Monday, April 27, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1917, the Hastings Mine Explosion, the deadliest mining disaster in state history, killed 121 coal miners north of Trinidad.

Do you have a favorite Colorado hike? Hit reply to tell us. Then check out this list of low-effort, high-reward treks featured in Et Cetera—you might just find a new go-to.

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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.

Evergreen Shooting Report Released

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has released a 664-page report on the Sept. 10 shooting at Evergreen High School, in which Desmond Holly, 16, wounded two students before taking his own life.

The document includes reports from responding officers, descriptions of evidence, and several witness interviews, including with the shooter’s family members, teachers, and fellow students. Many described Holly as withdrawn and said he had been bullied.

According to the report, investigators found swords and knives, including a knife with a Nazi eagle on the handle, in Holly’s room. A note in the room "dealt with the author's negative views of Jewish people," and drawings in a sketchbook appeared to incorporate neo-Nazi symbolism, the report says.

The investigation into the shooting concluded earlier this year. Investigators said the revolver used in the shooting was a family weapon kept in a safe, but how he accessed the safe remains unclear.

Boulder Suspect's Family Released

The family of Mohamed Soliman, the Boulder firebombing suspect, was freed from federal custody for the second time in three days Saturday after two judges halted attempts to deport them.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ordered that Hayam El Gamal and her five children, ages 5 to 18, be released from ICE custody in Texas and allowed to return to Colorado Springs while their asylum case is pending.

Days later, ICE rearrested the family during a required check-in, their attorneys said. They were flown to Michigan, but the plane returned to Denver after Biery issued an emergency order halting their deportation; a Denver judge also barred their removal.

The family’s lawyers say the deportation attempt violated prior court orders. A DHS official said they received “full due process” and a final order of removal had been issued Dec. 29, 2025, and upheld Wednesday.

The family had been detained since June, when Soliman, the father, allegedly attacked a group advocating for Israeli hostages at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall.

Jumping Worm Invades Colorado

The Asian jumping worm, an invasive species of earthworm, has been found in Colorado and poses a serious threat to native plants and soil, agriculture officials warn.

Jumping worms, also known as “crazy worms” or “snake worms,” can be identified by their larger size and distinctive white or gray band. True to their name, they wriggle vigorously and even jump when disturbed. They can reproduce without mating, allowing populations to grow rapidly.

The worm—which degrades soil, harms plants, and dries out soil and degrades its structure—has been detected in Denver and reported from Boulder to Castle Rock, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) said. As there is no effective eradication method, preventing their spread is critical.

The CDA is asking the public “to be on the lookout for any signs” of the species and report suspected sightings. Here’s a list of best prevention practices.

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➤ Colorado Springs: Carie Hallford, a former funeral home owner who helped her ex-husband conceal nearly 200 decomposing bodies while giving families fake ashes, was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison under a plea agreement. (See Details)

➤ Chaffee County: Following a 10-day search, volunteers found the body of Kaden Sites, 27, a hunter who went missing April 15 near Mount Shavano. He was found near Tabeguache Creek. The cause of death hasn’t been released, but foul play isn’t suspected. (More)

➤ Sheridan School District teachers, who went on strike April 1, will return to classrooms today after reaching a tentative agreement with the district in a meeting organized by Gov. Jared Polis. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: The state Senate gave initial approval Friday to a proposed ballot measure that would eliminate billions of dollars in refunds under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. (See Details)

➤ Fort Collins: A wildfire broke out east of Horsetooth Reservoir Thursday, triggering mandatory evacuations on the city’s west side before crews contained it that evening. (More)

➤ Las Animas County: A wildfire broke out Friday in Poitrey Canyon, just northwest of the town of Kim, growing to 1,996 acres at 0% containment by Saturday morning. (See Details)

➤ Colorado Springs: A moose wandered into a local neighborhood Friday. Wildlife officers safely captured and relocated the animal. (See Video)

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➤ The NBA is investigating a late-game scuffle between the Nuggets and Timberwolves, with potential discipline expected before Game 5 tonight in Denver. (More)

➤ Two Colorado high school standouts were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft: Emmanuel Pregnon of Thomas Jefferson High School was picked No. 88 by the Jaguars, while Fossil Ridge’s Trey Zuhn went to the Raiders at No. 91. (More)

➤ The Broncos received mostly solid reviews for their 2026 NFL Draft class, with media grades ranging from B+ to C. (More)

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➤ Union workers at Denver Processing, a meat processing plant owned by JBS, voted to authorize a strike, citing unfair labor practices. A separate three-week strike of nearly 4,000 JBS workers in Greeley ended earlier this month. (See Details)

➤ Arapahoe Basin announced it will close for the season May 3, giving it the longest ski season in Colorado this year. Copper Mountain also closes May 3, and Loveland Ski Area closed Sunday. (See Details)

➤ A federal reclassification of state-regulated medical marijuana could present new opportunities to manufacturers and dispensaries, local business owners say. (See Details)

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➤ A 91-year-old great-grandmother is preparing to run the BOLDERBoulder 10K race alongside four generations of her family, continuing a tradition started by her husband and son-in-law in 1979. (See Details)

➤ This list of low-effort, high-reward hikes spotlights a variety of relatively short, easy, and photogenic treks along the Front Range, from Boulder to Estes Park. (See List)

➤ A dog-themed dive bar, Two Lazy Dogs Bar & Grill, is set to open in Denver, featuring free arcade games, adoption events, and a weekly promotion offering free beer in a dog bowl. (See Details)

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