Monday, February 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1984, figure skater Scott Hamilton won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. A week later, thousands celebrated in Denver, where Hamilton had trained and lived, and Gov. Richard Lamm declared "Scott Hamilton Day" in his adopted state of Colorado.

Valentine's Day brought 125 couples to Loveland Ski Area to tie the knot above the Continental Divide—but the holiday offered no resolution for the seven states that missed a federal deadline to agree on how to manage the Colorado River, the West's most important water supply. More on both in today's Top Stories and Et Cetera below.

Today's sponsor, United States Tungsten Corp, is offering investors a chance to get in early on America's largest past-producing tungsten mine as the U.S. looks to secure its supply amid rising prices and new restrictions on Chinese imports.

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.

Colorado River Negotiations Collapse

The seven states that share the Colorado River missed the federal government's Feb. 14 deadline to agree on new water management rules. Upper and Lower Basin states remain at odds over how to divide a river that carries far less water than was assumed when allocations were set in 1922.

Attorney General Phil Weiser said Colorado and the Upper Basin states offered a compromise that closely followed a plan recommended by the Interior Department, but the Lower Basin rejected it. He said Colorado and other Upper Basin states could face water cuts of 40% or more and are prepared for litigation.

If states cannot reach an agreement before current drought guidelines expire at the end of 2026, the federal government could impose its own rules—potentially triggering years of litigation. Major reservoirs on the system remain below healthy levels, raising concerns about long-term water supplies and hydropower generation.

Greeley Meatpackers Prepare to Strike

Nearly 3,800 union workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley—one of the largest beef processors in the country—voted 99% to authorize what could become the nation's first meatpacking strike since 1985. Workers say the company has sped up production lines, cut corners on safety, and offered raises of less than 2% as the cost of living climbs.

The plant's contract expired in late July and has been operating on an extension that the union can pull with seven days' notice. Negotiations are set to resume Feb. 20, the one date JBS has agreed to return to the bargaining table. Workers spent Valentine's Day making picket signs.

JBS USA, which is headquartered in Greeley, reported $20.5 billion in net sales for its North American beef division in the first nine months of 2025. The company has previously faced federal scrutiny over workplace conditions. Six workers at the Greeley plant died of COVID-19 during the pandemic, and in 2023 a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found a cleaning-service contractor employed children as young as 13 at multiple plants, including Greeley.

Fire Danger Rises as Record Heat Returns

As Colorado's historic snow drought continues, the National Weather Service is warning of a prolonged stretch of critical fire weather conditions across the plains.

Sunday was expected to tie the record for most 60-degree days in a single winter season in Denver, with highs near 67 degrees. Conditions are expected to worsen into Tuesday, when wind gusts up to 60 mph could bring extreme fire danger to parts of the plains.

Xcel Energy is warning customers to prepare for possible power shutoffs, as historically low snowpack, dry vegetation, and warm temperatures create prime wildfire conditions. Denver Water reports reservoirs below typical levels and says residents should prepare for potential restrictions later this year.

A pattern shift later in the week could bring cooler air and mountain snow Wednesday through Friday—but forecasters say the fire risk between now and then is serious. A Red Flag Warning was issued Sunday for parts of the eastern plains, where relative humidity was forecast to drop as low as 11%.

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Tungsten Price Up 200%: Invest in America's Largest Mine Before Operations Begin

Tungsten prices surged 200% last year after China halted exports. That's because China currently controls 84% of the global tungsten supply, and it's one of the most important metals on earth.

Since the U.S. military relies on tungsten for everything from armor-piercing rounds to jet engines, they're racing to find a way of sourcing tungsten without relying on China.

This is a huge opportunity for United States Tungsten. They hold the lease to the "Tungsten Queen," once America's largest tungsten mine. It's a massive asset containing 1 million tons of minerals worth an estimated $450 million.

And as the U.S. moves to ban mineral imports from China in 2027, it's expected to only get more valuable.

