🤑 Vibrant Denver campaign donors revealed

We’re back with more recommendations from City Cast Denver Neighbors about their fave local people, spots, and organizations in the Mile High, so they can become your favorites too 💕

📣 Jane D. is shouting out, AOPYO (the Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization) for its Connected in Motion program, which uses Tai Chi and discussion groups to help students focus on their mental health.

📣 Justin R. is shouting out Petals & Pages, a local queer- and women-owned bookstore building community in La Alma Lincoln Park and beyond.

📣 Jessica P. is shouting out Cuppa, a coffee/tea pop-up in LoHi, for “making the best coffee in the city!”

Become a City Cast Denver Neighbor today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter and on the podcast 🎤

💰 The Vibrant Denver Bond’s Biggest Backers

The committee raising money for Mayor Johnston’s Vibrant Denver bond campaign has brought in more than $1 million. Top contributors have been the city’s biggest taxpayer-funded SCFD institutions, including the Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Art Museum, DCPA, and Denver Botanic Gardens. The bond’s opposition has only raised roughly $3,000. [Denverite]

✈️ DIA Feels the Shutdown Shortages

If you’re going to the airport anytime soon, prepare for delays. The federal government shutdown — now on day eight — has resulted in staffing issues at airports across the country, including DIA, where FAA and TSA employees are expected to continue working without pay. [Axios Denver]

• Not impacted by the shutdown: Colorado’s national parks, which remain open.

💞 Love is Blind, Denver Style

Just how “Denver” is “Love Is Blind” season 9 anyway? The Netflix reality dating show set its sights on the Mile High City and we watched the first batch of episodes to decide: Are these people really representative of Denver and the dating scene here? [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🌭 Great News for Ball Arena Guests

Just ahead of the Nuggets and Avalanche upcoming seasons, Ball Arena has debuted a new “fan-friendly menu” featuring stadium staples — like hot dogs, pizza, nachos, and pretzels — for only $5. Previously, the average cost of a hot dog and soft drink at Ball Arena was about $14, according to a recent analysis of Denver’s stadium concession prices. [9News]

🎭 DCPA Closes Immersive Theater Offshoot

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is closing Off Center, its experimental theater department known for hosting innovative productions like the world premiere of David Byrne’s “Theater of the Mind” and Lonnie Hanzon’s cult-favorite holiday installation Camp Christmas. DCPA cited “budget challenges and economic uncertainty” as the reason for the closure. [Denver Post 🔒]