COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Colorado has recorded more than 7,000 black bear sightings in 2026, breaking the state’s previous full-year record set in 2019 as a severe drought decimates natural food supplies in the high country. The lack of moisture across the state has severely stunted the growth of natural forage, including berries, grasses, and…
DENVER — A proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine the fundamental right to hunt and fish in Colorado has officially secured enough signatures to appear on the November ballot. Designated as Initiative 302, the measure represents a significant push by sporting organizations and conservationists to protect traditional outdoor activities from future legislative or citizen-led restrictions.…
DENVER — In a significant eleventh-hour political maneuver, state lawmakers have successfully brokered a comprehensive funding agreement to address Colorado’s mounting transportation infrastructure needs, prompting the withdrawal of the high-profile “Restore Our Roads” ballot measure. The initiative, which sought voter approval for hundreds of millions of dollars in general fund diversions to finance road and…
DENVER — The federal government has finalized a comprehensive two-year plan to enforce mandatory water consumption cuts across the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada, a move designed to stabilize the precarious water levels in Lake Powell. As prolonged drought conditions continue to threaten the hydrological stability of the Colorado River system, federal…
PUEBLO, Colo. — The annual Colorado State Fair officially opened its gates today in Pueblo, signaling the start of a ten-day celebration of the state’s agricultural heritage, commercial enterprise, and cultural identity. The fair, which runs through September 7, remains a vital economic driver for the southern Colorado region, drawing thousands of attendees and vendors.…
DENVER — A federal judicial ruling has temporarily enjoined the United States Postal Service from enforcing its newly implemented requirements for mail-in voting, delivering a critical victory to voting rights advocates ahead of the pivotal November midterm elections. The injunction halts a series of logistical and processing changes that state election officials warned could inadvertently…
Colorado’s latest state academic testing shows improvements in mathematics proficiency, indicating progress in quantitative instruction. However, reading and literacy scores reveal ongoing challenges that need targeted support. In sports, local athlete Eliza Osburn earned a gold medal for Team USA in women’s lacrosse, inspiring Colorado’s youth athletes.
Colorado is facing a significant increase in heat-related medical emergencies, linked to unprecedented temperatures, including a record 97 degrees Fahrenheit. A mass casualty event occurred at a festival in Colorado Springs, leading to 72 treatments for heat illnesses. This heatwave has also disrupted education, prompting early school dismissals due to insufficient air conditioning.
The 2026 state legislative session ended with Democrats responding to federal policies under the Trump administration amidst a 1.2 billion dollar budget deficit. Major reforms included Senate Bill 189 on artificial intelligence. Voters face a crucial ballot with measures on tax rates, K-12 funding, and significant social issues, including abortion rights.
Colorado is enduring a record-breaking year for bear encounters, driven by severe drought, extensive wildfires, and exceptionally low mountain snowpack that have devastated natural food sources like acorns and berries. In response to the surging number of neighborhood conflicts, the state has enacted House Bill 26-1342, colloquially known as the “Negligently Luring Bears” law, which…
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has paused its gray wolf reintroduction program until winter 2026-2027 due to concerns over livestock losses and increased costs. The decision follows logistical challenges in sourcing wolves and aims to focus on managing the existing population. Advocacy groups are disappointed, citing political interference against voter intent.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is officially moving forward with an updated, multibillion-dollar strategic roadmap designed to reshape how residents travel across the state over the next decade. Approved in May 2026, the updated 10-Year Plan outlines more than two hundred and fifty individual infrastructure projects that prioritize pavement reconstruction, bridge repairs, and the expansion…
The emerald ash borer has finally breached Colorado Springs, bringing a devastating threat to approximately twenty percent of the city’s urban tree canopy. The invasive, metallic green beetle from Asia targets ash trees exclusively, with its larvae tunneling relentlessly beneath the bark to choke off the tree’s vital water and nutrient transport systems. Because North…
The American West is confronting a dire hydrological reality this week as Lake Mead has officially plummeted to 1,040.4 feet above sea level, marking its lowest water level since the reservoir was filled roughly 90 years ago. The crisis in the nation’s largest reservoir underscores a fundamental mass balance problem facing the Colorado River: more…
The Denver Metropolitan and North Front Range region remains locked in a battle against ground-level ozone, with nine counties currently classified as serious nonattainment areas under Environmental Protection Agency standards. This affected zone stretches from the Wyoming border southward, encompassing Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Weld, and portions of Larimer counties. Stagnant summer…
Many of you might remember a column from about a month ago where Willow and I watched a yellowjacket make quick work of a daddy longlegs at the local park. That was an interesting follow-up to our 2023 encounter with a yellowjacket stealing a bite of ice cream, giving us a front-row seat to the…
The smoke has barely cleared from the valleys of southern Colorado, but emergency management officials are already pivoting from one extreme threat to another. Following an exceptionally dry winter, the Aspen Acres Fire exploded across Pueblo and Custer counties. Now, the resulting 100,000-acre burn scar has set the stage for severe flash flooding and debris…
The quiet hours of the night offer a completely different perspective on the Eastern Plains. Last Sunday, while out on the late-night print distribution route through Peyton, the roads were predictably empty. But when you are delivering newspapers under the cover of darkness, you quickly learn that the graveyard shift belongs to the local wildlife.…
Modern American political discourse has become oversimplified, with rhetoric labeling opponents as existential threats, often blurring the lines between communism and socialism. While Trump’s frequent extreme labeling serves strategic purposes, it raises concerns about understanding political terms. Ultimately, threats to the nation are systemic issues rather than individual figures.
