Kamis, 23 April 2026

Oil Wells Approved, Avs Fans Break Glass, and Crazy Worm

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1859, Colorado’s first newspaper, the Rocky Mountain News, printed its inaugural issue. A rival paper, the Cherry Creek Pioneer, missed being first by just 20 minutes.

What’s your favorite coffee shop? Reply to this email to let us know. Then visit Et Cetera to see which two Colorado spots landed on the continent’s top 100 list.

The cost of living varies wildly across the United States, and for retirees, choosing the wrong state can cost up to six figures a year. On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shares new data that ranks the cost of living in every U.S. state, what groceries, housing, and healthcare actually cost depending on where you live. Plus, which states give retirees the most financial breathing room? Where does your state land, and what does it mean for your retirement? Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a note from our partner, Incogni, on how to get your personal data off the internet, plus a special discount code for our readers.

Today’s sponsor, Lemonade Pet Insurance, helps pet owners manage rising vet costs with affordable plans starting around $10/month and flexible coverage designed to protect both your pet’s health and your budget.

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.

Immigration Officer Charged with Assault

Prosecutors charged U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Nicholas Rice with third-degree assault and criminal mischief Wednesday following a state investigation into his alleged altercation with a Durango protester.

Video of the Oct. 28 incident shows a masked agent seizing Franci Stagi’s phone and, after she touched his shoulder, placing her in what she called a “chokehold” and shoving her to the ground.

Stagi, 57, was one of several people who had gathered outside the ICE field office in Durango to protest the detention of a Colombian immigrant and his two children.

Rice is summoned to appear in La Plata County Court on May 27.

Aurora Drill Site Approved After Opposition

State regulators this week approved SM Energy’s plan to drill 24 oil and gas wells near the Aurora Reservoir, clearing the way for development after a yearslong bid by residents to block the plan.

Save The Aurora Reservoir, a grassroots neighborhood group, fought for three years to move the drilling pad farther away from the reservoir and their homes, citing health and environmental risks.

SM Energy reduced the project’s size from 32 to 24 wells, committed to a series of best management practices, and shifted the pad 100 feet eastward, about 3,100 feet from the nearest home. In a 3-2 vote, commissioners determined the plan met or exceeded state requirements.

Drilling is estimated to start by the end of the year. The site is one of several proposed locations under SM Energy’s Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan.

Conviction Overturned in Infant’s Death

A Denver judge on Tuesday vacated the conviction of Stephen Martinez, 58, a man convicted of first-degree murder in the 1998 death of 4-month-old Heather Mares, the child of his then-girlfriend.

In the 2000 trial, prosecutors argued Martinez violently shook the infant, causing her death. Martinez confessed to shaking Mares but later recanted the confession, which his attorneys claim had been forced.

New evidence presented by the Korey Wise Innocence Project suggests the child died from pneumonia, which produces symptoms similar to shaken baby syndrome, Martinez’ lawyers said. Based on expert medical testimony, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the case.

Members of Mares’ family, including her mother, asked the judge to keep Martinez in prison. He was released Tuesday after serving more than 27 years.

Flying together with our sponsor

One Vet Emergency Could Cost You $5,000—Lemonade Starts at $10

Body: The average emergency vet visit runs $800–$5,000—and most pet insurance won't cover anything diagnosed before you sign up. So the best time to enroll is when your pet is healthy. Lemonade covers accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, and more, with optional add-ons for vaccines, spay/neuter, and microchipping. Get a quote in 2 minutes. Most plans start around $10 a month.

See My Quote in 2 Minutes.

