Good morning, Colorado, and, ‘tis the season? I guess. We haven’t hit Thanksgiving yet, but my inbox is stuffed with holiday gift guides and Black Friday reminders.
One of the more wholesome seasonal traditions I’m fond of is the Icelandic “jólabókaflód,” the Christmas book flood, a rush of new book releases in the winter months, which people are supposed to gift each other on Christmas Eve. I tried to replicate the book flood one year with my own family and asked everyone to give me a book off their shelf in lieu of buying me something. I had a fantastic lineup of reads that year, but to be honest, I really missed going to bookstores. I guess one of my favorite parts of reading is shopping for the book.
On to today’s reads.
Reporter
THE NEWS
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
Another Colorado state senator announces their resignation just after winning reelection to a four-year term
State Sen. Janet Buckner is giving up her seat on Jan. 9, one day after Colorado’s 2025 lawmaking term begins. Buckner is now the second Democratic lawmaker reelected Nov. 5 who is expected to resign at the start of the legislative term, a move that otherwise hasn’t happened since 1987. Jesse Paul reports.
OUTDOORS
Colorado’s incoming U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd wants to bring the BLM back to Grand Junction — and he’s found an unexpected ally
In 2020 President Trump booted the Bureau of Land Management from Washington, D.C., dispersing workers throughout the West and setting up a new HQ in Grand Junction. Two years later, Joe Biden brought the agency back East. Incoming U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, who lives in Grand Junction, spoke with Jason Blevins about a number of outdoor issues affecting the Western Slope, including his own ideas for the land management agency.
EDUCATION
Denver Public Schools to close 7 schools, cut grades at 3 others despite heavy resistance
A controversial proposal to shutter schools in Denver was approved Thursday amid protests by parents and activists. The closures were presented as a way to save an estimated $30 million and address 4,000 vacant seats in the district. As Erica Breunlin reports, parents and community organizers are concerned about the legitimacy of the district’s financial woes.
ENVIRONMENT
Xcel runs out of EV rebates in bad news/good news for Colorado culture and economic switch
1,176
Xcel rebates distributed to Colorado car shoppers, totaling $5 million
Coloradans have been switching to electric vehicles at one of the fastest rates in the country, thanks in large part to a stack of federal, state and Xcel Energy rebates. That may slow as Xcel reportedly spent the last of its $5 million set aside for rebates, and doesn’t plan to dig for any more money. Michael Booth on the utility company’s next moves.
MORE NEWS
Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter
THE COLORADO REPORT
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Section by Kevin Jeffers | Product Team
THE OPINION PAGE
CARTOONS
In “What’d I Miss?” Ossie’s dad explains how demographics can influence the course of the country — while acknowledging the difficulty of changing minds.
Drew Litton illustrates how one play became an instant classic as the Denver Broncos have gone all in behind Coach Sean Payton and embraced the “Crush” culture.
Jim Morrissey figures that Colorado’s looming $900 million budget deficit could be felt in a lot of different ways.
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See you back here for a short week Monday.
— Parker & the whole staff of The Sun
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