Sunday, October 4, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1982, Denver opened its 16th Street Mall, a downtown pedestrian promenade designed by I.M. Pei’s firm, to a crowd of about 200,000 people.

In case you missed it on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla counted down the seven pets linked to longer lives. One study that followed 3.4 million people over 12 years found that owners of a particular pet were 40% less likely to die during that period, and it’s not the one you’d guess. Some surprising animals made the cut, and the pet that landed at No. 1 isn’t even the most popular choice in American homes. Ayla ran through the full countdown and the research behind each one. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Dr. Steven Gundry, is sharing why he recommends an alternative to bone broth for collagen support and the simple “collagen reset technique” he says can help your body support its own collagen production.

Hearing Officer Fines Marx Campaign

A state hearing officer fined Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx’s campaign $57,647 Friday for taking donations over Colorado’s legal limits.

The initial decision found the campaign accepted 200 contributions over the $1,450 per-donor cap from 110 donors, totaling $82,713, plus 10 over-limit cash gifts. Hearing officer Macon Cowles called the scale “without precedent,” and the fine is believed to be the largest in state history.

The campaign didn’t dispute the overages but blamed inexperience, noting it disclosed every contribution and refunded most. Cowles credited the disclosures but found “a pattern of knowing indifference,” noting the campaign kept taking excess checks after state warnings.

The decision can be appealed to the deputy secretary of state, and any unrefunded money must go to charity by Oct. 26. Marx faces Democrat Phil Weiser, the state’s attorney general, on Nov. 3.

State Boosts Burn Scar Flood Aid

Colorado will pay three-quarters of counties’ share of federal flood-protection projects on the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain burn scars, Gov. Jared Polis announced Friday.

The USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection program covers 75% of construction costs, normally leaving Ouray, Pueblo, and Custer counties to pay the rest. The state’s commitment cuts their share to just over 6%.

The fires burned more than 140,000 acres this summer and destroyed more than 300 homes. Rain on the scars later triggered debris flows, including an Aug. 16 flood in Pueblo County that killed a man.

In Bent County, the Purgatoire River near Las Animas ran above flood stage for much of Thursday through Saturday, causing minor flooding in low-lying farmland. Forecasters expected it to crest around 9.6 feet Saturday and drop below flood stage overnight.

Golden Hiker Blazes 2,000-Mile Loop

Donovan “Iceman” Rice returned home to Golden last week after walking about 2,000 miles on the Great Colorado Route, a loop he designed himself.

The route packs in 13 fourteeners, 47 thirteeners, three national parks, and all 11 of Colorado’s national forests. Its 381,000 feet of climbing equals scaling Mount Everest about 13 times.

Rice, 29, fueled the trek with about 5,000 calories a day, mostly junk food, including entire blocks of colby jack cheese. He spotted at least nine black bears along the way, none of which caused trouble.

He says the route isn’t beginner-friendly and calls this version a first draft. “As long as I inspire someone to go hike their dream hike, that’s a win in my books,” Rice said.

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Doctor unveils dark bone broth secret (avoid now)

If you think bone broth is a great way to get collagen, think again.

According to a former surgeon, animal bones are known for absorbing heavy metals.

This can potentially lead to brain fog, fatigue, or even muscle weakness.

That’s why he recommends a “collagen reset technique” instead.

To his knowledge, it’s the only technique that can help your body build its own collagen.

Anyone can do it without drinking broths.

See the technique here.

