Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1864, Col. William O. Collins signed an order establishing the present-day location of Fort Collins, then a military post on the Cache la Poudre River. Its predecessor, Camp Collins, had been destroyed by flooding on June 9.

Colfax Avenue saw an unexpected visitor Monday when Lakewood police wrangled a loose emu—just the latest in a string of exotic animal encounters. Read more in our Top Stories.

🎙️ In today's Flyover podcast, host Ayla Brown digs into what's happening with the all-you-can-eat hotel breakfast. Once a travel staple, the buffet isn't quite what it used to be. Why the shift? That's a podcast-exclusive story you won't see in the email edition. Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

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Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Agents Arrest 30 in Aurora Sting

Federal and local authorities announced the indictment of 30 people in Aurora on Monday, including eight members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, after a 10-month undercover investigation.

The operation, conducted by federal agents and local police after a surge of violence at two Aurora apartment complexes, led to charges of drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and murder-for-hire.

Agents seized 69 firearms along with large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine, displaying many of the weapons and drugs as evidence during Monday's press conference.

Officials described the case as an example of interagency cooperation and said it dealt a major setback to the gang's efforts to expand its control in Colorado.

Newsmax and Dominion Reach Settlement

Newsmax will pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems to settle a defamation lawsuit over false claims of voter fraud involving the company's machines during the 2020 presidential election.

Dominion, the Denver-based company whose equipment is used in dozens of states, filed suit after Newsmax aired unproven allegations that its machines switched votes from Donald Trump to Joe Biden.

By settling, Newsmax avoids a public trial that could have revealed damaging internal evidence—similar to material disclosed ahead of Fox News's $787.5 million settlement with Dominion in 2023.

Loose Emu Stops Traffic in Lakewood

Lakewood police captured a loose emu Monday morning after it was spotted on Colfax Avenue near Quail Street.

The bird was safely returned home with help from animal control and Regional Transportation District police.

The emu, one of several exotic animals legal to own in Colorado, is the latest in a string of unusual pet incidents across the state. Past cases include a kangaroo and a Patagonia mara that escaped and a deadly bite from a Gila monster kept as a pet.

Colorado law allows residents to keep animals like emus, alpacas, and bison, though ownership rules vary.

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➤ Statewide: Lawmakers from the Western Slope will introduce a bill during the special legislative session to pause wolf reintroduction for one year, aiming to redirect funds as Colorado faces a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall. (See Details)

➤ Frisco: Stage Two water restrictions are in effect after a lack of rain left North Ten Mile Creek at a record low, limiting non-essential water use for the first time since 2012. (See Details)

➤DIA: Health officials have reported a possible measles exposure at Concourse C after an infected traveler arrived at gate C51 and boarded a connecting flight from gate C50 on Aug. 12. (More)

➤ Red Cliff: The Colorado Department of Transportation will implement a weight restriction on the 1940 Red Cliff Bridge later this month after discovering thinning steel, aiming to preserve the historic landmark. (More)

➤ Statewide: U.S. News & World Report released its ranking of Colorado's best high schools, with D'Evelyn High School in Denver taking the top spot and ranking 53rd nationally. (See Rankings)

➤ Northern Colorado: Officials say 3 million barrels of oil and 666 billion cubic feet of gas remain in the Phosphoria Total Petroleum System, though the century-old field is nearing depletion. (See Details)

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➤ Warming Bernabel helped the Rockies snap a 10-game losing streak against the Dodgers on Monday night with a walk-off single. (See Highlight)

➤ Colorado running back Dallan Hayden is expected to miss the Buffaloes' season opener vs. Georgia Tech due to a hand injury. (More)

➤ Denver will host the Pacific Nations Cup semifinals in September, where the U.S. rugby team will compete for a spot in the 2027 Rugby World Cup. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | LLWS

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➤ Anderson Farms ended its sunflower season early after heat and wind ruined the fields, canceling flower-picking, wagon rides, and photo opportunities—activities that had become a popular late-summer tradition. (More)

➤ Denver International Airport has partially closed its west garage to upgrade accessible parking, with phase one set to finish in December. The work comes as DIA advances plans for large-scale development along Peña Boulevard. (See Details)

➤ Pueblo Zoo leaders warned City Council that without increased funding from the city and county, a mounting deficit could force the zoo to close within three to four years. (More)

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➤ The Colorado State Fair kicks off Friday in Pueblo and runs through Sept. 1, with major performances from stars including Lee Brice, Flo Rida, and Gabriel Iglesias. (More)

➤ Leaf colors are changing ahead of schedule across Colorado as summer drought conditions cause fall colors to arrive up to 10 days early, potentially resulting in less vivid foliage. (See Details)

➤ After closing its doors, the Rodz and Bodz Museum in Englewood is auctioning off a star-studded catalog of movie cars and props—including a Fast & Furious Dodge Charger and a Star Wars podracer. (See Details)

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