Hey there, Colorado.
Growing up in Tennessee, the Fourth of July was always about hot muggy days, popsicles, lightning bugs and fireworks. Durango couldn’t have fireworks this year because the fire risk was too high, but rafting, live music, camping, good food and a parade kept everyone busy.
Whatever your holiday weekend looked like, I hope you spent some time with your community, and we are glad you’re part of ours.
We want to know more about what our readers think about us, our events and our work at The Sun — and how we can make your reading experiences better. Our seven-minute reader survey is officially open until July 22. If you have a second today, we’d love to hear from you!
And if you want to throw some love to your favorite nonprofits, people and businesses around the state, you can vote for Colorado’s Best until July 14.
That’s enough of that. Now it’s time for the news. Enjoy your Monday!
Water Reporter
THE NEWS
AGING IN COLORADO
Older Coloradans are turning to the “Golden Girls” housing model to fight costs, loneliness
The equation seems simple enough: older Coloradans living in homes that feel too big + a widespread housing affordability crisis + a difficult social climate in which new friendships are made. But as Jennifer Brown reports in the latest edition of our “Aging in Colorado” series, making an ideal “Golden Girls” co-living situation takes a lot more than kaftans and cheesecake.
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
PERA’s funding slips again, but retirees avoid further benefit cuts thanks to investment gains
10.8%
PERA investment portfolio earnings in 2024, better than its 7.25% target for annual returns
Despite a bigger return, the pension’s funding still slipped by $1.4 billion last year, thanks to the lingering effects of a market downturn in 2022 and a failure to fully account for how recent pay bumps for public workers will increase retirement benefits in the long term. Brian Eason breaks down what it all means for those in the Public Employees’ Retirement Association.
NEWS
How Denver’s trash, recycling and compost system works: They’d rather teach you than fine you
Denver residents are learning how to use their new recycling and composting bins, and for the city it’s become a labor of love trying to get everyone to sort accordingly. But if you make a mistake say 20-25 times, fear not. As Michael Booth reports, for the recycling crews slow and steady education should win the race.
OUTDOORS
Now a road less traveled, Otto Mears Toll Road was the start of a Colorado empire
Amazing, the drive and ambition behind Otto Mears, the Russian orphan who played a large role in developing and connecting communities across southern Colorado in the late 1800s. One of his earliest projects was Colorado’s first toll road. David Krause has more from the high-country pass that’s still a bumpy but breathtaking ride.
MORE NEWS
COLORADO SUNDAY
Wolves are killing cattle in Colorado. Feeling cut off from wildlife officials, ranchers seek their own solution.
It’s been nearly five years since Coloradans voted for a mandate to reintroduce wolves to the state’s ecosystem after humans eradicated the native predators in the 1900s. But from the outset, ranchers with livestock on the Western Slope have been struggling to keep herds safe while following the still-being-written rules. Tracy Ross explains the history of this conflict — and a plan that ranchers hope would bring stability and a new normal to the region.
Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler
THE COLORADO REPORT
🔑 = source has article meter or paywall
Section by David Krause | Editor
THE OPINION PAGE
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