Vance Addresses Falcons

Vice President JD Vance delivered the commencement address Thursday at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, marking the graduation of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 2026.

The ceremony kicked off at 9 a.m. under cloudy skies and a hint of rain, with tens of thousands of attendees filling the stadium. The Air Force Thunderbirds capped the event with a flyover, though the full 30-minute airshow was canceled due to weather.

Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, spoke to the graduating class about the future of warfare, the evolving role of technology, and the current situation in Iran. Watch the speech here.

Vance had also been expected to make an appearance in Denver after the commencement, but that event was abruptly canceled Wednesday.

Colorado Axes 173 State IT Jobs

The Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) laid off 173 employees Wednesday and named a new chief information officer, capping years of failed audits and poor service ratings.

The OIT, which runs the digital systems Coloradans use to access unemployment benefits, SNAP, and Medicaid, is cutting about 15% of its 1,150-person workforce. The restructuring is projected to save $4 million in the first year and $8 million annually after that.

Outgoing CIO David Edinger admitted satisfaction scores had barely moved on his watch. Deputy director Sarah Tuneberg takes over as CIO on June 1, with Edinger staying through June 11 to support the handoff.

OIT created 98 new positions under the revamped structure, and some affected workers may qualify for those roles. Officials were explicit that the cuts are driven by the new service model, not AI, and not Colorado’s $1.5 billion budget shortfall.

Polis Signs Bear Law

Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday signed a new law cracking down on the practice of feeding bears.

House Bill 26-1342 drops the legal bar from “intentionally” to “knowingly,” meaning anyone who leaves out food or trash can be charged with a misdemeanor for negligently luring bears.

For repeat offenders, fines climb to $5,000 for three or more violations, up from the previous cap of $2,000.

Colorado is home to 17,000 to 20,000 black bears. Wildlife officials say human-bear conflicts have become more frequent as the state’s population has grown.

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➤ Statewide: Gov. Jared Polis signed a bipartisan wildlife crossings bill Wednesday, enabling Coloradans to voluntarily add $5 to their car registration to fund underpasses and overpasses that reduce deadly animal-vehicle collisions. (More)

➤ Evergreen: A bystander’s video captured the moment an elk charged at a woman near Evergreen Lake. No injuries were reported. (See Video)

➤ Montrose County: Commissioner Sean Pond has withdrawn from Colorado’s U.S. Senate race and has no current plans to run again. (More)

➤ Jefferson County: A jury trial is underway in the 2024 case of a former town council member accused of shooting a teen who trespassed on his property. (More)

➤ Boulder: Colorado State Patrol is asking for tips to identify the driver in a hit-and-run collision that seriously injured a 75-year-old cyclist. (More)

➤ Aurora: The estate of Kilyn Lewis filed a federal lawsuit against the city, alleging inadequate training, poor discipline, and racially biased policing within the police department led to a SWAT officer fatally shooting Lewis in 2024. (More)

➤ Avalanche legend Claude Lemieux died yesterday at 60. The four-time Stanley Cup champion spent five seasons with Colorado and won the 1996 title with the team. (More)

➤ Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar’s injury is “pretty significant” and could keep him out of the start of next season. Makar missed the first two games of the Western Conference Finals and was visibly limited when he returned for Games 3 and 4 against Vegas. (More)

➤ Air Force football will have 10 games on national television this fall, the Mountain West announced this week. The Falcons open at home against Duquesne on September 5. (More)

➤ Former Broncos edge rusher Von Miller said this week he’s “for sure” playing in 2026 and has been lobbying Broncos coach Sean Payton to return to Denver. The 37-year-old Super Bowl 50 MVP is a free agent, but the Broncos have not shown interest. (More)

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➤ Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission unanimously approved more than $13.5 million in new emissions fees, with some reporting costs set to double for utilities, oil-and-gas drillers, landfills, and large manufacturers statewide. (More)

➤ Outside Days returns to Denver this weekend for its third year at a new downtown location, with gear demos, athlete appearances, and exhibitors showcasing Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy. (More)

➤ Edison’s Ice Cream is bringing its Fort Collins scoops to Greeley, opening a second location in the historic Salzman building on 8th Ave., with a grand opening celebration and buy-one-get-one scoops this Saturday. (More)

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➤ A marmot stowed away inside a truck’s frame in Lake City and rode more than 250 miles to Broomfield, where animal control officers safely wrangled the unexpected passenger. (More)

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What do you think of Colorado’s new bear-feeding law?

1. Seems fair
2. Penalties should be stronger
3. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever seen a tornado in person?

1. Yes: 62%
2. No: 38%

What is Colorado’s easternmost town?

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