Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1954, the U.S. Air Force Academy was established. The committee in charge of recommending a location for the new academy had traveled 21,000 miles and looked at hundreds of sites before eventually selecting land north of Colorado Springs as its first choice.

This week, Colorado Springs held one of many ceremonies marking National Vietnam War Veterans Day, observed annually to commemorate the 1973 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam. Read about the events below. If you’re a Vietnam veteran or family member, feel free to hit reply and tell us how you marked the day.

We're excited to announce the official launch today of The California Flyover, the 10th and newest state to join the Flyover network, covering the news from Sacramento to San Diego and all points in between. If you're interested in keeping up with daily happenings in the Golden State, click here to subscribe.

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Court Rules Against Conversion Ban

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors, the practice of trying to change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling.

In the 8-1 ruling, the court sided with Kaley Chiles, a Christian counselor in Colorado, who argued the 2019 law violates the First Amendment by regulating counselors’ speech.

The majority opinion, with which two liberal justices concurred, found that the law “censors speech based on viewpoint” and fails to be neutral. The sole dissenting opinion argues the state has a right to regulate healthcare, even by restricting speech.

More than 20 states have similar bans in place, meaning the ruling will likely have nationwide implications. The case now returns to lower courts for further review.

Top Medicaid Official Resigns Amid Scrutiny

Kim Bimestefer, head of the state agency overseeing Colorado's Medicaid program, resigned Monday as the state Senate prepared a no-confidence vote.

Bimestefer, appointed director of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) in 2018, had come under fire for alleged mismanagement, including billing errors and misspending totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

A draft bipartisan resolution urging Gov. Jared Polis to remove her had been signed by at least 26 senators, more than enough for it to pass.

Polis, in a statement, credited Bimestefer with increasing price transparency, reducing prescription drug costs, and holding the health care industry accountable.

Vietnam Veterans Day Observed

In recent days, ceremonies were held nationwide and across Colorado in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, observed annually on March 29 to mark the 1973 withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Vietnam and honor those who served.

Hundreds gathered at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs to remember the courage and sacrifice of nearly 3 million service members. The event also served as a “welcome home” for veterans, many of whom received no formal recognition when they first returned from service.

In Fruita, at the Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial Park, the names of 21 service members were added to a memorial wall or placed on commemorative bricks. Keynote speakers at the event reflected on the difficulties of returning to civilian life.

Jerol Arguello, a Purple Heart recipient in Thornton, was one of a dozen who recently returned to Vietnam through the Eagle Society, a nonprofit that helps veterans visit countries where they served. Watch a report here.

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➤ Statewide: Gov. Jared Polis signed into law Senate Bill 26-11, requiring social media platforms to acknowledge court-ordered search warrants within eight hours and comply within 72 hours. A separate proposal tied to the Evergreen High School shooting would shorten that window to 24 hours. (More)

➤ Statewide: Polis also signed Senate Bill 26-032, allowing Colorado to consider vaccine guidance from medical associations beyond the CDC to expand and ensure vaccine access amid shifting federal policy. (More)

➤ Statewide: A new state law taking effect today requires young drivers to complete more driver’s education classroom hours before receiving a permit, with the changes applying to applications starting in 2027. (See Details)

➤ Baca County: Two Buttes Reservoir has dried out completely amid extended drought conditions, wildlife officials said, highlighting the challenges faced by Colorado’s eastern prairie reservoirs. (See Details)

➤ Black Canyon of the Gunnison: A man found dead below the Gunnison Point Overlook at the park’s South Rim on March 24 has been identified as a 40-year-old Denver resident. (More)

➤ Fort Collins launched a new, multiagency drone-as-city-resource program—possibly the first of its kind—earlier this year, allowing police, firefighters, and utility departments to respond quickly to emergencies and other situations. (See Details)

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➤ Former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is switching back to his college jersey No. 2 with the Browns after wearing No. 12 during his rookie season. (More)

➤ The University of Denver is sending swimmers Finn Holdredge, Paige Reilly, and Genevieve Franklin to the USA Swimming Open Water National Championships in Sarasota, Florida, this week. (More)

➤ Nuggets center Nikola Jokić was named NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the 20th time in his career after averaging 26 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists during a 4-0 week. (More)

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➤ Three ski areas—Purgatory, Monarch, and Wolf Creek—will close for the season this Sunday due to warm weather and low snowpack. Wolf Creek will host its annual Easter egg hunt the same day. (See Details)

➤ A bill to ban pet stores from selling dogs and cats statewide cleared its last major vote Monday, passing the Senate 19-16. Similar bans are already in place in seven states and many Colorado cities. (See Details)

➤ The Meadow Gold Dairy distribution facility in Grand Junction is reducing its workforce, Dairy Farmers of America said, citing "changing market conditions." (More)

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➤ A father-son pilot duo flew a final flight to Denver as captain and first officer, marking the father’s retirement from Southwest Airlines, with family onboard to celebrate. (More)

➤ Ethereal Bliss, a 23-foot-tall, stainless-steel abstract sculpture, has been installed at a roundabout in the Aurora Highlands, joining the neighborhood's growing art collection. (See Photos)

➤ A historic caboose and boxcar in Louisville will be kept in the community after the city stepped in to purchase the train cars, which a local man spent years restoring. (Read Story)

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