Denver, CO
A Writer Goes Down the Rabbit Hole at Denver’s First Microdosing Cafe
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I’m lying on a mattress in a basement off South Broadway. A mask blocks what little light there is, and a loud humming fills my ears. I know this sounds like the setup of a Liam Neeson movie, but I’m not a hostage—just a woman searching for relief in an unusual place.
It’s been about 20 minutes since I ingested two milligrams of psilocybin, aka magic mushrooms, in the form of a powder mixed into a strawberry smoothie, and if I’m going to start feeling things, now is the time, according to our licensed facilitator. Four other people are traveling on their own internal odysseys alongside me at Vivid Minds Cafe, one of the state’s first licensed healing centers following the passage of Proposition 122 in November 2022.
The building is part coffeeshop (which opened in August 2025), part natural medicine center (early March). Co-owners and spouses Manon Manoeuvre and Jeffrey Parton designed the space this way to make psilocybin-assisted therapy more approachable and affordable. Other Front Range healing centers focus on pricey macrodosing journeys (starting around $1,500), but Vivid Minds gives psychedelic-curious Denverites a chance to wade into the microdosing world in a group setting for just $150.
Until recently, I wouldn’t have counted myself among these curious minds. Thanks to my scary-but-effective D.A.R.E. officers, I’ve been too terrified to take more than two ibuprofen, let alone dabble in mushrooms. But burgeoning research into psilocybin has me rethinking my view on psychedelics. Although the evidence is mixed, some studies show that microdosers experience lower levels of anxiety and depression than their non-microdosing counterparts—a perk that’s especially attractive to me.
I’ve been on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for about seven years to manage my formerly crippling anxiety. As a child, I would obsessively watch the clock whenever my parents ran errands, convinced that a lengthy absence meant they’d died in a horrific car crash. My anxiety didn’t disappear with age; it only morphed. Now I lie awake wondering if the swollen lymph node in my neck is cancerous. Most of the time, my anxiety disorder is well-managed with medication, but recently it’s been resurging with a vengeance.
Which is why I’m lying here, a lavender-scented pillow beneath my head and a fleece blanket pulled up to my chin, wondering what will happen next. Will my heart start racing? Will scary hallucinations fill my vision? Will they have to wheel me out on a stretcher?
The post-consumption portion of the session began with a brief yoga flow before we settled onto our mattresses for a sound bath. But as the quartz bowls reverberate around me, I feel…nothing. My heart isn’t pounding, I’m not tasting colors, and I don’t anticipate the need for an ambulance. Microdoses are designed to be subperceptual. To see long-term relief, the science suggests microdosing every two to three days. “It’s not really a one-time thing,” Manoeuvre says. “For most people, it works more as a gentle, ongoing practice rather than a single-session fix.”
When the instructor calls us out of our final shavasana, I remove the mask. I had heard one woman crying softly during the sound bath; beside me, a man snores lightly. “Everyone’s experience can look a little different, so it’s not one-size-fits-all,” Manoeuvre says.
While I didn’t expect one 90-minute microdose session to eradicate my anxiety, my mind did feel different. Well, mostly my mindset. I no longer viewed magic mushrooms as a wild party drug or something to be afraid of. Instead, they cracked open a door I didn’t know was there. One I could choose to walk through, or not. Either way, I didn’t fear what was on the other side.
Read More: I Tried Magic Mushrooms for My Mental Health. Here’s What Happened.
Denver, CO
Glitz and glamor take the stage in Monty Python’s “Spamalot” at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Audiences heading to Denver for the upcoming run of “Spamalot” will see plenty of glitz, glamour and even some costumes that have become fan favorites over the years.
Ahead of the musical’s visit to Denver from Aug. 11-23, CBS Colorado was given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the production while it was playing at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis.
The tour took place backstage inside a costume gondola, where ensemble member Claire Kennard showcased some of the elaborate wardrobe pieces featured in the show.
One of the standout costumes is the production’s “Laker Girl” outfit, which Kennard said is packed with intricate details.
“This is our Laker Girl costume. As you can see, we have the nude mesh, so there’s a little bit of a nude illusion. There’s that fish net aspect in there, the ruffles to mimic the coral, the pearls. There’s just a lot of little details that our costume designer, Jen Caprio, thought very thoroughly about,” Kennard said.
Kennard also highlighted one of the ensemble’s showgirl costumes, noting that each performer wears a different color variation.
