🐶 Dog stolen in viral heist found safe

🚒 Mayor Backs Up Controversial Fire Chief

Following an investigation into Denver Fire Chief Desmond Fulton last year over a comp time scandal, more than 500 firefighters voted “no confidence” in their leader last week. Despite these concerns, Mayor Mike Johnston says the chief maintains his full confidence. [CBS]

🍄 Beware Magic Mushroom Scam

Local authorities are spreading the word about a scam leveraging Colorado’s burgeoning psilocybin industry, warning residents not to trust communication from a business calling itself ShroomWonders. [KRCC]

• What’s actually legal, anyways? All your legal ‘shroom questions answered by an expert. [City Cast Denver 🎧]
• Also good to know: How to spot a scam.

🐶 Police Searching for Suspects in Viral Dog Heist

Arapahoe County investigators are still searching for three suspects (and one missing puppy) involved in a theft that took place at a small Centennial pet shop last Friday. Caught on camera, one of the suspects staged a seizure to distract employees while an accomplice bolted with two pups priced at $4,299 each. One of the stolen dogs has been safely recovered. [CBS News]

♻️ Your Compost Bin is Finally Coming (For Real This Time)

Despite the long, bumpy rollout of Denver’s new composting program that kicked off in 2023, officials are promising that all remaining compost bins will be delivered to awaiting customers by the end of the next week. [Denver Post 🔒]

This weekend will bring the first day of March, and with it, the first signs of approaching spring (hellooo, highs of 60 ☀️). Eager to make the most of all that sunshine? We’ve got you covered with our personal picks for fun things to do this month!

🥳 Hang With City Cast Denver at HEYDAY

Eeek! City Cast Denver’s biggest-ever in-person event is finally here! We’ll be hanging out with our favorite Denverites at the Asterisk event venue all day on Saturday, March 8. It’s going to be a family-friendly party by Denverites for Denverites, celebrating everything there is to love about living life in the Mile High, complete with local entertainers, delicious food, fun games, and dope swag.

🎨 Support Local Art at First Friday in RiNo

No better way to enjoy the warmer weather than at the RiNo Art District’s first First Friday of the season on March 7. It’s a great opportunity to support local artists, like longtime graffiti legend Chris Haven whose artwork — which you’ll definitely recognize 👆 — decorates the city. Haven will be onsite for the RiNo First Friday kickoff at LUX at Forge selling "souvenirs" of his art.

🪶 Experience a Mile High Tradition at the Annual March Powwow

A long-running, quintessential Denver experience, the 49th Annual March Powwow returns to the Denver Coliseum March 21-23. Featuring hundreds of vendors and entertainers, this event represents customs, art, and storytelling from more than 100 Indigenous tribes from across North America.

• Pro-tip: Do not skip the frybread 😋

🍽️ Eat All of the Things During Denver Restaurant Week

It’s a Denver foodie’s favorite time of the year — Denver Restaurant Week. Now’s the time to make that reservation you’ve been putting off as hundreds of restaurants across the metro gear up to show off by offering special menus at tiered price points March 7-16. Keep an eye out for limited-time, secret menu offerings exclusive to this delicious time of year.

🍜 Nom Noodle Perfection at Dân Dã

Miss Savory Vietnam in Athmar Park? Head to Chef An Nguyen’s newest spot on East Colfax in Aurora, Dân Dã (pronounced "yuhng-yaa"), to satisfy that craving for Vietnamese comfort food. The bustling restaurant offers massive portions of delicious “peasant classics” in an artfully designed space.

• Our suggestion: Grab lunch at Dân Dã, then head next door for dessert at Bánh & Butter, the acclaimed pastry shop run by An’s sister Thoa.