➤ Jefferson County: The gunman who opened fire on tourists at Mexico’s Teotihuacan pyramids, killing one and injuring at least 13, carried materials referencing the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, authorities said. The attack occurred Monday, April 20, the 27th anniversary of the Columbine massacre. (See Details)

➤ Denver: An appellate court upheld a jury’s decision to award 2020 George Floyd protesters $14.75 million over claims Denver police used excessive force, rejecting the city’s appeal arguing plaintiffs lacked evidence of liability. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Three Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioners with confirmation hearings yesterday have faced vocal opposition from hunting groups, who say Gov. Jared Polis has been stacking the commission with animal rights activists. (More)

➤ Denver: A 200-pound metal sculpture created by a local man’s daughter vanished from his front yard in an apparent scrap metal heist. (More)

➤ Chaffee County: The search for 27-year-old hunter Kaden Sites, who disappeared near Mount Shavano last week, is still underway and now open to the public, officials said Tuesday. (More)

➤ Statewide: A bill introduced last week would seek voter approval to change how cannabis products are tested and taxed, aiming to increase oversight of the industry. (See Details)

➤ Arvada: An Uber driver has been charged with sexually assaulting a female passenger and driving away with her after her boyfriend left the car. Police believe there may be other victims. (More)

Enjoy reading The Colorado Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ Avalanche fans shattered the glass panel behind the LA Kings’ bench on Tuesday night after Colorado saved a penalty shot. When asked about the mishap, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar simply said, “It felt like playoff hockey.” (More)

➤ The Nuggets head to Minneapolis for Game 3 against the Timberwolves tonight with the first-round series tied 1-1. (More)

➤ Former Colorado State track star Wendy Koenig was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class. She was a two-time Olympian in the 800 meters during the 1970s. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Magnesium supports over 300 processes in your body, but nearly 80% of Americans aren’t getting enough, leading to poor sleep, low energy, and stubborn weight gain. Organixx Magnesium 7 delivers seven high-quality forms your body can actually use, helping improve sleep, boost metabolism, and support overall wellness—no subscriptions required.

➤ A sports gambling reform bill no longer includes a provision banning proposition bets—wagers on things like individual player performance—which lawmakers voted to remove from the measure over concerns of lost tax revenue. (See Details)

➤ New electric vehicle sales are down 64%, contributing to a nearly 20% drop in the overall state car market compared to early 2025, following the Sept. 30 loss of a $7,500 federal tax credit and the Jan. 1 decrease of a state subsidy. (See Details)

➤ Mustard’s Last Stand, a Chicago-style hot dog stand in Boulder, will close in 2027 or 2028 after nearly 50 years in business because the city plans to demolish its building, which sits on a high-hazard flood plain. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Get a brighter, whiter smile from home with Purely White Deluxe. This easy-to-use teeth whitening system helps remove years of stains from coffee, wine, and more—without expensive dental visits. See visible results fast and boost your confidence with a noticeably whiter smile in just minutes a day.

Flying together with our sponsor

Don’t wait for a $10,000 veterinary bill

Vet costs are rising fast—a single emergency visit can now cost up to $10,000, turning an unexpected illness or injury into a major financial hit. Pet insurance helps cover a portion of eligible vet bills for accidents and illnesses, so you can focus on your pet's care instead of the cost. Lemonade Pet Insurance makes it easy and affordable, with customizable coverage, fast digital claims, and plans starting at just $10 a month. Protect your pet before the next vet bill hits—get a quote from Lemonade Pet Insurance today.

FIND AFFORDABLE CARE

➤ A Colorado Springs church that began services in 1901 is celebrating its 125th anniversary this Sunday, marking the occasion with a hymn festival, a silent film screening, and a performance on Colorado’s largest theater organ. (See Details)

➤ State agriculture officials warn the public to be on the lookout for the Asian jumping worm, an invasive earthworm also known as the “crazy worm,” which can degrade soil, harm plants, and worsen drought conditions. (See Details)

➤ Two coffee shops based in Denver landed on a new list of the top 100 coffee shops across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean regions. (See Coffee Shops)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Experience the future of oral care with the Sonic Glow Toothbrush. An advanced, hands-free toothbrush that cleans all your teeth at once. Powered by sonic vibrations and LED whitening technology, it removes plaque, protects gums, and delivers a complete 360° clean in just 30 seconds for a brighter, healthier smile.

