Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Good Morning! On this date in 2021, the Marshall Fire, the most costly wildfire in Colorado history, ignited in Boulder County. Fueled by strong winds, it destroyed 1,084 homes before heavy snowfall helped extinguish the blaze the following day.

The New Year is just around the corner, and the Centennial State has plenty of ways to celebrate—including the century-old, uniquely Coloradan tradition of setting off fireworks at the summit of Pikes Peak. Read more about the festivities in today's Top Stories.

In today's Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown takes a closer look at a handful of pivotal Senate races that could shape control of the chamber in 2026, breaking down the candidates and key dynamics to watch. Watch the episode here.

Today's sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is urging readers to take a hard look at whether their retirement savings are truly prepared for rising healthcare costs, market volatility, and an uncertain economic future.

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.

Ballot Measure Targets Sanctuary Laws

A proposed 2026 ballot measure would require law enforcement agencies statewide to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in cases involving violent offenders or convicted felons.

Initiative 95 would require police to notify the Department of Homeland Security any time someone with an illegal or unknown immigration status is charged with a violent crime or with any crime and has a prior felony conviction.

If successful, the measure would amend the state constitution and override current state laws that ban police from sharing information with federal immigration authorities.

Advance Colorado, the conservative nonprofit behind the proposal, says it's gathered nearly 200,000 signatures, which are now being verified. If it reaches the November ballot, it would need 55% of the vote to pass.

Snowpack Lags Typical Levels

Statewide snowpack stood at 54% of the median on Friday, Dec. 26, one of the weakest levels on record for this time of year.

According to Denver Water, about 80% of Colorado's household and agricultural water supply comes from snow, making each winter's snowpack vital. The ideal range is between 100% and 125% of the median.

The lack of snow has kept many ski areas from fully opening. While Sunday's storm helped—dropping 12 inches on Winter Park and Steamboat Springs—many resorts still face a snow deficit of several inches.

With each winter month responsible for about 20% of the annual snowpack, it will largely depend on snowfall in January and February to make up the difference.

New Year's Events Across the State

Several New Year's Eve celebrations will take place across the state tomorrow from the Mile High City to the Western Slope.

Denver will host two fireworks shows along 16th Street—one at 9 p.m. and one at midnight—each lasting about eight minutes. The final Mile High Drone Show of the year is at 7 p.m.

In the Pikes Peak region, the AdAmAn Club, a mountaineering group, will launch fireworks from atop the 14,110-foot peak, a tradition that is over a century old. Tickets to view the show from Crystal Reservoir have sold out, but it can be seen for miles on a clear night.

Beyond the Front Range, many ski resorts and towns—including Vail, Breckenridge, and Powderhorn—will host fireworks shows and torchlight parades. See a list here.

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➤ Capitol: A vacancy committee elected state Rep. William Lindstedt, a Broomfield Democrat, to fill the Senate District 25 seat left by state Sen. Faith Winter, who died in a November car crash. (More)

➤ Penrose: A judge accepted new plea deals calling for sentences of 30-50 years and 25-35 years, respectively, for Jon and Carie Hallford, former funeral home co-owners accused of corpse abuse. Sentencings are scheduled for Feb. 6 and April 24. (See Details)

➤ Estes Park: A federal judge sentenced a local man to 12.5 years in prison for promoting and selling an illegal tax shelter, resulting in $45 million in unpaid federal income taxes, and for running an $8 million Ponzi scheme. (More)

➤ Statewide: Colorado will officially fall short of its first major greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal, set by a 2019 law, when the year ends. The 2025 target—a 26% cut from 2005 levels—is now projected to be met by 2027. (More)

➤ Arapahoe County: Investigators are searching for four suspects who stole more than $120,000 in trucks and tools from the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. (More)

➤ Aurora: Police arrested an arson suspect accused of setting a series of fires in the area of East 16th Avenue and North Norfolk Street. (More)

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➤ Colorado is targeting the University of New Mexico's Fernando Lovo for its next athletic director, though no final decision has been made by either side. (More)

➤ Northern Colorado basketball beat Colorado 86-81 on Sunday—their first win over the Buffaloes since 1936. (More)

➤ Nuggets center Nikola Jokić made NBA history last week, scoring over 110 points, 40 rebounds, and 40 assists over three games — unmatched in league history. (More)

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➤ Telluride Ski Resort remained closed on Sunday as its unionized ski patrollers continued striking for higher wages. (See Details)

➤ Colorado had the second-highest home insurance premiums of any state in 2024, averaging $4,142. Pitkin County posted Colorado's most expensive average at $6,385. (More)

➤ Madeline, a new Denver restaurant serving ingredient-focused seasonal dishes, plans to open in the former space of Michelin-recommended Fruition. (More)

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➤ Fort Collins is one of the five most bike-friendly cities in the nation—boasting more than 280 miles of on-street bike lanes and 30 miles of bike trails—according to a new list. (See List)

➤ An Erie actor made an appearance in the new season of Netflix's hit sci-fi drama Stranger Things. (See Details)

➤ Christmas tree recycling stations—where residents can drop off trees to be turned into mulch—will be open in Denver as late as Jan. 30. (See Details)

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