Thursday, July 17, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1911, three telephone companies merged to form the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company in Denver.

Coloradans can now weigh in on the future of a proposed pedestrian bridge marking the state's 150th anniversary. Check out the details in our Top Stories, then reply to this email to tell us your thoughts on the project.

From one great newsletter to another… Meet The Pour Over. The go-to news source for over 1 million Christians who want to stay informed without the anxiety.

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Boulder Suspect Arraignment Date Set

Mohamed Soliman, the man accused of firebombing pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder on June 1, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in state court Tuesday.

The hearing's purpose was for prosecutors to lay out evidence establishing probable cause for a trial. By waiving it, Soliman moves directly to an arraignment, where he'll enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

Soliman pleaded not guilty to federal charges last month. State charges were updated to include first-degree murder after Karen Diamond, one of 13 injured in the attack, died from her injuries.

The judge set the arraignment for Sept. 9, just a few days after Soliman's federal trial is scheduled to begin.

Injured Idaho Firefighter to Recover in Colorado

An Idaho firefighter injured in a deadly ambush last month arrived in Colorado on Tuesday to receive further medical treatment.

David Tysdal was shot in the back on June 29 while responding to a brush fire in Coeur d'Alene. Authorities say the shooter, Wess Roley, set the fire to ambush firefighters, injuring Tysdal and killing Battalion Chiefs John Morrison and Frank Harwood.

Video posted by South Metro Fire Rescue shows a line of first responders welcoming and clapping for Tysdal as he was loaded into an ambulance. See the video here.

Tysdal's injuries include a collapsed lung, shattered ribs, and spinal swelling, which has prevented him from moving his legs. His recovery will continue at a local rehabilitation hospital.

Polis Launches Bridge Survey

Gov. Polis launched a survey to gauge public opinion on the CO 150 Walkway, a proposed pedestrian bridge that would connect the State Capitol to Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park. Though widely reported as a $28.5 million project, Polis says the bridge itself will cost $18 million, with another $10 million planned for separate park improvements.

Polis pitched the idea in honor of Colorado's upcoming 150th year of statehood, which is also the United States' 250th anniversary. The proposal drew criticism from several sources, including Historic Denver, which started a petition to stop the project.

The survey asks respondents whether the bridge should be built, to what scale, and what anniversary projects they'd like instead. It also asks if Coloradans are more excited about the state's or the country's anniversary.

Voting closes at midnight on Monday, July 21. Polis said he will honor the results of the survey.

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➤ Mesa County: The Turner Gulch Fire grew to more than 12,000 acres on Tuesday, prompting evacuations between mile markers 120 and 134 along Highway 141. (See Details)

➤ Western Colorado: Three new gray wolf packs formed in Jackson, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties this spring, bringing the total number of packs to four, officials announced this week. (See Details)

➤ Greeley: Police and wildlife officials captured and relocated a moose that initially evaded them in Josephine B. Jones Park. (See Photo)

➤ Western Slope: Humane Colorado rescued more than 250 pets, including nearly 100 cats, from "extremely hazardous conditions" while responding to a large-scale animal neglect case last month, the organization said Monday. (More)

➤ Morrison: Several homeowners in the Red Rocks Ranch development remain without tap water service after buying homes last fall. Town officials say infrastructure improvements must be completed before the taps can be put into place. (More)

➤ Castle Rock: A local mother is urging drivers to be alert after her 5-year-old son was struck and seriously injured in a hit-and-run collision while crossing the street. (More)

➤ Statewide: Colorado's new automated speed-enforcement program launched this week on Highway 119 between Boulder and Longmont. After a 30-day warning period, $75 citations will follow, with more locations expected across the state. (See Details)

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➤ The Cherry Creek Bruins top the way-too-early 2025 Colorado high school football rankings, according to Massey Ratings. Check out the full list. (See Rankings)

➤ The Associated Press voted Broncos All-Pro Patrick Surtain II the top cornerback entering the 2025 NFL season, based on a panel of AP Pro Football Writers. (More)

➤ Six Denver Nuggets made Bleacher Report's Top 100 NBA Players Ever list, with Nikola Jokić ranked No. 17. (See List)

➤ Yesterday's Results: Soccer | WNBA

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➤ Drivers Cooperative Colorado, a driver-owned rideshare service, relaunched with a new app and additional services on Tuesday. The company shut down earlier this year due to technical issues following its initial November launch. (See Details)

➤ Sioux Villa Curio, a Glenwood Springs gift shop first opened in 1955, will celebrate its 70th anniversary this Saturday with half-off merchandise, giveaways, animal shows, and more. (See Details)

➤ The former owner of AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q, a now-shuttered Michelin-recognized Denver restaurant, was federally indicted for allegedly defrauding the government of COVID-19 relief funds. (More)

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➤ Two Durango cyclists, Sepp Kuss and Quinn Simmons, are among the nearly 200 riders currently competing in the 2025 Tour de France. (See Details)

➤ Three hundred boreal toadlets were bred and released into an alpine lake near Leadville, the latest release in an ongoing effort to reintroduce the state-endangered toad species. (Watch Video)

➤ The Rocky Mountain Children's Health Foundation is holding a toy drive to collect new toys for children in the hospital. Donations will be accepted through the end of July. (See Details)

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