Plus, the White House just proposed raising the military budget to $1.5 trillion next year. A bigger budget means more spending on the hardware that requires tungsten. As new laws require that money be spent on American-mined minerals first, United States Tungsten is positioned to become a supplier for one of the world's most reliable customers.

They're already in talks with the U.S. Government.

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➤ Steamboat Springs: Four Tennessee residents—three members of the Stokes family and a friend—were killed when a single-engine plane crashed into remote mountainous terrain near Emerald early Friday morning, according to the Routt County Coroner. (More)

➤ Statewide: A Colorado Senate bill introduced last week would fully decriminalize prostitution, repeal related criminal penalties, and take effect in July if passed, making Colorado the first state to do so. Backed by Democrat lawmakers, the measure is intended to improve safety for sex workers and allow law enforcement to focus on human trafficking. (More)

➤ Nederland: Months after an October fire destroyed the Nederland Shopping Center, cleanup has yet to begin due to an impasse over asbestos testing. The state requires testing before debris removal, but the property manager says the remaining debris is preventing the required tests. (More)

➤ High Country: Avalanche danger has climbed to "considerable" across Colorado's northern and central mountains after recent snowfall has loaded onto persistent weak layers in a thinner-than-usual snowpack. Forecasters say areas near Crested Butte and Steamboat are among the most concerning. (More)

➤ Denver: The city is accepting bids from new providers to potentially replace its controversial Flock license plate reader surveillance system, with the current contract expiring March 31. A new contract will go before the city council in the coming weeks. (More)

➤ Commerce City: A 4-year-old boy was found safe Friday night after being forcibly taken from his home, with a 45-year-old suspect arrested around midnight on charges including kidnapping and child abuse following a SWAT standoff. (More)

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➤ Colorado State defeated Wyoming 79-68 on Saturday at Moby Arena, overcoming Wyoming's 14-2 first-half surge to claim the Border War matchup. Jase Butler scored 18 points, and Carey Booth anchored the defense as the Rams secured the rivalry win. (More)

➤ Fort Collins native and former CSU track champion Hunter Powell is competing for Team USA in bobsled at the Winter Olympics in Italy, racing alongside fiancée and Olympic brakewoman Kaysha Love. (More)

➤ The Broncos unveiled updated plans for a Burnham Yard stadium district Thursday. Pending approvals, construction could begin in 2027 with a 2031 opening. (More)

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➤ Powderhorn Mountain Resort is marking its 60th winter season by offering a limited run of three-year season passes starting at $999, allowing holders to lock in pricing for three years. The resort is investing in upgrades, including the new Wild West Express lift set to debut in 2026-27. (More)

➤ A Denver councilmember is proposing regulations on so-called residential wholesalers who target homeowners in gentrifying neighborhoods with unsolicited offers, quickly reselling properties for profit without making improvements. The bill would require registration with the city and create a do-not-contact list for homeowners who don't want to be solicited. (More)

➤ Denver City Council approved a $12.7 million pedestrian bridge at the National Western Center that will span nine railroad tracks, connecting the east and west sides of the campus near the N Line station, with completion expected by late 2027. (More)

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The amount of tungsten-bearing minerals in the "Tungsten Queen" is estimated to be worth $450 million at today's prices. That's because the metal is in urgent need for military tanks, aircraft, missiles, and more.

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➤ At Loveland Ski Area, 125 couples tied the knot at the annual Marry Me & Ski for Free ceremony on Valentine's Day, riding the lift above the Continental Divide before skiing or snowboarding down after the celebration. (More)

➤ Fort Collins' Postcard Pizza, a Detroit-style pizza spot inside Equinox Brewing, was named one of USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year. The shop is open Thursday through Saturday and is known for creative global specials like its banh mi pie. (More)

➤ A newly completed five-bedroom, 10-bath home in Cherry Hills Village is listed for $18 million, making it the most expensive property for sale in the Denver metro area, according to Compass Real Estate. (See Photos)

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