Antitrust lawsuit filed against Ikon and Epic Pass’s operating companies; Navajo Nation pushes back against federal SAVE Act; “ICE OUT” sign seen on Boulder’s Flatirons Thursday morning

Headlines Friday, March 27, 2026

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    Antitrust lawsuit filed against Ikon and Epic Pass’s operating companies; Navajo Nation pushes back against federal SAVE Act; “ICE OUT” sign seen on Boulder’s Flatirons Thursday morning KGNU News

Antitrust lawsuit filed against Ikon and Epic Pass’s operating companies 

Four plaintiffs filed suit against Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company in U.S. District Court in Denver, alleging that the ski-pass programs both companies run have skyrocketed the cost of winter sports. Vail operates the Epic Pass and Alterra operates the Ikon Pass, two of the most purchased ski passes in America, as they own or operate a large portion of American ski resorts.

The lawsuit claims that both passes constitute an “anticompetitive bundle” and alleges that the ski passes violate both federal and state antitrust laws. The complaint also alleges that both passes have caused day pass ticket costs to rise at a rate that surpasses inflation. It goes on to argue that if prices remained attached to inflation, the price would be around $115, rather than the nearly $300 tickets available at most resorts.

While Alterra has not commented due to their policy on active litigation, Vail Resorts stated that their Epic Pass is intended to “make skiing and riding more accessible,” arguing they have reduced the price of a season pass by nearly 60%. While court documents do not show the exact timeline, the plaintiffs have requested a jury trial in this case.

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Navajo Nation pushes back against federal SAVE Act

The Navajo Nation has come out in formal opposition to the SAVE America Act, saying it would disproportionately affect Navajo voters and other Indigenous tribal communities around the country.

The measure passed the U.S. House in February, but still needs a vote in the Senate.

The bill would mandate that people show proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and to vote in federal elections. This would require either a U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate, as well as a photo ID such as a driver’s license.

In a press release, Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley said many tribal elders were not born in hospitals and would have to travel long distances to get a birth certificate. Under the act, birth certificates would have to meet several criteria to even be considered valid.

About half of the people in the United States have passports, according to the State Department. Supporters of the act say it would prevent undocumented and other ineligible people from voting. Critics say voting fraud is extremely rare and that by requiring people to pay for birth certificates or passports, the measure amounts to a poll tax, which is illegal. This story was reported by Gail Binkley for Rocky Mountain Community Radio.

 

“ICE OUT” sign seen on Boulder’s Flatirons on Thursday morning

Several Boulder residents spotted a large sign simply reading ICE out, in capital letters this Thursday morning, adorning the First Flatiron. While it is unclear exactly how long the sign was displayed, Boulder Fire-Rescue spokesperson Jamie Barker claims that officials first heard about the sign around 7:23 a.m., but it was removed by 7:51 a.m.

Barker also claimed the sign was removed by the individuals who placed it, after Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers were dispatched to take it down. The Boulder Police Department used a drone to capture an image of the sign and the individuals who allegedly erected the sign. No arrests or citations have been filed at the time of reporting.

The letters were created from a fabric or mesh blend, unlike the historic incidents of paint on the Flatirons, including the still visible CU that was repeatedly painted onto the Third Flatiron, beginning in 1956.

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‘No Kings Day’ protests scheduled across Colorado for Saturday

The No Kings movement has scheduled more than 3,000 events across America for this Saturday, March 28, in what they have called the No Kings Day of Nonviolent Action. The flagship protest will take place in Minnesota, as U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Jane Fonda, Bruce Springsteen, and others will speak or perform.

Locally, events are scheduled across the Denver metro area, including Aurora, Boulder, Broomfield, Commerce City, Erie, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Golden, Longmont, Lafayette, Lyons, and many more. 

In Boulder, one rally will begin at the cross of Canyon Boulevard and Broadway at 1 p.m., and another will begin at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Sioux and Thunderbird drives. The Louisville and Superior rallies have combined into a joint visibility event from 10 a.m. to noon, where protesters will line across the McCaslin Boulevard bridge.

For specific details regarding events scheduled in your area, you can visit mobilize.us/nokings.

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You can hear daily headlines on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show, with coverage of local and regional public affairs and news with headlines and commentary. Click here to listen to full episodes of the Morning Magazine.

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