Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1962, President John F. Kennedy lit the National Christmas Tree—a towering seven-story spruce harvested from Poncha Pass near Salida and transported over 2,000 miles to Washington, D.C. See historical photos here.

Christmas spirit is in the air! One of our top stories takes you aboard a magical fantasy flight to the North Pole, bringing joy to children facing serious health challenges. Plus, don't miss our festive Christmas flavor poll—cast your vote now!

We're flying today with Duo Cover from Two Pillars. Check out their product in today's edition.

Polis Shreds 208 Outdated Executive Orders

Gov. Jared Polis repealed over 200 outdated executive orders last week, destroying them symbolically with a table saw and then signing a new order to formally abolish them.

He emphasized the importance of reducing bureaucratic clutter and improving government efficiency. The repealed orders, some over a century old, addressed long-past issues like a 1958 grasshopper infestation and a 1982 cattle scabies outbreak.

Republicans called the move necessary but insufficient, citing Colorado's economic challenges and excessive regulation.

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce, which ranked the state as the sixth most regulated, warned that excessive rules threaten jobs and growth. It plans to push for a regulatory cap and sunset provisions in 2025.

DIA Braces for Busy Holiday Travel Season

Denver International Airport (DIA) is preparing for a busy holiday travel season, with over a million travelers expected to pass through starting this week.

Peak travel days include Dec. 19, 20, and 30. Passengers are advised to arrive early, particularly during peak security hours from 6 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Recent security updates include the closure of the A-Bridge Security checkpoint. Travelers now have two security options: the South Security checkpoint on Level 5 and the new West Security checkpoint on Level 6.

For a smoother experience, travelers are reminded to avoid packing wrapped gifts and check for prohibited items.

Fantasy Flight Takes Kids to the 'North Pole’

A plane full of children cheered aboard a festively decorated flight in Denver on Saturday as they prepared for a magical trip to the "North Pole."

More than 100 children, including some facing serious health challenges, took a 45-minute flight near the city before returning to Denver International Airport. The plane was adorned with streamers, snowflakes, and bubbles.

Awaiting them upon arrival was a snowy wonderland inside a United Airlines hangar, transformed into a festive North Pole scene complete with Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, and a trove of gifts. Watch a video here.

United Airlines' "fantasy flights," a 30-year tradition, bring holiday joy to children in cities worldwide.

Flying together with our sponsor

Make Your Microwaved Food Taste Better (And So Much More!)

Duo Cover is a next-generation microwave food cover that gives you better-tasting leftovers, a splatter-free microwave, and finger protection from hot dishes—all in one convenient plastic-free device.

Turn your leftovers into tasty chef-like dishes with Duo Cover.

➤ Front Range: Regulators may end groundwater discharge permits, raising concerns about increased contamination of Denver’s South Platte River. (More)

➤ South Central Colorado: The Cuchara ski area has received $250,000 in state funding to support operations as local volunteers work to restore the shuttered ski hill’s chairlift. (See Photos)

➤ Statewide: COVID trends have flattened across the state, with hospitalizations lower than in previous years. Summer immunity and variant changes are credited, while flu cases rise. (See Data)

➤ Clear Creek County: A hiker stranded near Mount Bierstadt with frozen shoes was rescued by volunteers after signaling for help with a light. His father’s 911 call proved lifesaving. (See Photos)

➤ Windsor: A truck repair shop that disabled emissions control equipment on hundreds of diesel engines on heavy-duty trucks was fined $37,500, and its owner was sentenced to a year in prison. (More)

➤ Denver: Snowstang has resumed service from Denver to four top ski resorts along the I-70 Mountain Corridor, offering affordable and convenient transportation to the high country through May 2025. (See Details)

➤ The Denver Broncos' playoff chances soar to 91% after a 31-13 win over the Colts. A victory against the Chargers on Thursday Night Football could clinch their first postseason berth since Super Bowl 50. (More)

➤ The Denver Nuggets dominated the Clippers 120-98 on Friday behind Jamal Murray's 20 points and a decisive 23-5 third-quarter run. Denver held an opponent under 100 for the first time since April. (See Details)

➤ Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 37 shots in his Colorado Avalanche debut on Saturday, securing a 5-2 win over the Predators. MacKinnon and Lehkonen added two goals each to seal the victory. (See Details)

➤ Aurora Central High School's cheer and dance teams are headed to nationals for the first time. Intense fundraising will support their January and February trips. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Why not get your stocking stuffers from The Flyover this year? Check out CozyCharge, the rechargeable hand warmer
that provides 8 hours of warmth whenever you need it. (See It Here)

➤ SunTrain proposed battery-equipped freight trains for renewable energy storage, aiming to bypass grid limits and cut emissions. They’re planning a grid-scale demonstration project in Colorado. (More)

➤ Señor Burritos is closing after 34 years in Denver due to minimum wage hikes and homelessness and will reopen in Westminster this January. (More)

➤ Peak Energy has opened a new facility in Broomfield to develop sodium-ion batteries, promising affordable, renewable energy solutions, and is expected to create 20 local jobs. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Losing your hearing? Don’t pay $2,500+ for a prescription, try this new OTC Hearing Aid for only $189 from Audien Atom! (See It Here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Duo Cover is so much more than "just another microwave cover".

This revolutionary device not only keeps your microwave sparkling clean and free from food splatters; it also steams your food using the innovative MoistureLock™ knob—then it folds up and sticks to the top of your microwave. So convenient!

Most importantly, Duo Cover is made with 100% food-grade silicone and zero plastic. Not only is it the ideal material for microwave cooking, it means you never have to worry about toxic chemicals seeping into your food.

It's a game-changer!

➤ The Ice Castles in Cripple Creek and Eagle will open Dec. 19 and 20. This marks the first time they’ve been open before Christmas. The frosty attractions feature tunnels, slides, and a new Polar Pub Ice Bar. (More)

➤ Two wild-born black-footed ferret kits were welcomed at Walker Ranch near Pueblo, while a cloned ferret in Virginia became the first cloned U.S. endangered species to reproduce. (See Photos)

➤ Colorado booksellers, including Kirstin Kraig of Whale’s Tale Books in Lakewood, have received $500 holiday bonuses from James Patterson, who has been awarding independent store employees since 2015. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Give the gift of preserving all of your photos this holiday season. The PhotoStick® OMNI automatically finds, sorts, and saves up to 60,000 photos and videos across all your devices with just ONE click. Over 1.5 Million People Use ThePhotoStick® OMNI!