Colorado Votes in Primary Election

Colorado voters cast primary ballots today in contests for governor, U.S. Senate, and statewide offices, with the first results expected shortly after 7 p.m.

The marquee race is the Democratic primary for governor, where U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet faces Attorney General Phil Weiser for the seat term-limited Gov. Jared Polis must vacate. It is the state’s first open governor’s race in eight years.

On the Republican side, state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, state Rep. Scott Bottoms, and Victor Marx are competing for their party’s nomination.

Voters will also decide the Democratic U.S. Senate primary between incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper and state Sen. Julie Gonzales.

Most active registered voters received a mail ballot, and unaffiliated voters may participate by returning one party’s ballot. Winners advance to the November general election.

Wildfire Emergency Spreads across Colorado

Wildfires continued to spread across southern Colorado on Monday, forcing expanded evacuations near Beulah and Guffey as the state’s fire emergency widened.

In Custer County, the Aspen Acres Fire drove residents out and pushed mandatory evacuations to the town of Beulah as strong winds fueled rapid fire growth.

A separate fire near Guffey forced evacuations within a 1.25-mile radius in Fremont County.

Across the state, fires have burned more than 40,000 acres, while the Snyder Fire continued burning across more than 28,000 acres in Mesa County, where three firefighters were killed Saturday.

Forecasters warn that hot, dry and windy conditions will keep fire danger elevated through the week, as the dangerous pattern persists into July.

Giant Metal Troll Unveiled under Bridge

A new metal troll has settled in beneath the Palmer Lake pedestrian bridge, unveiled Sunday after two years in the shop of artist and blacksmith Jodie Bliss.

Bliss, a Tri-Lakes native, built the sculpture for the town where she grew up. “I think he is the best thing that has ever come out of my shop,” she said.

She incorporated details that reflect Palmer Lake, from a nod to the nearby railroad to the Palmer Lake Star, the town’s longtime symbol.

The volunteer group Awake Palmer Lake commissioned the piece, hoping the troll will draw visitors and bring the community together.

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➤ Statewide: Four Democrats, including Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty, and two Republicans are competing in today’s primary for Colorado’s open attorney general seat, the state’s chief law enforcement post. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Colorado Supreme Court kept a slate of congressional redistricting measures off the ballot, ruling the five proposals to change the state’s redistricting process and redraw U.S. House maps violated the single-subject rule. (See Details)

➤ Palisade: Palisade peach season has arrived three to four weeks earlier than usual after a warm winter accelerated ripening, with growers urging customers to buy in early July before the harvest wraps up by mid-August. (Read Story)

➤ Custer County: Bishop Castle, the hand-built roadside landmark in southern Colorado, canceled its inaugural Medieval Fair after its caretaker was seriously injured. (See Details)

➤ Denver: Centennial Gardens, the downtown botanic garden chained shut for more than a year, remains closed because a lack of rainwater left it in poor enough condition that it can’t reopen. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Colorado Parks and Wildlife approved emergency public fish salvages at three reservoirs in Huerfano, Costilla, and Larimer counties, allowing anglers to harvest fish before water levels are lowered for municipal use and irrigation. (See Details)

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➤ Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is reportedly considering delaying his contract extension for the second straight offseason. He is eligible for a four-year extension worth nearly $280 million, and waiting could allow him to maximize his future earnings. (More)

➤ The Predators signed center Jack Drury, acquired from the Avalanche last week, to a five-year, $22.5 million contract. Drury won 58.1% of his faceoffs last season, fifth-best in the NHL among players who took at least 900 faceoffs, and had three goals and two assists in 13 playoff games for Colorado. (More)

➤ BroncosRide, the bus service to Broncos games, is set to return after RTD’s board voted 9-5 to restore the program. Officials hope to have the service running by the Broncos’ first home preseason game on Aug. 21. (More) 

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | Wimbledon

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➤ Gas prices across southern Colorado have fallen about 20 cents in a week ahead of July Fourth travel, AAA said, as easing crude oil prices drive the decline. (More)

➤ Longmont’s former Walmart property sold for nearly $7.6 million, clearing the way for a proposed apartment development that could add nearly 500 housing units over two phases. (See Details)

➤ The Luzzatto Company asked Denver’s Downtown Development Authority for about $29 million to help convert a second, mostly vacant Energy Center office tower downtown, amid high office vacancy and rising conversion costs. (See Details)

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➤ A statewide guide rounds up where to catch Fourth of July fireworks, drone shows, and parades across Colorado from July 2 through 4. (See List)

➤ Adams County’s Anythink library system is opening a nature library in Thornton that pairs books with free outdoor gear, recreation, and environmental education. (See Details)

➤ The Colorado State Fair unveiled its free entertainment lineup for the Aug. 28 to Sept. 7 run, with Pueblo country singer Cody Cozz closing the concert series Sept. 7 and local dancers, singers, and marching bands performing throughout the fair, all included with admission. (See Lineup)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Americans chase 10,000 steps a day, but a major new study says how you walk matters far more. (Hear Details)

➤ A coalition that owns nearly 400 local newspapers has accused OpenAI and Microsoft of copying their reporting to train AI systems. (Hear Episode)

➤ President Trump declared the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool “in full use” and blamed radical left vandals for the pool’s recent problems. (Listen Now)

Will you make the trip to see the new Palmer Lake troll?

1. Already on my list
2. Maybe, sounds fun
3. Not my thing

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever claimed money through Colorado’s unclaimed property program?

1. Checked, nothing found: 28%
2. Never knew it existed: 27%
3. Yes, claimed money: 23%
4. No, checking now: 22%

A valley in far western Colorado earned its name because the Dolores River cuts straight across it rather than flowing down its length. What is the valley called?

Show me the answer