AGP Executive Report

Denver Health expands trauma care: Denver Health is rolling out a program that lets first responders deliver whole-blood transfusions in the field, aiming to improve survival for severe bleeding from crashes, burns, and wildfires. Health systems deal: AdventHealth and Intermountain Health signed a letter of intent to combine Denver-area hospital operations, with a planned close in early 2027. Colorado Springs data center fight: The Planning Commission is set to consider Project Taurus, a proposed 50-megawatt data center near Garden of the Gods Road, with residents raising concerns about water, power, noise, and impacts. Wildfire updates: Fuhr Gulch and Keystone fires remain active, with Fuhr Gulch holding at about 4,674 acres combined with suppression efforts continuing. Sports and local life: The Rockies face a tough stretch as the Brewers welcome them, while Garth Brooks announces two Denver shows at Ball Arena in September. Legal/consumer: A federal judge gave initial approval to a settlement tied to a Colorado real estate data breach.

Housing & City Policy: Denver residents are reacting to Mayor Mike Johnston’s “Mile High Line” plan, with many saying the scale of new units still doesn’t solve affordability fast enough. Public Safety: Denver orders Ultra Lounge East to close after a deadly shooting tied to months of reported violence and licensing issues. Water & Weather: Monsoon storms brought measurable rain to Denver and heavy downpours across the Front Range, with flood and travel hazards prompting CDOT warnings. State Politics: Phil Weiser names Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper as his lieutenant governor running mate. Wildlife & Environment: A citizen science bioblitz in the Homestake Valley fens aims to boost awareness of fragile wetlands that act as major carbon sinks. Sports (Colorado): The Colorado Rapids beat San Diego FC 1-0 on Loïc Williams’s stoppage-time goal; the Rockies were shut out by Washington 8-0.

Wildlife & Safety: CPW is working to rescue a bear struck by a vehicle in Lone Tree, after police tranquilized it and believe it may have a broken leg. Back-to-School Help: Denver-area families can tap free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, vaccines and more at a slate of late-July events. Outdoor Recreation Warning: Colorado’s wildfire and drought impacts are driving more “check before you go” closures, with officials urging people to plan around heat, low flows and rising flood risk in burn-scar areas. Water & Climate: The Colorado River’s biggest reservoirs hit new record lows as states await a federal water plan, underscoring how quickly conditions are tightening. Conservation: CPW announced a new gray wolf pack formed in Eagle County, called the Piney Ridge Pack, and asked for public wolf sightings. Local Business/Community: The Denver Foundation is investing in a clean-energy on-bill financing program to expand home upgrades for low- and middle-income homeowners. Denver Culture: Blucifer’s First Rodeo returns to RiNo with a big local lineup July 23–26, leaning into DIY discovery and community-run energy.

Local Politics: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston used his State of the City to pitch universal childcare, unveiling a Haynes-Gary task force and a six-month listening tour, with a pilot targeted for fall 2027. Housing & Homelessness: Denver’s oldest tiny-home village, Monroe Village, has closed, leaving residents’ homes in storage while operators search for a new site. Public Safety: Colorado Springs police and firefighters say a grass fire behind Explorer Elementary is believed human-caused and are asking for tips. Immigration Enforcement: A federal judge dismissed Mesa County’s lawsuit challenging Colorado laws limiting local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, though the court didn’t rule on constitutionality. Sports: Hunter Goodman’s late homer lifted the Rockies over the Nationals 8-7 in Denver. Weather & Risk: Monsoon moisture is moving in, and officials warn wildfire burn scars can turn heavy rain into flash-flood and debris-flow danger. Transportation: CDOT and partners began Front Range bridge retaining wall repairs, with phased work and lane/shoulder impacts through late November.

