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| |  | Tents line a downtown Denver street as the city’s efforts to address homelessness draw national attention.. (Hyoung Chang / The Denver Post via Getty Images) |
| 🏠 Has Denver Found a Fix for Homelessness? | Denver is getting national attention for its approach to homelessness. In a New York Times opinion piece published on Tuesday, writer German Lopez argues that the city’s strategy could serve as a model for the country, citing a 64% drop in unsheltered homelessness since 2023. But not everyone agrees that Denver has found the solution. [New York Times🔒] | - A two-pronged approach: Mayor Mike Johnston’s strategy combines clearing homeless encampments from public spaces with expanded shelter options and social services. The city has converted hotels and created tiny-home communities so city officials have housing to offer people when they dismantle their encampments on the street. [New York Times 🔒]
- Across the pond: The New York Times isn’t the only major publication taking notice. In June, The Economist also highlighted Denver’s progress, suggesting the city’s approach may offer a solution for other American cities trying to solve homelessness. [The Economist 🔒]
- Not so fast: Not everyone is celebrating Denver’s national praise. “Other cities should not follow what Denver is doing,” Terese Howard of the Housekeys Action Network Denver told Westword, saying that increased policing has pushed unhoused residents out of sight. Even the mayor’s office acknowledges there’s more to do. “We don’t want anyone to think that we’re done,” spokesperson Jon Ewing said. [Westword]
- Families are still struggling: Despite Denver’s progress on street homelessness, several hundred families remain on the shelter waitlist. The city hopes to reduce that number to fewer than 100 and plans to open a new shelter for 20 families in Eyria-Swansea this fall. [Denverite]
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| | | Did you know young people make up 1 in 4 Denver voters? That’s real power, and voting is how we use it. | We’re New Era Colorado. We’ve registered nearly 250,000 young voters to make sure our generation has a seat at the table. | Make your voice heard. Drop off your ballot or vote in person by 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. | Be the change this election. | |
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| What Denver's Talking About |
|  | A stone chapel with a tall, pointed steeple, rounded entrance and circular windows stands underneath an overcast sky, surrounded by trees. (The Denver Post via Getty Images) |
| 🪦 Rest in Peace, Not in Pictures | Denver’s Fairmount Cemetery is reminding Halloween enthusiasts to respect the dead after staff discovered fake blood staining a private mausoleum and photos of people posing on gravestones. Photo shoots are welcome, according to cemetery staff, but require advance arrangements and a fee of $200 on weekdays and $275 on weekends. Goth fashion is fine, but fake blood, gory props and climbing on headstones are prohibited. [DenverPost🔒] | | ☀️ Not So Sunny | The City of Denver’s AI chatbot, Sunny, could be signing off after City Council voted 9-3 Tuesday to reject a five-year, $3.9 million contract extension. Council members raised concerns about inaccurate responses and AI replacing human workers. The chatbot’s funding is set to run out at the end of October. [DenverPost🔒] | - The mayor’s case for Sunny: Mayor Johnston’s office says about 40% of 311 customer service requests this year have come through Sunny and the city’s online reporting hub, and Sunny has a 90% customer satisfaction rating. Supporters argue the technology reduces wait times and frees up city employees to tackle more complicated issues. [DenverPost 🔒]
| | “I think artificial intelligence is a nightmare unfolding before our eyes.” | Paul Kashmann | Council Member for District 6 |
| | 🏈 A Protest on the Gridiron | Two Colorado Springs high schools are forfeiting football games against Parker’s Lutheran High School, following allegations of racist harassment at a Sept. 24 game against Sand Creek High School. Black cheerleaders from Sand Creek High School said they were subjected to racial slurs, monkey noises, and students whipping belts in their direction. Coronado High’s school district called for Lutheran to offer a “strong, unequivocal statement denouncing racism,” while Air Academy officially attributed its forfeit to coaching shortages. Lutheran says it condemns racism and is investigating the incident internally. [DenverPost🔒] | - Players speak out: Four Air Academy football players told student journalists they supported forfeiting their homecoming game in protest of the alleged behavior. “This is bigger than football,” senior Eli Malnar said, adding that he'd rather “do the right thing than get another win or loss.” [Denver Post🔒]
| | 🏡 Denver Metro Home Sales Drop 18.7% | Colorado’s housing market is cooling as rising mortgage rates are expected to slow home sales even more. According to -the Colorado Association of Realtors, single-family home sales fell 14.9% statewide between August 2025 and August 2026, with Douglas County seeing the biggest drop (down 25.3%) and Denver, Adams, and Larimer counties down about 20%. With 30-year mortgage rates hitting 7.5%, many would-be buyers are sitting on the sidelines, even as the statewide median single-family home price has dipped 0.9% to $575,000. [DenverPost🔒] |
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| | We’re spreading some local love! Our City Cast Denver Neighbors are back with more shoutouts celebrating the people, places, and organizations that make our city special! | | 📣 Joey B: “Shoutout to Loren Hansen and Colorado History Rides for their dedication to creating the most fun way to learn about Colorado!” | | 📣 Angelina D: “The best Indian food in Denver is at an unassuming spot called Curry & Grill 2 on 17th Ave. Everything is made from scratch, and the flavor is a revelation, dish by dish. Everyone I bring there is amazed.” | | 📣 Samantha S: “Buntport Theater! The Vampire of Lafayette plays Oct 2nd-Oct 25th. It is a comedy about Colorado vampire lore. Tickets are name-your-price.” |
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Before we go! A huge shoutout to our newest City Cast Neighbors, Virginia V., Pat W., Sharon G., Anna S., Zack F., and Anna S.! Your support helps us keep telling the stories that matter to Denver. | | We’re almost at the buzzer on our fall membership drive, but there’s still time to get in the game! Every new Neighbor helps us continue showing up for this city. If you have been thinking about joining, we’d love to have you! Become a Neighbor today! | | Keep looking out for each other Denver! Talk to you tomorrow! |
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