Headlines Tuesday, April 14, 2026
State senate debating Colorado budget
The Colorado Senate begins debate on a new state budget this week.
That, after the state house passed a budget bill on Saturday. Lawmakers are trying to agree on a spending plan that addresses the state’s $1.5 billion budget deficit.
The House approved their budget plan after a day and a half of delays. Along with the budget, they considered more than 60 companion proposals and dozens of amendments floated by both sides of the aisle. Only a few of those changes got the green light. The House approved a bipartisan amendment to save the state’s Auto Theft Prevention Program, as well as one to strip money from Wolf Reintroduction. The house also agreed to protect medical coverage for some undocumented immigrants. But that could all be stripped from the bill as it advances.
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd will have a Republican primary challenger in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District after all
Former state Rep. Ron Hanks was the only candidate to qualify for the primary ballot through the 3rd District GOP assembly on Friday, just one day after announcing his bid. This set up a head-to-head primary contest in the 3rd district, which includes most of Colorado’s Western Slope, Pueblo, and the San Luis Valley.
In 2024 Hurd prevailed over Hanks in a six-way GOP primary race in the 3rd District and went on to win election to the House over Democrat Adam Frisch.
Video of Friday’s 3rd District assembly shows Hurd getting booed by members of the crowd during a short speech to party delegates. Hurd said, “I respect the assembly process and the role that all of you play in it. That’s why I’m here but I made my decision to get on the ballot by petition, and I’m confident in that path.”
In other congressional races, Colorado’s primary elections will be held on June 30. Two Democrats in the 3rd District will face each other one-on-one, Alex Kelloff and Dwayne Romero. They qualified through the assembly process last month.
Colorado’s three other incumbent GOP House members will run unopposed in their June primaries.
Rep. Lauren Boebert in the 4th District
Rep. Gabe Evans in the 8th District
Rep. Jeff Crank in the 5th District
Archbishop Golka defends Pope
Denver Archbishop James Golka is defending Pope Leo against criticism from Donald Trump. The president attacked the pontiff on social media Sunday night, because of his opposition to the Iran war. Trump also accused the leader of the Catholic church of not, in Trump’s words, “doing a very good job.” He added that the pope is, quote, “catering to the Radical Left.”
According to 9News and the Associated Press, Archbishop Golka said he joins other bishops in condemning Trump’s remarks, calling them disrespectful and unacceptable.
Pope Leo himself said his appeals for peace are rooted in the Gospel.
Dark Horse auction ends today
The auction for decor from Boulder’s legendary Dark Horse bar is entering its final hours, offering fans one last chance to own a piece of the shuttered institution. Bidding on the bar’s famous collection of eclectic memorabilia, from vintage sleighs to taxidermy, ends today.
All proceeds from the sales will be put toward severance pay for the bar’s long-term staff. It is a final push to support the Dark Horse family following the building’s closure for what will become Williams Village.
While the auction ends tonight, the bar’s legacy may not be entirely over. Owners have kept several iconic items, giving hope for a potential future resurrection elsewhere.
Bear season is starting
Now that spring is here, bears are coming out of hibernation. And that has city officials in Boulder reminding residents that there will likely be more bear activity in the area, with the animals wandering into the city in search of food. People need to lock up their trash cans, and store waste in enclosed areas like garages and sheds.
When bears find food it encourages them to hang around, according to the Daily Camera and a city press release. People living west of Broadway and south of Sumac Avenue must be especially vigilant, and use bear-resistant trash containers. And all residents putting their trash or compost out the night before pickup are required to use bear-resistant containers.
The press release adds that the area around Boulder is also home to other wildlife species, including mountain lions, which are known to venture into the city in search of food and shelter.
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.
Headlines Tuesday, April 14, 2026
ANDRAA:
State senate debating Colorado budget
The Colorado Senate begins debate on a new state budget this week.
That, after the state house passed a budget bill on Saturday. Lawmakers are trying to agree on a spending plan that addresses the state’s $1.5 billion DOLLAR budget deficit.
