Thursday, February 26, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1928, the Moffat Tunnel—a 6.2-mile-long railroad tunnel cutting through the heart of the Rocky Mountains—welcomed its first train. Envisioned by pioneer David Moffat in 1902, the tunnel provided a more direct route west from Denver, helping connect the city to Salt Lake City by overcoming the longstanding obstacle of the Continental Divide.

The Sundance Film Festival, the premier independent film festival in the U.S., has announced its dates and venues for 2027, its inaugural year in Boulder. Do you plan on attending? Vote in our Poll to let us know.

What do the Clintons have to do with the Epstein investigation? In today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown covers why Hillary and Bill Clinton are set to testify behind closed doors, and what lawmakers say they’re looking for in the records. Watch to learn more.

Later today, keep an eye on your email inbox for a partner message from EnergyX on how the lithium revolution is creating new investment opportunities.

Today’s sponsor, Westbound & Down Brewing Company, is giving investors a rare opportunity to tap into craft beer’s projected $282B expansion—backing Colorado’s most-awarded brewery as it scales from local legend to national powerhouse.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

OSHA Fines Businesses for Dairy Deaths

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed fines totaling $246,609 against three businesses involved in a lethal gas-exposure incident at a Weld County dairy.

On Aug. 20, 2025, a manure pipe disconnected at Prospect Ranch near Keenesburg, releasing deadly hydrogen sulfide gas in a confined space and killing six workers.

Prospect Ranch LLC, the dairy owner, faces the largest fine of $132,406 for failures in training, planning, and protecting workers. Two contractors working on the manure system were penalized $99,306 and $14,897.

Experts say hydrogen sulfide is a known hazard on dairy operations. A lawyer representing some of the victims’ families called the fines a “warning shot” to the industry.

Denver Fires Flock, Picks New Contractor

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced Tuesday the city plans to replace Flock Safety’s license plate-reading cameras with a similar system operated by competitor Axon.

The switch comes after months of pushback against Flock, largely over concerns that its data was accessible to agencies involved in immigration enforcement. Last fall, Johnston bypassed city council to extend the surveillance company’s contract through March 31.

The proposed Axon contract, which requires city council approval, will better address privacy and civil liberty concerns, Johnston said, noting Denver’s data will not be accessible to federal agents. It will also reduce the number of cameras from 111 to about 50.

Axon already provides the Denver Police Department’s body cameras and Tasers. The company launched an automated license plate reader system last year.

Sundance Releases Boulder Dates, Venues

The 2027 Sundance Film Festival, the first-ever edition of the festival in its new home of Boulder, will run from Jan. 21-31, organizers announced Tuesday.

Festival officials also revealed more than a dozen key venues across the city and the University of Colorado’s campus, including 11 theaters that will host film premieres. See a list here.

Boulder was selected after a yearlong search for the future host of the nation’s premier independent film festival, which had been held in Utah for nearly 50 years.

The festival will feature a range of world premieres, talks, and other special events. Amy Redford, daughter of late Sundance founder Robert Redford, said she’s excited about the transition, even if it comes with a steep learning curve.

Flying together with our sponsor

Last Chance to Invest in Craft Beer’s $282 Billion Expansion

In a market where consumers are abandoning “big beer” for local excellence, Colorado’s most-awarded brewery is hitting its stride. But after being named Brewery and Brewer of the Year at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival, Westbound & Down is on a mission to go from local favorite to national standard-bearer.

They’ve already begun building a physical empire in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Distribution has grown 2,800% since 2019. With waitlists at their brewpubs every weekend and a footprint that already spans Whole Foods across Colorado and nearly 500+ bars and restaurants, the demand is outstripping their supply.

Here’s why you shouldn’t miss this window to invest in Westbound & Down:

4X Production Roadmap to reach 19,000 barrels by 2028.
Aiming for $3 million in annual brewery profits.
$282 billion craft beer market projected by 2032.

As legacy brands lose their soul to global conglomerates, Westbound & Down is staying independent and scaling fast. With a “perfect storm” of critical acclaim and a massive facility expansion currently underway, the window to own a piece of this Colorado legend is closing.

Become a Westbound & Down investor before the opportunity ends on March 10.

