The Colorado Sun ☀️

Colorado Democrats again ask Kristi Noem for information on racist ace of spades cards left after ICE arrests The federal lawmakers said their first request for a transparent investigation into the cards was ignored and they want a response before Noem leaves DHS

Colorado Democrats again ask Kristi Noem for information on racist ace of spades cards left after ICE arrests

Ambulance services would get funding boost while saving Colorado millions under new bill Sometimes it's cheaper to provide emergency medical service at home, but to get paid ambulances must take patients to the hospital

Ambulance services would get funding boost while saving Colorado millions under new bill

Snow, ice and hurricanes: Prediction markets offer money-making wagers on climate change People are flocking to prediction markets to bet on everything from Denver's snow forecast to whether “Bridgerton” will be Netflix's top show.

Snow, ice and hurricanes: Prediction markets offer money-making wagers on climate change

Xcel claims it can’t close the electricity supply gap yet, floats the idea of keeping its coal plants running until 2030 Coal-burning plants in Pueblo and Hayden were to phase out by 2030. Now the company has proposed running all the units for 4 more years.

Xcel claims it can’t close the electricity supply gap yet, floats the idea of keeping its coal plants running until 2030

Nearly 3,800 JBS unionized meatpackers in Greeley plan to strike March 16 They’ve been working on an expired contract for eight months. JBS officials accused the union of not sharing the company’s latest offer with workers.

Nearly 3,800 JBS unionized meatpackers in Greeley plan to strike March 16

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, during Colorado stop, warns that high gas prices could last weeks Wright said the US will insure oil tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz and will even use the military to escort ships

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, during Colorado stop, warns that high gas prices could last weeks

Effort to eliminate criminal penalties for prostitution in Colorado will be abandoned State Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, a Pueblo Democrat and main sponsor of Senate Bill 97, said the measure doesn’t have enough support to clear the Senate Judiciary Committee — its first hurdle

Effort to eliminate criminal penalties for prostitution in Colorado will be abandoned

Fort Carson soldier identified as 7th U.S. service member killed in Iran war Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, 26, of Kentucky, was assigned to the Colorado Springs Army post in June 2025

Fort Carson soldier identified as 7th U.S. service member killed in Iran war

Can you be fined for walking your dog off leash in Denver? Yes. People who walk their dogs off leash outside of designated areas in Denver such as dog parks could be fined between $80 and $300.

Can you be fined for walking your dog off leash in Denver?

To patch its budget hole, Colorado is proposing cuts to medical education. Hospitals say that’s a big mistake. To patch an $850 million budget hole, Colorado is weighing cuts to medical education funding that helps hospitals train resident doctors.

To patch its budget hole, Colorado is proposing cuts to medical education. Hospitals say that’s a big mistake.

Colorado Democrats propose state rules for federal tax credit scholarship program, worrying it could lead to vouchers Colorado lawmakers who oppose the federal program want to set up regulations that would reinforce nondiscrimination, transparency and accountability

Colorado Democrats propose state rules for federal tax credit scholarship program, worrying it could lead to vouchers

Colorado wants help picking a name for Front Range passenger train ahead of November vote to fund route  The district wants to settle on a name before deciding whether to put a measure on the ballot that would increase sales taxes along the Front Range

Colorado wants help picking a name for Front Range passenger train ahead of November vote to fund route

Colorado is about to refund $300M to taxpayers that it may not have to Gov. Jared Polis has called on the legislature to recover the money by reducing future TABOR refunds. But state officials are divided over whether they can legally do so.

Colorado is about to refund $300M to taxpayers that it may not have to

Child care providers fight headwinds on Colorado’s rural Eastern Plains, with staff in short supply But when one Colorado nonprofit center went dark in Hugo, a resourceful mom gave it new life in a remodeled building in Kit Carson.

Child care providers fight headwinds on Colorado’s rural Eastern Plains, with staff in short supply

Who is watching the babies in Leadville? 10 counties in Colorado have no licensed child care for infants. In Lake County, there are just 10 licensed child care spots for toddlers and none for infants, so unlicensed homes are the only options

Who is watching the babies in Leadville? 10 counties in Colorado have no licensed child care for infants.

