Friday, January 2, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1949, one of the most severe blizzards on record struck northern Colorado and the western plains. The storm raged for days, creating massive snow drifts that paralyzed much of the region.

From bison protections to hidden fees and gun show regulations, 19 new state laws kicked in Jan. 1. Learn more in Top Stories.

Today's issue is a bit shorter than usual as our team greets the New Year. We'll return with our regular edition of The Colorado Flyover on Monday.

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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.

New Laws Take Effect

Nineteen new state laws went into effect yesterday, Jan. 1, impacting everything from consumer protections and health insurance to gun shows and wild bison. See the full list here.

HB25-1090 bans advertising prices for goods, services, or property that don't clearly disclose the total cost, with particular impact on renter fees. HB25-1238 imposes new requirements on gun show promoters, including security plans and liability insurance.

SB25-053, Protect Wild Bison, reclassifies wild bison that wander into Colorado as big game wildlife instead of livestock, making it illegal to kill them and potentially setting the stage for an established population.

In addition to the laws already in effect, SB25-3, a controversial gun control law limiting the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms, will take effect Aug. 1, 2026.

Denver Gears Up for Stock Show

The 120th National Western Stock Show will take place Jan. 10-25 in Denver, featuring livestock shows, rodeos, equestrian events, family activities, and more.

Over the course of the 16-day event, barns and yards will come alive with prize cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs, while athletes compete in everything from bull riding to barrel racing.

Outside the arena, trade shows offer handcrafted leatherwork, custom cowboy hats, fine art, ranch equipment, and gourmet Western foods.

Started in 1906, the Stock Show now draws more than half a million visitors each year. A Denver tradition of keeping Christmas lights up through January reportedly began in 1922 as a way to dazzle the many out-of-towners.

The Stock Show festivities will begin Thursday, Jan. 8, at 12 p.m., with a parade and cattle drive through downtown Denver. See a list of events here.

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➤ Former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell died Tuesday at age 92. A member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, he served in both chambers and switched from Democrat to Republican in 1995. (More)

➤ Several Denver restaurants opened—and some closed—in 2025, from pasta spots and sushi counters to barbecue smokehouses and sandwich shops. (See List)

➤ Red Rocks Amphitheatre's 2026 concert lineup features a variety of performers, including big names like Sublime, Ice Cube, Evanescence, and more. (See List)

➤ The Ouray Ice Festival—the largest ice-climbing event in North America—returns Jan. 22-25, bringing four days of competitions, exhibitions, and parties featuring the world's best ice climbers. (More)

➤ The Rio Frio Ice Fest, meanwhile, will be held the same weekend in Alamosa, featuring a 5K race along the frozen Rio Grande, a polar plunge, ice-sculpting demonstrations, and more. (See Details)

➤ Speaking of sculpting, Breckenridge is hosting the International Snow Sculpture Championships, where teams from around the world hand-carve massive 20-ton blocks of snow into works of art. (More)

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