AGP Executive Report

Logistics Expansion: Roadway Moving opened a new Denver regional hub to handle local, interstate, and commercial moves plus packing and storage as Colorado relocation demand keeps rising. Energy Costs: Colorado Springs Utilities set summer electric rate changes starting June 1, with on-peak jumping to about $0.29/kWh while off-peak stays near $0.07/kWh through Sept. 30. Politics & Accountability: Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was released from a Pueblo prison after Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence; the DOC says details on parole conditions and logistics won’t be shared. Finance & Housing Pressure: Bond-market jitters are pushing up U.S. borrowing costs, with 10-year Treasury yields topping 4.44% and mortgage rates climbing again. Biotech Dealmaking: Servier agreed to buy Edgewise Therapeutics’ muscular dystrophy program, including sevasemten, in a deal that could reach about $2.7B. Colorado Water Policy: A signed law (HB26-1340) targets long-term stewardship in Southeastern Colorado by requiring revegetation or dryland farming when land use changes. Tech & Content: Salesforce agreed to acquire Contentful to add a structured content layer for its Agentforce AI platform. Mining Update: American Atomics completed a mineral resource estimate for its Blue Streak uranium/vanadium project in Montrose County.

Federal Finance Pressure: Bond-market jitters tied to Trump’s budget outlook are pushing 10-year Treasury yields above 4.4%, lifting mortgage rates and squeezing affordability—an added midterm headache for Republicans. Affordable Housing in Colorado: Residents and partners are rallying to help Cavern Springs Mobile Home Park in Garfield County become resident-owned, a model that’s spreading across the Roaring Fork Valley as land rent risk threatens displacement. Climate Research Under Fire: A Colorado-based atmospheric research leader says federal funding freezes and climate-science cutbacks are putting U.S. interests at risk, including impacts at CU Boulder’s CIRES. Local Economy + Housing Policy: Greenwood Village is weighing incentives to convert vacant office space into apartments in the Denver Tech Center, including a plan to turn a 124,000-square-foot building into 143 income-restricted units. Public Safety + Infrastructure: New wildlife-crossing laws are expanding corridor funding to cut animal-vehicle crashes, with Oregon rolling out a dedicated wildlife hotel tax. Colorado Retail Enforcement: Denver and Fort Collins regulators shut down two smoke shops over alleged sales of restricted products to minors. Media Disruption: Scripps and DirecTV’s retransmission fight has pushed 54 local stations dark, hitting sports and election coverage.

Colorado Housing & Construction: Colorado’s housing affordability fight is colliding with building-cost rules, with builders pointing to a “complex energy code” and layered wildfire and electrification requirements that add thousands to home prices and price out buyers. Affordable Housing Finance: Colorado Housing and Finance Authority tax credits are moving affordable projects forward, including three Pikes Peak region developments totaling 135 units for seniors and low- to moderate-income renters. Water & Drought Accountability: A viral video shows sprinklers soaking cars and pavement at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, reigniting questions about exemptions and enforcement during statewide drought restrictions. Western Slope Business Growth: American Dream Roofing is expanding commercial roof restoration across Colorado’s Western Slope, pitching restoration as a cheaper alternative to full replacement. Denver Airport Infrastructure: Denver International Airport plans pedestrian walkways between concourses by repurposing parts of underground baggage tunnels, with construction expected to start in 2027. Gun Policy Update: Colorado’s new licensing steps for buying modern semiautomatic rifles begin in August, adding a safety-course eligibility card and course requirement. Tech & Industry: The U.S. Army is pushing “Project Jailbreak” to get weapons, sensors, and command systems talking to each other faster, aiming to reduce manual integration burdens.

