AGP Executive Report

Colorado River Water Cuts: The federal government released a long-awaited 10-year operating framework for the Colorado River, setting up potentially deep reductions for Arizona, California, and Nevada while sparing Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming from mandatory cuts for now; the plan could require Lower Basin states to cut up to 3 million acre-feet per year through 2036 “subject to hydrology,” with decisions revisited every two years. State Response: Gov. Katie Hobbs said the FEIS still includes “unacceptable” options but urged adoption of a Lower Basin compromise to avoid “massive” cutbacks. Drought Impacts in Colorado: Colorado Parks and Wildlife asked anglers to limit fishing as warm water and low flows raise trout stress and mortality, with voluntary closures already in place and possible mandatory closures if conditions worsen. Recreation Hit by Low Water: CPW also closed some Southwest Region boat ramps early due to dropping reservoir levels. Local Water Tensions: In Denver, residents are reporting neighbors for violating lawn watering restrictions as heat and drought tighten enforcement. Energy/Building Policy: A new critique targets Colorado’s low-energy and carbon building code as a driver of higher housing costs, even as policymakers point to AI data centers.

Public Lands: The Gunnison Basin’s GORP Act cleared a key Senate step, with Colorado’s Bennet and Hickenlooper backing a locally driven plan aimed at protecting landscapes, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Local Land-Use Fight: In Crested Butte, residents are challenging Western Colorado University President Brad Baca’s support for the Lower Verzuh subdivision, arguing the project would add traffic and harm ranching heritage and wildlife migration. Wildfire & Smoke Impacts: Even as the Gold Mountain fire fades, Gunnison-area businesses say drought and wildfire fears are still cutting bookings, with visitors canceling over smoke concerns. Heat & Fire Risk: A near-record heat wave is set to bake parts of the West, boosting wildfire danger and stressing communities and ecosystems. Air Quality & Health: Canadian wildfire smoke is driving record air quality impacts, raising concerns about whether extreme smoke seasons are becoming the new normal. Recycling Law in Court: Colorado’s extended producer responsibility recycling program is facing a lawsuit from a trade association, arguing the scheme unlawfully hands regulatory power to a private group. Water & Drought: Historic low Colorado River conditions continue to fuel legal and policy fights, with courts and negotiations both in play. Wildlife Health Alert: A rabies-positive bat was found in Custer County, prompting warnings to avoid contact with wild animals. Mosquito-Borne Disease: Larimer County reported West Nile virus in mosquitoes and a confirmed human case. Outdoor Recreation: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is rolling out fishing closures and events as drought and heat reshape summer conditions. Data Centers & Power: Colorado’s debate over data centers and energy demand keeps heating up, with new scrutiny on transparency and environmental impacts.

Wildfire Response in Colorado: Gov. Polis issued an executive order memorializing verbal disaster declarations and extending them for 30 days for several area fires, enabling tighter coordination across suppression, recovery, and mitigation, and temporarily easing some CDPHE rules to speed out-of-state medical support. Drought & Water Access: Low water levels and dam maintenance are limiting boating on parts of the Arapaho National Recreation Area through 2026; the Stillwater Boat Ramp is set to close Aug. 4 at Lake Granby. Health Care & Cannabis: Colorado’s workers’ comp medical cannabis reimbursement pilot found meaningful life improvements and voluntary opioid reductions for a select chronic pain patient, with no adverse events reported. Energy & Climate Policy: A push for “plug-in solar” is gaining momentum in multiple states, including Colorado, as lawmakers look for ways to cut fossil fuel reliance amid rising electricity demand. Community Resilience: The Western Resilience Center is recruiting volunteers for summer projects restoring wet meadows and monitoring post-wildfire forest regeneration near Hayden.

Wildfire & Smoke: The Northwest’s record fire season has already burned more than 1 million acres, with lightning-sparked blazes still spreading and smoke degrading air quality across states. Colorado River Impacts: A brush fire in Arizona destroyed the Hart Mine Bridge over the Colorado River, underscoring how drought and fire are reshaping access and ecosystems in the basin. Local Water Conservation: Castle Rock residents are swapping lawns for xeriscaping as drought restrictions tighten, with rebates paying $3.25 per square foot for native landscaping. Bear Conflicts: CPW and Roaring Fork Valley partners launched a coordinated campaign to reduce human-bear conflicts as drought drives more bear activity into towns. Public Health: Colorado reported more than 250 salmonella cases in July—about 100 above normal—with investigators still unable to identify a source. Community & Land Stewardship: Boulder County approved $1.3 million in scientific and cultural grants, while Denver’s Baker Community Garden is fundraising $600,000 to avoid closure. Wildlife Research Funding: Colorado scientists behind the long-running yellow-bellied marmot study turned to OnlyMarms to keep research going as federal support wanes.

