Compiled by Eric Lubbers, eric@coloradosun.com
CTO/Newsletter Wrangler, @brofax
Good morning and happy Friday, all! The staff of The Sun had the pleasure of hanging out with Evan Smith, CEO and co-founder of the Texas Tribune (and host of “Overheard” on PBS). Our editor Larry Ryckman talked with Evan about the future of local journalism and how the Tribune has survived and thrived and had a major impact on his state for more than a decade, before his talk at the University of Denver (seen below).
During his very quotable time here, one comment stood out, about why the Tribune (and now places like The Sun) are pursuing a new model of journalism:
“It’s not about journalism. It’s about democracy.”
A citizenry that knows the facts, knows what’s going on, knows the stories of their neighbors is a citizenry that fights what Smith called “the disease of disengagement.” It makes them better voters, better business people and better neighbors.
People like you who have stepped up and supported The Colorado Sun as members are the reason we can do it here in Colorado. Thanks, as always, for helping make our citizenry more informed. And every time you share one of our stories or tell people about our newsletters, it makes your support go even further.
By rethinking the idea of what a news business can be — by making it ethical, nonpartisan, transparent and beholden only to readers — The Sun has already made an impact on Colorado. And we’d love to have you on board to help us serve even more of the state.
Memberships are a cheap, direct way to do something good for your community. Starting at just $5/month, you can claim a stake in making Colorado better. Pop on over to http://coloradosun.com/join and ride the good feeling you get when you join right into the weekend.
We’ve got big plans for our future here in Colorado, and we’re thrilled to have you on the team.
OK, we have a full plate of news ahead of us here, so it’s time to get past the appetizer and into the entreé so you can get to your weekend.
Let’s step into our crampons and climb this ice already, shall we?
The Latest from The Sun
Lorena Garcia casts herself as the true progressive in U.S. Senate race. But first she needs to make the ballot.
Lorena Garcia, Democratic candidate for Senate and executive director of the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, speaks at Indivisible Denver’s candidate forum at Barnum Park in Denver on June 9, 2019. (Eric Lubbers, The Colorado Sun)
“If Romanoff was a real progressive, maybe, but he’s not a real progressive, so I’m not concerned.”
— Lorena Garcia
Running for the Senate is a complicated, expensive process. But Lorena Garcia, who is positioning herself as the progressive alternative to both John Hickenlooper and Andrew Romanoff, is using what she sees as voters disillusioned with traditional candidates — and thousands of signatures — to try to make a dent in the race to take on Cory Gardner. John Frank has more on her candidacy and what her steep path to the nomination looks like. >> STORY + PHOTOS
At 25 years old, Ouray’s ice festival continues to foster — and anchor — the winter sport’s rise
Ice climber Tyler Stableford of Carbondale descends into Box Canyon in the Ouray Ice Park on Jan. 5. Stableford, who has been climbing for three decades, has been regularly coming to Ouray to climb ice for the past several years. (William Woody, Special to The Colorado Sun)
What started out as a few rowdy locals climbing frozen leaks from an old water pipeline has turned into a world-class ice climbing destination, writes photographer William Woody, who has a dispatch from the 25th anniversary of the event that draws thousands to the town of Ouray every year. This may be the story that finally gets me out to climb some ice. >> STORY + PHOTOS
Colorado’s largest abortion rights group splits from national organization to refocus on state-level battles
Reproductive rights groups are bracing against waves of challenges to abortion access in states all around the country, and with a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, many are worried about the fate of Roe v. Wade. That environment is the backdrop for the decision by NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado to split from its national group and rebrand as Cobalt, in order to double down and focus on issues here in the first state to legalize abortion back in 1967. >> STORY
+ OP-ED: The president of what is now Cobalt, Karen Middleton, explains in an opinion piece why the group made the change.
“He had it good and it wasn’t enough”: How a resort executive’s stolen-ski scheme shocked Aspen
“This is not a moment-of-weakness case. This is a person who made a good living and chose to steal millions of dollars on top of that. He chose crime. He chose theft.”
— Pitkin County Deputy District Attorney Don Nottingham
You may have seen the headlines of a former Aspen ski executive being sentenced to six years in jail for a scheme to resell stolen skis. But Jason Blevins has the details of the “man with two faces” — a father and city councilman on one side and a ruthless bully of a boss and now convicted embezzler. This is a fascinating read. >> STORY
Colorado’s mobile home owners are about to get more leverage in disputes with park owners
Fish Creek Mobile Home Park next to the Yampa River and bike path. (Matt Stensland, Special to The Colorado Sun)
Kevin Simpson has a follow-up to The Sun’s statewide collaborative project “Parked: Half the American Dream”: A revamp of the Mobile Home Parks Act in Colorado is writing new rules that provide a framework to resolve disputes — without having to hire a lawyer — “between mobile home owners and the park owners they pay rent to. >> EXPLAINER
More from The Sun
A lidar scan, used to measure snowpack on Maroon Bells near Aspen. One of the problems with water forecasting is that snow doesn’t fall uniformly across the mountains. To better plan for the implications of climate change, researchers are trying to be more precise in their measurements of how much snow there is.
- HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS CHANGING SNOWPACK: In part 3 of Mark Jaffe’s “Future of Snow” series, he looks at why measuring snowpack is so important for predicting the effects of climate change and how researchers are making those measurements without having to climb up every mountain in the Rockies. >> STORY
- NEW WAGE RULES MIGHT AFFECT YOU: Major revisions to Colorado’s minimum wage law were approved, and even if you make more than minimum wage, the new rules regulating overtime, meals and breaks could impact your job. Tamara Chuang has the details. >> EXPLAINER
I’m not buying it. If 80% of Western Slope residents want wolves reintroduced, I will eat the governor’s hat.