The House approved their budget plan after a day and a half of delays. Along with the budget, they considered more than 60 companion proposals and dozens of amendments floated by both sides of the aisle. Only a few of those changes got the green light. The House approved a bipartisan amendment to save the state’s Auto Theft Prevention Program, as well as one to strip money from Wolf Reintroduction. The house also agreed to protect medical coverage for some undocumented immigrants. But that could all be stripped from the bill as it advances.
ANDRAA:
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd will have a Republican primary challenger in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District after all
Former state Rep. Ron Hanks was the only candidate to qualify for the primary ballot through the 3rd District GOP assembly on Friday, just one day after announcing his bid. This set up a head-to-head primary contest in the 3rd district, which includes most of Colorado’s Western Slope, Pueblo, and the San Luis Valley.
In 2024 Hurd prevailed over Hanks in a six-way GOP primary race in the 3rd District and went on to win election to the House over Democrat Adam Frisch.
Video of Friday’s 3rd District assembly shows Hurd getting booed by members of the crowd during a short speech to party delegates. Hurd said, “I respect the assembly process and the role that all of you play in it. That’s why I’m here but I made my decision to get on the ballot by petition, and I’m confident in that path.”
In other congressional races
Colorado’s primary elections will be held on June 30. Two Democrats in the 3rd District will face each other one-on-one, Alex Kelloff and Dwayne Romero. They qualified through the assembly process last month.
Colorado’s three other incumbent GOP House members will run unopposed in their June primaries.
Rep. Lauren Boebert in the 4th District
Rep. Gabe Evans in the 8th District
Rep. Jeff Crank in the 5th District
For other results posted by candidates and local party groups, go to KGNU.org/headlines.
ANDRAA:
Archbishop Golka Defends Pope
Denver Archbishop James Golka is defending Pope Leo against criticism from Donald Trump. KGNU’s Tristan Price has more.
TRISTAN:
The president attacked the pontiff on social media Sunday night, because of his opposition to the Iran war. Trump also accused the leader of the Catholic church of not, in Trump’s words, “doing a very good job.” He added that the pope is, quote, “catering to the Radical Left.”
According to 9News and the Associated Press, Archbishop Golka said he joins other bishops in condemning Trump’s remarks, calling them disrespectful and unacceptable.
Pope Leo himself said his appeals for peace are rooted in the Gospel.
TRISTAN:
Dark Horse auction ends today
The auction for decor from Boulder’s legendary Dark Horse bar is entering its final hours, offering fans one last chance to own a piece of the shuttered institution. Bidding on the bar’s famous collection of eclectic memorabilia, from vintage sleighs to taxidermy, ends today.
All proceeds from the sales will be put toward severance pay for the bar’s long-term staff. It is a final push to support the Dark Horse family following the building’s closure for what will become Williams Village.
While the auction ends tonight, the bar’s legacy may not be entirely over. Owners have kept several iconic items, giving hope for a potential future resurrection elsewhere.
Bear Season In Boulder
Now that spring is here, bears are coming out of hibernation. And that has city officials in Boulder reminding residents that there will likely be more bear activity in the area, with the animals wandering into the city in search of food. People need to lock up their trash cans, and store waste in enclosed areas like garages and sheds.
When bears find food it encourages them to hang around, according to the Daily Camera and a city press release. People living west of Broadway and south of Sumac Avenue must be especially vigilant, and use bear-resistant trash containers. And all residents putting their trash or compost out the night before pickup are required to use bear-resistant containers.
The press release adds that the area around Boulder is also home to other wildlife species, including mountain lions, which are known to venture into the city in search of food and shelter.
In today’s weather, xxx across the front range. With highs of x in Boulder, X in Denver, X in Fort Collins, and X in Nederland [add any hazard alerts if needed]
For KGNU, I’m Tristan Price.
Starbucks Red Cup Day Strike
Unionized Starbucks employees are going on strike today along the front range. The movement comes as an effort to force the company to comply with recognition of Starbucks workers legal right to collective bargaining.
Starbucks Workers United represents over 12,000 workers in 550 unionized stores across the country. Starbucks Workers United says after six months of negotiations, there has not been noticeable change in: better hours to improve staffing, increased pay, and resolving unfair labor practices on the part of the company.
For Starbucks, they say the company has shown up to the negotiation table in good faith and the union is the one who stepped away from negotiations.
