AI Order Could Nix State Law

President Trump said he will issue an executive order this week establishing a single national rulebook for artificial intelligence, aiming to block state regulations from hindering the industry.

Trump’s order could preempt the Colorado AI Act, a heavily debated, first-in-the-nation law that, in its current form, would require companies to disclose the use of AI in key decisions.

Tasked with revising the law in August, lawmakers instead delayed its implementation to June 30, 2026, with plans to revisit it during the regular session.

On Truth Social, Trump said a patchwork of laws would jeopardize U.S. dominance in the industry, writing, “You can’t expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something.”

Ski Patrol Vote Tees Up Holiday Strike

Telluride ski patrollers voted Monday to reject the ski resort’s final contract offer, setting the stage for a high-profile strike through the holidays.

The patrollers’ 72-member union is seeking a wage increase of 25-27%, nearly triple the company’s 9% offer. It authorized a strike last month if a contract deal couldn’t be reached.

A holiday strike could severely impact the resort, which opened Saturday. Last year, a 12-day, post-Christmas patroller strike in Park City, Utah, cost Vail Resorts $375 million in stock value, led to a lawsuit, and contributed to CEO Kirsten Lynch’s ousting.

The union plans to wait about a week for a new offer, though no further negotiations are scheduled.

Authorities Seek Missing Cows

Fourteen Black Angus cattle are missing and presumed stolen from three separate herds northeast of Greeley, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

The cattle are believed to have been taken around early October, though the exact timeframe varies by herd. The sheriff’s office released branding information for the missing cattle and is seeking the public’s help locating them.

Last year, roughly 180 head of cattle disappeared southwest of Montrose, totaling up to $400,000 in losses. Authorities also suspected cattle rustling in that case.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Statewide: U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said he supports a proposed state constitutional amendment allowing emergency redistricting to offset national redistricting efforts. (See Details)

➤ Douglas County: A proposed ordinance aiming to crack down on theft would fine businesses up to $1,000 for failing to report shoplifting within four days of the crime occurring. (See Details)

➤ Grand Junction: The Colorado Supreme Court declined to take up the case of James Genrich, a man convicted of a series of fatal pipe bombings in the 1990s. Genrich, who maintains his innocence, is awaiting a retrial. (More)

➤ Mesa County: Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously adopted a $242.9 million budget for the 2026 fiscal year, a 2.8% decrease from this year’s budget. (More)

➤ Fort Collins: Parking officials revised a proposal to bring back paid parking in Old Town, reducing the planned coverage area after public feedback. (See Proposal)

➤ Adams County: Karl Smalley, a sheriff’s office commander, died while on duty Monday after deputies found him not breathing. The cause and manner of death haven’t been determined. (More)

Enjoy reading The Colorado Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ The Rockies will pick 10th in the 2026 MLB Draft despite finishing with the league’s worst record by 17 games. Under league rules, teams cannot receive a top-six pick three years in a row, and Colorado had already picked inside the top six in 2024 and 2025. (More)

➤ The NHL approved the Avalanche’s request to wear their throwback Quebec Nordiques uniforms against the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 29—an ode to the fierce rivalry between the Nordiques and Canadiens before the franchise moved to Colorado. (More)

➤ Denver Academy’s Schuyler Parker committed to Iona University for water polo, becoming the school’s first Division I athlete in 15 years, breaking through in a sport still growing in Colorado. (More)

➤ Colorado offensive lineman Zarian McGill announced this week that he’ll be entering the 2026 NFL Draft. He earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade for any Colorado offensive player in 2025. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stiff joints? Excruciating bone-on-bone pain? You can easily get rid of it with this odd but super-efficient “peanut butter hack.” Just like more than 85,000 people already did. It’s so easy, you won’t believe it: all you need is a peanut butter jar and 10 seconds of your day. You’ll finally stop the joint pain and enjoy the flexibility, energy, and strength you once had. Start by watching this video here: Peanut Butter Hack For Instant Joint Relief.

➤ Two Nebraska-based companies opened new solar energy facilities in Delta and Fort Morgan, part of a 16-community solar portfolio spanning Colorado, Iowa, and Nebraska. (See Details)

➤ Coloradans spent a combined total of $5.4 billion on alcohol in 2024—the third highest per-adult average in the U.S., trailing only Alaska and Wyoming—according to a new study. (See Details)

➤ Vail Resorts is offering lift-ticket discounts of 30% or more to skiers who book a day pass at least four weeks in advance at select resorts, including five in Colorado. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Upgrade your kitchen with this ultra-durable Titanium Cutting Board from TIBO, designed to resist scratches, odors, and bacteria. Its sleek, non-porous surface protects your knives while offering unbeatable stability for everyday prep. Easy to clean and built to last, it’s the premium board serious home cooks swear by. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Remove the target on your back

Scammers don’t need to hack you—they just buy your info.

Your name, phone number, and address are currently on dozens of public websites, making you an easy target for phishing, fake calls, and financial fraud.

Incogni automatically scrubs your personal data from those sites so scammers can’t find you. Or get their Unlimited plan and send their privacy experts links to websites that aren’t covered by their automatic removals.

No data, no scam.

Protect yourself today—save 55% with code FLYOVER.

➤ Windsor is Colorado’s biggest boomtown, according to a new state-by-state report citing its population growth and rise in per capita income from 2015 to 2023. (See Report)

➤ Electric Safari, a nightly holiday light show at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, spans over 50 acres and features more than 90 handmade light sculptures. (See Video)

➤ Elway, a new Netflix documentary chronicling the life and career of Broncos legend John Elway, will be released Dec. 22. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stop Your Declining Bone Density (Without Pills). Worried about your latest DEXA scan results? While most doctors immediately reach for prescription medications, breakthrough research has uncovered a natural protein that’s changing everything we thought we knew about bone health after 50. Even more intriguing? This overlooked nutrient doesn’t just support your bones—it helps maintain the crucial matrix that keeps them strong. What thousands of adults are discovering about their bone density could change how we approach aging. (LEARN MORE)

What’s on top of your Christmas tree?

1. Star
2. Angel
3. Bow
4. Something homemade
5. No topper
6. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite butter flavor?

1. Plain: 19%
2. Honey: 15%
3. Butter has flavors?: 14%
4. Cinnamon: 14%
5. Herb: 13%
6. Other: 13%
7. None: 12%

Playing more than a decade before the Quebec Nordiques moved to the state and rebranded as the Avalanche, Colorado’s original NHL team was named what?

Show me the answer