Wildfire & smoke impacts: A new report warns wildfire conditions are worsening across the U.S. and Canada, with huge burned areas and forecasts pointing to more extreme fire behavior ahead. Public health: Colorado health officials flagged a “significant increase” in Salmonella, with 250+ cases reported in July so far and no confirmed source yet. Colorado River ripple effects: A bridge over the Colorado River in western Arizona collapsed after damage tied to the Island Fire, cutting access for farms and a wildlife refuge. Gun law rollout: Starting Aug. 1, Colorado begins enforcing new training and permit steps for buyers of certain semiautomatic firearms, including sheriff-submitted online applications and safety courses. Data center fight on public land: A Nevada data center approval near Boulder City is facing legal challenges over whether normal environmental review was bypassed. Wildlife close to home: Colorado Parks and Wildlife says black bears can reach high elevations, after a Pikes Peak sighting near 13,700 feet.

Colorado River Crunch: A new federal short-term plan would require Arizona, California and Nevada to cut Colorado River use by about 21% in 2027-28, with deeper reductions possible later to protect reservoir levels. Drought & Wildlife: Colorado Parks and Wildlife briefed hunters and anglers at a Grand Junction roundtable on worsening drought impacts, including more fish and waterway closures. Severe Weather: A Boulder-issued severe thunderstorm watch covers nearly 2.9 million people across 18 counties, with hail, damaging winds and flash-flood risk in burn-scar areas. Local Water & Heat: Grand Junction’s tree canopy is credited with reducing the urban heat island effect, with officials pointing to big temperature gaps between shaded grass and sun-baked pavement. Public Lands & Climate Litigation: Boulder urged the U.S. Supreme Court to let its climate change tort case against ExxonMobil and Suncor proceed. School Policy Fight: Jefferson County Public Schools sued the Trump administration over threatened cuts tied to Title IX investigations. Plastic Policy: A council rejected a proposed plastic bag fee, saying it wants more retailer input. Biodiversity Rescue: CPW removed 103 native trout with unique genetics from a wildfire-threatened creek to prevent permanent loss.

Wetlands Restoration: Colorado Parks and Wildlife completed the first phase of a wetland habitat project at West Rifle Creek and Garfield Creek state wildlife areas, using beaver dam analogs plus the relocation of seven beavers to slow eroding flows, revive riparian habitat, and boost water availability for wildlife. Colorado River Drought: A new report says Lake Powell and Lake Mead hit the lowest combined level on record, underscoring how the connected reservoir system is tightening water supplies across the West. Water Innovation: Japanese firm Kubota is buying atmospheric water-harvesting tech to help water-stressed developers meet long-term supply requirements, pointing to air-to-water as a new pressure valve for drought-strapped growth. Wildlife Recovery Milestone: The razorback sucker was downlisted from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act, marking decades of coordinated recovery work across river basins. Energy & Air Quality: Colorado and other states urged FERC to stop fast-tracking natural gas pipeline approvals that would bypass public review, warning of higher bills and more pollution. Heat & Grid Reliability: The DOE authorized emergency backup power for 17 states, including Colorado, as a heat wave strains electricity systems and raises blackout fears. Local Nature Funding: Larimer County opened its 2027 Small Grants program for community nature projects, offering up to $4,000 for shovel-ready outdoor improvements.

Wildfire & water impacts in western Colorado: Monsoon rains finally reached the western slope, easing some fire conditions and relaxing evacuation zones, but also triggered debris-flow closures on US 550 over Red Mountain Pass and briefly shut down the highway near Ouray; officials say the rain is not fixing drought, with Gunnison Basin reservoir storage reported at about half in the basin and much lower in key local reservoirs. Local infrastructure: Delta County commissioners advanced the Lockhart Bridge replacement plan, moving toward a steel bridge option after engineering studies and grant applications. Wildlife & public safety: Colorado Parks and Wildlife said a bear found near a Boulder County man’s unconscious trailer was euthanized under policy after officials determined the man likely suffered a medical emergency before the bear entered. Wildlife crossings: State officials highlighted that Colorado wildlife crossings and fencing have cut wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 90% on some corridors. Heat & efficiency: Denver launched a $1,500 heat pump rebate paired with free energy advising to help residents cut cooling and heating costs during extreme heat. Colorado River pressure: A Reuters report says a short-term federal plan could require Arizona, California and Nevada to cut water use by about 21% in 2027–28, with deeper reductions later. Species protection transparency fight (national): Colorado-linked groups and others urged the EPA to halt a proposed NEPA rule change that would weaken environmental review and public involvement. Aurora public health: Aurora City Council demanded a GEO Group ICE facility cooperate with health investigators after a confirmed tuberculosis case, citing missing information needed to complete the investigation.

