Report: Housing Shortfall Improves

Colorado’s housing deficit has improved since its peak in 2019, but the affordability gap has widened, according to a report released by Gov. Jared Polis and the State Demography Office.

In 2023, the most recent year with available data, Colorado needed about 106,000 housing units, down 25% from the 2019 peak of 140,000 units. The SDO credits the improvement to slower population growth and increased housing production.

While the shortfall has lessened, affordability has worsened. From 2000 to 2023, housing costs increased by 223%, while income rose by 144%, creating the largest affordability gap in more than 20 years.

The SDO acknowledged the need for additional steps to address the state’s housing crisis, particularly as the market has faced evolving challenges since 2023.

CU Regent to Challenge Rep. DeGette

University of Colorado Regent Wanda James is running to unseat Rep. Diana DeGette, Colorado’s longest-serving member of Congress, in a rare intraparty contest for the state’s 1st Congressional District.

The district, encompassing Denver, is Colorado’s safest Democratic seat. DeGette has held it since 1997, with little opposition; a Republican last held it in 1973.

While few of DeGette’s past challengers have gained traction, James believes her name recognition, political acumen, and tenure as regent position her for a stronger campaign.

In July, the CU Board of Regents voted 7-1 to censure James, a dispensary owner, for comments she’d made about CU’s anti-marijuana public health campaign.

Pueblo Chile Festival Kicks Off

The 31st annual Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival kicks off in downtown Pueblo at 3 p.m. today and runs through the weekend, ending 5 p.m. Sunday.

In addition to street vendors, cooking competitions, and plenty of Pueblo chiles, the festival will feature hot-air balloons, a jalapeño-eating contest, a Chihuahua parade, and live music.

Comedian George Lopez will perform tonight at Pueblo Memorial Hall as part of the festival. Tickets to the show include one-time admission to the Chile & Frijoles Festival.

Single-day tickets start at $6, with free admission for young children and active-duty military. Find out more at the festival’s website.

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➤ Evergreen: The family of Matthew Silverstone, one of two students shot at Evergreen High School, spoke publicly for the first time since the shooting, saying he faces what could “potentially be a lifelong recovery.” (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Multi-state negotiations on how to manage the Colorado River’s water supply beyond August 2026 have continued to stall ahead of a federal Nov. 11 deadline. (See Details)

➤ Firestone: A Weld County judge sided with the Central Weld County Water District in the town’s ongoing water bill dispute, clearing the way for a potential water shutoff. (See Details)

➤ Costilla County: Fort Garland plans to reinstate water sales to county residents living outside town limits after abruptly shutting them off in August. (See Details)

➤ Lakewood: Police are seeking the public’s help identifying a suspect believed to have burglarized several local churches, stealing musical instruments and electronics. (More)

➤ Loveland: The 64-year-old man accused of setting fire to a local family’s Charlie Kirk memorial has a history of politically motivated incidents, according to police reports. (See Details)

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➤ The Colorado Avalanche may be without starting goalie Mackenzie Blackwood to open the NHL season as he recovers from an offseason injury. He’s listed as week to week ahead of the Oct. 9 opener. (More)

➤ Roosevelt High School’s Kyla Hollier committed to Colorado State to play college basketball, ending a years-long recruiting effort that started in eighth grade. (More)

➤ Coach Deion Sanders is making another Colorado Buffaloes quarterback change, benching Ryan Staub after one game for Kaidon Salter. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NCAAF | MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ The Mayor of Lamar sent a letter to Buc-ee’s CEO, asking the travel center to consider Lamar, rather than Palmer Lake, for the site of its next Colorado location. (See Details)

➤ Waymo, a driverless rideshare service, has begun test-driving its vehicles in Denver. Denver International Airport said it will work with the company to bring Waymo service to DIA. (See Details)

➤ The Penrose Room, a fine-dining restaurant at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, has reopened to guests. Alongside panoramic views of Cheyenne Mountain, the restaurant now features a lounge, a whiskey room, and a speakeasy. (See Photos)

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➤ Annabelle Carlson, a teenage shark attack survivor from Aspen, shared her story of survival, road to recovery, and plans to help others by donating first aid kits. (Read Story)

➤ The Silt Steampunk ‘Storical Shindig, a festival with costume contests, absinthe demonstrations, and tea duels, returns to Silt—just west of Glenwood Springs—on Saturday. (See Details)

➤ Pirate Fest 2025 takes place today and tomorrow in Northglenn. The free two-day event features costumes, live music, sword fighting, the crowning of a Pirate King, and more. (See Details)

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How do you feel about Pueblo chiles?

1. Love them
2. Too spicy for me
3. Not spicy enough
4. Never tried them
5. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you excited for the season’s first snow?

1. Not really: 46%
2. Can’t wait: 27%
3. A little: 27%

What was The Broadmoor before it was a hotel?

Show me the answer