Good morning, Colorado.
There’s a lot to cover in today’s news, so I’ll keep the introduction brief. However, I want to highlight a significant development that emerged after 5 p.m. yesterday. Journalist Nancy Lofholm reported live from a crowded courtroom in Grand Junction, where a jury delivered a guilty verdict for Tina Peters. This conviction concludes a lengthy series of events that raised serious concerns about Colorado’s voting system, marking yet another legal consequence related to conspiracy theories surrounding the post-2020 election.
This serves as a prime example of the commitment we hold at The Sun to deliver in-depth coverage, regardless of the complexity, location, or timing of the news. You can find this story and more in today’s Sunriser.
THE NEWS
CRIME AND COURTS
Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters left the Mesa County Justice Center courtroom Monday, supported by her followers in Grand Junction.
After eight days of testimony, a jury took about four hours to convict Peters on seven out of ten charges linked to a breach of the county’s election system in 2021. As detailed by Nancy Lofholm, jurors wrestled with contrasting images of Peters, weighing the portrayal of a lawbreaker chasing publicity and spreading conspiracy theories against that of a public servant aimed at safeguarding sensitive election data.
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ENVIRONMENT
State wildlife officials have described new findings about boreal tadpoles in a mountain bog above Pitkin as potentially transformative. For the past seven years, biologists have been moving tadpoles to high-altitude ponds to help save the boreal toad, and, for the first time, the relocated toads are successfully breeding in the wild.
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WATER
Train cars were seen parked along the Colorado River on April 10 in Bond.
Officials from the Colorado River have laid out an accelerated timeline for negotiating a new agreement with the federal government. This agreement aims to manage, count, and store water to benefit the four Upper Basin states: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Water reporter Shannon Mullane has the details on the proposed conservation credit program.
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BUSINESS
A boy crosses Main Street in downtown Ordway.
There has been a notable drop in the number of new business filings in Colorado during the second quarter, a trend some economists attribute to the conclusion of a program that allowed filings to be made for a reduced fee of $1. This decrease marks the most significant year-over-year decline observed in the state since 2005, according to Brian Lewandowski, executive director of the University of Colorado’s Business Research Division.
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STATE LEGISLATURE
As the new session approaches, numerous prominent civic and business organizations from across the political spectrum have expressed support for a deal that would prevent the introduction of a pair of measures on the November ballot. Brian Eason and Jesse Paul provide insight into how the concept of a special session gained traction.
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MORE NEWS
A proposed bylaw amendment could complicate efforts to remove embattled Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams. This change would increase the difficulty of convening a special meeting to vote on his removal, according to Jesse Paul.
In other news, a woman from the Colorado Springs area, known as the “praying Grandma,” has been sentenced to one year of probation for her involvement in the January 6th riots. Before the ruling, Rebecca Lavrenz made a Facebook post expressing no regret for her actions, stating that she believed the judge’s decision was in God’s hands.
What topics would you like candidates to address during the 2024 election? Our survey is still open for your input.
THE COLORADO REPORT
THE OPINION PAGE
COMMUNITY
Every household in Colorado deserves access to affordable housing. A viable solution lies in developing publicly owned mixed-income projects that can adapt to the changing needs of Colorado residents.
— State Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village), Tamara Pogue (Summit County Commissioner), and Peter F. LiFari (Maiker Housing Partners)
The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the views expressed by columnists and editorial writers do not necessarily reflect the views of the newsroom. For more information on our opinion policy and to submit columns or provide feedback, contact us at opinion@coloradosun.com.
SunLit
REVIEW
“The Girls in the Cabin” features a deeply troubled girl and a grieving family.
A glimpse into Caleb Stephens’ psychological thriller, “The Girls in the Cabin,” reveals a widowed father’s attempt at healing through a camping trip with his two daughters, which quickly descends into chaos. The story, narrated from various perspectives, sets the stage for characters ensnared in a dark narrative.
READ AN EXCERPT
An interview with author Caleb Stephens follows. After completing a complex apocalyptic novel, Stephens aimed to create a more straightforward thriller for his next work.
Thank you for joining us today. We’ll catch you again tomorrow.
— Olivia and the entire staff of The Sun
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Corrections & Clarifications
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