Headlines Tuesday, July 14, 2026
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ICE reopening detention center under new name near Denver; Denver recycling update; Extreme heat & wind expected to intensify CO wildfires KGNU News
ICE reopening detention center under new name near Denver
A shuttered prison in Weld County is set to reopen as an immigration detention center.
The Hudson facility is about 30 miles northeast of Denver. It was formerly the Hudson Correctional Facility and has been closed since 20-14.
The private prison company GEO Group has signed a five-year contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to reopen the site.
There isn’t an opening date, but the lease for the so-called “Big Horn” facility will begin August 1, 2026. It will hold up to nearly 1200 detainees.
GEO Group already runs Colorado’s only other immigration detention facility in Aurora. State and local officials say there’s little they can do to block the move.
This story was reported by the Colorado Capitol News Alliance.
Denver recycling update
The city of Denver finalized its rules for a universal recycling and composting mandate that is set to take effect this fall.
Starting on September 1st, 2026, the new regulations will require apartment complexes, food-licensed businesses, and large public events to provide refined waste-sorting services.
The push comes nearly four years after voters overwhelmingly approved the ballot initiative.
The regulations require apartment complexes with eight or more units and food-licensed businesses to provide recycling and compost bins.
Commercial office spaces must offer recycling, while new construction or demolition projects larger than 500 sqft and interior remodel projects larger than 2,500 sqft will be forced to divert half their debris from landfills.
Single-family homes are exempt, and city officials plan to focus on education rather than immediate fines. Instructional materials and signage will be available to help properties comply before the compliance window closes at no cost.
Extreme heat & wind expected to intensify CO wildfires
Rising temperatures and strengthening winds are expected to fuel Colorado’s largest wildfire today. The Aspen Acres fire, burning across Pueblo and Custer counties, has now swelled to over 99,000 acres and remains only 36% contained.
Fire officials warn that extreme weather coming next week will severely test existing containment lines.
Fire activity is also picking up on several other major blazes across the state, including active fires near Leadville and Ouray.
A helicopter crash near the Ouray blaze tragically killed the pilot on Sunday evening. Local fire chiefs warn that the massive Aspen Acres fire is so deeply entrenched it could continue burning until winter.
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