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USDA Rural Development Invests $24 Million to Upgrade Fort Lupton's Wastewater Infrastructure

USDA Rural Development Invests $24 Million to Upgrade Fort Lupton's Wastewater Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has announced a $24 million loan for a significant wastewater infrastructure project in Fort Lupton, Colorado. This investment, celebrated by USDA Under Secretary Glen R. Smith, Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08), and Colorado State Director Sallie Clark, will enable Fort Lupton to connect to an existing water treatment plant. The project aims to provide the necessary capacity to support larger infrastructure developments throughout the region. Under Secretary Smith emphasized that this investment aligns with Presidential Executive Orders to strengthen essential infrastructure and expand long-term opportunities in rural communities. The consolidation of the wastewater system is expected to treat the city's wastewater to optimal levels, thereby improving water quality in the South Platte River and delivering cleaner raw water to downstream users. Congressman Evans highlighted the rapid growth in Northern Colorado and the critical need for water infrast...

Representative Jeff Crank Votes for Ratepayer Protection Act to Mitigate AI Data Center Costs

Representative Jeff Crank Votes for Ratepayer Protection Act to Mitigate AI Data Center Costs

Representative Jeff Crank (CO-05) recently voted in favor of H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act. This legislation aims to prevent American consumers from incurring higher utility rates due to the rapid construction and energy demands of Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers. The bill mandates that state utility regulators consider implementing rules for large-load data centers, specifically those drawing over 100 MW of power. These rules would ensure that such data centers cover the full incremental costs associated with their power consumption, including grid upgrades and new energy generation. Representative Crank, who co-sponsored the act alongside fellow Coloradan Representative Gabe Evans, emphasized that the bill is designed to protect families in Colorado's Fifth Congressional District from increased utility bills. The United States is currently engaged in a race for AI dominance, which is deemed crucial for both economic and national security, yet concerns have arisen regarding the financi...

House Majority PAC Launches New Ads Targeting Republican Lawmakers in Key Districts

House Majority PAC Launches New Ads Targeting Republican Lawmakers in Key Districts

House Majority PAC (HMP) has initiated a new series of television and digital advertisements across nine congressional districts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, and New York. These ads are strategically launched to influence the upcoming elections. In Colorado's 8th District, an ad titled “Summit” criticizes Representative Gabe Evans for his vote to defend tariffs, which HMP claims are increasing the cost of groceries, housing, agriculture supplies, and gas in Colorado, while simultaneously providing tax breaks to billionaires and large corporations. In Arizona's 6th District, the ad “Life Support” targets Juan Ciscomani for a vote on Medicaid cuts. California's 22nd District sees “Shame” criticizing David Valadao for taking money from the healthcare industry while voting against healthcare access. Iowa's 2nd and 3rd Districts have ads targeting Joe Mitchell and Zach Nunn, respectively, focusing on their financial records and stances on China. Similar ads are running...

Colorado Governor Jared Polis Issues Executive Order to Enhance Pollinator Protections

Colorado Governor Jared Polis Issues Executive Order to Enhance Pollinator Protections

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order aimed at bolstering protections for the state's pollinator populations, including bees and butterflies. The order addresses significant threats such as habitat loss, drought, invasive species, and pesticide exposure, which have been impacting these crucial insects. Governor Polis emphasized the vital role pollinators play in Colorado's agricultural sector, supporting crops like peaches, corn, and Rocky Ford melons, as well as contributing to the state's natural beauty and outdoor recreation economy. This executive action follows previous state efforts, including the 2026 legislative session's House Bill 1132, which mandates state agencies to prioritize native plants for pollinator habitats in their projects. The order outlines four key actions: creating a statewide pollinator strategy, reducing pesticide use on state lands, supporting local governments and private landowners in habitat protection, and expanding pollinator habitats within the state hig...

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Expands Local Energy Autonomy for Member Cooperatives

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Expands Local Energy Autonomy for Member Cooperatives

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Expands Local Energy Autonomy for Member Cooperatives

Senate Agriculture Committee Advances Farm Bill Including E-15 and Rural Health Provisions

Senate Agriculture Committee Advances Farm Bill Including E-15 and Rural Health Provisions

The Senate Agriculture Committee has successfully advanced the Agriculture Act of 2026, also known as the Farm Bill, which includes several key provisions aimed at supporting farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Among the notable inclusions are measures for year-round E-15 sales, increased flexibility for livestock grazing within the Conservation Reserve Program, and higher loan limits for the Farm Service Agency. The bill also proposes to double funding for USDA trade promotion programs, intending to help producers expand into international markets. Additionally, an amendment was passed to permanently transfer the administration of the Food for Peace program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Other provisions include zero-interest loans for the construction and renovation of qualifying rural hospitals, expanded opportunities for developing sustainable aviation fuel, and a USDA program designed to assist veterans in pursuing agricultural careers. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall commented o...

