‘Sky Hammer’ Choppers Target CO Wildfires

The U.S. Forest Service has launched “Operation Sky Hammer,” stationing two SkyCrane helicopters at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield to boost wildfire response across Colorado.

The Type 1 firefighting helicopters, each carrying 2,800 gallons of fire retardant and equipped with mobile refill bases, are designed for fast, initial attacks on wildfires in high-risk areas.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the trial program runs through the 2025 fire season and complements existing air tanker bases. The choppers are ready for deployment within 15–20 minutes of a fire report and can be ordered by any level of government.

The helicopters, operated by Helicopter Transport Services, replace fixed-wing tankers formerly based at Jeffco, now stationed in Southern Colorado. Officials say the move adds critical “surge capacity” during peak fire activity to knock down small fires before they grow.

Aurora Judge Rejects Antisemitism Claim

An Aurora judge has rejected landlord Zev Baumgarten’s claim that city officials targeted him for being Jewish while enforcing code violations on derelict apartment complexes.

Judge Brian Whitney ruled that Baumgarten failed to provide evidence of religious discrimination, undercutting a key part of his defense.

Baumgarten is linked to CBZ Management, a company that once controlled multiple troubled properties in Aurora, including the Edge of Lowry and 1568 Nome Street. The Edge of Lowry became a flashpoint last year after claims it was overtaken by the Tren de Aragua gang—claims now partially confirmed by the city.

Baumgarten, now facing multiple arrest warrants, is out of state and says he “fears for his safety.”

Beetles Wreck Forests, Locals Fight Back

Mountain pine beetles are tearing through Colorado forests again, hitting Black Forest hard. Don Hardin, 70, has lost around 400 trees on his property this year alone, many already weakened by drought and past wildfires.

The outbreak isn’t limited to one area. Mountain pine beetles are also rising fast in Douglas, Jefferson, and Gilpin counties. The State Forest Service’s annual aerial survey shows infected acreage jumped from under 2,000 in 2021 to nearly 6,000 last year.

To slow the spread, the State Forest Service is using synthetic pheromones that mimic beetle “no-vacancy” signals. The packets trick beetles into avoiding trees, but they’re only partially effective, especially as beetle numbers climb.

Officials emphasize that long-term success hinges on landowner cooperation. With a 25-year drought stressing forests, residents are urged to thin trees, chip debris, and act fast to keep the outbreak from spreading west.

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➤ Statewide: Egg-sized hail hammered parts of southern and eastern Colorado Sunday, with the biggest stones falling near Colorado Springs. (See Photos)

➤ Morgan County: Meanwhile, a landspout tornado touched down near Brush Sunday afternoon, briefly sweeping across I-76. Drivers shared dramatic photos of the twister, which stirred up dust but caused no reported damage. (See Photos)

➤ Arapahoe County: The sheriff’s office is giving deputies the option to wear straw cowboy hats instead of black felt Stetsons, after realizing the traditional hats were too hot for Colorado summers. (More)

➤ Aurora: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is urging visitors to avoid swimming in Cherry Creek Reservoir after toxic blue-green algae was detected, advising that swimming is at your own risk. Boating and fishing are still allowed with precautions. (See Details)

➤ Broomfield: Two months after 34-year-old Paul Aragon disappeared, dozens of family members and volunteers searched the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, where his truck was found idling with his dog inside on May 2. (See Details)

➤ Eagle County: Red Cliff’s 1887 town hall was named one of Colorado’s “Most Endangered Places” as locals work to preserve the crumbling landmark and its historic legacy. (More)

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➤ Nuggets center Nikola Jokić went viral after a video showed him reacting to his horse winning a race in Serbia. The three-time MVP has joked on multiple occasions that he enjoys horse racing even more than basketball. (More)

➤ Both Colorado State and the University of Colorado were featured on CBS Sports’ list of the worst college football coaching hires of the last 25 years. (See Full List)

➤ Catcher Hunter Goodman was the only member of the Colorado Rockies to make the MLB All-Star Game. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Wimbledon

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➤ Online betting platform Bet365 purchased a Denver office building for $135 million to launch its U.S. headquarters, which will initially create 300 jobs with plans to grow to 1,000. (See Details)

➤ The Colorado Rapids and Kiewit have announced a partnership that will place the construction giant’s logo on the team’s jersey sleeves, alongside marketing initiatives throughout DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. (More)

➤ Century Communities, Inc., a Greenwood Village-based home builder, was named one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Companies to Work For in 2025, citing its benefits, quality of pay, and workplace environment. (More)

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➤ An elk wandered into a downtown Estes Park store, startling shoppers before police safely guided it outside. Officials remind visitors to admire wildlife from a distance. (See Video)

➤ Two Colorado men carried an 80-pound industrial sink 13.1 miles through Loveland to raise $10,000 for a local food bank, turning heads and raising awareness. Donations are still open. (See Photos)

➤ Rodeo bull “Sauce Boss” escaped while being unloaded at the Snowmass Rodeo, where he eluded capture for five days before finally being wrangled on Sunday after multiple failed attempts. (See Details)

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What would you do if an elk walked into your favorite store?

1. Take a picture
2. Run for the exit
3. Hide
4. Offer it a loyalty card
5. Other (reply to tell us)

Friday’s Results:

Do you agree with renaming Mount Blue Sky?

1. Yes: 61%
2. No: 28%
3. No opinion: 11%

Which Colorado city is home to the largest outdoor juried sculpture show in the United States?

Show me the answer