GLP-1 Treatments, Semaglutide or Tirzepatide Medical Weight Loss in Denver, CO

Pete Stidman, who started working at Wax Trax when he was twelve, knows a lot about the music business and keeps growing the Capitol Hill institution that his father, Dave Stidman, and Duane Davis founded five decades ago. But he didn’t know much about James Acaster before his marketing and events manager, Delaney Schoenfeldt, discovered that the former musician/current hot British comic was coming to the Paramount for a sold-out show tonight, February 7.

A “huge fan” of Acaster and Temps, the forty-musician collective Acaster formed during the pandemic, Schoenfeldt reached out to his agent with an idea for an “out-of-the-box,” in-store appearance at Wax Trax. Turns out, former mayoral candidate and Wheelchair Sports Camp mainstay Kalyn Heffernan, who was part of Temps and collaborated on the song “at(moves)” on the 2023 PARTY GATOR PURGATORY album Acaster curated, was planning to hang out with the comic when he was in town.

“They’d love to come talk about music and comedy,” Schoenfeldt recalls the agent saying. So she arranged for Heffernan to interview Acaster during a free, in-store appearance at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, and when the agent noted that Acaster didn’t have a social media presence, Schoenfeldt asked if he could mention the Wax Trax gig during his Paramount show.

He did much, much better.

In advance of Acaster’s in-store appearance, Stidman remembers thinking that “maybe I should know more about him, get a sense of his style,” so he decided to check out the Seth Meyers show on February 5 when Acaster was booked as a guest. And halfway through, as Meyers was asking the comic about London, Stidman suddenly heard:

“Wax Trax, Denver, Colorado, 8th of February.” And then Acaster repeated himself.

“1:30 p.m., Wax Trax record store. I’m doing a Q&A,” Acaster said. “They’re very worried that people aren’t going to show.”

No danger of that: hometown hero Heffernan has plenty of fans, and Wax Trax’s Instagram post about the “very unexpected (and very long) shout-out on Late Night with Seth Meyers last night” has already had a million views.

“I was stunned by the response,” Schoenfeldt says. So she checked the store’s supply of Party Gator Purgatory. “It’s a great album, we played it in the shop,” she says. “Everyone was asking about it.” Wax Trax has exactly eighteen copies. (No mention of the Wax Trax onesie Acaster mentioned to Meyers.)

The store at 638 East Thirteenth Avenue doesn’t have a lot of room, either, so Stidman’s asking fans to line up outside before the event, which will be first-come, first-served.

Remember: “1:30 p.m., Wax Trax record store, Denver, Colorado.”

On Late Night, Acaster kept returning to that date, when he said he’d answer all the questions Meyers asked. “If you want the full answer,” he said, “you’ve got to come to Wax Trax…that is all I do when I come to America. I do Late Night with you, and I do Wax Trax in Denver, Colorado.”

Bishop James Golka of Colorado Springs will replace retiring Archbishop of Denver Samuel Aquila starting in March, Pope Leo XIV announced Saturday.

Golka, 59, will be installed as Denver’s sixth archbishop in a Solemnity of the Annunciation Mass on March 25, Denver archdiocese officials said in a news release.

Aquila submitted his retirement request to the pope on Sept. 25, his 75th birthday, after 13 years overseeing metro Denver’s more than 600,000 Catholics, 148 parishes and 31 Catholic schools. Pope Leo accepted Aquila’s retirement Saturday.

Aquila introduced Golka, who was named bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs by Pope Francis in April 2021,during a news conference at the John Paul II Pastoral Center in Denver on Saturday morning.

Golka understands the challenges facing the U.S. and the world, such as immigration and the dignity of human life, Aquila said.

“I have gotten to know Bishop Golka as a man of prayer and a deep love for Jesus and the Blessed Mother,” Aquila said. He noted, to laughter from the crowd, that Golka is a much better Spanish speaker and served closely with Spanish-speaking communities as a priest in Grand Island, Neb.

Golka found out about the appointment on Monday and is “equally excited and equally sad” about serving in Denver and leaving his community in Colorado Springs, he told the crowd.

He also spoke directly to Spanish-speaking Catholics, telling them in Spanish he dreamed of walking alongside them toward God’s kingdom and plan.

Golka answered several questions from the audience, including his perspective on immigration issues and the narrative that he represents a shift away from Denver’s historically conservative archdiocese.

He described “basic beginning points” found in the faith for addressing immigration concerns.

“Every country has a right to guard their border. Every people a right to seek safer, better land, if they’re not receiving it in their homeland. And as Catholics, what is charity? If someone’s at my door in need, I help them,” he said.

