🤝 Can Denver and Aurora ‘bury the hatchet’?

🇲🇽 Why Are So Many Denverites Mexico-Bound?

The Mexican consulate in Denver has seen a huge jump in local residents applying for visas for Mexico — and many are getting scammed on Facebook with false promises of expediting the process. The Colorado region seems to be a particular target for the con, but why exactly is still a mystery. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🍽️ Something Tasty This Way Comes

Michelin-recognized chef Michael Diaz de Leon and two-time Bib Gourmand Recipient chef Tommy Lee are teaming up to debut a new Mexican restaurant in the space that previously housed Comida at the Stanley Marketplace. [Denver Post 🔒]

• Related: Why Denver’s Hottest Chef Walked Away From a Michelin Star [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🥊 Mayor Mike and Mayor Mike Hash It Out

At this week’s State of the Cities event hosted by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, mayors Johnston and Coffman — of Denver and Aurora, respectively — not only publicly acknowledged their long-simmering professional tension, but promised to “bury the hatchet.”

• What’s the beef? Since Mayor Johnston took office in Denver two years ago, the two cities have clashed on several major issues, from immigration policies to police brutality indemnity. [Denverite]

🤝 Mayor and Council Begin Bond Negotiations

As a skeptical city council continues to weigh Mayor Mike Johnston’s Vibrant Denver bond package, some notable changes are already on the table, including ditching several costly projects — shaving $50 million off the price — and adding eight new projects that would spread the money across the city more equitably.

• What’s next? Johnston and his team are scheduled to present an updated project list to council next Tuesday. [Denver Post 🔒]

Last week’s answer: “Aqua Portal” by Don Lawler and Meg White is a public art installation outside of the Ashland Rec Center in the Highlands. The piece is composed of two massive blocks of limestone — each measuring 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide — and depicts a man and a woman swimming. The sculpture was installed in 2004 and “echoes the main shape and sub-motifs” of the facility.

📣 A special shoutout for this week’s correct guessers:

• Michael F. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• But Mark B., Trish H., Tom S., and Sarah M. weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU recognize these underground doors to nowhere? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

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