Home Rule Cities Challenge Housing Laws

Six home rule municipalities—Greenwood Village, Arvada, Aurora, Glendale, Lafayette, and Westminster—are suing Gov. Jared Polis and the state of Colorado over new housing laws they claim usurp local authority.

The lawsuit targets a set of laws, particularly two that require cities to allow higher-density housing near transit and limit minimum parking requirements, arguing they infringe on home rule and preempt community planning.

It also challenges the constitutionality of Polis’ order to withhold over $100 million in state grants—intended for transportation, energy, and economic development—from communities that fail to comply.

In response to the suit, Polis’ office said housing is an “issue of state concern,” and interjurisdictional laws are necessary to address the state’s housing shortage.

Colorado Population Growing Older

Colorado’s median age has climbed to 38.5 as birth rates decline, in-state migration slows, and longtime residents age in place, according to the state demographer.

Though Colorado is still one of the youngest states, it has seen the third-fastest growth in its 65-plus population, which rose 58% between 2010 and 2020.

Among Coloradans aged 65 and older, more than 22% are still in the labor force, nearly double the rate from 2000. Older Coloradans are also largely staying put, with 94% living in the same house as one year ago.

State forecasts suggest the aging trend will continue in the decades ahead.

Kangaroo Escapes in Durango Again

Durango police officers were called to help catch a “repeat offender” on Monday: Irwin the kangaroo, who escaped for the second time in less than a year.

Irwin, a red kangaroo owned by a local resident, went viral last October after escaping from his home and leading officers on a brief chase through the neighborhood.

Police said Irwin made a “return appearance” this week when he got loose again. See video here.

As before, officers safely wrangled the kangaroo, loaded him into a patrol car, and returned him to his owner.

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➤ Statewide: Recovery efforts and damage assessments are underway in Adams and Elbert counties, where at least four tornadoes damaged at least 25 homes on Sunday. (See Details)

➤ Security-Widefield: Deputies arrested a man who allegedly threatened residents while brandishing two large swords in a neighborhood on Sunday. (More)

➤ Ouray: A woman was hospitalized after a bear charged her in an alley on Saturday. Wildlife officials say it’s unclear if the bear caused her injuries. (More)

➤ Fremont County: Authorities have begun the first phase of a project costing more than $850,000 to extinguish a large coal pile that’s been burning for over two decades. (See Details)

➤ I-25: A dynamic tolling system between Monument and Castle Rock has boosted traffic throughput by 20%, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. (See Details)

➤ Aurora: Jeanette Vizguerra, an immigration activist who was detained on March 17 and remains in ICE custody in Aurora, was named a recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. (More)

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➤ The Colorado Rockies’ dismal season hit another bump Monday as they blew a 3-1 lead and fell 9-3 to the Philadelphia Phillies. (More)

➤ Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon criticized the NBA’s tight playoff schedule in a recent interview, saying limited rest between games leads to lower-level basketball. (More)

➤ Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders has officially signed his rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns, agreeing to terms on a four-year deal worth $4.6 million. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | WNBA | NHL | NCAAB | Soccer

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➤ Noodles & Company, a Colorado-based fast-casual chain, plans to close up to 21 restaurants across the U.S. this year amid ongoing financial uncertainty. (See Details)

➤ The Westwood neighborhood in Denver is the planned site of a new $56 million recreation center, opening summer 2027, along with a $3 million bike trail slated for this fall. (See Details)

➤ The Breakfast Inn, a Denver restaurant in business for more than 50 years, announced it will close on June 8 after the property’s lease was not renewed. (More)

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➤ Children’s Hospital Colorado hosted a prom night for teens with serious medical conditions, welcoming over 100 patients and guests to a glamorous evening at Coors Field. (See Photos)

➤ Students who took a landscaping class at Greeley West High School helped beautify downtown Greeley by designing, planting, and irrigating flower beds for the summer. (More)

➤ The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, a demonstration squadron known for precise, high-speed aerial maneuvers, will return to Loveland when they headline the Great Colorado Airshow this September. (See Details)

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Would you keep a kangaroo as a pet?

1. Absolutely
2. No way
3. Maybe

Yesterday’s Results:

When does Christmas season start?

1. After Thanksgiving: 39%
2. After Halloween: 17%
3. In December: 16%
4. It never ends: 14%
5. Advent Sunday: 14%

What is Colorado’s official state flower?

Show me the answer