$1B to be cut from Colorado budget

Good morning, Colorado.

I like to think of myself as someone who mostly has her life together.

But that thought completely unravels from time to time, like earlier this week when I ran out of gas (while on my way to get gas, ironically). I was heading out of my parking garage, the gas light aggressively blinking at me, and all of a sudden my car slowed and simply refused to keep chugging. I guess it was probably time for my luck to run out. I drive around with my gas light warning me I’m teetering on the edge of empty way more than a fully formed adult should.

As I’ve admitted before, I also tend to show up to the airport dangerously close to my flight’s departure time. Deep down, I think I like the thrill of it all — the will she or won’t she make it?

Well, she didn’t make it this time around. But it was an easy enough fix thanks to the gas station just down the street and my attempt to laugh through such a ridiculous morning. And it jolted me to remember that I really need to slow down and make time for those small but crucial details that will, in fact, keep my life together.

Now that I’m all gassed up again, let’s turn the corner and cruise into today’s news, shall we?

Erica Breunlin

Education Reporter

THE NEWS

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Colorado lawmakers must cut $1 billion from state’s current budget because of GOP federal tax and spending bill

The state’s top legislators found out Wednesday that the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act is estimated to reduce Colorado’s tax revenue collections by $1.2 billion in the current fiscal year. Sun politics reporter Jesse Paul and Lucas Brady Woods of KUNC break down how the updates are a precursor to a special lawmaking term expected to be called by Gov. Jared Polis for the coming weeks.

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ENERGY

Colorado EV sales continue to slump as subsidies wane and tariffs spike

Clean energy analysts had been predicting for months that a combination of factors could drag down once-burgeoning U.S. and local EV sales: cuts to state tax credits, eliminating the federal tax credit, and various political and cultural factions’ anger at Tesla chief Elon Musk. As Michael Booth reports, it’s happening.

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• Xcel gets the OK to spend $30M to join short-term wholesale market, despite limited benefits. Markets+ aims to lower bills and increase grid reliability, but Xcel is limiting its participation so financial benefits may be slim, Mark Jaffe reports.

AGRICULTURE

Colorado’s new State Land Board director, once a supporter of eco-terrorism, now focused on preservation

When Nicole Rosmarino reached out to rural reporter Tracy Ross for an interview ostensibly to clear the record, The Colorado Sun accepted — and solicited input from others on how they think she’ll do as Colorado’s newest state land landlord. And tapping into your inner Ralph Waldo Emerson for perspective: “The years teach much that the days will never know.”

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MORE NEWS

• 5 Mesa County sheriff’s deputies disciplined in wake of traffic stop that led to Utah teen’s immigration arrest. Deputy Alexander Zwinck, who pulled over Caroline Dias Goncalves, was placed on three weeks of unpaid leave and removed from his assignment to a drug task force.
• Colorado dentist convicted of murder after lacing his wife’s protein shakes with poison. James Craig was accused of trying to fabricate evidence to make it look like Angela Craig killed herself, and of asking a fellow jail inmate to kill the detective who led the investigation into his wife’s death.
• Skeletal remains found in Rocky Mountain National Park ID’d as New York man. Authorities believe Steven Noto, 40, died in late November. His remains were found June 18 on the Alpine Ridge Trail.

Section by David Krause | Editor

COLORADO REPORT

• Denver may soon have multiple stadium districts along the South Platte River. Can the city support them all? The Broncos are eyeing a Burnham Yard stadium district. The Kroenkes have development plans around Ball Arena. Denver Summit FC wants a Santa Fe Yards site. Can the city support them all?
  — The Denver Post
• Longtime Highline park manager looks to retirement after eventful career. Alan Martinez worked his first day at Highline Lake State Park on April 1, 1989, and while his starting date on April Fool’s Day might have seemed inauspicious, his choice of where to start his career proved to be far from a foolish one.
  — The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
• ESPN cuts ties with Shannon Sharpe following settlement of sexual assault lawsuit, AP source says. The decision follows his recent settlement of a lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman during their relationship. The last appearance on ESPN for the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame member and two-time Super Bowl winner was in late April when the lawsuit was filed.
  — AP News
• SBT GRVL to return in 2026 as 1-day event with 2,750-rider cap. Routt County commissioners unanimously approved the road permit for Steamboat Springs’ premier gravel cycling event that’s been overwhelmed with cyclists.
  — Steamboat Pilot & Today

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Section by David Krause | Editor

What’s Happening

July 31 – Aug. 6

Aspen Art Week. Art fairs have typically been a place for the insular art world to reconnect with itself, where gallerists load up their finest and collectors come to browse.

But Aspen does things a little bit differently. Its annual art fair — now in its 15th season — has over the past few years grown into a weeklong bash that now features two fairs, a new festival called AIR Aspen, and the annual museum gala, ArtCrush.

Intersect Aspen, the city’s longest-running fair, is also its most traditional, with a curated selection of international galleries showing modern and contemporary art at the Aspen Ice Garden, while a break-off fair, the Aspen Art Fair, launched last year in the Hotel Jerome.

The newest addition to the art roster is AIR Aspen, an initiative by the Aspen Art Museum that brings acclaimed artists and leaders — including Matthew Barney, Paul Chan and Werner Herzog, to name a few — for free, public panels and performances.

All four events of Art Week wrap up this weekend.

Various prices; July 28-Aug. 3; Various locations in Aspen

• Rhythms on the Rio. A big old family-friendly music festival on the banks of the Rio Grande in Del Norte. Proceeds benefit the South Fork Music Association, a nonprofit that provides string instruments and instruction to kids in the San Luis Valley. $65-75 day passes, $190 three-day passes; July 31-Aug. 3; 12510 W. Highway 112, Del Norte
• Sacred Songs on the Silver Thread. A music-filled weekend that centers the power of the human voice through vocal chamber music, gospel, oratorio, spirituals and sacred arias. Vocal classes, group singing sessions and candlelight concerts among other offerings throughout Creede. Prices vary; Aug. 1-3; various locations in Creede
• Crested Butte Arts Festival. The 53rd annual art fair for Colorado makers returns to Elk Avenue this weekend. Over 100 painters, photographers, sculptors, jewelry makers and more will set up shop in individual booths, while live music and local businesses buzz in the background. (While you’re there, stop by The Colorado Sun booth and say hello!) Free; Aug. 1-3; Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter

Thanks for speeding through today’s headlines with us. Have a good day, don’t ignore your gas light and we’ll see you back here first thing tomorrow!

— Erica & the whole staff of The Sun

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