➤ Thornton: A grass fire broke out near 84th Avenue and Huron Street on Wednesday, prompting evacuations of Pinnacle High School, nearby businesses and residents, and the temporary closure of Interstate 25. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: A bill that would allow Coloradans to sue people who violate their constitutional rights during civil immigration enforcement passed the Senate on Tuesday. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: A bipartisan bill would require artificial intelligence chatbots in the state to adhere to a series of regulations aimed at protecting children and preventing suicide. (See Details)

➤ Lincoln County: Three people were seriously injured when a 75-year-old man lost control of an SUV and crashed the vehicle through the wall of the county courthouse Tuesday. (More)

➤ Mesa County: Commissioners passed a state-mandated wildfire resiliency code that will impose new requirements on buildings in wildfire-prone areas. (See Details)

➤ I-25: A 30-day warning period for speed enforcement cameras installed on a stretch of Interstate 25 between Berthoud and Mead will begin March 1. (More)

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

➤ Broncos head coach Sean Payton announced he’s ceding offensive playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Davis Webb for the 2026 season. It marks the first time since 2006 that Payton hasn’t been his team’s primary offensive playcaller. (More)

➤ Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson skipped Team USA’s visit to the White House and the State of the Union on Tuesday. (More)

➤ The Avalanche traded a 2028 second-round pick and defenseman Samuel Girard to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Brett Kulak. The transaction ends Girard’s nine-year tenure in Colorado. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Brighten your smile the easy way with Purely White Deluxe! Dentist-formulated and clinically proven, this gentle whitening solution lifts stains, strengthens enamel, and freshens breath—without sensitivity. Enjoy whiter teeth in just minutes a day from the comfort of home. Try it risk-free and smile with confidence! (LEARN MORE)

➤ A bill that would impose new per-gallon fees on beer—and per-liter fees on wine and liquor—to fund addiction services is facing pushback from local craft brewers, who say it could drive up costs and further strain an already-struggling industry. (See Details)

➤ The Colorado Rapids announced Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will feature five new food and beverage vendors and a menu with select $5 snacks this season. The team’s first home game is Saturday. (See List)

➤ Elitch Gardens and Water World are looking to fill over 2,500 combined summer positions before they open for the season in mid-April and late May, respectively. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Millions are finding fast relief from foot pain, without pills or costly treatments. This doctor-designed home device, used just minutes a day, boosts circulation and eases tingling, burning, and stabbing discomfort. If you struggle with plantar fasciitis or neuropathy, don’t miss this breakthrough before it sells out again. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

What’s Better than Drinking Local, Award-Winning Beer?

Owning stock in the brewery that makes it.

That’s the opportunity with Colorado’s most-awarded brewery, Westbound & Down.

They blend gold-medal beer with a hospitality-first, premium dining approach, creating a brand customers seek out. 25+ awards at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup don’t hurt, either. Neither does their retail partnership with Whole Foods.

With 2,800% distribution sales growth since 2019 and four locations with waitlists every weekend, they’ve already built the demand most craft brands can only dream of.

Now, with plans to scale production 4X by 2028, they’re ready to meet it. Invest in Westbound & Down before the March 10th deadline.

This is a paid advertisement for Westbound & Down’s Regulation CF Offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.westboundanddown.com/

➤ The Evergreen Lake Plunge, delayed from Jan. 1 due to warm weather, will take place Sunday. About 100 people have signed up to take a dip in near-freezing water to raise money for local programs. (See Details)

➤ Repticon, billed as the nation’s largest reptile exposition network, is selling tickets to its Denver convention, which runs March 21-22. The event showcases hundreds of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, arachnids, and other small exotic animals. (See Details)

➤ The Denver Botanic Gardens released the lineup of its popular Summer Concert Series, which runs from June 23 to Aug. 17. (See Lineup)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Revitalize dull, thinning hair with HydraLift Volumizing Shampoo—a sulfate-free, organic protein-rich formula that gently cleanses while strengthening strands, boosting volume and natural bounce for fuller, healthier-looking hair without harsh chemicals. Perfect for all hair types, it nourishes from root to tip and helps restore body, shine, and resilience with each wash. (LEARN MORE)