Friday, May 8, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2017, a catastrophic hailstorm caused $2.3 billion in damage across the Denver metro area, pummeling homes, cars, and businesses with baseball-sized hail. It remains the costliest hailstorm in state history and second-most expensive nationwide.

Bioluminescent algae could soon be used as a living, electricity-free light source thanks to a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder. Find out more in Et Cetera.

Say goodbye to backbreaking scrubbing and tangled cords. Today's sponsor, the HydroX5 Cordless Pressure Washer, delivers powerful, hassle-free cleaning that makes spring refreshes faster, easier, and oddly satisfying.

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.

DOJ Challenges State Gun Law

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Colorado on Wednesday, alleging the state’s ban on large-capacity firearm magazines violates the Second Amendment.

Since 2013, Colorado has restricted the sale and possession of magazines holding more than 15 rounds. In its complaint, the DOJ says the magazines are constitutionally protected and come standard with “many of the most popular firearms” in the nation.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is running for governor, called the lawsuit a “dangerous overreach” and vowed to defend the ban.

The DOJ sued Denver on Tuesday, seeking to overturn the city’s 1989 assault weapons ban. The lawsuits come after both state and city leaders rejected ultimatums to repeal the bans.

Road Funding Fight Intensifies

Lawmakers have introduced a bill that would effectively neutralize Initiative 175, a proposed ballot measure seeking to constitutionally protect road funding from budget cuts.

The proposal would direct money from gas- and car-related taxes and fees entirely to roads and transportation projects, preventing the funds—about $700 million annually—from being spent on general state services.

In response to the initiative, Democrats are backing House Bill 1430, which would temporarily cut major funding sources for roads in order to offset the initiative’s required spending and spare other programs from cuts.

In a hearing Tuesday, House Republicans criticized the bill, calling it an effort to override the will of voters, while supporters of the initiative called the condition of Colorado’s roads “appalling.”

The proposal has gathered most of the signatures needed to qualify for the November ballot. The legislative session ends May 13.

Northwest Elk Herds Rebound

Two of the state’s largest elk herds have returned to desired population ranges for the first time since a severe winter drastically reduced the ungulates’ numbers.

The Bears Ears Herd and White River Herd in northwest Colorado make up about 25% of the statewide elk population. The Bears Ears herd lost about 30-40% of its population in the historic 2022-2023 winter, with the White River herd nearly as hard hit, prompting Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to reduce elk hunting licenses by about 12%.

Following three mild winters, the two herds are now at or above population objectives, CPW officials said Wednesday. Based on the data, the agency recommended increasing elk licenses by 6,600, or 5%.

Colorado is home to the largest elk population in the U.S., estimated at about 290,000 statewide.

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➤ Boulder: Mohamed Soliman, the suspect in the deadly June 1 firebombing attack at Pearl Street Mall, pleaded guilty to 101 state charges Thursday. A judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole. He’s still awaiting a federal trial, in which prosecutors may seek the death penalty. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Colorado ranked 10th in the nation for antisemitic incidents in 2025, according to a new report by the Anti-Defamation League. (See Report)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 26-1237 into law, making it illegal for drivers to block bike lanes. (More)

➤ Grand Junction: City Council elected councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Laurel Lutz to serve as the city’s new mayor. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: A local woman convicted in 2008 of killing her three children in a house fire, part of an alleged insurance scheme, may get a new trial after a district court found that prosecutors suppressed key evidence. (More)

➤ Park County: Sheriff Tom McGraw, Undersheriff Steve Spodyak, and Spodyak's wife, Katie, are suing the county manager for slander and defamation, alleging he spread false rumors about them. (See Details)

➤ Redlands: A bear reportedly killed two goats Tuesday night. Colorado Parks and Wildlife responded to the incident and has been monitoring the animal. (More)

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➤ The Broncos are bringing in E.J. Warner, son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, for a rookie minicamp tryout this weekend. (More)

➤ The Avalanche have scored 14 goals in the first two games against Minnesota, the most by any NHL team in the opening two games of a playoff series since 1988. (More)

➤ Former Colorado defensive back Shilo Sanders is heading toward a bankruptcy trial to determine whether his $11.89 million debt stemming from a 2015 assault allegation can be discharged. (More)

➤ 23-year-old Avalanche goalie prospect Ilya Nabokov has left the Kontinental Hockey League and is headed to North America, where he could spend time with Colorado’s American Hockey League affiliate. (More)

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➤ Venu Holding Corp., the company behind Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs, says it’s in talks with multiple northern Colorado cities to develop a $350 million-plus entertainment destination. (See Details)

➤ A bill that would ban the use of surveillance data to set individual prices and wages passed the Senate 19-15 Wednesday, sending it back to the House for a final vote. (See Details)

➤ The Nixon coal plant in Fountain would close by the end of 2032 under a compromise bill moving through the legislature. (See Details)

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➤ Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder found a way to sustain the natural glow of bioluminescent algae using simple chemical solutions, opening doors for living lights, water-quality sensors, and battery-free robots. (See Details)

➤ This Mother’s Day list pairs 11 scenic hikes across the state with nearby indulgent spa treatments for a combination of adventure and relaxation. (See List)

➤ A Baskin-Robbins in Colorado Springs is celebrating its grand reopening this Saturday with 31-cent ice cream scoops, music, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and merchandise giveaways. (See Details)

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