Good morning, Colorado.
I booked a backcountry camping spot yesterday. Let’s hope it goes better than my disastrous backpacking trip last year, when it rained the whole time, my mini stove didn’t work and my water purifying tablets were all expired. Honestly, it can only go up from there.
So here’s to hoping for brighter futures. And now, on to the news.
Presentation Editor
THE NEWS
EDUCATION
Poudre School District plans to close schools amid budget struggles. District leaders have netted big pay bumps.
29,900
Students in Fort Collins’ Poudre School District
Smaller budgets resulting from declining enrollment have led Poudre School District to consider closing schools starting in fall 2025. But district cabinet members saw pay increases of up to 17%, which has sparked some Fort Collins parents and teachers to question the district’s financial priorities. Erica Breunlin has more.
POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
Thousands of affordable housing units are at risk in Colorado. A bill would help local governments buy them.
$1,554
Current median rent payment in Denver, up from $856 in 2009
Colorado’s affordability requirements on thousands of publicly funded, low-cost units are now expiring. Housing advocates say that will leave a large share of the state’s affordable housing options at risk of being bought by out-of-state investors, who could raise rents without legal restrictions. But a new bill would give local governments a “right of first refusal” to buy privately owned affordable housing, Brian Eason reports.
TRANSPORTATION
Colorado lawmakers weigh limits, safety regulations for trains as derailed Uinta Basin Railway plan seeks fresh tracks
The Colorado House approved legislation to limit the length of trains in an effort to reduce the chances of hazardous spills into the state’s watersheds. The bill is a response to increasing train derailments and the Uinta Basin Railway plan, which, while stalled, is not dead, Jason Blevins writes.
WATER
Major Arkansas Valley water district votes to oppose purchase of farm water by city of Aurora
A major southern Colorado water district unanimously opposed an $80.4 million agricultural water purchase by Aurora, which is set to close this month. In the deal, Aurora would lease the water back to farmers around Rocky Ford in most years, but use it periodically in dry periods. The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District says the deal violates a 2003 agreement that prohibits fast-growing cities from taking more water out of the valley, Jerd Smith reports.
Section by Danika Worthington | Presentation Editor
THE COLORADO REPORT
🔑 = source has article meter or paywall
Section by Kevin Jeffers | Product Team
THE OPINION PAGE
COLUMNS
COMMUNITY
The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.
SunLit
BOOKS
Poor Richard’s Books suggests titles built around the moon, a gun and mammoths
Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from bookstores across Colorado. This week, the staff from Poor Richard’s Books in Colorado Springs recommends:
Read what the bookstore staff had to say about each. Pick up a copy and support your local bookstores at the same time.
Section by Kevin Simpson | Writer
Have a nice Wednesday! Catch you back here tomorrow.
— Danika & the whole staff of The Sun
Corrections & Clarifications
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