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The museums and landmarks keeping a mosaic of Colorado’s histories alive

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/29/colorado-150-state-history-museums-landmarks/

Published: April 29, 2026 10:25

From Colorado’s first church that survived two fires to world-class exhibits holding Colorado’s own dinosaur discoveries, here are 10 places that have shaped Colorado over the years

Colorado legislature lining up for jump start of nuclear power, green advocates want to pull the plug

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/29/colorado-nuclear-power-revival-legislative-bill/

Published: April 29, 2026 10:08

Colorado bill would set a nuclear permitting czar, help utilities find a location, and allow them to charge customers for $20 million in studies

Colorado parents can turn over newborn babies up to 30 days old without facing abandonment charges under updated law

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/29/safe-haven-law-abandoned-newborns-new-law/

Published: April 29, 2026 10:00

Gov. Jared Polis signed the revised Safe Haven law this week, upping the timeframe to safely relinquish babies from 72 hours to 30 days after birth

Colorado Democrats drop proposal that would consolidate Sheridan with another district

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/29/colorado-sheridan-school-district-consolidation-teacher-strike/

Published: April 29, 2026 09:52

State Sen. Jeff Bridges, whose pitch for consolidation was met with heavy pushback, will work to figure out a long-term plan for the struggling district later this year

Spring snow and rain bring some relief to drought-stricken Colorado communities

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/29/spring-rain-snow-relief-drought-colorado/

Published: April 29, 2026 09:48

This week’s storms have helped suppress wildfire risk and are a welcome return to more normal spring weather in Colorado, experts say.

Littwin: At Springsteen’s political tour, a bit of protest and rock-’n’-roll salvation

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/29/springsteen-political-tour-protest-salvation-littwin/

Published: April 29, 2026 09:05

Columnist Mike Littwin writes that at Bruce Springsteen's highly political tour, fans got a bit of rock 'n' roll salvation.

Federal judge rejects Colorado GOP’s effort to block unaffiliated voters from participating in party’s 2026 primaries

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/28/unaffiliated-voters-colorado-republican-primaries-ruling/

Published: April 28, 2026 20:53

U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer said excluding unaffiliated voters days before the state’s ballot certification deadline, and just weeks before ballots start being mailed out, would create too much confusion

Colorado legislature sends $48.6B state budget to governor’s desk after final round of tweaks

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/28/colorado-budget-passes/

Published: April 28, 2026 20:35

The Joint Budget Committee — the six-member, bipartisan panel that drafts the budget — tweaked the spending package after debate in the full legislature earlier in the month

Migrant workers who receive housing can be paid $2-$3 less per hour under new federal rule

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/28/migrant-farmworkers-wages-h2a-visa-colorado-western-slope/

Published: April 28, 2026 10:20

Some Western Slope growers are taking advantage of the “downward compensation adjustment.” Others say they’ll be profitable without it.

Meandering Western history museum in Montrose is “a boy’s dream realized”

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/28/museum-of-the-mountain-west-montrose-richard-fike/

Published: April 28, 2026 10:13

Archeologist Richard Fike’s collection of more than 500,000 Western artifacts and 28 historic structures at the Museum of the Mountain West draws more than 5,000 visitors a year

Colorado lawmaker pushes revised rideshare safety bill after Polis veto

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/28/colorado-lawmaker-pushes-revised-rideshare-safety-bill-after-polis-veto/

Published: April 28, 2026 10:00

Democratic Rep. Jenny Willford is renewing her effort to increase rideshare safety through required drivers’ background checks and other safeguards. A similar bill she sponsored last year was vetoed

Colorado law that allows school shooting victims to sue may contain an unintended loophole

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/28/school-shooting-lawsuits-immunity-claire-davis/

Published: April 28, 2026 09:55

When lawmakers removed immunity provisions for school districts they may have overlooked a hurdle: the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act

As AI license plate readers spread across Colorado, grassroots movements push back

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/27/ai-license-plate-readers-flock-colorado-grassroots-movements-push-back/

Published: April 27, 2026 10:15

While law enforcement leaders say the technology helps in their work, critics warn the same system can track people’s daily movements, raising privacy concerns

Colorado farmers tighten their belts ahead of summer drought

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/27/colorado-farmers-water-supply-summer-drought/

Published: April 27, 2026 09:54

Almost all of Colorado is experiencing drought after a record-dry winter and the impacts are already starting to show in agricultural communities.

