Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Good Morning! On this date in 2021, the Marshall Fire, the most costly wildfire in Colorado history, ignited in Boulder County. Fueled by strong winds, it destroyed 1,084 homes before heavy snowfall helped extinguish the blaze the following day.

The New Year is just around the corner, and the Centennial State has plenty of ways to celebrate—including the century-old, uniquely Coloradan tradition of setting off fireworks at the summit of Pikes Peak. Read more about the festivities in today’s Top Stories.

In today’s Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown takes a closer look at a handful of pivotal Senate races that could shape control of the chamber in 2026, breaking down the candidates and key dynamics to watch. Watch the episode here.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is urging readers to take a hard look at whether their retirement savings are truly prepared for rising healthcare costs, market volatility, and an uncertain economic future.

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.

Ballot Measure Targets Sanctuary Laws

A proposed 2026 ballot measure would require law enforcement agencies statewide to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in cases involving violent offenders or convicted felons.

Initiative 95 would require police to notify the Department of Homeland Security any time someone with an illegal or unknown immigration status is charged with a violent crime or with any crime and has a prior felony conviction.

If successful, the measure would amend the state constitution and override current state laws that ban police from sharing information with federal immigration authorities.

Advance Colorado, the conservative nonprofit behind the proposal, says it’s gathered nearly 200,000 signatures, which are now being verified. If it reaches the November ballot, it would need 55% of the vote to pass.

Snowpack Lags Typical Levels

Statewide snowpack stood at 54% of the median on Friday, Dec. 26, one of the weakest levels on record for this time of year.

According to Denver Water, about 80% of Colorado’s household and agricultural water supply comes from snow, making each winter’s snowpack vital. The ideal range is between 100% and 125% of the median.

The lack of snow has kept many ski areas from fully opening. While Sunday’s storm helped—dropping 12 inches on Winter Park and Steamboat Springs—many resorts still face a snow deficit of several inches.

With each winter month responsible for about 20% of the annual snowpack, it will largely depend on snowfall in January and February to make up the difference.

New Year’s Events Across the State

Several New Year’s Eve celebrations will take place across the state tomorrow from the Mile High City to the Western Slope.

Denver will host two fireworks shows along 16th Street—one at 9 p.m. and one at midnight—each lasting about eight minutes. The final Mile High Drone Show of the year is at 7 p.m.

In the Pikes Peak region, the AdAmAn Club, a mountaineering group, will launch fireworks from atop the 14,110-foot peak, a tradition that is over a century old. Tickets to view the show from Crystal Reservoir have sold out, but it can be seen for miles on a clear night.

Beyond the Front Range, many ski resorts and towns—including Vail, Breckenridge, and Powderhorn—will host fireworks shows and torchlight parades. See a list here.

Flying together with our sponsor

Americans Greatly Underestimate Their Retirement Needs

Jamie Dimon warns, “Prepare for all possibilities, especially the worse case scenario.”

JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon sees a future coming that may break the average retiree. Only a few have the means to survive it.

It’s estimated the average couple will face $315,000 in medical bills during retirement. This doesn’t include the rising cost of living, housing, or supporting your family.

Now, look at your 401(k)… Do you have enough saved to pay for two decades of living expenses and $315,000 in healthcare bills? Are you prepared for the market crash that many leading economists are predicting, which could inflict catastrophic losses on your 401(k), IRA, and pension?

These retirement accounts are your weakest link. They’re risky paper promises tied to a volatile stock market and a dollar that has been losing value every year. This is why millions of soon-to-be retirees are dangerously under-prepared and under-funded for retirement.

This doesn’t have to be you. Maintaining a comfortable life in retirement requires a store of value with proven longevity and stability. Physical Gold is mankind’s most trusted asset with proven stability, and there’s an easy path to ownership that your current retirement plan keeps hidden from you.

Deep in IRS tax law lies a clause allowing you to transfer your retirement savings into physical Gold, held securely in a Gold IRA tax and penalty-free. Click here for your FREE 2026 Wealth Protection Guide and take the path to protection.

