What a return-to-office order means for 45,000 Colorado workers

Well, friends, a lot has happened since we last spoke.

We have a new president, of course. The executive orders are flying and lawsuits are piling on. TikTok went dark then blinked back to life over the span of about 14 hours. On the home front, Crested Butte lifties are threatening to strike and Breckenridge workers have reached their breaking point. Jason Blevins has more on how Vail Resorts is faring, below.

Some of my favorite stories to come out this week, though, are not about the big, frenzied affairs, but about the way small moments can have a world-changing effect. Like the story from Jennifer Brown about a longtime Denver chef who finally landed an apartment after years sleeping on the streets.

My personal antidote to all the commotion was to painstakingly knit a very amateur hat — my first knitting project — and to finally tuck into the finale of “The Great British Baking Show.”

We’ve got a few more stories before the well-deserved weekend.

Parker Yamasaki

Reporter

THE NEWS

BUSINESS

How Donald Trump’s return-to-office order will affect the 45,000 federal employees throughout Colorado

Working from home has been a boon for workers — who are more productive and can save an estimated $4,600 to $6,000 a year by avoiding commutes and eating at home — but the executive order issued by President Trump could force thousands back to the office across the state. Tamara Chuang digs into Colorado’s federal workforce data.

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OUTDOORS

Vail Resorts boosts pay for patrollers in wake of Park City strike — but union workers must wait

It’s been a busy couple weeks for Vail Resorts, with lift mechanics threatening a strike, arctic blasts dampening long weekends sales, and workers launching a sick-out to protest living conditions. And as Jason Blevins reports, these are just the top of the mountain of obstacles the company faces.

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• Where does Aspen fit in a new model for the Winter X Games? Loveland’s Jeremy Bloom — Olympian, former professional football player and now the new CEO of the X Games — says that after next year’s games, the new X Games League could change the relationship with Aspen for good.

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Colorado gun stores warn that semiautomatic weapons ban would make large share of their merchandise illegal

Colorado gun stores say they may be forced to shutter should Democrats in the legislature this year pass a ban on the manufacture, sale and purchase of semiautomatic firearms with detachable ammunition magazines. Jesse Paul and KUNC’s Lucas Brady Woods have more.

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MORE NEWS

• Federal lawmakers push to revive lapsed Colorado River conservation program. A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers, including Democratic Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, want water users in four Colorado River Basin states to have more time to cut water use through a much-debated conservation program that pays water users to cut back. Shannon Mullane has more on the new bill
• Fact Brief ☀️ Do studies show that feeding cows seaweed can cut methane emissions? Yes. Adding red seaweed to cattle feed cut methane emissions from cows by up to 90% in one recent study, but more research is needed.

Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

THE COLORADO REPORT

• Study: Colorado Springs drivers spend more than $2,500 a year on car repairs because of road conditions. In a new report from TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, motorists are spending an average of $2,610 due to poor road conditions in the Colorado Springs area — as the statewide shortfall for road projects reaches $350 million.
  —KKTV
• Pueblo sheriff says office “WILL NOT” participate in ICE roundups. In a statement released Wednesday, the Pueblo Sheriff’s Office said it will cooperate with ICE “to support them in instances when there are criminal charges,” but “WILL NOT support or participate in any round-up operations.”
  — The Pueblo Chieftain
• “Pinch points” in Park Hill are Denver’s next bikeway controversy. “Really the end goal is maybe we get this stuff on the street now, but someday this should be hardened, protected and made to, dare I say it, even look better,” said Rob Toftness, a founding member of the Denver Bicycle Lobby.
  — Denverite
• Nearly half of buyers on individual market picked Colorado Option health plans for 2025. “The Colorado Option continues to excel, and people continue to choose it at record levels,” Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway said.
  — The Denver Post 🔑
• Nikola Jokic hits 66-foot buzzer-beater vs. Kings. To round things out for the week, here’s an insane play from the guy who might actually be the most gifted athlete Colorado has ever hosted. And yes, this was just one play in the middle of his 20th triple-double of the season (and we haven’t even gotten to the All-Star break yet).
  — holdoutsports.com

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

THE OPINION PAGE

CARTOONS

In “What’d I Miss?” Myra recalls an episode of the old “SuperFriends” series that now seems prescient. And the narrative had an unlikely hero.

CARTOON

Drew Litton has a difficult time getting excited to reach into his wallet for a midwinter Rockies event under the current ownership.

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.

Podcast Playlist

CONVERSATION

Each weekday The Daily Sun-Up podcast brings you a thoughtful conversation, a bit of Colorado history, and headlines of the day. We keep it tight so you can listen on the go, or stack up a few and tune in at your leisure. Download the Sun-Up for free on your favorite podcasting app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or RSS to plug into your app. Check out this week’s lineup from The Sun team:

• Will workers ever really return to downtown Denver? More than one-third of the office space downtown remains empty. Business reporter Tamara Chuang looks at the latest vacancy rates, how we got here and when things might change for the better.
  LISTEN
• Wolf Creek ski area’s family operations holding strong. For the past 50 years, the Pitcher family has run this southern Colorado resort. Outdoors reporter Jason Blevins spent a day with the boss and picked his brain about the past and the future there.
  LISTEN
• Trickle-down effect to Trump’s orders. It was a busy first few days for President Trump and his Sharpies. Sun reporters John Ingold and Parker Yamasaki discuss the executive orders and how they might impact electric vehicle sales in Colorado and more.
  LISTEN
• A view from the saddle on Colorado wolves. As more wolves are roaming Eagle and Pitkin counties, we caught up with fourth-generation rancher Tony Vagneur. He shares why his opinion has changed on reintroduction with rural reporter Tracy Ross.
  LISTEN
• A true crime podcaster gets wrapped up in her own thriller. Five time Colorado Book Award winner Carter Wilson talks with Kevin Simpson about his latest novel, “Tell Me What You Did.”
  LISTEN

🗣️ Remember, you can ask Siri, Alexa or Google to “play the Daily Sun-Up podcast” and we’ll play right on your smart speaker. As always we appreciate your feedback and comments at podcast@coloradosun.com.

Section by David Krause | Editor

Thanks for hanging in there with us, we’ll be back for more Monday. In the meantime, send your comfort watch recommendations.

— Parker & 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.