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Article Icon 1Denver Begins City Layoffs

A one-week layoff notification period for City of Denver employees began yesterday, Aug. 18, as the city seeks to close a $250 million budget shortfall.

Mayor Johnston confirmed the layoffs earlier this summer, citing projected deficits of $50 million and $200 million for 2025 and 2026. Employees will receive severance packages based on years of service.

In July, Denver replaced its seniority-based system for determining layoffs with a merit-based approach, reducing protections for longtime employees.

The city confirmed that 171 filled positions will be cut, along with 665 vacant roles. However, some union leaders have speculated that as many as 30% of the city’s roughly 12,000 employees could ultimately be affected.

Article Icon 1Xcel Proposal Gains Metro Support

The Metro Mayors Caucus last week sent a letter urging state regulators to support Xcel’s $4.9 billion, five-year plan to accommodate electrification growth by modernizing the power grid.

The plan calls for an additional 3.1 gigawatts of capacity, enough to power nearly 500,000 homes. By 2029, it would cost residential Colorado ratepayers and business customers an extra $8.71 and $10.24 per month, respectively.

The caucus, which represents 38 Denver metro municipalities, says Colorado faces economic and infrastructure risks if Xcel’s capacity request isn’t approved.

Xcel is also seeking approval for Phase 1 of its Just Transition plan, which aims to meet future demand driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, and electric vehicles.

Article Icon 1CPW Weighs Rescue Fee Increase

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is considering a surcharge increase amid rising demand for the state’s backcountry search-and-rescue (BSAR) teams.

CPW currently charges a $0.25 BSAR surcharge on most wildlife licenses, including hunting and fishing, and certain vehicle permits. The fee generates about $500,000 per year for BSAR.

While rescue incidents have doubled since 2009, the fee hasn’t changed since 1987. The proposed hike would raise it to $1.25, generating an additional $2 million annually for the program.

CPW is reaching out to potentially impacted communities and stakeholders to discuss the proposal. It also invites the public to provide feedback at hearings in August and November.

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Around Colorado

Aspen Springs: Police arrested two men on charges of fourth-degree arson in connection with the 75-acre Oak Fire, which officials say started from an illegal burn. (See Details)

Western Slope: The Lee Fire is now 61% contained at 137,485 acres, 300 acres short of becoming Colorado’s fourth-largest wildfire, officials said Monday. (More)

Mesa County: The Colorado Attorney General’s Office has requested the dismissal of a habeas corpus petition filed by former clerk Tina Peters, arguing the federal court has no jurisdiction in the case. (See Details)

Grand County: The sheriff’s office is enforcing a “zero-tolerance” policy for dangerous driving amid a recent surge in fatal traffic accidents. (See Details)

Grand Junction: Police arrested a man on trespassing, criminal mischief, and other charges for allegedly jumping from rooftop to rooftop of several homes, then fleeing officers on foot. (More)

Loveland: Denver cut off Loveland’s access to Flock license plate data following reports that Loveland Police shared the data with U.S. Border Patrol. (See Details)


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Colorado Sports

➤ Two Rockies infielders collided Sunday while pursuing a pop fly against the Diamondbacks, but they secured the out. The moment drew laughs on the field. No injuries were reported. (See Catch)

➤ Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village was named the nation’s top athletic program by MaxPreps after winning nine state titles in 2024–25, the first Colorado school to ever earn the honor. (More)

➤ Deion Sanders, University of Colorado football head coach, is featured in a new Netflix docuseries debuting today on the Dallas Cowboys’ 1990s NFL dynasty. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | LLWS

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Colorado Business

Garfield County commissioners approved a permit request by TEP Rocky Mountain LLC for the development of 39 new gas wells outside Rifle. (See Details)

A survey of Colorado teachers found that over 50% spend more than the recommended share of income on housing, and nearly 60% would be interested in district-provided affordable housing. (More)

Sports betting tax revenue hit a new high of $37 million for the 2025 fiscal year, up nearly 21% from the previous year. The revenue is used to fund the Colorado Water Plan. (See Details)

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Et Cetera

Golden retrievers, Chihuahuas, and Labrador retrievers are Denver’s three most popular dog breeds, according to a new study of breed popularity by city. (See List)

Escaped goats wandered onto Interstate 70 near New Castle on Friday after breaking through a fence, causing a brief road closure and traffic delay. (See Goats)

The P.S. Lounge, a cash-only Denver dive bar first opened in the 1980s, lands on a list of the 50 best dive bars in America. (See List)

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The Poll

Are you a cat or dog person?

  1. Cat person
  2. Dog person
  3. Both
  4. Neither
 

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you take your coffee?

  1. Black: 23%
  2. Don’t drink it: 18%
  3. With cream/half-and-half: 17%
  4. With sugar/sweeteners: 17%
  5. With milk: 13%
  6. Other: 12%
Colorado Trivia

At least 25 underground coal fires are burning within 10 miles of what Colorado town?

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