Golka pushed back against the notion that his appointment was a rupture or break from the tradition of conservative leadership in Denver’s archdiocese, noting any “discontinuity” is not the work of the Holy Spirit. Terms such as “conservative” and “liberal” are not helpful, he added.

“I love the term ‘faithful.’ I want to be faithful to Jesus. I want to be faithful to his church. I want to be faithful to his teachings, and I want to be faithful to where the spirit is leading us,” he said.

Golka’s siblings and 92-year-old father, Bob, were in the crowd Saturday morning, and attendees applauded as Golka asked his dad to stand. Golka’s mother, Patricia, died a month ago, he said.

Golka was born in Grand Island as the fourth of 10 children. After graduating from Creighton University in Omaha with degrees in philosophy and theology, he served as a Jesuit lay missionary volunteer for Native American missions in South Dakota from 1989 to 1990, according to archdiocese officials.

Golka then attended St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota, where he earned a master of divinity and a master’s degree in sacramental theology.

He was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Grand Island in June 1994 and served as vicar general and pastor of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary before his 2021 appointment to Colorado Springs.

At the center of the increase is the expiration of a $55,000 property value exemption that had been in place for the past two years under Senate Bill 233.

DENVER — Property tax bills landed in Colorado mailboxes this month, leaving many homeowners stunned by double-digit increases as temporary state relief measures expired and new assessment formulas took effect.

At the center of the increase is the expiration of a $55,000 property value exemption that had been in place for the past two years under Senate Bill 233.

"The $55,000 adjustment to actual value, which has been in existence for two years, '23 and '24, was removed for 2025," Douglas County Assessor Toby Damisch said.

The elimination of that exemption had an unusual effect even on properties where market values didn't change during the 2025 reappraisal cycle.

"If your value remained flat for the '25 reappraisal, meaning the assessor didn't change it, in a way it automatically increased for property tax purposes by $55,000 because that value got put back on for this year," Damisch said.

The changes accumulated after the end of the temporary relief. In 2022, lawmakers passed a short-term relief bill that lowered property tax assessment rates and reduced residential home valuations by $15,000, multiplied by a 6.95% assessment rate. Senate Bill 233 in 2024 expanded that relief to $55,000, using a 6.7% assessment rate.

Both measures were designed as temporary fixes, but their expiration has left homeowners who had grown accustomed to lower bills facing sharp increases.

Adding to the complexity, Colorado implemented a split assessment rate system in 2025. Homeowners now pay one rate of 7.05% for school district funding and another rate of 6.25% for all other local government services.

"It's a tough story," Damisch said. "We haven't known how to communicate it."

"Now instead of paying one assessment rate for homeowners, we're paying one for education and another for everything else," Damisch said.

Local ballot measures have also affected bills. Voter-approved levy increases at school districts, fire districts and metropolitan districts have caused increased tax rates in some areas, while other neighborhoods have seen decreases as metro district bonds were paid off early.

"There are property bills that you're probably not hearing about that are going the other direction," Damisch said, citing the Stonegate neighborhood in Douglas County, where he said bond payoff has reduced tax bills by hundreds of dollars.

The City and County of Denver held its mill levy flat for 2026, with no change from 2025. Denver officials attributed increases to Colorado House Bill 24 B-1001, which established higher assessment rates for school districts starting in 2025.

"The higher assessment rate per HB24B-1001 has a significant impact on taxpayers since two-thirds of property tax is for Denver Public Schools," the city stated.

Denver and Arapahoe County have also adjusted their notification methods to save costs. Denver says it is saving nearly 500,000 pieces of paper and $100,000 in mailing costs annually by posting statements online. Arapahoe County now sends postcards instead of full statements, which are available on the county website.

This week around Denver, ten brave people will read their unsent messages about sex at the Unsent show, Chris Lorenzo is doing a surprise pop-up set at the top of Vail Mountain, and there are chances to swing dance and line dance.

On a budget? Check out our list of free things to do. But for now, stick around for events worth the price of admission in and around Denver:

This Week

Country Line Dancing @ The RoseWednesday, February 4, 7 p.m.Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Street, GoldenJoin Jeff Goodwin and the Front Range Cowboys for an evening of toe-tapping tunes and line dancing that’ll have you two-stepping till closing time. General admission is $10 for online presale and $15 at the door.

