🐺 Second CO wolf dies

💰 Inside Casa Bonita’s 2-Year Revamp

From a code-violating kitchen to a rooftop graveyard of dead pigeons, Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s Casa Bonita purchase and renovation turned out to be much more than the South Park creators bargained for. A new documentary exposes how much cash — and passion — it took to revamp Colorado’s most beloved restaurant. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🐺 2nd Reintroduced Wolf Dies

The pack leader of the state’s recently reintroduced gray wolf pack has died of natural causes, wildlife officials report. When biologists captured the pack for relocation last month, they noted poor health conditions and several injuries on the male adult. The rest of the pack, a female adult and four pups, is currently still in captivity and will be rereleased somewhere new at the end of year. [CO Sun]

• Why the move? The pack was being relocated following a series of livestock deaths in their previous roaming area in northern Colorado.

📉 Catalytic Converter Thefts WAY Down

Denver police have recorded 105 catalytic converter thefts so far this year. For the years 2021 to 2023, the department saw an average of 2,100-plus for that same time frame. That’s a 95.2% drop! [KDVR]

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:

👎 Bad BRUTØ Reviews

The Michelin Guide dropped its 2024 batch of gold stars this week with one new Colorado restaurant — Alma Fonda Fina — earning the accolade and all past recipients maintaining their awards, including BRUTØ. But should they have? Some Denver diners, like Sarah M., think not.

• “If leaving a place still hungry and being made to feel like an inconvenience for over $350 WITHOUT booze is your vibe, [BRUTØ] is the place for you! We will however not be returning and would rather spend our money at a Bib Gourmand nominee such as Ash'Kara or Tavernetta, or our personal favorite that also got a Michelin nod, Safta.”

📚 Denver-Based Novels

We recently chatted with acclaimed novelist Peter Heller, who gave us a rundown on his “literary road guide” to Denver. Peter from the Central Business District has a suggestion of his own.

• “There's a series of novels written by Ralph Moody called Little Britches (also the title of the first book). They are YA biographical about his life growing up, living, and working in the Denver area starting with his family's move to what is now Littleton in 1906 when he was 8. It's a great story that touches the Brown Palace, the constant fight for water, and farming and ranching in early Denver.”
• Hungry for more? Here are nine more Denver-set novels to check out.

🏙️ Is Englewood the New Denver?

Does it feel like there’s a great business migration to the southern suburb? Aaron K. and Sheri K., former Baker residents turned Englewood business owners, explain their move:

• “My wife just opened Illse Home (next to the Englewood Grand). We were attracted to Englewood because it feels like a small town in the middle of a large metropolitan area. There’s a real sense of community and the city has been incredibly welcoming. It feels like a place for everyone. I don't think that there's many places in metro Denver where you can grab a bar stool between a gay, 20-something hairstylist and a Vietnam vet, Trump supporter. There's something special about that (politics aside).”

🍑 Colorado Crops and Produce

We recently took a deep dive into Colorado’s signature crops to share some crazy fun facts about our famed Pueblo chiles, Palisade peaches, Olathe sweet corn, and Rocky Ford melons. John H. from Northeast Park Hill wanted to add one more to the list:

• “There are all these legends that Denver used to be really famous for growing carnations. So famous, in fact, they used to send carnations weekly to the White House from Denver.”