“So this is our showgirl costume. Each of the girls, there are four ensemble girls, we have different colors, and I am the teal. Which is my personal favorite color. We have tail feathers that are right over here, which are my second favorite part of this costume,” Kennard said.
The costumes are designed to help bring the musical’s over-the-top comedy and spectacle to life.
“(We have) lots of glitz and glamor, and we shine on stage,” Kennard said.
Fans of the musical may also recognize some familiar pieces when the production arrives in Denver. Several of the most popular costumes from the original touring production of “Spamalot” remain on the road and will be featured during the Denver stop.
The Tony Award-winning musical, based on the comedy of Monty Python, will be performed in Denver from Aug. 11 through Aug. 23. Tickets and more information are available on the DCPA website.
CBS Colorado is a proud partner of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
At least seven people were injured in three crashes across Denver between Saturday night and Sunday morning, police said.
The Denver Police Department reported the first crash at 11:20 p.m. Saturday. Two people were injured in a two-car crash near West Colfax Avenue and Kalamath Street, on the edge of Denver’s Lincoln Park and Auraria neighborhoods, police said.
One person was injured in a separate crash involving a motorcycle in the 1200 block of Broadway in Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, according to a post from the police department at 1:19 a.m. Sunday.
Paramedics then took four people to the hospital after a two-car crash near Yosemite Street and East 12th Avenue in Denver’s East Colfax neighborhood, police wrote on social media at 3:26 a.m. Sunday.
Additional information about the crashes, including the causes, was not immediately available on Sunday.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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RTD’s Proposed September Service Changes are designed to further enhance and strengthen RTD’s transit network by refining service, improving reliability, and better aligning resources with customer needs.
As part of the September 2026 Service Change, RTD is advancing a coordinated set of transit service enhancements designed to strengthen reliability, restore key frequencies, and improve access to major destinations across the system. These proposed changes reflect observed utilization trends, operational performance, and lessons learned during recent reconstruction activities, while maintaining flexibility for future evaluation and adjustment. Several of the recommended enhancements are supported by Clean Transit Enterprise (CTE) grant funding and are intended to restore and expand service consistent with the System Optimization Plan (SOP), noting that final CTE allocations are still in development.
You can view all the proposed changes below and learn more by watching our presentation in English or Spanish.
Customer feedback on the Proposed September Service Changes will be collected through July 8. We invite you to virtually attend our public meetings and Ask a Service Planner sessions, or share your feedback through the online survey. Customer feedback is important to RTD, and we thank you for participating however you can!
Public Meetings
Interpretation is available at no cost. Call 303.299.2051 or email [email protected] at least 5 business days before the meeting and tell us the meeting name, date, and the language(s) you need.
Ask a Service Planner 1: Monday, June 22 at noon
Public Meeting 1: Monday, June 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Ask a Service Planner 2: Tuesday, June 23 at noon
Public Meeting 2: Wednesday, June 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Proposed September 2026 Service Changes
In addition to the routes listed below, the following routes also have proposed changes:
23 – West 20th Avenue
Route Adjustment, Schedule Timing
Proposed Change
It is proposed to split the existing Route 20 into Route 20 and Route 23, with Route 23 serving the western portion of Route 20 along 20th Ave., terminating at Union Station on the eastern end.
Reason
Maintains connectivity between Lakewood and Edgewater to downtown Denver.
Updated Map
Survey Link
AL – Denver International Airport to Longmont
Service Increase
Proposed Change
New route would provide hourly service from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with service operating from 8th Ave. and Coffman St. to US 287 with a stop at Niwot Park-n-Ride and into Lafayette Park-n-Ride to E-470 to Denver International Airport (DEN).
Reason
Requested by policymakers, stakeholders and customers, service will provide connections from Longmont to Denver Airport via the Lafayette Park-n-Ride
Updated Map
Survey Link
BMFX – Broomfield FlexRide
Service Increase
Proposed Change
Extend weekday service to 9 p.m., with an extra vehicle added during a.m. and p.m. peaks. Add a second vehicle during Saturday peak hours; and implement Sunday service from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reason
The City and County of Broomfield requested additional service, which can be supported through available grant funding.
Survey Link
WGFX – Wagon Road FlexRide
Service Reduction
Proposed Change
Discontinue service.
Reason
Low utilization, with service averaging 1 boarding per hour at a cost of $158.33 per boarding.
