🚻 Feds force DPS to remove all-gender bathrooms

🚨 When Should Police Escorts Be Allowed?

City leaders are criticizing the Denver Police Department for authorizing a police escort — flashing lights and all — for a British DJ who was running late for a show at Civic Center Park. Independent Monitor Lisabeth Perez Castle and the Citizen Oversight Board plan to review the incident for department policy violations. [9News]

🎶 Local Record Store Empire Expands

After more than 50 years in business, Wax Trax is opening its fourth brick-and-mortar outpost in the Denver metro. The vinyl institution hopes to welcome customers by mid-October at a new location along 32nd Avenue on the Northside. Owner Pete Stidman says it will be “the only ‘walkable’ record store west of I-25.” [🔒Denver Post]

🚽 Feds Order DPS to Revert All-Gender Bathrooms

The U.S. Department of Education's civil rights office says Denver Public Schools has violated Title IX discrimination laws by converting two bathrooms in East High to all-gender bathrooms. The department has ordered DPS to revert the bathrooms back to single-gender facilities, as well as rescind certain policies that are guided by gender identity rather than biological sex. [Denverite]

• In other DPS news: After eight months of intense bargaining, the Denver teachers union and the district have come to an agreement on a three-year contract that includes bigger raises, cost-of-living adjustments, and improved classroom conditions. [Denverite]

🏥 Federal Medicaid Could Devastate Denver Health

The city’s only safety net hospital expects to lose more than $60 million annually after federal Medicaid changes go into effect in 2027. That loss will nearly cancel out the hospital’s new revenue stream generated by a sales tax passed by Denver voters last year. Even so, money from the sales tax won’t be allowed to cover the Medicaid-related deficit. [Denver Post 🔒]

We’re just a few weeks away from fall! The weather is cooling down and the smell of roasting green chiles is in the air — we’re ready to embrace autumn with cozy meals, Red Rocks concerts, and more. Here are some of our favorite ways to welcome the season to the Mile High.

🎉 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off Sept. 15. Like every year, there will be dozens of educational and cultural events taking place across the city at organizations like Museo de Las Americas and History Colorado. But we’re especially excited to recommend Fiestas Patrias, a celebration of Latino heritage in Aurora on Sept. 7.

🌶️ Kick Off Green Chile Season

It’s chile roasting season! Enjoy one of our favorite cups of green chile — topped with cheese and onions and served with a warm tortilla — at Lookin’ Good, a Denver institution. Bonus rec: Try the Mad Greek Volcano, a platter piled high with corn tortillas, hash browns, eggs, and gyro meat, topped off with — what else? — green chile.

🤘 See a Live Show

September’s local concert calendar is packed! We recommend getting tickets to see RAREBYRD$ at Glob, SaraFest at Manos Sagrados, Japanese Breakfast at Mission Ballroom, and Brandi Carlile, who’s playing a can’t-miss three nights in a row at Red Rocks.

🍛 Order the Curry

Looking for something warm and hearty that will really bring the autumn vibes to the dinner table? Himchuli, a Nepali and Indian food restaurant in RiNo, brings the cozy. You can’t go wrong with their classic Indian curry ladled over your choice of honey chicken, mango chicken, lamb, salmon, veggies, or tofu!

🥟 Get Your Dumpling Fix

Dumpings are all the rage these days and Colorado’s own Chopstickers has been making its mark. The Fort Collins-born local chain recently opened a new outpost in Lakewood, serving up their savory soup dumplings, water fried pork bao, dan dan noodles, and more 🤤

🍽️ Nab a Bangin’ Dinner Deal

Looking for a delicious family dinner that’s also a great deal? Las Hijas De La Chilanga’s combo pollo asado al carbon includes a whole smoked chicken, beans, rice, tortillas, salsas, and a two-liter of pop of your choice. Feed four hungry bellies for under $35 with this mouthwatering bundle.

💃 Get Your Groove On at La Rumba

This long-running nightclub has always been a place for skilled dancers to tear up the dancefloor — but they also offer salsa, bachata, and cumbia lessons for the newbies.

Psst! There’s even more where these came from! Tune into the City Cast Denver podcast for more recommendations!