An old restaurant vs. a QuikTrip just off I-70

Good morning, Colorado! Writing to you from the darkest winter desk this morning.

Tomorrow is the winter solstice, which means the days will start to lighten by precious seconds from here on out. I know it’s customary to celebrate the return of the sun, and I’m absolutely looking forward to ditching my headlamp at the dog park after work, but I do get kind of attached to these cozy — sometimes even snowy — mornings. My coffee definitely tastes a little better before sunrise. So while I welcome the evening light, I’m a little sad to see my dear friend, the morning dark, go.

Grab your hot drinks, here’s the news.

Parker Yamasaki

Reporter

THE NEWS

BUSINESS

Loved restaurant vs. QuikTrip: A timeless development dilemma just off I-70

In Evergreen, locals are feeling the truth and sting of Joni Mitchell’s wise words, “they paved paradise, put up a parking lot.” In this case, paradise is the El Rancho restaurant set to be replaced by a QuickTrip gas station. Neighbors are petitioning to turn the site into something more charming, but the local owner is ready to get rid of the flailing restaurant. Michael Booth has more.

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• Fact Brief ☀️ Were outdoor Christmas lights popularized in Colorado? A local electrician dipped lights in red and green paint and strung them around a pine tree, hoping to spark joy in his bedridden son. He did more than just that. Por Jaijongkit has more.

HOUSING

Overdose deaths among Denver’s homeless population declined for the first time in six years

Despite the slight decline, overdosing remained the leading cause of death among Denver’s homeless population, with three-quarters of them due to fentanyl. The Coalition for the Homeless, which advocates for expanded access to treatment, is holding a vigil on Sunday. Jennifer Brown has more.

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OUTDOORS

Leadville Mill owners drop cyanide from plans to process mine waste in search for gold

The mining industry has long used cyanide to extract precious metals from ore. That’s what Nick Michael planned to do with his slag stashes around Leadville, until he found what could be an innovative, but untested, technique in a company called Extrakt Process Solutions. Locals who have spent decades mitigating damage from the region’s hardrock history remain wary. Jason Blevins has the story.

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• Coyote killed near where a child was attacked in Colorado Springs had human DNA on its paws, wildlife officers say. The young girl and her friend approached the coyote on Thanksgiving hoping to feed it after mistaking it for a dog. Tracy Ross has the details.
• The Outsider ☀️ Park Service kills proposed policy banning bolts. Climbers and wilderness advocates are cheering. Short-term rental owners also got a win this week in the new vacancy bill tax, a controversial measure that has stirred up mountain town homeowners around the state. That and more from Jason Blevins. 

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Colorado’s budget deficit is now forecast to be smaller than the $1 billion hole originally predicted

The state’s latest economic forecast projects a $750 million deficit in next year’s budget, down from the $1 billion hole originally estimated. Legislators aren’t breathing easy, though, as they face a cooling job market, growing spending on education and Medicaid, and a new, voter-approved $350 million fund for law enforcement. Jesse Paul has details.

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Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter

THE COLORADO REPORT

• ”We’re looked at as the bottom of the list.” Three years after the Marshall fire, mobile home residents feel left behind.
  — Boulder Reporting Lab
• ACLU sues Colorado school district over removal of “highly sensitive” library books. The books removed by the Elizabeth School District primarily featured Black, brown and LGBTQ people, the ACLU said. “None of the removed books are obscene,” the lawsuit said.
  — The Denver Post ????
• Psilocybin therapy in Colorado could cost thousands, won’t be covered by insurance. The soon-to-be legalized therapy will be inaccessible to those who can’t afford it.
  — 9News
• What happens in Colorado if the federal government shuts down? The federal government will shut down by the end of the day Friday if a funding measure isn’t passed. U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen explains what it could mean for Coloradans.
  — KDVR

???? = source has article meter or paywall

Section by Kevin Jeffers | Product Team

THE OPINION PAGE

CARTOONS

In “What’d I Miss?” Ossie’s songwriting friend explains why artificial intelligence would be better directed toward the mundane than the creative.

CARTOON

Jim Morrissey imagines that Santa doesn’t seem too receptive to the recent request from Xcel Energy for $5 billion for upgrades.

CARTOONS

Meanwhile, Drew Litton illustrates how, whether college or pro, the state’s football teams have gifted Coloradans unexpected success this holiday season.

CARTOONS

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.

Podcast Playlist

CONVERSATION

Each weekday The Daily Sun-Up podcast brings you a thoughtful conversation, a bit of Colorado history, and headlines of the day. We keep it tight so you can listen on the go, or stack up a few and tune in at your leisure. Download the Sun-Up for free on your favorite podcasting app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or RSS to plug into your app. Check out this week’s lineup from The Sun team:

• Caribou Ranch holds some of Colorado’s greatest music history. The boss of the Colorado Music Experience, G. Brown, talks with reporter Kevin Simpson about the history of the iconic 3,000-acre property and those famous bands who came through.
  LISTEN
• Exploring two ends of Colorado’s ski industry spectrum. Outdoors reporter Jason Blevins discusses the grassroots effort to revive Cuchara ski area and how Vail Resorts has nearly $1 billion in accessible money thanks to preseason pass sales.
  LISTEN
• The Temp team runs the gamut again. Health care reporter John Ingold breaks down the state’s worrisome Medicaid budget and environment reporter Michael Booth looks at a proposal for the I-70 exit at El Rancho west of Denver.
  LISTEN
• Are more Coloradans planning for retirement? State legislators started the Colorado SecureSavings option in 2023 for businesses and workers who did have access to a retirement plan. Business reporter Tamara Chuang looks at how the rollout has gone.
  LISTEN
• Colorado’s 10 presidential electors cast ballots for Harris. Across the country Tuesday, presidential electors made their voices heard. Political reporter Jesse Paul brings you a quick audio diary from the state Capitol.
  LISTEN

????️ Remember, you can ask Siri, Alexa or Google to “play the Daily Sun-Up podcast” and we’ll play right on your smart speaker. As always we appreciate your feedback and comments at podcast@coloradosun.com.

Section by David Krause | Editor

Here’s a lovely little list of things to do on the solstice. Catch me watching the livestream of Stonehenge with a big bowl of udon.

— Parker & the whole staff of The Sun

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Corrections & Clarifications

Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.