Good morning, Colorado.
We have a lot of news to cover this morning, so I’ll keep this brief. However, I want to highlight a significant story that broke after 5 p.m. yesterday. Reporter Nancy Lofholm was present in a crowded courtroom in Grand Junction when a jury delivered a guilty verdict for Tina Peters. This conviction concludes a lengthy saga that endangered Colorado’s voting system and represents another case connected to post-2020 election conspiracy theories.
This situation exemplifies our commitment at The Sun to cover essential issues, regardless of the time or place. We’re bringing you that story and more in this morning’s Sunriser.
THE NEWS
CRIME AND COURTS
Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters left the Mesa County Justice Center courtroom with supporters on Monday in Grand Junction.
After hearing eight days of evidence, a jury deliberated for about four hours and found Tina Peters guilty on seven out of ten counts related to a 2021 breach of the county’s election system. As reported by Nancy Lofholm, the jury wrestled with conflicting portrayals of Peters, assessing her as either a law-breaking conspiracy theorist putting Colorado’s voting system at risk or a public servant attempting to safeguard sensitive election information.
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ENVIRONMENT
State wildlife biologists have described a recent development regarding boreal tadpoles in a mountain bog near Pitkin as “potentially life-changing.” For the past seven years, biologists have been transporting tadpoles to high-elevation ponds in a bid to save the boreal toad, and now, for the first time, the transplanted toads are reproducing in the wild.
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WATER
Colorado River officials have laid out a swift timeline to negotiate a new agreement with the federal government regarding the tracking, counting, and storage of water to benefit the four Upper Basin states — Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Water reporter Shannon Mullane has all the details on a potential conservation credit program.
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BUSINESS
There has been a significant drop in the number of individuals filing to start new businesses in Colorado during the second quarter. Economists attribute this decline to the conclusion of a program that had reduced filing fees to just $1. Filings are now returning to the pace seen prior to the discount, as reported by Tamara Chuang.
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STATE LEGISLATURE
A special session is on the horizon after various civic and business groups from across the political spectrum expressed support for an agreement aimed at preventing two measures from appearing on the November ballot. Brian Eason and Jesse Paul provide insight into how the special session concept came about.
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MORE NEWS
A proposed bylaw amendment could make it more challenging to remove embattled Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams. The change would complicate the process of calling special meetings to vote on his removal, as reported by Jesse Paul. Additionally, a Colorado Springs-area woman, referred to as “praying Grandma,” has received a one-year probation sentence for her involvement in the January 6 riot. In a Facebook post prior to the ruling, Rebecca Lavrenz expressed no remorse for her actions, stating she believed the judge’s decision was guided by divine intervention.
What issues do you want candidates to address in the upcoming 2024 election? Our survey is still open, and we want to hear from you!
THE COLORADO REPORT
THE OPINION PAGE
COMMUNITY
All households in Colorado deserve access to affordable housing. A viable solution involves the creation of publicly owned mixed-income developments that can adapt to the changing needs of Coloradans.
— State Sen. Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village), Tamara Pogue (Summit County commissioner), and Peter F. LiFari (Maiker Housing Partners)
The Colorado Sun operates as a nonpartisan news organization, and the views of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the stance of the newsroom. For more on our ethical guidelines or to provide feedback, please contact us at opinion@coloradosun.com.
SunLit
REVIEW
“The Girls in the Cabin” presents the story of a troubled girl and a grieving family.
Two excerpts from Caleb Stephens’ psychological thriller, “The Girls in the Cabin,” provide unsettling insights into a widowed father’s hope for a healing camping trip with his daughters, which swiftly devolves into a nightmare. This Colorado Book Award finalist explores the perspectives of characters ensnared in a dark narrative.
READ AN EXCERPT
Interview with author Caleb Stephens. After concluding a complex apocalyptic narrative, Stephens aimed for his next work to be a more direct thriller.
Thank you for joining us. We’ll see you here tomorrow.
— Olivia & The Sun team