New AI modeling improves wildfire forecasts, National Center for Atmospheric Research says
This model, depicting 2020’s East Troublesome Fire’s spread as viewed from Grand Lake, is the latest from a new AI driven modeling system known as WRF-Fire that the National Center for Atmospheric Research developed. NCAR scientists say the improved modeling system will increase their ability to predict wildfire paths, volatility and more by utilizing satellite imagery and AI to better understand variables like the scope of dead areas from pine beetle activity, general dryness and more.
A happier budget week | Capitol M | Week of April 18, 2026
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 days ago
It’s budget time at the state Capitol, and generally, it’s a humorless situation. It certainly was that way in the House last week, with a 15-hour reading of the long bill at 661 pages that resulted in lawmakers having to...
Colorado Politics Calendar Apr. 20-26
Rachael Wright, Special to Colorado Politics
rachael.wright@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 days ago
CoPo’s weekly political calendar helps you find political and public policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances,...
Mysterious letter causes uproar, investigation in Mesa County GOP | A LOOK BACK
Rachael Wright, Special to Colorado Politics
rachael.wright@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 days ago
Twenty Years Ago This Week: An unregistered activist group calling themselves ‘The Colorado Republican Caucus’ mailed letters to at least 160 Republicans in Mesa County calling various Grand Junction Republicans “turncoats” and “traitors.” “The danger was that the letters were...
Hemp beverage bill puts profits over Colorado kids | OPINION
Colorado Politics
colorado-politics@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 13 hours ago
By Rachel O’Bryan The hemp THC beverage industry wants to sell its high-inducing drinks in Colorado everywhere that beer or wine is sold — including stores and restaurants near schools. This self-serving bill, Senate Bill 164, would blow Colorado’s regulated...
Colorado lawmakers advance bill to tackle Colorado’s prison capacity issues
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 19 hours ago
As lawmakers move the 2026–27 state budget toward completion, they are intensifying efforts to address overcrowding and capacity challenges within the Department of Corrections and related agencies—issues that have contributed to increased spending in the budget. The state Senate on...
Colorado justices, lawyers speak with rural students through outreach program
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 20 hours ago
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court appeared before students from eight rural schools on Thursday to hear a pair of cases, field questions, and mark the first time the state’s newest justice participated in the long-running program. “I had such...
Democrats want Colorado colleges to provide medication abortion
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 17 hours ago
A bill proposing to require Colorado colleges and universities to provide abortion medication services cleared a legislative committee on Thursday. Advocates said the measure — which exempts religious-based institutions but applies to public, private, and community colleges — will improve...
Colorado lawmakers cut newer programs to close $1.2 billion budget shortfall
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 20 hours ago
With Colorado facing a budget gap exceeding $1.2 billion, lawmakers are preparing to wind down or sharply reduce a slate of recently-created programs — from teacher training to wildfire mitigation — as the Joint Budget Committee searches for savings across...
Trump ‘in discussions’ with IRS to cut deal in tax record lawsuit
Brady Knox, Washington Examiner
brady.knox.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 18 hours ago
President Donald Trump is in talks with the Internal Revenue Service to strike a deal over the release of his tax records. The news was revealed in a legal filing, where his legal team said they were in “discussions” with...
Governor’s wildlife commission picks face pushback ahead of Colorado Senate hearing
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 18 hours ago
Colorado’s largest coalition of hunters, anglers, and wildlife conservation groups is urging state lawmakers to reject two of Gov. Jared Polis’ latest nominees to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, setting up a contentious confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture...