Colorado Springs is set to enhance outdoor recreation with over 14 miles of new trails in Blodgett Open Space by late 2026. This development includes hiking, multi-use, and 2.7 miles of dedicated mountain-bike trails. The project aims to improve accessibility, safety, and sustainability while distributing visitor traffic more evenly across the area.
Denver’s ban on flavored nicotine products, effective January 1, 2026, follows strong public support and reflects increasing municipal restrictions across Colorado. While some retailers face severe revenue losses, prompting concerns over closures, the impact could influence lawmakers to consider a statewide ban as cities debate similar policies amidst conflicting views on public health and economic…
Colorado wildlife officials are investigating the state’s first fatal mountain lion attack in more than 25 years after a woman was found dead on the Crosier Mountain Trail near Glen Haven on New Year’s Day. The incident is being treated as a suspected mountain lion attack pending confirmation from the Larimer County Coroner’s Office, according…
Colorado’s ponderosa pine forests face renewed threats from a surge in mountain pine beetle activity exacerbated by drought and heat. Although these trees can resist beetle attacks, current conditions weaken their defenses. This ecological crisis also impacts wildlife and increases wildfire risks, prompting state-led mitigation efforts to safeguard this vital ecosystem.
With Governor Jared Polis term-limited and entering his final year in office, Colorado’s 2026 gubernatorial race is already accelerating. What began as a quiet pre-season has quickly turned into a high-stakes contest drawing in the state’s most recognizable political figures — and some of its most polarizing outsiders. The Democratic primary is now a two-way…
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is heading into the new year under sharper financial scrutiny as lawmakers begin their annual review of the Department of Natural Resources budget. The agency, which manages everything from hunting licenses to state parks to the state’s high‑profile wolf reintroduction program, is largely funded through cash sources rather than the state’s…
Colorado’s state parks are set to host over eight million visitors by mid-2025, continuing a trend of high visitation due to population growth and outdoor recreational appeal. While visitation supports local economies, it stresses natural resources, prompting capacity management discussions and the implementation of reservation systems during peak times.
A Colorado River Research Group report warns that the river system, vital for seven states and millions, is nearing a critical point due to climate change and overuse, which have severely reduced reservoir levels. Urgent, collaborative action is needed to manage water demands and ensure future reliability, particularly impacting Colorado’s water needs.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has approved a 483-acre expansion of Cheyenne Mountain State Park, enhancing visitor access and conservation efforts. This addition bolsters habitat protection and offers opportunities for new trails and educational sites. The expansion aims to balance recreation with ecological resilience in response to increasing urban development and park visitation.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has unveiled a draft Beaver Conservation and Management Strategy that reframes the beaver not as a nuisance but as a keystone species essential to the health of the state’s rivers, wetlands, and wildlife. Long misunderstood and nearly eradicated in the nineteenth century, beavers are now recognized as ecosystem engineers whose work…
Colorado is on the verge of a transformation that few residents have noticed, and fewer still are talking about. Along the Front Range, from Denver to Colorado Springs, a quiet boom in data center construction is unfolding. These unassuming buildings—windowless, sprawling, and often tucked away in industrial parks—are poised to become one of the most…
Swire Coca‑Cola has unveiled plans for a $475 million bottling and distribution facility at Peak Innovation Park near the Colorado Springs Airport. The 620,000‑square‑foot plant will replace the company’s 90‑year‑old Denver facility and is expected to create 170 new jobs when operations begin in 2028. Economic ImpactCity leaders hailed the project as one of the…
Australia’s superannuation system is widely regarded as one of the most effective retirement programs in the world. Built on compulsory employer contributions, it ensures that nearly all workers accumulate savings throughout their careers. Employers are required to contribute twelve percent of an employee’s wages into superannuation accounts, creating a massive national pool of retirement assets…
Scientists studying samples from asteroid Bennu have found essential organic compounds, including sugars and amino acids, which are crucial for life. Notably, a unique nitrogen-rich polymer termed “space gum” was discovered. These findings, retrieved by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, enhance our understanding of life’s building blocks in the cosmos and their potential role in Earth’s origin.