Water & Agriculture: Elephant Butte Dam has started releasing water downstream on the Rio Grande, with flows ramping from 600 to 2,800 cubic feet per second as managers warn people to stay out of the riverbed; the allocation is expected to last about 30 days given historically low storage. Energy & Industry: A University of Colorado-led pilot in Oman found significant natural hydrogen bubbling to the surface from peridotite-rich rock, strengthening the case for “white hydrogen” as a low-carbon resource. Health Insurance & Costs: A Denver mother’s 14-month fight with Anthem over a $67,000 emergency surgery highlights how coverage loopholes can turn urgent care into a long legal battle. Public Lands & Wildlife: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says more than 95% of national refuge lands could be open to hunting and fishing after proposed expansions, including new Colorado big-game access at Rocky Flats. Colorado Policy Watch: Gov. Polis vetoed an early package of bills, including a measure that would have required social media platforms to notify law enforcement about certain content. Transportation: CDOT adjusted US 550 closure timing for June 1 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) near Silverton, with short delays and detours for motorists.

Airport & Aviation Funding: The federal government is being asked to help pay for a new control tower at a growing Colorado airport, while Northern Colorado Regional Airport starts a runway widening push aimed at bringing commercial flights back by late 2027 or early 2028. Public Safety & Transportation: Colorado State Patrol is expanding its “Seconds Matter” message as more trucking firms add in-cab cameras and driver monitoring to curb distracted driving. Energy & Utilities: Colorado Springs Utilities begins its first summer under higher Energy Wise rates, with peak-hour power costs nearly doubling, and fire restrictions in the city and El Paso County are lifted after improved conditions. Housing & Courts: Colorado’s Appeals Court blocked one-way fees in eviction “cures,” and Polis signed laws to modernize the Public Utilities Commission while extending its oversight. Business & Consumer Costs: Tomatoes are driving affordability headlines as prices jump sharply, hitting restaurant operators including Colorado businesses. Tech & Industry: EPA proposes more flexible coal ash rules as cleanup pressure continues at Colorado sites, and Colorado’s AI governance law is in flux after a replacement framework.

Space & Defense Contracting: NAVFAC Atlantic awarded CH2M Hill (Denver) a $480M environmental action services contract to support Navy and Marine Corps cleanup and restoration work across contaminated sites. Lunar Industry: Lunar Outpost won a $220M NASA contract for its Pegasus moon rover, aiming to speed mobility for a sustained lunar presence by 2030. Colorado Real Estate: Oakwood Homes broke ground on Prairie Point, a 900-acre master-planned community in southeast Aurora with 1,600+ homes along E-470 near Parker Road. AI Policy in Colorado: Gov. Polis vetoed early session bills, including a social-media bill tied to law enforcement notification, citing First Amendment concerns. Workplace Safety: OSHA guidance highlights that bosses can’t rely on “heat wave” rules alone—heat illness risk rises fast without acclimatization, especially outdoors and in smoke. Energy & Mobility Tech: Lightship unveiled PowerSled, a mobile electric power system for construction, emergency response, and off-grid use, with an initial delivery to Exedy Drones. Agriculture & Food Costs: Tomato prices are up about 40% year over year, with experts pointing to yields plus tariffs and shipping disruptions.

AI & Warfare Ethics: VP JD Vance told Air Force Academy grads in Colorado that life-and-death decisions must stay human, endorsing Pope Leo’s call for strict AI limits in conflict. State Tech Policy: Gov. Jared Polis vetoed bills on social media regulation and a 5% fee on some video game purchases, plus restored some out-of-school grant funding. Water & Agriculture: A Colorado landowner says Greeley lowballed a water storage payout using an old survey, while the U.S. Supreme Court approved a Rio Grande settlement ending a long Texas-New Mexico dispute. Energy & Data Centers: Yakama Nation protesters and legal challenges target a clean-energy storage project tied to data-center power demand; meanwhile, more cities are pausing data centers amid backlash. Colorado Business Climate: Colorado’s technology office is restructuring and cutting 173 workers. Education Funding: Polis signed Colorado’s School Finance Act, boosting K-12 funding for 2026-27 with some last-minute adjustments. Local Industry & Legal: Akerman LLP alleges a Colorado roofing firm owes $650K in fees from an IP suit.

