State Leaders Demand Unfreezing of Funds

Colorado leaders are calling on the Trump administration to unfreeze hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding, which they say remains inaccessible to grantees.

The funds were paused in late January under President Trump’s nationwide freeze on federal assistance.

Though the freeze was blocked by a federal judge, state leaders are reporting that congressionally authorized funds are still being unlawfully withheld. 

In a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, Colorado lawmakers—among them Gov. Jared Polis—asked Vought to address the issue of the funds by this Friday.

Paraprofessional Jailed for Student Assault 

Imagine Kay Ewer, a former Lakewood paraprofessional, was sentenced to four years in prison for sexually assaulting a special needs student at Brady Exploration School.

Ewer’s abuse of the 16-year-old was first suspected in 2023, prompting an investigation that uncovered “thousands” of text messages and references to numerous sexual encounters. 

According to prosecutor Brynn Chase, Ewer introduced the teenager to illicit drugs—including fentanyl—and instructed him to bring a “gun to school and shoot another faculty member in the leg.”

At her sentencing, Ewer expressed remorse, saying “this will never happen again.” Alongside her four-year sentence, she faces 10 years of sex offender probation.

Peña Boulevard Ramp Closed for Three Months

Jackson Gap, an on-ramp outbound to Peña Boulevard from Denver International Airport (DIA), will be closed for three months as of this Monday.

The closure will affect those traveling west from the airport to Denver and Interstate 70. They are advised to take 78th Avenue as a detour through the end of May.

According to DIA, the ramp is being reconstructed to form a new diverging diamond interchange, which will better accommodate the airport’s heavy traffic.

The construction is part of “Phase 1B” in the airport’s four-phase plan to “rehabilitate” the congested boulevard. This phase, which began last April, is projected to last through 2026.

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➤ Statewide: Colorado is experiencing “very high” flu activity, which typically peaks between December and February, according to the CDC. (More)

➤ Highlands Ranch: A shooting that took place at entertainment venue Main Event on Saturday night began as a fight in the women’s restroom, authorities say. A judge set bail at $1 million for the accused shooter on Monday. (Watch Report)

➤ Colorado Springs: An effort to repeal the city’s legalization of recreational marijuana was blocked on Monday by a federal judge, who claimed putting the issue to a second vote is unconstitutional. (See Details)

➤ Grand Junction: The second Veterans Aging and Survivor Benefits Symposium, an event aimed at connecting veterans with available resources, will be held this Thursday. (See Details)

➤ Adams County: The Colorado State Patrol conducted a DUI enforcement operation over Super Bowl weekend, stopping more than 150 drivers and making 18 arrests. (More)

➤ Statewide: State lawmakers have advanced a bill to create a “do not sell” firearms registry, a voluntary list intended to prevent suicides. (More)

➤ El Paso County: The National Mill Dog Rescue in Peyton is asking the public for help after thieves burglarized the property over the weekend. (See Details)

➤ The Denver Nuggets scored a season-high 146 points on Monday in a 146-117 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Nikola Jokić led the team with 40 points, with his wildest shot coming on this heavily contested three-pointer while fading out of bounds. (More)

➤ Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders called himself “legendary” in a recent social media post. (See Post)

➤ The Denver Broncos have been linked to All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel, who was granted permission by the San Francisco 49ers to seek a trade. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ MedRide, a non-emergency medical transportation service suspended for fraud last week, was allowed to resume service Monday after challenging the suspension in court. (More)

➤ State lawmakers are debating a bipartisan bill that would prevent grocery stores and other big retailers from selling hard liquor, aiming to protect small liquor stores. (More)

➤ Taco Cabana, a Mexican fast casual chain beloved by Texans, has plans to set up shop in Colorado Springs as part of its first-ever expansion to other states. (See Details)

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➤ A Colorado Springs woman will be the first-ever double amputee to compete on Naked and Afraid. She will be featured in the survival show’s 18th season premiering March 9. (More)

➤ A recent study ranked two Colorado cities among the top 20 best places to celebrate Valentine’s Day, with Denver coming in at No. 5. (Read the Full List)

➤ A lunar halo, the optical effect of moonlight’s refraction through cirrus clouds—and, according to folklore, a portent of bad weather—was visible in Denver Sunday night. (See Photos)

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Should grocery stores be allowed to sell hard liquor?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you support or oppose Colorado’s 10-cent paper bag fee?

1. Oppose: 66%
2. Support: 34%

In terms of total landmass, Denver International Airport is bigger than what notable U.S. cities? 

Show me the answer