💸 Is a recession coming for Denver?

🎭 Colorado Cultural Orgs Have Grants Rescinded

Denver’s Su Teatro, Union Hall, and the Denver Art Museum said grants they received from the National Endowment for the Arts were rescinded on Friday with little explanation. President Donald Trump has called to eliminate the NEA and multiple staff members have resigned or been fired recently. [CPR]

🚓 City Ends Use of License Plate Cameras

Following a request from Mayor Mike Johnston, City Council unanimously voted to end the use of license plate reading cameras, citing concerns over privacy, data security, and potential use of the cameras for immigration enforcement. The city has installed more than 100 cameras to help combat car thefts, which have since dropped by 40%. [9News]

📉 Will a Recession Hit Denver?

With ongoing market fluctuations and President Trump’s constant flip-flopping over tariffs, should Denverites be worried about a recession? The state legislature’s chief economist explains what the economic uncertainty actually means for Colorado’s future. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

⛪ Legislature Votes Down ‘Yes, in God’s Backyard’ Bill

A proposal to allow housing on church property failed to gain enough support from lawmakers after municipalities pushed back over concerns the law would circumvent local control. Supporters of the bill included faith leaders and Gov. Jared Polis, who has pushed for more housing in the state. [Colorado Sun]

What's on your mind lately, loyal reader? From Denver's potential to be the next home for a National Women's Soccer League team to your dreams for the 16th Street Mall, here are some thoughts that came through our inbox lately!

🏟️ Denverites are split on the proposed $70 million soccer stadium investment

After hearing about the economics of the proposed stadium, Lia C. said she has questions about the financing, but is still excited about the plan for redeveloping the area:

“I am generally pro stadium. I live in Ruby Hill and love the idea of a sports arena in my part of town and the potential for the development that could pop up around it. I am very excited by the potential east/west connectivity it could spur as it is currently very difficult to get from Ruby Hill to Broadway and further east without a car.”

Meanwhile, Robert S. questions whether the city could do something else with the funding:

“I think about $70 million to support a single business with 13 home games a year and know it could be used to benefit families and workers across the city in this child care crisis.”

Avid soccer fan Sydney K. believes the stadium would have more economic benefit than opponents say:

“The assumption that most of the revenue will be from men's sports attenders swapping to women's sports is not in line with what I have seen in the industry. There are loyal NWSL fans ready to travel to spend their money in Denver. Additionally, there are Denver locals right now (myself included) who spend hundreds of dollars a year traveling to support other NWSL teams.”

🏙️ Endless ideas for 16th Street Mall

Denver should take notes from global destination cities, Susie P. says:

“I have always wondered why there aren’t more coffee-wine-beer combo bars in cities in America. When you’re traveling, you might want coffee when it’s 9 p.m. and you might want a beer at 9 a.m. It would also help pull in people that are 19+ years of age that can hang out together whether or not they can drink.”

Listener Travis says downtown should be for people, not cars:

“Shifting lane space from cars to sidewalks, curb-protected bike lanes and an expanded vision of transportation downtown will make it a worthwhile place to be and travel to. Let’s have a 16th style loop with at least three more streets, all pedestrianized, downtown.”

The mall should also have family-friendly attractions, if you ask Katie S.:

“Something I would like to see more of is interactive/integrated art pieces that kids can play on. There are a lot of these around New York City and we had a great time … These interactive free public play types of things are big attractions for families!”