Today is May 24, 2024, and here’s what you need to know:

Republican Jeff Hurd talks energy in 1st TV ad to air in Colorado's 3rd CD GOP primary

Republican Jeff Hurd became the first candidate running in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District to hit the airwaves on Wednesday, debuting a TV ad describing his support for the fossil fuels industry.

“I’ll stand up to Joe Biden, oppose his ban on gas-powered cars, fight for American energy independence and put Colorado first,” says Hurd in the 30-second ad.

Snowpack is melting faster than expected in southern Colorado, slower in northern Colorado

The water year 2023-24 is showing signs of being one of the warmest on record, according to a state climatologist who presented the latest water data to the state’s water watchers Tuesday. Water years run from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

The group, formerly known as the Water Availability Task Force and now known as the Water Conditions Monitoring Committee, also got an update on the status of reservoirs in Colorado, which is quite good compared to previous years.

Three bills vetoed by Gov. Jared Polis last Friday prompted progressive Democrats and union allies to hold a boisterous rally on the west steps of the state Capitol on Thursday.

The three bills are House Bill 1008, a wage theft bill tied to the construction industry; House Bill 1260, a bill prohibiting employers from forcing employees to participate in workplace meetings on religious or political issues; and House Bill 1307, a bill on HVAC improvements for public schools.

Poll: Half of voters disapprove of Denver mayor, City Council

Roughly half of voters disapproved of the job performance by both Mayor Mike Johnston and the City Council in a poll that also showed people’s malcontent with the direction that Denver is heading.

The poll, which surveyed nearly 1,600 respondents earlier this month, put Johnston’s numbers under water — 50% disapproved of his performance, while only 43% gave him a thumbs up. 

Even fewer — 35% — approved of the councilmembers’ work, while 49% found the job they’ve done effectively abysmal.

Gov. Jared Polis signs education bills, including Federal Indian Boarding School Research Program

Gov. Jared Polis visited several locations in the Denver metro area on Thursday to sign a number of education bills into law.

At the Denver Indian Center, Polis signed House Bill 1444, which reauthorizes History Colorado’s Federal Indian Boarding School Research Program. The program investigates the abuse and deaths that occurred at Indian boarding schools in Colorado.