Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2019, Colorado Avalanche rookie Cale Makar scored a playoff goal in his NHL debut, contributing to the Avs’ 6-2 victory over the Calgary Flames and a 2-1 series lead in their first-round matchup. Colorado would go on to win the series.

Did you lose a sword? If so, there’s a chance the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office has it in their lost and found. Find out more in Et Cetera.

Mother’s Day is almost here, and our 2026 Mother’s Day Gift Guide is full of ideas to make shopping easier. Whether you’re looking for something meaningful, useful, or a little indulgent, you’ll find picks for every kind of mom, plus a few worth grabbing for yourself. Skip the last-minute scramble and browse the guide now.

Today’s sponsor, Splash Spotless Cleaning Products, is here to upgrade your spring cleaning routine with a hands-free foam toilet cleaner that tackles stains and odors without scrubbing. Just pour, let it foam, and flush for a fresh, sparkling bathroom.

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.

Disaster Declared for Schwachheim Fire

Gov. Jared Polis on Monday declared a disaster emergency for a wildfire burning southeast of Trinidad near the Colorado-New Mexico border.

The Schwachheim Fire ignited Sunday within the Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area, which has been closed until further notice. As of Tuesday, it’s burned about 882 acres with no containment.

Polis’ declaration activates Colorado’s emergency operations plan, allowing the state to take “all necessary and appropriate actions” to help fight the blaze.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Las Animas County, where the fire is burning, is facing widespread drought conditions, with parts of the area in severe to extreme drought. See a map here.

11K Jobs Lost in 2025

Despite initial projections of meager growth, Colorado lost 11,700 jobs in 2025—the first decline since 2010, outside of pandemic losses—according to revised state data released last week.

Since 2000, Colorado had only reported job losses during recessionary periods: the early-2000s dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis, and at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Though Colorado’s job growth of minus 0.4% fell below the U.S. average of about 0.1%, 27 other states lost jobs in 2025, and nine lost more than Colorado.

Nationally, the slowdown has been linked to factors like federal government downsizing, tech industry contraction, and high tariffs. A Broomfield economist suggests unsustainable state spending may have contributed to Colorado’s downturn.

Palisade Named Best in West

Palisade, a Western Slope town famous for its peaches, has been named the No. 1 best small town in the West by USA TODAY’s reader-voted 10BEST awards.

The publication highlights Palisade’s long growing season, abundance of orchards, fruit farms, and wineries, year-round recreational opportunities, and walkable downtown.

Breckenridge also made the list, finishing at No. 5 thanks to its “exceptional slopes, energetic après-ski culture, and preserved historic charm.”

Other towns on the list are located in California, Wyoming, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. See the list here.

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➤ Clear Creek County: A crash involving about 75 vehicles shut down Interstate 70 in both directions at the Eisenhower Tunnel on Tuesday near Loveland Ski Area. The number and severity of injuries have not been confirmed as of Tuesday night. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Colorado Senate unanimously passed a bill requiring state agencies to review regulations at least every five years, part of a push to reexamine redundant, outdated, or excessive rules seen as driving businesses away. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: House Bill 26-1342, which seeks to mitigate human-bear conflicts by allowing Colorado Parks and Wildlife to issue citations for negligent behaviors that attract bears, passed committee, 8-4. (More)

➤ Morgan County: Commissioner Tim Malone says a new state rule requiring landfills to control methane emissions could cost small counties millions. A bipartisan bill would allow counties to access grant money to help offset the cost. (More)

➤ Pueblo: City Council is weighing a new ordinance that would ban charcoal grills and open fires in city parks in order to reduce wildfire risk. (More)

➤ Loveland: A former police officer has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl while on duty in 2023. (More)

➤ Waterton Canyon, a popular Denver-area recreation spot, will be closed weekdays from April 27 through May 8 for an annual dust mitigation project. (More)

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➤ Colorado’s spring football game drew just 17,500 fans this year, less than half the number that attended in Deion Sanders’ inaugural year. (More)

➤ Both the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets will host outdoor viewing parties outside Ball Arena for home playoff games this postseason. (More)

➤ Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić made history this week, becoming the first player since 1969–70 to lead the NBA in both rebounds and assists over a full season. (More)

➤ Grandview graduate Lauren Betts was selected No. 4 by the Washington Mystics after leading UCLA to a national title, becoming the highest-drafted Colorado prep and one of a record six Bruins picked. (More)

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➤ Cavender’s Boot City, a Texas-based western wear brand, is opening its third Colorado store and first Denver-area location in Westminster Friday. (See Details)

➤ The Colorado River’s low water levels have forced the Vinelands Power Plant in Palisade to shut down, possibly impacting Holy Cross Energy, which serves Aspen and Glenwood Springs. (More)

➤ A lawsuit filed by an environmental group alleges state air pollution regulators are years late in issuing federally mandated permits for the JBS slaughterhouse in Greeley. (See Details)

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➤ An 18-inch sword was turned in to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office after a resident found it in their driveway. The sword will be held in the office’s Lost Property evidence section until the rightful owner comes forward. (See Sword)

➤ A feature-length film inspired by the John Wick action franchise is filming in Grand Junction, featuring a female hitman. Several Colorado Mesa University students and locals are part of the cast and crew. (See Details)

➤ Hummingbirds arrived in Fort Collins weeks early this year, coaxed by warm spring weather. Residents can attract them with feeders and a simple sugar-water solution. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

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