Thursday, January 23, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 2024, Todd Helton was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, receiving 79.7% of the vote. He is the second Rockies member to be elected after Larry Walker.

Swisspod Technologies, a Swiss-American startup pioneering the hyperloop technology, is building a test track in Pueblo. Learn more about the technology in today's Et Cetera section. Would you ride the hyperloop? Share your thoughts in our poll or reply to this email.

If you are looking for a way to improve your metabolism and boost your digestive health, check out today's sponsor Pendulum Metabolic Daily.

Colorado, 21 States Sue to Block Birthright Order

Colorado and 21 other states have sued to block President Donald Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship.

Birthright citizenship automatically grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of the parents' citizenship status.

The executive order, issued on Monday, would deny children Social Security cards and passports unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful resident.

California, Massachusetts, and Maryland, among other states, are joining Colorado in the legal challenge. Some states, such as Arizona and Washington, filed separate lawsuits in other federal courts.

Colorado PERA Members May Face Benefit Cuts

Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) members may face benefit cuts and contribution hikes within two years due to, according to a new study.

The study prompted PERA to adjust forecasts, showing financial deterioration likely to trigger automatic cost-saving measures.

These measures may include reducing retirees' cost-of-living adjustments from 1% to 0.75% and increasing public employee and employer contributions by 0.5%. Read the full study here.

Without significant investment gains in 2024, these changes are expected to take effect by mid-2026.

Court Rejects Elephant Legal Personhood

The Colorado Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that elephants cannot be granted legal personhood to challenge their captivity, rejecting a lawsuit filed by the Nonhuman Rights Project.

The lawsuit sought to relocate five African elephants—Missy, Kimba, Lucky, LouLou, and Jambo—from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to a sanctuary, arguing that the animals suffer in captivity.

The zoo countered that the elephants are acclimated to their controlled environment and could experience undue stress or difficulty integrating into larger herds if relocated.

This ruling aligns with similar decisions in other states, where courts have consistently declined to extend legal personhood to animals.

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Here's How To Hack Your Metabolism

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*Commissioned by Pendulum, Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans between Dec. 10 and Dec. 16, 2024.

➤ Fraser: The city recorded an overnight low of -44 degrees, potentially the coldest temperature in the U.S. on Jan. 21, even colder than interior Alaska. (Watch Report)

➤ Denver: Mayor Mike Johnston announced the city will support ICE in deporting violent criminals but may file lawsuits to prevent arrests at schools and churches. (See Details)

➤ The Greeley Stampede has announced its 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, honoring Bill Hall, Jerry Pickett, and the Norcross family. The inductees will be honored during the 103rd Annual Greeley Stampede this summer. (More)

➤ Statewide: 340B, a federal prescription drug program for Medicaid-focused hospitals, is set for a legislative battle at the Colorado Capitol as advocates and critics clash over its impact. (More)

➤ Colorado Springs: Human remains found in Pueblo have been identified as Santino Cardella, a Colorado Springs man reported missing in 2022. Police are investigating it as a homicide. (More)

➤ Western Colorado: Xcel Energy has unveiled a $155 million Mountain Energy Project to reduce natural gas use and emissions while ensuring affordable energy in Grand, Lake, Eagle, and Summit counties. (More)

➤ Denver Broncos OLB Jonah Elliss was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team after recording five sacks in his rookie campaign. (More)

➤ Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić told reporters he will continue to wear the arm sleeve given to him after suffering an elbow injury three games ago, saying he won't change anything as long as the team keeps winning. (More)

➤ Colorado School of Mines head football coach Pete Sterbick has resigned, reportedly to become Montana State's next offensive coordinator. (More)

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➤ Colorado beer sales fell 3.2% in 2024, outpacing the 2% nationwide decline, leading to 41 brewery closures amid inflation, supply issues, and declining consumption. (More)

➤ The Koll Co., a California real estate company, has purchased a 142,413-square-foot industrial building in Aurora for $15.8 million. The building was recognized as the "Outstanding Building of the Year" in 2023 by the Denver chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association. (More)

➤ Fourteen Colorado chefs and restaurants have earned 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist spots, with nominees spanning nine categories, including Frasca and emerging chefs Ni and Anna Nguyen. (See List)

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➤ A coyote was freed from a wire fence in Conifer after an animal control officer braved -20-degree wind chills to rescue it. (See Photos)

➤ Pizza reigns as Colorado's favorite junk food, while Big Macs lead the fast food category. Banana bread is the favorite sweet, and Wendy's Frostys are the top takeout dessert, according to Newsweek. (See Map)

➤ Swisspod Technologies recently unveiled a hyperloop test track near Pueblo. The hyperloop, a near-vacuum tube where pods could travel at hundreds of miles per hour, which could potentially revolutionize high-speed travel, was recently discussed on the Driving You Crazy podcast. (More)

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