🌱 How Consumer Debt Changed During Pandemic + Economy Rebounds

Good day, neighbors! It's me again, Amber Fisher, your host of the Denver Daily. I'm bringing you the latest news about our economy, pocketbooks, two local star athletes, a top maternity hospital and the colorful, fireball-producing Geminids.

First, today's weather:

Here comes another mild day with a mix of clouds and sun! High: 59; Low: 36.

Here are the top stories today in Denver:

1. Like the rest of the U.S., Coloradans felt a money crunch at the height of the pandemic, but residents in our state did a good job of keeping their spending in check and shoring up their bank accounts, according to a new report. The median amount of debt in collections in our state fell from $1,682 to $1,637 between February and October 2020, the data shows. (24/7 Wall St)
2. And speaking of finances, things are looking up for Colorado’s economy, which is rebounding back to pre-pandemic levels, according to a think tank in our state. Colorado's economy is expected to grow by a 6.45 percent annual rate over the next four months, Fox 31 reports. (FOX 31 Denver)
3. Two Denverites — Josh O'Neill and Adam Scaturro — are among 16 athletes who have been selected for the USA Wheelchair Rugby National Training Squad for 2022, the organization announced. O'Neill and Scaturro both said it's a big honor to be chosen. (Denver Patch)
4. SCL Health Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver is among the top maternity hospitals in the country, according to a ranking by U.S. News & World Report. Thirteen other Colorado hospitals also made the cut. (Denver Patch)
5. Get away from city lights in Denver to take in the Geminids, known for producing colorful fireballs. The meteor shower gets top billing as the best of the year, reliably producing anywhere from 50 to 100 meteors an hour at the peak, including multicolored fireballs. The celestial show peaks Dec. 13-14. (Denver Patch)

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Today in metro Denver:

• Winter Choir Concert - John F. Kennedy (6 p.m.)
• December PhotoVox | Architectural Photography (6:30 p.m.)
• Video Cinema Fall Film Festival - Denver School of the Arts HS (7 p.m.)
• Phil Palisoul at Comedy Works South (7:30 p.m.)
• Not Made For TV at Enigma Bazaar (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• VISIT DENVER: "Stroll 16 sparkling blocks and gaze at more than a half-million twinkling lights at Cherry Creek North’s Winter Wanderland. Explore the new interactive art installation, 'domino effect,' nightly musical light walk, holiday market or Saturday Night Lights." (Facebook)\
• Denver Broncos Community Development: "Throughout the 2021 NFL Season the @Broncos #PLAY60 website features basic drills, mind and body exercises, recipes, games, chances to win prizes and more! Come play with us." (Facebook)
• City and County of Denver Government: "No other city creates holiday miracles quite like Denver. VISIT DENVER's Mile High Holidays has something for everyone! Check out family-friendly plays, elaborate lights displays, and more ... " (Facebook)

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• Women's Real Estate Investment Hour (Dec. 14)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Amber Fisher

About me: I'm a Patch editor covering news in Denver's metro area and Boulder. I've spent the past nine years working for various news outlets across North America, including Chicago Patch, Global News and WBEZ. I've covered high-profile court cases, civil rights abuses, mass shootings, natural disasters and major crimes — but also countless happy news stories about kindness, innovation and resilience. When I'm not writing articles, I can be found hiking, snowboarding, debating politics with my husband and attempting to be a sci-fi and astronomy geek.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Denver Daily? Reach out anytime to amber.fisher@patch.com.