Friday, December 12, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1965, construction began on Interstate 270, an auxiliary highway linking Interstate 70 to Interstate 25 via Commerce City.

The Denver Mint is one of two U.S. Mint facilities that will strike new coin designs, including collectible half dollars and pennies, to celebrate the United States' 250th birthday. That made us wonder: do you have any collections? Vote in our Poll or reply to this email to let us know.

Keep an eye on your inbox this Saturday: we're sending a partner message from Incogni about how scammers get your data and what you can do to protect yourself.

If you've ever wished you could get in on a Lucasfilm-level opportunity before the rest of the world caught on, today's sponsor, Elf Labs, may be the rare early-stage entertainment deal everyday investors actually get to access.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Polis to Launch New State Agency

Gov. Jared Polis is calling on lawmakers to consolidate several state-run workforce and education programs, including those housed in the Department of Higher Education. The goal is to create a new, streamlined department that would serve as a one-stop shop for postsecondary education resources.

According to Polis, the yet-to-be-named department would put several talent-creation initiatives under one roof, making it easier for jobseekers to access anything from university education to vocational training and apprenticeships.

The plan aims to close a gap between skills required by employers and those held by jobseekers, a discrepancy that contributed to this week's economic forecast projecting near-zero job growth.

House Speaker Julie McCluskie, one of the bill's sponsors, said legislation to create the department should be drafted within the next month.

Summit Back on Track to Stay in Denver

A Denver City Council committee this week advanced a $50 million funding package for the Denver Summit FC women's soccer stadium, easing concerns the franchise would leave the city.

Council members delayed a vote on the funding last month, citing a lack of key details. Soon after, the team said it might build its stadium elsewhere, worrying fans and city leadership.

During a hearing Wednesday, the city disclosed how it would spend the funds, and the committee, despite some lingering concerns, approved the previously postponed measures.

The funding package will go before the full council Monday, with a final vote scheduled for Dec. 22, pending a finalized community benefits agreement.

Denver Mint to Produce Anniversary Coins

The Denver Mint is one of the U.S. mints that will produce new quarter, dime, and half-dollar coins in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.

The semiquincentennial coins feature seven new designs—one each for the dime and half dollar, plus five different quarters—alongside a collectible penny, no longer in circulation.

Various founding fathers and two Mayflower pilgrims appear on the quarters, while Lady Liberty, joined by an eagle and torch, adorns the dime and half dollar. See the coins here.

Each coin will bear a dual date of 1776 ~ 2026, as printed on the design. They're expected to be released early next year, when Colorado will celebrate its 150th anniversary alongside the nation's 250th.

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The $4 Billion Deal Everyday Investors Missed

In 2012, Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion—one of the most profitable entertainment deals ever made.

But everyday investors never had the chance to participate. The upside was locked away behind private doors.

This dynamic is finally changing. A new company has quietly assembled what normally takes media giants billions to acquire.

After a decade-long legal effort at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, Elf Labs secured more than 500 trademarks and copyrights featuring iconic characters like Cinderella, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, and many others.

It's one of the most significant character-IP victories in recent memory—and they are already rapidly scaling.

$15M+ in royalties
Upcoming global rollout to 200M TVs
12 patents being used to power 3D & immersive content
Unsolicited $70M+ offers before any nationwide rollout
A team with a $6B+ licensing track record

The shift resembles the Lucasfilm moment—except this time, the opportunity is still open to everyday investors.

Elf is building a tech-powered character universe designed to disrupt the $2 trillion entertainment and merchandise market. With enterprise backing and distribution underway, they're entering a major growth phase.

Become an Elf Labs shareholder before 12/17 to unlock up to 25% bonus shares.

➤ Loveland: Police arrested a 20-year-old man who assaulted two people with a hammer and knife, seriously wounding one of them, in an unprovoked, apparently random attack at a local tanning salon. (See Details)

➤ Arapahoe County: An Aurora man faces felony assault charges after allegedly performing an "MMA style takedown" on a 69-year-old defense attorney at a courthouse, causing serious injuries. (See Details)

➤ Aurora: State regulators paused oil and gas operator Crestone Peak Resources' application for a controversial drill site near Aurora Reservoir, directing it to further evaluate alternative sites in a partial win for residents opposed to the project. (More)

➤ Craig: A local consignment store discovered homemade pipe bombs in a storage bin Tuesday. Police aren't sure how the devices got there but safely detonated the explosives that night. (See Details)

➤ Elbert County: More than 50 residents attended a public hearing Tuesday to speak out against a proposed Xcel Energy transmission project that would cut through homeowners' land. A final ruling on the issue is expected in April. (More)

➤ Denver: South Metro Fire Rescue safely rescued a man who climbed atop a 100-foot-tall sculpture in the Denver Tech Center and spent nearly 10 hours there. (See Details)

➤ Colorado Springs: The Vatican excommunicated the bishop of Servants of the Holy Family, a local church, citing a pattern of disobedience. (See Details)

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➤ Broncos' Marvin Mims Jr. earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the third time, following a punt return touchdown against the Raiders last weekend—setting a franchise record for returner awards. (More)

➤ The Rockies picked right-hander RJ Petit from the Tigers in the Rule 5 Draft. The 26-year-old posted a 2.44 ERA across Double-A and Triple-A last season and must stay on the MLB roster. (More)

➤ Barstool Sports founder (and Michigan superfan) Dave Portnoy listed Colorado's Deion Sanders as a preferred coaching target after the Wolverines fired head coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday following an internal investigation. (More)

➤ Broncos starting offensive lineman Ben Powers has been designated to return from injured reserve after being sidelined since Week 5. (More)

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➤ Several Colorado hospitals have been ranked among the nation's best for maternity care in 2026, according to a new report. (See List)

➤ Swire Coca-Cola, USA, a major Coca-Cola bottler, plans to build a new $475 million manufacturing plant in Colorado Springs, bringing 170 jobs to the area. (See Details)

➤ Unionized Starbucks baristas in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Lafayette have joined a nationwide strike over stalled negotiations for better pay and hours. (See Details)

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This $6B Licensing Team is Offering up to 25% Bonus Stock in their New Venture

There's a new king in the $2T entertainment market.

And they're called Elf Labs.

The company has secured 100+ historic trademark victories tied to powerhouse characters like Cinderella, Snow White, and dozens more.

Their idea? Merge their iconic IP with AI, AR, and patented tech to build the world's first connected entertainment ecosystem. They're creating a world where content, toys, devices, and holograms all interact in real time.

And it's already taking off. In just 12 months, Elf Labs secured a nationwide T-Mobile–backed telecom deal, raised $8M from 2,200+ investors, and inked a 200M-TV distribution deal for their revolutionary new form of content.

Backed by a $6B licensing team, the company has already generated $15M+ in royalties. Momentum is accelerating.

Become an Elf Labs shareholder and unlock up to 25% bonus stock.

This is a paid advertisement for Elf Lab's Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at https://www.elflabs.com/

➤ The National Western Stock Show named Pete Coors, great-grandson of brewing magnate Adolph Coors, as its 2026 Grand Marshal. Coors will lead a traditional cattle drive through downtown Denver to kick off the show on Jan. 8. (See Details)

➤ Plenty of holiday light displays across the Front Range are free to the public, from festive downtown decor to a seven-story-tall tree and a Stranger Things-inspired house. (See List)

➤ Experts recommend five essential vehicle maintenance and safety practices to prepare for Colorado's winter. (See List)

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