Saturday, May 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1957, Denver got one of its largest recorded late-spring snows, accumulating 8.8 inches of snow over two days.

These are the three incredible benefits of drinking coffee in the morning that researchers say could have surprising effects on your long-term health. Your daily cup is reportedly doing far more than boosting energy, including helping protect one of your body’s most important organs. Tune in to The Flyover Podcast as Amy Hess breaks down the latest research on coffee’s unexpected health benefits and what you should know before your next sip. Listen here.

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.

Polis Commutes Tina Peters' Sentence

Gov. Jared Polis commuted the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters on Friday, cutting her more than eight-year prison term in half and ordering her released on parole June 1.

Peters, convicted on seven counts for allowing unauthorized access to voting machines after the 2020 election, remains a convicted felon.

Polis cited what he called a disproportionate sentence for a first-time, nonviolent offender, pointing to a Democratic state senator who received only probation for the same felony charge.

President Trump celebrated the move online, while Democrats were quick to condemn it. Colorado's attorney general called the decision "mind-boggling and wrong," while Secretary of State Jena Griswold called it "a gross injustice."

GOP Governor Race Heats Up

State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and state Rep. Scott Bottoms squared off Thursday in Colorado's first televised Republican primary debate for governor, drawing contrasts on public safety, the state budget, and other key issues ahead of the June primary.

Kirkmeyer, a Weld County senator, and Bottoms, a Colorado Springs legislator, are two of three candidates in the GOP field. A third candidate was absent from Thursday's debate.

The winner of the June primary will face the Democratic nominee—either Attorney General Phil Weiser or U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet—in November.

Fungal Threat Looms Over Peach Crop

Cytospora canker, a spreading fungal disease worsened by climate stress, is threatening Colorado's prized Palisade peach crop.

Grand Valley growers say cytospora canker is among the most consequential threats they face heading into harvest season, with infected trees producing dramatically fewer fruits and spread accelerated by erratic temperature swings.

Palisade peaches are sold at roadside stands and farmers markets across the state each August, draw visitors from across the Front Range, and generate significant tourism revenue for Mesa County and the Grand Valley.

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Homeowners Are Quietly Tapping Record Equity

Here's a number most homeowners haven't checked lately: their equity.

The average homeowner now has about $315,000 in equity, and many are using a HELOC to consolidate debt, renovate, or cover major expenses.

But rates and fees vary widely by lender.

That's why the experts at Money.com built a tool that matches you with the right HELOC provider in under a minute.

[Try the HELOC Matching Tool →]

➤ Denver: Gov. Jared Polis signed a rewritten AI law Thursday, softening Colorado's original governance framework and requiring organizations to notify consumers when AI is used to make consequential decisions about jobs, housing, lending, insurance, healthcare and similar matters. (More)

➤ Western Slope: Wildfire risk is elevated through summer after record-low snowpack, even as a potential Super El Niño may bring monsoon rain in spurts. (More)

➤ Statewide: Colorado marijuana regulators privately acknowledged recently that illegal hemp is "far greater" in licensed dispensary vapes than publicly disclosed, raising consumer safety questions across the state's cannabis industry. (More)

➤ Southeast Colorado: US Highway 287 was closed Thursday night after a grass fire broke out along the Eastern Plains corridor. No injuries were reported; crews worked to contain the blaze before reopening the road. (More)

➤ The 20th Colfax Marathon brings 28,000 runners through Denver on Sunday for the race's milestone edition. Rolling road closures will affect Colfax Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods starting Sunday morning. It's one of the country's largest urban races. (More)

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➤ The Colorado Avalanche will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final after Vegas eliminated Anaheim Thursday. Game 1 is Wednesday at Ball Arena, a marquee matchup between two recent Stanley Cup champions. (More)

➤ CHSAA State Track & Field wraps up today at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood, with competitors from across Colorado vying for titles in all four classifications. Grand Valley athletes are among those chasing more medals after Day 1 finishes. (More)

➤ The Colorado Rockies (17-27) opened a three-game home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (20-22) at Coors Field last night in a divisional matchup between two NL West teams searching for traction. (See Results)

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If you’re sitting on untapped home equity, Money.com says you may be able to turn it into cash for renovations, debt consolidation, or major expenses without touching your savings.

Their latest guide compares top home equity loan and HELOC lenders, breaks down current rates, and explains how homeowners can access funds with predictable monthly payments.

With rates and lending standards varying widely, finding the right option could save you thousands over the life of the loan.

LEARN MORE

➤ The Sundance Institute is bringing pre-festival films to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Boulder Creek Festival, and the Auraria campus this summer, giving Coloradans a chance to see Sundance selections in iconic outdoor settings before the January fest. (More)

➤ Colorado's Orchestra Academy is bringing classical music education and instruments to students across the state whose school programs have been cut, connecting young Coloradans from rural communities to professional-level instruction. (More)

➤ This weekend's Colorado outdoor lineup includes a Memorial Day Ruck March at America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs Saturday, as well as hiking, cycling, and community events across the Front Range through May 25. (More)

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