Your Daily Guide

🚨 DPD Launches 'Operation Overdose Intercept'

The Denver Police Department launched a new initiative last week in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration to reduce drug overdose deaths by targeting dealers. On its first day, officials working for the new operation arrested 34 people suspected in ties to drug distribution. They aim to conduct more than 100 enforcement operations per week across the city over the next eight weeks. [CBS News; Facebook]

• Why overdoses, why now? Overdose deaths rose in Denver in 2025, with 563 deaths compared to 483 2024. Overdoses have also increased at the state level. [Denver.gov]
• A different approach: Harm reduction advocates say that arresting dealers and seizing drugs doesn’t stop people from using. Rather, it can introduce new suppliers and make the supply more volatile, which experts say may be what caused a spike in overdose deaths earlier this year. [City Cast Denver 🎧 ]
• Has your life been changed by an overdose? International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31, and we’d like to hear your story as the day of action nears. What should Denverites know about addiction? How could Denver do better at preventing overdose deaths?

🏘️ Affordable Housing Program Faces Uncertain Future

Looming funding cuts in an already strapped city budget threaten a pilot program aimed at making housing more affordable. Over the past five years, the program has spent $1.64 million helping Denverites build 26 accessory dwelling units, or “granny flats,” on their properties. Construction for new ADUs has moved slower than anticipated, and proposed budget cuts could threaten in-progress builds and make it more costly for new ADUs to be built. [Westword]

🥖 United Announces New Direct Flight From DIA to Paris

United Airlines announced this week that a new nonstop flight from DIA to Paris will begin in May 2027. Operating year-round, the flight will take place on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the airline’s “most premium” international aircraft. United isn’t planning any additional long-haul routes to international destinations at this time. [Denver Business Journal 🔐; United]

⚽ City Council Approves Summit FC Pedestrian Bridge

Denver City Council approved the use of a $5.3 million state grant for the design and preconstruction of a pedestrian bridge connecting the 1-25 and Broadway RTD stop to the site of the future Summit FC stadium. In December, City Council approved a deal to build the soccer stadium at Santa Fe Yards. Officials expect the bridge to be completed in 2030. [Denver Post 🔐]