AM
Denver
Friday, May 22nd, 2026
Good morning, Denver. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 22nd of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Denver first responders face childcare challenges with irregular shifts & high private costs that force some to seek patchwork solutions, while local departments plan to test new models using public funds to ease the burden. Colorado Public Radio
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ History Colorado opens a new exhibit today at Healy House — The Winter Warriors tells the story of the 10th Mountain Division that trained at Camp Hale to help win WWII in Northern Italy. The exhibit runs through Sept. 24. Denver7
- ➤ Tonight, the People’s Building hosts 'Parliament of Owls … and Other Surprises' (at 7:30 p.m.) where audiences will see short theatrical works blending satire, movement, and humor; additional performances are set for May 23 and May 24 at the same venue. Sentinel Colorado
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Denver welcomed 37.6 million domestic visitors in 2025, generating $10.5 billion in tourism spending, according to a Visit Denver report released Thursday — a record that helped boost tax savings for local households. Denver7
- ➤ Memorial Day weekend travel costs are rising with higher gas prices and plane tickets causing delays at Denver International Airport. Some locals are rethinking their vacations while others opt to drive as a 9% increase in expenses makes flying less attractive. Denver7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Colorado colleges saw fewer dropouts and more re-enrollments during the 2023-24 school year, but over 623,000 residents still had some college without a credential. CSU introduced the Green and Gold Completion Award to help students finish their degrees, while other schools use scholarships and outreach to attract returns. Sentinel Colorado
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Consumers and advocacy groups urged regulators to oppose Xcel Energy’s $356M rate hike—which could raise bills by 9.9% and add about $9.94 monthly—as the commission is set to decide in the coming weeks, with changes scheduled for late August. Denver7
- ➤ CDOT has started an emergency $4 million project to remove trees from five highway corridors along the Front Range to lower wildfire risk. Work operates Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. until June's end, advancing about three miles per day (drivers face alternating one lane traffic). Denver7
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It is better to travel well than to arrive.
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