Denver Westword

Our annual #bestofdenver edition is here 🐮 Browse editorial picks and readers’ choice winners in categories like arts & entertainment, food & drink, shopping & services and so much more ✨ Read it online now: westword.com/bestof

Mark Elworth is running for Congress on a platform of legalizing cocaine and prostitution: westword.com/news/colorado-cd5-candidate-wants-legal-cocaine-prostitution-40952293/

The family behind the business that has been making stained glass in Colorado for more than a century is looking toward the future. https://www.westword.com/arts-culture/watkins-stained-glass-still-glows-40948729/

While vegan restaurants around the nation are shuttering their doors, Denver has welcomed three new entirely plant-based eateries in the last four months: westword.com/food-drink/denver-vegan-restaurants-finding-success-40951407/

More than $47 million in expenditures have been reported by issue committees in 2026: westword.com/news/millions-dark-money-spent-colorado-ballot-measures-40954124/

Limon has around 2,000 people and few tourist attractions, and we've all heard of it: westword.com/news/why-so-many-colorado-highway-signs-point-to-limon-40952405/

In a time so divided, is it possible to date someone who votes across party lines? westword.com/arts-culture/help-my-boyfriend-is-a-republican-40948494/

The Golden food hall says it wasn't aware of the event, set for Saturday, Oct 24: westword.com/news/unvaxxed-dating-event-likely-canceled-by-planned-venue-again-with-similar-confusion-40952381/

Veteran Denver drummer forms supergroup with members of The Bollweevils, Bear Away, Methadones, Sludgeworth and Violets. 🔗 https://www.westword.com/music/the-pressure-set-punk-supergroup-rob-burleson-spells-40951988/

Hard name to say, fun act to see play. This Quebec-based duo just announced an American tour, and we're lucky enough to get a date next spring: westword.com/music/angine-de-poitrine-denver-mission-ballroom-40951537/

Shops like Giò Chả Cali in Little Saigon serve steamed sausages and cured meat worth seeking out: westword.com/food-drink/vietnamese-deli-denver-federal-little-saigon-40951697/

Thousands of birds fly over Denver every fall, but they're in trouble. Here's everything you need to know in order to help them. https://www.westword.com/arts-culture/what-birds-to-look-for-during-denvers-fall-migration-season-40948405/

There are nearly 50 drop-off boxes scattered around Denver, all open 24/7 through election night: westword.com/news/map-where-to-drop-off-your-ballot-in-denver-40951240/

A recent email from one of the leaders of an effort to exclude transgender students from school sports called Colorado’s first openly trans legislator a “tr*nny” and other derogatory names: westword.com/news/emails-man-behind-trans-athlete-ban-colorado-slurs-40951239/

The Rocky Mountain Vampire Family is a community of Coloradans who identify as, or are interested in, vampires, and we got to sit down with them for this week's cover. 🧛‍♀️🩸 Read the interview with Colorado's real-life vampires: westword.com/arts-culture/rocky-mountain-vampire-family-profile-40948623/

Nothing's spookier than a world without free local journalism 😱 Support our newsroom by becoming a Westword member to help us continue reporting on Denver: bit.ly/wwlocalnews

The festival – now aptly deemed Blucifer’s Second Rodeo – announced it is returning to the Baker neighborhood on July 22-25, 2027: westword.com/music/blucifer-second-rodeo-music-festival-announcement-40951284/

A 79-year-old retired Ugandan pastor has been fighting for a year to stay in the United States. For now, he can take a pause: westword.com/news/colorado-pastor-released-from-aurora-ice-facility-40951349/

Amendment 85 would require ballot measures to be written at an eighth-grade reading level. Opponents call it "a wolf in sheep’s clothing." westword.com/news/amendment-85-colorado-8th-grade-reading-level-40947768/

"When I first touched down in Colorado, single and newly minted as a local, I fired up Hinge with the optimistic innocence of someone who had never heard of an Epic Pass. Reader, I was unprepared": westword.com/arts-culture/the-anatomy-of-a-denver-first-date-40949326/

While the nation looks to this year’s midterm elections with bated breath as control of Congress hangs in the balance, Denver’s restaurant industry is also watching a number of very specific, highly local ballot initiatives: westword.com/food-drink/foie-gras-ban-denver-ballot-2026-40951268/

Spooky menus, drag shows, tarot readings and at least one dog costume contest: westword.com/food-drink/halloween-specials-denver-bars-2026-40948517/

Highly educated professionals in Colorado report a hiring scene filled with silence, intense competition and a declining sense of confidence: westword.com/news/even-top-earners-struggling-to-find-colorado-jobs-40947950/

On average, the city usually sees around 3 inches by the end of October, and it's first snow by Oct. 19: westword.com/news/when-will-denver-receive-its-first-snowfall-40950918/

In a typical year, Colorado will euthanize 60 to 90 bears that run afoul of the agency’s two-strike policy for bears that are deemed to pose a threat. By the end of August this year, officers had already euthanized 294: westword.com/news/colorado-bear-killings-skyrocket-human-conflict-40951069/

The festival bridged the gap between brands, creatives and filmmakers while celebrating high-caliber independent cinema. https://www.westword.com/arts-culture/inside-goldens-stories-worth-telling-film-festival-40950816/