The union has voted to approve the strike today; one of the first Starbucks locations to unionize is in Lafayette and will picket outside the South Boulder Location. Fifteen other Colorado locations are affiliated with Starbucks Workers United, including stores in Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins.
No Plan for River Deadline (RMCR Spots)
There’s still no plan for how the seven states that use water from the Colorado River will allocate the scarce resource after 2026.
Tuesday (11/11) marked a deadline set by the federal government for the states to share a framework for new operating guidelines… another deadline that’s come and gone with no agreement.
The Department of Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the seven states issued a statement saying that they were making progress on negotiations, but more work is needed.
Chris Winter is an environmental attorney at C-U Boulder’s school of law.
Ahead of the deadline, he said the Colorado River is in a new era, defined by climate change and a scarcity of resources, which demanded urgent action.
[Tape name: River Deadline Passes BITE]
[Tape length: :15]
[Incue: And the best way that we]
[Outcue: use to fit the supply.]
“And the best way that we can prepare to move forward in this new reality is for the states to reach agreement amongst themselves and to compromise on how we’re gonna adapt water use to fit the supply.”
He says water users in the Southwest can plan around scarcity, but they need certainty from the states about what that scarcity will look like.
Upper and lower basin states have been unable to agree on who will see cutbacks, and how to define shortages.
Polis Unveils Plan to Close the Budget Gap (CCNA)
Governor Jared Polis unveiled his proposal to close a nearly 850 million dollar budget shortfall.
One of Polis’ ideas is to cut Medicaid provider rates for some services. His plan would still increase medicaid spending overall but Polis says if the costs don’t slow down it will crowd out other critical parts of the state’s budget.
We think highways and roads are important. We think public safety is important. We think agriculture’s important, all the other great things that the state does…any item that grows faster than other items is one that you look at with the magnifying class.
Budget committee members in both parties pushed back against some of Polis’s ideas, which serve as the starting point for a balanced state budget lawmakers must write and pass.
HOST TAG: That was Bente [BEN tuh] Birkeland for the Colorado Capitol News Alliance
Boebert in Situation Room
https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/12/lauren-boebert-white-house-situation-room-meeting/
U.S. Representative Loren Boebert from Colorado’s District 4 met with the Trump administration in the situation room yesterday. The white house had Boebert in the room to discuss her support of a bill that will force the justice department to release all classified documents related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the conversation was part of a White House effort to have Boebert and at least one other republican congresswoman no longer back the bill.
Boebert exited the situation room saying over social media QUOTE, “…together we remain committed to ensuring transparency for the American people.” In addition to Boebert, Trump has also contacted representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina about flipping her position on the bill.
Columbine Valley Officer Punished for Using AI for Theft Case with Extra Training
https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/12/columbine-valley-office-flock-camera-extra-training/
Police Sergeant Jamie Milliman from Denver who wrongfully accused a woman of stealing a package is being disciplined with extra training. Sergeant Milliman used guidance from AI-powered Flock license plate readers as evidence she had taken a package with contents worth about 25 dollars.
The Colorado Sun received notice of sergeant milliman’s discipline yesterday which reasoned he was ‘unwilling to de-escalate’. Milliman showed up to Chrisanna Esler’s house with court summons in hand – pointing to AI-assisted video as irrefutable evidence for Esler’s appearance in court.
Esler was forced to prove her innocence, affirming with evidence of her whereabouts via apps on her phone that she was innocent. On Oct.15, two weeks after sergeant milliman served Esler her summons, the Denver Police department said they were able to drop her case.
The disciplinary action comes as rallies have been held in Denver protesting the recently renewed contract between Flock surveillance systems and Denver Police. Those protesting say AI-assisted surveillance can lead to worse incidence than Esler’s. Denver police has affirmed that AI-powered surveillance has assisted them in many investigations.
Starbucks Red Cup Day Strike
Unionized Starbucks employees are going on strike today along the front range. The movement comes as an effort to force the company to comply with recognition of Starbucks workers legal right to collective bargaining.
Starbucks Workers United represents over 12,000 workers in 550 unionized stores across the country. Starbucks Workers United says after six months of negotiations, there has not been noticeable change in: better hours to improve staffing, increased pay, and resolving unfair labor practices on the part of the company.
