Colorado Facing Another $1 Billion Shortfall

Colorado lawmakers must cut roughly $1 billion from the budget for the current fiscal year, which began on July 1, to address anticipated tax revenue losses triggered by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

State economists told lawmakers Wednesday the bill’s corporate tax changes, taking effect on Oct. 1, will reduce Colorado’s tax revenue by $1.2 billion, more than the state lost during the Great Recession.

After accounting for expected revenue, a $1 billion shortfall is projected in the $43.9 billion budget, which legislators passed in April after closing a previous $1.2 billion gap.

Gov. Polis is expected this week to announce a special legislative session, likely to start in mid-August, in which lawmakers will work to close the gap.

James Craig Found Guilty

A jury on Wednesday found Aurora dentist James Craig guilty of fatally poisoning his wife, Angela, over the course of 10 days in 2023.

Prosecutors said Craig poisoned Angela’s protein shakes, later using a syringe to administer the fatal dose in her hospital room. They argued he killed her to avoid the reputational and financial burden of a divorce.

In addition to first-degree murder, the jury found Craig guilty of five additional charges for soliciting others to fabricate evidence, commit perjury, and kill the lead investigator in the case.

Jurors deliberated for about nine hours before delivering the verdict. Craig faces an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Coors Light Releases Refrigerated Deodorant

Colorado-based Coors Light has released a limited-edition deodorant designed to be kept in the fridge before it’s applied.

Dura Chill uses the same cold-activated packaging as Coors Light cans, with the Rockies turning blue when it’s chilled to the ideal temperature. Its scent is Rocky Mountain Breeze.

In a press release, Coors Light said Dura Chill “feels best straight from the fridge” and is “like giving your underarms their own ice-cold beer.”

The deodorant is listed at $14.99, with a limit of two per household, and is intended for customers 21 or older, though no beer is used in the product.

➤ Denver: The City of Denver will begin laying off employees on Aug. 18 as it works to close a $250 million budget deficit, according to a letter issued by Mayor Mike Johnston on Tuesday. (See Details)

➤ Norwood: Authorities are searching for Jesus Damian Nieblas, a former San Miguel County sheriff’s deputy who is wanted on dozens of charges related to child sexual exploitation. He resigned just before the investigation began. (More)

➤ Statewide: Colorado has spent over $40 million fighting wildfires this year, with nearly three quarters of the funds used to combat the South Rim and Turner Gulch Fires, according to the Bureau of Land Management. (More)

➤ Fort Collins: Colorado State University is installing 12 electronic billboards on its campus, bypassing a citywide ban thanks to its location on state-owned land. (See Details)

➤ Windsor: Rep. Lauren Boebert’s son, Tyler Boebert, received a summons this month for a misdemeanor child abuse charge, which the congresswoman attributed to a “miscommunication” involving her grandson. (See Details)

➤ Estes Park: Police arrested a man who allegedly stole a sword from a knife shop and set a fire at a nearby motel. (More)

➤ Southwest Colorado: Colorado Parks and Wildlife released an orphaned mountain lion back into the wild after more than a year at a rehabilitation facility. (More)

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➤ Colorado Buffaloes running back Charlie Offerdahl informed the team that he’s retiring from football after suffering repeated concussions. (More)

➤ MaxPreps ranked Cherry Creek High School as the No. 1 high school sports program in the country after it won nine state titles in 2024-25. (More)

➤ University of Colorado basketball is playing the Australian Boomers today in an exhibition—the first-ever commercial game between an NCAA Division I team and Australia. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ VeroTouch, a Salida-based tech company that built Colorado’s first 3D-printed homes, is developing a 3D-printed housing community in Chaffee County. (Read Story)

➤ Denver International Airport will hold an in-person hiring fair on Aug. 12, matching job seekers with various opportunities from more than 50 DIA employers. (See Details)

➤ The Historic Elitch Theatre in Denver says it’s experienced six break-ins since April, each costing thousands of dollars. Teens were caught on camera in the latest incident. (More)

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➤ An assisted living facility in Littleton hosted a Super Soaker contest, letting residents cool off while trying to hit targets with water guns. (More)

➤ Coors Field is one of the best ballparks for surviving a zombie apocalypse, ranking No. 7 among MLB parks based on structural security and potential resources, according to a new study. (See Study)

➤ Fall foliage colors will peak between mid-September and early October, depending on the region. (See Map)

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Where would you go during a zombie apocalypse?

1. Fortified building
2. Remote cabin
3. DIY bunker
4. Keep on the move
5. Stay home
6. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

What do you call fireflies?

1. Lightning bugs: 40%
2. Fireflies: 31%
3. Other: 15%
4. Glow worms: 14%

In what year did the first moving picture screening in the American West take place?

Show me the answer