Monday, July 6, 2026

Good Morning. On this day in 1994, 14 wildland firefighters died battling the South Canyon Fire on Storm King Mountain near Glenwood Springs. Remembered as the Storm King 14, their sacrifice reshaped wildland firefighting safety nationwide.

As our nation commemorates its 250th birthday, we’ll be sending out shortened editions so The Colorado Flyover staff can celebrate the holiday with friends and family. Our regular edition will be back tomorrow.

Today’s sponsor, Fisher Investments, is helping you plan your ideal retirement with a free guide that aligns your goals, timeline, and investment strategy for lasting financial confidence.

Aspen Acres Fire Gains First Containment

Firefighters battling the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo and Custer counties reported their first containment over the holiday weekend, reaching 13% by Sunday morning after holding at 0% for a week.

The fire has burned nearly 87,000 acres across Pueblo and Custer counties, putting it among the largest in state history. Milder weather and more than 800 firefighters helped crews achieve the fire's first containment on the eastern flank near Highway 78.

At least 157 structures in Pueblo County and 55 homes in Custer County have been destroyed, and roughly 3,800 homes were ordered to evacuate. Officials say the fire, which started June 29, was human-caused but they have not released details.

Farther north, the Willow Fire forced new mandatory evacuations near Leadville on Sunday. The blaze grew to about 3,000 acres west of town and remained at or near 0% contained.

Colorado Honors Three Fallen Firefighters

Colorado flew flags at half-staff Sunday and held a public memorial in Grand Junction for three firefighters killed while battling a wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border.

Emily Barker, 38, Nick Hutcherson, 27, and Sydney Watson, 26, died June 27 in a burnover on the Knowles Fire, which was later overtaken by the larger Snyder Fire. The three firefighters were assigned to federal wildland firefighting crews participating in the Knowles Fire response.

Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags lowered from sunrise to sunset to honor them. "These three brave heroes ran towards the flames, put themselves in harm's way, and gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect Coloradans, our communities, and our families," he said.

The memorial service ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park. A burnover happens when a wildfire overtakes firefighters, often after escape routes are cut off. The firefighters deployed emergency fire shelters as the flames overtook them.

Flying together with our sponsor

Creating a reliable retirement income stream can be one of the biggest financial challenges you may face. It involves more than just saving; you’ll need a strategy that accounts for your unique goals, expected expenses and how long your money needs to last. Many people underestimate the impact of inflation and longevity on their savings, potentially jeopardizing their long-term financial security. Understanding how to structure your portfolio to generate consistent cash flow—whether through dividends, bond coupons or by selling assets—is essential.

The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income can help you navigate these complexities. It provides a framework for calculating your needs and building a resilient plan. Learn ways to balance growth with income, manage risks like inflation and make informed decisions about your financial future. If you have $1,000,000 or more, download this guide for help building a retirement plan designed to last.

➤ Statewide: Farmers are testing less-thirsty crops like rye, black-eyed peas, sainfoin, and camelina as Colorado looks for ways to stretch shrinking water supplies. The challenge is not just growing them—it's finding reliable markets so farmers can make the switch without taking a financial bath. (More)

➤ Denver: A new trial program offers $5 parking at 3,000 downtown spaces through the SpotHero app, with discounted evening and weekend rates aimed at attracting more visitors to the city center through September. (More)

➤ Fort Collins: CNN Travel named Fort Collins No. 5 on its list of America's 10 best towns to visit in 2026, praising Old Town Square, whose early-1900s charm inspired Disneyland's Main Street USA, along with the city's brewery scene and foothills trails. (More)

➤ Vail: Mikaela Shiffrin's historic 100th World Cup victory has been named the No. 24 greatest sports moment in Colorado history as part of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame's Top 150 countdown for the state's 150th anniversary. (More)

➤ Denver: A new guide spotlights some of the metro area's best burgers, from old-school bars and smashburger stands to upscale restaurants serving everything from classic cheeseburgers to Korean-inspired creations and green chile-topped favorites. (More)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Dry Eyes? Here are 5 reasons drops aren’t working. Are you wasting your money on eye drops? Here are 5 reasons drops won’t work for dry eyes and why you should be doing THIS instead. PS - If you really care about your eye health… ⇒ Read this short article before you spend another penny on eye drops… (You are probably being misled).

Flying together with our sponsor

Do you have a clear picture of what your retirement will cost? Many investors plan for their future without a complete understanding of key factors like inflation, healthcare expenses and their true life expectancy. This can lead to a shortfall in retirement income when you need it most. A solid plan requires a realistic budget and a thoughtful investment strategy designed to generate the cash flow you need for the long term.

The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income provides essential insights into creating a durable plan. If you have $1,000,000 or more, read our free guide today.

How do you take your burger?

Yesterday's Results:

Do you like rugby?

Not my sport: 63%
Yes, I watch matches: 22%
Yes, I play: 15%

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A banned Chinese underground church's founder is suddenly free and on American soil, thanks in part to President Trump. (Hear Story)

➤ Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul, struck a parked car in California wine country and drove away, and now the 86-year-old could be facing charges. (Listen Now)

➤ A lavish party for a baby's very first tooth has the internet asking whether modern parents have finally gone too far. (Podcast Available)