What's your must-have hot dog topping?

Yesterday's Results:

Do you birdwatch?

Yes, sometimes: 30%
No, not for me: 27%
Yes, frequently: 23%
No, but I'd try it: 20%

Chaffee County is named after what historical figure?

Show me the answer

Unsubscribe (Step One)

The Colorado Flyover
2519 S Shields Street.
Suite 1K #685
Fort Collins, CO 80526

Historic Gift, ICE Policy Amended, and Aggies Visit White House

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1923, future Democrat governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. was born in Uvalde. The last Texas governor to serve a two-year term and the first to serve a four-year term, Briscoe occupied the office from 1973 to 1979.

A federal appeals court upheld a new Texas law that requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Hit reply to let us know what you think of the ruling.

The cost of living varies wildly across the United States, and for retirees, choosing the wrong state can cost up to six figures a year. On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shares new data that ranks the cost of living in every U.S. state, and what groceries, housing, and healthcare actually cost depending on where you live. Plus, which states give retirees the most financial breathing room? Where does your state land, and what does it mean for your retirement? Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a note from our partner, Incogni, on how to get your personal data off the internet, plus a special discount code for our readers.

Property taxes in Texas are no small expense, and most homeowners don’t realize they can challenge what they owe. The key is timing. The deadline to protest your property tax assessment is May 15. That’s where today’s partner, Resolute Property Tax Services, comes in to help you take action before it’s too late.

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.

Dells Giving $750 Million for UT Medical Center

Michael and Susan Dell announced a $750 million donation Tuesday to establish an "AI-native" hospital at UT Austin, becoming the first donors to surpass $1 billion in giving to the school.

Michael Dell, the founder and CEO of Round Rock-based Dell Technologies, dropped out of UT Austin in the 1980s and has contributed significantly to the university over the last two decades.

The historic gift will be used to establish the UT Dell Medical Center and the UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research, which will employ advanced computing and AI in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

The donation jumpstarts a university initiative to raise $10 billion for the medical center in the next 10 years, with the aim of ranking among the nation’s top 10 hospitals during that time.

Ten Commandments Law Upheld

A federal appeals court overturned an injunction blocking several school districts from implementing a new state law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.

In a 9-8 ruling, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the argument that the law violates the First Amendment's establishment clause or the free exercise clause.

"To Plaintiffs, merely exposing children to religious language is enough to make the displays engines of coercive indoctrination. We disagree," Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan wrote for the majority.

The ACLU of Texas, which is representing the families who are challenging the statute, vowed to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying the decision threatens the "separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when, and if to provide their children with religious instruction."

Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office is defending the mandate, called the decision a "major victory for Texas and our moral values."

Texas NFL Teams Set for Draft Night

The NFL draft kicks off tonight, and both Texas NFL teams have first-round picks: the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12 and No. 20, and the Houston Texans at No. 28. See the full draft order here.

The Cowboys have plenty to fix, as no team allowed more points per game than Dallas last season. Mock drafts consistently have them taking a defender with both first-round picks, but some pundits think they could trade up as high as No. 3 to get an elite pass rusher.

The Texans, meanwhile, are expected to keep rebuilding an offensive line that buckled during C.J. Stroud's rocky 2025 campaign. Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor—whom Houston hosted for a pre-draft interview earlier this week—remains a popular prediction at No. 28.

Flying together with our sponsor

Don’t miss your chance to fight back against rising property taxes. The May 15 protest deadline is almost here.

Resolute Property Tax Solutions makes the process easy by handling everything for you, from filing the paperwork to building a strong case. You won’t have to deal with the hassle, and on average, they have saved clients over $225M since 2010. With an 84% success rate, Resolute has a proven track record across Texas.

There’s also no upfront cost. You only pay if they successfully lower your property taxes, so there’s zero risk in getting started.

Since 2010, Resolute has earned a 4.8-star rating from over 1,200 Google reviews and is trusted by homeowners across the state. Plus, Flyover readers can take advantage of an exclusive FLYOVER discount.

