AGP Executive Report

Four Corners Flooding: Rising rivers have forced evacuations in Archuleta County, and Pagosa Springs has declared a disaster emergency as more rain threatens the area. Colorado Ballot Disputes: State justices are being asked to review a challenge to Amendment 87, while another case over signatures for a graduated-income-tax proposal is headed to the Colorado Supreme Court. Election Oversight: Colorado says federal monitors must get state permission before accessing ballot counting in Adams County; officials are also urging voters to mail ballots by Monday as early voting grows. Small Business: Colorado Springs topped a new national ranking for small-business growth, with more than 120 businesses opening since 2023. Mountain Tourism: Resorts report strong fall bookings but warn winter reservations are slowing amid economic uncertainty, higher travel costs and concerns about snow.

Aerospace and Innovation: Colorado Springs is pitching itself to host the proposed U.S. Space Academy, while Boom Supersonic plans a turbine factory in Centennial to power data centers. Ballot Battle: Proposition NN supporters and opponents are pouring millions into the fight over whether Colorado can keep up to $4.6 billion in tax revenue for schools, while federal election monitors are slated to observe voting in Adams County. Business Rules: Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a bill that would have barred credit-card fees on sales tax after banks and card companies opposed it, leaving small businesses without the proposed relief. Consumer Protection: A state audit found shortcomings in Colorado’s marijuana product-testing system, raising concerns about regulators’ ability to catch contamination. Data Centers: Denver and Loveland are weighing tighter rules as communities grapple with data centers’ demands for power and water.

Election Oversight: Colorado is pushing back against federal election monitors in Adams County, even as the Justice Department plans to send observers there on Election Day. Major Roadwork: Gov. Jared Polis and state and local officials broke ground on $806 million in I-270 safety improvements in Adams County. Surveillance Debate: Grand Junction police and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office say they’ll keep using license-plate cameras despite budget pressures and privacy concerns. Court Watch: Colorado justices appeared skeptical of a retirement facility’s bid for insurance coverage tied to pandemic-era property losses. Business Law: A Colorado appeals court overturned an $8.3 million judgment against X in a Boulder landlord dispute, ruling the lower court misread the contract. Ballot Battle: A Denver judge rejected a last-minute effort to block Colorado’s graduated income tax measure from the November ballot.

Tax Ballot Fight: A Denver judge rejected the latest bid to block Amendment 87, leaving Colorado voters to decide a proposed graduated income tax that would raise the top rate from about 4.4% to 8.4%. Election Oversight: The Justice Department plans to send monitors to Adams County on Election Day, adding to tensions over federal involvement in state-run elections. Infrastructure and Jobs: Work is beginning on an $806 million I-270 safety upgrade in Adams County; Colorado also added 1,900 construction jobs in September. Cannabis Regulation: A state audit found gaps in marijuana product testing rules, raising concerns about whether regulators are adequately protecting consumers from contaminated products.

Ballot Battle: A judge rejected a last-minute challenge to Colorado’s graduated income tax measure, keeping Amendment 87 on the November ballot. Election Watch: Colorado is among the all-mail states the Justice Department may target as it pushes states to investigate alleged noncitizens on voter rolls; no Colorado lawsuit has been announced. LGBTQ+ Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a challenge by two Denver-area Catholic parishes to Colorado rules requiring publicly funded preschools to follow LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination policies. Roads & Safety: Work is getting underway on an $806 million I-270 overhaul in Adams County, while I-25 crews have shifted traffic onto a new alignment between Mead and Berthoud. Consumer Protection: A state audit found gaps in Colorado’s marijuana testing rules that could leave consumers exposed to contaminated products. Arts & Culture: Denver Arts Week returns Nov. 6–15, with nearly 300 events, free museum night and neighborhood art walks.

