Trump wants to limit Colorado’s all-mail voting system; 14th wolf dies in reintroduction program; Rally at Capitol over data center expansion

Headlines Monday, March 16, 2026

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    Trump wants to limit Colorado’s all-mail voting system; 14th wolf dies in reintroduction program; Rally at Capitol over data center expansion KGNU News

Trump calls for strict limits on Colorado’s all-mail voting system

President Trump is calling for strict limits on mail-in voting, which would directly clash with Colorado law. Trump is urging Republicans to add an amendment to the SAVE America Act that would ban most mail ballots. Mail-in voting would be limited to people who are sick, disabled, traveling or serving in the military. 

Colorado’s all-mail voting system was signed into law in 2013, but if Congress passes those restrictions, federal law would override it. Secretary of State Jena Griswold said in a statement she will “fight any attempt to suppress the vote or attack the Colorado Election Model.”

This story was reported by the Colorado Capitol News Alliance.

 

14th wolf dies since the beginning of the reintroduction program

Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists discovered the body of a female gray wolf known as No. 2310. Her death marks the 14th since Colorado began reintroducing the species to the state.

The wolf had been part of the original group brought from Oregon in December 2023, part of Colorado’s effort to restore wolves to the Western Slope after decades of absence. But her pack had already suffered a blow earlier this year when the breeding male died during an operation. Now the pack’s matriarch is gone too, leaving uncertainty about the fate of their pups.

Out of the 25 wolves brought to Colorado so far, 14 have died, leaving a survival rate of about 44%. Yet the remaining animals continue roaming the mountains, carrying forward a controversial but historic effort to return wolves to Colorado’s wild landscapes

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Wildfire season could start early, say fire managers

Ongoing drought and low snowpack in Colorado could mean an earlier start to wildfire season. Fire managers are looking at what they call the “hot dry windy index” to gauge fire conditions. All of western Colorado is hot, dry, and windy — and some small fires have already broken out near the Front Range.

Tracy LeClair is the public information officer for wildland fire in Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control. She says right now, conditions in Colorado are trending worse than they were in some of the state’s other big fire years, like 2000, 2018, and 2020. “The snowpack and snowcover are so sparse that — especially on the Front Range — we’re seeing that activity picking up earlier than usual, and I think then we’re going to see statewide an earlier and longer fire season,” says LeClair.

She says the division is working with counties and local communities to make sure they have the resources and training they need before the fire season gets busier.

This story was reported by Caroline Llanes for Rocky Mountain Community Radio.

 

Residents rally at Capitol over big tech data center expansion

About 100 Colorado residents gathered at the state Capitol in Denver to demand stronger protections against the rapid growth of energy-intensive data centers tied to Big Tech and artificial intelligence.

Community leaders, environmental advocates and local officials warned that without strict safeguards, large data centers could dramatically increase electricity demand, strain water supplies and worsen air pollution across the state. These facilities can consume as much electricity as an entire city and often rely on massive cooling systems that require significant water use.

Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter announced that more than 100 elected leaders from cities, towns and counties have signed a letter urging Governor Jared Polis and state lawmakers to establish clear rules for future data center development. 

Projections presented during a recent resource planning process by Xcel Energy show household electricity bills could rise significantly in the coming years if large industrial energy demand accelerates.

Organizers say the goal is simple: ensure tech companies are held accountable while protecting Colorado communities, resources and energy affordability.

This story was reported by the Colorado Capitol News Alliance.

 

DOE says Jeffco is in violation of Title IX

The US Department of Education says Jeffco Public Schools discriminated against girls by allowing transgender students to compete in female sports and access certain facilities.  The federal agency claims Colorado’s second-largest school district violated Title IX protections. 

On Friday, the agency said the district has ten days to agree on a proposed resolution or risk  “imminent enforcement action.” That includes reversing any policies that allow transgender students to compete in girls’ sports. The announcement comes after the Trump administration launched an investigation into JeffCo last year after a family alleged their daughter was assigned to share a bed with a transgender student on an overnight trip.

This story was reported by the Colorado Capitol News Alliance.

 

GOP Chair Resigns

Colorado Republican Party Chair Brita Horn is resigning halfway through her two-year term. In her resignation letter, Horn said she’s stepping down because of division, legal attacks and escalation among members. She also cited personal threats of violence and blackmail. 

The move comes amid ongoing strife within the party, low fundraising numbers, and a no-confidence vote from the party’s central committee earlier this month. Horn will stay on as chair until Apr. 17, following the GOP state assembly.

This story was reported by the Colorado Capitol News Alliance.

 

Dark Horse officially closes

The World Famous Dark Horse restaurant and bar closed its doors after 51 years in business, serving its final customers on Mar. 14. Since opening in 1975, the spot became known for its unusual décor, lively atmosphere, classic menu of burgers, beer and late-night fun.

The closure comes as redevelopment plans for the property move forward, with a new mixed-use project expected to replace the longtime establishment.

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