Saturday, May 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1830, Henry Moore Teller was born. The Colorado senator would help shepherd the state into the union and served in Washington for over 30 years.

A new report just exposed the five biggest financial fears haunting American retirees, and the findings are sounding alarms across the country. On The Flyover Podcast, Amy Hess reveals what those fears are, why so many Americans are being blindsided, and the critical steps families can take right now to set themselves up for success. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Lemonade Pet Insurance, helps pet owners manage rising vet costs with affordable plans starting around $10/month and flexible coverage designed to protect both your pet’s health and your budget.

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 Quantum Trio Lands $300 Million

The U.S. Department of Commerce has committed $100 million each to three Colorado quantum computing firms as part of a $2 billion federal investment in nine quantum companies nationwide.

Unlike traditional grants, the deals give the federal government equity stakes, meaning taxpayers share in any future profits. The Trump administration framed the program as a move to secure U.S. quantum computing leadership ahead of China.

Atom Computing, Infleqtion, and Broomfield-based Quantinuum plan to use the capital to accelerate commercial production. Three of nine program recipients are based in Colorado, representing $300 million of the $2.013 billion total commitment.

One Colorado official called the announcement “a powerful validation of Colorado’s status as a global epicenter in the quantum race.” The funding flows through CHIPS Act incentives, the same program driving billions into domestic semiconductor manufacturing since 2022.

Rocket Startup Eyes 460 Boulder Jobs

LEAP Space, a Lafayette-based aerospace startup is considering Boulder County for a major expansion.

The company is evaluating the area for a new headquarters, manufacturing plant, and testing facility. Last week, the Colorado Economic Development Commission approved $8 million in job growth tax credits contingent on LEAP Space choosing Boulder County over competing sites in New Mexico and Texas.

The expansion, dubbed “Project Onshore,” would create 460 high-tech jobs over eight years at an average annual wage of nearly $150,000, which is about 153% of the Boulder County average.

If the deal lands, LEAP Space would join Colorado’s established aerospace corridor alongside Lockheed Martin and Space & Mission Systems. The company successfully launched its first rocket last week, a suborbital test vehicle called Bullfrog, marking a key step toward commercial operations.

Mount Blue Sky Road Is Back

Colorado’s most iconic mountain drive is back with the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway reopening Friday after nearly two years, welcoming visitors to the highest paved road in North America at 14,130 feet.

The road climbs more than 7,000 feet from Idaho Springs to the summit, about 40 miles west of Denver. Repairs to an upper stretch kept it closed since the 2024 season.

Officials expect more than 100,000 visitors to make the trek between now and September. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov at $20 per vehicle, and cyclists get to ride for free.

Denver Mountain Parks now manages the entrance station under a new partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, taking over from the agency that had run it for four decades. Along the 28-mile byway, visitors can spot wildlife, bristlecone pines, and sweeping high-alpine views.

Flying together with our sponsor

Get Your Pet Covered Before the Next Vet Visit

A single trip to the vet can cost hundreds—or even thousands—when you least expect it. Lemonade pet insurance helps you get ahead of those surprise bills, with plans starting at around $10/month to help cover accidents, illnesses, tests, and more. You can also add coverage for routine care like vaccines, spaying, and microchipping, and even save more by bundling or insuring multiple pets. Click below to get your pet covered for as little as $10 a month—before you need it most.

Get covered today

➤ Colorado Springs: The Willwood Tunnel under Interstate 25 has reopened after a two-year closure, restoring a popular shortcut between the Broadmoor World Arena area and neighborhoods on the city’s southwest side. (More)

➤ Grand Junction: City Council voted 5-2 to advance stricter anti-camping enforcement on public property, amending the city’s existing prohibition amid ongoing concerns over conditions in the downtown area. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Colorado State Patrol will pay $50,000 to settle a First Amendment claim after banning a critic from its Facebook page. The State Patrol is the latest government agency held liable for viewpoint discrimination on social media. (More)

➤ Durango: More than 100 Durango High School students and community members gathered along the Animas River to host an educational community event focused on resilience concepts in a student-led effort to strengthen community ties and address local environmental challenges. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: Colorado Springs Airport is preparing for 22,000 travelers this Memorial Day weekend, and outgoing passengers can vote on a new “Art at COS” exhibit showcasing Pikes Peak region artists near the TSA checkpoint. (More)

➤ Denver: Denver’s Memorial Day weekend includes the 2026 AAPI Culture Fest and Civic Center Night Market among dozens of events, as pools and patios open city-wide for the unofficial start of summer. (More)

Enjoy reading The Colorado Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ CU-Boulder’s student-athletes posted a record 3.275 GPA this semester, the highest for any spring in program history. The football team alone hit an all-time spring best with a 3.004. (More)

➤ The Colorado Rapids beat San Jose 2-0 to reach the U.S. Open Cup semifinals for the first time since 1999. They’ll host St. Louis City in the semis after this summer’s World Cup break. (More)

➤ Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson was spotted working out at the Lakers’ practice facility this week wearing Kobe Bryant shoes and no Nuggets gear. The Lakers are among his known suitors as he hits restricted free agency this offseason. (More)

➤ Colorado’s Economic Development Commission approved a $5 million infrastructure grant tied to the Broncos’ Burnham Yard stadium project. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Enjoy crystal-clear TV audio without blasting the volume with the HearDirect Wireless Headset. Designed for comfort and clarity, it streams sound directly to your ears while reducing background noise. Move freely, hear dialogue better, and watch your favorite shows without disturbing others in the room. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Don’t wait for a $10,000 veterinary bill

Vet costs are rising fast—a single emergency visit can now cost up to $10,000, turning an unexpected illness or injury into a major financial hit. Pet insurance helps cover a portion of eligible vet bills for accidents and illnesses, so you can focus on your pet’s care instead of the cost. Lemonade Pet Insurance makes it easy and affordable, with customizable coverage, fast digital claims, and plans starting at just $10/month. Protect your pet before the next vet bill hits—get a quote from Lemonade Pet Insurance today.

FIND AFFORDABLE CARE

➤ Water World opens for summer Saturday with its new Summit Canyon attraction in Federal Heights set to open later in the season, kicking off Colorado’s outdoor water park season just in time for Memorial Day weekend. (More)

➤ An F-16 Fighting Falcon will conduct Memorial Day flyovers over several Colorado communities Monday as a tribute to service members who gave their lives. (More)

➤ Red Rocks brings a stacked Memorial Day weekend lineup featuring high-energy electronic dance music, among other offerings. The Sundance Institute is also bringing pre-festival films to the amphitheatre this summer. (More)

➤ The Bolder Boulder returns Monday with more than 50,000 runners tackling the 46th annual 10K through Boulder streets in one of the world’s largest timed road races. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ It’s a bad time to be a mosquito…This powerful anti-mosquito device is transforming backyards by silently eliminating thousands of mosquitoes overnight, without chemicals or noise. Learn More