DENVER-The city's CBD office market may become as strapped as Washington, DC, Boston, Manhattan, Austin or Southern California by the end of 2001. The absence of new construction and the CBD's emergence as the metro's entertainment district drive the prediction.

DENVER-Two entrepreneurs are taking over 13 US Pawn Inc., in a move to become the largest chain of privately owned pawnshops in the nation. They are paying $4.2 million for the Colorado operation and eyeing another deal in Los Angeles.

ORLANDO-The Nov. 7 ballot issue jolted the establishment, winning by a 53% to 47% margin. Now all legislators have to do is find the money to pay for the estimated $4 billion, 200-mile high-speed rail system.