Good morning, Denver.

Fortified Academy (a nonprofit in Aurora helping formerly incarcerated people) lost $15,000 when Denver’s Colorado Trucking College closed due to a federal crackdown.

The closure now leaves four students without certification, and the academy is seeking funds to secure new training programs.

Techstars returned to Boulder during Colorado Startup Week on Sept.

16 in downtown Denver. The accelerator relaunched its 2026 cohort with local mentors and investors + shifting from its former New York headquarters.

Denver Public Library e-book checkouts increased 50% since 2019 and readers now face waitlists of up to 12 weeks as high digital licensing costs limit circulation.

Library officials are negotiating with publishers — aiming to lower expenses and improve access.

Aurora will lift a new Colfax BRT arch at the Havana Street Watch Party Monday at Pollo Picante from 6 to 9 p.m. The event features free food + games, a performance by Somos Dance Studio and official remarks as the nine-mile project shortens commute times by 30 minutes.

Denver Water will ban all lawn watering starting Oct.

1 to help save water during ongoing drought conditions. Customers may hand-water trees, shrubs, and perennials (expected to save about 5,000 acre-feet of water) as part of conservation efforts (aimed at lessening strain on local reservoirs).

Local gardeners at Denver Urban Gardens are growing fresh produce amid food safety concerns after recent foodborne illness outbreaks.

At the Commons Park site, Rosie Niemeyer ensures her eggplants and peppers come only from trusted sources as COPIRG launches a campaign urging immediate food traceability rule improvements.

A survey from Denver Health's Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety found that 13.9 million U.S. adults used psychedelics in 2025, with about 7.8 million using psilocybin and many reporting mental health improvements; researchers stress that more study is needed.