🌭 The Glizzilla? Coors Field’s wackiest new food options

The Real Reason DIA Is Still Thriving?

Earlier this week The Denver Post reported that despite the ongoing partial government shutdown plaguing airports nationwide, Denver International Airport was boasting an unbelievably speedy 12-minute security wait time. The fallout at other airports has included a TSA agent staffing crisis, hours-long security lines, and travel disruptions. So what’s DIA doing differently?

• Top-of-the-line tech: Denver airport officials have credited “significant investments in its checkpoint technology” that were part of a recent $250 million security makeover, which included the addition of 17 more lanes and brand-new AI screening technology. [Denver Business Journal 🔒]
• Is it more than that? ⬇️

• Some context: It’s been a turbulent several weeks for TSA employees across the country amid a partial government shutdown that has left thousands of agents working without pay since mid-February. The Trump administration has deployed ICE agents to 13 airports to fill the gaps. We reached out to DIA to inquire about the absence rate of agents at DIA compared to other airports. We were directed to the TSA and have not received a response. [Denverite]
• How to support agents: “We’re grateful for the TSA agents who continue to work during this time to keep the traveling public safe,” DIA officials told us in an email. The airport has facilitated the collection of nearly 3,000 gift cards so far to distribute to local TSA agents. (Here’s how to contribute.)

The community is also collecting donations for the family of Eduardo Morales, a TSA agent at DIA who was killed in a recent hit-and-run accident.

⚾ All the Weird New Food at Coors Field This Season

Think you could stomach nine (mini) hotdogs and nine (4oz) beers in the span of nine baseball innings? You can put your gut to the test this Opening Day at Coors Field on April 3 with the official MLB 9-9-9 Challenge. It’ll set you back $65 (plus, maybe a box of Tums). And you won’t win anything (except the respect of your stadium peers), but it can’t turn your tummy worse than the Rockies’ historically bad record last season 😉

• What else is on the menu: Pizza donuts, boozy ice cream, a “Glizzilla,” and other new over-the-top eats. Hear our hot takes on Coors Field’s new snack selection on today’s podcast. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

⚽ Get Ready For Some Fútbol!

After taking their first W of the season against the defending NWSL champion Gotham FC this week, Denver Summit FC is gearing up for its inaugural home opener this weekend against the Washington Spirit. The game — set to take place at Empower Field on Saturday, March 18 — is expected to shatter NWSL attendance records. [Denver Post 🔒; 9News]

• Where to watch: In honor of Denver’s first professional women’s soccer team, we rounded up a list of women-owned businesses perfect for partaking in the festivities in our new weekly shopping guide newsletter, “Keep It Local.”

🏡 City Park Residents Suggest Stricter Design Standards

Some South City Park residents are working with Historic Denver and an urban design company to create a “conservation overlay district,” which would require developers to adhere to specific design standards in order to preserve the neighborhood's historic character. [Denverite]

🏢 Another Downtown Office Building Slated for Housing

The Denver Downtown Development Authority board approved a $63 million loan — its largest yet — to developer Asher Luzzatto for use on a project at the two-tower High Fidelity Plaza on 17th Street. Luzzatto has proposed converting the property into 700 residential units, plus retail space. He anticipates the entire project will cost roughly $315 million. [Denver Business Journal 🔒]

• Sound familiar? The Taos-based Asher Luzzatto is behind another ambitious residential conversion project at the Denver Energy Center a few blocks away. He plans to apply for DDDA funding for that project too. [BusinessDen 🔒]

🚒 Fire Destroys City Park Stage

Denver firefighters responded to a fire at City Park early Wednesday morning. Fortunately, the park’s historic pavilion was not damaged, officials report. But the bandstand — the century-old stage atop Ferril Lake that hosts City Park Jazz every summer — was completely destroyed. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. City Park Jazz, which is about to kick off its 40th season, is considering alternative performance venues. [9News]