Sunday, May 10, 2026

Happy Mother's Day! On this day in 2003, Colorado experienced the Mother's Day Blizzard, which dumped up to 11.5 inches of heavy, wet snow on Colorado's Front Range, leaving about 40,000 people without power along the urban corridor.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shared new concerns about what heavy AI use may be doing to our brains. Researchers are warning about a trend they call “cognitive surrender,” but is AI really making us worse thinkers? More importantly, how can we avoid falling into the trap ourselves? Listen here.

Today’s sponsor is American Veterans Center. They’re reminding us that Memorial Day is a time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served our country. This year carries even more significance as America approaches its 250th birthday. The American Veterans Center is leading one of the most meaningful ways to honor that legacy.

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.

Colorado's Legislature Has a Busy Week

Colorado lawmakers are racing to pass a counter-bill before next Wednesday's session end to blunt a proposed constitutional "right to natural gas" backed by conservative group Advance Colorado.

The initiative could invalidate a landmark 2024 deal between oil-and-gas producers, environmentalists, and state lawmakers that generated $80 million for transportation and conservation this fiscal year.

Elsewhere in the Capitol, a bill offering steep tax breaks to data centers died in committee 11-2 Thursday after Rep. Alex Valdez voluntarily pulled it, citing insurmountable opposition from environmental groups.

Meanwhile, a separate measure allowing Coloradans to sue federal immigration agents in state court over alleged constitutional violations passed both chambers and now heads to Gov. Jared Polis' desk.

Colorado River at Historic Low

The Colorado River will see record-low flows into Lake Powell this summer after the worst snowpacks ever measured in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, federal forecasters reported Thursday.

April through July runoff into Lake Powell is forecast at just 13% of average, which is the lowest since the reservoir’s 1963 creation.

For Colorado, the stakes reach irrigated farmland, municipal water supplies, and summer recreation. Water managers warn farms could face major restrictions in a worst-case scenario, while cities are expected to impose outdoor watering limits this season.

The Bureau of Reclamation has begun cutting water releases from Lake Powell to protect hydroelectric output. Seven basin states are in talks to finalize a water-sharing deal before federal intervention.

Colorado's Red-Rock Gem Turns 115

The Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction marks its 115th anniversary this year, designated by President William Howard Taft on May 24, 1911.

The monument's 32 square miles of sculpted red-rock canyons and towering monoliths include the iconic 23-mile Rim Rock Drive with 19 scenic overlooks and formations.

488,000 people visited the monument in 2024, generating about $37.1 million for the region.

Early efforts to establish and protect the monument were driven in part by the persistence of John Otto, who believed the red rocks to be "the heart of the world."

This year’s National Memorial Day Parade, hosted by Honorary Grand Marshal Gary Sinise, is set to be the largest in its history. It stands as a powerful tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms.

What makes this event even more meaningful is how it is funded. The American Veterans Center receives no federal funding for the parade. It is made possible entirely by private citizens who believe in honoring those who served.

Your support helps bring this national moment of remembrance to life while also funding year-round efforts to preserve veterans’ stories, educate future generations, and produce documentaries that highlight the true cost of freedom.

If honoring our veterans matters to you, this is a meaningful way to take part.

➤ Statewide: The legislature passed HB26-1210 last week, banning companies from using personal data to set individualized prices. The bill heads to Gov. Polis's desk, where he has signaled skepticism. (More)

➤ Denver: A person was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines plane during takeoff from Denver International Airport on Saturday. The accident occurred after the person jumped a fence, and the collision sparked an engine fire, which required those on board to evacuate. (More)

➤ Rural Colorado: Record-low snowpack and the ongoing megadrought are depleting aquifers statewide, concentrating toxic heavy metals in well water and threatening small communities' drinking water supplies. (More)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Polis signed the $46.8 billion state budget Friday, closing a roughly $1.5 billion shortfall largely through Medicaid cuts while preserving K-12 education funding. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: A brutal attack on a college student in downtown Colorado Springs has been linked to a suspect already in custody for attempted murder in Pueblo, according to newly released arrest documents. (More)

➤ Denver: RTD bus and train service could be cut by at least 20% next year as transit managers recommended sweeping route eliminations to close the agency's budget gap. (More)

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➤ Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is one of three finalists for the 2025-2026 NHL MVP award, joining Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and three-time winner Connor McDavid. (More)

➤ The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension with general manager George Paton after making it to the AFC Championship game for the first time since the 2015-2016 season last season. (More)

➤ Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke told reporters in a recent press conference that "everything is on the table" in terms of potential moves the team could make, except for trading three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

Beyond the parade, your contribution supports programs that record oral histories from veterans across generations, host conferences connecting young cadets with firsthand accounts of service, and produce television specials that keep these stories alive.

As we approach America’s 250th birthday, there is a unique opportunity to ensure these sacrifices are never forgotten.

Consider making a gift today to support the National Memorial Day Parade and its mission.

➤ Mount Blue Sky's summit drive is now bookable for summer as timed-entry reservations just opened for one of the world's highest paved roads and most accessible 14er experiences. (More)

➤ Western Slope peaches are safe, with 80–90% of the Palisade-area crop surviving April's cold snap. Fresh peaches are expected at roadside stands by June. (More)

➤ Colorado wolves showed up near Denver metro cities this year, according to CPW's new annual wolf reintroduction report, which tallied 32 wolves statewide by the end of March. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Elon Musk’s latest venture is making headlines nationwide after reportedly receiving White House clearance and expanding across all 50 states. Some analysts believe this new currency initiative could surpass the impact of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI combined. Discover why investors are calling it one of the biggest opportunities of the decade—before the rollout gains even more momentum.

A look at some of Colorado’s most unusual and lesser-known places, from remote mountain landscapes to strange roadside attractions and hidden natural wonders.