Sunday, May 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1878, Horace Tabor, also known as the Silver King of Leadville, discovered silver in Little Pittsburgh Mine along with a team of prospectors in a windfall that turned him into one of Colorado’s wealthiest, most prominent citizens.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down the long-running feud between Jimmy Kimmel and President Donald Trump. What started as a late-night appearance years ago has turned into a nearly decade-long back-and-forth involving media giants, political power, and plenty of sharp words. How did it all begin, and where does it stand today? Listen here.

Today’s sponsor, the knēNest Pillow, is designed to relieve nighttime pain and improve sleep by keeping your body properly aligned for deeper, more restorative rest.

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.

Colorado AI Law Faces Rollback

Colorado lawmakers introduced a compromise bill on Friday to significantly scale back the state’s first-in-the-nation AI regulations, just days after a federal court froze the law in the lead-up to its June 30 effective date.

The original law, SB 24-205, required companies to disclose how their AI systems influence hiring, loan, and housing decisions, along with bias audits and risk assessments that the tech industry called unworkable.

A federal judge granted a motion to pause enforcement last week after xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, sued to block it.

The compromise would still require businesses to notify consumers when AI plays a role in a significant decision, but drops the heavier audit and disclosure mandates.

Lawmakers Counter Road Funding Initiative

Colorado Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill this week designed to undercut Initiative 175, a construction-industry ballot proposal that would require the state to bring total spend to about $2 billion a year on road projects using existing budget dollars.

Initiative 175 would require that state transportation revenue be spent solely on roads and would mandate about $540 million in annual general fund spending on road construction.

Supporters say the measure would address years of deferred maintenance on Colorado highways and bridges.

The bill’s sponsors say the general fund impact actually runs closer to $700 million a year, which they argue leaves little budget flexibility for other state priorities.

Democrats said they would drop the counter-bill entirely if Initiative 175’s backers agree to withdraw the measure before it qualifies for the ballot.

Water World Earns Top 5 Spot

Water World in Federal Heights just locked in another summer bragging right, landing at No. 5 on USA Today’s 2026 list of the best outdoor water parks in America.

One of the largest outdoor water parks in the country, Water World garners this year’s honor alongside news of debuting Summit Canyon, its first major new attraction since 2021.

Summit Canyon’s crown jewel is Lookout Tower, which will be the tallest point in the entire park.

USA Today’s full top-10 list puts Water World in elite company, alongside parks known for seven-story coasters and pitch-dark tube rides. The park opens for the 2026 season on May 23.

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Denver Metro: Home values fell 2.2% year over year in February, marking the steepest decline among major U.S. metros, as elevated mortgage rates, high-end overbuilding, and slowing migration reverse the city’s pandemic-era boom. (More)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Polis is expected to sign the $46.8 billion state budget finalized by the legislature last week, closing out Colorado’s spending plan for the coming fiscal year. (More)

➤ Grand Junction: CDOT began demolishing the former GJ Auto Sales building in downtown Grand Junction this week, clearing the site for a new regional mobility hub. (More)

➤ Loveland: Colorado Parks and Wildlife may be implementing restrictions due to drought conditions as Boyd Lake Reservoir is currently just one-third full. (More)

➤ Statewide: Vehicles with non-Colorado license plates must pay a $15 daily pass to enter any Colorado state park under a new Colorado Parks and Wildlife policy that went into effect Friday. (More)

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➤ Shedeur Sanders returned to Boulder on Saturday to walk at CU’s commencement, earning his degree ahead of his second NFL season with the Cleveland Browns, for whom he started seven games as a fifth-round rookie in 2025. (More)

➤ The Colorado Rockies blew a 6-run lead Friday night in a loss to Atlanta 8-6 before continuing the three-game home series yesterday. (See Result)

➤ Jackson Roper, Colorado’s top 2027 recruit and a four-star offensive lineman from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, committed to UCLA on Friday, disappointing in-state programs that had been pursuing him. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Grand Junction’s Business Incubator Center turned the lesson of Colorado’s 1982 oil shale collapse into a homegrown economy builder. The incubator is responsible for launching nearly 2,300 businesses, with 86% still running five years later. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, electric bikes are transforming Grand Junction’s 28-mile Riverfront Trail, sparking debate over speed and trail etiquette on one of the Western Slope’s most beloved paths. (More)

➤ Colorado’s high country capped the week with more than a foot of fresh snow at some elevations, creating a winter wonderland mid-spring. (See Photo)

Flying together with our sponsor

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