➤ Weld County: A judge Thursday reissued U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s temporary restraining order against David Wheeler, a North Carolina PAC leader whose ethics complaint accuses her of relationships with staffers, which she denies. Wheeler’s lawyers filed an anti-SLAPP motion, arguing it targets his reporting. (More)

➤ Statewide: Colorado House Republicans sent Colorado Parks and Wildlife a letter opposing its suspension of lethal removals for wolves that repeatedly kill livestock, with Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell saying rural communities “have paid the price.” CPW cited low adult wolf survival and plans revised rules by April 2027. (More)

➤ Lafayette: A homeowner shot a boy Thursday night after becoming alarmed that someone was trying to get into his house, police said. The minor’s injuries aren’t life-threatening, and no one has been arrested or charged as police investigate. (More)

➤ Statewide: Attorney General Phil Weiser joined a 27-member coalition of states, counties, and cities, including Denver, suing over the federal rollback of fuel economy standards for new cars and light trucks. Federal officials say the new standards will make new vehicles cheaper. (More)

➤ Denver: City safety officials are exploring red light cameras and photo radar at nearly 50 new locations, a proposal headed to a City Council committee this week. Denver has four red light cameras and five radar vans, and officials say speeding is the focus. (More)

➤ Statewide: Pumpkins belong indoors this year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife says, warning that bears have already raided yards and grocery stores for them. The agency wants pumpkins kept inside overnight, even before carving, and Halloween decorations hung at least 6 feet up. (More)

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➤ Air Force opened the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy race with a 14-9 home win over Navy, as quarterback Liam Szarka ran for two touchdowns. The Falcons, who last won the trophy in 2022, visit Army Nov. 7. (More)

➤ Colorado State pulled defensive coordinator Tyson Summers from play-calling duties mid-game against Oregon State, and he’s no longer with the program. The Rams lost 56-26. (More)

➤ Colorado outgained No. 12 Texas Tech 375 yards to 315 and led 7-3 at halftime, but the Red Raiders scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to pull away for a 29-7 win. (More)

➤ The Denver Broncos will face off with the San Francisco 49ers today in the afternoon window as they look to improve to 3-1 on the season, coming off an upset victory over the Los Angeles Rams. (More)

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California Surgeon: “Muscle Loss in Seniors is Real, But It Doesn’t Have to Be”

If you think collagen is only for supporting healthier skin, hair, and nails, think again.

Not only does it play a role in holding the teeth in your mouth, keeping your heart walls intact, and reinforcing your gut lining…

It’s also what allows you to enjoy your favorite outdoor activities without getting tired.

But unfortunately, eating more collagen isn’t the answer.

That’s why Dr. Steven Gundry has created what he calls the “collagen reset technique.”

And to his knowledge, it’s the only technique that’s designed to help your body build its own collagen.

See the technique here ==>

➤ Sterling Ranch in Douglas County is testing a new way to water parks, capturing stormwater from Sterling Gulch in a pond and pumping it out again. It’s the only Colorado community authorized to try it and still needs water court approval, which could take two to three years. (More)

➤ Denver’s first Porch Fest may have been the largest single-day music festival in Colorado history by lineup size, organizers say. They packed 193 artists onto 85 porches, yards, and other spots across the Baker neighborhood for the free event Saturday. (See Details)

➤ Luke Goossen, a 2004 Air Force Academy graduate, works for Northrop Grumman on the B-21 Raider, the stealth bomber that inspired the Falcons’ uniforms for Saturday’s game against Navy. Northrop officials say the Air Force plans to fly at least 100 of them. (Read Story)

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➤ “Impossible” Bone Density Improvements Linked to Overlooked Protein. Recent DEXA scans have shown surprising bone density improvements in some women over 60 after adding a specific protein to their diets. Researchers are examining how this protein compound may provide nutritional support that calcium supplements alone cannot, potentially offering a new approach to maintaining stronger bones as you age. Learn More

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.

➤ Senior Trump officials gathered at Camp David as the seven-month Iran war fueled fresh fighting and a major U.S. military buildup. (Hear More)

➤ Amazon’s refund drama landed in shoppers’ inboxes with a proposed $309.5 million settlement and a deadline worth circling. (Listen Now)

➤ A ranking of America’s best fall foliage destinations revealed where travelers headed for autumn’s brightest reds, oranges, and golds. (Podcast Available)