Thursday, March 5, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1864, John Evans signed a charter creating the Colorado Seminary, a school that would eventually become the University of Denver.

Early risers, amateur astronomers, and photographers across the state were treated to a total lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon, in the predawn hours of Tuesday. See the photos in our Top Stories.

These four Social Security changes could affect millions of retirees by shrinking what they can actually spend each month. On today’s The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down higher Medicare premiums and tax rules so you can see what may hit your next deposit before it even arrives. Tune in here!

Later today, keep an eye on your inbox for a dedicated message from our partner Allegiance Gold on how institutions are positioning for 2026 and why gold is part of the shift.

Today’s sponsor, FungaBeam, offers a simple, drug-free light-therapy device designed to target stubborn nail fungus at the source and help restore clearer, healthier nails from the comfort of home.

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.

Polis Signals Possible Clemency for Peters

Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday suggested he may consider clemency for Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk serving a nine-year prison sentence for crimes related to a breach of election equipment.

In a post on X, Polis contrasted Peters’ punishment with that of former state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Democrat sentenced to two years of probation for fabricating letters of support.

“It is not lost on me that she was convicted of the exact same felony charge as Tina Peters—attempting to influence a public official—and yet Tina Peters, as a non-violent first time offender got a nine year sentence,” Polis wrote.

Polis added that he is extending the deadline for clemency applications to April 3 and “will be making decisions on these cases” for the rest of his governorship.

President Trump has repeatedly called for Peters’ release. Some state officials have urged Polis not to reduce her sentence.

Fugitive Ex-Neurosurgeon Involved in Shootout

A former neurosurgeon wanted on charges in Grand Junction was arrested in Indian River County, Florida, after a Monday night shootout with law enforcement.

Authorities say Thomas Earl Steffens, 72, went “on the run,” traveling by bus from Colorado to Florida while under investigation for sexual assault.

When U.S. marshals and Florida deputies attempted to arrest Steffens during a traffic stop near Vero Beach, he opened fire on the officers. Authorities say he had previously made statements that he wouldn’t be taken alive. In the ensuing gunfight, a U.S. marshal was shot in the leg, and Steffens was shot several times.

The marshal was treated at a hospital and released. Steffens, now facing attempted murder charges, is expected to survive.

Coloradans Photograph Blood Moon

A total lunar eclipse captivated viewers across North America in the early hours of Tuesday as the moon’s surface turned a deep copper color, a phenomenon known as a blood moon.

Photographers across Colorado woke up early to capture images of the blood moon. Totality lasted from 4:04 a.m. to 5:02 a.m. and peaked around 4:33 a.m. See the photos here.

To take a uniquely Coloradan photo, Zach Vogel traveled to Garden of the Gods, where the open, dark sky, plentiful stars, and reddish Kissing Camels rock formation complemented the celestial event.

Blood moons occur during a total lunar eclipse when Earth blocks most sunlight and its atmosphere filters the remaining light. The next total lunar eclipse will occur on Dec. 31, 2028.

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➤ Statewide: An advancing House bill would prohibit certain institutions from requiring Social Security numbers in background checks for non-employment purposes, allowing students to use an individual taxpayer identification number instead. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: House Bill 1012, which would have capped prices in captive audience settings like airports and event venues, failed in a 4-7 House committee vote. (See Details)

➤ Winter Park: Police are seeking the public’s help identifying a middle-aged male snowboarder involved in a slope collision that left an 8-year-old skier with a concussion and facial injuries. (More)

➤ Greenwood Village: Gerry Goldberg, an 82-year-old man who petitioned to install a traffic light at the intersection where a car fatally struck his wife in 2024, died in a collision at the same intersection on Monday. (More)

➤ Denver: A parent group filed a lawsuit accusing Denver Public Schools of defrauding taxpayers by using complex financial practices to conceal the district’s debts. (More)

➤ Westminster: Investigators recovered $200,000 stolen from the victim of a romance scam after tracing the scammer’s activity overseas and discovering a frozen bank account. (More)

➤ Sterling: A rainstorm moving across northeastern Colorado produced a rare early-season cold-air funnel cloud Tuesday afternoon. (See Photo)

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➤ Denver Broncos owner Robert Walton reportedly bought a 10% stake in the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024, valuing the team at about $2 billion. (More)

➤ Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen is week-to-week after suffering an upper-body injury against the Kings earlier this week. (More)

➤ Colorado women’s basketball earned a No. 6 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will play its first game tonight at 7 p.m. (How to Watch)

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➤ The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, a 19th-century property known as one of Denver’s oldest-running hotels, is on the market for an undisclosed asking price. Its current owner bought the hotel and a Holiday Inn Express for $125 million. (More)

➤ A Senate bill seeks to increase oversight of Colorado’s online sports betting industry by requiring more reporting from operators, limiting advertising, and capping users at five deposits per 24 hours. (More)

➤ Vail Resorts is offering guests ages 13-30 a 20% discount on passes, bringing the full Epic Pass to $869 and the Epic Local Pass to $649, as the company aims to attract the “next generation of skiers and riders.” (See Details)

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➤ The Big Idaho Potato Truck, a promotional vehicle hauling a 4-ton replica potato, stopped in Grand Junction as part of its 2026 tour. Its next stop is tomorrow in Colorado Springs. (See Photo)

➤ The Pikes Peak Regional Air Show, an aviation event headlined by the F-35A Demonstration Team and the U.S. Air Force Parachute Team Wings of Blue, takes place Sept. 19-20 at Colorado Springs Airport. Tickets are on sale now. (See Details)

➤ Fishing licenses are now available to purchase online for the 2026-2027 season. (See Details)

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