PFAS & Water Safety: Colorado’s PFAS cleanup tech gets a boost as the U.S. Army ERDC validates 374Water’s AirSCWO results for destroying PFAS in AFFF, with treated water reported below EPA limits. Heat & Power Grid Stress: Heat waves plus data center expansion are pushing U.S. power grids toward “tipping points,” with emergency alerts and strained reserves showing up across major regions. Greenhouse Gas Rule Fight: A coalition of attorneys general, led by Delaware AG Kathy Jennings, sues the EPA over a rule that weakens HFC phaseout deadlines—chemicals described as up to 10,000 times more potent than CO₂. Colorado Wildlife: Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports an uncollared wolf death in northwest Colorado, the fifth this year, while the agency continues investigating causes. Outdoor Litter: CPW urges anglers to “reel in” trash—especially fishing line—warning it lingers and can harm fish and other aquatic life. Local Energy Planning: Adams County weighs a proposed 322-megawatt solar farm with battery storage, pitched as needed power for a growing Denver-area load. Public Lands Oil & Gas: Luján and Neguse introduce the Local Input Act to restore local influence over oil and gas lease decisions on national public lands. Wolf Reintroduction & Ranch Impacts: Colorado’s wolf program continues to spark conflict and scrutiny as more deaths and collaring questions emerge. Summer Heat Advisories: Southeast Colorado faces another round of extreme heat advisories, following record temperatures over the weekend. Data Centers vs. Water: Colorado water suppliers are using computers to enforce drought restrictions as reservoirs hit record lows, raising pressure as data centers and other power-intensive uses grow.

Wildfire + Power Grid Stress: A new look at how wildfire smoke is starting to disrupt the U.S. power sector—cutting solar output and adding uncertainty for grid operators—shows the crisis is bigger than homes and forests. Colorado River Drought: Lake Mead and Lake Powell hit record lows as states clash and the federal government prepares to release a post-2026 Colorado River operations plan, with major cuts looming. Local Water Planning: Douglas County is asking for public input on its first countywide 2050 Water Plan, while federal agencies plan to share the first Colorado River plan this week. Wildfire Aftermath + Insurance: The Aspen Acres fire’s destruction is driving fresh questions about what comes next for homeowners and insurance claims. Heat + Public Health: Air quality alerts spread across the West as smoke and ozone push unhealthy conditions, and Denver opens cooling centers ahead of dangerous heat. Wildlife Encounters: A bear wandered into a Loveland home, and officials warn bear activity is rising as drought pushes wildlife toward people. Invasive Species Watch: A Calgary stormwater pond appears overrun with Prussian carp, raising alarms about aquarium releases and drainage spread. Ranchers Face Water Hauling: Colorado ranchers are increasingly forced to haul water as snowpack collapses and monsoon hopes fade. Community Cleanup: Golden is seeing more trash along Clear Creek and is recruiting volunteers for weekly cleanups. Aspen Highway Review: The Entrance to Aspen project is moving toward a refined Preferred Alternative focused on safety, emergency access, and transportation reliability. Wildfire Safety Deaths: Reports note additional firefighter deaths tied to burnovers as wildfires continue to burn near the Colorado-Utah border.

Heat Dome Watch: A dangerous heat dome is expanding across the central U.S., with forecasts calling for record-busting temperatures and high humidity that keep overnight lows from cooling off—Colorado is in the mix, with some areas near Denver expected to run 10–15°F above normal. Wildfire Toll: A fourth firefighter has died from injuries suffered during the June Knowles Fire burnover near the Colorado-Utah border, underscoring how fast-moving conditions are still killing responders. Water Stress in the West: Colorado River storage is at record lows, and federal planning is moving toward new rules to cut use as reservoirs can no longer buffer drought. Local Water & Wildlife Impacts: In Nederland, residents reported dead fish washing ashore at Barker Reservoir, with heat and low oxygen among the theories; in Golden, officials say more trash is showing up along Clear Creek as people spend more time in one spot during drought. Outdoor Access & Recovery: CPW and partners finished restoring Monarch Park Ponds near Salida, improving habitat and stocking trout for an accessible high-elevation fishery. Public Safety in Drought: Vega State Park closed its boat ramp for the season due to low water, while hand-launched users face longer rescue response times.

Heat & Health: A third “heat dome” is expanding across the central U.S., with roughly 70 million people facing dangerous heat and overnight lows that won’t cool down enough to recover. Local Cooling & Clean Energy: Denver-area households and businesses can claim a new $1,500 Power Ahead Colorado rebate for qualifying heat pump installs, part of a regional push to cut building emissions. Wildlife Safety: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is searching for a bear tied to multiple home break-ins after an injured, unconscious resident was found; officials say the bear is getting too comfortable around people. Water Stress: Low water levels are forcing the boat ramp at Vega State Park to close for the season, limiting access for trailered watercraft. Recreation Impacts: Golden officials say trash along Clear Creek is up as people beat the heat, and they’re urging visitors to use CreekAmbassador stations and join weekly cleanups. Wildfire Tragedy: A fourth firefighter has died from injuries suffered during the Knowles Fire burnover near the Colorado-Utah border. Climate Policy Fight: The Trump administration has acknowledged canceling $7.6 billion in clean energy grants based on the political identity of recipient states, escalating pressure over federal climate funding. Colorado River Watch: New reporting highlights how climate-driven declines could further reduce Colorado River flows, intensifying negotiations over drought management.

