Friday, March 6, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1861, Colorado Territory's first recorded avalanche fatality occurred southwest of Georgetown. Avalanches would come to pose a serious threat during the late 19th century as mining towns became more numerous in the mountains.

Today in Top Stories, we examine how Palantir Technologies' departure from Denver could impact the state's economy. Read more below. Then visit Et Cetera to see the surprisingly street-legal vehicle turning heads in Pueblo.

Today's sponsor, Lemonade Pet Insurance, helps pet owners manage rising vet costs with affordable plans starting around $10 a month and flexible coverage designed to protect both your pet's health and your budget.

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.

CPW Advances Controversial Fur Ban

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission voted 6-4 to advance a proposed statewide ban on the sale of wildlife furs and furbearer parts during a tense public meeting Wednesday.

The proposal concerns 17 furbearer species, including foxes, bobcats, and beavers. A large turnout and preexisting controversy prompted CPW to boost security for the meeting, held at a Westminster hotel, by checking attendees for weapons at the door.

The majority of the 100-plus public commenters opposed the ban. CPW staff, including Director Laura Clellan, also recommended the petition be denied, saying it lacks scientific support and is based on faulty assumptions.

The Center for Biological Diversity, the nonprofit behind the petition, claims furbearer harvesting is underregulated and cites similar protections in place for other species.

The petition now moves into the rulemaking phase. It will go before the commission again in May.

Measles Outbreak Declared in Broomfield

A third child linked to two Broomfield schools has been infected with measles, prompting health officials to declare the state's first official measles outbreak of the year.

Unvaccinated students and staff at Broomfield High School and Broomfield Heights Middle School have been told to stay home for 21 days to curb the spread of the disease. At least 26 students at Broomfield High School were forbidden from coming to school.

State law requires students to be immunized against measles to attend class, with some exemptions. It also authorizes health officials to ignore those exemptions if there is "danger of an epidemic."

Health officials are urging those who may have been exposed at certain locations to watch for symptoms, including common cold symptoms and the disease's telltale rash.

Report: Impacts of Palantir Exit

Palantir Technologies' departure from Denver could have a ripple effect on Colorado's economy, according to a new report.

The massive data analytics firm and government contractor announced the move to the Miami area last month, just six years after setting up headquarters in Denver. It was Colorado's largest publicly traded company.

Based on the company's broader economic impact, the Common Sense Institute projects Palantir's exit will produce an annual GDP loss of $106 million, an economic output loss of $178 million, and a personal income loss of $107 million. Read the report here.

The high-profile departure may also damage Colorado's reputation in the tech industry, narrowing future prospects, the report suggests. In an investor filing, Palantir cited Colorado's artificial intelligence policy as a reason for its exit.

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➤ Statewide: A winter storm moved in overnight and is forecast to bring 4 to 8 inches of snow to the high country, with 1 to 6 inches possible at lower elevations. (See Map)

➤ Statewide: A bill aimed at cracking down on 3D-printed gun components passed in the House and now heads to the Senate. (See Details)

➤ Boulder County: A vegetation fire at Heil Valley Ranch burned about 7.6 acres before crews fully contained the blaze Wednesday. (More)

➤ Delta County: A loose cow charged and attacked a man on a mountain trail, knocking him down an embankment, trampling his chest, and falling on him, leaving him with a collapsed lung and several broken bones. His family set up a fundraiser to help with medical costs. (More)

➤ Northern Colorado: Xcel Energy will be transporting generators and turbines by truck from Loveland to Platteville, impacting traffic on Interstate 25 starting early Saturday. (See Details)

➤ Boulder: Police arrested a 17-year-old student for allegedly bringing a handgun to Arapahoe Ridge High School on Tuesday. (More)

➤ Windsor: A police officer was terminated following an internal investigation stemming from his Jan. 25 arrest for suspected burglary, domestic violence, false imprisonment, and harassment. (More)

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➤ Colorado extended women's basketball coach JR Payne's contract through 2031. She's posted five straight 20-win seasons with the Buffs and led the team to 13 consecutive semesters with a 3.0 or better GPA. (More)

➤ Former CSU basketball player David Roddy signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets—their second recent signing to play college basketball in the state. (More)

➤ The Colorado Avalanche acquired defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. (More)

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➤ Blue Sky Ranch, a proposed housing development calling for 948 homes on 970 acres in unincorporated Elbert County, has drawn pushback from residents worried about its impact on water, roads, and their rural way of life. (More)

➤ The University of Denver is partnering with Pivot Energy to buy electricity from its 3.2-megawatt solar field in Johnstown, one of six sites the school plans to invest in as it works to meet a 2030 carbon-neutrality goal. (More)

➤ Los Dos Potrillos, a Mexican restaurant chain, was forced to temporarily close its Littleton location after a kitchen fire damaged the restaurant on Tuesday. (More)

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➤ A "boat car"—a street-legal boat on wheels built by mounting a real boat on top of a 1994 Volvo 960—is turning heads in Pueblo. (See Video)

➤ An alligator farm in the San Luis Valley houses more than 200 gators, which stay warm in the winter thanks to a geothermal well. (See Video)

➤ The Rotary Snowball Sweepstakes—a charity race that sends numbered snowballs rolling down Powderhorn Mountain, with a $5,000 prize for the winner—takes place Saturday. (More)

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