passed a separate resolution to establish development standards. AURORA, Colo. — Aurora's City Council voted against a temporary ban on data center construction Monday night, even as residents raised concerns about environmental impacts and energy consumption. The council voted 6-5 to reject an emergency resolution introduced by Council Member Amy Wiles that would have placed a six-month moratorium on data center construction while development standards were adopted. The mayor cast the tiebreaking vote. Instead, the council passed a resolution introduced by Council Member Curtis Gardner to establish development standards for data centers...
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Colorado Customers Push Back as Xcel Seeks Another Rate Increase
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DENVER7, Approved, State

Colorado Customers Push Back as Xcel Seeks Another Rate Increase

By Allie Jennerjahn | Denver7 Denver7's Jefferson County reporter Allie Jennerjahn has more on Xcel Energy's proposed rate increase to $166 million, which customers say is making their bills already unmanageable. DENVER — Colorado residents are pushing back on Xcel Energy's latest request for a rate increase, with some telling Denver7 their electric bills are already stretching household budgets to the breaking point — especially during a stretch of intense summer heat. Xcel Energy proposed a $225 million rate increase that would have raised customers' monthly electric bills by about 6%. Last week, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reduced that request to closer to $185 million. "A technical conference where Xcel will calculate the impact of the Commission...
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Colorado Fire Departments Sound Alarm Over Staffing and Funding Shortfalls
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DENVER7, Approved, State

Colorado Fire Departments Sound Alarm Over Staffing and Funding Shortfalls

By Veronica Acosta | Denver7 LAKEWOOD, Colo. — A new statewide assessment found two-thirds of Colorado fire departments can't fund their full operations, and nearly 80% can't afford the equipment and staffing they say they need — a gap agencies like West Metro Fire Rescue say is now pushing them toward asking voters for more money. Colorado's fire departments are being asked to do more than ever, and a new state report shows most of them don't have the money to keep up. The 2026 Colorado Fire Service Needs Assessment, released this month by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), surveyed 122 of the state's roughly 340 fire departments and found that two in three — 66.4% — say their current funding isn't enough to run all of their department's oper...
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New Colorado Gun Restrictions Slow Sales and Frustrate Lawful Buyers
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DENVER7, Approved, State

New Colorado Gun Restrictions Slow Sales and Frustrate Lawful Buyers

By: Danielle Kreutter | Denver7 Denver7's South Metro reporter Danielle Kreutter spoke to the manager at Englewood's The Shootist about the business impact of SB25-003. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Gun stores in Colorado are already seeing the impact of a new gun law that places new limits on certain semi-automatic weapons that went into effect at the beginning of this month. Business has been slow at The Shootist Gun Range in Englewood. It's a stark change compared to the record breaking sales they saw in the last few weeks. The new law makes it illegal to sell certain semi-automatic guns without the buyer first getting an eligibility card from a sheriff, then taking additional safety and education courses. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT DENVER7
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Federal Judge Blocks DOJ Bid for Colorado’s Unredacted Voter Rolls
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DENVER7, Approved, State

Federal Judge Blocks DOJ Bid for Colorado’s Unredacted Voter Rolls

By: Jessica Porter | Denver7 DENVER — A federal judge ruled the Trump administration cannot access Colorado's unredacted voter rolls, marking the Justice Department's 20th consecutive legal loss on the issue. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer dismissed the case Monday, saying the DOJ did not have a valid purpose for obtaining the information and is not legally entitled to the records. The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again. "This is one more victory against an attempt to take control by Trump and the federal government over our nation's elections, and it's one more loss for Trump and the DOJ," Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT DENVER7
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Montezuma County Sheriff Declines to Enforce Colorado Gun Law Citing Constitution and Costs
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DENVER7, Approved, Local

Montezuma County Sheriff Declines to Enforce Colorado Gun Law Citing Constitution and Costs

By: Robert Garrison | Denver7 CORTEZ, Colo. — Montezuma County Sheriff Steven Nowlin announced Monday that his office will not participate in a new Colorado gun law, citing funding, staffing and constitutional concerns. Senate Bill 25-003, which took effect Aug. 1, adds new requirements for purchasing certain semiautomatic firearms, including obtaining a five-year eligibility card from a local sheriff's office and completing an in-person safety course. “As a Colorado Sheriff, and every member of the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, each of us has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Colorado, and perform the duties of the Office of Sheriff in Colorado by protecting those rights for all citizens in Montezum...
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Denver Street Takeover Ends Without Arrests Despite Dangerous Stunt Driving and Fireworks
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Uncategorized, Approved, DENVER7, Local

Denver Street Takeover Ends Without Arrests Despite Dangerous Stunt Driving and Fireworks

By: Kaylee Harter | Denver7 Video shows cars doing donuts, fireworks, and what appears to be something on fire at the intersection of Broadway and Mississippi. DENVER — No arrests were made, and no citations were issued after an "illegal street takeover" late Friday night and early Saturday morning, according to a Denver police spokesperson. Video captured by neighbors at the intersection of Broadway and Mississippi and shared with Denver7 shows cars doing donuts, fireworks, and what appears to be something on fire in the intersection. "The reckless driving and blocking of an intersection seen in the videos are incredibly dangerous and concerning," DPD spokesperson Doug Schepman said in an email to Denver7. One person who had posted video of the inciden...
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