Tax Debate: A Colorado proposal to raise the top income-tax rate from about 4.4% to 8.4% is drawing pushback from business groups and millionaires as voters weigh the measure. Cannabis Oversight: A state audit found gaps in marijuana product testing that could leave consumers exposed to contaminated products. Transportation: Colorado has broken ground on an $806 million reconstruction of I-270. Energy Costs: State regulators will decide whether Xcel’s proposed data-center electricity tariff adequately protects other customers. Local Accountability: Yampa trustees will hold a Nov. 4 hearing on whether an investigation substantiating former town employees’ discrimination claims warrants removing Trustee Ken Montgomery. Fentanyl Measure: Denver council members on a health and safety committee oppose Proposition 132, which would increase penalties for fentanyl offenses, arguing it could deepen harm rather than improve access to treatment.

Colorado Courts: State justices signaled reluctance to curb trial judges’ authority to order restitution when prosecutors miss deadlines, while questioning how to protect victims and encourage timely filings. Business Litigation: York Space Systems faces a proposed Colorado federal class action alleging it concealed a Pentagon funding cut before its IPO; the company’s shares later fell sharply. Consumer Safety: A state audit found gaps in Colorado’s marijuana product-testing rules, raising concerns about whether safeguards adequately protect consumers. Ballot Measures: Voters face competing income-tax proposals, Amendment 87 and Proposition 136, as a court weighs a challenge to Amendment 87 ahead of Election Day. Data Centers: Denver has launched a working group to develop rules for data center projects, as communities weigh their effects and oversight.

Corporate Governance: Vail Resorts says activist investor Oasis coordinated with Park City Mountain buyer Matthew Prince in nominating board candidates, raising potential conflicts. Prince says he suggested several candidates. Data Center Rules: Denver has launched a working group to develop new rules for data center projects, while Aurora lawmakers consider a moratorium amid concerns about local impacts. State Finances: Colorado’s auditor says the accuracy of the state’s 2026 TABOR report could not be verified; Larimer County is proposing a $746 million 2027 budget as revenues decline. Water Rights: Arizona has joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging the federal Colorado River plan, intensifying a fight over water cuts. Court Watch: The state Supreme Court will hear a challenge to short-term rental fees. University Accountability: A University of Denver investigation found a professor responsible for sexually harassing a student, but he remains employed part-time off campus, according to the student’s account and university records.

Ballot Battle: A Colorado official told a 10-hour court hearing that state rules don’t allow signatures to be tossed over a graduated-tax measure, as opponents challenge its path to the ballot. Short-Term Rentals: The state Supreme Court will hear a Breckenridge property owner’s challenge to fees for short-term rental licenses. Job Training: Colorado approved just five of 20 applications for new federal workforce grants, covering EMT and phlebotomy programs, after colleges struggled to meet program requirements. Business Alert: A Weld County company lost about $201,000 after scammers posed as a vendor and changed its payment details; the sheriff’s investigation is ongoing. Colorado River: Federal officials say they’ll wait for snowpack and reservoir data before setting water releases, while Arizona has joined Nevada’s lawsuit opposing the federal river plan.

School Safety: A Colorado law that took effect in August defines school zones as roadways within at least 1,000 feet of school property; certain traffic penalties double where signs are posted. 16th Street Audit: Denver auditors say a buried brick sewer added $18 million and 301 days to the downtown renovation, while raising concerns about contract changes, bidding and oversight. Denver Business: Downtown office vacancies hit 38.6% in the second quarter, compared with 2.2% in Cherry Creek’s core market, where new development is underway. Business Costs: TruSox’s owner says Colorado’s use-tax rules made donating unsold goods costlier than discarding them, contributing to the company moving its state operations to Kentucky. Recycling Fees: An automotive industry group is seeking to join a federal challenge to Colorado’s recycling law, alleging some companies face fees from two producer organizations for the same packaging. Schools: State officials are weighing stricter permanent rules after rejecting 38 homeschool enrichment programs.

Colorado Elections: Senate finance reports through Sept. 30 show incumbent John Hickenlooper with $2.34 million cash on hand, compared with $28,160 for Republican challenger Mark Baisley. Schools: Colorado rejected 38 homeschool enrichment programs, and officials are considering stricter permanent rules. Local Budgets: Garfield County is weighing cuts to close a projected $12.9 million 2027 shortfall as oil-and-gas revenue declines and expenses rise. Business and Travel: United plans new Denver routes to Ottawa and Quebec City for summer 2027, restoring a Denver–Ottawa link that ended in 2010.

