Good morning, Colorado!
Call me crazy, but I decided to drive 12½ hours from Colorado Springs to Burnet, Texas, to join the millions of Americans who watched the solar eclipse from the path of totality. The probability of seeing the black disc of the moon as it crossed the sun’s path was low (forecasts projected 70% cloud cover) but I decided to go for it — and what a spectacular four minutes it was.
As the sunlight dwindled, the air became chilled and there was an eerie midday twilight before the sky went dark. The sun’s corona glowed and Jupiter and Venus came into view. Kids jumped and cheered nearby, and I don’t think I could peel the goofy smile, complemented by goofy eclipse glasses, off my face as I stared up in awe. What felt like a long voyage in the car was worth the humbling reminder of our planet’s place in the cosmos.
Sadly, we’ve got more than 20 years before we can witness another rare total eclipse from North America. So in the meantime, let’s catch up with today’s news.
Reporter
THE NEWS
HEALTH
Colorado Medicaid program settles lawsuit over lack of mental health care for children
After a class-action lawsuit alleged the state’s policies are resulting in kids getting stuck in hospital emergency rooms and institutions, Colorado now must hire an outside consultant to examine its mental health services for children. Under the settlement of the case, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing didn’t admit to violating any laws, but agreed to pay for an outside examination of its Medicaid policies, Jennifer Brown reports.
OUTDOORS
Inside the Summit County ERs that treat thousands of skiing injuries every season
About 16,500 people are rushed to the emergency department at St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco each year — about a third to a half of those people come from nearby ski areas: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone and Loveland. The number of patients has soared as Colorado and U.S. ski areas posted record visitation in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Reporter Jason Blevins spent time with patients inside the ER and doctors who treat thousands of ski injuries each season and shares their stories.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental groups appeal Colorado’s water quality permit for Suncor
A coalition of environmental groups filed an appeal of the state’s water discharge permit for the Suncor refinery and is asking the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to reconsider the permit renewal it issued the refinery in early March. Why? They say the permit sets a limit for PFAS that is too high and will allow more “forever chemicals” to leak into nearby waterways and neighborhoods, has inadequate PFAS monitoring requirements and gives Suncor too long to come into compliance.
Meanwhile, Suncor has filed its own appeal of the permit. Environment reporter Michael Booth has the details.
ENERGY
Agencies downgrade Tri-State bonds, adding to rural power cooperative’s ongoing pressures
More than 70 years ago, Tri-State built a network of power plants, including several coal-fired units, to provide electricity to rural co-ops in Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. But now the financial pressure is mounting after four member co-ops cut ties seeking cleaner electricity and cheaper rates. Mark Jaffe has more on the rural co-op navigating new competitors and demands in a rapidly changing electricity market.
Section by Olivia Prentzel | Reporter
THE COLORADO REPORT
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Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler
THE OPINION PAGE
COMMUNITY
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SunLit
In “The Amusement Park at Sloan’s Lake,” a rival launches “Zoo War”
Amid the many layers of fascinating Colorado history, author David Forsyth has focused his attention on an often overlooked element of Denver’s long effort to outgrow its cowtown roots — amusement parks. “The Amusement Park at Sloan’s Lake: The Forgotten History of Denver’s Manhattan Beach” dives deep into the 19th-century story of a troubled park with a rich history.
Kevin Simpson | Writer
Thanks for reading! We hope you have a wonderful Tuesday.
— Olivia & the whole staff of The Sun
Corrections & Clarifications
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