Good morning, Colorado!
Every time I go out to water my garden, I find a little bee either nestling into the flowers on my chives or holding on to their stocks to avoid the sudden downpour. Sometimes a little spider goes scurrying along. Once in a while I’ll see a lady bug resting on a leaf. It’s crazy to think about the small little world that exists in just one garden plot.
But now it’s time to turn our attention to a bigger world: One for local news. Let’s jump to it.
Presentation Editor
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THE NEWS
ENVIRONMENT
“Heave the Beave”: Conservationists join fight over planned Buc-ee’s between Denver and Colorado Springs
It seems like yesterday when Buc-ee’s gas station and convenience store in Johnstown was becoming the most-loved stop on the I-25 corridor, with customers flaunting their fandom and chowing down fresh-cut brisket sandwiches. But as Olivia Prentzel reports, Buc-ee’s owners are seeking approval from the town of Palmer Lake to build a 74,000-square-foot store and gas station along I-25 that would increase the town’s overall water consumption by 20% — and that has environmentalists and others fighting the plan.
WATER
Southern Ute tribal member elected to chair Colorado water policy board in historic first
History was made last week when Lorelei Cloud of the Southern Ute Tribe became the first Indigenous person to lead the nearly 90-year-old Colorado Water Conservation Board, which makes crucial decisions about water allocation in the West. Shannon Mullane has more.
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
Phil Weiser on Donald Trump, TABOR, union organizing and his race against Michael Bennet
On stage at Colorado SunFest 2025 earlier this month, Jesse Paul and Attorney General Phil Weiser had a wide-ranging conversation touching on some of the biggest issues in Colorado politics.
AGRICULTURE
Multiple wolf attacks reported on ranches near Aspen over Memorial Day weekend
Wolves attacked cattle at three ranches in Pitkin County over the weekend, bringing criticism of state wildlife authorities from the president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association for not letting him know about a wolf that killed his calf on the ranch he manages. Tracy Ross spoke with him about the events that have ranchers criticizing CPW for lack of transparency and missteps in their new range rider program.
ENVIRONMENT
A fence around a billionaire’s San Luis Valley ranch leads to new state law
Gov. Jared Polis signed a new law Tuesday that could help solve future disputes similar to one that has pitted Costilla County locals against a billionaire Texas oil heir who put up about 20 miles of 8-foot-high wire fence surrounding his ranch. The law requires landowners in Costilla County to apply to local governments before constructing any fence in the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant area that will be more than than 5-feet high and include more than a mile of fence line that encloses property, or is more than a half-mile long but not enclosed. Jennifer Brown has more.
ENERGY
Xcel’s $30M plan to join regional “power pool” panned for high cost, lack of benefit
Colorado business and consumer groups testified in hearings before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission this week that Xcel Energy’s plan to become part of a short-term, wholesale electric market would cost too much with minimal benefits to consumers. Mark Jaffe reports on the challenges of Xcel joining a larger grid and why executives are defending the choice as the company tries to comply with state law requiring big utilities, including Xcel, Tri-State and PRPA, to join a wholesale market.
Section by Tracy Ross | Reporter
THE COLORADO REPORT
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Section by Olivia Prentzel | Reporter
THE OPINION PAGE
COLUMNS
The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.
SunLit
REVIEW
Explore Booksellers’ picks range from Native voices to nature narratives
Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from bookstores across Colorado. This week, the staff from Explore Booksellers in Aspen recommends:
Read what the bookstore staff had to say about each. Pick up a copy and support your local bookstores at the same time.
Section by Kevin Simpson | Writer
Before we leave, quick question: Are you hoping to buy your first home? We’re getting real estate experts together June 4 to share creative ways to get into the market. Join us for this free event with drinks, apps and some networking, too. Register here
— Danika & the whole staff of The Sun
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Corrections & Clarifications
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