Good morning, Colorado.
Before moving to Colorado, I ventured out on the occasional hike and would say I was solidly outdoorsy-ish. But the idea of strapping on a backpack half the length of my body and setting off into the unknown was completely foreign. I barely camped growing up so “rugged” is just about the last word anyone would use to describe me.
That’s all starting to change. This past weekend, I survived my second backpacking trip — the first I completed with most of my own equipment. It was beautiful and grueling and full of moments of great awe and even greater regret. Me being me, I packed a little bit like I was going to a hotel. Too many clothes and layers, for sure. In my defense, I wanted options for warmth for my dog and me since you never know what the Colorado weather forces will whip up.
I had major second thoughts about bringing all those options while lugging 35 pounds of my belongings on my back 7 miles into the wilderness with slight elevation gains. My much-more-experienced friends swooped in, doing what they could to lighten my load and carry a few items to our camp site for me. We even dumped my entire backpack on the trail at one point to repack everything more efficiently in hope of redistributing the weight. It helped and, without them, I would have turned around, declared myself a lifelong hotel person and abandoned the idea of backpacking ever again.
Instead, I conquered the trail and am all the more rugged for it. I learned so many lessons along the way — and am still so sore — but am stoked to backpack many more times. Just never again with 35 pounds in tow.
Now, let’s unpack today’s news, shall we?
Education Reporter
THE NEWS
HEALTH
Colorado health insurers propose huge price increases following passage of GOP’s federal spending bill
28.4%
Average increase Colorado insurers are asking for in health insurance premiums next year
Colorado health insurers have proposed huge price increases for next year for people who purchase coverage on their own — a consequence, state officials say, of the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act tax and spending law. John Ingold looks at the numbers announced by the Colorado Division of Insurance, which includes increases above 38% on the Western Slope.
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WATER
Lake Powell forecasts show hydropower generation is at risk next year as water levels drop
If the West stays really dry, federal officials are predicting Lake Powell’s water levels could fall below critical elevations to create electricity within two years. Western states that rely on the water say they are back in the near-crisis conditions of 2021 and 2022. Shannon Mullane dives into the latest water warning.
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
7th Democrat enters Colorado race to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans
Evan Munsing is a Marine veteran who works in finance. He’s never held elected office before, but he thinks that’s an advantage in the crowded primary field. The district spans Denver’s northern suburbs along U.S. 85 into Greeley. As Jesse Paul reports, the outcome of the 2026 race could determine which party controls the U.S. House.
COLORADANS
Rescue Thyme: How a Summit County nonprofit found a lost foster dog after 13 dangerous days on the run
1,200
Animals Summit Lost Pet Rescue has found and reunited with owners
Born out of a Facebook page five years ago, Summit Lost Pet Rescue is like a traditional search and rescue team, but for lost and missing four-legged animals instead of people. The group has reunited hundreds of animals with their humans. As Lu Snyder found out, the large majority have been dogs and cats, but there have been a few horses, donkeys and llamas, a parrot, snake and turtle, too.
MORE NEWS
Section by David Krause | Editor
COLORADO REPORT
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Section by David Krause | Editor
What’s Happening
July 17-23
Denver Month of Video. Nights in downtown Denver may feel a little more dynamic than usual throughout the month of July, also known as the Month of Video, also known as .MOV.
The Denver Month of Video is a biannual festival that doubles as a curatorial platform, making space for video-based art installations and events all around the city.
Check out the rotating projections on the D&F clocktower, or visit one of six LED screens around town for a sample of the curators’ — and festival founders’ — film tastes. Video exhibitions at The Storeroom, Squirm Gallery, Dikeou Collection, Redline Contemporary Art Center, Rainbow Dome and Friend of a Friend Gallery open throughout the month on a rolling basis, with special events on opening nights. On Friday, “Free Hors d’oeuvres,” a video game exhibition, opens at Rainbow Dome with a range of works, from low-fi 2D games to highly detailed first-person POV pieces, including a game about the experience of visiting a gallery.
On Saturdays the festival hosts one-off screenings of works. This weekend, you can watch a compilation of animated shorts at Rainbow Dome that, according to the festival founders, “escaped the confinement of our curatorial ideas.” All events are free.
Free; July 1-31; Various locations in Denver
Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter
Thanks for getting a jump-start on the day with us. We’ll see you back here tomorrow morning!
— Erica & the whole staff of The Sun
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