Saturday, October 10, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2013, Boulder-born astronaut Scott Carpenter died in Denver at age 88. In 1962, the Mercury pioneer became the second American to orbit the Earth.

UCCS students have a new robot classmate that tells dad jokes and can pass for a medieval gnome. Would you trust a robot with your homework? Vote in our Poll.

Is the government really about to hand you $1,000 a year for retirement? The IRS has started mailing notices to millions of Americans about a new program that deposits federal matching money directly into retirement accounts, rather than just shave it off your tax bill. But there’s a catch. Plenty of savers will get the full $1,000, while others won’t see a dime, and the difference comes down to a few details on your tax return. So who qualifies, and how do you actually claim the money? Amy has the full story on today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor is Curated Gift Guides, rounding up 37 of the most useful and ingenious gadgets of 2026 designed to solve everyday problems and make great gifts.

Weiser, Marx Square Off at Forum

Republican Victor Marx and Democrat Phil Weiser shared a stage Thursday at a Colorado Chamber of Commerce forum, their only scheduled joint appearance of the governor’s race.

Weiser said he would sign a bill dropping the second worker vote required before unions can collect fees from paychecks. Marx said he would veto it.

Marx called for more natural gas and a look at small nuclear reactors, saying the state has treated affordability “as some kind of afterthought.” Weiser defended targeted emissions rules and said the state needs more revenue for services like K-12 schools.

Marx pledged to audit much of state government, and both candidates promised faster housing permits.

That evening, Weiser took questions alone at a Colorado Sun event after Marx declined invitations to debate or sit for an interview. Weiser said he’s “concerned” about Marx’s conduct during the campaign.

DOJ Sues Denver over Mask Ban

The Justice Department sued Denver on Thursday over a city law that bars ICE agents and other officers from wearing masks while making arrests in the city.

The ordinance also requires officers to display identification visible from 25 feet, with exceptions for undercover and SWAT work. Violations carry fines up to $999 and up to 300 days in jail.

Federal attorneys argue the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause bars cities from regulating federal officers and that unmasking exposes agents to doxxing and threats. “Federal law enforcement officers and agents cannot and will not comply with the ordinance,” the complaint states.

Mayor Mike Johnston’s office said the city will fight the suit. “Denverites deserve to know who is arresting them and what they’re being arrested for,” spokesman Jon Ewing said.

After the council’s vote, Homeland Security officials said agents would not abide by the ban.

State Urged To Buy Ranch Land

A report from former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recommends the state buy at least 10,000 acres of a San Luis Valley ranch at the center of a generations-old land fight.

Heirs of the 1844 Sangre de Cristo Land Grant hold court-affirmed rights to graze livestock and gather firewood on the Costilla County ranch, known as La Sierra. The rights have been fought over in court for decades.

The purchased land would open to the public, and heirs would keep access to the rest. The report, ordered by Gov. Jared Polis, also proposes a San Luis Heritage Fund.

Polis said public visitors wouldn’t get the heirs’ wood-gathering or timber rights. “It’s not going to be just unfettered access,” he said.

Land Rights Council co-founder Shirley Romero-Otero worries about the consequences of public access. She said heirs will meet with their attorney this weekend to decide how to respond.

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The 37 Best Gadgets of 2026 You Won’t Find in Stores

The best gadgets aren’t just cool… they solve real everyday problems. From clutter-busting tools to clever tech upgrades, these picks are making waves for their usefulness and ingenuity. We’ve rounded up the most talked-about items that people can’t stop adding to their carts.

Each one combines practical function with a touch of genius, making them perfect for your home, office, or even as gifts. But be warned… demand is skyrocketing, and these top gadgets are already selling out faster than expected.

Learn More

➤ Fort Carson: The Army activated the 4th Multi-Domain Task Force, a long-range unit focused on the Indo-Pacific, under Col. Hugh W.A. Jones. The unit brings HIMARS rocket launchers to the post permanently for the first time, and officials expect it to grow. (More)

➤ Douglas and Jefferson Counties: Lockheed Martin Space will add up to 1,250 jobs at its facilities in the two counties over the next four years, Gov. Jared Polis announced. The roles include cybersecurity and software engineers, technicians, and administrative staff. (More)

➤ Mesa County: District Attorney Daniel Rubinstein won’t charge two deputies in the August death of a 57-year-old Clifton man they restrained. The autopsy cited methamphetamine and bupropion intoxication, with restraint contributing, but Rubinstein ruled the force legally justified. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Attorney General Phil Weiser and more than 20 other attorneys general oppose federal Head Start changes that would drop performance standards, impose an English-only mandate, and cut the administrative allowance from 15% to 5%. Federal health officials say the rule will cut red tape and serve more children. (More)

➤ Weld County: A citizens group is circulating two petitions, one forcing a public vote on commissioners’ approval of a Global AI data center near Windsor and another requiring voter approval for future data centers. The company says the project would bring 200 long-term jobs. (More)

➤ Grand Junction: State Sen. Janice Rich, a Grand Junction Republican, plans to introduce a proposal next session creating a Colorado Musician Day to honor local musicians. (More)

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➤ Air Academy High School forfeited Friday’s homecoming football game against Lutheran amid allegations of racist remarks involving Lutheran’s program. The school kept its other homecoming plans, including a girls’ flag football game against top-ranked The Classical Academy. (More)

➤ Tom Nalen and Jim Saccomano were elected to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027. Nalen’s 188 starts trail only John Elway in Broncos history, and Saccomano ran the team’s public relations through its first two Super Bowl titles. (More)

➤ Air Force (3-1) is the only Colorado FBS team in action this weekend, playing its first game without injured quarterback Liam Szarka at Northern Illinois (0-4) at 5:30 p.m. It’s the first meeting between the schools and the Huskies’ first Mountain West home game. (More)

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Genius Gadgets: The 37 That Actually Earn Their Keep

Smart shoppers know the secret: the best gadgets earn their keep. These 37 picks prove it. They aren’t gimmicks or dust collectors, they’re practical innovations that deliver real value every single day.

Whether you’re organizing your space, upgrading your routine, or getting a head start on gifts, this list highlights what’s genuinely worth buying right now. The catch? These popular items are selling faster than anticipated, so availability won’t last.

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➤ UCCS has two donated humanoid robots, both named Ami, that help students brainstorm projects and practice using AI. Students program them with plain-language instructions, and one turned Ami into a medieval gnome named Bartholomew. (See Video)

➤ The Pueblo Zoo hosts ZooBoo from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, with trick-or-treating, two costume parades, crafts, and a new haunted house. Admission is $15.25 for nonmember adults and $5.25 for kids. (See Details)

➤ Venetucci Farm marked its 90th year by hosting kindergarteners on a field trip about planting, watering, and growing vegetables. Each child went home with a free pumpkin. (See Video)

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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.

➤ The IRS is mailing notices about $1,000 in free retirement money, but strict cutoffs apply. (Listen Now)

➤ This year’s Nobel Peace Prize went to a South African jurist, drawing swift condemnation from Israel. (Hear Details)

➤ Severe turbulence forced a Colombia-to-New York flight to divert to Miami, sending at least eight people to the hospital. (Podcast Available)