Denver Westword | The Leading Independent News Source in Denver, Colorado

Eight Measures to Appear on Denver's November Ballot: What to Know

By Hannah Metzger

Sep 9, 2025

Denver residents will soon vote on flavored tobacco sales, election reform and nearly one billion dollars of bonds.

Colorado's congressional districts as mapped out in 2021

Potential Colorado Ballot Initiative Proposes Retaliatory Gerrymandering

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Sep 5, 2025

Just because Texas and California might do it, does that mean we should, too?

Should Denver Ban Flavored Tobacco and Nicotine Products?

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Sep 4, 2025

There are just nine weeks left before Denver voters decide if flavored vapes, Zyn pouches and menthol cigarettes stay on retail shelves.

Space Case: Donald Trump's Rocky Relationship With Colorado

By Patricia Calhoun

Sep 3, 2025

In pulling Space Command from Colorado Springs, the president blamed this state's mail-in voting system and "automatically crooked elections."

Trump Targets Polis and Mail-In Voting in Latest Rant, Demands Release of Tina Peters

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Aug 21, 2025

The president promised "harsh measures" for "Crooked Colorado politicians" in a social media rant.

Dominion Voting Systems Gets $67 Million Settlement from Newsmax

By Patricia Calhoun

Aug 19, 2025

Now President Donald Trump wants to ban mail-in ballots,

Colorado Teens Create Ballot Measure That Would Guarantee College Admission for Top Students

By Hannah Metzger

Aug 13, 2025

"Every year, you see kids who have excellent academics, they write good essays, and they're stressed out of their minds that they're not going to get into any college."

headshots of congressional candidates in Colorado

Meet the Gen Z Candidates Challenging Colorado's Longest-Serving Congressmember

By Hannah Metzger

Aug 12, 2025

"We cannot wait and hope the older generations will watch out for us. We have to watch out for ourselves."

Ranked Choice Voting Strengthens Democracy — Here’s Why Denver Should Embrace It

By Linda Templin

Aug 11, 2025

Denver City Council will hold a public hearing tonight on a proposed change to city elections. Councilman Kevin Flynn opposes the move; this is a rebuttal.

Denver City Hall, aka the City and County Buidling.

Memo: The Many Flaws of Ranked Choice Voting

By Kevin Flynn

Aug 10, 2025

Denver City Council is considering changing city elections to ranked choice voting. This member thinks that’s a bad idea.

Election Denier Joe Oltmann Ordered to Pay $90,000 for Refusal to Cooperate With Court

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Aug 4, 2025

The right-wing Colorado podcaster was fined for fleeing a deposition and ordered to pay opponent Eric Coomer's legal fees.

Labor advocates gather at Governor's Park in Denver to rally in support of a just-cause employment ballot measure proposal.

Advocates Withdraw Dueling Labor Union Initiatives — But Ballot Battle Still Looms

By Hannah Metzger

Jul 31, 2025

One proposal would have required just cause to fire employees. The other sought to prohibit union membership as a condition of employment.

Five Proposals Petitioning to Get on Colorado's Ballot in 2026

By Hannah Metzger

Jul 29, 2025

Colorado voters could weigh in on initiatives regarding immigration enforcement, college admissions, delivery fees and more.

man with beard in jacket with blonde woman

Federal Judge Scratches Head at Unprecedented Bail Request From Tina Peters

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Jul 24, 2025

"You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take. — Wayne Gretzky" — Michael Scott.

Denver Clerk Upset by Vibrant Bond Snub Amid Election Security Fears

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jul 21, 2025

Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul López says a $50 million warehouse is needed for the sake of local election security.

Blake street in downtown denver on St Patricks day

Denver Department of Excise and Licenses Wants a New Name

By Catie Cheshire

Jul 16, 2025

The proposal will go to voters, who must approve changes to the city charter.

The elections headquarters in Mesa County

Mesa County Woman Won't Serve Time for Ballot Fraud Scheme

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Jul 16, 2025

Sally Maxedon will not serve any time for helping her friend, a former mail carrier, submit fraudulent mail-in ballots.

Mike Lindell in prayer before his defamation trial began on Monday in a Denver federal courthouse

Mike Lindell Lawyers Ask Court to Overturn Jury's Defamation Verdict

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Jul 15, 2025

Lindell's attorneys — recently fined for submitting an error-riddled motion authored by AI — submitted a motion challenging June's outcome.

After Mike Lindell Trial, Joe Oltmann Remains Undaunted

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Jul 2, 2025

The star witness of the Mike Lindell trial says the jury believed him, and he isn't worried about pending court actions.

man drops off election ballot in dropoff box

Colorado Postal Worker Connected to Ballot Fraud Sentenced

By Brendan Joel Kelley

Jun 26, 2025

Vicki Stuart pleaded guilty to charges of identity theft and forgery

Election

Yadira Caraveo Drops Out of Race for CD8

34 People Running for Colorado Governor

Election

Yadira Caraveo Drops Out of Race for CD8

34 People Running for Colorado Governor

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