Survey Link
Dashboard: Routes and Lines
A
Union Station – Denver Airport
- Schedule Timing
- Service Reduction
Change
Schedule adjustments, modifying early morning and evening service frequencies as follows:
3 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 30-minute frequency
6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.: 15-minute frequency
7:30 p.m. to end of service: 30-minute frequency (as compared to current schedule, which transitions to 30-minute frequency beginning with the 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. departures)
The proposed change to schedule timing would result in the loss of (2) daily morning trips.
Reason
Adjusting the span of 15-minute service better aligns frequency with customer demand by providing more frequent service later into the evening. Schedule changes also create more consistent departure times during periods of 30-minute service, making the schedule easier to understand while improving operational efficiency and better aligning service with contractual requirements.
C
Littleton•Mineral – Union Station
- Service Increase
Change
It is proposed to permanently reinstate the C Line once Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project is complete.
Reason
Provide a stable and consistent service pattern between Littleton•Mineral Station and Union Station to enhance the customer experience.
D
18th•California – Littleton•Mineral Station
- Service Reduction
Change
It is proposed to permanently discontinue the D Line, which is currently not operating per Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project.
Reason
Permanent reinstatement of the C Line will provide service between Littleton•Mineral Station and Union Station, and provide the ability to transfer to Downtown Loop via the I-25•Broadway, Alameda, and 10th•Osage stations.
L
30th•Downing – 16th•Stout
- Route Adjustment
Change
L Line will remain suspended until completion of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project in 2027. Upon project completion, the L Line is proposed to return and operate between 30th•Downing and at least I-25•Broadway. Service beyond I-25•Broadway may be considered based on ridership demand, available funding, and operational needs.
Reason
Upon completion of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, reinstating and enhancing L Line service would restore rail service along the corridor, provide additional connections within the light rail network, and support travel options for customers previously served by the D Line through the Downtown Loop.
T
Lincoln Station – I-25•Broadway Station
- Schedule Timing
Change
Minor changes to weekday, Saturday, and Sunday/Holiday schedules.
Reason
Improve passenger connections between the T Line and service to Union Station.
W
Union Station – JeffCo Gov’t Center•Golden Station
- Schedule Timing
Change
Minor changes to weekday, Saturday, and Sunday/Holiday schedules.
Reason
Improve on-time performance and prevent track spacing conflicts with the C and E lines.
1
West 1st Avenue
- Schedule Timing
Change
Minor changes to weekday, Saturday and Sunday/Holiday schedules.
Reason
Improve on-time performance and service reliability.
9
West 10th Avenue
- Schedule Timing
- Route Adjustment
Change
Realignment of stops along route, and relocation to Gate 9 at Union Station.
Reason
Better serve alternating stops in downtown Denver.
10
East 12th Avenue
- Schedule Timing
- Route Adjustment
Change
Reroute service to Decatur•Federal Station as western terminal via Auraria Pkwy., West Colfax Ave., and Federal Blvd.
Reason
Provide bus connection from Downtown to Decatur/Federal to replace discontinued routing segment of Route 15L.
11
Mississippi Avenue
- Schedule Timing
- Seasonal Adjustment
Change
Minor changes to weekday, Saturday and Sunday/Holiday schedules while reinstating seasonal tripper service.
Reason
Improve on-time performance and service reliability while aligning with seasonal ridership levels at South High School.
14
West Florida Avenue
- Schedule Timing
Change
Minor changes to weekday, Saturday and Sunday/Holiday schedules.
Reason
Improve on-time performance and service reliability.
15
East Colfax Avenue
- Schedule Timing
- Route Adjustment
Change
Implement dedicated lane operations along Colfax Avenue between Broadway and Colorado Blvd. while discontinuing western segment of route that serves Decatur•Federal station.
Reason
Support East Colfax Dedicated Lane Operations per progression of Bus Rapid Transit Project.
15L
East Colfax Limited
- Schedule Timing
- Route Adjustment
Change
Reroute service to Union Station while implementing dedicated lane operations along Colfax Avenue between Broadway and Colorado Blvd.
Reason
Support East Colfax Dedicated Lane Operations per progression of Bus Rapid Transit Project, with changes to Route 10 serving the portion of discontinued route.
