🤧 Colorado's record-shattering flu season

🏥 Children’s Colorado Pauses Gender-Affirming Care

Children’s Hospital Colorado will temporarily stop providing gender-affirming services to minors after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced an investigation into the hospital last week. HHS General Counsel Mike Stuart claimed on X that such “sex-rejecting procedures” are neither safe nor effective. Denver Health has also halted its gender-affirming services for minors. [CPR]

🚔 Homicides in Denver Drop by Nearly Half

Denver police recorded 37 homicides in 2025, down from 70 the year before — a 47% decrease that marks one of the lowest totals in more than three decades. Police Chief Ron Thomas credited the drop to improved response times and safety infrastructure upgrades. [CBS]

👀 The Venezuela Attack’s ‘Colorado Connection’

Last week President Donald Trump ordered an attack on Venezuela which included the U.S. capture of the country’s president and his wife. At a press conference over the weekend, Trump linked the move back to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and old rumors about its connection to troubled apartment complexes in Aurora. From Gov. Jared Polis to State Rep. Javier Mabrey, Colorado leaders had a lot to say about the president’s statements and U.S military interventions abroad. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🛴 City Courts New E-Scooter Company

This spring, more than 4,000 e-bikes and scooters operated by Lime and Bird will leave Denver as their contracts with the city expire. Officials plans to instead enter a new partnership with micromobility company Veo, touting the company’s “leading safety and accessibility features,” and adding that having just one service provider will make things simpler for riders and officials. Once negotiations are complete, City Council will vote on the contract. [Denverite]

🇺🇸 Conservative Local Podcaster Joins Governor’s Race

Joe Oltmann — known for promoting 2020 election conspiracies and calling for the execution of political rivals — has thrown his hat in the ring to be the Republican Party’s nominee for the 2026 state gubernatorial race. He joins 22 other Republican candidates. [Denver Post 🔒]

• In other local politics: Local content creator (and former City Cast Denver podcast guest) Rayna Kingston has dropped out of the race for House District 5, citing the belief that her efforts will have a bigger impact with her continued work in community organizing.