Can birds catch diseases from birdbaths?

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/27/can-birds-catch-diseases-from-birdbaths/

Published: April 27, 2026 09:45

Yes. Unclean conditions and crowding at birdbaths can increase transmission of diseases like house finch eye disease and avian pox

Liability waivers return to the Colorado Supreme Court with justices exploring the language in season ski pass agreements

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/27/ski-pass-waivers/

Published: April 27, 2026 09:45

The waivers were back in front of the state Supreme Court this month, nearly two years after the high court ruled the agreements cannot always shield ski areas from negligence claims.

Democrats’ dueling data center bills have stalled as opposition to the industry mounts

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/27/data-center-bills-stalled-colorado-legislature/

Published: April 27, 2026 09:40

Colorado lawmakers have only a few more weeks to get a data center bill over the finish line

Across Colorado, people are fighting for the right to repair their stuff. Where can they go to learn how to do it?

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/26/colorado-right-to-repair-longmont-repair-cafe/

Published: April 26, 2026 09:35

“It’s not going to be any more broken than it already is if you try to fix it,” one sage tinkerer advises

Littwin: Boebert and friends go to war against their own party — to try to save it from itself

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/26/colorado-republicans-primary-unaffiliated-littwin/

Published: April 26, 2026 09:05

The lone bright spot for the state GOP is its 4-4 split in the House. Boebert and team fear that the party wants to dim the lights.

In “Hands,” short stories point friends toward the American Dream

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/26/sunlit-hands-pardeep-toor/

Published: April 26, 2026 08:15

In the opening story of his collection "Hands," Pardeep Toor follows two young immigrant men from India as they struggle to navigate high school and its baffling cultural norms.

“Singular moments” sparked Pardeep Toor’s short stories

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/26/sunlit-pardeep-tour-hands/

Published: April 26, 2026 08:10

Author Pardeep Tour built on "singular moments" to create his short story collection "Hands" — and in the lead character discovered a new member of his family.

Poor Richard’s Books highlights works centered on flora and fauna

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/26/poor-richards-books-april-2026-recommendations/

Published: April 26, 2026 08:05

Poor Richard's Books in Colorado Springs recommends both fiction and nonfiction built on a rat, owls and the forest.

Colorado Sun dominates 4-state Top of the Rockies journalism contest

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/25/colorado-sun-dominates-top-of-the-rockies-journalism-contest/

Published: April 26, 2026 01:05

For the second year in a row, The Colorado Sun captured the prestigious Public Service journalism award — this time for its reporting on the impact of proposed cuts to Medicaid — as staff members claimed 27 total honors, including 13 first-place awards, in…

Boulder firebombing suspect’s family rearrested by ICE in Denver after judge ordered their release

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/25/el-gamal-family-rearrested/

Published: April 25, 2026 22:01

The family of the Boulder firebombing suspect is back in federal custody, two days after a judge halted their deportation proceedings and ordered their release after nearly 10 months in a Texas detention center.

Western grid power operator now has coal-burning Craig Unit 1 running

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/25/craig-tri-state-coal-power-station-trump-emergency-orders/

Published: April 25, 2026 10:08

Tri-State still doesn’t want to burn fuel at the northwestern Colorado plant, but is under emergency federal orders

What’s Working: Metro Denver is still in a renter’s market. Here’s what pushed the average rent down to 2022 levels

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/25/denver-renters-market-average-rents/

Published: April 25, 2026 10:00

Rent concessions are still available for now. And not all tenants benefit from the renter’s market. Plus: If the Rockies were good, Mile High Asian Food Week and more!

