Confusion over raids as ICE sets up at Buckley

Good morning, Colorado.

This weekend is about to grace us with a double whammy of good news: the end of dry January, for those who celebrate, and the Front Range’s first tease of spring. It’s looking like 60 degrees is headed our way, a much-needed relief after those arctic temperatures earlier this month kept my dog, my hiking shoes and myself curled up all together inside.

I’ll see you out on the trails this weekend, followed by a patio. I’ll be the one sipping a Shirley Temple, basking in the sun and soaking up the gentle rays while they last.

But before we raise a glass to our first faux spring of the season (and think about putting our winter layers away for good), let’s plow through today’s news, shall we?

Erica Breunlin

Education Reporter

THE NEWS

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

Colorado braces for immigration raids as ICE sets up processing center at Buckley Space Force Base

Colorado’s immigrant communities and officials alike are in a holding pattern as news that ICE is setting up detention centers on the Aurora base yesterday mingled with anonymously sourced accounts that the “Operation Aurora” mass deportation effort would begin as early as today — followed by other accounts saying the raid has been canceled. Jennifer Brown and Jesse Paul break down what we know.

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• Trump White House rescinds order freezing federal grants after widespread confusion. The change comes less than two days after the original memo — which said the pause was necessary to review whether any of the spending would be on climate change, DEI programs or other issues the administration has targeted — sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country, including in Colorado.
• Trump’s targeting of transgender rights creates uncertainty about Colorado laws protecting students. While experts said executive orders of the kind Trump is using can’t override state laws, they conceded that the legal landscape under Trump is uncertain.

WATER

Colorado law protects state streams, lakes and wetlands, no matter who is in the White House, lawmakers say

As the Trump administration declares a “national energy emergency” to allow some drillers to step around Clean Water Act regulations, Colorado lawmakers are reminding everyone that they passed their own, more comprehensive version of the water protection act that became state law in 2024. Mark Jaffe breaks down what the state law says — and how it’s enforced.

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• In the past two years, Colorado has spent $389M to fund its far-reaching water plan. In an update to the Colorado Water Conservation Board, staffers said they have completed about 20% of the projects and activities that the Colorado Water Plan identified to stabilize the state’s access to water for decades to come.

TRANSPORTATION

RTD sets higher ridership, reliability goals for CEO Debra Johnson

During Tuesday’s meeting, transit riders unloaded a barrage of complaints about the bus and train service in the metro area before the board of the Regional Transportation District toughened up the performance goals for CEO Debra Johnson, including boosting ridership and increasing on-time service, Parker Yamasaki reports.

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• Denver-based Frontier Airlines makes a second bid for Spirit as budget airlines struggle. Spirit said almost immediately that it’s not interested in the sale, and an attempted merger between the airlines came to nothing in 2022.

Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

COLORADO REPORT

• Broncos to give “smart helmets” to all high school football teams in Colorado. The Denver Broncos Foundation is planning to distribute more than 15,000 Riddell Axiom helmets — that use a 3D image of an athlete’s head to determine a customized padding system and can cost around $750 each — to supply every high school football team in the state.
  — Mile High Report
• Fearing encounters with ICE, tribal leaders offer guidance to their members. Tribal leaders are advising members to carry their tribal identification cards with them at all times following what residents say have been concerning encounters with immigration officials.
  — NPR
• Balloon imagery firm raises $30M. Denver’s Urban Sky makes and deploys balloons to take satellite-style images, but according to its co-founder, they have the advantage of taking photos from the stratosphere instead of, well, space. Which in essence means he can say the phrase “We saw it as an untapped layer of Earth’s atmosphere,” and mean it.
  — BusinessDen
• Western Colorado trans communities gather for support following Trump’s executive orders. Members of Delta Pride, an LGBTQ+ group in Delta County, met after recent executive orders by President Trump looking to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion programs, support for transgender health care and protections for immigrants.
  — KSUT Public Radio

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Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

What’s Happening

Jan. 30-Feb. 5

Art & Life: The Story of Jim Phillips.

The winter vibe is high this upcoming week with Ullr fests dotting the land and retro ski films hitting Summit theaters. But if you’re looking for some sunny state stoke, drop by the Oriental Theater on Friday night for a screening of “Art & Life: The Story of Jim Phillips.”

Phillips is the artist behind the most iconic Santa Cruz Skateboards graphics, like the screaming hand and the red dot logo. His visual influence on skateboarding can’t be overstated, and while Phillips’ figure looms large in that world, his all-in, do-it-anyway attitude will find an audience in anyone interested in the ways that art and sport can meet, merge and form a subculture of its own.

Accompanying the screening is a new variation of the open hearts project by Colorado artist Pat Milbery, that attendees can contribute to.

$20; 7 p.m., Jan. 31; The Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave., Denver

• UllrGrass Music and Beer Festival. Three days of music, beer and cider in downtown Golden. Pick a pass based on your taste and time — a Sunday, music-only pass goes for as low as $15, or grab the all-access pass for $145, which comes with unlimited beer and cider samples, and three full days to festival. $15-145; Jan. 31-Feb. 2; Parfait Park, 719 10th St., Golden
• Radical Wednesdays. Aspen Film’s second annual Radical Wednesdays kicks off Feb. 5. Weekly screenings of retro ski films and guest appearances — plus a “Blades of Glory” showing — through the month of February. $15; Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26; Aspen Isis Theater, 406 E. Hopkins Ave., Aspen
• The Alley Loop. A serious cross-country ski race — and Birkebeiner qualifying event — disguised as a giant costume party in Crested Butte. Pick from the 5K, 10K, 21K or 42K race, or find a place to post up along the course and cheer the racers on. $25-122.90; Feb. 1; Elk Avenue in Crested Butte

Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter

Thanks for sticking with us to the last word this morning. And maybe don’t tuck all your sweaters away just yet. We’ll see you back here tomorrow!

— Erica & the whole staff of The Sun

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