How to stay safe from lightning in Colorado

Good morning, Colorado. Have you gotten your SunFest tickets yet? If not, here’s your reminder.

It’s beautiful out today in Denver, so let’s go ahead and get to today’s news.

Kevin Jeffers

Product Team

THE NEWS

WEATHER

Colorado has the third-most lightning deaths in the country. Here’s how to stay safe.

A lightning strike that killed Jackson County rancher Mike Morgan and more than 30 of his cattle over the weekend was the latest tragic outcome in a state that’s no stranger to wild electrical storms that seem to come out of nowhere. Colorado had the third-highest rate of lightning deaths in the nation between 2006 and 2023, trailing only the much more heavily populated states of Florida and Texas. Jennifer Brown talked to a meteorologist to learn more on Colorado’s unique standing when it comes to lightning danger.

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• One person killed in storm that flooded homes, stranded cars, damaged stores in Greeley. Many residents said they had to shovel drifts of heavy hail that was holding water in their yards and businesses. Dan England has more.

POLITICS

Democratic group is running ads boosting GOP election denier in Colorado congressional race

A Democratic super PAC is spending big to air ads boosting the profile of former state Rep. Ron Hanks in the 3rd District, Jesse Paul and Sandra Fish report. It’s a risky strategy Democrats tried (largely in vain) in multiple races in 2022, in an effort to keep more moderate GOP candidates off the ballot to theoretically improve the election odds of Democratic candidates. Adam Frisch is the de facto Democratic nominee in the district, where Democrats are hoping to flip a U.S. House seat following Lauren Boebert’s strategic move away from the western part of the state.

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EQUITY

Nearly two years since Colorado voters approved affordable housing measure, units are under construction in Denver

Voters approved Proposition 123 in November of 2022 to help increase the stock of affordable housing units in Colorado. Nearly two years later, units funded by that measure are taking shape. Tatiana Flowers was at the groundbreaking Thursday for The Irving at Mile High Vista, a 102-unit housing unit on West Colfax, and provides an update on how Proposition 123-funded housing is going.

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MORE NEWS

• Winter snowpack recedes earlier than usual in southern Colorado after rare, sudden and large melt. Northern and eastern regions are holding onto their snow for longer than usual, a good sign for late-summer water supplies, writes Shannon Mullane.
• Techstars CEO still calls Boulder home despite headquarters’ move to New York. The tech accelerator moved its headquarters to New York in February but after its New York CEO stepped down due to health problems, co-founder David Cohen takes over again. Tamara Chuang has more.

Section by Kevin Jeffers | Product Team

COLORADO REPORT

• How a Boulder resident bought a used EV for less than $700. Transportation is Colorado’s largest source of planet-warming emissions. The state’s struggle to decarbonize the sector is also the main reason it is on track to miss its first legally mandated climate targets in 2025 and 2030.
  — CPR News
• Sophia Smith says it’s an ‘honor’ to represent Northern Colorado with U.S. Soccer team. Smith and her teammates are in Colorado this week as they prepare to take on South Korea Saturday in the run-up to the Olympics.
  — Fort Collins Coloradoan
• Starbucks’ upcharge for non-dairy alternatives violates ADA, claims class action lawsuit filed in Colorado this week. The complaint notes that there’s no material difference between nor additional work for regular milk and non-dairy alternatives. Additionally, it says there’s no upcharge for modifications such as sugar- or caffeine-free orders, and that Starbucks doesn’t upcharge in some European and Asian markets. Does it seem like I’m writing quite an awful lot about this story? It’s my bias: I’m lactose intolerant.
  — Boulder Daily Camera 🔑
• Why are some Denver parks so unkempt? City asks for “grace” after seasonal staffing delay. Parks and Recreation is filling a 135-worker gap after city budget cuts in response to the migrant crisis delayed hiring.
  — The Denver Post 🔑
• A taxidermied raccoon with its paws in a box of Hot Tamales candies fell off the back of a truck and into the lap of Denverite, who took it to the Antiques Roadshow to be appraised. But I argue, can you really put a tag on such a priceless item?
  — Denverite

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Section by Danika Worthington | Presentation Editor

What’s Happening

Women’s History Summer Socials. Every Tuesday evening in June, July and August the Center for Colorado Women’s History hosts a summer social event, with extended hours, live music and guest speakers. The programs are structured around

Poet Marissa Forbes kicks off the series on Tuesday with a reading from her collection, “Brief and Bleeding Margins.” Tickets to the event also include limited access to the history center’s current exhibition, “Rumors of Bloomers,” an exploratory history of women’s undergarments. Meanwhile, a free concert by Roadside Distraction will take place in the museum gardens.

Future programs include an equity in the outdoors panel (June 11), vintage postcard collaging night (July 23), and a discussion about the evolution of women’s clothing in outdoor recreation (Aug. 6), among many others. Tickets reserved in advance include a discount code for a tour of the “Rumors of Bloomers” exhibition at a later date.

$7; Tuesdays in June, July and Aug.; Colorado Center for Women’s History, 1310 Bannock St., Denver

• Aspen Psychedelic Symposium. Now in its second year, the Aspen Psychedelic Symposium presents two days of talks about psychedelic medicines. Speakers, films and panels center scientific research, statewide policy,  Indigenous traditions and mental health advocacy. $100; May 31-June 1; Wheeler Opera House, 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen
• Summerfest on the Rio. The San Luis Valley’s summertime kickoff festival. Art, music, food and drinks in Cole Park, and plenty of kid-focused activities. Free; May 31-June 2; Cole Park, First St., Alamosa
• Sunday Sundae. A $35 ticket buys you a handmade ceramic bowl and all the Sweet Action ice cream you can fit in it. Compete in the “clay olympics” in events like blindfold pot throwing, ceramic relay, and hula-hoop pinch pot building. All proceeds benefit the Art Students League of Denver. $35; 1-4 p.m., June 2; Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant St., Denver

Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter

Have a great Thursday!

— Kevin & the whole staff of The Sun

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