>>Get Your Free WEALTH PROTECTION GUIDE<<

➤ Capitol: A vacancy committee elected state Rep. William Lindstedt, a Broomfield Democrat, to fill the Senate District 25 seat left by state Sen. Faith Winter, who died in a November car crash. (More)

➤ Penrose: A judge accepted new plea deals calling for sentences of 30-50 years and 25-35 years, respectively, for Jon and Carie Hallford, former funeral home co-owners accused of corpse abuse. Sentencings are scheduled for Feb. 6 and April 24. (See Details)

➤ Estes Park: A federal judge sentenced a local man to 12.5 years in prison for promoting and selling an illegal tax shelter, resulting in $45 million in unpaid federal income taxes, and for running an $8 million Ponzi scheme. (More)

➤ Statewide: Colorado will officially fall short of its first major greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal, set by a 2019 law, when the year ends. The 2025 target—a 26% cut from 2005 levels—is now projected to be met by 2027. (More)

➤ Arapahoe County: Investigators are searching for four suspects who stole more than $120,000 in trucks and tools from the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. (More)

➤ Aurora: Police arrested an arson suspect accused of setting a series of fires in the area of East 16th Avenue and North Norfolk Street. (More)

Enjoy reading The Colorado Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ Colorado is targeting the University of New Mexico’s Fernando Lovo for its next athletic director, though no final decision has been made by either side. (More)

➤ Northern Colorado basketball beat Colorado 86-81 on Sunday—their first win over the Buffaloes since 1936. (More)

➤ Nuggets center Nikola Jokić made NBA history last week, scoring over 110 points, 40 rebounds, and 40 assists over three games — unmatched in league history. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Direct Meds makes medically supervised weight-loss simple by connecting you with licensed U.S. doctors online who can prescribe real GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide and deliver them to your door, helping reduce appetite and support your weight-management goals without insurance or clinic visits. (LEARN MORE)

➤ Telluride Ski Resort remained closed on Sunday as its unionized ski patrollers continued striking for higher wages. (See Details)

➤ Colorado had the second-highest home insurance premiums of any state in 2024, averaging $4,142. Pitkin County posted Colorado’s most expensive average at $6,385. (More)

➤ Madeline, a new Denver restaurant serving ingredient-focused seasonal dishes, plans to open in the former space of Michelin-recommended Fruition. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Relax and ease muscle tension at home or on the go with the Cloud Wave massage pillow, a wireless, portable device that delivers soothing heat and kneading massage wherever you need it, helping relieve stiffness and stress without bulky equipment—perfect for daily comfort and recovery. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Retirement Uncertainty? This New Plan Could Change Everything.

Inflation is rising, recession is looming, and the stock market bubble looks ready to burst. While dollar-denominated assets like stocks and bonds could plummet, physical gold owners could soon be celebrating.

The President’s proposed “Gold Reset” could mark America’s greatest wealth creation event in nearly a century. This historic move would revalue the nation’s gold reserves overnight, catapulting owners of physical gold to new heights as the value of government gold skyrockets 9,000%.

To learn how to protect your savings and potentially benefit with this coming revaluation, claim your FREE 2025 Wealth Protection Guide today. Don’t wait until the next crash exposes how fragile the system truly is.

Click here to claim your FREE guide now—before it’s too late.

➤ Fort Collins is one of the five most bike-friendly cities in the nation—boasting more than 280 miles of on-street bike lanes and 30 miles of bike trails—according to a new list. (See List)

➤ An Erie actor made an appearance in the new season of Netflix’s hit sci-fi drama Stranger Things. (See Details)

➤ Christmas tree recycling stations—where residents can drop off trees to be turned into mulch—will be open in Denver as late as Jan. 30. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Scientists discovered that men with early prostate infection have this ONE thing in common…The tests done on 2,398 men revealed that the urine of those with early prostate problems had the same color…98% of the experts believe that this can put your life at risk. Watch this video presenting a simple 3-minute ritual that will quickly fix any prostate problems.