Sunday, May 17, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1973, the federal government detonated three nuclear devices near Rifle, Colorado as part of Project Rio Blanco, an experiment to blast open underground rock and free up natural gas.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown shared three simple habits researchers say may help keep your brain sharp as you age. Scientists believe small everyday choices could play a bigger role in long-term cognitive health than many people realize. Listen here.

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.

Federal Water Cuts Threaten Colorado

The Trump administration is preparing a 10-year plan to impose water cuts on Western states drawing from the overtapped Colorado River, with reassessments built in every two years.

Colorado’s agricultural producers, ski resorts, and municipalities all depend on Colorado River allocations, and the state received only partial federal drought funding this week after months of delays, adding urgency to the negotiations.

Arizona officials are sounding alarms about potential drastic cuts to their state, California, and Nevada, with water law experts warning any reallocation will test Colorado’s senior water rights under the 1922 Colorado River Compact.

The federal plan has not been released publicly, but its framework would represent the most significant federal intervention in Western water policy in decades.

Colorado Hantavirus Death Confirmed

A Douglas County adult has died from hantavirus, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed Friday. It is the state’s first confirmed hantavirus fatality of 2026.

The Sin Nombre strain, carried by deer mice, is responsible. CDPHE stressed that this case has no connection to the global outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, which involved a different strain capable of person-to-person transmission.

Colorado ranks second nationally for hantavirus cases since 1993. Since 2016, the state has recorded 37 known cases and 9 deaths, per CDPHE.

Exposure risk peaks in spring and summer, when people disturb rodent habitats during outdoor work and recreation. Avoid contact with rodent droppings, especially in garages, sheds, and rural outbuildings.

Colorado Named Top Summer Travel Spot

Summer is coming, and the national spotlight is on Colorado. Lonely Planet ranked Colorado the No. 2 domestic summer destination for 2026, citing the state’s mountain towns, hiking trails, and outdoor cities like Denver and Boulder.

A separate roundup from Travel and Tour World highlighted Rocky Mountain National Park, 14er season, and mountain town festivals as the draws putting Colorado atop national summer travel lists.

The rankings arrive as Colorado’s outdoor season shifts into high gear. Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park are accessible, and most mountain towns have already welcomed their first wave of summer visitors, well before the Fourth of July crush.

Flying together with our sponsor

The Spring Cleaning Toilet Hack You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

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➤ Douglas County: A fatal crash on northbound I-25 near Castle Pines claimed one life May 15. The highway has since reopened and an investigation is ongoing. (More)

➤ Statewide: Criticism mounted Saturday after Gov. Polis commuted Tina Peters’ sentence. Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper said the commutation “sends the wrong message to those seeking to undermine trust in our elections.” (More)

➤ Statewide: Severe thunderstorms and mountain snow are expected today, with the I-70 corridor and higher elevations facing several inches of accumulation and the Front Range bracing for afternoon storms. (More)

➤ Boulder: Forge Nano, a CU Boulder spinout in advanced materials, hit a $1.6 billion valuation recently, becoming CU’s 11th unicorn company and a new proof point for Boulder’s growing tech economy. (More)

➤ Statewide: A coalition of tech entrepreneurs published a report Saturday warning that 11 of 12 key business-climate factors are deteriorating in Colorado, with companies relocating and capital moving to other states. (More)

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➤ The Colorado Rockies evened their home series with the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 4-2 win Saturday. The series ends today. (More)

➤ The Broncos will open the 2026 season at Kansas City on Monday Night Football, the first time Denver has started a season in Arrowhead. The schedule includes five nationally televised games, a Black Friday trip to Pittsburgh and a Christmas Day matchup against the Bills. (More)

➤ Colorado football coach Deion Sanders shut down any NFL coaching speculation on a podcast this week, saying “I ain’t trying to coach no NFL team” and reaffirming his goal at Colorado is to win a national championship. (More)

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Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Arapahoe Basin closes the 2025-26 ski season today with a rare bonus: The Lake—accessible only in deep-snowpack years—has opened for its final weekend after late-May snowfall extended the season well past its original May 3 close date. (More)

➤ Colorado School of Mines doctoral candidate Anne Marie Mozrall is using an ocean-grade plankton net in Denver’s South Platte River as part of a first-of-its-kind study measuring the quantity and flow of microplastics through an inland waterway. (More)

➤ Farmers markets are opening across Colorado this weekend, kicking off the 2026 season in Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, and dozens of other communities with fresh produce, local artisans, and live music. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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