For Starbucks, they say the company has shown up to the negotiation table in good faith and the union is the one who stepped away from negotiations.
The union has voted to approve the strike today; one of the first Starbucks locations to unionize is in Lafayette and will picket outside the South Boulder Location. Fifteen other Colorado locations are affiliated with Starbucks Workers United, including stores in Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins.
No Plan for River Deadline (RMCR Spots)
There’s still no plan for how the seven states that use water from the Colorado River will allocate the scarce resource after 2026.
Tuesday (11/11) marked a deadline set by the federal government for the states to share a framework for new operating guidelines… another deadline that’s come and gone with no agreement.
The Department of Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the seven states issued a statement saying that they were making progress on negotiations, but more work is needed.
Chris Winter is an environmental attorney at C-U Boulder’s school of law.
Ahead of the deadline, he said the Colorado River is in a new era, defined by climate change and a scarcity of resources, which demanded urgent action.
[Tape name: River Deadline Passes BITE]
[Tape length: :15]
[Incue: And the best way that we]
[Outcue: use to fit the supply.]
“And the best way that we can prepare to move forward in this new reality is for the states to reach agreement amongst themselves and to compromise on how we’re gonna adapt water use to fit the supply.”
He says water users in the Southwest can plan around scarcity, but they need certainty from the states about what that scarcity will look like.
Upper and lower basin states have been unable to agree on who will see cutbacks, and how to define shortages.
Polis Unveils Plan to Close the Budget Gap (CCNA)
Governor Jared Polis unveiled his proposal to close a nearly 850 million dollar budget shortfall.
One of Polis’ ideas is to cut Medicaid provider rates for some services. His plan would still increase medicaid spending overall but Polis says if the costs don’t slow down it will crowd out other critical parts of the state’s budget.
We think highways and roads are important. We think public safety is important. We think agriculture’s important, all the other great things that the state does…any item that grows faster than other items is one that you look at with the magnifying class.
Budget committee members in both parties pushed back against some of Polis’s ideas, which serve as the starting point for a balanced state budget lawmakers must write and pass.
HOST TAG: That was Bente [BEN tuh] Birkeland for the Colorado Capitol News Alliance
Boebert in Situation Room
https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/12/lauren-boebert-white-house-situation-room-meeting/
U.S. Representative Loren Boebert from Colorado’s District 4 met with the Trump administration in the situation room yesterday. The white house had Boebert in the room to discuss her support of a bill that will force the justice department to release all classified documents related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the conversation was part of a White House effort to have Boebert and at least one other republican congresswoman no longer back the bill.
Boebert exited the situation room saying over social media QUOTE, “…together we remain committed to ensuring transparency for the American people.” In addition to Boebert, Trump has also contacted representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina about flipping her position on the bill.
Columbine Valley Officer Punished for Using AI for Theft Case with Extra Training
https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/12/columbine-valley-office-flock-camera-extra-training/
Police Sergeant Jamie Milliman from Denver who wrongfully accused a woman of stealing a package is being disciplined with extra training. Sergeant Milliman used guidance from AI-powered Flock license plate readers as evidence she had taken a package with contents worth about 25 dollars.
The Colorado Sun received notice of sergeant milliman’s discipline yesterday which reasoned he was ‘unwilling to de-escalate’. Milliman showed up to Chrisanna Esler’s house with court summons in hand – pointing to AI-assisted video as irrefutable evidence for Esler’s appearance in court.
Esler was forced to prove her innocence, affirming with evidence of her whereabouts via apps on her phone that she was innocent. On Oct.15, two weeks after sergeant milliman served Esler her summons, the Denver Police department said they were able to drop her case.
The disciplinary action comes as rallies have been held in Denver protesting the recently renewed contract between Flock surveillance systems and Denver Police. Those protesting say AI-assisted surveillance can lead to worse incidence than Esler’s. Denver police has affirmed that AI-powered surveillance has assisted them in many investigations.
Starbucks Red Cup Day Strike
Unionized Starbucks employees are going on strike today along the front range. The movement comes as an effort to force the company to comply with recognition of Starbucks workers legal right to collective bargaining.
