Thursday, May 21, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2001, a powerful late-spring storm hit Colorado, uprooting trees and leaving thousands without power. At least one tree appeared to catch fire after becoming tangled in downed power lines.

In the wake of a historically dry winter and statewide drought, the Ute Water Conservancy District, which serves the Grand Valley, is implementing emergency rates for the first time in decades. Find out more in Around Colorado.

Could a single phone call or email wipe out a lifetime of savings in your family? The FBI says these three scams are responsible for billions in losses, and they’re hitting older Americans harder than ever, with average victims losing $83,000. On The Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown unpacks how each scam works, why they’re so effective, and what families can do right now to protect the people they love. Tune in here!

Still trying to figure out what to get Dad this year? We pulled together some of our favorite Father’s Day gift ideas to help make it easy. From practical everyday upgrades to fun finds he’ll actually use, these are gifts built for dads of all kinds. Check out the full Father’s Day Gift Guide here.

Today’s edition is brought to you by BIOptimizers, makers of Magnesium Breakthrough, the best-selling magnesium complex with all seven forms your body actually needs. For Memorial Day, BIOptimizers is offering 25% off sitewide through May 27.

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.

Vance Cites Peters as Fund Announced

Vice President JD Vance said during a press conference Tuesday that former clerk Tina Peters is an example of someone who could be eligible for compensation under a new $1.776 billion fund.

The Anti-Weaponization Fund, announced Monday, will allow people who believe they were unjustly prosecuted for political reasons—including by the Biden-era Justice Department—to “seek redress” through payouts, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

“This innocent grandmother was going to spend 10 years in prison, completely disproportionate to any misdemeanor trespassing that I have ever seen,” Vance said. “Is it reasonable to get some compensation for the fact that she was treated unfairly? I think the answer was yes.”

The comment comes shortly after Gov. Jared Polis commuted Peters’ nine-year sentence for breaching election data, a move that’s drawn sharp criticism from Colorado Democrats and some Republicans.

Denver Homelessness Drops

Denver has recorded a decrease in overall homelessness for the first time in nine years, the city announced Wednesday.

A Jan. 26, 2026, single-night count found 6,411 people experiencing homelessness citywide, a 12.5% drop from the 2025 tally—the first such decrease in over a decade. Street homelessness, meanwhile, fell 64% from 2023.

Mayor Mike Johnston said the data represents a “historic accomplishment,” while city leaders acknowledged there is still more work to be done.

Statewide, homelessness was flat overall in 2025, though it grew dramatically for some groups, such as youth and families, according to a newly released state report.

Rabid Bat Found in Fort Collins

Health officials reported the first case of rabies of the year in Larimer County after a bat found in northeast Fort Collins tested positive for the viral disease.

The bat was captured from an open space near the Adriel Hills neighborhood, officials said. No human exposures have been reported.

Rabies, typically transmitted through a bite, is most commonly found in bats, skunks, and raccoons. The county health department warns it “can be found in wildlife throughout Larimer County.”

Officials advise the public to protect themselves from the disease by avoiding contact with wild animals and reporting any that may be infected to animal control.

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➤ Boulder: Congressional candidate Wanda James is suing the University of Colorado Board of Regents, of which she’s a member, over a censure last year tied to a public health campaign she said was racist. (More)

➤ Mesa County: The Ute Water Conservancy District Board of Directors voted to implement drought and emergency rates for customers, effective this June, for the first time in nearly 50 years. (More)

➤ Lakewood: A former police officer was arrested for allegedly having multiple sexual encounters with women while on duty and misusing police database systems. (More)

➤ Aurora: A man charged with nonfatally shooting three people in 2024, and since found incompetent to stand trial, was due in court Wednesday. (More)

➤ Saguache County: The reward for information about a 78-year-old man found murdered in his home in Center last year has been increased to $10,000. (More)

➤ Pueblo: Historians recently identified an unmarked grave at Roselawn Cemetery as that of Hardy Faulkner, a Buffalo Soldier and member of the 9th U.S. Cavalry who died in 1900. (More)

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➤ Colorado Athletics released an officially licensed co-branded tequila with Suerte Tequila, marking the first CU-branded bottle for fans. (More)

➤ Former Colorado Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote was fired as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks after a turbulent season marked by defensive lapses and inconsistency. (More)

➤ Colorado football secured a commitment from three-star edge rusher Ba’Roc Willis this week. Willis was previously committed to Alabama and chose the Buffs after his official visit to Colorado. (More)

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➤ Frontier Airlines, which is based in Denver, was among the worst for airline delays in 2025, according to a new report. (More)

➤ Gov. Jared Polis urged future lawmakers to avoid a “heavy hand” when considering regulations on emerging technology during a panel with business leaders Tuesday. (More)

➤ Target is planning to open new stores in Green Valley Ranch, Firestone, and Monument as part of its nationwide expansion, which aims to add over 300 stores by 2035. (More)

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BIOptimizers Memorial Day Sale Is Live

BIOptimizers’ Memorial Day Sale is live: 25% off sitewide through May 27.

Start with their best-selling Magnesium Breakthrough, a full-spectrum magnesium complex with all seven forms your body actually needs.

It’s designed to support better sleep, calmer evenings, stress support, and relaxation, without the cheap single-form approach.

You can also save on MassZymes, Berberine Breakthrough, P3-OM, and more.

Plus, orders of $150+ can get $35 in free gifts.

👉 Shop before the Memorial Day Sale ends May 27

➤ The stump of a 149-year-old cottonwood tree in Boulder has been converted into a free neighborhood library, complete with a small roof, largely thanks to the work of a local volunteer. (See Stump)

➤ Fort Carson officials shared insight on a new, next-generation artificial intelligence technology designed to help soldiers make decisions on the battlefield. (Watch)

➤ The Pikes Peak International Raceway, a racetrack in the Colorado Springs area, will permanently close after this year’s season. (More)

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