🇺🇸 Is this Mayor Johnston’s national moment?

🇺🇸 Mayor Johnston Agrees to Testify Before Congress

The House Oversight Committee is set to grill Johnston and three other liberal mayors March 5 as part of its investigation into “sanctuary cities.” These hearings are typically big media moments, and with Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert on the committee, it’s bound to be a dramatic showdown. [Denverite]

• Wait, is Denver a “sanctuary city”? Not formally — but it’s complicated. [Hey Denver]
• The Boebert factor: Colorado’s most famous member of Congress has a history of manufacturing spectacle — but sometimes her audacious behavior blows up in her face. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

📢 Inside the Local ICE Raids and Trump Protests

Thousands of people showed up on the steps of the State Capitol this week to protest Trump’s new policies, with a special focus on immigration issues. Meanwhile, ICE raids have communities across the metro area on edge. One local activist who has been on the ground shares his perspective on the city’s current political climate. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🔊 Denver Poised to Change Noise Rules

City Council is preparing to vote on updates to the city’s noise ordinance — something they’ve been talking about since 2018. Why? “We recognize a need to balance the city's growth,” said DDPHE noise program manager Brendan Doyle. The proposed changes would impact noise-producing things like trash pick-up times, festivals and concerts, construction, and snow plows. [Westword]

⚕️Third CO Hospital Pauses Gender-Affirming Care

Children’s Hospital Colorado joins Denver Health and UCHealth in halting certain gender-affirming care services for patients younger than 19 in order to comply with an executive order signed by President Trump last week. All three hospitals will shift their focus to behavioral health and supportive care services for impacted patients. [CPR]

Last week’s answer: MAKfam, 39 W. 1st Ave. (Baker)

This 2023 addition to South Broadway is a personal favorite. If you have not been yet — GO 🏃💨 The kitchen executes a perfect blend of “traditional Chinese cuisine, American Chinese flavors, family-inspired recipes, and modern culinary techniques” — at an approachable price! MAKfam nabbed a Michelin Bib Gourmand award last year, as well as a James Beard semifinalist slot in 2024 and 2025. I recommend the Stir Fried Noodles and the Fancy Wontons. (But they have a new Corned Beef Fried Rice I’m dying to try.) If you want to enjoy your beverage in the cute tiger cup 👆 be prepared to hand over your ID as collateral — I know they’re adorable, but stealing isn’t cool!

🥢 Extra dumplings for our quickest correct guessers this week:

• Christina B. was the first to write in with the correct answer! 👏
• But Eva, Lauren W., Cassie P., Kara W., and Mike D. weren’t far behind!
• Bonus shoutout to the other 36 (!!) foodies who got it right ⭐

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU know where in Denver this charming carousel horse is located? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

✨ Thanks to Hey Denver reader Keedan S. who submitted this week’s pic!

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