Friday, October 24, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1859, voters in the Pikes Peak mining region created the Jefferson Territory, a provisional, legally unrecognized territory overlapping with modern-day Colorado. It officially disbanded in 1861, yielding to the new Colorado Territory.

The FBI has indicted Chauncey Billups, University of Colorado alumnus and former Denver Nugget, for his alleged involvement in rigged poker games set up by the Mafia. Find out more in our Top Stories.

If you’ve ever wondered how you could make a real difference in someone’s darkest moment, today’s sponsor, Convoy of Hope, is turning compassion into action when it’s needed most.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Denver Limits License Plate Readers

Mayor Mike Johnston announced Wednesday that Denver will extend its license plate reader contract with Flock Safety while putting new limits on how the data is shared.

Flock has faced national controversy over potential privacy violations and the use of its data by federal agencies. Police say the technology is instrumental to solving crimes.

According to city officials, the five-month, no-cost extension comes with guardrails prohibiting outside agencies, specifically immigration enforcement, from searching the data without city permission.

The extension ends on March 31, 2026, at which point the city will present a long-term contract requiring a city council vote.

Wolves Near State Lines, Cities

Colorado’s reintroduced gray wolves reached watersheds along three other states’ borders between Sept. 23 and Oct. 21, according to a new Colorado Parks and Wildlife map.

The map shows watersheds touching Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico, with a broad trend of southward migration. Watershed activity also falls within 30 miles of Fort Collins and Grand Junction.

CPW doesn’t report if wolves cross into neighboring states. Earlier this year, three of Colorado’s wolves died in Wyoming, where, unlike in Colorado, it’s legal to kill the animals.

The agency plans to release 10 to 15 more wolves this winter. In letters sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week, livestock associations argued that doing so may violate federal law.

Nuggets Legend Arrested in Mafia Probe

Denver native and five-time NBA All-Star Chauncey Billups is among the more than 30 people indicted by the FBI for allegedly participating in illegal gambling schemes.

Billups played at the University of Colorado Boulder from 1995 to 1997 before joining the Boston Celtics. He was traded to his hometown team in 1999 and again in 2008, when he led the Nuggets to a Western Conference Finals appearance.

Prosecutors say Billups, now head coach of the Portland Trailblazers, acted as a “face card,” using his status to lure poker players to high-stakes, mafia-backed games that were rigged using sophisticated technology.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was also arrested as part of the investigation, allegedly for insider sports betting. Watch an FBI press conference announcing the case here.

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Your Compassion Comes with a Gift

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➤ Statewide: Gov. Jared Polis is requesting $10 million from the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee to fund food banks from Nov. 1 to mid-December to cover a federal funding lapse caused by the government shutdown. (More)

➤ Aurora: One of six suspects in a viral 2024 video at the now-shuttered Edge at Lowry apartments has been sentenced to over a decade in prison for his role in the deadly shootout. (See Details)

➤ Denver Water will increase its monthly rates and fixed fees in 2026, part of a push to invest $1.7 billion in system maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, the utility announced Wednesday. (See Details)

➤ Weld County: Residents say they’re overwhelmed by a wind-fueled influx of tumbleweeds and need county resources to manage the debris. (See Photos)

➤ Vail: The police department announced it will implement automated speed enforcement traffic cameras at two high-risk areas, with citations beginning by December. (See Details)

➤ Colorado Springs: Officials say a popular reservoir in Stratton Open Space will remain closed to the public due to toxic algae and E. coli contamination, linked by researchers to dog activity. (Watch Report)

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➤ Ball Arena has adjusted its food prices to become more “fan-friendly” for those attending Nuggets and Avalanche games. Most items will reportedly cost from $5 to $10. (More)

➤ Denver was ranked as the 26th-best baseball city in the U.S., last amongst cities that house an MLB team. (More)

➤ Colorado football listed 27 players on its injury list ahead of its game against Utah, including essentially every backup offensive lineman on the team. (More)

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➤ The Denver Post stopped making monthly $650,000 payments on its city-owned building in August, putting it roughly $2 million behind on rent and deepening the city’s budget woes. (See Details)

➤ Millennials in Boulder have the 12th-highest earnings premium of millennials in any U.S. city, with a median household income 29% over the all-ages median, according to a new report. (See List)

➤ The Rifle City Council is considering a proposal to curb teen nicotine use by implementing a new tobacco retailer license that would require additional compliance inspections. (See Details)

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Be The Reason Hope Arrives

When disaster strikes or hunger threatens, compassion in action can change everything.

Right now, through Convoy of Hope, you can provide food, water, and hope to families in need — while reminding you of the power of love in motion.

With your gift, you’ll also receive What Really Matters by Hal Donaldson—a heartfelt book that encourages you to live with courage, kindness, and purpose in a hurting world.

Every act of giving makes a difference. Every life touched matters.

Give today and let your compassion be the reason someone finds hope again—and rediscover what really matters in your own life.

➤ Rush will play at Ball Arena on Oct. 7, 2026, in addition to a previously announced Oct. 5 concert, “due to incredible demand.” Tickets go on sale Oct. 31. (See Details)

➤ Comet Lemmon, a newly discovered comet, will be visible to the naked eye from now through early November. (See Details)

➤ The Botanical Gardens of Western Colorado is hosting its annual Fall at the Gardens event today and tomorrow, showcasing pumpkin sculptures created by Food Network’s Halloween Wars contestants. (See Details)

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