The Trump administration has announced plans to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding from Colorado and other states unless they comply with new federal data-sharing requirements. This move has sparked legal challenges and raised concerns about food security for thousands of households. Federal Action The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a directive…
Colorado Springs is preparing for heavy snowfall with plowing operations starting at midnight and travel advisories issued. Governor Polis announced $800 million budget cuts affecting state programs. Senator Faith Winter tragically died in a crash, while awareness programs at Sand Creek highlighted historical accountability. A new reservoir project is delayed due to uranium contamination.
On Tuesday, the Colorado Springs City Council approved a $427.3 million budget for 2026, reflecting an $11 million cut from 2025. Despite significant austerity measures impacting city services, funding for police and fire departments increased. The budget reflects economic challenges, with cuts leading to workforce reductions and community impacts, while prioritizing public safety amid a…
The Colorado Water Conservation Board unanimously approved the acquisition of Shoshone water rights, ensuring permanent instream flow protection for Glenwood Canyon ecosystems. This decision, co-managed with the Colorado River District, aims to support environmental health against municipal diversion. Despite controversies from Front Range utilities, it signifies a major advancement in Colorado water policy.
The Trump administration proposes extending Affordable Care Act subsidies for two years, amid the impending expiration of pandemic-era financial assistance. This plan, which requires premiums and caps eligibility at 700 percent of poverty, reflects evolving political dynamics and could mitigate significant healthcare cost increases for millions, but raises questions about its long-term implications.
Colorado’s 2025 Strategic Highway Safety Plan aims for zero traffic deaths by focusing on reducing fatalities and serious injuries by 22.5% by 2027. Developed collaboratively, it emphasizes the protection of vulnerable road users, acknowledges human fallibility, and promotes shared responsibility. Urgent intervention is needed as fatalities outpace population growth, highlighting the necessity for collective action.
The voter-mandated gray wolf reintroduction program in Colorado is facing its most significant logistical challenges yet as the window for the third annual release rapidly approaches. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, or CPW, is currently struggling to secure a source population for the 10 to 15 wolves needed this winter, compounding the controversial nature of the…
Colorado today unveiled a sweeping strategy to transform its workforce, aiming squarely at the state’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The newly released Colorado Climate Workforce Analysis & Plan, spearheaded by the Colorado Energy Office, is far more than just a policy document; it’s a blueprint for a massive re-skilling…
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) issued a critical announcement today declaring the Colorado River “infested” with invasive zebra mussels. The designation follows the confirmation of adult mussel populations extending from the Eagle River confluence in Glenwood Canyon downstream to the Utah border. This development marks a significant escalation in the state’s efforts to contain the…
Rick George, the University of Colorado’s athletic director, will step down after 13 years of significant achievements, including hiring Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and transitioning the program to the Big 12 Conference. His leadership brought stability and success, culminating in accolades and a new advisory role, while ensuring continued growth for CU’s athletics.
Colorado faces a $848.9 million budget shortfall for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, largely due to reduced tax revenues from federal law changes. Governor Polis’s proposal includes spending cuts in Medicaid and privatizing Pinnacol Assurance to close the gap. Education funding sees some increases, although concerns about proposed changes persist.
In Denver, Colorado, significant legislative discussions are underway to reform behavioral health for youth in the justice system. Proposed bills aim to enhance therapeutic interventions in the Youthful Offender System and improve access to mental health services. Additional proposals focus on Medicaid expansion for crisis transportation and community-based treatment for NGRI individuals, addressing critical health…
After 43 days of suspended federal operations, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history has come to a close. On Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives voted 222–209 to approve a funding bill, following Senate passage earlier this week. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the measure tonight, allowing federal agencies to reopen Thursday…
Negotiators from seven states failed to submit a unified proposal for Colorado River water-sharing cuts by a federal deadline, leading to uncertainty in its management. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation may implement its own plan, resulting in major implications for agriculture and water supply, as deep divisions persist between Upper and Lower Basin states.
“Skate in the Park” opens this Friday at Acacia Park in Colorado Springs, featuring an outdoor ice rink, themed nights, and live performances. Admission is $10 with discounts available. Special events include “Ugly Sweater Skate” and “Frozen Night.” Director Susan Edmondson highlights the celebration of community spirit and joy.
The Colorado Springs City Council has delayed a vote on banning overnight vehicle camping on public property due to strong opposition from advocates and experts. The proposed measure would criminalize sleeping in vehicles, raising concerns about homelessness and legal issues. The vote is postponed until May 2026 for further community discussion.
©️ The Rocky Mountain Dispatch LLC. 2025
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