Two Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioners resign, one confirmed amid debate over future of wildlife management

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/one-colorado-parks-wildlife-commissioner-confirmed-two-resign/

Published: April 24, 2026 23:17

CPW Commissioners John Emerick and Chris Sichko withdrew their nominations prior to a vote on the Senate floor Friday morning; Frances Silva Blayney received unanimous support

Former Colorado funeral home owner sentenced to 30 years in case that forced industry crackdown

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/colorado-funeral-home-owner/

Published: April 24, 2026 21:55

Carie Hallford faced between 25 to 35 years in prison under a plea agreement helping her husband hide nearly 200 decomposing bodies.

Yes, invasive worms are the latest threat to Colorado. Plus, they jump.

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/asian-jumping-worm-invasive-colorado-gardens/

Published: April 24, 2026 20:15

Short of putting Denver’s Hilltop neighborhood into quarantine, state agriculture department tells gardeners if you see something, slime something

Justice Department joins Elon Musk’s xAI in effort to block Colorado AI antidiscrimination law

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/doj-joins-lawsuit-colorado-ai-law-federal-court/

Published: April 24, 2026 20:00

The joint lawsuit argues that the law is unconstitutional and jeopardizes the United States’ position as “the global AI leader.” It comes as state lawmakers debate tweaks to the policy, set to go into effect June 30.

Amid budget cuts, Colorado lawmakers and statewide elected officials are set to get a pay hike next year

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/budget-cuts-colorado-state-elected-officials-pay-increases/

Published: April 24, 2026 17:47

A set of pay increases resulting from a law passed in 2024 will automatically go into effect Jan. 1 unless changed by the legislature this year

State agency plagued with leadership turnover hired deputy commissioner accused of taking $99K from Colorado nonprofit

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/behavioral-health-deputy-commissioner-hiring-theft-scheme/

Published: April 24, 2026 17:18

The former regional executive director of CASA of Adams and Broomfield counties was hired by the state Behavioral Health Administration in November

Colorado’s four Republicans in Congress fight state GOP’s attempt to block unaffiliated voters from party’s 2026 primaries

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/lauren-boebert-gave-evans-oppose-unaffiliated-opt-out/

Published: April 24, 2026 13:34

U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, Jeff Hurd and Gabe Evans — along with the NRCC — said in a federal court motion that not including unaffiliated voters “could cause chaos”

Cutting air pollutants a new frontier in Colorado air quality fight

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/air-toxics-colorado-regulations-reducing-hazards/

Published: April 24, 2026 10:08

Companies must add controls for local health hazards like benzene, formaldehyde and hexavalent chromium

Colorado cannabis industry leaders, researchers express cautious enthusiasm for rescheduling decision

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/marijuana-rescheduling-business-research-impacts/

Published: April 24, 2026 09:56

The Trump administration announced that it will move state-licensed medical marijuana products to a less-restrictive classification

Though water is scarce right now, its price in parts of Colorado has dropped

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/colorado-water-prices/

Published: April 24, 2026 09:45

The change, according to researchers, reflects a slow housing market and population declines tied to aging, infertility and immigration

Is a $100 fine the only penalty for driving with expired tags?

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/is-a-100-fine-the-only-penalty-for-driving-with-expired-tags/

Published: April 24, 2026 09:45

No. Though Colorado caps late fees for driving with expired registration at $100, drivers also face tax penalties.

Drew Litton: Even in drought, a Colorado sports deluge

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/drew-litton-denver-sports-deluge/

Published: April 24, 2026 08:15

Cartoonist Drew Litton illustrates that while it may not be raining outside in Colorado, the state's sports fans are getting drenched with big-league fun.

Jim Morrissey: On the hunt

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/jim-morrissey-on-the-hunt-for-cpw-appointees/

Published: April 24, 2026 08:10

Cartoonist Jim Morrissey has thoughts about the contentious hearings over Gov. Jared Polis' nominees for the state wildlife commission.

“What’d I Miss?”: What about drafting voters?

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/whatd-i-miss-draft-voter-registration/

Published: April 24, 2026 08:05

In "What'd I Miss?" Myra and Ossie wonder why the government can figure out automatic registration for the military draft — but not for voting.

Opinion: Rolling back Colorado’s right-to-repair laws will weaken critical infrastructure safety

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/opinion-colorado-right-to-repair-legislation-rollback/

Published: April 24, 2026 07:30

Senate Bill 90 is not the fix. Colorado lawmakers should focus on holding software manufacturers to a higher standard.

