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I’ve been on an Annie Dillard kick lately. I just tore through stories about her Pittsburgh upbringing in “An American Childhood” then moved straight into her Pulitzer Prize winner, “The Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.” But “Pilgrim” resists tear-through reading. It’s such a closely observational book that I find myself reading sentences, and even whole paragraphs, twice over, and not just because my eyelids are getting heavy (OK, sometimes because my eyelids are getting heavy). I’m about 30 pages in now and she still hasn’t introduced a single character besides her own, wandering mind.

The book has been a nice reminder to savor this transitional season. I tend to want to rip through spring and get straight on to summer, but maybe I can appreciate the way my backyard is starting to bloom even with a dusting of snow on the ground.

Sit down, settle in, here’s the day’s news.

P.S. — Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of the Columbine massacre. Here are the details for the official vigil in Jefferson County, and we will have columns from three writers and a special Sunriser tomorrow featuring coverage from around the state.

Beaver wetlands provided a wildlife refuge from wildfire during the Cameron Peak fire. A January study found that even megafires hardly touch these verdant patches, suggesting that partnering with beavers could be an avenue to lessen fire severity in the West. (Emily Fairfax, courtesy photo)

Amid Colorado’s charred hillsides hit by wildfire are verdant pockets of green and blue, lush little oases that managed to avoid getting scorched. Those patches are a crucial habitat for wildlife rehabilitation and preventing river erosion after a wildfire, including megafires like Cameron Peak. The architect of these fire-free outposts? Beavers. Bay Stephens has the latest research.

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Eldora ski patrollers voted 29-3 in favor of joining the United Professional Ski Patrols of America union, but the resort company is blocking their path forward. Despite the employees’ overwhelming support, the company is objecting to whose vote was, and wasn’t, counted. Jason Blevins has the arguments from both sides.

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Plastic water bottles are among the consumer packaging items meant to be diverted more frequently from landfills under a statewide recycling expansion that relies on a producer fee for funding. (Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun via Report for America)

$310 million

Projected annual cost to businesses under the approved proposal

A big recycling proposal, approved by the Joint Budget Committee this week, requires consumer giants like Coca Cola, Molson Coors, Ball and Anheuser-Busch to pay annual fees for their nonrenewable packaging. Revenue from the program will go toward setting up a more robust, statewide recycling program, and will incentivize smaller companies to run on locally recycled materials. But critics say the plan creates high costs for a meager return. Michael Booth has the details.

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3,266

Syphilis cases in Colorado last year

Syphilis cases have more than tripled over the past six years in Colorado, mirroring a nationwide upward trend. The disease is well-understood and curable, but detection is tricky since early symptoms are easy to miss. John Ingold has more on the state Health Department’s new order to quell the rising number.

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In “What’d I Miss?” Ossie may have no idea that the NBA playoffs loom, but when it comes to making a connection over the Nuggets, he hits nothin’ but net.

CARTOON

Drew Litton reminds us that it’s time to strap in and get ready for the spring thrill ride of Avalanche hockey and Nuggets basketball playoffs — and the Broncos draft.

CARTOON

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.

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See you back here Monday.

— Parker & the whole staff of The Sun

Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.

Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

This byline is used for articles and guides written collaboratively by The Colorado Sun reporters, editors and producers.