Your Daily Guide

🌇 Is Downtown Denver Poised For a Comeback?

Despite headlines about empty offices and downtown’s post-pandemic struggles, renowned urbanist Richard Florida says Denver’s best days are still ahead. After spending 18 months studying the city on a contract with the Downtown Denver Partnership, Florida released a new report last week outlining how downtown can reinvent itself by focusing less on office workers and more on housing, creativity, entertainment, and community. [Denver Business Journal 🔒]

• Empty offices, big opportunities: Downtown Denver’s office vacancy rate hit 40.1% in the third quarter of 2026, according to CBRE, but Florida sees those empty spaces as opportunities. [Denver Gazette]
• More than a 9-to-5 destination: With professional sports venues, universities, cultural attractions, and transit connections, Florida believes Denver has the ingredients to become a downtown where people come to live, work, and play.
• Convention slowdown ahead: After a record-breaking 2025, Denver’s convention industry is bracing for a quieter 2027. Convention center business is projected to be 17% below 2026 levels, due to pandemic-era booking disruptions. [Denver Business Journal 🔒]
• A way to measure success: Rather than judging downtown by empty office buildings, Florida argues Denver should focus on foot traffic, social connections, and how people actually use the city. His report says downtown foot traffic has rebounded to roughly 90% pre-pandemic levels.

🗳️ The Denver Post Weighs In On the AG Race

In a new editorial, The Denver Post endorsed Republican Michael Allen over Democrat Jena Griswold in the race to replace outgoing Attorney General Phil Weiser. The editorial board cited Allen’s nearly six years as district attorney for El Paso and Teller counties, his courtroom experience, and his willingness to challenge members of his own party, including President Donald Trump. The board also raised concerns about management issues and security lapses during Griswold’s tenure as secretary of state, while acknowledging her record of challenging the Trump administration. [The Denver Post 🔒]

🏈 Denver’s Stadium Plans Are Taking Shape

The city has released a draft plan guiding development across more than 800 acres surrounding Burnham Yard, the Broncos’ preferred site for a new stadium. The proposal calls for buildings up to 12 stories in parts of the redevelopment area, new road and transit connections, and measures to protect longtime residents and businesses from displacement. [9News]

• Want the backstory? We’re revisiting the mysterious land deals surrounding the Bronco’s stadium plans in today’s podcast 👇

🥫 Colorado Food Banks Are Feeling the Squeeze

Rising grocery prices and cuts to federal food assistance are pushing more Coloradans to seek help, including families who have never relied on food pantries before. Roughly 40,000 Coloradans have lost SNAP benefits over the past year, while the Adams County Emergency Food Bank has welcomed 3,400 new people since January. [Colorado Newsline]

⚡ Aurora’s Data Center Debate Heats Up Again

After rejecting a temporary ban this summer, Aurora City Council is set to vote today on an indefinite pause on new data center applications. The reversal follows mounting opposition to the proposed 861,866-square-foot Trident Data Center near E-470 and East 48th Avenue. Residents have raised concerns about the project’s proximity to homes and lack of public say. Mayor Mike Coffman says the pause would give the city time to establish stronger regulations, though it may not stop the Trident project, whose application was already submitted. [Westword]