Monday, April 21, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1862, the Denver Mint was established by an act of Congress. Although it didn't begin producing coins as planned until 1906, it is now the largest coin producer in the world.

Today's edition of The Colorado Flyover is a bit shorter than usual so that our staff could spend time with family for Easter. We'll return tomorrow with our regular Tuesday edition of The Colorado Flyover.

We're sponsored today by a Colorado favorite, Westbound & Down Brewing Company, giving you a chance to become an investor in this craft brewery.

Colorado River Water Debate Heats Up

Colorado River states are debating six competing plans for managing water use beyond 2026, with the deadline for reaching a seven-state agreement just two weeks away.

All six plans would trigger deep cuts, particularly in the Lower Basin. In most scenarios, Upper Basin states like Colorado would be asked to voluntarily conserve up to 500,000 acre-feet of water.

At the crux of the debate is Colorado's snowpack, which saw a below-average peak this year. Officials predict that the low snowpack will lead to reduced reservoir levels across the basin, spelling significant water scarcity.

Basin officials must submit a proposal by May for it to be considered by the federal government. The current management agreement will expire in September 2026, and if no consensus is reached, the federal government may step in with its own plan.

Officials Warn of Explosives on Green Mountain

The city of Lakewood is warning hikers to watch out for explosives at William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain.

The park was once part of the Camp George West Artillery Range, a pre-World War II military training site. Officials say unexploded munitions from the camp's artillery training still remain in the area.

In a social media post, the city reminded residents that munitions have been found on the park's northern side. While none have been found recently, officials stressed, "it's important to stay alert."

A cleanup project, led by the Army National Guard, is ongoing. Meanwhile, authorities urge hikers to remember the three Rs—recognize, retreat, and report—and to stay on marked trails for safety.

What's Better Than Drinking Local, Award-Winning Beer?

Owning stock in the brewery that makes it. That's the story of Colorado's most-awarded brewery, Westbound & Down.

They blend gold-medal beer with a hospitality-first, premium dining approach—creating a brand that customers seek out. Twenty-plus awards from names like the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup don't hurt, either. Neither does their retail partnership with Whole Foods.

With 1,835% distribution sales growth since 2019 and four locations with waitlists every weekend, they've already built the demand most craft brands can only dream of.

Now, they're working to scale production 4X by 2028 to meet it—and inviting you to share in their growth as an early investor.

➤ Farmers markets across the state have posted their opening dates, with a few already underway. Most markets kick off in May and will run through the fall with fresh, local goods. (See List)

➤ Seen any turkeys lately? Arapahoe County says it has received several reports of the birds wandering around the metro area—but the sightings aren't all that unusual for this time of year. (See Video)

➤ The Aspen Divas, an all-women synchronized skiing team, competed in the World Synchro Championships in Telluride this month. (More)

➤ Wild horses aren't just a thing of the past in Colorado—there are more than 2,000 of them roaming the state's western slope. (See Videos)

➤ Bears are waking up, and they're hungry. One in Evergreen got itself stuck in a resident's car while looking for food. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

Three Men Walk Into A Brewery…

And realize they could do things infinitely better.

That realization turned into Colorado's own Westbound & Down—a beer brand built by three best friends obsessed with beer, food, and hospitality. Their vision wasn't just to brew great beer, but to rethink the American brewpub experience from the ground up.

The results speak for themselves: 20+ national awards, 1,835% growth in distribution sales, and hours-long waitlists at their brewpubs every weekend. With retail partners like Whole Foods and 600+ other accounts on board, demand's quickly outpacing supply.

That's why they're working to 4X production capacity by 2028. And you can join them. Become an early W&D investor today to share in their growth.

This is a paid advertisement for Westbound & Down's Regulation CF Offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.westboundanddown.com/