Time is running out—act now before the May 15 deadline passes.

➤ Houston: The city council voted 13-4 to provide police with more flexibility to detain a suspect wanted by ICE after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to pull $114 million in state grants for the city. "Y'all played right into his hands," said Mayor John Whitmire. (More)

➤ Denton County: The FBI rescued a hostage early yesterday morning after a daylong standoff with the victim's ex-boyfriend. A shelter-in-place order was lifted after he was arrested. (See Details)

➤ San Antonio: Two natural gas-fueled explosions that occurred hours apart on Tuesday damaged multiple homes and hospitalized five people. The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team of investigators to the neighborhood. (More)

➤ Williamson County: Evacuation orders were issued Tuesday for two RV parks near the San Gabriel River following heavy rain. (See Photos)

➤ El Paso: The wife of an active-duty Army soldier is reportedly being deported to Mexico. According to DHS, Deisy Rivera Ortega entered the country illegally in 2016 and was ordered deported in 2019, though a judge blocked federal authorities from sending her back to her home country of El Salvador. (More)

➤ Judson ISD: The board of trustees terminated Superintendent Milton "Rob" Fields III on Tuesday, citing financial mismanagement, declining academic performance, and alleged failure to report child abuse. (More)

➤ Arlington: The city council approved a measure to spend $273 million on upgrades to AT&T Stadium and extend the Dallas Cowboys' lease of the facility to 2055. Some residents complained they should have more of a say in the matter, while Mayor Jim Ross insisted, "We are doing exactly what the voters have required of us to do." (More)

Enjoy reading The Texas Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ The Rockets lost 101-94 to the Lakers in Game 2 of their playoff series despite Kevin Durant's return to the lineup. Down 0-2, the series shifts to Houston for tomorrow night's Game 3. (More)

➤ Spurs center Victor Wembanyama suffered a concussion in Tuesday night's 106-103 loss to the Trail Blazers after falling face-first to the floor. His status for Game 3 tomorrow is uncertain. (More)

➤ Shell Energy Stadium in Houston will host the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship final this December, with berths in the 2028 Olympics on the line. (More)

➤ Westlake High School's Bo Ogden was named the state's Mr. Basketball by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. He's committed to play at Texas next season. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ AT&T beat analysts' revenue and earnings estimates for the first quarter, adding 294,000 mobile customers and 512,000 residential internet customers. The Dallas-based company aims to reach 40 million potential fiber internet customers by the end of the year. (More)

➤ The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow a disabled Army veteran's lawsuit against Irving-based defense contractor Fluor Corporation to proceed, rejecting its claim as exempt from litigation because it was operating in a combat zone. The veteran claims a Taliban operative employed by Fluor used materials provided by the contractor to assemble a suicide vest. (More)

➤ Dallas-based DataBank secured a $2 billion construction loan for its 300-acre data center campus under development in Red Oak. The company has received $4.7 billion in financing over the past year. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Flying together with our sponsor

If your property taxes feel too high, now’s the time to act—the May 15 protest deadline is right around the corner.

Resolute Property Tax Solutions has helped thousands of Texas homeowners lower what they owe without the stress of handling it themselves. It only takes a few minutes to get started, and once you sign up, they take care of the entire process for you.

Best of all, there’s no upfront cost—you only pay if they successfully save you money.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start your protest today before the May 15 deadline passes.

➤ Dekota Frear, a Marine injured during combat in Afghanistan, received the keys to a fully furnished, mortgage-free home in Denton last week. The home was provided through a partnership between Bank of America and the Military Warriors Support Foundation. (More)

➤ Texas A&M's volleyball team visited the White House on Tuesday, joining six other collegiate national champion teams from last year to be recognized by President Trump. "You're the best of the best," Trump said. (Watch Video)

➤ Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. recounted how he felt when he learned he would become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. "I think about my family, I think about everything that we’ve been through, and to be able to bless them just as much as they’ve blessed me," he said. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor