Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1990, John Elway led the Denver Broncos to a 37-21 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Championship Game.

A historic and locally beloved restaurant serving the small plains town of Hudson shut its doors this week after 114 years in business. Read more in our Top Stories.

🌵 Inbox alert: Here's your no-fuss guide to an easy Arizona escape—Wickenburg. Think golf, guest ranches, and desert sunsets without the hassle.

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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.

Lawmakers Return to Capitol

An $850 million budget shortfall is one of the biggest issues facing state lawmakers as they begin the annual 120-day legislative session today.

Budget cuts will likely target Medicaid spending, the biggest expenditure in the general fund, though legislators remain divided on how to rein in the program's soaring costs. Money for new bills, meanwhile, will be limited.

Regulatory reform is also a top concern. Lawmakers will try for a fourth time to revise Senate Bill 205, a controversial law regulating artificial intelligence, before it takes effect June 30.

This session, which ends May 13, marks the final year for some leaders in the legislature, and for Gov. Jared Polis. Others at the Capitol will be running for higher office.

Manhunt Closes I-70

Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon was closed in both directions early Tuesday following a deputy-involved shooting that prompted a shelter-in-place order and active manhunt.

Around 4 a.m., Eagle County deputies were alerted to be on the lookout for a Westminster-area homicide suspect possibly accompanied by hostages. When they attempted to stop a vehicle matching the description, two people got out and exchanged gunfire with the deputies.

One suspect was nonfatally shot and hospitalized. The other, identified as Kenny Espinoza, fled the scene, triggering an active manhunt, I-70 closures, and a shelter-in-place order west of Dotsero.

Espinoza was found and arrested later in the day, allowing the order to be lifted and I-70 to reopen. Investigators are working to determine the involvement of five other people who were in the vehicle, including several minors.

114-Year-Old Restaurant Closes

A historic restaurant serving the small Weld County town of Hudson shut its doors Monday after 114 years in business.

The Pepper Pod first opened in 1913. It's billed as the first restaurant to serve bison meat during World War II-era beef shortages.

Health concerns—not financial woes—drove the decision to close, explained Beth and Dave Martin. The couple owned and ran the restaurant, putting in long hours of physical labor for nearly 50 years.

Since the closure's announcement Jan. 3, the Pod has been inundated by longtime patrons seeking one last meal. In its final weekend, the restaurant completely sold out of food.

The Martins remain hopeful the right buyer will preserve the beloved spot, which is still on the market for $4,559,000.

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➤ Colorado Springs: A suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting at a student late Monday night on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus, prompting a brief lockdown and full campus closure Tuesday. (See Details)

➤ Denver Metro: State regulators have received over 400 complaints from motorists affected by diesel contamination at Denver-area gas stations and are considering enforcement actions against Sinclair, the distributor responsible. (See Details)

➤ Aurora: Reps. Jason Crow and Joe Neguse joined 10 other Democrats Monday in suing the Trump administration over a policy blocking unannounced congressional visits to immigration detention centers. (More)

➤ Aurora: Meanwhile, reports show the ICE detention facility is nearing capacity, despite a recent expansion that raised its limit to 1,530 detainees. (More)

➤ Statewide: A new state-by-state report examining 2024 homelessness ranks Colorado in the top 10 for several metrics, including 9th nationally in total homelessness rate, and cites drug use as a key driver. (See Report)

➤ Summit County: The sheriff's office eliminated 13 positions due to constraints in the newly adopted 2026 budget. (More)

➤ Golden: A local family is searching for their missing dog, which they believe was stolen from their backyard earlier this month. (More)

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➤ Air Force women's basketball (8-8) hosts Colorado State (13-4) tonight in Colorado Springs for an in-state conference matchup. (How to Watch)

➤ USA TODAY ranked the Colorado Avalanche No. 1 in its latest NHL Power Rankings despite back-to-back road losses last week. They're still 17-0 at home—best in the league. (More)

➤ Nuggets forward Peyton Watson was named Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging 24.5 points per game and shooting 70% from three-point range during a dominant stretch. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Greeley residents will vote Feb. 24 on whether to approve or reject zoning for a controversial $830 million development—the largest in city history—that includes a new Colorado Eagles arena, an entertainment district, and future housing. (See Details)

➤ Colorado Springs Utilities is working with legislators on a bill to keep the Ray Nixon coal power plant operating past a state-mandated 2029 closure deadline. (More)

➤ Physical media—such as CDs, cassettes, and vinyl—have seen a surge of renewed interest on the Western Slope, according to local stores. (More)

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➤ The National Western Stock Show welcomed 118,810 guests to kick off this year's show, the highest opening weekend attendance in its 120-year history. (More)

➤ Four Colorado ski towns are among the nation's 10 best for year-round living, according to a new list curated by real estate experts. (See List)

➤ A 2,700-year-old stone sculpture regarded as a portal to the underworld resurfaced in Denver in 2023, bringing an end to a decades-long journey that began when looters made off with the artifact in the early 20th century. (Read Story)

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