Saturday, July 4, 2026

Happy Independence Day! On this day in 1890, the cornerstone of the Colorado State Capitol was laid in Denver, capping a parade and a feast of 30,000 pounds of barbecued beef. The gold-domed statehouse stands exactly one mile above sea level.

As our nation commemorates its 250th birthday, we’ll be sending out shortened editions through Monday, July 6, so The Colorado Flyover staff can celebrate the holiday with friends and family. Our regular edition will be back on Tuesday.

Are you the one setting off fireworks, or the one lying awake wishing they’d stop? Somewhere on your street tonight, someone’s going till midnight while the dog shakes under the bed and half the block wonders if they’re the only ones who’ve had enough. Fireworks are the sound of the Fourth, the whole country looking up at once. But they’re also sparking wildfire fears, veterans bracing at every crack, and thousands of ER visits a year. So are they worth it? Tune in to today’s Flyover Podcast as Amy shares both sides of the story. Which side are you on? Tune in here!

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Aspen Acres Fire Tops 66,000 Acres

A national incident management team from Alaska took command of the Aspen Acres Fire on Thursday, after officials said the blaze near Pueblo had outgrown local and state resources.

By Friday morning the fire had burned more than 66,000 acres along the Pueblo-Custer county line with no containment, up more than 11,000 acres overnight. It ranks among the largest wildfires in state history.

At least 180 homes and businesses have burned, with the toll expected to climb. Beulah, Rye, Wetmore, and Colorado City remain evacuated, and investigators say the fire was human-caused.

Gov. Jared Polis urged residents to skip fireworks this Fourth of July, warning that a new fire would pull crews away. “I’ve been a firefighter in Colorado for 40 years, and I have never seen conditions like we’re seeing out there right now,” said Mike Morgan, who directs the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

Drought Reshapes July 4 Celebrations

Colorado’s Fourth of July celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday and the state’s 150th anniversary are going ahead in dozens of communities, though extreme fire danger has forced others to cancel fireworks or switch to drone shows.

Fireworks are still planned for the Greeley Stampede grand finale and Fort Collins’ fireworks display over Sheldon Lake, while Breckenridge is replacing fireworks with a drone show. Denver will feature both downtown drone shows and postgame fireworks at Coors Field, and Longmont plans both a drone show and fireworks.

Extreme fire danger has canceled several fireworks shows, with Colorado Springs canceling all permitted fireworks displays and Pueblo’s Riverwalk canceling its fireworks display. Colorado Springs officials cited vegetation and fuel moisture levels comparable to those before the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire.

First responders are urging residents to enjoy professional displays, report illegal fireworks through non-emergency lines, and reserve 911 for fires, injuries, or other immediate threats.

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➤ Grand Junction: A memorial for the three federal firefighters killed in a June 27 burnover is set for Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Las Colonias Park Amphitheater. Emily Barker, Sydney Watson, and Nick Hutcherson died responding to the Knowles and Gore fires near the Utah border. (See Details)

➤ Denver Police are warning residents not to confront suspected vehicle thieves after two car owners were shot and killed in separate incidents, one in Montbello on June 24 and another in Sunnyside on June 30. The department called it a “dangerous pattern” and urged people to call 911 instead. (More)

➤ Aspen: Alex Kelloff conceded the Democrat primary for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District to Dwayne Romero on Thursday, days after Romero, a former Aspen City Council member, won the June 30 vote by about 10 points. Romero will face Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd in November. (More)

➤ Denver: Mayor Mike Johnston named airport Chief Operating Officer Dave LaPorte interim CEO of Denver International Airport, effective Aug. 3, following the retirement of Phil Washington on Aug. 1. The city will conduct a nationwide search for a permanent replacement. (More)

➤ Denver: A new report found Denver’s independent music venues contributed $898 million to Colorado’s economy in 2024, highlighting the area’s status as a music destination. (See Report)

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How are you spending the Fourth this year?

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you own a boat?

No, boating isn’t for me: 35%
No, but I know someone who does: 28%
Yes, I own one: 21%
Not yet, but I’d like one: 16%

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ As America turns 250, its most beloved holiday tradition is facing growing pushback from cities, neighbors, and fire officials alike. (Hear More)

➤ Federal regulators want to pay hospitals less for routine imaging, escalating a long-running payment fight. (Listen Now)

➤ You could see radiation-detecting aircraft and drone-takeover technology overhead this weekend, as security for the nation’s 250th birthday hits the highest level. (Podcast Available)