Colorado businesses brace for billion-dollar tariffs

Good morning, Colorado.

It’s still a few days away, but I’m starting to mentally prep myself for daylight saving time. Every time this comes around — whether we’re jumping forward or back — I feel the need to revisit John Ingold’s 2022 story: “Permanent daylight saving time is a dumb idea, a CU sleep expert says.”

As John wrote, “A robust body of research shows that the annual springing forward, when we shift clocks an hour ahead at the start of daylight saving time, causes a surge in fatal car accidents, heart attacks and strokes.” And on a less serious note, in my opinion, it’s just kind of annoying. But what can I say, I grew up in Arizona.

Now, let’s move on from my diatribe and turn our attention to today’s news.

Danika Worthington

Presentation Editor

THE NEWS

POLITICS

New tariffs will cost Colorado $1.4B a year. Consumers may feel the pain soon as companies start paying.

This week, businesses in Colorado started seeing tariff charges on invoices for anything coming from China, Canada and Mexico. And as Tamara Chuang reports from the Tariff Town Hall in downtown Denver yesterday, consumers will be feeling the pressure next as those rising costs get passed on to customers.

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• Supporters of Colorado tipped minimum wage bill say their businesses are being “harassed” with angry calls, hostile reviews. “Either way, read the room and become a part of the community or leave,” said a one-star reviewer of The Greenwich restaurant in RiNo. Colorado Public Radio has more from restaurant owners who had previously signed up to speak out at the Capitol in support of the bill but are now having second thoughts.
• Colorado sexual assault survivors share stories of struggle amid state DNA testing backlog. It currently takes a year and a half — or longer — for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to process evidence in sexual assault cases. But Tuesday after testimony from survivors, CBI officials told lawmakers they would have all 1,407 current cases in the backlog processed by the end of the calendar year, followed by a goal of processing new cases within 90 days.

WATER

Will Colorado Springs growth come at the cost of livelihoods on the Eastern Plains? Farmers say yes.

After decades of water rights being bought and funneled back to cities along the Front Range, the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District passed a resolution outlining the threats its communities face when Colorado Springs expands. Shannon Mullane explains how the Karman Line annexation will affect farmers and Springs residents.

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AGRICULTURE

Water scarcity could threaten growers of Colorado’s famed Pueblo chile, documentary shows

“Mirasol, Looking at the Sun” is a 37-minute film by the Palmer Land Conservancy and producer Kristie Nackord that is focused on the work of third-generation farmer and water advocate Mike Bartolo. And in this conversation between reporter Tracy Ross and Nackord, the importance of how — and where — we grow food is front and center.

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Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

THE COLORADO REPORT

• Live updates: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston testifies over “sanctuary” cities in Congress. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who has been critical of sanctuary city policies, is expected to be one of the first questioners on the Republican side. Rep. Diana DeGette, who is not a member of the committee, showed up in support of Johnston.
  — Denverite
• Trump falsely says Aurora “buckled,” “destroyed” by immigrants and gangs. During his first address to Congress, President Trump again invoked Aurora — with very little connection to the facts on the ground — before vowing to continue his campaign of “swift and unrelenting action” in reorienting the nation.
  — Sentinel Colorado
• Two Denver strip clubs ordered to pay $14 million following Denver Auditor’s Office wage theft investigation. Diamond Cabaret and Rick’s Cabaret — both owned by RCI’s Hospitality Holdings — were found to have stolen tips and other wages from at least 230 employees.
  — Denver 7
• “Local” is the key word behind new Elk Bolognese sauce coming to Aspen Saturday Market. This is a nice feature on the local creators of the slow-cooked sauce, but honestly you had me at “elk bolognese.”
  — Aspen Times
• Dillon recalls 3 council members, replacing them with candidates who have raised concerns about developer’s plans in town. The special recall election continues the push by citizens of Dillon to reject some large proposed developments in the town, just months after voters overturned one of the previously approved projects.
  — Summit Daily
• “I didn’t even know how to cut down the net.” Congratulations to the University of Northern Colorado Bears, who guaranteed at least a share of their first Big Sky men’s basketball title with a road win at Weber State on Monday — and are in good position to be a part of the NCAA Tournament.
  — Greeley Tribune

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

SunLit

REVIEW

Poor Richard’s Books delves into Colorado Springs history, falconry

Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from bookstores across Colorado. This week, the staff from Poor Richard’s Books in Colorado Springs recommends:

• “Tesla’s Walk” by Jimmy Sena, a history-backed stroll through Colorado Springs with the engineer and futurist
• “Fountain Creek” by Jim O’Donnell, a personal account of a complicated Colorado Springs waterway
• “The Hawk’s Way” by Sy Montgomery, a memoir of the author’s experience with falconry

Read what the bookstore staff had to say about each. Pick up a copy and support your local bookstores at the same time.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Section by Kevin Simpson | Writer

Enjoy your circadian rhythm while you can. Have a great day and we’ll see you back here tomorrow!

— Danika & the whole staff of The Sun

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