Democrats Elect House Speaker

Colorado House Democrats chose Rep. Jennifer Bacon of Denver as the next House speaker on Friday. She will be the first black woman to hold the post.

Bacon defeated Rep. Andrew Boesenecker of Fort Collins and will replace term-limited Speaker Julie McCluskie. She will lead the party’s 49-member supermajority when lawmakers reconvene.

The caucus also chose Rep. Javier Mabrey of Denver as majority leader and Rep. Jenny Willford of Northglenn as assistant majority leader. Observers called the team more progressive than past leaders.

Bacon, a former math teacher and lawyer, was first elected in 2020 to represent Green Valley Ranch and Montbello.

Amendment 85 Fails

Colorado voters rejected Amendment 85, which would have required state and local ballot questions to be written at no higher than an eighth-grade reading level.

Unofficial results showed about 51% voting yes. That fell short of the 55% supermajority required for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in Colorado.

The measure was proposed by Advance Colorado, a conservative political nonprofit. Opponents argued it would make it harder to explain the complex issues Colorado voters are asked to decide.

State law already requires plain language in ballot titles but sets no grade-level standard. The amendment also would have barred laws requiring specific wording in initiative titles.

Mild Weather to Start Week

A dome of high pressure drifting toward Colorado pushed Sunday highs into the mid to upper 60s in metro Denver. The ridge should peak today, with some neighborhoods reaching the lower 70s.

A weak cold front arrives Tuesday but isn’t expected to bring any rain or snow, though it could turn gusty on the plains. Highs should slip a few degrees each day through Wednesday.

Even with the dip, metro Denver highs should stay in the low to mid 60s through Veterans Day. High pressure is expected to rebuild late in the week, pushing highs back into the mid to upper 60s.

Sunshine and light southwest winds are expected this afternoon. Forecasters see no moisture reaching the state until next Sunday at the earliest.

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➤ Denver: A federal judge ordered ICE’s field office director to court this morning over re-arrests of detainees judges had ordered released. The ACLU counts over a dozen in a week. (More)

➤ Also Denver: A man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday for his role in the 2024 shooting that injured former Bronco Josh Reynolds. Prosecutors believe it was mistaken identity. (More)

➤ Jefferson County: Five votes separate the outcome of Jeffco Public Schools’ $73 million tax measure 5A, now headed to a recount. If 5A and 5B both fail, cuts of $13 million or more loom. (More)

➤ Clear Creek County: Deputies have written over 750 speeding tickets or summonses this year in the 45 mph I-70 work zone near Floyd Hill. One says average speeds there top 70 mph. (More)

➤ Delta and Montrose counties: CDOT starts resurfacing and culvert work on Colorado 348 near Delta this week. Paving on US 50 through downtown Delta follows in spring 2027. (More)

➤ I-70: A semi lost a large transformer on a curve west of De Beque Saturday afternoon, closing eastbound I-70. The transformer leaked fuel and briefly caught fire, but no one was hurt. (More)

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➤ Denver Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonnito forced a strip-sack on Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to end a promising final drive and seal a 26-21 victory, pushing the Broncos to 7-2 on the season. (See Highlight)

➤ The Denver Nuggets took down the Indiana Pacers 114-102 over the weekend in Mexico City, helped by a dominant 15-0 second-quarter run and 19 points from Nikola Jokić. (More)

➤ Colorado Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood recorded his first shutout of the season in a 4-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. (More)

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➤ What’s the best dog breed in America? We ranked the top 10, and the winner is hard to argue with. (Tune In Here)

In the latest episode of Flyover Focus, we count down the 10 dog breeds that make the best pets. So what separates a great dog from the rest? Is it how smart they are, loyalty, size, or how much hair ends up on your couch?

Everybody thinks their dog’s breed belongs at the top, so where does your four-legged friend actually land on our list? Find out here!

In case you missed it, last week’s Flyover Focus dug into the strange but important history of Daylight Saving Time. (Watch Here)

➤ Aspen plans to buy the 80-unit Castle Ridge Apartments, an affordable housing complex, for $25.2 million. The city could also build another 80 affordable units on the property. (More)

➤ Copper Mountain opened for the season on Sunday, becoming the fourth Summit County ski area to do so following Arapahoe Basin, Keystone Resort, and Loveland Ski Area. (More)

➤ Community Hospital will open the Grand Valley Retina and Eye Center in Grand Junction after a local retina clinic closed. Dr. C. Kiersten Pollard begins seeing patients Jan. 4. (More)

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➤ Art conservators at Denver International Airport cleaned Mustang (nicknamed Blucifer), the airport’s iconic 32-foot, 9,000-pound blue horse sculpture. They also inspected its fiberglass and added a fresh coat of sunblock. (See Photos)

➤ Veterans, families, and neighbors filled Grand Junction’s Main Street Saturday for the third annual Veterans Day Parade and Block Party. Events continue this week in Palisade and Fruita. (More)

➤ A Thornton hardware store facing shoplifting attempts several times a week now uses an AI camera system from Veesion. It sends staff real-time clips of suspicious behavior. (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. 

➤ An impaired driver plowed into a pack of weekend cyclists outside Raleigh, and the man now facing 18 charges is 76 years old. (Hear More)

➤ Melania Trump showed up at the LSU-Alabama game with a $7.2 million gift, and it had nothing to do with football. (Listen Now)

➤ Two-thirds of kids have had an imaginary friend by age 7, and researchers say the invisible milk cartons and ballerinas are doing more than keeping them company. (Hear Details)

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

1. Dog person
2. Cat person
3. Both
4. Neither

Yesterday’s Results:

What music were you listening to in the 1980s?

1. Rock: 44%
2. Country: 21%
3. Pop: 14%
4. Something else: 11%
5. Punk or alternative: 7%
6. Wasn’t born yet: 3%

Despite appearing rectangular, Colorado’s borders form how many distinct sides?

Show me the answer

If you’re a fan of our Trivia section, you’ll love our new book, The Flyover Book of Trivia 2027, an illustrated collection of 100 of our favorite questions and answers. (Buy It Now)