👀 Police raises at a time like this?

👐 Popular Homeless Outreach Center Closes

After months of uncertainty, the Denver AID Center has finally closed. The facility’s director, Carlon Manuel, lost his job in last month’s city layoffs. The city had planned to close the facility citing budget constraints back in June, but postponed those plans following pushback from the community. Manuel called it an “absolute travesty.” [Denverite]

🚗 Driverless Cars and Empty Parking Lots

Waymo’s self-driving ride-share cars are coming to Denver soon, but what will that mean for our already busy streets? Plus, once Colfax BRT construction is finished, the corridor will lose 300 parking spots. One safety advocate says there’s nothing to worry about — if the Mile High is willing to change the way we see our parking problem. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🩹 Polis Overrides Federal COVID Vaccine Prescription Policy

Governor Polis has issued a new public health order to ensure all Coloradans have access to updated COVID-19 vaccines without a prescription. The mandate was in swift response to a federal announcement last week that COVID vaccinations would now require a prescription for anyone ages 5-65. The governor’s order goes into effect Friday. [9News]

🚔 Despite Budget Concerns, Denver Police Will Get Raises

Just weeks after the city laid off 169 workers in an effort to close a $250 million budget gap, Mayor Johnston says he is still going forward with pay raises for Denver police officers over the next three years. Johnston says the pay increases align with his promise to focus on public safety — a “very clear request” from Denverites — but critics argue that the department shouldn’t be shielded from budget cuts. [Denverite]

• Worth noting: Denver police and fire departments — the largest agencies bolstered by the city’s general fund — were left largely untouched by the layoffs last month.

Denver diners got to welcome several long-anticipated new restaurants last month, including multiple fan-favorite expansions (hint: bao buns and bagels 👀). But we also saw some unexpected losses, including the doughnuts that got half of Denver through the pandemic 😭 Here’s the latest:

New to the Scene

Pig and Tiger | 2200 California St. (Five Points)

Opened Aug. 22

This “heartfelt tribute to Taiwan” operated by chefs Darren Chang and Travis Masar (formerly the head chef at Uncle) has graduated from a stall at the Avanti Boulder food hall to its first brick-and-mortar in Denver. The menu highlights noodles, dumplings, wontons, fried chicken, and other Taiwanese classics.

Bao Tennyson | 3973 Tennyson St. (Berkeley)

Opened Aug. 25

Larimer Square’s Bao Brewhouse has expanded its Asian fusion claim to fame with a second location on Tennyson Street. The new outpost doubles down on Bao’s Asian street market vibes, complete with a quick order counter for dumplings and skewers.

Rougarou | 2844 Welton St. (Five Points)

Opened Aug. 21

The masterminds behind local favorite Yacht Club bring their award-winning cocktail program to Five Points with this new beverage-forward restaurant that promises to be “a little bit swampy and a little bit rock-and-roll.”

Saigon Noodle Club | 5505 West 20th Ave. #114 (Edgewater)

Opened Aug. 1

Denver’s cult-followed Asian food truck Pho King Rapidos has set up shop at the Edgewater Public Market under a new name and ethos. Now called Saigon Noodle Club, the menu mostly focuses on noodle bowls, but also features a few old PKR fan-favorites.

Leroy’s Bagels | 1553 Platte St. (Highland)

Opened Aug. 2

Sloan’s Lake’s most popular bagels have arrived on Platte Street. Virtually a “cut and paste” of the original Leroy’s, the menu includes all the same tried-and-true offerings with a philosophy of keeping bagels simple, delicious, and affordable.

RIP

• Wu’s Garden | 6731 W Ken Caryl Ave. (Littleton)
• First Draft | 309 26th St. (Five Points)
• Rhapsody Karaoke | 24 N Broadway, #104 (Speer)
• Pandemic Donuts | 2962 Welton St. (Five Points)
• Noble Riot | 1336 27th St., #100 (Five Points)
• Milk T Boba House | 902 Federal Blvd. (Sun Valley)