�ʹڲ�����ַ

---

Good morning, Sunriser readers!

Checking in from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I’ve spent the past week in the company of journalists from all over the West. It’s been an incredibly generative week, hearing how they think about and report in their communities — from Buffalo restoration on the Wind River Reservation to migrant shelters in northern Mexico.

At times our meetings can feel really dark, talking through stories of people and issues intentionally cast aside, thrown into shadow, often by people and policies those affected have no say in. But there’s a hopefulness that comes from knowing these stories won’t go untold.

Some of you may have left last night’s screening of “Stripped for Parts” with similarly conflicting feelings, and though I couldn’t be there, I heard it was a great event. Huge thanks to everyone who showed up, to those who stay engaged and who help us do the work we do.

Now before I can get sickeningly earnest, let’s dive into today’s stories.

THE NEWS

WILDFIRE

In Boulder, cows from a historic ranch chomp through tall grass before it can fuel a wildfire

It’s been a long time since Mrs. O’Leary’s cow was blamed for starting the . Long enough that a herd of cows in Boulder is being used to prevent fast-moving grass fires by doing what they do best: eat and eat and eat some more. Tracy Ross has more.

READ MORE

---

OUTDOORS

Outside Festival attendance nearly doubles in second year, setting Denver on path to hosting the “SXSW of the Outdoors”

The combination of an outdoor industry gathering (the Outside Summit) and a two-day music festival (the titular Outside Festival) is adding up to a weeklong destination for thousands — and has the potential to keep growing, Jason Blevins reports.

READ MORE

• �ʹڲ�����ַ ski areas report 13.8 million visits in 2024-25, marking the third busiest season ever. While �ʹڲ�����ַ had its third-busiest season ever, nationwide ski resorts had their second-busiest, Jason Blevins reports.

---

WATER

Northern Water discovers uranium at nearly complete Chimney Hollow Reservoir site in Larimer County

The unexpected discovery of uranium in rocks that had been quarried out of the Chimney Hollow Reservoir site has increased the need for monitoring by Northern Water, Jerd Smith reports, but there is no immediate threat to drinking water.

READ MORE

---

IMMIGRATION

Jared Polis ordered �ʹڲ�����ַ labor department to turn over personal information after ICE subpoena, lawsuit claims

Scott Moss, the director of the state’s Division of Labor Standards and Statistics, filed a whistleblower case alleging that �ʹڲ�����ַ Gov. Jared Polis ordered the department to turn over personal information to ICE about people who were providing homes for unaccompanied minor immigrant children, including insurance and employment records. Jennifer Brown has more on the allegations and why Moss argues such a turnover would violate state law.

READ MORE

---

MORE NEWS

• �ʹڲ�����ַ law requiring people buying guns to be 21 or older can stand, federal judge rules. A gun rights group challenged the 2023 law in court. Thursday’s ruling by a U.S. District judge is a win for gun-control advocates.
• AmeriCorps must restore grant funding and members to states like �ʹڲ�����ַ that sued over cuts, federal judge rules. �ʹڲ�����ַ is among the nearly two dozen states that sued to reverse cuts made by Trump’s DOGE in April.
• Boulder firebombing suspect charged with 118 counts, including 28 counts of attempted murder, in state court. Mohamed Soliman, 45, could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted. He appeared in court at the Boulder County jail on Thursday afternoon.
• “A walk just like all our others, until it wasn’t”: Boulder firebombing victims share their stories at vigil. The attack targeted the Boulder Run For Their Lives demonstration, a weekly event held to raise awareness of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
• NTSB finds fuel leak, improperly installed parts in engine of airliner that caught fire at Denver airport. The preliminary findings don’t identify the cause of the fire because the NTSB won’t reach that conclusion until after it completes its investigation, likely sometime next year.
• Fact Brief ☀️ Is the recording of police legally protected? Yes. Filming police is a constitutionally protected right, multiple courts have ruled, though some restrictions may apply.

THE COLORADO REPORT

• 
  According to exhibits submitted with a lawsuit, the mayor called people who opposed the project “terrorists,” “unfortunate looking creatures” and “f-ing losers.”
  — 9News
• The Denver Onyx have only been playing since March 29, but among the Women’s Elite Rugby league the team — named after rose onyx, a pink gemstone found only in �ʹڲ�����ַ — has blown out opposing teams by more than 50 points in every home match.
  — 5280
• Mikaela Shiffrin and Peyton Manning are among the high-profile and �ʹڲ�����ַ-rooted names on the new Denver NWSL franchise’s finalized ownership roster.
  — The Denver Post
• The smoldering 35-foot-high, football field-sized site is on private land in Fremont County.
  — KRCC

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

THE OPINION PAGE

COMMUNITY

• �ʹڲ�����ַ has been a leader in innovation, but new Trump policy will undermine those efforts. The new administration’s attack on intellectual property rights would hurt �ʹڲ�����ַ institutions and businesses investing in high-risk efforts and research.
  — Dan Powers, CO-LABS executive director

CARTOONS

In “What’d I Miss?” Myra and Ossie wonder how anyone could respond to a political opponent’s cancer diagnosis with snide remarks and fake conspiracy theories.

CARTOON

Jim Morrissey has found evidence confirming the demographic data that shows �ʹڲ�����ַ is, in fact, aging rapidly.

CARTOON

Drew Litton teases that �ʹڲ�����ַ’s women’s pro soccer team added a new investor in football star Peyton Manning, who knows exactly what he’s doing. Right?

CARTOON

�ʹڲ�����ַ is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.

Podcast Playlist

CONVERSATION

Each weekday The Daily Sun-Up podcast brings you a thoughtful conversation and headlines of the day. We keep it tight so you can listen on the go, or stack up a few and tune in at your leisure. Download the Sun-Up for free on your favorite podcasting app, including , , or to plug into your app. Check out this week’s lineup from The Sun team:

• A recent Supreme Court ruling keeps alive a controversial Utah railway that would bring crude oil on the lines along the �ʹڲ�����ַ River. Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins breaks down what’s next for Eagle County’s fight.
  
• Sun publisher Larry Ryckman and Rick Goldsmith, the director of “Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink,” discuss the documentary, the state of media right now and more.
  
• �ʹڲ�����ַ author Samuel Marquis writes about his ninth-great grandfather, one of the most famous pirates ever. He chats with SunLit editor Kevin Simpson about the book that explores the complex narrative behind the man and his exploits on the high seas.
  
• We talk a lot about the healing power of the �ʹڲ�����ַ outdoors. Sun reporter Tracy Ross talks with outdoor journalist Doug Schnitzspahn about why getting outside should remain a priority in an increasingly fast-paced world.
  
• Gov. Jared Polis joined Sun politics reporter Jesse Paul for our annual legislative review session. We’ve got a “Purplish” episode with our friends at the �ʹڲ�����ַ Capitol News Alliance.
  

🗣️ Remember, you can ask Siri, Alexa or Google to “play the Daily Sun-Up podcast” and we’ll be right on your smart speaker. As always we appreciate your feedback and comments at podcast@coloradosun.com.

---

Hope you enjoy the weekend everyone, see you back here Monday.

— Parker & the whole staff of The Sun

Corrections & Clarifications

Notice something wrong? �ʹڲ�����ַ has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.

Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.