Chris Lorenzo Pop-Up SetFriday, February 6, 8 a.m.Legendary Back Bowls Sign, top of Vail Mountain, 155 East Post BoulevardInternational electronic musician Chris Lorenzo will do a surprise performance at the top of Vail Mountain at 8 a.m. Friday. The event is free (after the price it takes to get to the top of the mountain) and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Wristbands are required for entry and space is limited, so plan to arrive early to secure your free wristband and guarantee access. Lorenzo also has a Denver performance on Saturday, February 7 at Mission Ballroom.

A Lesbian Teaches You How to FlirtFriday, February 6, 6-8 p.m.Sexploratorium, 1800 South BroadwayPeople of all sexualities and genders are invited to this workshop presented by a college professor who specializes in human interaction and relationships. Participants will learn about the art of flirting. Tickets start at $40.

Lumonics ImmersedFridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.Lumonics Light & Sound Gallery, 800 East 73 AvenueLumonics is a multi-sensory environment intended to bring guests into a state of comfort and expanded awareness. It features interactive art, such as light sculptures, painting, music, water fountains and projection. General admission tickets are $25.

Rainforest YogaSaturdays and Sundays, 7:45-8:45 a.m.Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 West 104th Avenue, WestminsterGet your yoga mat and a towel and head to the Butterfly Pavilion for rejuvenating yoga surrounded by butterflies and exotic plants. Registration, which is $18, is required before the class. Register here.

Unsent: Sex EditionSaturday, February 7, 7-9 p.m.Town Hall Collaborative, 525 Santa Fe DriveIn the Unsent show, people read their unsent messages aloud, and this month’s theme is all about sex. Tickets are $17.85.

The Secret Wings of Desire Fashion ShowSunday, February 8, 6-11 p.m.Olympus Discotheque, 2036 BroadwayIf you’re looking for some fashionable entertainment, head out to Kupid Kreations’ 4th annual fashion show, featuring Pretty Savage, a Denver‑based fashion house, plus local hip-hop artists, vendors and a host of entertainment artists and vendors. Over a dozen designers will compete in a high‑fashion experience rooted in Denver’s identity, with a winner determined by a panel of judges. The event’s goal is to create a community‑powered movement that gives local talent a platform to shine. They’re asking attendees to dress in red and black to add to the night’s festivities. Tickets are $13.50-$35.00 here.

Sunday Night Swing Dance ClassSunday, February 8, 6:30 p.m.The Pearl, 2199 California Street Swing out every Sunday at The Pearl (formerly the Mercury Cafe) for live music and swing dance lessons. Each week, swing dance basics and a few other tricks are taught, and drop-ins, singles, couples, families and groups of all sizes are welcome. Tickets are $18.

Plan Ahead

WomenRising 2026Monday, February 9, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.Virtual eventThe Denver Chapter of the Women Leaders Association will host this year’s WomenRising conference via Zoom. The event includes a day of presentations, panels and speakers on wellbeing, leadership, work-life boundaries and more. Registration is $99.

Ongoing

The Honest Eye: Camille Pissarro’s ImpressionismThrough Sunday, February 8Denver Art Museum, 100 West 14th Avenue ParkwayIt’s your last chance to catch (or revisit) the largest and most exhaustive survey of impressionist Pissarro’s work ever seen on this side of the Atlantic at the Denver Art Museum. Tickets are $5, in addition to general admission.

Silverthorne Ice CastlesThrough Saturday, February 21125 Stephens Way, SilverthorneReserve your spot to enjoy all things ice in Silverthorne, from ice sculptures and slides to tunnels, caverns and even an ice bar. Peak ticket pricing is $23-$30 while off-peak pricing is $16-$22. See dates here.

Dinos Alive Immersive ExperienceThrough Sunday, March 29Exhibition Hub, 3900 Elati StreetTaking up the space previously occupied by Titanic: An Immersive Voyage is Dinos Alive, a prehistoric playground with 35 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and a VR experience. “With Dinos Alive, from the time you first enter all the way to the time you leave, the space is completely consumed by this feeling of being in a sort of Mesozoic-era Jungle,” says executive producer John Zaller. “We’ve got theatrical lighting throughout that’s creating this scene that’s transitioning from day to night, as though you’re going through the whole day with the dinosaurs.” Tickets are $18.90 to $34.90.

Brick PlanetThrough Sunday, May 3Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado BoulevardBrick Planet: A Magical Journey Made with LEGO Bricks is a massive display of LEGO artistry at the DMNS. The new traveling exhibition by acclaimed LEGO artist Sean Kenney transforms ecosystems from around the globe into vivid, playful environments made from more than 1.5 million colorful bricks. The exhibit is included with general admission to the museum.

Do you know of a great event in Denver? We’ll update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.