📸 Prominent Denver developer found in Epstein files

📄 Denver Developer Appears in Epstein Files

Chad McWhinney, founder of Denver-based real estate company Realberry (formerly McWhinney), is the subject of a 2014 email between an unknown sender and Jeffrey Epstein. The email shows a photo of McWhinney kissing a woman whose face is obscured, and the sender mentions taking McWhinney out for lunch. McWhinney’s attorney denies that he knew Epstein and says the 30-year-old woman was someone the developer was dating. Realberry is the development company behind the Union Station, Dairy Block, and other downtown projects. [Denver Post]

❄️ Denver Snowpack at Record Low Levels

Denver Water, which relies on snowpack for 90% of its water supply, says current levels in key basins are just 42% to 55% of average levels, which officials say puts Denver in “not a great situation right now.” Recent mountain snow that is finally falling this week may help, but experts are advising residents to consider water-saving upgrades. [9News]

🎸 Will the UMS Keep Its Cool Factor When it Moves to RiNo?

The Underground Music Showcase is packing up and moving from South Broadway to RiNo this summer. Will it remain a showcase of local talent, or become something more corporate? And can Denver sustain its biggest music-focused festival for years to come? Shawn King of DeVotchka joins the City Cast Denver crew to share his experiences playing the festival many times over its 25 years and what he thinks this Mile High music fest needs to stay relevant and resilient. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🌿 Colorado Cannabis Dispensary Sales Continue to Decline

Cannabis sales have declined for the fourth consecutive year, with $293.5 million less in sales for the first ten months of 2025 (data is not yet available for November and December) compared to $1.4 billion in 2024. After peaking in 2022, wholesale prices and dispensary sales have dropped, and rising competition, oversupply, business closures, and reduced cannabis tourism have affected sales ever since. President Trump’s support for reclassifying cannabis to a Schedule III substance could bring some financial relief to the industry. [Westword]

Last week’s answer: This wall of eclectic art can be spotted at The Electric Cure in Edgewater, a self-described “authentically weird little rum bar … where the drinks are strong and company’s strange.” This almost 5-year-old, women-owned watering hole is known for its delicious tiki drinks and satanic undertones 🤘

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

• Gina R. was the first to write in with the right answer!
• Followed closely by Kelley P., Lindsey H., John C., Samantha Jo L., Ariel, Mia K., Rebecca B., Amy S., Melissa G., Delaney G., Lizzie B., Kirsten T., Lee R., Libby M., Jennifer H., Meredith G., and Laura S.
• An extra gracious thank you to Joe C. for sending us this photo 🙏

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ This vanity setup sees some of the most glamorous divas in Denver. Do you know where to find it? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

A special thank you to reader Lex RH for sharing this week’s pic ✨

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