The Sunriser | Why getting new trails in Colorado takes so much work (2024)

Good morning and welcome to the “thunderstorm every afternoon” stage of Colorado summer.

While these sudden bursts of precipitation and thunder are a welcome part of summer — especially when parts of the state are in a flash drought — officials are keeping an eye on all the fresh burn scars and other flood-prone areas.

But as we wait for the afternoon thunder to hit, let’s take a tour through a weekend’s worth of news, from the drama in the final act of the Tina Peters trial to a look at why getting Colorado’s major trails connected is taking so long.

Let’s lace up these boots and hit the trail already, shall we?

THE NEWS

OUTDOORS

New trails in Colorado under scrutiny as sliver of Carbondale to Crested Butte Trail gets approval

Eight years after then-governor John Hickenlooper announced a plan to connect 16 gaps in trails across Colorado, only one of the chosen projects is complete. And as Jason Blevins reports, the level of environmental scrutiny that went into the approval of a tiny section of one of the big 16 reflects the new normal for making recreation play nice with environmental concerns.

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CRIME & COURTS

Tina Peters declines to testify in her own trial after judge refuses request to tell prosecutors “not to bully me around”

Facing 10 felony and misdemeanor counts, including identity theft and attempting to influence a public servant, Tina Peters dangled the possibility that she would testify in her defense. But after a judge repeatedly told her that he could not give legal advice from the bench, she declined. Nancy Lofholm reports on the final stretch of the case that could conclude today.

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FOOD

Farms and farmers markets support food-insecure families. Can these initiatives meet growing demands?

There are federal, state and local programs that incentivize buying produce from farmers markets all over Colorado. And while some are popular — like coupons that double the value of food assistance spent at farmers markets — fewer people are using them than the state hoped. Kate Ruder has more on the future of these programs from The Colorado Trust.

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ECONOMY

Market recovers but here’s why Colorado job growth is slowing

After last week’s market disruption fueled by a weak U.S. jobs report, local analysts say the response was overblown. Tamara Chuang breaks down the state of jobs in Colorado as part of this week’s “What’s Working” column.

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MORE NEWS

• Alexander Mountain fire was human-caused, investigators say. Officials are looking for photos of the fire the morning it started west of Loveland, before it grew to nearly 10,000 acres and destroyed 51 structures.
• Health officials sound alert after puppy at Colorado adoption event tests positive for rabies. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says anyone who attended the July 20 event at Moms and Mutts Colorado Rescue for Pregnant and Nursing Dogs in Sheridan should be screened for rabies.
• Fact Brief ☀️Can people convicted of felonies vote in Colorado? “The day you are released from detention or incarceration is the day your eligibility to register to vote is restored,” the Colorado Secretary of State’s office states on its website.

COLORADO SUNDAY

The economics of eating out have some of Denver’s top chefs dismayed, discouraged and looking elsewhere

A busy restaurant doesn’t mean it’s thriving, but there seems to be something particular with Denver that is discouraging the city’s top local chefs and restaurants and has them looking elsewhere. Some of Denver’s award-winning chefs get specific, sharing details with Tamara Chuang, about their love/hate relationship with being part of Colorado’s largest dining scene.

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THE COLORADO REPORT

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THE OPINION PAGE

COLUMNS

• Dave Williams’ actions have become so despicable they are entertaining. The GOP state chair has taken so many jaw-dropping actions that he has become appointment viewing to see what awful thing he will indulge in next.
  — Mario Nicolais
• Same old swiftboating story, same tired playbook — but with Walz the new target. Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, who served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, has the VP candidate’s back against challenges to his military service.
  — Mike Littwin
• Kamala Harris has exceeded expectations. Give her credit. As the Democrats’ new presidential nominee, Harris has defied even the staunchest of skeptics. Why do we keep underestimating women?
  — Trish Zornio

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.

Thanks for kicking off the week with us! See you back here tomorrow.

— Eric and the whole staff of The Sun

The Colorado Sun is part of The Trust Project. Read our policies.

Corrections & Clarifications

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