Colorado Hit by Funding Freeze

The Trump administration has frozen over $10 billion in child care and social services funding for five Democrat-led states, including Colorado, over concerns of potential fraud.

In letters to Gov. Jared Polis, federal officials said the funds will be withheld pending review, requesting detailed recipient data by Jan. 20. The administration “has reason to believe” Colorado is “illicitly providing illegal aliens” with the benefits, the letters said.

Colorado receives about $315 million annually from three federally administered funds currently frozen under the order. Most of the money subsidizes child care and other programs for low-income families.

The freeze also affects California, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. It follows a massive welfare-fraud scandal in Minnesota, where fake nonprofits allegedly stole billions in taxpayer dollars, according to federal prosecutors.

Feds to Assist Massive Fire Investigation

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will help investigate the five-alarm fire that destroyed an under-construction Denver apartment complex, the bureau said Tuesday.

The roughly city block-sized fire—Denver’s largest in decades—erupted Friday, prompting evacuations and street closures. The nearly complete 283-unit apartment complex is a total loss.

As of Tuesday, some hotspots were still smoldering. Denver fire officials plan to demolish the building so they can be put out, allowing nearby businesses and residents to return.

The ATF said it will bring in federal resources, including specialists, 3D scanning, and forensic mapping, to assist in the “complex investigation” into the fire’s cause.

Storm to Bring Snow, Rain

A second January storm arrived late last night, bringing more measurable snow to the high country and a mix of rain and snow to the Front Range and Western Slope.

Snowfall totals by Friday are expected to reach about 2 to 4 inches in Denver, with heavier snow—12 inches or more—possible along the Palmer Divide. See a map here.

With highs near 40 degrees, snow at lower elevations may turn into rain or sleet. Precipitation will continue through today, leading to slick commutes this evening and tomorrow morning.

Skies will clear Friday, but highs will stay chilly—in the mid-30s to low 40s—before climbing back to the lower 50s by Sunday.

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➤ Loveland: City Council voted on two items related to homelessness, advancing a measure that allows police to enforce camping bans even if no shelter is available, and moving forward with plans to develop a new overnight shelter for $2.8 million. (More)

➤ Front Range: More than 4,000 Coloradans have responded to a state survey asking for feedback on Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs during last month’s windstorms. (See Feedback)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Jared Polis said in a package submitted to the Joint Budget Committee that there will be no TABOR refunds this year due to lower state revenues, partly impacted by the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. (More)

➤ Grand Junction: The retrial of a man convicted of a series of pipe bombings in the 1990s is set for April 13. An appellate court affirmed the new trial in May after new evidence undermined key witness testimony. (See Details)

➤ Boulder: A resident shared trail camera footage of multiple mountain lions, including entire families, passing by within steps of his Linden Avenue home. (See Video)

➤ Statewide: Former Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis, who resigned in lieu of termination in November, accepted a position as Wyoming’s Game and Fish Deputy Director. (More)

➤ Castle Rock: A local mother is on life support and paralyzed from the neck down following a snowboarding accident last week at Keystone Resort. (More)

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➤ Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is expected to interview with the Raiders, Falcons, Cardinals, Titans, and Giants this offseason for head coaching opportunities. (More)

➤ The Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar is the unanimous favorite to win the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s top defenseman. Makar won the honor last season as well. (More)

➤ Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić is targeting a return from his knee injury by the All-Star break in mid-February. (More)

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

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➤ Denver City Council approved the city’s first-ever common consumption area in the River North Art District, allowing patrons to carry alcoholic drinks between businesses in an 8,200-square-foot outdoor plaza near Mission Ballroom. (See Details)

➤ Nederland’s board of trustees unanimously voted to approve a purchase agreement for nearby Eldora Ski Resort, expected to cost $115-$120 million. The town still needs to approve the revenue bonds it will use to make the purchase. (More)

➤ A new aviation training program in Pueblo is expected to create at least 45 aviation maintenance technician jobs over the next three years. (See Details)

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➤ Colorado State Patrol has 23 Ford Mustangs in its fleet. The sports cars, first added in the ‘80s and reintroduced in 2023, help deter traffic violations and cost less than many other vehicles in the fleet. (See Details)

➤ The National Western Stock Show’s kick-off parade is today at noon. Pete Coors will serve as Grand Marshal, leading a drive of cattle, horses, and wagons through the streets of downtown Denver. (See Details)

➤ Two Coloradans ran a test to see how far a Tesla Model 3 could drive after showing zero battery range. (See Video)

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Will you be at the National Western Stock Show this year?

1. Yes
2. We’ll see
3. Not this year
4. No, never been

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you think the Broncos will go to the Super Bowl this year?

1. Yes: 34%
2. No: 34%
3. Not sure: 32%

In what year did a major fire destroy much of Denver’s business district, resulting in city reforms to fire regulation and construction practices?

Show me the answer