EV Policy: Colorado’s EV battery EPR bill is headed to the governor, setting up a stewardship program and specific recycling recovery rates for critical minerals while pushing batteries away from landfilling. Transportation & Infrastructure: CDOT and partners are starting the Geologic Hogback Trail Rehabilitation Project along I-70 in Jefferson County, with trail restoration and safety upgrades expected to run through late October. Roadwork Impacts: Boulder County-area drivers should watch for weekend closures on CO 157 (Foothills Parkway) and early-June detours tied to CO 119/Diagonal Highway corridor construction. Public Health & Safety: The FDA reported Colorado device-company inspection counts in 2025 were among the lowest by company type, with the most citations going to Dr. Steven Edmundowicz. Workforce & Business Culture: SmartLab earned Great Place To Work® certification for 2026–2027, citing employee feedback on collaboration and STEM mission impact. Tech & Mobility: Waymo is rolling out its new Ojai robotaxi in select cities, with Denver listed for later this summer. Historic Preservation: The National Trust flagged 11 endangered historic places nationwide, including Colorado sites tied to the fight for equality.

Workforce & Courts: A Colorado federal judge is being asked to reject the EEOC’s subpoena push tied to preoffer assessments for sheriff’s office applicants, with a screening company calling it an overbroad “fishing expedition.” Defense & Manufacturing: Kilroy’s Workshop in Colorado Springs is now handcrafting Air Force Academy sabers locally under an exclusive contract, shifting production from overseas to a year-round operation. Aviation & Infrastructure: Denver International Airport is moving toward walkable access between terminals with new pedestrian walkways, while also planning major train modernization under its “Vision 100” push. Housing & Development: Brighton broke ground on a 46-unit senior affordable complex, and STEM School Highlands Ranch is pursuing a second campus in Littleton after outgrowing its current space. Energy & Water: Federal action is helping keep Shoshone hydroelectric water rights in play, supporting Western Slope interests amid Colorado River uncertainty. Local Business & Food Costs: Northern Colorado restaurants are feeling tomato price spikes tied to weather, gas costs, and tariffs, forcing menu and margin pressure. Transportation Updates: CDOT is scheduling multiple road closures and lane reductions across CO 145, US 550, and Weld County Road 32 for construction and safety work.

Aviation & Infrastructure: Denver International Airport is moving beyond its inter-terminal train-only setup, announcing pedestrian walkways between concourses after reports of train stoppages 131 times—an upgrade meant to improve reliability as passenger volumes grow. Workforce Development: NASH and the Colorado State University System launched Talent Readiness–Colorado, building employer-aligned, short training pathways with compensated workplace learning to speed hires into high-demand jobs. Space & Manufacturing: NASA detailed its Moon Base push, including new lunar terrain vehicles and a broader fleet plan—plus student Lunabotics teams showing robotic construction approaches. Housing & Local Policy: New research argues Colorado should allow more homebuilding near jobs, stores, and transit to cut public infrastructure costs and boost property-tax returns versus fringe development. Energy & Materials: Flora Materials, a Colorado biomaterials firm, debuted bio-based shoreline flooring made from oyster-shell byproducts at NeoCon 2026. Construction & Roads: CDOT begins southeast Colorado intersection and culvert improvements June 1, with multiple short-term closures across CO 145, CO 52/119, US 550, and Weld County Road 32. Retail Expansion: Champion Homes agreed to acquire Homes Direct’s 11 retail locations across the West, expanding its direct-to-consumer footprint.

Lease Fallout: FrontLine Farming says it will stop operating at Arvada’s Majestic View Nature Center after the city terminated its lease over an unpermitted, unencased power hookup—called a “life safety issue” by city officials. Public Health & Food Access: Colorado is keeping summer meals going: free breakfast and/or lunch for kids 18 and under starts Wednesday at participating sites across the state. Medicaid Pressure on Hospitals: UCHealth leaders say UCHealth Grandview Hospital won’t close despite warnings that Medicaid changes could strain hospital solvency. Immigration at Airports: Reuters reports the Trump administration is drawing up plans to stop customs and immigration processing at “sanctuary city” airports—potentially reshaping travel flows for major hubs including Denver. Aviation Upgrade: Denver International Airport will convert underground baggage tunnels into pedestrian walkways between concourses as its train system has repeatedly failed. Space Race: NASA selected Colorado’s Lunar Outpost and California’s Astrolab to build lunar rovers for the Moon Base effort, with Blue Origin delivering them.

