Sunday, November 1, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1858, William Greeneberry Russell and his brothers founded Auraria near the mouth of Cherry Creek. They named the gold camp for their Georgia hometown, and it later became part of Denver.

In case you missed it on Flyover Focus, we counted down the 10 most common scams putting Americans in danger right now, deceptions that cost victims $20 billion last year alone. These schemes are convincing enough to fool people who were sure they’d never fall for one, and odds are you’ve already encountered at least one of them. Plus, one scam on the list threatens to drain an entire retirement account. How many of them would you spot before it’s too late? Tune in here!

When was the last time you compared your car insurance? If it’s been a year or longer, the rate you’re renewing may deserve a second look. Today’s sponsor, Insurify, makes it easy to compare quotes from more than 120 insurers in just a few minutes.

Southwest Braces for Near-Record Flooding

Archuleta County kept mandatory evacuation orders in place for low-lying areas along four rivers as a storm moves in today, and Pagosa Springs ordered evacuations for flood-threatened areas of town.

The National Weather Service called it a “particularly dangerous situation,” forecasting the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs to rise above flood stage this afternoon and then crest near 17 feet early Monday, higher than last week’s flood and near the 1911 record.

The southwestern mountains and San Luis Valley could see 2 to 4 inches of rain today and Monday. Above 10,000 feet, the San Juan Mountains could get 10 to 20 inches of snow.

“If you have water on your property now, expect more with this storm,” county officials warned.

Meanwhile, the Federal Highway Administration approved $6.5 million to start repairing flood-damaged U.S. 160, U.S. 550, and Colorado 151 before winter. It’s an initial portion of CDOT’s request, based on a preliminary $65 million damage estimate.

Amendment 87 Stays on the Ballot

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Friday that Amendment 87, a proposed graduated income tax, will stay on the ballot and its votes will count.

Arapahoe County resident Michael Andre Hancock argued some paid signature gatherers weren’t properly registered. The justices upheld a Denver judge’s ruling in a one-page order, with reasoning to come.

The measure would replace the 4.4% flat income tax with rates from 3.7% to 8.4%, cutting taxes for filers under about $550,000 and raising them above that. New revenue would fund K-12 education, health care, and child care.

Supporters say it creates a fairer tax code. Opponents, including Advance Colorado, argue it would drive higher earners out of a state already among the nation’s most expensive.

Gov. Jared Polis opposes the measure. Democrat gubernatorial nominee Phil Weiser announced his opposition Friday, saying he backs a progressive income tax but not this approach.

Parker Police Free Cup-Headed Skunk

Parker police pulled a Culver’s cup off a wandering skunk’s head, and nobody got sprayed.

After a caller reported the blinded skunk, bodycam footage shows officers trailing it from a safe distance. At times, it ran straight at them.

“It’s a Culver’s cup this time,” one officer says in the video. An officer finally yanked the cup off and dashed backward in one motion.

That “this time” isn’t idle talk. This spring, a Parker officer removed a cup from another skunk’s head by hand during an early morning call.

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Last Year’s Best Rate Might Not Be This Year’s

Your driving habits may look the same. That doesn’t mean your insurance options do. Insurance companies regularly adjust their pricing, so the company that gave you a great deal a year ago might not offer the best rate today.

With Insurify, you can compare personalized quotes from more than 120 insurance providers in one place. No calling around or entering the same information on a dozen different websites. It’s free, takes just a few minutes, and could help you find the same coverage for less.

Before you let your policy renew again, take a quick look at what else is available. You could find a lower price for something you’re already paying for.

Compare your rates with Insurify and see if you could save.

