Medicaid Audit Dispute amid Shortfall 

Colorado’s mounting budget shortfall is now estimated to be $1.2 billion, a figure largely driven by the rising costs of Medicaid.

Meanwhile, an audit by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) alleges that the state improperly spent $6 million in Medicaid funds to enrollees listed as deceased.

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) disputes this finding, claiming the OIG used an “inadequate approach” to reach the financial estimates in its report, and states it will not return the $6 million to the federal government.

Medicaid now takes up a third of Colorado’s $16 billion state operating budget, and its costs have steadily risen since last spring. HCPF attributes this increase to rising costs for the state’s fast-growing senior population and long-term care coverage. 

Denver Family Sues SWAT for Mix-up

A lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that a SWAT team raided a Denver family’s apartment by mistake, traumatizing two young girls in the residence.

The SWAT team was looking for an attempted-murder suspect who lived across the hall when they knocked on Kirsty Shelton’s door, ordering her and her mother outside at gunpoint.

According to the suit, the team then entered the apartment, frightening Shelton’s daughters, ages 5 and 6, before putting the family in a locked police car for about an hour.

Shelton also claims police “covered up the raid,” refusing to admit to the mistake despite promises of an investigation. The lawsuit alleges at least 10 officers violated the family’s constitutional rights.

Cherry Hills Home Could Top Record Sale

A multimillion-dollar house on the market in Denver’s Old Cherry Hills Village could break the neighborhood’s record sale if bought for the asking price.

Listed for $10.5 million, the 2.5-acre property features six bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and a seven-car garage. Additional amenities include a temperature-controlled wine cellar, a theater room, a gym, and a poolside bar.

The home would surpass the neighborhood’s previous record sale of $9 million. However, Cherry Hills has seen sales as high as $25 million, including the mansion that was previously purchased by NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and wife Ciara at 10 Cherry Hills Park Drive. 

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Statewide: A Republican-backed bill that would have allowed local law enforcement to cooperate more effectively with federal immigration authorities failed in a 3-2 vote at the Capitol on Tuesday. (More)

Loveland: A suspect was taken into custody after allegedly vandalizing a Tesla dealership and possessing incendiary devices. Police linked the suspect to previous incidents. (More)

Front Range: Bird flu has been detected in both Broomfield and Timnath’s wild bird populations, prompting officials to caution residents. (More)

Pueblo: A Pueblo man is now on trial for first-degree murder after police found him with a severed hand in his pocket. (More)

Statewide: Colorado’s House passed a bill requiring ammunition buyers to be 21, moving ammo behind counters, and tightening delivery rules. It now heads to the Senate. (See Details)

Fort Collins: Residents are debating whether to turn the former site of Hughes Stadium into a bike park. Some say the park is a “long time coming,” while others want to keep the area as-is. (See Details)

➤ Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić has added Peppa Pig-themed shoes to his “Joker 1” line of footwear with performance shoe brand 361°. (See Photos)

➤ Denver Broncos ownership ranked fourth-best in an NFL Players Association report, but the team’s locker room received an F. A new training facility is set for 2026. (More) 

➤ Denver Broncos general manager George Paton publicly declared that he would like to sign the team’s star receiver, Courtland Sutton, to a long-term contract. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Encore!, a performing arts center in Estes Park, is seeking approval for a new location on the Stanley Park campus. (See Details)

➤ Cedaredge’s Applefest, an annual event with hundreds of vendors and over 20,000 attendees, will raise vendor rates by 10% following a decision by the town’s Board of Trustees. (More)

➤ Noosa Holdings, Inc., a yogurt company based in Bellvue, has completed a merger with portfolio company Lakeview Farms. Together, the businesses will operate as Novus Foods. (More)

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➤ Human-bear conflicts in Colorado increased by 15% in 2024, with more than 5,000 total incidents—most of which were caused by bears stealing trash. (See Photos)

➤ A Denver beer spa featuring beer baths and a beer therapy room is planning to open a second location near Highlands Ranch. (See Details)

➤ The Ice Climbing World Cup took place in Longmont last weekend with thousands in attendance. (See Video)

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Would you try a beer bath?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you normally pass the time at the airport?

1. Read/watch something: 29%
2. Walk around: 20%
3. Eat at a restaurant: 18%
4. Other: 18%
5. Go shopping: 15%

What was the most expensive home ever sold in Colorado?

Show me the answer