Restaurants Two Denver spots named among the best Mexican restaurants in the U.S. By Antony Bruno Courts & Lawsuits Colorado sues Aurora ICE facility operator for blocking tuberculosis investigation By Sage Kelley Transportation We tried Denver’s new Waymo self-driving taxis. Here’s what you need to know Autonomous rides will open to the public later this year. We got a sneak peek. By Hannah Metzger Politics & Government Budget Breaks: Denver’s money problems have created cracks in city services By Sage Kelley Denver Life Free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this week, Aug. 17-23 By Kristen Fiore Weather Cherry Creek Trail floods during big rains, just like it’s supposed to By Sage Kelley Denver Life Want to talk about polyamory and more? Check out Mile High Love Fest By Toni Tresca advertisement Trending Courts & Lawsuits State sues GEO over tuberculosis investigation Transportation We tried Denver’s new Waymo self-driving taxi Denver Life Free things to do in Denver this week Restaurants Denver Mexican restaurants among best in U.S. Features That Kid drops pop-infused album “So Famous” advertisement advertisement News Politics & Government City Park bandstand reconstruction approved by Landmark Commission By Sage Kelley Transportation Spell check: Denver installs misspelled “Califorina” street sign By Hannah Metzger Politics & Government Trump administration appeals dismissal of Colorado voter data case By Lindsey Toomer, Colorado Newsline advertisement Transportation Denver to bring back online system for fighting parking tickets By Hannah Metzger Business Denver gas prices are up big, but for how long? By Thomas Mitchell Marijuana Cannabis calendar: Weed-friendly summer market and comedy show By Thomas Mitchell Weather Heat-related illnesses spike in Colorado as climate change fuels record temperatures By Chase Woodruff, Colorado Newsline GET MORE COVERAGE LIKE THIS Sign up for the This Week’s Top Stories newsletter to get the latest stories delivered to your inbox Email * SIGN UP Notice of Collection | Terms | Privacy Thanks for Joining! Here is another newsletter you might like: ICYMI: Today’s Top Stories SUBSCRIBE NO THANKS THANK YOU! You’re all set. CLOSE OPINION Community Voice Denver firefighters’ union has a right to determine its own destiny By Nathan McGrath Reader Response “If all the Veo rides were car journeys, you’d be complaining about the traffic.” By Thomas Mitchell Calhoun: Wake-up Call The hand that rocks the cradle of birthright citizenship By Patricia Calhoun advertisement Community Voice Celebrating history means protecting it for future generations By Jennifer Orrigo Charles Community Voice Could empty cannabis grow facilities help solve the data center problem? By Tom Downey Reader Response Reader: I support dirt bikes more than the oblivious drivers on the roads By Thomas Mitchell Editorial Voice How Westword funds our journalism. And why we need your help. By Chelsey Dequaine-Jerabek advertisement Food & Drink Shops & Markets First Look: Why Boulder Needs East & Co. By Samantha Farmer Shops & Markets Mission Foods closed its Pueblo tortilla plant. Buy from these Denver-area tortillerias instead By Antony Bruno Restaurants Is this Denver’s hardest-working chef? By Antony Bruno advertisement Bars & Breweries What your drink order says about you, according to Denver bartenders By Nickolaus Hines Restaurants Cafe Calendar: Mizuna celebrates 25 years with progressive dinner block party By Antony Bruno Restaurants Every opening and closing this week: Rock Bottom continues to bottom out By Antony Bruno Bars & Breweries Three years into its nameless run, popular DU bar announces new name By Molly Martin advertisement advertisement Arts & Culture Denver Life Watch a grown woman attempt to roller skate for the first time By Hannah Metzger Outdoors & Rec Stable ground: Operation Equine helps veterans find healing on horseback By Abigail Bliss Visual Arts Coming in for landing: Gary Sweeney, Why We Love Him By Patricia Calhoun advertisement Denver Life What’s your kink? Find out at Denver’s largest Fetish Ball By Kristen Fiore Outdoors & Rec Rainin’ fire in the sky: How to catch the Perseid meteor shower in Colorado this week By Kristen Fiore Books Literature from Left Field: Denver residents launch new publishing company By Teague Bohlen Denver Life Competitive Halo is so back — and you’re invited to the party By Jeremy Price Travel westword | Sponsored Content Travel Manitou Springs Is the Stars Hollow of Colorado Travel 24 hours in Georgetown, Colorado Travel Steal our itinerary for the perfect weekend in Black Hawk Travel Mountain magic awaits up the Poudre advertisement Music Features That Kid lives a Y2K pop star fantasy in debut studio album By Cleo Mirza Critic’s Notebook Review: King Gizz’s Field of Vision II goes ‘bigger and better’ By Justin Criado Critic’s Notebook Say howdy to country’s music’s 10 biggest douchebags By Alyssa Fields advertisement Concerts Photos: Angine de Poitrine brings polka-dotted frenzy to Denver By Jarad Heintzelman Concerts All the Red Rocks concerts announced (so far) for 2026 By Emily Ferguson Concerts Armed with new music and an anti-right hot streak, Tunnel Jumper is making hardcore great again By Justin Criado Features Behind the bar to front stage: Red Rocks bartender leads double life as DJ ceej By Hannah Metzger advertisement UPCOMING MUSIC Events VIEW ALL → Julie Koenig Trio honors Ella and Pass Thu., Aug 6, 6:00 pm TBA Thee Sacred Souls, LA LOM, & The Womack Sisters Thu., Aug 20, 6:00 pm TBA TICKETS Miki Yamanaka Trio Thu., Aug 20, 6:30 pm TBA Linea Personal: TODO Ø NADA Thu., Aug 20, 7:00 pm TBA TICKETS advertisement Tell Your Story | Sponsored Content Sponsored Meet Denver’s ‘Punk Rock’ Web Development Agency Sponsored 5280 Trail: The Pedestrian Walkway That Reimagines Streets as Public Spaces Sponsored It’s Personal: Get to Know CGH Injury Lawyers Sponsored The Path to Wellness Starts Here advertisement THINGS TO DO Denver Life Watch a grown woman attempt to roller skate for the first time By Hannah Metzger Marijuana Cannabis calendar: Weed-friendly summer market and comedy show By Thomas Mitchell Restaurants Cafe Calendar: Mizuna celebrates 25 years with progressive dinner block party By Antony Bruno advertisement Concerts All the Red Rocks concerts announced (so far) for 2026 By Emily Ferguson Denver Life What’s your kink? Find out at Denver’s largest Fetish Ball By Kristen Fiore Outdoors & Rec Rainin’ fire in the sky: How to catch the Perseid meteor shower in Colorado this week By Kristen Fiore Denver Life Competitive Halo is so back — and you’re invited to the party By Jeremy Price advertisement Promotions & Free Stuff Free Stuff Enter to Win 2 Tickets to See Josh Tatofi at Bluebird Theater on August 25 Free Stuff Enter to Win 2 Tickets to Bright Nights at Four Mile! Free Stuff Enter to Win a Free Set of Nails from Pretty Nailz Denver! Free Stuff Enter to Win 2 Tickets to the 15th Annual Affordable Arts Festival! Story Console | Sponsored Content Welcome to Rye Society Back to School, Back to Danger: What Colorado Parents Should Know About School Zone Accidents I Wish We Learned This in Middle School Pull Up a Stool at Pete’s Pub: Congress Park’s Go-To Neighborhood Hangout