Recent regulatory changes to the Endangered Species Act by the Trump administration significantly redefine “harm” by excluding habitat modification, altering protections for threatened species, and prioritizing economic impact over ecological concerns. While proponents argue it alleviates regulatory burdens for industries, critics warn it jeopardizes biodiversity and invites extensive legal challenges.
In Colorado Springs, wildlife interactions are common, exemplified by a family encountering wild turkeys while driving. Observing the protective hens and their precocial poults illustrates the unique behavior of these birds, who require a protein-rich diet for growth. Residents are encouraged to stop and appreciate these local wildlife encounters.
The Colorado River Basin is rapidly approaching a legal cliff, and the fall could permanently alter the landscape of Western water rights. At the end of 2026, the 2007 Interim Guidelines—the rules that currently govern how water is managed and distributed from Lake Powell and Lake Mead—are set to expire. In their wake lies a…
Hot, critically dry conditions combined with record-setting temperatures have intensified Colorado’s peak fire season, bringing two new ignitions to the Western Slope today while thousands of personnel continue battling several historic mega-fires across the state. The mounting disaster is placing unprecedented strain on state firefighting budgets and municipal infrastructure, with multiple watersheds and local utility…
While my reporting for the Dispatch usually has me focused on state budgets, infrastructure, or large-scale conservation efforts across Colorado, sometimes the most brutal and fascinating wildlife encounters happen right at our feet. This past week, my eight-year-old daughter, Willow, and I were spending an afternoon at a local park here in Colorado Springs when…
It takes a lot to wake up from a 321-day nap, especially when you are drifting through the frozen, pitch-black edge of the solar system. But on June 23, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft did exactly that. Mission controllers confirmed last month that the legendary robotic explorer successfully woke from its longest-ever period of hibernation. The…
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a significant bipartisan federal legislation addressing the national housing affordability crisis. It prohibits large institutional investors from buying more single-family homes, streamlines construction regulations, and empowers local communities with grants to increase housing supply, all while supporting vulnerable populations with financial assistance measures.
As Colorado’s primary election cycle wraps up, three candidates emerge for the governorship: Victor Marx (Republican), Phil Weiser (Democrat), and Eric Mulder (Libertarian). Each candidate presents distinct governance philosophies and faces scrutiny over integrity and conflicts of interest. The election highlights contrasting visions for the state’s future, set for November 3.
On a warm afternoon in Colorado Springs, a family observes Mallard ducks, highlighting their sexual dimorphism and unique mating behaviors. These dabbling ducks thrive in urban parks, but it’s crucial to avoid feeding them bread, as it harms their health. Instead, natural observation is encouraged for a better understanding of wildlife.
Firefighters in Colorado are struggling against multiple wildfires fueled by hot, dry weather, destroying over 127,000 acres and prompting strict evacuation orders. The Aspen Acres Fire remains the largest, with zero containment and significant structure losses. Conditions are critical, and authorities have implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions across the state.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has established a Fugitive Impact Team to tackle criminal recidivism by targeting prolific repeat offenders responsible for local crime. This specialized unit will conduct cross-jurisdictional pursuits and assist local law enforcement, addressing frustrations over inadequate responses to high recidivism rates in Colorado.
©️ The Rocky Mountain Dispatch LLC. 2026
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