20
20th Avenue
- Schedule Timing
- Seasonal Adjustment
- Route Adjustment
Change
It is proposed to split the existing Route 20 into Route 20 and Route 23, with Route 20 serving the eastern portion of the route. Decatur•Federal would serve as the western terminal via 15th St., Platte St., Water St., I-25, West Colfax Avenue, and Federal Blvd.
Seasonal tripper service reinstated with morning tripper times adjusted.
Reason
Provide bus connection from Downtown to Decatur/Federal to Replace Route 15L. Better serve East High School morning bell times.
24
University Blvd
- Seasonal Adjustment
Change
Reinstate seasonal tripper service.
Reason
Align with seasonal ridership levels.
32
West 32nd Avenue
- Schedule Timing
- Route Adjustment
Change
Relocate western terminal from Old Town Arvada Station to Clear Creek Crossing Transfer Center in Wheat Ridge via 32nd Avenue.
Reason
Extends access to Wheat Ridge and facilitates transfers to the 72 and 38 at Clear Creek Crossing Transfer Center.
35
Hampden Avenue
- Service Increase
- Seasonal Adjustment
Change
Reinstating seasonal tripper service with an additional morning trip to alleviate overcrowding caused by school bell times at John F. Kennedy High School.
Reason
Alleviate overcrowding per school bell times at John F. Kennedy High School.
37
Smith Road Industrial
- Schedule Timing
Change
Shift Westbound trips for better spacing (targeting even 30 minute intervals). Level of service will not be impacted.
Reason
Create clockface headway to make route easier to utilize.
42
Montbello via Albrook / Green Valley Ranch
- Schedule Timing
- Seasonal Adjustment
Change
Minor schedule adjustments while reinstating seasonal tripper service.
Reason
Improve connections with A Line and operating conditions while aligning with seasonal ridership levels.
45
Montbello / Green Valley Ranch
- Schedule Timing
- Seasonal Adjustment
Change
Minor changes to weekday, Saturday and Sunday/Holiday schedules while reinstating seasonal tripper service.
Reason
Improve on-time performance, service reliability and operating conditions while aligning with seasonal ridership levels.
51
Sheridan Blvd
- Service Increase
- Seasonal Adjustment
Change
Reinstating seasonal tripper service with an additional morning and evening trip to alleviate overcrowding caused by school bell times at John F. Kennedy High School.
Reason
Alleviate overcrowding per school bell times at John F. Kennedy High School.
52
West 52nd Avenue / South Bannock
- Schedule Timing
- Route Adjustment
Change
Reroute to serve to Ralston Road/64th Avenue in Arvada west of the Independence and 58th intersection.
Reason
Rerouting the 52 maintains coverage to 64th/Ralston Road that would otherwise be lost due to the reroute of the route 72. Note: Western terminal located at W 63rd Ave. and Wright St. would not change.
53
North Sheridan Blvd / Broomfield
- Schedule Timing
- Route Adjustment
Change
Extend route to Orchard Pkwy and 144th Ave.
Reason
Provide paratransit service to The Grove Community.
59
West Bowles
- Route Adjustment
Change
Relocate westbound departure gate at Downtown•Littleton Station to Gate C.
Reason
Reduce gate conflicts with route 30.
65
Monaco Parkway
- Schedule Timing
- Seasonal Adjustment
Change
Reinstate seasonal tripper service.
Reason
Align with seasonal ridership levels.
72
72nd Avenue
- Schedule Timing
- Service Increase
- Route Adjustment
Change
Extend route to to Clear Creek Crossing Transfer Center in Wheat Ridge via 58th Ave., adding five weekday trips in the mornings (two eastbound and three westbound).
Reason
Provide additional service and improved connections to Lutheran Hospital earlier in the morning and facilitating transfers to the G line, routes 38 and 32.
73
Quebec Street
- Seasonal Adjustment
- Route Adjustment
Change
Realign routing near Belleview Station (with no changes to current bus stop locations or access). Reinstate seasonal tripper service.
Reason
Route change at Belleview to utilize safer turning movements. Align with seasonal ridership levels.
83L
Cherry Creek / Parker Road Limited
- Schedule Timing
- Route Adjustment
Change
Extend route to DUS from Wade Blank Civic Center Station via 15th and 17th streets.
Reason
Requested by policymakers, stakeholders and customers, service will be extended to Denver Union Station (DUS) from Wade Blank Civic Center Station.
105
Havana Street
- Schedule Timing
Change
Minor changes to weekday, Saturday and Sunday/Holiday schedules.