See the Nuggets clobber the Toronto Raptors and get a commemorative Steal Your Face/Nuggets sweatshirt and catch Shakedown Street: westword.com/music/grateful-dead-shakedown-street-denver-nuggets-40949345/

The restaurant, located at 3258 Larimer St., was originally founded in 2021 by longtime Denver restaurateur Delores Tronco, who had previously opened Work & Class: westword.com/food-drink/the-greenwich-rino-closed-40950794/

It's closing after more than a decade, but fans will still be able to order catering: westword.com/food-drink/one-of-denvers-best-barbecue-joints-is-closing-40949227/

After a near-record-low snowpack and drought-stricken summer this past year, Denver and nearby cities have been fighting to make sure residents abide by water restrictions: westword.com/news/denver-water-lawn-fines-money-made-gallons-saved-40949319/

OPINION | "25 years after Mile High Stadium football stadium opened, its replacement is being planned. Meanwhile, the older Coors Field is still a beaut." https://www.westword.com/opinion/if-broncos-want-special-stadium-learn-from-coors-field-40948098/

The size, scope and variety of Colorado film festivals is jaw-dropping. https://www.westword.com/arts-culture/2026-denver-colorado-film-festivals-24996059/

OPINION | "Market pressures pushing media companies toward greater scale can undermine independent reporting and diversity of voices." https://www.westword.com/opinion/why-the-paramount-warner-merger-is-a-problem-for-democracy-40949333/

OPINION | "I know the devastation it causes because I lived it. I buried it. And yet I know Proposition 132 will not solve the drug crisis." https://www.westword.com/opinion/prop-132-colorado-fentanyl-cost-mother-40948099/

You've got four chances to relive rock from the Clinton era next year when the decade's biggest acts come to Denver. https://www.westword.com/music/denver-nickelback-staind-googoo-dolls-matchbox20-40949310/

According to the Colorado Attorney General, Alvogen took part in "unfair or deceptive acts and practices" to push opioid sales. https://www.westword.com/news/colorado-sues-major-opioid-company-oxycodone-addiction-40949249/

The Colorado Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against a New Jersey pharmaceutical company over “unfair or deceptive acts and practices” involving opioid sales, according to the complaint: westword.com/news/colorado-sues-major-opioid-company-oxycodone-addiction-40949249/

Denver Public Schools’ enrollment is down 1,780 students: westword.com/news/facing-enrollment-drop-denver-school-closures-likely-40949118/

From Downtown to DIA, Denver’s food scene has some new things cooking. Here’s all the hot news we found this week. https://www.westword.com/food-drink/twansburger-moving-denver-40949075/

The LoDo venue frequently filled its calendar with local acts, but abruptly closed its doors earlier this month: westword.com/music/oskar-blues-denver-black-buzzard-closure-40949049/

Many high-caliber musicians in Denver have turned their attention to playing in tribute bands. They've created a sustainable community of their own, one that has quietly grown and evolved over the years 🎤 Read this week's cover story: westword.com/music/denver-tribute-band-scene-40947757/

Whether you’re searching for the perfect pumpkin to carve, the most warty gourd you can find or an autumnal backdrop for your next photo shoot, these ten Denver-area pumpkin patches and events have you covered: westword.com/arts-culture/best-pumpkin-patches-near-denver-colorado-40787486/

After 16 years of serving drinks, burgers, and other bar far on TK street, Park & Co. announced today it will close its doors this Monday, Oct. 19. https://www.westword.com/food-drink/park-and-co-closing-denver-40948861/

Some Colorado critters carry bacteria that causes plague, but there's no reason to panic: westword.com/news/colorado-still-has-plague-is-it-same-as-russia-40948619/

At $16 a pint, Sadboy is easily Denver’s most expensive ice cream. It's also some of the most difficult ice cream to actually get into your freezer. So what's behind the hype? westword.com/food-drink/sadboy-creamery-colfax-review-40948809/

You don't need to be from San Diego to appreciate the joy of a burrito stuffed with carne asada and French fries: westword.com/food-drink/best-california-style-burritos-denver-40948406/

Several top Democrats considering 2028 presidential runs will gather in the Mile High City next month, CNN reported. The politicians will discuss the future of the Democratic Party following the midterm election: westword.com/news/democrat-2028-presidential-candidates-coming-to-denver-40948231/

A New York Times writer claims Denver’s solution to homelessness should serve as an example for metropolitan areas across the country, but do those in the Mile High City agree? westword.com/news/denver-national-media-praise-homelessness-response-40948218/

Plenty of fans braved cooler temperatures to catch some brilliant bluegrass in the mountains with an idyllic backdrop. https://www.westword.com/music/photos-freefall-festival-2026-in-avon-40947812/

In May 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to use a sexual enhancement product called Rhino 7S Type F3 7000, one of many Rhino-branded products: westword.com/news/gas-station-boner-pills-might-be-laced-dangerous-drugs-40948194/

Judith Word is on a mission to hand-apply 69,000 individual bumper stickers to her car, Betsy: westword.com/arts-culture/one-denver-womans-quest-to-drive-into-the-guinness-book-of-world-records-40945672/