— Former Colorado Wildlife Commissioner Rick Enstrom
- SURVEY SAYS COLORADANS ♥ WOLVES: A CSU study says that a majority of Colorado voters intend to vote for the reintroduction of wolves — even as dozens of counties around the state have passed resolutions opposing the reintroduction. >> STORY + ANALYSIS
- BREAKING WOLF NEWS: Western Slope Sen. Kerry Donovan wants to slow the roll on gray wolves with a bill that would postpone reintroduction until there’s a fund to pay ranchers for their livestock losses or if it turns out Colorado already has a “self-sustaining population.” Check coloradosun.com soon for the full story.
- NO CHARGES FOR SUPER GLUE CLIMATE PROTESTERS: The 33 protesters arrested for protesting before Gov. Polis’ State of the State address (including the man who tried to super glue his fingers to the bannister, captured in this photo by Kathryn Scott) will not face charges. >> STORY
- COLORADO JOINS SUIT OVER 3D-PRINTED GUN RULES: Colorado’s attorney general joined 19 other states in a suit against federal regulations that could allow blueprints for making home-printed firearms to be posted on the internet. >> STORY
“I think a compelling case is being put in front of the Senate, and so far it hasn’t been rebutted at all — except by the president’s middle finger.”
— U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet
- BENNET CAUGHT BETWEEN IMPEACHMENT + CAMPAIGN: Michael Bennet is one of four senators running for president and participating in the historic impeachment trial of President Trump. But he’s making his impression of the impeachment proceedings very clear (as seen in the quote above). >> STORY
The Fun Stuff
JOHN FRANK’S BEER PICK
Earlier this month, at the amazing Big Beers festival in Breckenridge, plenty of breweries poured the latest and craziest stouts. One I’m still thinking about is Telluride Brewing’s Sleeper Pow Day, an imperial stout aged in Woody Creek bourbon barrels. The clean spirit flavors and rich chocolate malt made it a great beer to sip on. Look for it next time you see a good tap list.
CARTOONS
// Any dog owner will howl when they recognize the familiar veterinary device that Jim Morrissey employs to convey his feelings about the Humane Pet Act now under consideration in the state legislature.
// In “What’d I Miss?” Ossie and Myra wonder what happens when the neighborhood grocery store turns into an Amazon-owned neighborhood hot spot with a liquor license.
// And as we start to count down the days till pitchers and catchers report, Drew Litton has a quick reminder of the Rockies’ past glory…and present uncertainty.
SPEAKING OF DREW! We’re having a blowout giveaway for our stock of Drew Litton’s 2020 calendar! You can buy one now for just $10, but we’re giving away calendars for free for 10 people who post a link to coloradosun.com/newsletters to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram telling your friends and family why you start your day with The Sunriser. Just use the hashtag #sunriser2020 (and tag @ColoradoSun on Twitter or @TheColoradoSun on FB/IG) to enter. Even if you don’t get chosen in the drawing, we’ll send everyone who posts an additional $5 coupon. We’ll be drawing names on Jan. 29 (Wednesday) so get creative!
SUNLIT
Time travel, murder, a ghost and a friend turned violent. Todd Fahnestock packs it all into a single excerpt from “Charlie Fiction,” a novel that began with his appreciation for the opening sentences of “The Martian” and then his own effort to write a compelling opening scene. Those sentences just sat there — until Fahnestock’s conversation with a literary super-agent inspired him to write the rest of the novel. Read an interview with Fahnestock here.
The Colorado Report
THE BEST JOURNALISM FROM IN AND AROUND THE STATE
// COLORADO SPRINGS’ DOWNTOWN COAL-FIRED PLANT NOT RUNNING OFTEN: Last year Jesse Paul reported on the unique clash of Colorado Springs’ major development plans and its big, old, coal-fired Martin Drake Power Plant that sits right on some prime downtown real estate. It’s still slated to close in 2035, but a new EPA report shows that the two remaining coal-fired units were offline for nearly 200 days between September 2018 and September 2019. // The Colorado Sun, Colorado Springs Independent
// DENVER’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON HOMELESSNESS + “PRACTICALLY INSTANT” HOUSING: The Denver Business Journal launched a major package looking at how the Denver business community is responding — and should respond — to homelessness in the city that goes way beyond just worrying about tents. Read the letter from Editor-in-chief Rebecca Troyer for links to each piece and why they put it in front of their paywall. Meanwhile, on the east side of town, the Quality Inn and Suites on Quebec Street in less than a year turned from a for-sale hotel to a 139-unit affordable housing facility that will immediately house people — some coming directly from the street. // Denver Business Journal, Denverite
// THE WOMAN GETTING ANGRY MESSAGES MEANT FOR CORY GARDNER: Calling your lawmaker is still one of the most direct ways to make your voice heard, but for Laura — a Grand Lake resident with a number that is one missed key press away from Sen. Cory Gardner’s office — her voicemail is full of angry impeachment-related calls. Marshall Zellinger talked to Laura and has recordings of a few of the voicemails you can listen to for yourself. // 9News
It’s a little remarkable that we’re so close to the end of the first month of 2020. But thanks for taking a break to catch up on Colorado with us.
Don’t forget to post about The Sunriser (or any of our newsletters) using #sunriser2020 on your social media of choice to get your free (or at least heavily discounted) Drew Litton calendar so you can keep track of this year as it flies by.
Have a phenomenal, eventful, restful weekend and we’ll see you here next week!
— Eric