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Denver Just Approved a New Vibes Tax šŸ˜³šŸ»

4/1/2026 • What's Happenin' Team • Denver
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Denver’s New ā€œVibes Taxā€ Is Official

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Happy Wednesday, Denver ! šŸŽ‰

Before you grab your morning coffee or crack open that first patio beer… you might want to check your receipt.

A new city proposal is making waves, and let’s just say it’s very on-brand for Denver.

Read more to find out..

Looking for more things to do in Denver? Dive into Things to Do in Colorado, Kid-Friendly Hikes, or discover our favorite Colorado Day Trips.

Would you pay the $2.50 Vibes Tax if it meant better trails and parks?

Click an option to vote

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šŸ’ø Denver Announces Mandatory Vibes Tax

šŸ’ø Denver Announces Mandatory Vibes Tax

In a move that city officials say will ā€œpreserve the essence of Colorado living,ā€ Denver has reportedly approved a new $2.50 ā€œgood vibes surchargeā€ on select purchases — including craft beer, kombucha, and oat milk products.

According to the (totally serious) proposal, the tax will go toward funding trail maintenance, park improvements, and ā€œoverall vibe sustainabilityā€ across the metro area.

City leaders claim the surcharge targets items ā€œmost commonly associated with peak Colorado energy,ā€ ensuring that those benefiting from the lifestyle help maintain it.

Items included under the Vibes Tax:

  • šŸŗ Craft beer (yes, all of it)

  • 🄤 Kombucha

  • šŸ„› Oat milk (sorry, latte lovers)

  • šŸš“ā€ā™‚ļø ā€œPost-hike beveragesā€ (loosely defined… very loosely)

A spokesperson added:

ā€œIf you’re enjoying a sunset IPA after a 14er, it’s only fair you contribute to keeping that experience alive.ā€

Local reactions have been… mixed.

Some residents are calling it ā€œridiculously on-brand,ā€ while others are already joking about switching back to dairy milk to avoid the fee.

The city has not yet clarified whether cold brew counts as a ā€˜vibe-neutral beverage.’

⚾ Opening Day Energy Is Taking Over Downtown

Alright — jokes aside, this part is very real… and Denver is about to be buzzing.

Gameday on the Block

šŸ“ Dairy Block | ā° 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM | šŸŽŸļø Free

Opening Day meets block party. Expect live DJs, Rockies-themed drinks, pop-ups, and some seriously fun food (yes, purple croissants are a thing). Stick around after the game for live music and more patio vibes.

Opening Day Block Party

šŸ“ Denver Union Station | ā° 11:30 AM | šŸŽŸļø Free

Union Station turns into pregame central with live music, drink specials, and family-friendly activities. It’s basically Denver’s unofficial kickoff to spring.

Rockies Opening Day Party

šŸ“ McGregor Square | ā° 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | šŸŽŸļø Free

Right across from Coors Field, this is where the energy peaks early. Big screen, DJs, drink specials, and a crowd that’s ready for baseball season to officially begin.

Mile High Happenings

Wednesday, April 1

American Heirlooms: Hollywood Politico - Dazzle, Denver | 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM | Ticketed
Mike Stanley - Comedy Works Downtown in Larimer Square, Denver | 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM | Ticketed
Industry Night at Spirit Hound Denver - Denver, CO, Denver | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Ticketed

Thursday, April 2

Get Some Skin in the Game - Burlesque/Variety Show - Denver, CO, Denver | 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM | Ticketed
Jacob Russo - Dazzle, Denver | 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM | Ticketed
The Wood Brothers - Denver, CO, Denver | 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Ticketed

See our full calendar → Denver Event Calendar

Real Talk ā˜•

What’s Happenin’ is 100% free and independently run (yep, it’s just us). If this newsletter helps you discover cool things around town, your support helps keep it going and growing. We truly appreciate any and all love. Thank you for being part of the community.

šŸ‘‰ Contribute to What’s Happenin’

šŸ’¼ Local Jobs Worth Checking Out

You asked for it — we delivered. In our recent poll, a big chunk of you said you want a small job board in the newsletter, so here it is! We believe great communities connect people to great opportunities. Here are a few roles submitted by readers and local businesses:

Local Jobs

Full-time

Project Manager – D&A Operations / Leadership Support at Keysight Technologies, Inc. | Denver

šŸ’˜ Date Spot in Denver

Denver makes dating easy—in the best way. Think sunset walks in LoHi, artsy wandering in RiNo Art District, garden strolls at Denver Botanic Gardens, or drinks and people-watching at Union Station. Casual, cozy, or a little romantic—Denver’s got a spot for it.

šŸ‘‰ Vote and we’ll share the top picks—chosen by locals—in an upcoming issue. šŸ’Œ

šŸ½ Not sure where to eat tonight?

Our Restaurant Finder takes the guesswork out of dining by showing you the best local restaurants based on real reviews and vibes, not just ratings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a date-night spot, we’ve got you. No endless scrolling, no decision fatigue...just solid recs.

🧠 Need a brain break?

Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend.

šŸ—³ Now Voting: Denver’s Best Breweries šŸ»

Pastries had their moment. Now it’s beer time.

We’re opening voting for Denver’s best breweries — from RiNo staples to neighborhood taprooms. Lagers, hazy IPAs, stouts… the spots you actually keep going back to.

Got a go-to pint or favorite patio?

šŸ‘‰ Vote and help crown Denver’s best.

Alright, You Got Us šŸ˜

If you made it this far without side-eyeing your coffee order… we respect it. No, the Vibes Tax isn’t real (yet), but honestly, it didn’t feel that far off, did it?

Now go enjoy Opening Day — preferably with a drink that’s still tax-free šŸ»

I’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply — I read every message and always respond when I can.

We’ll be back Friday with what’s happening around the city this weekend—trust us, you’ll want to save the plans.

— Ben

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