Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1875, vigilantes murdered Judge Elias Dyer in his courtroom in Granite. His assassination marked the culmination of the Lake County War.

If you're planning on driving this holiday weekend, you're in luck—Colorado's gas prices are cheaper than last summer. Still, experts recommend filling up now to avoid a price hike and high pump traffic. Will you be traveling for the Fourth? Vote in our Poll and hit reply to share your Independence Day plans.

We think of The Colorado Flyover as more than a news publication—it's a family. And if you're reading this, you're a part of it. Every morning, we show up in your inbox hoping to offer a grounded, honest start to the day. And we are grateful that you start your day with us.

This week, one of our own—David, our editor in chief and the second-longest serving member of The Colorado Flyover team—underwent surgery. He's currently in the hospital recovering. We'd love to welcome him back with a wave of encouragement from the people he serves every day: you.

If you'd like to send David a get-well note, just reply to this email. We'll make sure he sees every message. Let's fill his inbox with support from across The Colorado Flyover family.

We're sponsored today by a Flyover favorite, the Sonic Glow Toothbrush.

Don't feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

Polis Grants $250k to Places of Worship

Gov. Jared Polis announced that a $250,000 emergency fund will be made available for organizations at "increased risk" in the wake of the June 1 attack on pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder.

The funds will be available to synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship as a supplement to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides $1 million each year to organizations at risk of terror attacks. Unlike the regular program, this emergency funding does not require prior denial from federal grants.

Awardees can use the money for security equipment, security-related planning, exercises or training, hiring security personnel, and other security enhancements. Application criteria are forthcoming, the governor's office said.

The announcement comes at a time when antisemitic incidents are at an all-time high in Colorado, with a 373% increase from 2019 to 2024.

UCHealth Wins Lawsuit Against Colorado

The state of Colorado is asking for nearly $60 million back from several public hospitals after losing a lawsuit to UCHealth over hospital classifications.

A judge ruled last month that two UCHealth hospitals were misclassified as public, triggering a retroactive change in federal reimbursement calculations under the hospital provider fee system.

Lacking an alternative funding source, the state says it must revoke $59.7 million in funds distributed to Denver Health and 28 rural hospitals during the last fiscal year.

State officials warn the ruling will disproportionately impact rural hospitals, possibly forcing some to close, as up to $50 million in funding per year shifts from public to private hospitals.

Metallica Breaks Denver Attendance Record

Metallica wrapped up their M72 World Tour over the weekend with two sold-out shows in Denver, setting a new attendance record for a two-show run at Empower Field.

The previous record was held by Taylor Swift, who performed at the stadium in 2023. Metallica surpassed it by bringing in a combined 152,000 fans for their Friday and Sunday concerts.

Leading up to the concerts, Metallica broke another record when they hosted the largest blood drive in Denver Red Cross history, collecting enough donations to potentially save 240 lives.

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➤ Statewide: Disability and patient rights advocates filed a lawsuit alleging Colorado's medical aid in dying (MAID) program is unconstitutional and discriminates against people with disabilities. (See Details)

➤ Alamosa County: Barry Morphew, indicted last week in connection with his wife's 2020 murder, was extradited to Colorado from Arizona on Monday. He's now in the county jail awaiting his first court appearance. (More)

➤ Larimer County: A paraglider was seriously injured after he crashed in a field north of Loveland on Monday night. (More)

➤ Statewide: Colorado Parks and Wildlife says it has spent $3 million on its wolf reintroduction program, $2.2 million more than voters were told it would cost in 2020. (See Details)

➤ Denver: Federal authorities arrested two men accused of running a car theft ring that targeted Denver International Airport and other major cities, exporting stolen vehicles to Mexico. (See Details)

➤ Pueblo County: A former Sheriff's Office sergeant was arrested on Monday for allegedly keeping more than $17,000 in union dues collected from his colleagues' paychecks. (More)

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➤ The Denver Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for sharpshooter Cameron Johnson. The move also opens up financial flexibility for the Nuggets in free agency. (More)

➤ The Denver Broncos' biggest offseason surprise so far has been rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant, who's legitimately vying for a starting role in training camp. (More)

➤ NHL free agency opened Monday and will continue through the week. See who the Avalanche have picked up so far. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Tennis

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➤ The Colfax Ave Business Improvement District launched a microgrant program, offering $500 to $1,500 to businesses impacted by Bus Rapid Transit construction. (See Details)

➤ A shuttered 1950s motel recognized as a historic Denver landmark will reopen this fall, featuring a restoration of its original vintage style and a new coffee shop and cocktail bar. (See Details)

➤ Tenants of Mint Urban Infinity Apartments have filed a second class action lawsuit, alleging new ownership hasn't done enough to improve living conditions. A previous lawsuit ended in a $13.5 million jury award in March. (See Details)

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➤ Glendale will host its "July 4th on the Second" celebration tonight at Infinity Park. The event features an outdoor movie screening, local food trucks, and a fireworks show. (See Details)

➤ The Sidewinder, a classic Elitch Gardens rollercoaster closed since 2023 for repairs, reopened on Saturday for the first time in two years. (More)

➤ A new exhibit in Frisco showcases historical artifacts—including antique wallpaper, a Folgers coffee can, and a 149-year-old bottle of Budweiser—discovered while remodeling the town's new visitor center. (See Video)

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