Starbucks Workers United represents over 12,000 workers in 550 unionized stores across the country. Starbucks Workers United says after six months of negotiations, there has not been noticeable change in: better hours to improve staffing, increased pay, and resolving unfair labor practices on the part of the company.
For Starbucks, they say the company has shown up to the negotiation table in good faith and the union is the one who stepped away from negotiations.
The union has voted to approve the strike today; one of the first Starbucks locations to unionize is in Lafayette and will picket outside the South Boulder Location. Fifteen other Colorado locations are affiliated with Starbucks Workers United, including stores in Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins.
No Plan for River Deadline (RMCR Spots)
There’s still no plan for how the seven states that use water from the Colorado River will allocate the scarce resource after 2026.
Tuesday (11/11) marked a deadline set by the federal government for the states to share a framework for new operating guidelines… another deadline that’s come and gone with no agreement.
The Department of Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the seven states issued a statement saying that they were making progress on negotiations, but more work is needed.
Chris Winter is an environmental attorney at C-U Boulder’s school of law.
Ahead of the deadline, he said the Colorado River is in a new era, defined by climate change and a scarcity of resources, which demanded urgent action.
[Tape name: River Deadline Passes BITE]
[Tape length: :15]
[Incue: And the best way that we]
[Outcue: use to fit the supply.]
“And the best way that we can prepare to move forward in this new reality is for the states to reach agreement amongst themselves and to compromise on how we’re gonna adapt water use to fit the supply.”
He says water users in the Southwest can plan around scarcity, but they need certainty from the states about what that scarcity will look like.
Upper and lower basin states have been unable to agree on who will see cutbacks, and how to define shortages.
Polis Unveils Plan to Close the Budget Gap (CCNA)
Governor Jared Polis unveiled his proposal to close a nearly 850 million dollar budget shortfall.
One of Polis’ ideas is to cut Medicaid provider rates for some services. His plan would still increase medicaid spending overall but Polis says if the costs don’t slow down it will crowd out other critical parts of the state’s budget.
We think highways and roads are important. We think public safety is important. We think agriculture’s important, all the other great things that the state does…any item that grows faster than other items is one that you look at with the magnifying class.
Budget committee members in both parties pushed back against some of Polis’s ideas, which serve as the starting point for a balanced state budget lawmakers must write and pass.
HOST TAG: That was Bente [BEN tuh] Birkeland for the Colorado Capitol News Alliance
Boebert in Situation Room
https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/12/lauren-boebert-white-house-situation-room-meeting/
U.S. Representative Loren Boebert from Colorado’s District 4 met with the Trump administration in the situation room yesterday. The white house had Boebert in the room to discuss her support of a bill that will force the justice department to release all classified documents related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the conversation was part of a White House effort to have Boebert and at least one other republican congresswoman no longer back the bill.
Boebert exited the situation room saying over social media QUOTE, “…together we remain committed to ensuring transparency for the American people.” In addition to Boebert, Trump has also contacted representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina about flipping her position on the bill.
Columbine Valley Officer Punished for Using AI for Theft Case with Extra Training
https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/12/columbine-valley-office-flock-camera-extra-training/
Police Sergeant Jamie Milliman from Denver who wrongfully accused a woman of stealing a package is being disciplined with extra training. Sergeant Milliman used guidance from AI-powered Flock license plate readers as evidence she had taken a package with contents worth about 25 dollars.
The Colorado Sun received notice of sergeant milliman’s discipline yesterday which reasoned he was ‘unwilling to de-escalate’. Milliman showed up to Chrisanna Esler’s house with court summons in hand – pointing to AI-assisted video as irrefutable evidence for Esler’s appearance in court.
Esler was forced to prove her innocence, affirming with evidence of her whereabouts via apps on her phone that she was innocent. On Oct.15, two weeks after sergeant milliman served Esler her summons, the Denver Police department said they were able to drop her case.
The disciplinary action comes as rallies have been held in Denver protesting the recently renewed contract between Flock surveillance systems and Denver Police. Those protesting say AI-assisted surveillance can lead to worse incidence than Esler’s. Denver police has affirmed that AI-powered surveillance has assisted them in many investigations.
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02-02-26-Headlines KGNU News