Education & Dyslexia Policy: Colorado’s READ Act rules are now out for public comment, with the State Board of Education deciding what screening tools count, what “struggling” means, and what schools must tell families—after parents say kids can be left without proper identification and help. Climate & Water: A Colorado School of Mines study finds human-caused climate change made this year’s Western snow drought about four times more likely (and far worse in the Upper Colorado River Basin), raising stakes for the state’s water future. Public Safety & Guns: Colorado is days from a new crackdown on semiautomatic firearms, including a $52 fee and safety training before an eligibility permit is issued. Violence & Policing: Denver police say a deadly nightclub shooting followed an earlier dispute, with leaders pointing to the need for better conflict management as gun access remains a problem. Transportation Disruptions: Mudslides and debris flows have closed I-70 between Silt and New Castle, with detours in place and extended delays expected. Sports & Gambling Culture: Colorado’s legalized sports betting is reshaping athlete life, with players describing more online harassment and threats. Local Government & Privacy: Rep. Lauren Boebert is again in the spotlight over claims of surveillance and warrantless “Big Brother” concerns.

Heat & Travel Disruptions: Triple-digit temperatures pushed trucks to the brink on I-70 in the mountains, with breakdowns and a crash adding to delays as CDOT urged drivers to prepare. Public Safety & Violence: Denver police say a southeast nightclub shooting near East Hampden left one dead and eight injured, tied to an earlier dispute in Aurora; separately, Colorado Springs identified stabbing victim Jerry Blair, 53, with no arrests yet. Wildfire Preparedness: A Colorado search-and-rescue coordinator and wildland firefighter urged summer recreators to plan for fast-moving fires and follow restrictions. ICE Protests: Protesters continued outside an ICE field office in Centennial, with four people detained and cited after a tense standoff tied to health concerns at an Aurora detention center. Local Policy: Monument Lake will start charging for parking after a town council vote, aiming to ease congestion and fund maintenance. Transit & Cost of Living: Colorado Connector funding could go to voters via a sales tax measure, with possible new stops including Pueblo and Colorado Springs. Sports: The Nationals beat the Rockies 7-3 in Denver, and the Rockies traded Seth Halvorsen to the Dodgers.

Wildfire preparedness: AARP is urging Coloradans to register for a free July 23 webinar on building wildfire emergency plans and “to go”/“stay” kits, as drought and heat keep risk high. Fire memorial: Colorado is set for a statewide procession honoring helicopter pilot Nicholas Dale, killed fighting the Gold Mountain fire, with stops from Montrose to Denver International Airport. Local impacts of fire weather: While some Southwest Colorado communities canceled Fourth of July fireworks, Cortez says its show went forward safely with coordinated fire, EMS and police planning. Water politics: In Scottsdale, candidates and council members are clashing over whether advanced recycled-water purification should be used to bolster drinking supplies as the Colorado River shrinks. Media and tech: A Colorado religious broadcaster is pushing the FCC to allow an HD Radio subchannel to serve as a translator source, after a waiver was denied. Community help: A free two-day RAM clinic is coming to Colorado Springs Aug. 1-2 with medical, dental and vision services on a first-come basis. Pets and people: A Minnesota woman’s cat “Fridge” survived 40 days lost in Colorado wilderness and was finally reunited with her owner.

Rockies Power Surge: Hunter Goodman went deep three times Sunday, including two homers off Hunter Greene, to become the only Rockies player with a pair of three-homer games in the same season, even as Colorado fell 9-6 to Cincinnati. Reds Trade Deadline Mood: Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said the club’s situation feels like “the unknown” as the Aug. 3 deadline nears, with the Reds increasingly looking like sellers. Wildfire Watch: The Aspen Acres fire topped 100,000 acres and hit 61% containment, with phased re-entries planned but some areas still too risky. Heat & Weather: Monsoon moisture is moving into Colorado, but heat advisories and record-level temperatures are still expected in parts of the state. School Funding Push: Supporters launched a statewide campaign for Proposition NN, aiming to boost teacher pay, reduce class sizes, and expand career and technical education. Denver Public Safety: Police are investigating a fatal shooting in Denver’s Green Valley Ranch area and a separate Sunday shooting that left one dead and another injured. Local Energy: Colorado Springs Utilities reported a west I-25 outage affecting about 4,000 residents, with repairs expected within hours.

