Feds Reject Disaster Aid

The Trump administration has denied Colorado’s two appeals for major disaster declarations in response to historic floods and wildfires on the Western Slope.

The decision upholds the administration’s December rejection of Gov. Jared Polis’ request for roughly $41 million in disaster aid. Polis appealed the rejection in January with bipartisan support.

The funds would have helped communities rebuild from the Lee and Elk fires, which burned more than 137,000 acres in Rio Blanco County, and severe floods that damaged homes, roads, and infrastructure in Archuleta, La Plata, and Mineral counties.

Polis has accused President Trump of playing “political games” with the funds, something the White House has denied. State officials say this is the first time in 35 years Colorado has been denied federal assistance under a major disaster declaration request.

Court Hears Children’s Hospital Case

The Colorado Supreme Court is currently considering whether to order Children’s Hospital Colorado to resume sex-change treatments for minors.

The case involves a decision by the hospital earlier this year to suspend certain forms of that care, citing federal pressure and threats to funding that could force its hospital system to shut down.

In response, several families sued the hospital, saying the suspension violates the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. A trial court denied their request for a preliminary injunction in February.

There’s no timeline for when the Court may issue its ruling. Experts say the case could raise questions of whether federal law can preempt Colorado’s antidiscrimination protections.

Mount Blue Sky Road to Reopen

The highest paved road in North America—the road to the top of Mount Blue Sky, a 14,000-foot peak west of Denver—will reopen next month after a nearly two-year closure for repairs.

The road, which offers panoramic views of the Continental Divide, closed after Labor Day in 2024 so damaged portions could be rebuilt. It will reopen on May 22 over Memorial Day weekend.

Under a new agreement, Denver Mountain Parks will manage a much larger area of the mountain, including the welcome station, Mount Goliath Natural Area, and summit area, taking over a role previously held by the U.S. Forest Service.

Reservations to enter the area are expected to go live in early to mid-May.

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➤ Jefferson County: Jeffco Public Schools is disputing a U.S. Department of Education finding that it violated Title IX, after federal officials said male students may have filled up to 61 spots on girls’ sports teams. (More)

➤ Capitol: State Rep. Brandi Bradley, a Littleton Republican, forced Colorado’s 661-page budget bill to be read aloud—freezing work for 15 hours and costing taxpayers over $10,000—in protest of the House’s handling of an ethics complaint she filed against a fellow GOP lawmaker. (More)

➤ Elbert County: State utility regulators overruled the county’s June 2025 decision to deny Xcel Energy two key permits for its $1.7 billion Power Pathway, clearing the way for the project despite objections from landowners and ranchers who sought to move the route farther east. (See Details)

➤ Durango canceled its Independence Day fireworks show for the second straight year, citing drought and high fire risk. The city will host a street dance instead. (More)

➤ Weld County approved an ordinance allowing data centers to be built in industrial zones of unincorporated parts of the county, with additional requirements aimed at addressing public concerns. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: An Amazon delivery driver was caught on camera allegedly stealing Easter eggs from a local family’s front yard. (See Video)

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➤ The Colorado Rapids advanced in the U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 win over Union Omaha on Tuesday night. Dante Sealy scored his first goal in Colorado colors, and 15-year-old Nathan Tchoumba made his first-team debut as a late substitute. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks knocked off Sporting Kansas City 3-0. They’ll now advance to the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16 for the first time in club history. (More)

➤ University of Colorado football landed a commitment from four-star quarterback Andre Adams out of Tennessee this week. He chose the Buffaloes over Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Kentucky. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Chick-fil-A’s first drive-thru-only location in the state opens today in Denver. Customers dressed in cow attire for opening day can receive one free entrée or kid’s meal. (See Details)

➤ A 3D-printed-home factory opened in Denver Tuesday, part of California-based Azure Printed Homes’ expansion into the state. The facility is expected to eventually produce up to 7,000 housing units per year. (See Details)

➤ STOMP Athletics, an Englewood company, pitched its shoe-traction products on this week’s episode of business reality show Shark Tank. (See Details)

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➤ Elitch Gardens will kick off its 136th season Saturday, with the downtown Denver park planning its longest season in history. (See Details)

➤ Surgeons at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora implanted a brain-computer interface in a paralyzed 41-year-old patient’s cortex, a world-first approach that could help him control external devices and regain some sensation. (See Details)

➤ A kayaker from Colorado Springs plans to paddle 100 miles in Puerto Rico to raise money to help residents afford solar power. (More)

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Have you driven on the Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) Scenic Byway?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I’m afraid of heights

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you be an extra in a film if you had the chance?

1. Yes, why not?: 70%
2. No, not for me: 30%

What historic, still-operating Denver-area amusement park opened in 1908, less than 20 years after Elitch Gardens opened in 1890?

Show me the answer