Reason
Improve on-time performance, service reliability, and operating conditions.
153
Chambers Road
- Schedule Timing
Change
Minor changes to weekday, Saturday and Sunday/Holiday schedules.
Reason
Improve on-time performance, service reliability, and operating conditions.
204
Table Mesa / Moorhead / North 19th
- Schedule Timing
Change
Adjust northbound running times between 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Reason
Improve on-time performance, service reliability, and operating conditions.
206
Conestoga / Arapahoe / Fairview High School
- Schedule Timing
Change
Southbound 7:57 a.m. trip adjusted.
Reason
Account for traffic delays due to 8:30 a.m. school start time.
225
Boulder / Lafayette via Baseline
- Seasonal Adjustment
- Route Adjustment
Change
Adjust route to return service to Willoughby Corner before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. while reinstating fall/winter service levels.
Reason
Align with seasonal ridership levels.
228
Lafayette / Louisville / Broomfield
- Service Reduction
Change
Discontinue service.
Reason
Low utilization, with service averaging 4 boardings per hour at a cost of $33.31 per boarding.
323
Skyline Crosstown
- Schedule Timing
Change
Shift the 5:52 p.m. weekday, eastbound trip from Bent/DryCreek to 6 p.m.
Reason
Allow for improved connections at 8th Ave. and Coffman St.
AB1
Airport to Boulder
- Schedule Timing
Change
Adjust schedules to align trips into a consistent 30-minute, clock-face pattern (:00 and :30) between US 36 and Table Mesa Park-n-Ride and Denver International Airport (DEN).
Reason
Create more consistent headways from Table Mesa PnR to Denver International Airport
AB2
Airport to Boulder
- Schedule Timing
Change
Adjust schedules to align trips into a consistent 30-minute, clock-face pattern (:00 and :30) between US 36 and Table Mesa Park-n-Ride and Denver International Airport (DEN).
Reason
Create more consistent headways from Table Mesa PnR to Denver International Airport
ART
Art District Connector
- Route Adjustment
Change
Current northbound detour made permanent.
Reason
Traffic-calming infrastructure at 36th Ave. and Marion St prevents current routing.
DASH
Boulder / Lafayette via Louisville
- Schedule Timing
- Seasonal Adjustment
- Route Adjustment
Change
Reinstate service to Willoughby Corner before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m., with minor schedule adjustments and reinstatement of fall/winter service levels.
Reason
Improve on-time performance and service reliability while supporting seasonal ridership levels.
FREERIDE
16th Street FreeRide
- Schedule Timing
Change
Minor schedule adjustments to weekend service.
Reason
Improve on-time performance.
JUMP
Boulder / Lafayette / Erie via Arapahoe
- Route Adjustment
Change
Route would also serve Gate J at Downtown Boulder Station (Gate M will remain depature gate).
Reason
Addition of service to Gate J allows for safer turn movements from the current routing while improving boarding conditions of paratransit customers who have reported difficulty crossing Canyon Street. Support seasonal ridership levels.
LD
Longmont / Denver
- Schedule Timing
Change
Adjust the 5:30 p.m. departure from Union Station to 5:40 p.m.
Reason
Better align with travel patterns and other departure times at Union Station.
LX2
Longmont / Denver Express
- Schedule Timing
Change
Adjust the 4:06 p.m. departure from Union Station to 4:20 p.m.
Reason
Better align with travel patterns and other departure times at Union Station.
NB1
Boulder / Nederland / Eldora
- Schedule Timing
- Seasonal Adjustment
- Route Adjustment
Change
It is proposed to reinstate seasonal service to Eldora Ski Resort.
Reason
Provide service to/from Eldora Ski Resort.
NB2
Boulder / Nederland / Eldora
- Schedule Timing
- Seasonal Adjustment
- Route Adjustment
Change
It is proposed to reinstate seasonal service to Eldora Ski Resort.
Reason
Provide service to/from Eldora Ski Resort.
SKIP
Broadway (Boulder)
- Schedule Timing
- Seasonal Adjustment
Change
Minor adjustments to weekday schedules while reinstating fall/winter service levels.
Reason
Improve on-time performance while aligning with seasonal ridership levels.
ILFX
Interlocken / Westmoor FlexRide
- Service Increase
Change
Extend weekday service to 9 p.m.
Reason
The City and County of Broomfield requested additional service, which can be supported through available grant funding.
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