Budget Plan Targets TABOR Refunds

Gov. Jared Polis, in his proposed $46.8 billion 2026-27 budget, has recommended withholding Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) refunds in 2026-27 and 2027-28 to recover $306.1 million.

According to Polis, the state overpaid $306.1 million in refunds during the 2025-26 fiscal year, a discrepancy attributed to federal tax changes that affected how Colorado calculated revenue for the prior fiscal year.

Polis’ recommendation has drawn pushback from state budget staff, who wrote in a Feb. 20 memo that the money doesn’t appear to qualify as an over-refund and withholding it may not be legal.

If lawmakers choose not to withhold the refunds, it could throw Polis’ budget proposal out of balance, possibly resulting in more cuts to public services like education and health care.

Report Sheds Light on Rural Schools

A new report by the Keystone Policy Center examines the advantages and challenges of Colorado’s rural school districts, which comprise more than 80% of the state’s districts and serve 16% of its students.

According to the report, rural districts produce strong student outcomes, often including higher graduation rates, benefit from close-knit, highly personalized learning environments, and serve as civic anchors in their communities.

The report also finds that state policies, such as funding formulas and reporting mandates, tend to be crafted with larger, urban systems in mind, forcing rural schools to “operate within systems that frequently overlook their realities” and “creating disproportionate burdens.”

Keystone outlines several recommendations for policymakers, including streamlining paperwork, improving funding models, and expanding teacher pipeline and housing initiatives.

Frozen, Snowy Weekend After Warm Stretch

The second storm of the week arrived late last night, ending a midweek bout of warm weather and bringing another round of April snow to parts of Colorado.

Highs today will dip into the 30s and 40s. A freeze watch has been issued for all of eastern Colorado, including the Front Range, tonight through tomorrow morning, with lows bottoming out at 18 to 25 degrees.

In Denver, snow will develop late morning into the afternoon, falling most of the day to total 1 to 2 inches across the metro, though some may melt on contact. The northern and central mountains could see 3 to 5 inches by Saturday morning.

Drivers should look out for slick spots, especially on bridges, overpasses, off-ramps, and wet roads, today into tomorrow. Milder, drier weather will return by Sunday.

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➤ Statewide: A Senate committee on Tuesday approved two bills designed to lower homeowners’ insurance costs by promoting hail-resistant roofs—one through grants and another through tax-advantaged savings accounts. (See Details)

➤ Las Animas County: The Schwachheim Fire, burning near the Colorado-New Mexico line, has grown to 1,012 acres but is now 36% contained, fire officials said in a Thursday morning update. (More)

➤ Boulder County: First responders rescued three stuck rock climbers from a steep, tall cliffside over the course of a nearly four-hour operation. (See Video)

➤ Capitol: State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer officially qualified for the Republican gubernatorial primary Wednesday after the secretary of state’s office verified her petition. She’ll run against state Rep. Scott Bottoms and Victor Marx, who qualified during the state assembly. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: Wildlife officials confirmed a mountain lion sighting in Old Colorado City. Members of the public are asked to provide timely, specific information if they spot the animal. (More)

➤ Denver: A City Council committee advanced a three-year contract with Veo, a micromobility company, effectively ruling out the possibility that current e-scooter and e-bike vendors Lime and Bird will continue operating in the city. (More)

➤ Federal Heights: The district attorney for Adams and Broomfield counties is raising concerns about the abrupt terminations of the city’s police and fire chiefs, who were fired earlier this month. (More)

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➤ Colorado Christian University’s softball team has won 38 straight games, an RMAC record. The Division II Cougars are 42-2 overall and 31-0 in conference play. (More)

➤ Broncos quarterback Bo Nix wrote a letter to his newborn daughter in The Players’ Tribune about perspective and finding purpose through adversity: “Sometimes God’s plan doesn’t look like what you prayed for. … It looks better.” (More)

➤ The No. 3 seed Nuggets will open the NBA playoffs against the No. 6 seed Timberwolves tomorrow at Ball Arena. Denver won three of four regular-season meetings. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NHL | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ The former head distiller for Stranahan’s and Laws, two renowned Denver whiskey brands, is releasing a rare small-batch bourbon series, including cask-finished whiskeys, as he prepares to open his own Arvada distillery. (See Details)

➤ A new report warns the expansion and practices of Compass Real Estate, a national real estate brokerage that recently increased its Colorado footprint, could limit competition and drive up costs for home buyers and sellers. (See Details)

➤ Starbird Chicken, a fast-casual chain known for its antibiotic-free, never-frozen chicken, is opening its second Colorado outpost at the Castle Rock Outlets, with a community grand-opening party set for Monday, April 27. (See Details)

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Is Houston the New Silicon Valley?

Big Tech was once fueled by Silicon Valley’s innovation. The next phase? It’ll run on infrastructure, with Houston as its new capital.
Apple. Google. OpenAI. Amazon. Meta. They’re all building massive AI operations in Texas, part of 440+ new data centers planned for the state.

But getting new electricity online to power them takes years. Enter American PowerGen. Led by experienced energy developers with $5 billion worth of project acquisitions to buyers like Blackstone, they’re experts.

In fact, they’ve already received multiple acquisition offers from institutional buyers for their current project, which will supply enough energy to power 3 million homes. 

But American PowerGen isn’t interested in making institutional investors richer. They’re inviting you to become a shareholder and own a piece of this infrastructure boom today.

➤ A family is seeking help finding a cherished heirloom—a World War II-era silver ring belonging to their grandfather, who served in the Air Force—after losing it in a Westminster Target. (See Ring)

➤ The Dark Wizard, a new HBO documentary series by two Boulder filmmakers, chronicles the exploits and explores the inner life of Dean Potter, a legendary climber, free soloist, BASE jumper, and highliner who died in 2015. (See Details)

➤ The incoming cold snap threatens to damage fruit trees across the state, as this year’s warmth-triggered early blossoms leave some more vulnerable, though others may benefit. (See Details)

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➤ Use Manuka Honey like this to suck fungus out of your nails. Studies suggest a simple tweak to your morning routine may help eliminate nail fungus for good. Apply manuka honey first thing daily to target fungus, soothe itching and burning, and support skin healing. It takes under 10 seconds—yet the results can be life-changing. Try this antifungal trick today!

How old is the oldest heirloom, keepsake, or antique you own?

1. Less than 50 years
2. 50-100 years
3. 100-150 years
4. 150-200 years
5. 200+ years

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you driven on the Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) Scenic Byway?

1. No: 45%
2. Yes: 41%
3. I’m afraid of heights: 14%

Las Animas County is named after what river?

Show me the answer