➤ Weld County: State officials quarantined a dairy after routine milk testing turned up bird flu, Colorado’s first dairy case since August 2024. Lactating cows can’t leave until the herd posts two straight negative tests. Officials say pasteurized milk is safe and public risk is low. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: A Denver District Court petition challenges Democrat Jessica Killin’s eligibility in the 5th Congressional District after an October tax bill listed her Maryland home as her “principal residence.” Her campaign calls the complaint baseless and says she’s filed to change it. She faces Republican Rep. Jeff Crank. (More)

➤ Also Colorado Springs: U.S. marshals arrested Ernest Madrid, 54, after tracking him to a meatpacking plant where investigators say he worked under an alias, ending nine years on the run from New Mexico meth charges. He’s in the El Paso County Jail awaiting extradition. (More)

➤ Grand Junction: Dave Lord spent years hauling glass, tires, and broken furniture out of Matchett Park with his service dog, Hershey. Instead of asking the city to reimburse him, he asked for a trail in her name. Hershey’s Loop, just over a mile long, became official in September. (Read Story)

➤ Pueblo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife urged waterfowl hunters to avoid direct contact with the Arkansas River, where E. coli remains elevated in spots after more than 4 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled near Pueblo in August. Rain can push bacteria levels higher, CPW said. (More)

➤ Aurora: A newly finished regional study weighs extending East Colfax bus rapid transit 6 miles east, from I-225 to E-470, at an estimated $52.9 million to $80.9 million. Planners warn congestion there could double by 2050 without it. No timeline or funding source exists yet. (More)

➤ Winter Park: Voters inside the proposed district have until 7 p.m. Tuesday to approve or reject a regional transit authority and up to $120 million in bonds for a gondola linking downtown to Winter Park Resort. Repayment would come from tax-increment financing, not a new tax. (More)

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➤ Colorado snapped a five-game losing streak, beating Kansas State 27-24 in overtime on Isaac Wilson’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Williams. (Watch Play)

➤ Air Force ran past UConn 35-26 without completing a pass, while rushing for 366 yards. Colorado State fell 31-14 at Utah State, finishing the first half with minus-5 rushing yards. (See Scores)

➤ The Denver Broncos will have their unbeaten home record put to the test by the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL’s afternoon window of games. The winner will take over first place in the AFC West. (More)

➤ Former Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle has revealed he is stepping away from the organization after over 20 years with the team. Hurdle had been serving as special assistant to the general manager since 2022 following his previous experience leading the team. (More)

➤ Colorado Avalanche veteran defenseman Josh Manson will miss eight weeks after suffering an ankle injury on an awkward fall earlier this week. (More)

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➤ 1 Cup of This Morning Drink Floods Your Body with Stem Cells. Harvard Researchers found that people who drank this hot morning drink had a 47% improvement in blood vessel function, a sharp drop in blood pressure, and a 220% increase in stem cells. See which drink here.

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Same Car. Same Coverage. A Smaller Bill?

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➤ Wheel of Fortune LIVE! rolls into Colorado Springs’ Phil Long Music Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Wednesday, Nov. 11. Audience members are picked at random to spin the wheel for prizes. (More)

➤ McKinsie Ortegon, a Castle Pines designer, is one of 150 designers chosen from about 15,000 applicants to help decorate the White House for Christmas. She nearly deleted the invitation, thinking it was junk mail. “I hope we can get some Colorado flair into these trees!” she said. (Read Story)

➤ St. Mary’s NICU in Grand Junction turned into a zoo for its annual Halloween celebration. Nurse volunteers crocheted a costume for every baby, and staff decorated the unit to match. (More)

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➤ Looking for a retirement stock to research? Whitney Tilson highlights a lesser-known company with assets tied to artificial intelligence and another major American industry. Explore his case, its dividend potential, and the company’s name and ticker in a free presentation. No email address or credit card required.

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.

➤ Halloween came with curfews and extra cops as towns braced for a repeat of last year’s teenage mayhem. (Hear More)

➤ Scientists uncovered secrets of Mars’ ancient, watery past inside a rose-colored meteorite found in the Sahara Desert. (Listen Now)

➤ Art experts revealed how beginners could start collecting valuable artwork without spending a fortune. (Podcast Available)

This documentary takes a closer look at Estes Park’s iconic Stanley Hotel, the supposedly haunted inspiration for Stephen King’s hit novel The Shining.