Twin Quakes Rattle Southern Colorado

Two earthquakes struck near the Colorado–New Mexico line before dawn Monday, with shaking felt as far away as Pueblo and Monte Vista.

The first and larger preliminary quake, a magnitude 4.2, hit about 20 miles south of Segundo at 3:21 a.m., roughly 6.2 kilometers deep.

A preliminary magnitude 4.0 followed nine minutes later, about 16 miles south of Segundo. The U.S. Geological Survey logged Intensity III shaking around Trinidad for both events.

Colorado records small earthquakes fairly regularly, but sizable ones remain uncommon. Officials estimated a 22% chance of at least one aftershock in the area over the following week. The USGS later reviewed both events and revised their magnitudes to 3.8.

Aspen Acres Fire Destroys 263 Homes

The Aspen Acres fire has destroyed 263 homes and four commercial buildings across Pueblo and Custer counties, officials said Monday.

By Tuesday the fire had grown to 93,634 acres, the seventh-largest wildfire in recorded Colorado history, with containment at 15%.

In Pueblo County, the sheriff’s office began lifting some evacuation orders even as crews worked the fire’s northern and western edges, with an overnight curfew still in force.

Officials said the fire was human-caused but remains under investigation. More than 1,500 personnel are currently battling the blaze.

Record Heat Builds as Monsoon Lags

Colorado’s mountains could catch a brief break from the heat and dry weather as scattered mountain storms roll in, but forecasters say the relief will be short-lived.

Hot, dry weather is expected to return by the weekend, with highs near 105 degrees forecast around Grand Junction on Saturday and a possible 107 degrees on Sunday, tying the city’s all-time record.

Colorado’s summer monsoon has yet to fully take hold. Forecasters expect moisture to increase over the next two to three weeks, bringing a better chance of widespread afternoon thunderstorms.

Until then, forecasters warn some storms may produce dry lightning and gusty winds with little rain, increasing the risk of new wildfire starts.

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➤ Statewide: More than a week after the primary, Colorado’s Republican race for governor remains too close to call, with ministry leader Victor Marx leading state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer by roughly 1,950 votes. An automatic recount is possible if the certified results leave the candidates separated by less than 0.5%. (More)

➤ Southwest Colorado: The Ferris Fire has grown to 51,622 acres and is 22% contained as crews continue battling the blaze in Dolores and Montezuma counties. Evacuation orders remain in effect, while firefighters are protecting homes and critical infrastructure ahead of possible thunderstorms. (More)

➤ Denver: Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero, who has applied to lead Miami-Dade County schools, says the board is violating his contract and his position is “increasingly untenable.” The board is on its annual July sabbatical until Aug. 13 and hasn’t formally responded. (More)

➤ Alamosa: A judge pushed Barry Morphew’s murder trial to next summer, roughly seven years after his wife, Suzanne, vanished on Mother’s Day in 2020. Morphew, who maintains his innocence, faces a first-degree murder charge, and the defense sought more time to review evidence. (More)

➤ Summit County: An abandoned campfire found smoldering near Frisco over the Fourth of July weekend prompted plans for a citation and renewed warnings as Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect. Officials also urged residents to rely on official alerts after wildfire-tracking apps mistakenly labeled the incident as a wildfire. (More)

➤ Broomfield: City Council is considering an 18-month moratorium on new large data centers while officials draft regulations on power use, water, and neighborhood impacts. The proposal would not affect existing facilities. (More)

➤ Grand Junction: Grand Valley Transit shifted several regular stops to “by-request” service on Monday, meaning buses will skip those stops unless a rider calls ahead or tells the driver. Mesa County says the change streamlines routes and trims trip times. (More)

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➤ Nikola Jokić said he will wait until next summer to sign a new deal with the Nuggets, passing on a four-year, $278 million extension now to become eligible for a five-year, $359.5 million contract next season. If signed at those figures, it would be the largest contract in NBA history. (More)

➤ Cherry Hills Country Club will host the 2027 Arnold Palmer Cup, bringing the Ryder Cup-style collegiate golf tournament back to Colorado for the first time since 2009. (More)

➤ Colorado football landed a commitment from four-star offensive lineman Dewey Young, who chose Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes over Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Georgia Tech. (More)

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➤  PNC Bank will close 18 branches across Colorado and Arizona following its conversion of FirstBank, once the largest private bank based in Colorado. The Pittsburgh-based company, which bought FirstBank in a $4.1 billion deal, says none of the closing branches are former FirstBank locations. (More)

➤  Los Dos Potrillos is reopening its Littleton restaurant after a March kitchen fire forced it to close for months. The family-owned Mexican restaurant used the repairs to remodel the space, adding features that celebrate the Mexican heritage it has honored for more than two decades. (More)

➤  Metro Denver’s housing market stayed balanced in June, with for-sale inventory near a decade high and buyers holding negotiating leverage, according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. Prices were roughly flat from a year earlier, and homes are taking longer to sell. (More)

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➤ Palisade farmer and winemaker Scott High has amassed more than 5,000 corkscrews, displayed in a little-known museum off the tasting room at Colterris Collections on Colorado’s Western Slope. High bought his first corkscrew in 1971 at age 16 and never stopped collecting. (Read Story)

➤ Elitch Gardens is celebrating more than a century of history after opening as a zoo in northwest Denver in 1890. While the park has changed locations and added modern rides, it continues to preserve pieces of its past as one of Colorado’s most popular attractions. (Read Story)

➤ Cattlemen’s Days, billed as Colorado’s longest continuously running rodeo at 126 years, brings three nights of pro rodeo, a downtown parade, and 4-H shows to Gunnison from July 9 to 11. The Gunnison Valley event traces back to ranchers’ Main Street contests in 1900. (See Schedule)

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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:

➤ Iran has resumed missile strikes on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. officials say, threatening the peace deal. (Hear Details)

➤ Ukrainian forces have struck deep into Siberia, putting Russia’s largest refineries within reach for the first time. (Hear Episode)

➤ Discarded items found behind a Georgia Cracker Barrel have helped authorities crack a man’s 1985 killing in Ohio. (Listen Now)

Do you play golf?

1. Every chance I get
2. A few rounds a year
3. Only mini-golf
4. Not my game

Yesterday’s Results:

How long have you stayed at one job?

1. More than 10 years: 52%
2. 2 to 10 years: 22%
3. I’m still there and not leaving: 16%
4. Less than 2 years: 10%

Which future silent-film star got his start at Denver’s Elitch Theatre in its early years?

Show me the answer