Airport Upgrade: Denver International Airport says it will start building pedestrian walkways between concourses by repurposing parts of its dormant underground baggage tunnels—an alternative to the internal train system that can turn into “complete chaos” when it fails. Construction Timeline: Officials expect design work this year, with construction starting in 2027 and walkways opening in 2028, connecting Concourse A to B and B to C. Sports Buzz: In MLB, Kiké Hernández returned from elbow surgery and helped the Dodgers rally past the Rockies, while the Golden Knights press for a Game 4 clincher over the Avalanche. Tech & Safety: Connecticut AG William Tong announced an investigation into Roblox over alleged harm to children, as ransomware claims hit MyPillow. Energy & Markets: Honeywell-backed Quantinuum filed for a U.S. IPO targeting up to a $12.7B valuation.

Memorial Day logistics: Colorado flags will fly at half-staff at government offices until noon today, with the state following federal-style observances for the holiday. Small-business relief: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for drought-hit small businesses and private nonprofits, including Colorado counties Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Weld and Yuma. Public safety reminders: Colorado’s guidance on leaving kids home alone remains murky on a strict age—DHS points to as young as 10 for short stretches, while hospitals recommend starting with brief practice runs. Health alerts: A dog food recall is expanding over possible listeria contamination, and a separate ice cream recall is affecting products sold in 17 states, including Colorado. Local infrastructure: Colorado Springs crews begin phased closures on Astrozon Boulevard at South Academy starting Tuesday for waterline and stormwater work. Community events: Carbondale is hosting an EV ride-and-drive and unveiling new chargers at First Friday.

Motorsports Exit: Pikes Peak International Raceway, Colorado’s biggest track, says the 2026 season will be its last public racing run as the property heads to mixed-use redevelopment—ending nearly 30 years of events. Banking & Real Estate: UMB is building a six-story “flagship” office and branch in Denver’s Cherry Creek North as part of the Cherry Lane project, with a planned 2027 exterior finish and 2028 move-in. Climate Legacy: Rafe Pomerance, who helped kick off U.S. climate hearings and shaped the Kyoto Protocol push, died at 79. Data Center Power Fight: Yakama Nation leaders protested a clean-energy storage project tied to a sacred site, warning a major data center campus could be a key beneficiary. Colorado Water/Power Context: Colorado lawmakers and western partners keep pressing geothermal as drought and river stress intensify. Health & Lifestyle: A new local aquatics center opens in Carbondale, and a Colorado story spotlights microgreens as a drought-friendly crop.

Public Health & Safety: Denver is telling pool operators they must get a city license and pass health, fire, and building inspections before opening for summer—inspectors will check conditions, and residents can call 311 if something looks off. Sports: The Dodgers expect Kiké Hernández back Monday after left-elbow surgery, while the Avalanche face a must-win Game 3 tonight in Vegas after dropping the first two at home. Energy Costs: Gas prices stay jumpy heading into Memorial Day; one Montrose County station hit $4.44 regular, while diesel averages in Colorado are still hovering around the mid-$5s. Economy Watch: A Reuters look at U.S. markets says rising bond yields are testing Washington’s tolerance for higher borrowing costs, with gasoline prices adding to the pressure. Community & Parks: A new Trust for Public Land survey finds 8 in 10 Americans say local parks and outdoor spaces are essential. Labor: Cargill has locked out about 1,700 workers at its Fort Morgan beef plant amid a contract dispute.

Carbon Capture Breakthrough: Scientists at CU Boulder say they’ve finally watched the key reaction zone inside direct air capture in real time, turning a long-hidden “black box” into something researchers can see and measure—good news for the next wave of big DAC plants. Local Water Watch: Boulder County is offering free well testing kits for PFAS, aiming to spot exposure to long-lasting “forever chemicals” in private drinking water. Tourism Pressure Test: Breckenridge’s summer bookings are slightly behind last year’s pace, with officials warning the season could be more competitive than expected. Energy Costs, Up Close: GasBuddy reports show Gunnison County premium hitting $5.09 in the week ending May 16, while Colorado’s averages remain elevated. Business Moves: Apogee Architectural Metals named Peter Dyer to lead a new Northwest sales region, while keeping Colorado in its Southwest coverage.