🔍 New details emerge in Jax Gratton case

Suspect Charged in Connection with Death of Jax Gratton

A grand jury indicted a 44-year-old man in connection with the death of hairstylist Jax Gratton, charging him with tampering with evidence and moving her body. Investigators believe Gratton died in her sleep and the indictment alleges that the suspect, who they believe had a consensual relationship with Gratton, then hid her body and disposed of her personal belongings. [First Judicial District Attorney’s Office]

• A second person of interest: Investigators from the Lakewood and Denver police departments say a second man who was with Gratton the night she died has been cooperative — he is not named in the indictment.
• Timeline: Gratton disappeared after leaving her apartment on April 15, 2025, and was found dead near 9955 West Colfax Ave. on June 6, 2025 wearing the same clothes from the day she went missing. An inconclusive autopsy found the cause of death to be undetermined due to the nearly two months her body went undiscovered. [🔒 Denver Post; CBS News Colorado]
• The investigation: Gratton’s family and activists criticized the Lakewood Police Department for their handling of the investigation, including deadnaming Jax, who was a transgender woman. The backlash spurred the City of Lakewood to create an independent civilian oversight board for its police department. [CBS News Colorado;🔒 Denver Post]
• Jax’s legacy: Jax Gratton worked as a hairstylist and was an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness awareness, and mental health. “Even after her passing, her legacy continues to inspire action and motivate people to make a positive impact in the community.” [Justice for Jax Gratton]

🏗️ Demolition Begins West of Cherry Creek Shopping Center

Developer East West Partners is planning to build four blocks of new residential and retail buildings west of the shopping center, but they’ve got to demolish the old Elway’s and Container Store first. If you drive past this week, you might see some of that destruction in action. [🎧 City Cast Denver]

• What exactly are they building? Check out the renderings East West Partners shared with us.

💸 Nasty Dispute Divides Local Crypto Community

Back in 2014, when EasyBit founder Michael Dupree was running the Denver Bitcoin Center, engineer James Hilliard was a fixture of the crypto community, reportedly working and sleeping at Dupree’s nonprofit center. The price of Bitcoin has since quintupled, and Hilliard is suing Dupree, claiming to have a contract stating that Dupree owes him 69.8 Bitcoins (which would be worth around $4.9 million based on the price of Bitcoin today). Dupree says it’s a fake. [BusinessDen 🔒]

• Crypto isn’t coming back, is it? Governor Polis recently announced the launch of a special batch of NFTs (non-fungible tokens, aka the crypto craze of 2022) for Colorado’s 150th birthday this year.

❌ Are The Dems Done With Polis?

House Dems are discouraging Gov. Jared Polis from considering clemency for Tina Peters in a letter signed by 66 legislators this week, and now the governor says he will wait to make a decision until a ruling from the Colorado Court of Appeals. So, where does Polis really stand with Colorado dems? [City Cast Denver 🎧]

• Polis said what? Last week, we talked about the governor’s thoughts on freeing Tina Peters.

🚨School Shooter Hoax

Adams City High School was put on lockdown yesterday after reports of a bomb and active shooter at the school; when the police arrived, they determined it to be a hoax. Two students covered in fake blood were arrested after police cleared the building. [Denver Post 🔒]

Last week’s answer: Art Club Coffee (3659 Navajo St.) We don’t know what we love more, the yummy beverages (looking at you Strawberry Matcha) or the nostalgic grade-school art classroom vibes 🖍️🎨

📣 Congratulations this week’s quickest correct guessers:

• Gina R. was the first to write in with the correct answer! 🏆
• Followed closely by Keenan W., Meslissa D., Keith S., Alexis A., Celina, Jessie P., Adam F., and Siju C. 👏
• Bonus shoutout to Lena C., Jena L., and Landon S. who remembered the coffee shop as its former iteration, Pinwheel Coffee ⭐

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do YOU recognize the fun, funky décor at this Denver bar? Be among the first to name the spot and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

🫶 Thanks to reader Isabelle H. for sending in 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!