Denver, CO
Denver's asylum seeker program to change in 2025 as number of new arrivals drops
DENVER — In 2025, Denver’s Asylum Seeker Program (DASP) will not continue as it exists today because there simply isn’t a need, according to city officials.
In April, during an influx of immigrant arrivals, Mayor Mike Johnston announced the creation of DASP, a program that connects new arrivals with housing and food assistance while also helping them apply for asylum and work authorization.
“We were really, really focusing on getting folks out of shelter and into sustainable solutions,” said Jon Ewing, a spokesperson for Denver Human Services.
But in the new year, the city said the program will not continue as it exists today because there simply isn’t a need.
“You aren’t seeing buses arrive by the day. You aren’t seeing the same number of newcomers. You aren’t seeing 30 to 40 people waiting outside of a Home Depot trying to find any kind of job they can to support their families,” said Ewing.
The city has seen a steady decrease in immigrants coming to Denver since its peak on Jan. 11, when more than 5,000 newcomers were being served. According to the City of Denver’s dashboard, only 12 newcomers arrived Tuesday and only 13 arrived Wednesday. There are 14 immigrants staying in short-term shelters, according to the city.
The City of Denver has served 42,852 immigrants to date, totaling $75 million. In his budget proposal for 2025, Johnston only allotted $12.5 million for asylum seekers.
Denver
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston unveils tight 2025 budget proposal
According to our partners at The Denver Post, there are currently 865 migrants enrolled in DASP, half of which are children. Advocates say the proposed budget cuts are devastating.
“There is still an immense need to help migrants that have come here,” said Amy Beck with Together Denver.
Beck said she still receives multiple calls a week from those needing help.
Denver City Council on Monday approved a $6 million contract with the nonprofit Haven of Hope to provide food, clothing, laundry and other services to newly arrived immigrants, according to The Denver Post. Beck is critical of the contract, saying she would rather the city provide financial assistance directly to immigrants so they can buy basic necessities.
“I thought it was really wise of the city to let them make choices on where to spend that money because every family has different needs,” said Beck.
The Denver Post reports that the contract — which runs through the end of July 2025 — includes a requirement that the organization handles future enrollment of the Denver Asylum Seeker Program. The city did not provide details regarding what the program will look like next year.
As the calendar crawls closer to the end of 2024, Beck said the city is sending a clear message to those who are still arriving.
“The message it’s sending is, ‘Don’t come to Denver,’ which is the message the city has been sending for quite a while now,” she said.
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Denver, CO
Denver weather: Warming trend continues this weekend and into next week
DENVER (KDVR) — More sunny and hot conditions are in Denver’s weather forecast for the rest of the weekend and into next week.
Denver weather tonight: Mainly clear
Saturday night will stay mainly clear and warm. Low temperatures will fall to the mid 60s, which is about 5 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year.
Denver weather tomorrow: Sunny, hot
Sunday will be sunny, breezy and hot with wind gusts out of the south southwest picking up to 20-30 mph. High temperatures will climb to the mid 90s, which is more than 5 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, but well below the daily record of 102 set in 2024.
Looking ahead: Hot week ahead
Sunshine and a warming trend continues on Monday. High temperatures will reach just below the daily record of 100 degrees set in 2003.
More sunny and dry conditions are on the way through the workweek. Every day will start with a low in the 60s, then plenty of sunshine helping to boost high temperatures to the mid to upper 90s.
There is a slight chance for showers, mostly in the High Country, that return by the end of the week and the start of the weekend.
Denver, CO
Lakers Proposed to Land Peyton Watson in Massive 9-Player Blockbuster Trade
Getty
Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets is a potential Lakers free-agent target.
The Los Angeles Lakers are still exploring means to improve their roster ahead of the upcoming season. Moves have been made already, but there are opportunities to add more talent around Luka Doncic.
One potential target for L.A. is Denver Nuggets star, Peyton Watson. In a proposed multi-team deal involving the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans, the Lakers could land the high upside talent.
In the deal:
Both Watson and Jones have been linked with a move to L.A. this offseason, but no deal has been able to push forward. This proposal offers a chance to get both with one swing.
