Good morning, Denver.

Denver’s Ballpark General Improvement District celebrated its first season—opening a new neighborhood office on Thursday and releasing its inaugural report that details cleaning up 22,000 pounds of litter and 7,000 graffiti tags from 40 blocks supporting over 130 independent local businesses.

A proposal to transform the Asia Center on Federal Boulevard into a four-story complex was withdrawn after a petition with over 18,000 signatures opposed the redevelopment.

Business owners (including longtime salon owner Joie Ha) now hope to help shape future plans.

Orejano Casual Latin Cuisine opened on Aurora’s South Havana food strip, serving its signature chivito sandwich made with mixed meats, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful twist of Italian + Spanish influences.

Owner Marcelo Alvariza plans to add more Uruguayan touches in coming weeks.

Today, National Donut Day honors the Salvation Army’s (donut lassies) who served WWI troops by boosting morale, with local LaMar’s offering free glazed donuts and volunteers delivering treats to first responders, frontline workers and veterans across Denver.

Denver’s longstanding Greek festival (celebrating 60 years) runs from today at 11:00 a.m. until Sunday at 6:00 p.m. at Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral, offering traditional dancing, Greek food, and live music from local family band Etho Ellas.

Gov Polis signed a first-of-its-kind law on Wednesday that requires automakers to create programs for recycling electric vehicle batteries in Colorado and bans landfills from accepting them starting in October 2028.

The law also sets recovery targets for lithium + 50% by 2031 and 80% by 2035.

Community advocates near Aurora Reservoir are circulating a petition to gather 3,000 signatures and request a public review of a revised fracking wellpad approved in April on the Lowry Ranch property.

The county says it will continue to monitor the project+ ensuring safety and environmental standards.

Denver is less than four years from its 2030 Vision Zero deadline; 93 road deaths were recorded last year (the highest tally since the plan began) even as serious injuries dropped, prompting community groups to question the administration’s approach with further insights scheduled on an upcoming podcast.

Gov. Jared Polis declared a statewide drought emergency on Thursday (record-low snowpack and high temperatures are straining water supplies) and released extra funding to assist farmers, ranchers and households while officials warn that water levels may remain low throughout summer.

Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill on Tuesday at Sie FilmCenter in Denver to create Colorado Artist Companies (A Corps), a new business structure that keeps creative control with artists.

The state will work until July 1 to implement the plan and let current entities convert in the future.