🥊 A Boebert swamp fight

🚃 Funding for the Front Range Passenger Rail

A bill on its way to state lawmakers is proposing a $3 increase to Colorado rental car fees in order to fund Gov. Polis’ ambitious Front Range passenger rail project. Bill sponsors estimate the fee would generate about $50 million in revenue annually, money that would hopefully be matched in federal funds. [CO Sun]

• Why rental cars? Bill sponsors emphasize that this bill would put some of the financial burden for building the rail on visiting tourists who use rental cars and add to traffic congestion.

🧑‍⚖️ Leprino Family Feud Continues

Nancy Leprino — niece of James Leprino, local billionaire and founder of Leprino Foods, the world’s primary producer of pizza cheese — is hoping to take her uncle back to court for a third time for allegedly withholding her fair share of the family business. In 2022, a Denver court ruled James was not guilty, and in 2023, an appellate court upheld that ruling. But Nancy wants her due, and is now taking her case all the way to the Colorado Supreme Court for review. [Westword]

• Get the whole story: A Denver mozzarella dynasty’s drama explained. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🗳️ Boebert and Buck’s Big Fight

Representative Ken Buck announced his resignation from Congress earlier this week. Fellow Rep. Lauren Boebert is claiming the move was a “swampy backroom deal to try to rig an election I’m winning by 25 points.” So, how will the primary — and special election — for this congressional seat play out for Colorado republican voters in District 4? It’s complicated. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Last week’s answer: Edgewater Public Market

• Reader Lauren C. says: “It's my favorite food hall I've found so far. New Zealand honeycomb ice cream? Heck yes!”
  
  Kellie T. recommends Bibamba chocolate.

👏 Big claps for our correct guessers:

• Lucas L. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• But Alina R., Alicia Y., Courtney A., Katie W., Lauren C., Belle H., and Kellie T. weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU know where this wonderfully fantastical “garden” is? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter! 🦋

📸 Want to submit a photo? Send me a snapshot of somewhere in Denver, and I’ll consider it for an upcoming photo trivia segment!

Boebert vs. Buck, America’s Worst Grocery Stores, and Peña Blvd. Confusion

The game of musical chairs playing out with Colorado’s Congressional Districts 3 and 4 continues — Rep. Ken Buck officially resigned this week and Rep. Lauren Boebert is crying foul on her colleague’s strategy. So what is going on exactly? We dig into the special election drama, plus the controversy over Denver’s worst grocery stores and the misunderstanding around Peña Boulevard’s impending improvements.