Thursday, February 6, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1874, Greenwood County was dissolved, and its territory was divided between Elbert and Bent Counties. At the time, Bent County encompassed a significant portion of southeastern Colorado. In 1889, Bent County attained its current borders after being partitioned to create Cheyenne, Lincoln, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers Counties.

In today’s Business section, we look at a $9 million vacant Denver hotel being sold for $10. Plus, check out Et Cetera to learn about the adoptable puppies that will be going head-to-head in this year’s Puppy Bowl at Denver International Airport.

We’re sponsored today by the nonprofit World Concern, offering an opportunity to help needy Christian children in Somalia.

ICE Raids Denver-Area Apartments

Federal immigration agents raided several apartment complexes, including The Edge at Lowry in Aurora and Cedar Run Apartments in Denver early Wednesday, with additional locations targeted throughout the day.

While some people were taken into custody, officials have not confirmed any arrests. See an updated list of locations.

The operations follow concerns over criminal activity at The Edge at Lowry, where three men accused of kidnapping and torturing a couple appeared in court Monday. They were among 19 people detained in December, some of whom were allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.

Officials have not clarified whether the raids were part of President Donald Trump’s “Operation Aurora,” an initiative targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

Montessori Closes Schools Statewide

Guidepost Montessori, a global network of Montessori schools, has announced that all Colorado locations will close next month, sending over 300 families scrambling to find alternative childcare.

Impacted families, who received the news on Monday, now face the challenge of finding new arrangements in only a few weeks, with waitlists spanning months or even years.

Guidepost stated the closures are due to “financial and enrollment challenges,” pointing to COVID-19 measures that caused the company heavy losses in the long term.

Parents spoke out about the toll of the announcement, highlighting the difficulty of finding childcare in Colorado.

Colorado Among Worst for Running Red Lights

Colorado ranks as the sixth worst state in the U.S. for drivers ignoring traffic signals.

In 2024, the Colorado State Patrol issued 794 citations for traffic signal violations, including failure to obey stop signs, traffic lights, and flashing red or yellow signals—a 1.5% increase from the previous year.

Troopers also responded to 502 crashes involving a driver or pedestrian who disregarded a traffic control device. On average, the Colorado State Patrol investigated 71 traffic signal-related crashes per day statewide.

Most citations occurred between Monday and Wednesday, with peak violations on Mondays from 7–9 a.m. and 3–6 p.m.

Flying together with our sponsor

Somalia is facing a devastating combination of natural disasters, global conflicts, widespread poverty, and disease outbreaks. East Africa has just endured its worst drought in 40 years, leaving tens of millions without access to clean water, wiping out millions of livestock, and destroying crops. With domestic food production crippled, Somalia has relied heavily on imports—90% of its wheat coming from Russia and Ukraine—until those shipments stopped.

Now, two in five children in Somalia suffer from acute malnutrition, and cholera is spreading in some regions. The food crisis, compounded by global humanitarian aid being redirected to Europe and the Middle East, has created a perfect storm, leading to a sharp rise in child malnutrition.

Be Doers

We’re asking the Flyover Community to join us in partnering with World Concern to help get emergency nutrition packs (a peanut paste fortified with nutrients), water, and hygiene products to those with the most need.

Every $12 donation feeds a child for a month. We’re matching the first $750; just give through this link.

➤ Denver: Thousands protested at Colorado’s Capitol against Trump and Project 2025 on Wednesday, joining nationwide demonstrations against the administration’s policies. (Watch Video)

➤ Mesa County: A gray wolf was spotted in Glade Park and other portions of the county on Monday. A total of 29 translocated wolves are now roaming the state. (More)

➤ Aurora: A suspected member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was released from prison on Monday, less than one week since his arrest, after prosecutors declined to press charges. (Video Report)

➤ Statewide: Around 10,000 union employees at 77 King Soopers stores across the state, including in Denver, Aurora and Littleton, are set to go on strike starting today. (See the full list of locations)

➤ Denver: More than 6,000 federal employees at the Denver Federal Center, home to two dozen government agencies, must decide whether to resign by today’s deadline in the wake of planned workforce reductions. (More)

➤ Statewide: Speed cameras are being introduced to Colorado highways this spring as part of a $5 million effort by the Department of Transportation to reduce crashes. (More)

➤ The Colorado Avalanche failed to score a single goal in Tuesday night’s 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. (More)

➤ The Colorado Buffaloes have released their 2025 football schedule. The team will open the season at home on Aug. 30 against Georgia Tech. (More)

➤ Denver Broncos executive Mark Thewes is leaving the organization to take a front office position with the Las Vegas Raiders. Thewes had been with the team since 2009. (More)

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

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➤ A vacant Denver hotel is being sold by the city for only $10, provided that the buyer will turn it into supportive housing for the homeless. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs has approved zone development for ONE VeLa, a 27-story apartment complex which would become the tallest building in the city. (More)

➤ The Town of Windsor plans to purchase 300 acres of open space for wildlife habitat preservation. The $20.9 million purchase would also create opportunities for outdoor recreation. (More)

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➤ Kailo’s Flex™ is an all-natural pain patch, designed to quickly relieve pain anywhere on your body. It is the most flexible, comfortable, and affordable pain patch device we have ever made! (See It Here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Somalia faces a crisis from natural disasters, conflict, poverty, and disease. The worst drought in 40 years devastated crops and livestock, while food imports from Russia and Ukraine halted. Two in five Somali children now suffer from acute malnutrition. Join us in partnering with World Concern to get emergency nutrition packs and clean water to children. $12 feeds a child for a month.

➤ Denver International Airport will be hosting its ninth annual Puppy Bowl on Friday, featuring several adoptable puppies in collaboration with the Denver Animal Shelter. (More)

➤ A recent survey ranked Colorado fifth nationally for mountain biking trails, with Horsethief Bench Trail in Loma reigning most popular. (More)

➤ February will be a peak month for viewing bald eagles in the northeast region of Colorado, where an abundance of open water and cottonwood trees attracts the migrating birds. (More)

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➤ Check out CozyCharge, the rechargeable hand warmer that provides eight hours of warmth whenever you need it. (See It Here)