Report Details Knowles Fire Deaths

Four firefighters killed in the Knowles Fire had nine seconds between learning their helicopter couldn’t land and deploying emergency shelters, according to a federal investigation released Thursday.

The Rifle Helitack crew was working two tiny fires in Mesa County on June 27 when the larger Snyder Fire, which ran more than 7 miles in under three hours, overtook them. Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson died at the scene, and Nathan Matthews died July 24.

The Interior Department’s serious accident investigation assigns no blame. It cites extreme fire behavior, strained communications, understaffing, and gaps in aerial supervision.

The lone survivor held a shelter down against the wind for 48 minutes. About two and a half hours after the burnover, a pilot spotted a strobe light through the smoke.

The report lists 19 findings and no recommendations.

“In wildland fire, we honor those we have lost by learning,” it concludes.

Polis Grants 27 Pardons

Gov. Jared Polis pardoned 27 people Thursday, including an Aurora mother whose 2017 arrest after her toddler wandered from a family picnic drew national attention.

Vanessa Peoples was charged with reckless endangerment after her 2-year-old briefly wandered away. She later earned a nursing certificate, and Polis praised her for speaking out about her case.

Other pardons covered convictions for drug crimes, trespassing, theft, and criminal impersonation. Bruce Korum was convicted in 1975 of crimes tied to selling marijuana in El Paso County.

This is Polis’ third round of pardons this year, after 29 in August and 35 in May. He leaves office in January and is still reviewing applications filed before the April 3 deadline.

Denver Pitches for 2028 DNC

Denver is using a national gathering of Democrats this week to make its case to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention.

The independent “What’s Next” conference brought elected officials and strategists to the city to discuss the party’s direction after the midterms. Denver is a finalist with Boston and Philadelphia for the Aug. 7-10 convention.

The Denver Downtown Development Authority board voted unanimously Thursday to back the bid, citing its economic impact. Mayor Mike Johnston has estimated the convention could bring in about half a billion dollars.

Organizers would need to raise roughly $75 million to host. Denver has hosted the convention twice, in 1908 and 2008.

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➤ 4th CD: The AP called the race for Democrat Eileen Laubacher on Friday, unseating Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert. Laubacher led 48.8% to 47.9% with an estimated 99% of votes counted at the time of the call. (More)

➤ Pueblo: The city’s preliminary 2027 repaving list includes 2.5 miles of 29th Street, from behind the Pueblo Mall to just east of Pueblo Boulevard, one of the longest stretches in recent memory. Dillon Drive also made the list. (More)

➤ Statewide: Gov.-elect Phil Weiser picked former Fort Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt to oversee rural advancement in his Cabinet. Arndt served in the state House from 2015 to 2021, where she led the committee on agriculture, natural resources, and water. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: Harrison School District 2 broke ground Thursday on Wendy’s Village, comprised of 40 one-bedroom homes for teachers and staff with rent expected under $1,000 a month. A $1 million federal grant helps fund the project, and move-ins could begin by summer 2027. (More)

➤ Fort Collins: Poudre School District’s board voted 4-3 to take Blevins Middle School off its closure list, keeping it open at least five more years. The board also approved an extra $250,000 a year for two years for marketing and staffing. (More)

➤ 7th CD: Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Democrat, said she missed Tuesday’s vote on sending impeachment articles against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to committee because she was at an Elect Democratic Women event. Her office first blamed traffic. The motion passed 211-204. (More)

➤ Monarch Mountain: USDA figures show snow-water levels in southwest Colorado at least 15% above average, and up to nearly 80% in some areas. Monarch’s general manager said it’s a far better start than last season, when the resort had to farm snow all winter. (More)

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➤ Colorado entered Friday’s game against No. 14 Houston at Folsom Field needing to win its final three regular-season games to become bowl eligible. (See Details)

➤ Unranked Colorado volleyball upset No. 14 Kansas Thursday night with a three-set sweep at home, going 25-18, 25-14, and 25-21. (Watch Highlights)

➤ The Avalanche lost 4-3 in overtime at Ottawa on Thursday after Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar both left in the second period with lower-body injuries. Coach Jared Bednar said he isn’t sure whether either will play tonight at Montreal. (More)

➤ The Broncos backed out of their trade for Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley after his physical, and the AP reports Denver found a surprising issue, reportedly involving his knee. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said the Broncos knew Henley was hurt and used the physical to try to change the terms. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NHL | NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ The Air Force Academy debuted the T-19A Kestrel, its first powered aerobatic aircraft, as four of the planes flew over the cadets’ noon meal formation Thursday. The donated aircraft will help cadets build flight time and eventually form a demonstration team. (See Photos)

➤ Aspen Snowmass’ Elk Camp chairlift now has what the resort calls the world’s first battery backup for a ski lift, letting it run up to two hours in an outage without burning diesel. Nearly all other lifts rely on gas or diesel backups. (More)

➤ Two Denver spots won 2026 Eater Awards: Rougarou in Five Points, named one of the country’s 15 best new restaurants, and RiNo cocktail bar Peach Crease Club. Eater honored 55 places in 20 cities. (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, straight from the heart of the country. 

➤ Seven veteran benefits go unclaimed by many military families, including one that scammers are eager to exploit. (Listen Now)

➤ Federal investigators have recovered part of the $6.3 billion stolen from Binance in the largest crypto heist in history. (Hear Details)

➤ The Coast Guard has launched a criminal investigation into an MSC cruise ship accused of illegally discharging oil at sea. (Hear Story)

Have you ever attended a political party’s national convention?

1. Yes, the RNC
2. Yes, the DNC
3. Yes, a third party
4. Not me

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever visited the Molly Brown House in Denver?

1. No: 67%
2. Yes: 33%

Which Colorado ski area bills itself as having “The Most Snow in Colorado”?

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)