U.S. House Passes Evans’ Data Center Bill

The U.S. House on Wednesday passed the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Fort Lupton, on a 417-3 vote.

The measure would create a federal standard for state regulators weighing how large data centers cover generation, transmission lines, and other infrastructure upgrades.

Evans said hardworking families should not subsidize the energy demands of data centers, arguing the country needs AI infrastructure without pushing costs onto ratepayers.

Congress cannot compel states to adopt federal ratemaking standards, so the bill functions as a recommendation. It now moves to the Senate, where Sen. Jon Husted has a companion measure.

NOCO Humane Asks for Help with 108 Cats

NOCO Humane took in 108 cats over five weeks through three large-scale intake cases at its Larimer and Weld campuses.

In mid-August, the Loveland campus received 46 cats from a single home after the owner died, then 42 more from a separate suspected hoarding situation that same week.

Twenty additional cats were surrendered at the Weld campus. CEO Cynthia Setel called the response “an extraordinary undertaking” requiring veterinary care, behavioral support, and foster placement.

Many cats have been adopted, others are in foster homes or treatment, and a small number were euthanized over quality-of-life concerns. Donations are being accepted online.

Pumpkin Season Kicks Off

Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns returns to Hudson Gardens in Littleton with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins and a new one-third-mile trail add-on.

Displays this year include a nautical seascape, a pirate ship, dinosaurs, and dragons. Timed tickets start at $14.99 for children and $19.99 for adults.

Fritzler Farm Park, a northern Colorado farm known for its massive corn maze and annual autumn festival, opens for the season this Saturday, with a pumpkin patch, mini-golf, go-karts, and more.

In Colorado Springs, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry expects higher prices when its patch opens in October, though supply should hold up.

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➤ Manitou Springs: Fire crews made six separate rescues on the Manitou Incline and Barr Trail on Saturday, coordinating with El Paso County Search and Rescue. (More)

➤ Rio Grande County: A camper bitten by a bear near South Fork spoke about the attack, which she survived by punching the bear in the face. (More)

➤ Lake County: Fresh snow coated the highest peaks near Leadville and Twin Lakes on Tuesday behind the first strong fall cold front of the year. (More)

➤ I-70: CDOT closes westbound lanes at Kipling from Friday evening through early Tuesday for bridge repairs. Drivers should expect 30-minute delays through the area. (More)

➤ Centennial: Priscilla Johnson, 33, pleaded guilty to defrauding a 90-year-old man of $40,000 and is now linked to other victims, including one who lost about $450,000. (More)

➤ Denver Metro: RTD’s board is weighing a study of in-house fines for fare evasion rather than county court citations. A full board vote is scheduled for Sept. 22. (More)

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➤ Colorado football coach Deion Sanders received custom prosthetic toes from the team’s training staff this week, five years after having two toes amputated due to life-threatening blood clots. Sanders called it getting “back to being 10 toes down.” (More)

➤ The Rockies fell 9-3 to San Diego at Coors Field as starter Mason Adams gave up six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. (More)

➤ The Broncos host Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon in their home opener, trying to rebound from a lopsided road loss to Kansas City in Week 1. (More)

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➤ Vail’s Dobson Arena finishes a $55 million renovation this fall, with a hockey tournament Nov. 6 to 8 and an all-ages concert Nov. 28 marking the reopening. (More)

➤ Littleton approved a 30-year sales tax rebate to bring a 300,000-square-foot Scheels to the Mineral Place development, the chain’s first store in the Denver metro area. (More)

➤ Northwest Colorado Health lost roughly $230,000 to a scheme impersonating one of its financial institutions, CEO Steph Einfeld said, with about $30,000 recovered. (More)

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➤ Denver landed at No. 15 on a new ranking of the best coffee cities, the highest-placing Colorado city among the 100 largest in the country. (More)

➤ This list of the top five rail trips for leaf peepers covers everything from the 75-minute Georgetown Loop to a two-day run between Denver’s Union Station and Moab. (More)

➤ The Mountain States Ranch Rodeo Finals return to Montrose today and Saturday, closing out one of the Western Slope’s biggest working-cowboy circuits. (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. 

➤ New research revealed just how many Americans are carrying medical debt despite having health insurance. (Listen Now)

➤ Princess Diana’s brother took aim at King Charles in a new memoir that has drawn a rare rebuttal from Buckingham Palace. (Hear Story)

➤ Uber was ordered to pay $40 million to the family of a woman killed after her driver abandoned her on a freeway. (Hear Details)

What’s your favorite fall activity?

1. Carving pumpkins
2. Leaf peeping
3. Apple picking
4. Hayrides
5. Corn mazes
6. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever tried axe throwing?

1. Nope, not for me: 49%
2. I’ve dabbled: 26%
3. No, but I’d like to: 20%
4. Yes, I’m a pro: 5%

How did Alamosa get its name?

Show me the answer