Your Daily Guide

💡 Federal Government Considers Suing Denver Over Energy Policy

The federal government last month signalled that it might join a lawsuit filed by multiple real estate associations against the state of Colorado and the city of Denver over their green energy policies. The suit argues that both are in violation of the United States’ Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which they say promotes national consistency in what HVAC products are sold across the country.

• What are the policies in question? Commercial buildings are a major contributor to greenhouse gasses in Colorado. That’s why the city adopted the Energize Denver standard in 2021, which aims to reduce natural gas use in commercial buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, with the intention of cutting emissions by 80%. At the state level, Colorado’s Air Pollution Control Division implemented new building energy performance standards, dubbed Regulation 28, in 2023. [Colorado.gov]
• Motion to dismiss: U.S. District Court judge Regina Rodriguez previously dismissed the corporate landlords’ lawsuit in April 2025, but the plaintiffs have since amended their complaint. Rodriguez is reportedly considering their argument that local and state laws violate national laws promoting consistency in products allowed to be sold and used across the country.
• What are the plaintiffs arguing: “Our concern with that is our members have perfectly good, well-maintained operating equipment that they don't want to waste and have to spend millions of dollars to buy a different kind of equipment that Denver finds to be more politically acceptable,” attorney Paul Seby of Greenberg Traurig told Denver Business Journal.
• Efforts to curb commercial emissions: A recent report shows that Energize Denver, along with other citywide climate policies, have helped Denver cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5%. [Denver Gazette]

🏊 Unionized Workers Escalate Fight Against Casa Bonita

Denverites have been following the Casa Bonita saga for years, as Matt Stone and Trey Parker bought the dilapidated landmark in 2021, spent millions to “change nothing, improve everything,” and reopen to much adulation (and only a little bit of grousing). Now CNN is covering the latest turn in Matt and Trey’s negotiations with Actors Equity, the performers’ union escalating its demands for better pay and safer conditions at Casa Bonita. [ 🎧 City Cast Denver]

• Our man inside the Pink Palace: Comedian, union member, and part-time gorilla Joshua Emerson is back on the podcast today to give us the inside story on the negotiations.

📢 Democratic Socialists Look to Build on Kiros Victory

Until Melat Kiros beat Diana DeGette in the CD1 primary earlier this month, no socialist candidate had won a state or federal primary in Colorado. Now, Kiros is setting her sights on winning the general election, and the Denver DSA is focusing on opposing two state ballot measures targeting transgender youth in November. [Denverite]

🏠 Domestic Violence is Up, Support Services Dwindle

Cuts in federal funding have made it harder for organizations across Colorado to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Some states have dedicated funds to fill in gaps left by national cuts, but Colorado doesn’t, causing “catastropic” effects, according to Violence Free Colorado, a coalition of service providers with about 45 members across the state. Meanwhile, domestic violence-related deaths are rising in Denver, spiking 46% between 2019 and 2025. [Colorado Sun; Axios Denver]

💸 14 PNC Banks to Close After FirstBank Acquisition

PNC Bank informed federal regulators late last month of plans to shutter 14 branch locations across Colorado, including two in Arvada, one in Commerce City, and one in Lakewood’s Belmar area. The closures stem from PNC’s $4.1 billion acquisition of FirstBank, which was first reported in September of last year. As part of the merger, PNC informed the Colorado Department of Labor in April of plans to eliminate 777 jobs. [Denver Post 🔒]

• Are you a former FirstBank customer? We’ve heard about some customers facing uncertainty accessing their accounts and other issues. We would love to hear what it’s been like for you. Reply to this email and let’s talk!

🏗️ Vacant Office Building Faces Demolition

A Capitol Hill office building that’s been sitting vacant for more than a decade is likely to be demolished, according to a permit submitted to the city. Previously, neighbors considered pursuing historic designation for the brutalist-style building at 1300 Logan St., which was built in 1976, but they decided not to apply. [Denver Business Journal 🔒]

• A long read to go: As downtown offices remain vacant, some developers are talking about tearing down underutilized buildings. DBJ’s Catie Cheshire went deep on the demolition debate.