Saturday, August 1, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1876, Colorado entered the Union, becoming the 38th U.S. State. Colorado is known as the Centennial State because it achieved statehood the same year as the United States’ 100th anniversary—meaning today, Colorado's 150th anniversary, roughly coincides with America's 250th.

Are you paying $139 a year for Amazon Prime just to get free shipping? Odds are you're only using a fraction of what that money buys. Beyond fast delivery, your membership includes five benefits that could save you hundreds of dollars annually on everyday things. On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Amy shares five Prime features hiding in plain sight, plus exactly how to activate each one. So what are you already paying for and leaving on the table? Tune in here!

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Colorado Spared Mandatory River Cuts

The federal government's final Colorado River plan, released Friday, spares Colorado from mandatory cuts and instead asks the Upper Basin states to conserve up to 200,000 acre-feet voluntarily.

The Lower Basin states of California, Arizona and Nevada could face reductions of up to 3 million acre-feet. Arizona's water agency called the framework unacceptable and said the cuts would devastate its economy.

The Bureau of Reclamation plan runs through 2036 and lets the agency set Lake Powell releases between 5 million and 12 million acre-feet, updating guidelines about every two years.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the framework leaves room for the seven states to reach their own deal. The 2007 rules expire at the end of the year.

Crime Fell Statewide in 2025

Colorado's violent crime rate fell 10.7% from 2024 to 2025, or 3,372 fewer reported violent crimes, according to state data released Thursday.

The property crime rate dropped 17.3%, or 28,126 fewer reports, the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice said. Motor vehicle theft fell 36.8% and homicide 16.8%.

Gov. Jared Polis credited a data-driven approach and public safety spending. "In the last two years, crime has decreased in Colorado," he said.

Colorado still ranks 47th nationally for crime and corrections in U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings, with a violent crime rate of 476 per 100,000 residents against a national average of 359.

Nunn Home Listed, Occupant Included

A three-bedroom house in Nunn hit Zillow with a warning few listings carry: no showings, no inspections, and a buyer left responsible for removing the woman inside.

A screenshot drew more than 4 million views on X. Tori McMechan and her late husband bought the Weld County home in 2006; he died in a car crash amid a dispute with town officials.

McMechan sued the lender twice on her own, arguing the loan changed hands without a clear record of ownership. Both suits were dismissed, and the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled against her last year.

She is pinning her hopes on a 2024 state law giving evicted tenants a right to a jury trial. "I've had three attorneys that could not even get this straightened out," she said.

The listing agent said he has sold thousands of foreclosed homes, but never one with someone still inside.

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➤ Mesa County: Sen. John Hickenlooper asked the Interior Department Thursday to investigate the deaths of four firefighters in the Knowles Fire burnover, including whether recent changes to the Wildland Fire Service played a role. Wildfires have burned more than 240,000 acres statewide this summer. (More)

➤ Aurora: Chantal Morales Rojas walked out of the ICE processing center Thursday, 10 days after agents arrested her on a jetway at Denver International Airport. An immigration judge granted the 27-year-old Ecuadorian a $3,000 bond. DHS says she overstayed her visa; a federal challenge is pending. (More)

➤ Hartman: The Colorado Department of State declared the 116-year-old Prowers County town abandoned on July 28 after every elected official resigned. The town of about 30 people has been under a boil order since October and now joins unincorporated Prowers County. (More)

➤ Denver: The New Civil Liberties Alliance sued in federal court Thursday to block Colorado's producer-funded recycling program, arguing it hands regulatory power to a private group. The state projects the program would bring no-cost recycling to 700,000 more households. (See Details)

➤ Monument: ACCO Engineered Systems will build a $36 million fabrication plant in Monument, adding about 135 jobs at an average wage above $87,000. The state approved more than $450,000 in job-growth incentives; the employee-owned firm also considered Arizona. (More)

➤ Air Force Academy: The academy reorganized its academic wing into four schools, including a new School of Integrated General Studies overseeing the 90 core credit hours every cadet takes. Dean of the Faculty Brig. Gen. James Valpiani will also command the academic wing. (See Details)

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➤ Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton got emotional when his former quarterback, Drew Brees, asked him to present him at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement on Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio. Payton and Brees went 144-85 together in New Orleans, including a Super Bowl title. (More)

➤ Smoky Hill High School in Aurora has been using a buffalo logo since 2001 that closely resembles a trademarked Buffalo Sabres design, and the NHL is now asking them to change it. The Cherry Creek School District says it's working with the league on a royalty-free agreement. (More)

➤ Colorado's Folsom Field was ranked the No. 3 stadium in the Big 12 by USA Today, crediting the mountain backdrop, the Ralphie Run tradition, and the energy Deion Sanders has brought back to the venue. (More)

➤ The second annual Colorado Alumni Faceoff between Avalanche and Denver Pioneers alumni is set for Aug. 23 at DU's Magness Arena. Last year's game ended with the Pioneers winning 8-7 in a shootout. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Golf | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ The Durango Airtanker Base can pump more than 20,000 gallons of fire retardant an hour, and at the peak of last month's fires it was turning around 11 planes flying laps to the fire lines. The Forest Service base serves Colorado and eight other Western states. (Read Story)

➤ Nearly 300 people took the oath of allegiance at Red Rocks on Thursday in the first naturalization ceremony Colorado's federal trial court has held there. They came from 70 nations, the largest spread on record for a Colorado ceremony. (See Details)

➤ Denver7's two-part special Colorado 150 | America 250 rides the Royal Gorge Railroad, stops in Gold Hill and Palisade, and visits a Loveland farm that has been in the same family longer than Colorado has been a state. (Watch)

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➤ Want exposure to Anthropic before its anticipated IPO? A new video reveals a publicly traded company with an early investment in Anthropic that may offer indirect exposure to its future growth. Learn why some investors are watching this opportunity closely—and discover the stock ticker free in the presentation. (LEARN MORE)

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:

➤ Your $139 Amazon Prime membership includes hidden benefits most members are unknowingly paying for and never using. (Hear More)

➤ Mortgage rates have climbed to their highest level in a year as war fears and Fed doubts fuel inflation concerns. (Listen Now)

➤ Shark sightings are surging off New York City beaches, forcing police to send drones into the sky over swimmers. (Podcast Available)