Plus, new details on Denver’s DNC finalist bid ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Friday, August 21 

Your Daily Guide

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Today's Must-Know

Joe Biden and Barack Obama stand on stage in suits waving at the crowd

The Democratic National Convention has not been held in Denver since 2008, when former President Barack Obama accepted the party’s nomination for the first time. (Brian Baer / Sacramento Bee / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

🇺🇲 Denver Named a Finalist for 2028 DNC

Yesterday, the Democratic National Committee announced Denver as one of three finalists for the 2028 Democratic National Convention, alongside Philadelphia and Boston. The last time Denver hosted the DNC was nearly two decades ago, when former President Barack Obama accepted his party’s nomination in 2008.

  • What cities are out? The latest decision eliminates Atlanta and Chicago from the running. Party leaders cited factors like access to fundraising groups, suburban areas, and key demographics playing a role in the decision. [AP News]
  • What does Denver say? Mayor Mike Johnston praised the Democratic Party’s choice of finalists. "We proved what this city could do when we hosted in 2008, and we’ve only gotten better since," the mayor said. "Today, Denver blends modern transit, world-class venues, and a thriving hospitality scene with the unbeatable energy of the Rocky Mountain West.” [9News]
  • What happens next? The DNC Committee will now spend “several months” choosing the final city, which will host the DNC Aug. 7-10, 2028. The Republican Party will host its 2028 convention in Houston. [CBS News]
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How Denver Is Fighting Childhood Food Insecurity

Since 2019, Denver’s voter-approved Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids initiative has distributed more than $100 million to 118 organizations — serving over 100,000 families annually and delivering 55 million pounds of food. The results speak for themselves. 99% of families report less worry about their next meal, and 92% say they’re eating more vegetables. Hear the full story on the latest City Cast Denver podcast episode featuring Program Supervisor Lauren Howe.

What Denver's Talking About

Brewpub interior with red lights on the ceiling and leather chairs

The now-vacant Blue Moon Brewing could soon become a Sprouts, alleviating what some still consider to be a food desert in RiNo. (John Leyba / The Denver Post via Getty Images)

🍅 Could RiNo Get Another Grocery Store?

Developer Bernard Hurley, who owns the 36,000 square foot building that formerly housed Blue Moon Brewing in RiNo, wants to turn the vacant space into a Sprouts. Proponents say having another grocery store would benefit the entire community and offer more than just the “specialty items” available at Natural Grocers. The RiNo Improvement District Board is debating its role in funding the project, which still needs about $4 million. [Business Den 🔐]

🇲🇽 Two Denver Restaurants Make NYT’s Best Restaurants List

Two Denver restaurants — La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal and Alma Fonda Fina — made the New York Times’ recent list of the best Mexican restaurants across the United States. Both eateries have received recognition over the past few years, with Alma Fonda Fina winning a 2024 Michelin star and La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand mention. [Westword]

🏀 The Nuggets Get a New Broadcast Team

Altitude Sports announced a new broadcast team for The Denver Nuggets. Play-by-play announcer Noah Read, along with former NBA player and studio analyst Jason Richardson, join Altitude for the first time. Katy Winge, who served as a host and reporter for Altitude, is being promoted to lead color analyst alongside Reed. [9News]

🛴 Yes, People Are Using Veo

New data from Veo shows a 12% increase in micromobility rides in May and June of 2026 compared to the same period the previous year. Veo Access, the income-based affordability program that provides eligible Denverites with 60 minutes of free riding, is also off to a hot start: More than 8,500 riders are enrolled in the program, and in May and June 2026, 42% of all Veo trips were taken by Veo Access riders. [Press Release from Veo]

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Protect your health on high ozone days

Hot, high ozone days can aggravate asthma and impact your health! Find ways to exercise outdoors when summer ozone levels are lower: in the morning, and closer to sunset. Know when it matters most: text “BetterAirCO” to 21000 to sign up for timely ozone alerts, or visit SimpleStepsBetterAir.org.

Locals, like the rest of the country, are drinking less. Here are some creative ways local bars and restaurants are adapting to the sober-curious trend (mocktails are just the tip of the ice cube).

— Michelle Polizzi

Thanks to Paul Karolyi and Lizzie Goldsmith for editing the newsletter this week.

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