Your Daily Guide

🔎 Auditor Shares Concerns Over DOTI’s Use of Funds on 16th Street Project

Auditor Timothy O’Brien says the massive renovation cost an extra $18 million due to the discovery of a historic sewer system during construction, but city council was never made aware of the spending because they aren’t required to sign off on it. The report also found that the city did not fine PCL Construction, the contractor who discovered the ancient pipes, the required $1 million for missed deadlines. [Denver Post 🔐]

🌷 New Lesbian Bar Coming to Capitol Hill

Sabina Palermo, a former employee of The Pearl – the queer bar and event space inside the old Mercury Cafe that came to a tumultuous end in April – has plans to open Wild Tulips at 13th and Downing by mid-October, thanks to the financial support of an anonymous investor. She says the new sapphic space will be imbued with a “’70s-style theme, with vintage decor, velvet furniture and dark, moody lighting.” [Westword]

• 🍑Not the first Pearl offshoot: Former co-owner of the troubled Pearl, Ashlee Cassity, announced a new restaurant and bar, Peach & Jack’s Bar & Grill, which will serve an Asian-fusion menu during the day and become a nightclub on Thursday through Sunday evenings with live DJs, karaoke, trivia, and more. [Business Den 🔐]

🤨 Did Polis Work With Trump to Free Tina Peters?

Tina Peters is currently considering a new (out-of-state) election oversight job, and revealed in a conservative media appearance that a member of President Trump’s White House counsel worked with Gov. Polis for her release. Polis’ office has not responded to comments about any collaboration with the Trump administration, but comments from Peters’ lawyer have raised some eyebrows. [Denver Post 🔐]

• An elections job?! The disgraced Mesa County Clerk has been offered a job as an assistant registrar of voters in Shasta County, California. Shasta County Clerk Clint Curtis said this would be a temporary role to work with the county “on their election concerns.” [Denver Post 🔐]