Denver, CO local news

Denver City Council approves airport radio encryption contracts

Denver City Council approved two contracts on Nov. 2, 2026, worth $9.66 million, to upgrade radio encryption at Denver International Airport. The contracts with Dailey and Wells Communications cover L3Harris radio hardware, software, and support through 2028, including a one-time purchase to implement modern encryption and over-the-air rekeying.

Why it matters: Secure radio communications are essential for airport operations and emergency response; this upgrade aims to prevent unauthorized listeners and improve coordination.

Denver files five contract amendments adding $21.4 million

Denver Money Moves Single filing

Denver filed five proposed contract amendments on Oct. 13, 2026. They would add $21.4 million to existing deals for an AI chatbot, property-deeds software, on-call technology services, a Red Rocks/Convention Center sponsorship and citywide security guards.

Why it matters: The amendments would commit Denver to $21.4 million more in vendor contracts and extend several services through 2031, shaping city tech, security and event spending.

Denver records list Coconino LLC liquor licence as pending on South Colorado Boulevard

Denver Built World Two records, no final approval

Denver's open-data portal lists a pending hotel-and-restaurant liquor licence for Coconino LLC at 1390 S Colorado Blvd. The same address has a commercial alteration and tenant-finish permit dated July 15, 2026.

Why it matters: A liquor licence and a construction permit are separate gates; neither alone means a business can serve alcohol or open.

Denver Rescue Mission files notice to lay off dozens of workers

Denver Money Moves 60-day WARN notice period

Denver Rescue Mission told Colorado labor officials on October 30 that it plans to lay off dozens of workers in Denver. The separations are dated December 31.

Why it matters: Seventy-one Denver nonprofit jobs now have a December 31 end date unless the Rescue Mission withdraws or changes its notice.

Recess Village Park applies for liquor licence, construction permit in Denver

Denver Built World 8 months

Recess Village Park, a project from the owners of LoHi's Recess Beer Garden, has applied for a hotel and restaurant liquor licence and received a commercial construction permit at 1467 S. Holly St. in Denver. The liquor licence application was pending as of October 23, 2026, and the construction permit was recorded on November 5, 2026.

Why it matters: The permitting records show how a neighborhood shopping center redevelopment moves through Denver's licensing and construction approvals.

Som Dee Signature adds Denver liquor and construction records for Larimer Square

Denver Built World Ongoing Permit Review

At 1442 Larimer Street, Denver's open-data portal lists two records for Som Dee Signature: a pending hotel-and-restaurant liquor licence and a commercial tenant finish permit. The permit describes a $144,000 interior renovation of the former CRÚ Food & Wine Bar space.

Why it matters: The records show the Larimer Square project moving through city approvals; they do not show a finished restaurant.

Peak Sim Racing applies for Denver liquor licence and build-out permit

Denver Built World Ongoing build-out and licensing

Denver records list two filings for 1236 S. Broadway: a pending beer and wine liquor licence and a commercial construction permit for a tenant finish. Both are tied to Peak Sim Racing, the family-run sim racing center announced in August.

Why it matters: If the build-out clears, South Broadway gains a 12-simulator racing venue where fans can drink beer and race.

Mosaic Chai House files liquor license and construction permit applications in north Denver

Denver Money Moves Storefront build-out phase

Mosaic Chai House targets an early January 2027 opening at 4900 W 46th Ave in Denver's Berkeley neighborhood. Owner Rajni Posner, a Berkeley resident, has a pending beer-and-wine license and a construction permit to convert the 1942-built, 2,040-square-foot building into a coffee shop seating more than 50.

Why it matters: A 26-year Berkeley storefront could reopen as a neighborhood gathering spot with beer and wine, pending city approval.

Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings files construction permit and liquor licence application for Denver's 8th & Colorado

Denver Built World Permit review in progress

Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings has applied for a liquor licence and a construction permit for a restaurant at 805 N Albion Street, in Denver's 8th & Colorado development. Both applications are in city review.

Why it matters: The 8th & Colorado location would give Denver diners a new dim sum option and extend the chain's multi-city expansion.

Egg Harbor Cafe files for Denver liquor license at Belleview Station

Denver Built World 2026 Colorado expansion

Egg Harbor Cafe aimed to open its Belleview Station restaurant in late September 2026. It didn't, and as of Oct. 4 the company had posted no opening date. Denver records show a pending liquor license application and a tenant-finish permit for 7222 E Layton Ave, unit 160.

Why it matters: The filings signal continued retail growth at Belleview Station, a transit hub near the Denver Tech Center, as a regional breakfast brand expands in Colorado.

