Aspen Acres Fire Reaches 34% Containment

Crews battling the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado reached 34% containment by Saturday, the third straight day of gains against a blaze that has burned about 97,500 acres in Pueblo and Custer counties.

The human-caused fire has destroyed roughly 850 structures, including 337 homes across the two counties, ranking among the largest and most destructive wildfires in Colorado history. About 1,900 personnel, nine hotshot crews and more than 15 aircraft are working the blaze.

The small community of Beulah, with a year-round population of about 500, was fully surrounded by the flames. Its water systems took heavy damage, and residents are under a bottled-water advisory as they wait to return home.

Authorities have downgraded many mandatory evacuation orders to pre-evacuation status in Pueblo and Fremont counties, letting some families return, though officials warn conditions can change quickly.

Record Heat Wave Hits Colorado

An Extreme Heat Warning went in place at noon Saturday across western Colorado’s Grand Valley, where highs could reach 106 degrees through Monday night.

Grand Junction could tie its all-time record high of 107 today, while a Heat Advisory covers the rest of the Western Slope with highs in the upper 90s to low 100s.

Along the Front Range, Denver is forecast to reach or exceed 100 degrees through Tuesday, which could bring its first 100-degree day of the year.

Officials urge residents to hydrate, stay out of the sun, and keep pets off pavement, which can hit 140 degrees in current conditions.

Colorado’s ‘Best in Show’ Has Company

Colorado’s governor announced Friday that the state’s pavilion had won “Best in Show” at the Great American State Fair—then nine other states said they’d won it too.

In the release, Gov. Jared Polis’ office called Colorado the “best state in the nation” and highlighted a pavilion with live coniferous trees, a ski lift, and a miniature Red Rocks feature.

Within hours, Utah and Pennsylvania were claiming the same recognition at the National Mall fair, a Freedom 250 event marking America’s 250th birthday.

Polis’ office confirmed Colorado was one of 10 “Best in Show” awardees. Asked about the other winners, it said: Maybe nine other states tied us.

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➤ Statewide: Colorado lost 1,753 federal public lands jobs in 2025, the most of any state and about 26% of that workforce, according to an analysis by two consulting firms of former government officials. The White House says its streamlining cut bureaucratic overhead without reducing first responders or park services. (See Details)

➤ San Miguel County: ICE officers detained a previously deported man outside the county jail on Thursday as he was released following a second domestic violence arrest. Sheriff Dan Covault called it an isolated incident, saying his office didn’t alert or assist ICE, which learned of the arrest through court records. (See Details)

➤ Colorado Springs: The University of Colorado Colorado Springs was reaffirmed as “high research activity” doctoral university in the updated Carnegie Classifications. The news came as Gov. Jared Polis laid out his higher-education and workforce-training vision to the state’s higher ed commission on Friday. (More)

➤ Aurora: Three months into Aurora’s Stage 1 drought restrictions, Aurora Water reports “incredible compliance” from homeowners but less from commercial users, having issued more than 1,750 warnings on the commercial side. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Colorado is partnering with the nonprofit Code for America to expand its free SimpleFile tool, which helps low-income residents claim state tax credits, Gov. Jared Polis announced this week. (See Details) 

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➤ Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen was ranked No. 73 on the annual NFL Top 100 players list, as voted on by other NFL players. (More)

➤ Colorado Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros snuck a broken-bat single through the infield to give the Rockies their first lead of the game in the ninth inning on Friday. The Rockies went on to win, 4-3. (See Highlight)

➤ Denver Nuggets rookie forward Bryce Hopkins led the team with 24 points in his NBA Summer League debut on Friday, an 86-97 loss to the Houston Rockets. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | Wimbledon | Golf | WNBA

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➤ A Racer’s Edge, one of Breckenridge’s oldest and most respected ski shops, is fighting to stay open after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April amid the worst snow season on record. Owner Chuck Ginsburg must submit a budget plan to the court by July 23 to keep it open. (More)

➤ Chip in for Children, the annual golf tournament at Antler Creek Golf Course, has now raised more than $300,000 for Children’s Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs since it began in 2015. (See Details)

➤ Red Creek Fire Chief Lu Toxvard and his wife Tammy, also a firefighter, lost their own home to the Aspen Acres Fire but saved several neighbors’ houses by going door to door to get residents out. They say they’ll rebuild and aren’t leaving the community they love. (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. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ This tiny implant may change weight-loss treatment for months at a time. (Hear More)

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What was the best celebration of Colorado in the last week?

1. Best in Show at the Great American State Fair
2. Denver’s drone and fireworks show
3. All the emptied Coors cans (with a CO 14er on them)
4. Other (Reply to let us know)

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever visited hot springs in Colorado?

1. Yes, rarely: 43%
2. Yes, frequently: 21%
3. No hot springs for me: 19%
4. No, but plan to: 17%

Which Colorado fourteener is featured on the Coors Light can?

Show me the answer