Colorado Celebrates 150th Anniversary with Statewide Initiatives and Community Partnerships

Colorado Celebrates 150th Anniversary with Statewide Initiatives and Community Partnerships

Colorado is commemorating its 150th anniversary in 2026 with a series of statewide events and partnerships aimed at honoring its history, celebrating current cultures, and looking towards the future. CBS Colorado is actively involved in this commemoration, collaborating with organizations like History Colorado and Colorado Preservation, Inc. to highlight the state's past and preserve its threatened resources, including historic bridges, landscapes, and buildings. Additionally, CBS Colorado is partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver to support affordable homeownership opportunities, specifically at the Griffith Station Homes in Arvada. The anniversary year will feature various initiatives such as the 'Stories in the Sky' drone shows, a 'Journey Through Colorado' digital passport program, and several exhibitions like 'Moments That Made US' and '38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State' by History Colorado. Other events include the Colorado 150 Film Festival, '150 Tables Across Colorado' ...

House takes 'small step' to shield Americans' energy bills from data centers

House takes 'small step' to shield Americans' energy bills from data centers

Lawmakers said the legislation would help prevent Americans' energy bills from spiking because of nearby data centers.

US House to vote on data center power cost bill

US House to vote on data center power cost bill

Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote as soon as Wednesday on bipartisan legislation that seeks to rein in electricity bill increases tied to the expansion of data centers that support artificial intelligence.

Colorado Proposition 137 Could Boost Wildfire Mitigation Funding While Reducing TABOR Refunds

Colorado Proposition 137 Could Boost Wildfire Mitigation Funding While Reducing TABOR Refunds

Colorado households may see a reduction in their Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) refunds if Proposition 137 passes. This proposed ballot measure aims to reallocate sales tax revenue generated from outdoor recreation equipment towards wildfire prevention and land conservation. A report from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) estimates that Proposition 137 would generate approximately $65 million in additional funding for wildfire mitigation and forest management. If approved, the measure is projected to bring in an extra $175 million in sales tax revenue from activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, cycling, boating, and recreational sports. Of this amount, $83 million would be dedicated to wildfire prevention and water protection, another $83 million to water and land conservation, $4.3 million to promoting economic development and workforce training in the outdoor recreation industry, and $4.3 million to increasing outdoor access for families and children. The revenue collected under Proposition 137 ...

CommonSpirit Health Flight for Life Unveils Advanced Technology and New Branding for Emergency Air Medical Transport

CommonSpirit Health Flight for Life Unveils Advanced Technology and New Branding for Emergency Air Medical Transport

CommonSpirit Health Flight for Life has announced a significant upgrade to its emergency air medical transport services, marked by new branding and substantial technological investments. The organization is introducing three new state-of-the-art helicopters, which feature enhanced navigation systems for superior situational awareness during night flights and in complex mountainous terrain, as well as advanced climate control for patient stability and optimal crew working conditions. Additionally, Flight for Life is implementing LifeSeeker Technology, capable of detecting and locating mobile phone signals even without service or power, to pinpoint patients in remote areas. Panomax Camera Systems, high-definition long-range cameras, are also being installed in 12 remote locations across Colorado to provide aerial perspectives for identifying patients and assessing landing zones in challenging visibility. These advancements aim to revolutionize patient search and rescue operations by enabling faster and more ...

Western US Weather Shift Brings Flood and Fire Concerns

Western US Weather Shift Brings Flood and Fire Concerns

A surge of moisture from Mexico is bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms across the Southwest and Rockies through the weekend, increasing the risk of flash flooding and debris flows. Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and parts of Utah could see 1–4 inches of rain, with pockets reaching 4–8 inches and localized totals near 12 inches. Meanwhile, a separate dry storm across Oregon, Northern California and Idaho could produce lightning, gusty winds and small hail, raising wildfire concerns.