🤳 Don't drive and call

🏒 Star Avs Player Suspended Mid-Playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche will be moving through the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs without star forward Valeri Nichushkin. Just before the start of Game 4 in the second-round series against the Dallas Stars Monday, the team was notified that Nichushkin was being placed in the NHL Player Assistance Program for mental health and substance use. He will be suspended without pay for at least six months. The team now faces elimination, trailing the best-of-seven series 3-1. The next game takes place tonight at 6 p.m. [9News]

⚖️ Denver DA Race Heats Up

Ahead of Colorado’s June 25 Democratic primary election, the race to replace Denver’s current district attorney, Beth McCann, is heating up. The competition is between Leora Joseph (touting 25 years of prosecution experience) and John Walsh (formerly the U.S. attorney for Colorado). Last week, the top two contenders held a forum to discuss their priorities, with both placing an emphasis on stronger police accountability. [Axios Denver]

• What would you ask Denver’s soon-to-be new DA? District attorney is the most pivotal role in our criminal justice system. What questions do you have for the candidates? Send us your questions, and we just might get you some answers.

🤳 Put Your Phone Down

Gov. Jared Polis has committed to signing a new law that will ban cell phone use while driving unless it’s with a hands-free accessory. After nearly a decade of seeing similar proposals get the ax, lawmakers say they’ve finally struck a balance between addressing road safety concerns and worries of over-policing. [CPR]

• Other new laws you should know: Here’s our 2024 legislative session recap. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🏳️‍🌈 Denver Named a Finalist to Host Gay Games 2030

Last week, Denver was named one of only 10 cities in the world being considered to host the 2030 Gay Games. Representing the only U.S. contender, Denver city officials will make their case to the Federation of Gay Games alongside nine other international municipalities in D.C. sometime this fall. [KDVR]

• Denver’s place in LGBTQ+ history: Take a historic walking tour through the Mile High’s unofficial “gayborhood.” [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Hey loyal readers and listeners. We love to hear from you! Got a question about something going on in the city? A spicy take on a trending topic? Commentary on a recent podcast episode or newsletter? We want to hear it 💌 Here’s the latest from the inbox:

🚘 Denver’s Worst Parking Lots

I recently asked you all to share your vote for Denver’s worst parking lots. Chelsea S. nominates Belly Bliss in Cherry Creek:

• “It’s an amazing place. But their parking situation? So, sooo bad. When I was 8 months pregnant with a huge belly, someone parked so close to me I had to crawl in through the trunk of my car.”

💢 Road Rage

City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies is inspiring friendlier driving among Denverites everywhere — Josh from Centennial wrote in to say:

• “I have a little zippy car and I don't like going slow, but it's actually listening to [Bree] on this podcast talking about aggressive drivers on the road that I think of when I [want to ] feel a bit more calm because if I cut someone off it might be Bree! So I really need to make sure I drive considerably.”

🐶 Dog-Friendly Restaurants

After a fellow Hey Denver reader asked for some dog-friendly restaurant recs, Jorian S. offered this suggestion:

• “Number Thirty Eight has a massive dog-friendly patio and recently started opening for lunch Wed-Fri from 11am-2pm!”

😎 The Coolest Membership Club in Town

Morgan D. was the lucky City Cast Denver member who recently won free tickets to the Denver Wine Spectator Grand Tour. Morgan says:

• “Cheers to City Cast for wining and dining us! We had a wonderful time at the event 🥂”
• Want opportunities to win free swag and special perks like Morgan?

Denver's Forgotten Queer History

Denver has emerged as the only remaining U.S. city in the running to host the 2030 Gay Games. Does the Mile High deserve such a prestigious honor? We’d say Denver’s vibrant LGBTQ+ history lends some credence to our campaign. Join us on a walking tour with historian B. Erin Cole through Cap Hill — Denver’s unofficial “gayborhood” — to learn more about the area’s queer roots.