Señor Tanuki applies for liquor license as Denver records tenant permit

Denver Built World Ongoing since July 2026

Denver's list of newly issued liquor licenses still did not include Señor Tanuki as of October 23, 2026. The city recorded a tenant-finish permit for the restaurant at 3033 N Brighton Blvd on October 9, valued at about $385,000.

Why it matters: If Señor Tanuki opens, RiNo gets a chef-driven Japanese-Mexican lunch counter and cocktail bar in the Fabrica building.

The Mulligan Room applies for tavern licence at Denver's South Broadway

Denver New Capabilities Ongoing

The Mulligan Room has applied to Denver for a tavern liquor licence at 248 S Broadway. City open data also lists a commercial tenant-finish permit for the same address, dated October 22, 2026.

Why it matters: A tavern licence on South Broadway would add a golf-simulator and arcade bar to Denver's entertainment district, giving groups another option beyond traditional bars.

The 303 Sports Grill applies for Denver liquor license, gets construction permit

Denver Built World Two-month licensing wait

Denver issued a tenant finish permit for 357 S Bannock St, Suite 140, on Aug. 28. As of late September, city records still listed The 303 Sports Grill's liquor license application for that address as pending.

Why it matters: If the liquor license clears, Denver gains a new sports bar from a Littleton favorite; if not, the permitted space sits empty.

Denver council approves new District 6 police station

Denver Built World Ongoing construction project

Denver City Council approved the construction and design contracts for the new District 6 police station on September 28, with one dissenting vote from Council member Kashmann. The $68.2 million construction contract goes to Fransen-Pittman Construction Co., and a $684,685 design amendment goes to Roth Sheppard Architects.

Why it matters: The new station replaces a cramped, aging facility council members call unfit, and it could reshape the Colfax corridor.

Two Hands applies for Denver hotel-restaurant liquor licence

Denver Money Moves Ongoing licence application

Two Hands has applied for a hotel and restaurant liquor licence at 221 N Milwaukee St, Suite 130 in Denver. City records list the application as pending.

Why it matters: If granted, the licence would allow Two Hands to serve alcohol at this address — a standard requirement for a full-service restaurant and a sign the space is moving through the city's approval process.

Busaba Thai applies for liquor licence at former Zoe Ma Ma space near Union Station

Denver Built World Ongoing build-out

Busaba Thai, a Boulder chain with five locations, is working toward its first Denver restaurant. It has applied for a liquor licence and pulled a construction permit for the former Zoe Ma Ma space at 1625 Wynkoop St, next to Union Station.

Why it matters: If Busaba opens, downtown Denver gains a Thai option near Union Station, filling a space empty since early 2025.

Padel Haus Denver secures liquor license, files construction permit

Denver Built World 3-Month Licensing Process

Padel Haus Denver, the five-court padel club in Five Points, has two new records on file with the city. A liquor license for entertainment was issued June 26, and a commercial construction permit for tenant improvements was filed October 6.

Why it matters: Padel Haus Denver is expanding beyond courts into a bar and entertainment venue, a sign of padel's commercial growth in the city.

Misty Dynasty Imperial Peking Duck's liquor license bid and tenant permit surface in Denver records

Denver Built World Pre-opening phase

A restaurant calling itself Misty Dynasty Imperial Peking Duck wants to open at 4960 S Newport St in southeast Denver. City records show a pending hotel-and-restaurant liquor license application and a commercial construction permit for tenant finish at the address.

Why it matters: For southeast Denver, this is the first sign of a new Peking duck restaurant — but a pending license and permit don't yet mean open doors.

The Corner on Madison gets tavern licence for long-vacant Madison Street corner

Denver Built World Project in permitting

A corner grocery in Denver's Skyland neighborhood that has sat empty since 2015 is one step closer to reopening. City records show a construction permit dated July 20 and a pending tavern licence for The Corner on Madison at 2800 N Madison St.

Why it matters: For Skyland residents, a reopened corner market would mean fresh food within walking distance for the first time in about a decade.

The Henry files for Denver liquor licence as Cherry Creek buildout proceeds

Denver Built World Ongoing buildout and licensing

The Henry, a full-service restaurant, is one step closer to opening in Denver's Cherry Creek North. City records show a pending hotel-and-restaurant liquor licence for the ground floor of 201 Fillmore Street, plus two construction permits dated June 25 and July 6.

Why it matters: Cherry Creek is a major Denver shopping and dining district, and this licence application is a step toward another restaurant serving alcohol there.

Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings moves toward opening a Denver location

Denver Built World Ongoing permit and license process

Denver's West 10th Avenue could soon get a new dim sum spot. Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings has applied for a liquor license and a commercial construction permit for a tenant finish at 180 W 10th Ave. These are initial approvals, not a guarantee the restaurant will open.

Why it matters: Denver residents may get another dim sum option, but the restaurant's fate depends on license approval and construction.

Celeste seeks Denver tavern licence for South Broadway storefront

Denver Built World Early-stage licensing review

Two city records now point to a planned tavern at 1242 S Broadway in Denver. A pending liquor licence lists the use as a tavern, and a commercial construction permit for a tenant finish is dated June 24, 2026 — the day it first appeared on the city's open-data list.

Why it matters: If approved, this turns a Denver South Broadway storefront into a tavern — a new bar for the city, pending review.

Bubba's 33 gets Denver liquor license for former Red Lobster space

Denver Built World Ongoing construction and licensing process

Denver's Northfield neighborhood is getting a new Bubba's 33. Construction permits filed in August and an active liquor license issued September 25 move the former Red Lobster at 8268 E. Northfield Blvd. one step closer to opening.

Why it matters: If the conversion completes, Northfield residents gain a new dining option and the former Red Lobster space gets a second life.

The Coastal Service applies for liquor license in southeast Denver

Denver Built World Construction and licensing in progress

The Coastal Service has applied for a hotel and restaurant liquor license at 8125 E Belleview Ave, Suite 110, in southeast Denver. The application is pending, and the record does not show whether the business has opened its doors.

Why it matters: Whether Denver's excise-and-licenses department approves this application decides when — or if — neighbors get a new place to eat and drink.

Benihana Express gets liquor license and tenant build-out permit in Denver

Denver Built World From 2024 acquisition to a pending 2026 opening

Benihana Express is one step closer to opening in downtown Denver. The fast-casual offshoot of the teppanyaki chain has a pending hotel-and-restaurant liquor license and an August 19 commercial construction permit on record for a unit listed at 1370 16th St. (Press reports cite the address as 1380 16th St.)

Why it matters: The build-out signals landlords still want restaurant tenants on the 16th Street Mall after years of vacancies and construction.

Dude IDK comedy venue moves closer to Denver opening

Denver Built World Ongoing venue development

Dude IDK, a Denver comedy and media company that has spent years booking shows around town, is building its first permanent home. It has pulled two construction permits and applied for a hotel-and-restaurant liquor license for a 210-seat venue at York Street Yards.

Why it matters: A touring comedy company is building a permanent venue, trading rental fees for control of a room where food, drink and tickets all generate revenue.

Vibe Coffee and Wine seeks Denver tavern license for new location

Denver Built World 2 months of permitting

Vibe Coffee and Wine, a Denver-area coffee and restaurant chain, has filed for a tavern license at a new address on Delgany Street. The application appeared on the city's public records September 24, along with two construction permits for tenant improvements.

Why it matters: Approval would let a coffee shop serve alcohol all day, a model that sets it apart from a typical cafe and could draw more foot traffic to the block.

Ace Padel applies for liquor license at former Great Divide brewery in Denver

Denver Built World From Brewery to Padel Club

Ace Padel is one step closer to opening its Denver club. City records show a pending liquor license application and a construction permit for tenant improvements at 1812 35th St., the former Great Divide Brewing Co. building in RiNo.

Why it matters: If Ace opens on schedule, Denver gets one of its first full-size padel clubs in a space that was a brewery a year ago.

Denver cocktail bar Yoshi applies for liquor license, construction permit

Denver Built World 18-Month Path to Opening

A Denver bartender and his server wife have applied for a liquor license for their own place. City records now show a pending liquor license application and construction permit for Yoshi, the cocktail bar Scott and Shelby Ruggiero plan to open in Uptown.

Why it matters: If Yoshi opens as planned, Uptown gets a rare no-tips cocktail bar where menu prices include staff pay.

Queen City Collective Coffee moves to open liquor-serving cafe near Denver's Union Station

Denver Built World Ongoing downtown expansion

Queen City Collective Coffee, a Denver roaster with one Five Points cafe, is building a second location downtown. The address is 1899 Wynkoop St, a block from Union Station. Tenant-finish construction permits were filed there in late August and September, and a hotel-and-restaurant liquor license application appeared on the city's list.

Why it matters: If approved, downtown Denver gets a specialty coffee bar near Union Station that serves alcohol with its pour-overs.