As cities like Denver confront a new reality of potential threats from the federal government, local officials are adapting their strategies for governance. Recent conflicts have highlighted a growing tension, particularly after controversial federal actions led to deaths and unrest in places like Minneapolis. This has driven local leaders to reevaluate their approaches and turn away from traditional reliance on federal resources. Throughout the nation, there is a bipartisan call for local autonomy and a reassessment of what cooperation entails in the face of federal pushback. With mounting frustrations on all sides, the dynamics of local-federal relationships are under scrutiny like never before.