Sheridan School District, teachers union reach tentative agreement as Gov. Jared Polis intervenes

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/sheridan-school-district-teachers-strike-tentative-agreement/

Published: April 24, 2026 02:19

Teachers, who have been on strike for three weeks, could return to the classroom as soon as Monday. They will continue picketing until a final deal is inked.

Geothermal energy bill advances at the Colorado Capitol

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/geothermal-energy-bill-advances-at-the-colorado-capitol/

Published: April 23, 2026 20:32

Sheridan School District leaders, teachers union restart negotiations under orders from Gov. Jared Polis

Evacuation order remain in effect for wildfire burning southeast of Colorado Springs

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/hammer-fire-southeast-colorado-springs-growth-thursday/

Published: April 23, 2026 18:50

Firefighters are focusing their efforts on active flames near the northern and eastern edges of the Hammer fire, burning about 7 miles from Fountain

Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug in a historic shift

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/trump-reclassifies-marijuana/

Published: April 23, 2026 18:26

The order does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under federal law. But it does change the way it's regulated.

Federal judge orders family of Boulder firebombing suspect to be released from ICE custody

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/judge-orders-release-el-gamal-family-colorado-springs/

Published: April 23, 2026 16:47

The federal judge’s order Thursday morning came after a last-minute attempt by immigration authorities to have the Colorado Springs family be deported

Sheridan School District will stop health insurance coverage for staff as teachers strike hits 3 weeks

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/sheridan-school-district-teachers-strike-health-insurance/

Published: April 23, 2026 15:12

Some district staff were told they owe the district for insurance premiums, according to an email sent to employees

What’s Happening: Indie Bookstore Day

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/whats-happening-indie-bookstore-day-april-22-2026/

Published: April 23, 2026 14:00

Plus: A Fort Collins music festival, Asian food in Metro Denver and Bigfoot in the mountains

Palisade farmers take on low temperatures in a fight to save peaches from April freezes

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/palisade-peaches-colorado-talbott-farms-cold-april-freeze/

Published: April 23, 2026 10:25

Fruit growers on the Western Slope fought hard to protect their crops from cold weather, clear skies, still air and the notorious, deadly hard freeze

Xcel’s solution to its summer power gap: Coal, coal, gas and more gas

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/xcel-fossil-fuels-summer-power-gap/

Published: April 23, 2026 10:08

Colorado’s biggest utility says it must double down on fossil fuels for now, while environment advocates question their math and management

Colorado River states voice reluctant support for releases from Flaming Gorge

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/colorado-river-states-drought-releases-flaming-gorge/

Published: April 23, 2026 10:06

Extremely dry winter and low streamflows are pushing state and federal officials to take emergency actions for the first time since 2022

More than 1,900 ski instructors join wages lawsuit against Vail Resorts

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/vail-resorts-lawsuit-ski-instructors/

Published: April 23, 2026 10:00

The lawsuit filed by three Beaver Creek employees in 2020 argues Vail Resorts failed to follow federal labor laws and the trio is seeking more time to enlist nearly 25,000 eligible workers in their claim.

What do you love about Colorado? Tell us here.

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/what-do-you-love-about-colorado-audience-callout/

Published: April 23, 2026 10:00

Share your Colorado memory as part of our series marking 150 years of statehood

Wildfire southeast of Colorado Springs prompts evacuations

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/el-paso-county-wildfire/

Published: April 23, 2026 02:41

The fire sparked in dry, windy conditions and rapidly grew to 4,000 acres

Company tied to Buc-ee’s buys land along Interstate 25, raising questions about next steps

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/company-bucees-buys-land-interstate-25/

Published: April 22, 2026 22:17

The sale comes shortly after developers withdrew their application to build a Buc-ee’s travel center in Palmer Lake amid public opposition

Colorado Senate panel rejects 2 Polis wildlife commission nominees, confirms 1 amid hunting debate

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/colorado-senate-panel-rejects-two-polis-wildlife-commission-nominees-confirms-one-amid-hunting-debate/