Wildfire & Heat Watch: Aspen Acres remains the big concern in southern Colorado, with nearly 16,000 people still under mandatory evacuation as monsoon moisture helps slow fire behavior while lightning sparks smaller blazes. Public Safety: A heat advisory is in effect for the Denver metro and northern Front Range through Monday night, with highs near 98–102°F and dangerous “feels like” conditions statewide. Water & Wildlife: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is putting voluntary fishing closures in place on four Western Slope rivers due to extremely low flows and high water temperatures. Local Governance: Denver City Council will vote on extending some nightlife hours to 4 a.m., while alcohol would still end at 2 a.m. Sports (Denver): Broncos training camp is underway with linebacker Alex Singleton back after a cancer scare, and the team is also watching QB depth behind Bo Nix. Education & Health: UNC is preparing to open its new College of Osteopathic Medicine in Greeley, with a media tour highlighting new training spaces.

Local Sports Spotlight: Denver Summit FC opened Centennial Stadium with a 2-1 sellout win over the Portland Thorns, highlighted by Lindsey Heaps’ debut for the hometown club and Natalie Means’ late goal. Public Safety & Health: A Denver metro cat shelter in Lakewood says a broken cooling system is endangering medically vulnerable cats, with temperatures near 90 degrees and intake on hold until HVAC is fixed. Weather Watch: Heat advisories are set for the Denver metro, with highs near 98 Sunday and around 100 Monday, plus monsoon-style storms that can bring heavy rain and flooding risk. Courts & Accountability: Two Colorado men suing a North Dakota hospital claim DNA tests show they were switched at birth 38 years ago, despite the hospital saying there’s no evidence staff caused it. Crime Update: Denver police are investigating a shooting in Globeville that left one person dead, with no arrests reported. Wild Card: An Arizona man was arrested after authorities say he rode naked atop a moving Union Pacific locomotive through northeastern Colorado.

ICE Facility Violence in Aurora: An off-duty GEO Group employee at the Aurora ICE Processing Center used a personal gun to shoot a protester outside the facility, police say; the 42-year-old suspect was arrested and charged, and the victim was treated for a non-life-threatening wound. Public Safety & Justice: Colorado Springs police say a 20-year-old faces murder charges after a deadly Memorial Park shooting early Saturday. Wildfire & Water Stress: Exceptional drought expanded in Colorado’s central mountains, even as some eastern plains rain offered localized relief, according to the latest drought monitoring. Health Watch: State officials are tracking multiple toxic algae blooms at reservoirs, warning residents to avoid exposure—especially for kids and dogs. Local Living Costs: A reader-focused update highlights Colorado homeowners’ struggle with rising insurance premiums and the search for discounts and grants. Sports (Denver): Broncos camp coverage turns to the defensive line and the question of who replaces John Franklin-Myers; plus, Reds’ Spencer Steer powered a 7-2 win over the Rockies to open the second half.

Immigration Detention Crisis: Colorado AG Phil Weiser says he’s ready to push Aurora’s GEO-run ICE center to allow a tuberculosis investigation after Adams County health officials reported a TB case and ICE/GEO denied access. Public Safety & Crime: Aurora police arrested GEO Group employee Brandon Booth, accused of shooting a woman protesting outside the facility; the victim’s injury was non-life-threatening. Wildfire Update: The Aspen Acres Fire is at about 100,223 acres and 61% containment as crews “squeeze the box” to limit growth. Affordability Pressure: A new Colorado Health Foundation poll finds 76% of residents worry they can’t afford living in the state, with many delaying care and cutting back on essentials. Local Government Costs: Colorado Springs will keep several park bathrooms locked for the year to save $950,000, drawing complaints from families. Sports (Denver): Spencer Steer powered the Reds to a 7-2 win over the Rockies with two homers, including an inside-the-park shot. Community & Arts: Grand Junction’s Union Depot is set to get $624,000 in state revitalization tax credit funding, including transit and arts-focused public space.

