Thursday, July 2, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1917, the Fifth National Service School opened at Denver's Loretto Heights Academy, a quasi-military training camp where more than 100 women trained in first aid, telegraphy, and knitting to support the World War I effort.

Timing can make all the difference. As we report below, a remarkable rescue effort evacuated more than 120 campers and rafters just as a fast-moving wildfire closed in.

We know many of you have your own wildfire stories. Has wildfire ever forced you to leave home, camp, or change your plans? Reply and let us know.

Sleep experts have a new answer for why so many of us struggle to sleep well, and it has less to do with how many hours we log than you think. A new study followed adults in their 50s, 60s, and 70s for six weeks and found five specific habits that made a real, measurable difference in how rested people felt, some of them surprisingly simple. Tune in to today's Flyover Podcast as Ayla reveals what those five habits are and why researchers say it only took a few minutes to see results. Ready to sleep better tonight? Tune in here to learn more!

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Governor Race Near Recount Threshold

Colorado's Republican primary for governor remained too close to call Wednesday, a day after polls closed.

As of Wednesday evening, State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer and Victor Marx were separated by less than half a percentage point as ballot counting continued, keeping the race within Colorado's automatic recount threshold. Each candidate had about 40% of the vote.

Whoever prevails will face Democrat Attorney General Phil Weiser in November. Colorado's last Republican statewide victory came in 2016.

Statewide turnout ran higher than recent primaries, with more than 1 million ballots returned and Democrat ballots outpacing Republican ones.

Tuesday's upset in Colorado's 1st Congressional District saw Democratic socialist Melat Kiros, 29, defeat 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette in one of several victories by first-time challengers over establishment-backed Democrats this primary season.

Rescuers Evacuate Rafters as Fire Nears

Mesa County Search and Rescue volunteers evacuated more than 120 campers and rafters along with six dogs from a remote stretch of the Colorado River as the wind-driven Snyder Fire rapidly approached last weekend.

The effort began Saturday afternoon with a report of a missing teen, who was quickly found, before crews decided to clear every campsite from Loma to Westwater. Rescue leaders called the outcome, with no injuries, "nothing short of a miracle."

With low water and thick smoke limiting boat rescues, crews relied on Union Pacific hi-rail trucks traveling on railroad tracks, then transported evacuees by bus to safety with help from sheriff's deputies, the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials, and Grand Valley Transit drivers.

Colorado Starter Homes among Least Attainable

Colorado ranks among the states where starter homes are least attainable, with households needing about $121,598 a year to afford one, according to a new LendingTree report.

Nationwide, fewer than 4 in 10 non-homeowner households can afford a typical $200,000 starter home, which requires an annual income of about $62,000. In Colorado, the average starter home costs about $400,000, requiring nearly twice that income.

LendingTree defines starter homes as owner-occupied homes valued in the bottom 25% of their local markets, often providing buyers with their first opportunity to build equity. The report said closing the income gap may require a second job, a side hustle, or other financial sacrifices.

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➤ Statewide: The November race for attorney general is set: Republican Michael Allen, the El Paso County district attorney, will face Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold. Both won their primaries Tuesday to replace term-limited Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is running for governor. (More)

➤ Custer County: A roughly 100-year-old bridge on Highway 165 burned and collapsed near Lake Isabel as the wind-driven Aspen Acres Fire swept the area, forcing evacuations in nearby towns. CDOT sent engineers to create a temporary bridge. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: A judge ruled the murder case against Kimberlee Singler will head to trial, finding probable cause that she committed the charged offenses in the deaths of her two young children and the injury of a third in 2023. Her arraignment is scheduled for August. (More)

➤ Jefferson County: Deputies arrested a 25-year-old New Mexico man accused of intentionally setting a brush fire in a ravine off Highway 74 on Monday. A deputy slowed the flames with a fire extinguisher until crews arrived, and investigators recovered a lighter near the origin. (More)

➤ Lakewood: One person was hospitalized Tuesday after being struck by lightning at Fox Hollow Golf Course, where the strike also sparked a brush fire near the sixth hole. West Metro Fire Rescue contained the roughly 2-acre blaze, and the injured person was released from the hospital yesterday morning. (More)

➤ Denver: The Regional Transportation District has launched a pilot program offering free, QR code-guided history tours aboard its FreeRide shuttles along 16th Street. The self-guided audio tours and maps will be available through April 2027. (More)

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➤ CSU is officially a Pac-12 member after the rebuilt conference launched yesterday with seven new schools. The Rams join Boise State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State, and Utah State alongside holdovers Oregon State and Washington State. (More)

➤ Colorado finished No. 50 in a CBS Sports ranking of the top Power Four athletic programs for the 2025-26 season, placing in the bottom third of the 68 schools evaluated. (More)

➤ The Colorado Avalanche signed forward Jaden Schwartz to a three-year, $9.75 million contract on the opening day of NHL free agency. The 34-year-old spent the last five seasons with the Seattle Kraken and won a Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | Wimbledon | MLB

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➤ This small tool completely transformed my dog's gross breath. Nobark DentoFix clears pet plaque build-up, strengthens teeth and freshens breath naturally. Learn More.

➤ CoorsTek will relocate its global headquarters to The Pottery, the first completed building in the Coors family's Clayworks redevelopment at the company's original Golden site. Move-ins begin in August. (More)

➤ iHeartMedia's nationwide restructuring has reached Colorado, with longtime Denver radio personalities Bret Saunders, Denise Plante, and Ryan Schuiling among those laid off. The company says it's streamlining operations, though it has not disclosed how many jobs were cut. (More)

➤ Denver's restaurant scene added more than it lost in June, with 26 openings against 12 closings. New arrivals ranged from high-end Mexican spot El Tule in the Tech Center to vegetarian Mother Other on South Broadway, even as longtime favorites like Table 6 announced plans to close. (More)

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➤ Elon Musk’s new X Money, is not just a fintech product. It is the completion of Elon’s 25-year-old obsession — and the most consequential upgrade to the American financial system since the credit card. It’s already approved in 41 states, and people are starting to receive their cards in the mail. This is much bigger than launching a credit card. As Elon says. It’s possible to become the biggest financial institution in the world. (LEARN MORE)

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➤ A wayward cow moose wandered near Interstate 25 in Frederick early Wednesday, bedding down as police and Colorado Parks and Wildlife monitored the area. Officials urged drivers to slow down and avoid the area. (More)

➤ Highlands Ranch will get its Fourth of July fireworks after all. After the show was canceled over fire danger, Douglas County commissioners approved a professional display Saturday at Highland Heritage Regional Park with firefighters on site. (More)

➤ Granby is remembering Larry the Camel, the beloved Fourth of July parade fixture and nursing home visitor who was killed by lightning last July. A year later, the unlikely local celebrity remains a symbol of the joy he brought to the mountain community. (More)

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

➤ Researchers highlighted five habits that are guaranteed to help you fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer. (See Habits)

➤ The Justice Department and 17 states have accused three major egg producers of manipulating prices, inflating the market. (Hear Episode)

➤ A new report suggests everyday phone use may be quietly reshaping the body in ways few people realize. (Listen Now)