Two key land-use reform bills near final passage after late vote

The Colorado legislature is returning Sunday during the final weekend of work in its 2024 session, set to end Wednesday. Among major pieces of legislation still pending are gun regulations, housing, land-use policy, transportation, property tax reform and other priorities. This story will be updated throughout the day. Updated at 4:23 p.m.: The long-awaited property … Read more

Colorado legislature Saturday updates on housing, guns, tax reform

The Colorado legislature convened Saturday for a final weekend of work in its 2024 session, which is set to end Wednesday. Major pieces of legislation are still pending, with lawmakers expected to debate gun regulations, housing, land-use policy, transportation, property tax reform and other priorities in the final days. This story will be updated throughout … Read more

Oklahoma City’s Nonesuch bought by Kelly Whitaker’s Id Est Hospitality Group

Denver restaurateur Kelly Whitaker is getting back to his roots. The Oklahoma native announced this week that he has purchased Nonesuch, a 22-seat chef’s counter restaurant in Oklahoma City. Bon Appétit named the fine-dining spot the No. 1 best new restaurant in America in 2018. “If this restaurant were in New York or anywhere else, … Read more

Colorado legislature updates on housing, land use, energy, taxes

The Colorado legislature began its mad rush into weekend work on Friday as the end of the 2024 session comes into sight, with plenty of major legislation still unfinished. Lawmakers have until the end of the day Wednesday to finish up bills on gun regulations, housing, land use policy, transportation, property tax reform and other … Read more

Rooted Craft American Kitchen closes West Highlands restaurant

When Nicholas Kayser was given the choice to either close his West Highland restaurant or rebrand it, he decided to be fiscally responsible. “Rebranding isn’t free,” the Rooted Craft American Kitchen co-owner said. “A sign alone costs $20,000.” Rooted Craft American Kitchen, located at 3940 W. 32nd Ave., held its last day of service on … Read more

Colorado Democrats spar over bill to prohibit rent-setting algorithms

A bill aimed at barring landlords from using algorithms to set rents died in the Colorado Senate on Wednesday after a group of moderate Democrats joined Republicans to reject a more forceful House version of the measure. The crux of the disagreement was an adopted amendment that bill backers charged had been written by a … Read more

Palace Arms restaurant closing in historic Brown Palace after 74 years

After 74 years, the historic Brown Palace hotel is closing its Palace Arms restaurant. The regal restaurant tucked in the lobby of the downtown Denver hotel will hold its last dinner service on Saturday, May 4, and be closed until further notice, according to Brown Palace general manager Jana Smith. Smith said this is not … Read more

Chef Amos Watts dies at 43 just weeks from reopening The Fifth String

Denver chef Amos Watts, owner of The Fifth String, has died weeks ahead of the acclaimed restaurant’s reopening. Watts, 43, died Sunday morning after a medical episode, according to his friend Justin Brunson and former mentee Caroline Glover. Neither were fully sure of the nature of the episode. “He touched a lot of folks in … Read more

$20-and-up Denver cocktails that are worth the money

Tabbing out after a night on Denver’s bar scene can be alarming these days, especially if you didn’t look at the cost of your cocktail beforehand. Things can get pricey for those who are abstaining, too, as even mocktails are creeping toward double-digit dollars. “Whether it’s liquor or produce or the price of a paper … Read more

Colorado oil and gas, climate deal includes fees, abandoned bills

Leading Colorado Democrats and the state’s oil and gas industry announced a preemptive armistice Monday — one that seeks to defuse the latest round of dueling ballot initiatives and legislation aimed at the industry and its environmental impacts. The proposals, described to reporters by Gov. Jared Polis and legislative leadership, include imposing a new per-barrel … Read more