‘Dark Money’ in Democrats’ Primaries

About $2 million in untraceable money has flown into a handful of Colorado Democrats’ statehouse primaries ahead of the June 30 election.

The funds back more moderate candidates over liberal incumbents in districts across the Denver metro and high country. Three nonprofits that don’t disclose their donors are routing cash through eight state-level super PACs.

On the other side, Colorado Labor Action—funded mainly by teachers unions and the AFL-CIO—has spent about $800,000 backing more progressive candidates in several of the same races.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, whom a recent poll showed as a slight favorite in the race for governor, entered June with more than $4.6 million in direct campaign donations and $8 million amassed by a super PAC.

Front Range Moves Against Data Centers

Denver, Jefferson County, and Longmont have all moved recently to block new data center development, reflecting regional backlash over rising electricity bills, pollution, and developer tax breaks.

Longmont City Council banned hyperscale data centers—capping energy usage at either 5% of the region’s grid capacity or 100 megawatts—in a 6-1 vote last week. In May, Denver City Council and Jefferson County both approved moratoriums on new centers.

At the state level, the legislature this session let two competing data center bills die without resolving the standoff, leaving a statewide framework to wait until 2027.

Denver ‘Mile High’ Marker Moving

Denver is getting a new Mile High marker—this time, accurate to the centimeter—on the State Capitol’s west steps, part of a sweeping national reassessment by NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey.

The existing markers—at the 15th, 18th, and 13th steps—were set relative to the sea-level measurement systems of their days, in 1909, 1969, and 2003 respectively.

Since then, the reference framework for spatial measurements used by GPS and mapping systems has changed, making new, more precise measurement necessary.

The new marker is expected to be placed before Colorado Day on Aug. 1, just in time for the state’s 150th birthday celebration.

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➤ Larimer County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jeremy Coleman and Deputy Ethan Powers were two of three motorcyclists fatally struck by a driver in Idaho on Tuesday. The third victim, Nathan McCormick, was Coleman’s son-in-law. The driver, a Colorado Springs woman, has been charged with manslaughter. (More)

➤ Superior: Amid historic drought conditions, residents are caught between water conservation and local HOA rules requiring green lawns. (More)

➤ Statewide: Ahead of the June 30 primary, an investigation found some candidates’ political advertisements use imagery and language to imply endorsements that were never given, including from figures like Pope Leo XIV and former President Barack Obama. (More)

➤ Fort Collins: A man has received nearly $400,000 to settle an excessive force lawsuit against the city’s police services. (More)

➤ Chaffee County: Investigators are looking for the person who allegedly tried to start a forest fire near Clear Creek Reservoir last weekend. (More)

➤ Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions as dry conditions and heat elevate wildfire risk across the Western Slope. (More)

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➤ Chicago took the series in an 8-6 win against Colorado at Wrigley Field, handing the Rockies another road loss as the team continues to struggle through a difficult season. (More)

➤ Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper is out on $1,000 bond after appearing in Douglas County court on felony assault and protective order violation charges stemming from two separate domestic incidents this month. (More)

➤ Littleton City Council approved a funding package for 1st Street Farms, a proposed 5-acre community hub backed by Peyton Manning. The project includes a 15,000-square-foot restaurant and event barn, with groundbreaking targeted for later this year. (More)

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➤ The National Western Center, home to the famous National Western Stock Show, announced that Kate Girotti will be taking over as its new CEO. The center is in the midst of a $1.6 billion redevelopment. (More)

➤ A Colorado Department of Revenue employee filed a class-action lawsuit alleging the state failed to pay her the local minimum wage when employees relocated to a Denver office building. (More)

➤ With temperatures topping 100 degrees this week, seniors receiving social security and other Coloradans on fixed incomes are feeling the squeeze. Xcel Energy is proposing a roughly 6% rate hike as early as August, pending PUC approval. (More)

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➤ A bear was caught on camera sneaking into the Castle Rock Police Department’s parking lot by shimmying over a chain-link fence. (See Video)

➤ The Telluride Bluegrass Festival kicked off last night and runs through Sunday. Tips include arriving early, packing layers, and surrendering to the mountain magic. (More)

➤ America’s oldest whitewater festival is underway along the Arkansas River in Salida. The four-day run through Sunday features kayak races, a raft rodeo, live music, and the beloved Tenderfoot Hill Climb. (More)                

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

➤ The flip phone is making a comeback, and this time it’s built to keep you off your phone. (Hear Details)

➤ Several high-ranking Trump officials have adopted the same diet, and one credits it with reversing a heart condition. (Hear Episode)

➤ A Los Angeles warehouse fire released hazardous gas and smoke, forcing air quality warnings across the region. (Listen Now)

Have you ever been whitewater rafting?

1. Yes, a lot
2. Yes, a few times
3. Yes, once or twice
4. No, never

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you feel about license plate-reading cameras?

1. Support: 31%
2. Oppose: 29%
3. Neutral: 18%
4. Not sure: 14%
5. Other: 8%

How did Huerfano County get its name?

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