Polis plan to ban purchase of soda with food stamps stalled by concerns it would shame low-income Coloradans The SNAP rule change was delayed by a state board after a 7-hour hearing including fierce opposition from the governor’s fellow Democrats, Hunger Free Colorado and Save the Children

Polis plan to ban purchase of soda with food stamps stalled by concerns it would shame low-income Coloradans

Broomfield measles outbreak adds four more cases, now up to seven total Colorado health officials announced four new cases in a measles outbreak tied to Broomfield High School and Broomfield Heights Middle School.

Broomfield measles outbreak adds four more cases, now up to seven total

State fines Sinclair more than $365,000 after contaminated fuel distributed to 49 gas stations More than 1,000 drivers filed complaints after the January mix-up put diesel gas into unleaded pumps and caused vehicles to sputter, stall

State fines Sinclair more than $365,000 after contaminated fuel distributed to 49 gas stations

Colorado’s athletes poised for glory at Milan Cortina Winter Paralympic Games At least 14 Colorado residents are among the 72 athletes competing on behalf of Team USA in the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Colorado’s athletes poised for glory at Milan Cortina Winter Paralympic Games

BLM acquires trophy inholding in western Colorado’s Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area The 4,012-acre Escalante Ranch includes 15 miles of access along the Gunnison River and Escalante Creek south of Grand Junction

BLM acquires trophy inholding in western Colorado’s Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area

Parks and Wildlife Commission accepts petition to ban Colorado fur sales in “embarrassing … out of control” meeting Commissioners voted 6-4 to advance Center for Biological Diversity’s petition to ban commercial fur sales amid public pushback and criticism

Parks and Wildlife Commission accepts petition to ban Colorado fur sales in “embarrassing … out of control” meeting

Gas prices in Colorado not immune to spikes despite country’s increase in oil production Colorado drivers will also see price increases in a few weeks with the annual switch to less-polluting summer gas mix.

Gas prices in Colorado not immune to spikes despite country’s increase in oil production

Is footage from Denver traffic cameras publicly available? Yes. Footage from Denver’s traffic cameras can be purchased through the Denver Police Department website, though restrictions may apply. 

Is footage from Denver traffic cameras publicly available?

How state investment is helping the North Fork Valley transition from coal to culture The state Office of Just Transition has awarded $9M in grants to replace jobs and tax dollars if and when coal is gone, including for small businesses in Paonia

How state investment is helping the North Fork Valley transition from coal to culture

Battle over a little-known wildlife sedative at center of murder case against Barry Morphew  An October murder trial promises to center around a mix of potent chemicals the autopsy revealed were discovered in Suzanne Morphew's remains.

Battle over a little-known wildlife sedative at center of murder case against Barry Morphew

American outdoor recreation economy tops $1.3 trillion, with Colorado again in the top 10 states Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy hit $18.1 billion in 2024, which ranks in the top 10 in the nation, says the Bureau of Economic Analysis

American outdoor recreation economy tops $1.3 trillion, with Colorado again in the top 10 states

Suspect in custody in Colorado in the case of 3 women found dead in Utah The 22-year-old man abandoned a stolen vehicle in Pagosa Springs and was found after a short search. He’ll appear in Colorado court Friday.

Suspect in custody in Colorado in the case of 3 women found dead in Utah

Overnight storm could dump 14 inches of snow on northwestern Colorado, prompting travel warnings The Front Range foothills could see between 4 and 10 inches with 35 mph gusts, while lighter snow is expected in Denver

Overnight storm could dump 14 inches of snow on northwestern Colorado, prompting travel warnings

What’s the future for solar in Colorado? Go it alone but find a federal friend, experts say. Colorado's future with solar power, without federal help, is cloudy but still holds promise, experts say.

A forum on federal policy changes for 150 industry leaders Tuesday became a grief and support group for the Colorado Solar and Storage Association. coloradosun.com/2026/03/04/c...

What’s Happening: A stand-up comedy smorgasbord in Aspen Plus: A 10-minute comedy competition, square dancing in a historic grange, and three spring shows at the MCA

What’s Happening: A stand-up comedy smorgasbord in Aspen