Published: April 22, 2026 20:14

State senators endorsed Frances Silva Blayney, a fly-fishing shop owner and outfitter from Colorado Springs, and rejected two other nominees

Immigration officer in Colorado charged with assault after protest outside ICE facility, DA says

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/ice-agent-arrest-durango-assault-charge/

Published: April 22, 2026 19:50

The immigration officer is facing third-degree assault and criminal mischief charges after investigation into October event in Durango

Colorado nonprofit director schemed to skim $99K from a top donor by falsifying DU tuition invoices, records show

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/casa-nonprofit-scheme-du-tuition/

Published: April 22, 2026 17:36

The former regional executive director of a nonprofit that sticks up for foster children in court falsified tuition invoices and pocketed the money, AG’s office says

Gusty winds, drought creates “particularly dangerous” situation for wildfire in south central, southeastern Colorado

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/particularly-dangerous-situation-wildfire-risk-colorado/

Published: April 22, 2026 14:35

Xcel said it will shut off power in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla and Rio Grande counties to reduce the risk of wildfire

Front Range passenger rail district will likely be scaled back to major cities ahead of 2026 sales tax vote

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/front-range-rail-district-boundary-change/

Published: April 22, 2026 10:37

Senate Bill 172 would trim out more conservative parts of the state — like Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Monument, Greeley and most unincorporated areas — from the district, which was formed in 2021

Colorado 150: The scenic drives and roadside attractions that give way to stunning landscapes and inspiring architecture

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/colorado-150-scenic-drives-and-roadside-attractions/

Published: April 22, 2026 10:25

From Imogene Pass, which will make you wish you had a Jeep, to Bishop Castle, which lives up to the “if you can dream it you can do it” mantra, here are 10 places that have shaped Colorado over the years

Northern Water starts filling Chimney Hollow, uranium questions still linger

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/chimney-hollow-first-fill-uranium-testing/

Published: April 22, 2026 10:08

The pool will test safety on the new dam, but the northern Colorado agency can’t say when radioactivity checks will be complete

Loss of electric vehicle subsidies sends Colorado car sales off a cliff

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/colorado-car-sales-plummet-subsidies-loss/

Published: April 22, 2026 10:08

New EV sales are down 64% and plug-in hybrid sales are down 73% from last year, dragging down overall vehicle sales in Colorado by nearly 20%

Drilling site near Aurora Reservoir approved despite opposition from residents

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/aurora-reservoir-drill-site/

Published: April 22, 2026 09:45

The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission voted 3-2 to approve Crestone Peak Resources’ plan to drill 24 wells on the State Sunlight-Long drill pad

Hunting groups: Colorado governor stacked Parks and Wildlife commission with animal rights activists

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/did-polis-stack-cpw-commission-with-anti-hunting-interests/

Published: April 22, 2026 09:38

A commissioner speaks out ahead of a senate confirmation hearing, saying changes on the governing body could drive the perception that Gov. Polis aims to turn Colorado into a nonhunting state

Littwin: Supreme Court just can’t stay away from Colorado when it comes to LGBTQ rights

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/littwin-supreme-court-colorado-lgbtq-rights/

Published: April 22, 2026 09:05

Mike Littwin writes that the Supreme Court just can't stay away from Colorado when it comes to limiting LGBTQ rights.

Proposed ban on prop sports bets in Colorado dies amid state budget woes

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/21/proposed-ban-on-sports-prop-bets-dies-amid-state-budget-woes/

Published: April 21, 2026 22:39

Prop bets — wagers on things like individual player performance — have been linked by advocates to gambling addiction and corruption in sports

Judge again bars Gov. Polis from ordering Colorado state employees to respond to a subpoena from ICE

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/21/jared-polis-barred-from-ordering-response-to-another-ice-subpoena/

Published: April 21, 2026 20:01

It’s the latest legal loss for the governor in a case brought against him for attempting to share information with federal immigration officials

Republican state Senate candidate arrested in Florida on felony child neglect charge

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/21/frederick-alfred-arrest-florida-felony-child-neglect/

Published: April 21, 2026 17:29

Frederick Alfred Jr., a 38-year-old who lives in Commerce City, is running to represent state Senate District 21 north of Denver