Education Rules: Colorado officials are weighing tighter oversight of publicly funded homeschool programs after approving just 14 of 54 applicants. Proposed rules would bar ski and private music lessons, prohibit parent debit cards and limit fee-based field trips. Home Energy: A Colorado homeowner says a geothermal system cost $50,000 before incentives, or $24,000 after, and now makes cooling nearly free; heating costs about the same as natural gas. Water Fight: Arizona has joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging federal plans for Colorado River cuts, raising the stakes for water supplies across the basin. Carbon Oversight: Colorado won federal approval to regulate its own underground carbon wells, shifting oversight of carbon storage. Boulder Business: HB Woodsongs, a 55-year-old music shop, has a new owner who says he plans to preserve its community spirit and keep the store relevant.

Broncos: Former general manager John Beake, 87, has died. He helped bring John Elway to Denver and guided the team through five Super Bowl appearances, including its back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998. Western Slope Business: Grand Junction’s Business Incubator Center marked its 40th anniversary with its first Entrepreneur Exchange, bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs and community partners. Colorado River: Arizona joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging proposed federal water cuts for Lower Basin states. Colorado is not a party, but the dispute raises the stakes for the river system shared across the West. Energy Regulation: Colorado won federal approval to oversee its own underground carbon-storage wells, giving the state a direct role in regulating the emerging industry. Jobs: Colorado added 2,400 jobs as unemployment rose to 4.1%; separate reporting says the state’s labor force has shrunk to its lowest level since 1979.

Carbon Storage: Colorado won federal approval to regulate its own underground carbon-storage wells, giving the state a larger role in overseeing the industry. Opioid Litigation: The state sued a major opioid maker over oxycodone addiction, escalating its legal fight over the drug crisis. Colorado River: Arizona joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging federal plans for Colorado River cuts, deepening a regional fight over water supplies. Jobs: Colorado added 2,400 jobs, but unemployment rose to 4.1% as the state’s labor force fell to its lowest level since 1979. Data Centers: Aurora leaders are weighing an indefinite pause on new data centers amid neighborhood opposition; Denver is also considering tighter rules. AI Rules: Colorado revised draft regulations for automated decision-making and chatbot safety, with businesses facing potential new requirements. Wildfire Insurance: A new state law could help homeowners lower insurance costs by rewarding wildfire mitigation.

Campus Charges: A 22-year-old CSU student faces six criminal charges after investigators say he fired into a campus building and advanced toward a police sergeant, who shot and wounded him. Colorado Economy: The state added 2,400 jobs, but unemployment rose to 4.1% as Colorado’s labor force shrank to its lowest level since 1979. Data Centers: Aurora leaders are weighing an indefinite pause on new data centers as neighbors oppose a proposed project; Denver is also considering tighter rules. Ballot Battle: Opponents of Amendment 87, which would create graduated income tax rates, have reported more than $3.6 million in spending—much of it from groups that don’t disclose their donors. Wildfire Costs: A new Colorado law could help homeowners lower insurance costs by rewarding wildfire mitigation. Colorado River: Arizona plans to join Nevada’s lawsuit challenging federal water-cut plans, which could reshape supplies across the basin.

Colorado Innovation: Colorado-based Mana Battery won Battery Innovation of the Year for its sodium-ion technology, designed to use abundant materials and eliminate a costly battery component. Fire Recovery: The SBA approved low-interest disaster loans for people and businesses affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo and Custer counties, with up to $2 million available to businesses for uninsured losses. Jobs and Economy: Colorado added 2,400 jobs, but unemployment rose to 4.1%, a mixed signal for workers and employers. AI Regulation: State officials have revised draft rules for automated decision-making and chatbot services; a hearing is set for Oct. 26, ahead of the laws taking effect Jan. 1. On the Ballot: Colorado voters will decide whether to retain 123 judges this November, with performance reviews and recommendations available through the state’s judicial evaluation office.