Explaining Colorado’s water-testing scandal

Good morning, Colorado.

If you’re like me, you currently have a mix of various holiday leftovers in your fridge waiting to be finished. And that means, for a short time, there are no rules when it comes to your grazing. A couple of turkey slices and a handful of cookies for lunch? Sure. A slice of pie for a snack? Go for it. A second slice of pie a little later? Snack away. Like I said, there are no rules.

It’s the time of year when we’re wrapping up a lot of things — 2024 itself, the remaining mashed potatoes and here at The Sun, our winter membership drive. We’re almost 70% of the way to meeting our goal of welcoming 200 new members this month. If you’re already a member, thank you! If you’ve been thinking about becoming one, now is the perfect time to join and get member benefits while supporting our newsroom. Plus — you’ll help us unlock a $2,000 matching grant from NewsMatch. So scoop yourself an extra helping of high-quality, independent journalism by becoming a Sun member today!

All right, we have a full Sunriser for you. Let’s heat up some leftover Christmas Eve lasagna for breakfast, pour some coffee and get to the news.

Lauren Whynott

Director of Membership, Marketing & Audience Engagement

THE NEWS

HEALTH

Colorado suspends testing of drinking water at the state chemistry lab following allegations of falsified data

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on Monday suspended testing of drinking water at the state laboratory. It’s the latest twist in an expanding water-testing scandal that’s been going on for a year. John Ingold explains.

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WILDLIFE

Where will the wild horses go? Federal land managers are seeking long-term pastures.

About 2,200 mustangs have been rounded up via helicopter and bait-and-trap operations since 2021 as part of a national effort to thin herds, and now federal officials are scrambling to increase adoptions and find long-term pasture options. There are about 450 horses eligible for adoption or long-term pasture right now in Colorado. Jennifer Brown has more details.

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BUSINESS

The shoe experts at Colorado staple Runners Roost share how they help runners find the right fit

Sue McMillin profiles the Olympian owners of the Runners Roost in downtown Colorado Springs, the flagship location of the Colorado staple shoe store that has helped runners find the right-fitting running shoes since 1977.

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MORE NEWS

• National Ski Patrol boss is two years into rebuilding the 85-year-old institution. The revival of Old Spice is an inspiration. Jason Blevins interviews Stephanie Cox, who took the reins at the National Ski Patrol as staff were fleeing and the organization struggled for relevancy after churning through three executive directors in only five years.
• Democratic governors like Jared Polis hammered Trump on the campaign trail. Now they’re hoping to work with him. A handful of prominent Democratic governors are quickly adjusting their approach to President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office, hoping to avoid antagonizing him to ensure they’ll have a working relationship with his new administration.
• “Wealth begets wealth”: Denver nonprofit combats racial disparities through homeownership. Since 2021, the Dearfield Fund has provided downpayment assistance to help Black first-time homeowners purchase 219 homes. Sarah Tory writes about the program for the Colorado Trust.

Section by Kevin Jeffers | Product Team

COLORADO REPORT

• A state championship in Rocket League means video games are cool at East High School. East High’s last-second, title-winning goal is just one of the virtual athletics stories from the 18 public high schools in Denver that have esports teams.
  — Denverite
• Grand County EMS one of the first in the state to carry whole blood in ambulances. In Grand County, a trip in an ambulance to a hospital can take hours. The inclusion of whole blood could “save or substantially benefit” more than 15 patients per year in the county, according to EMS Chief Austin Wingate.
  — Sky-Hi News
• This tiny, scorpion-like creature is only found in caves near Boulder. Here’s how a family discovered it. Earlier this year, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science announced the discovery of a tiny, scorpion-like species in a cave near Boulder — Larca boulderica — by research associate David Steinmann, who has found at least 50 new species.
  — KUNC
• Colorado libraries look to the state’s tech industry for next big idea. One library district is turning to the tech industry to help map how patrons are using their facilities to help decide what services should receive the most investment.
  — Denver Business Journal 🔑

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

THE OPINION PAGE

COMMUNITY

• Colorado must be a trailblazer on youth mental health services and solve the commercial insurance problem.
  Allowing a Medicaid buy-in would give our kids the help they need without passing costs through to employers
  — Heidi Baskfield, executive director of Speak Our Minds

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.

What’s Happening

Dec. 26-Jan. 1

New Year’s Free. Figuring out how to spend the last day of 2024 doesn’t have to be stressful — or expensive. While there are plenty of ways to drop a few dimes for a good time next week, here are a few free ways to ring in 2025.

In Colorado Springs, catch the annual AdAmAn fireworks show launched from the summit of Pikes Peak, and read up on the history of the club’s quirky New Year’s Eve climbs here.

In Snowmass, The Collective will throw a family-friendly celebration at the base of the mountain starting at 6 p.m., with a champagne toast and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Gravity Haus hotel in Breckenridge is hosting a sunset skin to the top of the resort followed by a champagne toast back in town. While that event is not technically free, uphill access at Breckenridge is — just make sure you call the access hotline ahead of time for mountain closures and conditions.

Hot tip: Uphilling outside of operating hours is also free at Vail, Beaver Creek, Crested Butte and Keystone. Every mountain has its own trail restrictions and permitted hours, though, so read the uphill policy website closely before slapping your skins on.

If you find yourself stuck in Interstate 70 traffic after a long day on the slopes, pull into Bluebird Market’s New Year’s Eve party in Silverthorne before (responsibly) continuing east.

And for those planning to party in Denver, take advantage of the Molson Coors-sponsored Free Rides program in partnership with RTD. All fares on RTD buses and rails are waived starting at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 until 7 a.m. Jan. 1.

Free; Dec. 31-Jan. 1; various locations

• New Year Riverside Renewal. A day for detoxing at the edge of the Poudre River. Start the new year with a cold plunge at 9 a.m., then hit the sauna, relax into some yoga and breathwork, and enjoy complimentary beverages by Mish Ale and OBC winery. Live music from noon-3 p.m. $50; 9 a.m., Jan. 1; Riverside Colorado, 9940 Poudre Canyon Road, Bellvue
• Cosmic Countdown. A kid-friendly countdown that doesn’t involve waiting around until midnight. Special space demonstrations, mini rocket blastoffs and cosmic drinks at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. $18; 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.; Dec. 31; Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver
• “Die Hard” at Catbird. Wind down from the holiday hustle with a free movie night at Catbird hotel. Tonight’s movie — chosen via an Instagram poll earlier this week — is “Die Hard.” Is it really a Christmas movie? Grab some free popcorn and talk amongst yourselves. Free; 7-9 p.m., Dec. 26; Catbird Hotel, 3770 Walnut St., Denver

Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter

See you back here tomorrow!

— Lauren & the whole staff of The Sun

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Corrections & Clarifications

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