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Phil Wortmann, left, and climbing partner Brian Rhodes hike into a climbing route at about 13,000 ft on Pikes Peak Monday, August 9, 2021. Wortmann is set to self-publish a guidebook to climbing on Pikes Peak but another pair of Colorado Springs climbers, Bosier Parsons and Brad Saren, have been cutting bolts from some of WortmannÕs more remote routes on the mountain. Mark Reis, Special to the Colorado Sun
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Good morning, Colorado.

I’ve never been one to sit down in the last days of the year and write out a set of New Year’s resolutions. I know myself too well and that I, unfortunately, would likely become part of the crowd celebrating Quitter’s Day. (Who knew that was a thing? But, of course, that’s a thing.)

There are a few unofficial resolutions guiding my 2025. Call them goals or hopes or in some examples, perhaps delusions. Exhibit A: I want to run a half-marathon. (You heard it here first, so please hold me accountable.)

I also want to venture on more backpacking trips deep into the backcountry. And I want to write more stories of joy.

That’s where you come in.

Some days, the headlines are dominated by news that highlights so much of what is going wrong in our communities. That’s a big part of our job — informing our readers and asking the people in power the tough questions. But there’s so much more to the story of Colorado.

There are countless reasons why this state is such a bright, beautiful place to call home. We have burro racing, for goodness sake!

So please, dear readers, send us your stories of joy — the people, places and things that keep you rooted to Colorado. As always, you can email your story ideas to our newsroom inbox: newsroom@coloradosun.com.

Now let’s get rolling into today’s news, shall we?

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Phil Wortmann makes his way up a climbing route Aug. 9, 2021, at about 13,000 feet on Pikes Peak. (Mark Reis, Special to The Colorado Sun)

As federal land managers deal with shrinking budgets, the number of people flocking to the Pikes Peak region for recreation is climbing. Jason Blevins digs into a new arrangement that could see Colorado Parks and Wildlife taking on management of some of the most popular trails — but whatever you do, don’t call it a state park.

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Patty Limerick, a celebrated Colorado historian, author and scholar, was fired from the Center of the American West at the University of Colorado at Boulder in September 2022. (Shannon Mullane, The Colorado Sun)

The long fight between the University of Colorado and the co-founder of the school’s lauded Center for the American West Patty Limerick has reached a milestone, as mediators negotiated a settlement that confirms the ownership of her work and leaves Limerick in place as a tenured faculty member. Jason Blevins has more.

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Teens cross Bennett Avenue at the west end of Cripple Creek on April 13, 2021. (Mark Reis, Special to the Colorado Sun)

Without detailing the cause of death of Patrick Weier, the tour guide who lost his life in a mine elevator accident in October, inspectors announced that his death was the result of operator error and not mechanical failure or current mine practices, Olivia Prentzel reports.

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Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, a Colorado Republican, speaks to the media Nov. 11 in Thornton after unseating Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo to represent the 8th Congressional District. (Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun)

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A sewing machine at Phunkshun Wear in Denver, June 9, 2020. (Kevin Mohatt, Special to The Colorado Sun)

Patching things up. We’re well into January now, and all the talk of fresh starts and healthy habits is starting to fade. Maybe that’s for the better — after all, not everything has to be brand new. And there are plenty of sewing workshops and mending clubs coming up that want to remind us of that.

Give your holey socks and favorite frayed sweater a second life in Monte Vista, at the Church Project’s weekly “Sunday School” series. Participants at this week’s free event will learn everything from the basics of threading a needle to a variety of helpful stitches, led by local artist Olivia Carsner.

In Denver, the RedLine Contemporary Arts Center hosts a community sewing circle every other Sunday, including the next one Jan. 19. RedLine’s sessions are more unstructured and emphasize the social aspects of sewing. Bring your own materials and clothes to mend.

Other opportunities to keep an eye on in the coming weeks are a visible mending and embroidery workshop in Fort Collins on Jan. 30, the stitch n’ bitch meetup in Denver on Feb. 2, and a monthly mending club that meets at Edgewater Public Market the second Wednesday of the month.

Various prices; various dates; various locations

Thanks for keeping us part of your morning routine or joining us for the very first time if you’re new around here. We’re grateful to every single reader, no matter if you’re an OG or the new reader on the block. We’ll see you back here tomorrow before launching into the weekend!

— Erica & the whole staff of The Sun

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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.