Lakers’ Outline for Acquiring Peyton Watson Through Trade


GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 14: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 14, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
Watson, 23, is a restricted free agent, which makes any approach difficult. The Nuggets could match any offer to retain him and are reportedly planning to do so.
The 6-foot-8 star is coming off a breakout season in Mile High City, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He shot 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three while starting 40 of his 54 appearances.
Watson’s camp is reportedly seeking north of $25 million per year which is unfavorable for the Nuggets at this point. Denver already has huge commitments to Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Anthony Gordon and Christian Braun.
The Lakers can capitalize on the Nuggets’ need to move for pieces for flexibility and pitch a move for Watson. There would be adequate space to fit in the incoming star with the outgoings in this framework.
The Lakers can offer Watson a multi-year deal that doesn’t affect their flexibility. Vanderbilt’s outgoing deal is the most notable, which is why the Lakers have put him at the top of their moving list for now.
Watson’s Upside and Adding Herb Jones to the Roster
GettyLuka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball as he is pressured by Herbert Jones #2 and Jeremiah Fears #0 of the the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of an 2025 Emirates NBA Cup game at Smoothie King Center on November 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Lakers would also get Jones out of this trade from the Pelicans. He is on a three-year, $68 million extension going through 2028-29 with a player option. His cap hit for 2026-27 sits at around $14.9 million.
With Watson and Jones, the Lakers would be bringing in roughly $38 million worth of salary, adding both Saddiq Rey for depth while sending out only about $26 million. This scenario would push L.A. well over its luxury limit but not into restrictive zones.
A potential lineup having Watson and Jones alongside Doncic, Austin Reaves and the newly acquired Walker Kessler, is positioned to be a strong core.
The real hurdle is getting Denver to move on from Watson. The franchise is committed to keeping him, even if it means giving up one of their more seasoned stars. They did activate a qualifying offer, making him restricted and they intend to match offers. Although a sign-and-trade is not impossible and the Lakers can work with that.
Adel Ahmad Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad
Denver, CO
One tree at a time: Denver nonprofit works to close shade gap as heat dome threatens neighborhoods
DENVER — Some Denver neighborhoods are far more vulnerable to this weekend’s incoming heat dome than others — and the difference comes down to trees.
The Valverde neighborhood on the city’s west side has about 9% canopy cover, leaving residents with little shade as temperatures climb toward triple digits.
▶️ WATCH: Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio learns more about The Park People and how it is helping neighborhoods in Denver.
One tree at a time: Denver nonprofit works to close shade gap as heat dome threatens neighborhoods
Kim Yuan-Farrell, executive director of The Park People, a nonprofit that plants trees in underserved neighborhoods, said the disparity across Denver is stark.
“We have some neighborhoods that have wonderful canopy cover, like 20 to 30% of those neighborhoods are forested. Then a number of our neighborhoods have really low canopy cover, between four or 8% where it’s just significantly less,” Yuan-Farrell said.
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The Park People identified 28 neighborhoods in need of more tree cover, including Westwood, Globeville and Northeast Park Hill.
Trees can cool an area by 15 to 20 degrees, making a significant difference.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned the heat dome could last through next weekend.
“The exceptional thing about this is how long it will last,” said NWS meteorologist Russell Danielson. “If you do have trees to take shelter under, it does actually cool down the temperature a decent amount.”
Yuan-Farrell said trees are more than a comfort — they are a critical piece of urban infrastructure.
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“We really consider it a really essential element of green infrastructure, a real nature-based solution to a lot of these really serious local environmental problems,” Yuan-Farrell said.
In the map below, explore Denver’s libraries and rec centers that welcome the public in from the heat during business hours.
When asked whether Denver has a long road ahead, she did not hesitate.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” Yuan-Farrell said. “And we really need our whole community to get involved in that.”
The Park People plant anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 trees a year. You can apply for one in your yard. Planting is set to begin in September.

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Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio covers topics that have an impact across Colorado. If you’d like to get in touch with Claire, fill out the form below to send her an email.
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