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| Presented By Kaiser Permanente |
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| Axios Denver |
| By John Frank, Alayna Alvarez and Esteban L. Hernandez · May 31, 2023 |
| Well, look at that — Wednesday already. Nice. - Today's weather: Partly sunny with thunderstorms likely after 1pm. Highs near 82°.
📲 Situational awareness: We're now on Apple News! If you're an iPhone, iPad or Mac user, you can follow us there using this link. Today's newsletter is 920 words — a 3.5-minute read. |
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| 1 big thing: Magic mushrooms go mainstream |
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| Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios |
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| Fungi are ready for their close-up. Driving the news: After Coloradans voted to legalize psilocybin in 2022, "magic mushrooms" are now becoming more mainstream, with a first-of-its-kind study and a national psychedelic conference on the horizon. State of play: The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora this month announced it would launch the first modern-era psilocybin clinical trial for depression this fall. Details: The hospital is working with the Food and Drug Administration on the study, though the federal government classifies psilocybin mushrooms as a Schedule 1 narcotic. - It's grouped with the most serious category of illicit drugs, including heroin and cocaine.
The intrigue: Gov. Jared Polis last week signed a bill implementing Proposition 122, which allows people 21 and older to grow and share magic mushrooms. Of note: The Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver next month is expected to draw some 10,000 people to discuss research, education and policy, according to a statement. Zoom in: The UC Health study will focus on psilocybin, the chemical compound found in magic mushrooms, and test whether it can help with treatment-resistant depression, according to the hospital. - Roughly 21 million adults in the U.S. (or about 8%) had at least one depressive episode in 2020, according to the National Institute of Mental Health — but only about 66% of adults received treatment for depression in 2020.
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| 2. 💰 Big money becomes big issue in mayor's race |
 Data: Denver Elections Division; Chart: Axios Visuals Big-dollar donations are dominating the Denver mayor's race and reshaping the city council contests ahead of next week's runoff election. By the numbers: Unlimited checks to independent super PACs topped $8 million and account for more than a quarter of all campaign donations in the 2023 election, an Axios Denver analysis of the latest reports finds. Why it matters: Outside money now eclipses the $7.7 million sent to mayoral and council candidates from Denver's new public campaign financing system, undercutting the effort to remove big money from local elections. Zoom in: The bulk of the high-dollar contributions are aimed at helping Mike Johnston win the mayor's race. - Advancing Denver, the independent super PAC supporting Johnston, has raised $4.2 million total this election cycle, and accounts for 70% of money to get him elected.
- Three wealthy donors — Linkedin co-founder Reid Hoffman, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Davita CEO Kent Thiry — gave a combined $2.3 million to Advancing Denver.
- $1.1 million of that — including all of Bloomberg's money — landed in the runoff election alone, Axios Denver found.
The intrigue: The committee's latest spending went toward mailers attacking rival Kelly Brough for backing the oil and gas industry — dubbed "corporate polluters" — when she served as CEO of the Denver chamber. The other side: A Better Denver, the super PAC supporting Brough that's funded by developers and real estate interests, has spent $1.4 million this election. Keep reading |
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| 3. What they're saying: 3 years after George Floyd |
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| Protesters face off with police officers on May 28, 2020, in downtown Denver. Photo: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images |
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| Three years have passed since George Floyd's murder sparked protests around the world, including here in Colorado. Why it matters: Although the streets have cleared and calls for defunding the police have quieted, persistent police violence continues to take a toll on Black people's mental health, the New York Times reports. What they're saying: "I've learned to detach myself a bit so it's less stressful," said Taj Ashaheed, a 53-year-old reentry specialist for former prisoners who lives in Aurora. - "It's almost a paranoia, a paranoia that there's no safe place," added Thomas Mayes, a 70-year-old Aurora pastor.
- "I'm saddened more than anything," Mayes added about his experience viewing footage of police brutality. "I don't feel anger would even fit in there. I'm not surprised, but I'm disappointed. It's one of the saddest feelings I ever get. It's hard to fight back the tears."
Share this story … and see the NYT story |
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| A message from Kaiser Permanente |
| The right mix of mental health care and support for Coloradans |
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| What you're missing: Mental illness is a pervasive and costly issue for employees and employers. - Untreated depression costs employers $9,450 per employee, per year.
Comprehensive and accessible mental health treatment is an essential part of any health care plan. Get the details. |
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| 4. Mile Highlights: Former DPS superintendent is back |
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| Susana Cordova poses for a portrait at the library of Emily Griffith campus in Denver in 2020. Photo: Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images |
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| 🍎 Former Denver Public Schools superintendent Susana Cordova is the sole finalist for Colorado education commissioner. Cordova spent the last two years working for the Dallas Independent School District. (CPR) 🐝 Aditi Muthukumar, 12, is advancing as the only Colorado speller in today's quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee after correctly spelling the word "infotainment." (Denver Post) 🚨 The latest draft safety for Denver Public Schools would let individual principals determine whether to have armed police officers on campus. (Chalkbeat) ⛷️ Ski areas in the Rocky Mountain Region reported record-high visitors, at 27.9 million for the 2022-23 season, thanks to abundant snowfall. (Colorado Sun) - Yes, but: At least 17 people died at Colorado ski resorts last season, an increase from previous years. (Colorado Sun)
🎓 A Colorado high school student barred from wearing a Mexican American-themed sash did so anyway, but she wasn't challenged because it was partially covered. (9News) 🎸 Westword canceled its annual Music Showcase as it looks for a new area to host it. (Denverite) |
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| 5. 🏀 Don't miss this mural |
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| A spray-painted mural of the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray by artist Thomas "Detour" Evans, located near Colfax Avenue and Race Street. Photo: Alayna Alvarez/Axios |
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| If sky-high ticket prices keep you from seeing the Denver Nuggets in the Finals, there's still a way to see Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray up close. What's happening: Inspired by the team's first-ever championship appearance, local artist Thomas "Detour" Evans debuted a new mural over the weekend of the two superstars near Colfax Avenue and Race Street. - The eye-catching artwork is drawing fans from all over the city.
What to watch: Detour plans to spray-paint more elements onto the mural throughout the NBA Finals — including, hopefully, a trophy after Denver beats Miami, the artist told Denver7. Of note: Later this morning, the city of Denver will unveil a ceremonially renamed street sign on Bannock Street Plaza to celebrate the team's success. Share this with a Nuggets fan |
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| A message from Kaiser Permanente |
| Investing in employee well-being yields better outcomes at lower costs |
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| What this means: The mental health of your workforce and your company's bottom line are inextricably linked. - Untreated mental illnesses can impact absenteeism and productivity.
The solution: Offering comprehensive and holistic mental care helps employees and your company thrive. Learn more. |
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| Our picks: 🙄 John is rolling his eyes at the Miami mayor (whom he used to cover in Florida's legislature) for this cheesy taunt about the Denver Nuggets. 😆 Alayna is curious what Coloradans think about Gov. Jared Polis' "friendly wager" to move Disney World to the Centennial State if the Nuggets win. 🎷 Esteban is reading this interview with Colorado native Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire. Thanks to our editor Ross Terrell and copy editor Bill Kole. |
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