Cold Case Breakthrough: Larry Dean Brown, 79, was extradited from Colorado and charged in the 1981 strangulation of Texas woman Beverly Bruneau, a case now moving forward after decades. Roads & Local Economy: Mesa County road crews put a new $316,000 asphalt distributor to work on rural chip sealing near Mack Mesa Airport, aiming to extend pavement life. Housing & Cost Pressures: A new Colorado Health Foundation Pulse Poll finds 85% of Coloradans say cost of living is a serious or extreme problem, with housing and healthcare also topping worries. Wildfire Response: Aspen Acres fire containment rose to 48% as crews focus on protecting Rye and San Isabel, with more fire activity expected as temperatures climb. Wildlife Regulation: Colorado Parks and Wildlife narrowly approved new daily limits on furbearers, ending the “unlimited” approach for hunters. Denver Sports & Entertainment: Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will stay put after head-coach interviews, while Denver’s entertainment licensing rules are moving toward major updates. Travel Update: Aer Lingus will cut several Dublin U.S. routes, including Denver, as it restructures service.

Wildfire Recovery in Colorado City: Gin and Bear It Liquor reopened Thursday after the Aspen Acres Fire, but owner Josh Peterson says the road to recovery is just starting after losing much of his inventory. Health Care Costs & Insurance Rules: A second Colorado family says the state’s “birthday rule” left them in a fight with insurers over NICU bills, after claims were paid then retroactively taken back. Impaired Driving Push: CDOT and MADD honored law enforcement and prosecutors for DUI-prevention work, including a case tied to a crash that killed three people and involved CDOT workers. Time Change Debate: The House passed a bill to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, reviving Colorado’s already-approved plan to end twice-yearly clock changes. Wildlife & Water: The federal government reclassified the razorback sucker from endangered to threatened, shifting protections for the Colorado River fish. Local Public Safety: Denver police arrested two juveniles in connection with a June 30 fatal shooting. Weekend Plans: Free concerts are planned at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, plus a full slate of events across the state.

AI in Schools: Jefferson County Public Schools is letting students use Google’s Gemini and NotebookLM, but with teacher-by-teacher rules and a red/yellow/green “traffic light” system for when AI is allowed—plus an honesty check meant to keep students accountable. Title IX Fight: A report says Jeffco is spending about $400 an hour on an attorney as it challenges a U.S. Department of Education finding tied to Title IX violations involving boys in girls’ spaces and sports. Wildfire Updates: The Green Ridge Fire is at 41 acres and 75% contained, with evacuations lifted for areas that were previously cleared; crews are now focusing on containment lines and hot spots. Aspen Acres Fire: Aspen Acres has grown to nearly 100,000 acres and is about 35% contained, with Rye and nearby areas still under evacuation orders as conditions worsen later in the day. Water & Wildlife: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is moving fish-protection closures on the Colorado, Eagle, Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers due to extremely low flows and high temperatures. Health & Research: CSU researchers are studying how wildfire smoke and air pollution may affect dogs, using the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study to track cancer and other outcomes. Community & Culture: Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder is starting a major $17 million renovation to bring winter programming back to the historic venue.

Wildfire & Public Health: Aspen Acres keeps creeping toward the 100,000-acre mark (about 99,529 acres, 36% contained), while wildfire smoke is pushing Denver’s unhoused population into higher health risk as air quality worsens. Public Safety & Justice: Colorado Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office says it helped arrest a Denver man accused of exploiting and extorting a Louisiana juvenile for child sexual abuse material. Local Government: Longmont City Council voted to buy the former YMCA for $4.5 million, aiming to reopen a recreation center after months of debate. State Policy & Education: The Colorado State Board heard updates on budget and new rules tied to part-time programs for homeschool students. Health Care Access: Medicaid non-emergency medical transport providers are cutting back, with at least one western Colorado service suspending “non-life-sustaining” trips. Arts & Economy: Colorado Public Radio is set to receive a $1.5 million tax credit for its new Denver headquarters. Transit: RTD is considering ending Denver’s 16th Street FreeRide shuttle amid budget pressure.