🎷 El Chapultepec lives again (in spirit)

🌵 The Drought is Back

At the start of the month, Colorado celebrated two weeks of being completely drought-free for the first time in four years, but as of July 18, the region’s megadrought has reared its ugly head once again. Southwestern Colorado is ranking “abnormally dry,” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and experts predict these parched conditions will continue to spread through the state for the remainder of summer. [Denver Post 🔒]

• 🚰 Do your part: Check out the tips I shared recently for conserving water around your house.

🎷 El Chapultepec Lives Again (in Spirit)

It was a devastating day for Denver when El Chapultepec — arguably the city’s most iconic jazz institution — closed for good in 2020. But the spirit of “The Pec” will be resurrected with help from one of Denver’s other jazz icons, Dazzle. The live music venue is opening new digs in the Denver Performing Art Complex next month, which will include the El Chapultepec Piano Lounge for hosting late-night sets with no cover charge.  [Westword]

• 🗓️ Mark your calendar: Dazzle’s all-ages grand opening at its new location in the DCPA will be Friday August 4 and Saturday August 5, featuring two shows each night. Tickets are $15-$45.
• 🎧 Hear more: We took a trip to Dazzle a few years ago with local jazz legends pianist Purnell Steen and trombonist Stafford Hunter to get their takes on jazz’s place in Denver’s history. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🚗 Lawmakers Continue to Fight Predatory Towing Practices

The Colorado Attorney General’s Office is calling out the state’s largest towing company for continued predatory practices, despite the new Towing Bill of Rights law that went into effect last August. Wyatts Towing has been compelling vehicle owners to apply for loans to get their cars back — a direct violation of the purpose of the new law, which aims to help people get their cars back quickly and without too much of a financial toll. [Denver Post 🔒]

🇺🇦 Dine Out for Ukraine | Thursday | All Day

Dine at any of the 30+ Front Range restaurants participating in this all day fundraiser, and proceeds from your purchase will be donated to Sunflower Seeds Ukraine. [Across the Front Range; Cost of Dinner]

🌳 Joseph P. Martinez Annual Celebration | Thursday | 5:30-10:15 p.m.

Celebrate Private Joseph P. Martinez — the first Coloradan and Hispanic-American to receive a Medal of Honor during WWII — at his namesake park with free food and entertainment for the whole community. [Villa Park; Free]

🎲 Board Game Thursdays | Thursday | 5-9 p.m.

Grab a cool, sweet treat and engage in some friendly competition over your favorite board games at the Little Man Ice Cream Factory. [West Colfax; Free]

🍣 Sushi Rolling Class | Thursday | 6:30-8 p.m.

Try your hand at hand-rolling three different styles of sushi at the Colorado Sake Co. taproom. All ingredients, tools, and two glasses of sake are included with tickets. [RiNo; $69]

Brain Freeze! Denver's Best Ice Cream

Today on the City Cast Denver podcast, host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia (me!), and friend of the show / serious ice cream aficionado JD Lopez to crown Denver’s king of frozen treats.