Extreme Heat Watch: A heat dome is expanding across the central U.S., with about 70 million people facing heat advisories and temperatures above 100°F, including possible record highs near Denver—dangerous because overnight lows won’t cool enough to recover. Wildfire Toll: A fourth firefighter, Nathan Matthews, died from injuries tied to the June Knowles Fire burnover near the Colorado-Utah border, underscoring how fast conditions can turn deadly. Colorado River Stress: The river’s two biggest reservoirs hit new record low levels, as federal planning ramps up to cut water use and close the supply-demand gap. Clean Energy Funding Fight: The Trump administration admitted in court documents it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants “based solely” on whether states voted for Kamala Harris—sparking charges of political punishment. Local Water & Recreation: Colorado Parks and Wildlife finished restoring and restocking Monarch Park Ponds near Salida, while Vega State Park closed a boat ramp for the season due to low water. Wildlife & Research: CSU researchers are studying the “stink” signals that attract New World screwworms to improve detection and protect livestock and pets.

Heat & Cooling: Denver opened cooling centers as National Weather Service heat advisories warn of triple-digit temperatures this weekend, with Denver expected to hit 99 Saturday and 100 Sunday. Drought & Fisheries: Colorado Parks and Wildlife expanded voluntary afternoon fishing closures on parts of the White River as extreme drought and dangerous water temperatures threaten mountain whitefish. Water Supply & Climate Risk: A federal proposal is expected to reshape Colorado River management after 2026, with new “Post-2026 Operating Guidelines” affecting basin states, tribes, Mexico, and communities. Local Water Quality: Mesa County reported elevated bacteria levels in tributaries like Adobe Creek and Leach Creek, with some samples far above Colorado’s contact recreation standard. Wildlife Safety: CPW said a bear broke into a Boulder County home while a man was injured and unconscious, and the bear will be tracked with scent hounds. Public Lands & Wildlife Management: CPW’s commission recap highlighted progress on conservation and outdoor strategy goals, including investments and a new recreation dashboard. Agriculture & Food Safety: Colorado officials said cyclospora cases aren’t tied to Colorado produce, urging normal operations for growers not implicated in the outbreak.

Wildlife & Drought: Colorado bear activity is surging as drought pushes animals toward the Front Range, with Douglas County reporting a 155% jump in bear activity and multiple bear deaths tied to cars and shootings. Public Lands & Development: A Gunnison Valley editorial urges delaying new developments until the Gunnison Valley Corridor Plan is finished, warning that large-scale subdivisions could reshape mountain-town life. Local Planning: Colorado Springs’ Project Taurus data center appeal was denied after a long hearing, with conditions added on noise monitoring and power/water reporting. Climate Policy: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a multistate lawsuit challenging an EPA rollback of hydrofluorocarbons rules, arguing it weakens greenhouse-gas cuts. Water & Heat: Colorado River coverage highlights historic low levels and looming impacts on power and water supplies. Animal Health: New World screwworm has been detected in Texas and one case in New Mexico; Colorado says it has no cases yet but is ready with a multiagency response plan. Outdoor Recreation: Colorado’s fishing restrictions expand, with nearly 460 miles of rivers under limits due to heat and drought.

Wildfire smoke as a public health crisis: A Colorado State University atmospheric scientist warns that worsening wildfire seasons mean the biggest harm may be what we breathe, with smoke spreading far beyond burn areas and raising risks for asthma and heart conditions. Drought and farm losses: Colorado’s drought is deepening—reservoirs are running dangerously low and some orchards face total crop loss—threatening the Healthy School Meals for All program’s ability to source local produce. Water stress hits recreation: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is placing fishing restrictions across nearly 460 miles of rivers as heat and drought push flows and temperatures out of range. Wildlife updates: CPW confirmed a new gray wolf pack in Eagle County (Piney Ridge) and reports bear activity rising as drought drives animals toward neighborhoods. Data centers meet local pushback: Colorado Springs’ Project Taurus planning meeting drew heavy opposition over power, water, noise, and chemical concerns, while a separate federal push aims to keep data-center grid costs off ratepayers. Climate policy fight: Wisconsin and Colorado AGs joined a multistate challenge to EPA’s rule weakening HFC limits, a move tied to cutting fast-growing cooling emissions.