Mining blocked after 50 years of “Save The Lady”

---

Good morning and happy Friday, readers!

With forecasts in triple digits for many parts of the state on tap, I suggest taking this newsletter and reading it outside before the temperature and ozone levels make that an uncomfortable proposition. If you lack easy access to air conditioning,, KDVR has a convenient list of cooling centers in the Denver metro area.

So remember to drink a little more water than you think you need to today, wear plenty of sunblock and let’s take one last spin through the news this week, shall we?

THE NEWS

MINING

50-year fight in Crested Butte ends as land swap forever blocks mining on Red Lady

The fight over molybdenum mining on the peak that Crested Butte locals lovingly call the “Red Lady” is over after 50 years. Jason Blevins digs into the decision by the Forest Service and explores the history of the “Save the Lady” campaign that became a defining moment for the local environmental culture in the 1970s.

READ MORE

---

OUTDOORS

At least 32 have died in Colorado waters this summer. State loaning life jackets, upping citations to slow pace.

---

Since March 28, at least 32 people have died in Colorado’s reservoirs and rivers — a pace that could surpass 2022’s record of 42 deaths. Jason Blevins breaks down the numbers and details how state officials are using tickets and loaner PFDs to save lives.

READ MORE

---

OUTDOORS

Three dads built a pump track in Nederland. Was it subterfuge or hope for the future?

Nederland has a pump track — a purpose-built track for cycling with different features for riders, like banked turns, that is designed to be ridden by “pumping” up and down with the body instead of pedaling or pushing. But its creation has been “shockingly controversial.” Tracy Ross has more.

READ MORE

---

MORE NEWS

• Colorado stegosaurus “Apex” to be auctioned off by Sotheby’s, could sell for $6 million. The 11-foot tall, 27-foot-long dinosaur will be auctioned on July 17 as part of Sotheby’s “Geek Week” series.
• Fact Brief ☀️Did one of the costliest ecoterrorism attacks occur in Colorado? A group known as “the family” connected to the Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front targeted the Vail ski resort, destroying four ski lifts and burning down a restaurant, a lodge and a utility building.

---

THE COLORADO REPORT

• Climate change is making Colorado heat waves more likely — and more likely to be extreme. The heat has already proved deadly in other western states and could bring daytime temperatures from 98 to 105 degrees in many areas.
  — CPR News
• “Pueblo deserves better.” Pueblo city and county officials didn’t shy away from voicing their disapproval of the 18% rate increases being proposed by Black Hills Energy.
  — The Pueblo Chieftain
• Judge finds Breckenridge’s short-term rental limits are legal. For the third time since February, a federal judge has sided with a mountain community over homeowners in determining that restrictions on short-term rentals are lawful.
  — BusinessDen 🔑
• Hop on board with the quirky history of the Fort Collins trolley. Electric streetcars were a common sight in Fort Collins until the early 1950s. In the late 1970s, a group of dedicated volunteers began to restore the aged trolley cars and to reinstall the track.
  — KUNC

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

THE OPINION PAGE

COMMUNITY

• Colorado farmers aren’t to blame for higher food prices, but consider the state’s new overtime laws.  While well-intentioned, the realities of the new provision are harming the farmer and employee working a short growing season.
  — Chuck Hanagan, Hanagan Family Farms

CARTOONS

Drew Litton wonders if the wait for a reservation to the suddenly hot Denver icon Casa Bonita has gotten a little ridiculous.

CARTOON

In “What’d I Miss?” Ossie and Myra discuss some details contained in Project 2025, which they see casting a whole new light on the presidential election.

CARTOON

The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.

Podcast Playlist

CONVERSATION

Each weekday The Daily Sun-Up podcast brings you a bit of Colorado history, headlines and a thoughtful conversation. We keep it tight so you can quickly listen, or stack up a few and tune in at your leisure. You can download the Sun-Up for free in your favorite podcasting app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or RSS to plug into your app. This week, our range went from the plague to license plates.

• Colorado HOAs will have tougher time foreclosing on homes. The state legislature this year passed a law aimed at making it harder for homeowners associations to foreclose on residents. Political reporters Jesse Paul and Brian Eason break down how the new law will work.
  LISTEN
• Parks pass gets boost with Colorado vehicle registrations. Outdoors reporter Jason Blevins reviews the numbers from the first year of the option to get a state parks pass with your car registration. Officials are pleased with the results despite a 70% opt-out.
  LISTEN
• Front Range’s ozone troubles, plus the plague. The days are heating up and that means more ozone issues. Environmental reporter Michael Booth digs into that problem. Plus, health reporter John Ingold has info on a case of the plague in Colorado.
  LISTEN
• Falling in love with education reporting. In an episode of our Behind the Sun feature where we find out about the people who make up our staff, find out how reporter Erica Breunlin became drawn to writing about our kids and her path to joining The Sun.
  LISTEN
• SunLit discussion with Laura Pritchett. Kevin Simpson, the man who keeps our SunLit section filled with great Colorado books, re-introduces listeners to Colorado author Laura Pritchett to talk about her new novel “Three Keys”.
  LISTEN

🗣️ Remember, you can ask Siri, Alexa or Google to “play the Daily Sun-Up podcast” and we’ll play right on your smart speaker. As always we appreciate your feedback and comments at podcast@coloradosun.com.

---

Thanks for hanging with us this week! While “Faerie Tale Theatre” is the memory seared into my brain of the legendary Shelley Duvall, who died yesterday at the age of 75, let’s remember one of her most delicate and beautiful performances singing “He Needs Me” (written by Harry Nillson!) in the 1980 movie “Popeye.”

Have a great weekend!

— Eric & the whole staff of The Sun

Corrections & Clarifications

Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.

Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.