AGP Executive Report

Power Reliability: Xcel Energy outages are hitting Boulder and other Colorado areas more often and for longer, and regulators want answers about aging infrastructure plus wildfire-related strain. Public Health & Cannabis Compliance: Colorado recalled Craft marijuana vape cartridges and disposables sold at 405 stores after officials found an ingredient containing methylene chloride; consumers are told to destroy or return products and report any illness. Water & Energy Infrastructure: Colorado River interim drought guidelines tied to the 2007 compact expire Oct. 1, as federal management steps in while states scramble over future allocations. Local Housing & Construction: Habitat for Humanity’s Griffith Station project is building 20 Denver-metro homes in Arvada, with city land donation and volunteer-and-future-homeowner construction. Agriculture Conservation: Eagle Rock Ranch in Park County won the 2026 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award for repairing a damaged working ranch and improving wildlife, soil, and water practices. Wildlife & Hunting Practices: A lead-ammunition push highlights how fragmented lead can contaminate game meat and the food chain, urging hunters toward lead-free rounds. Local Regulation Watch: Gilpin County commissioners discussed repealing and replacing short-term rental rules, including fee tiers, renewal timing, inspections, and wildfire/fire-safety limits.

Local Governance: Buena Vista mayor candidate Carlin Walsh says his brewery-and-economic-development background will shape how he runs the trustees board—pushing consensus and avoiding mayor tie-breaks that can make it look like one side “defeated” another. Energy & Reliability: The U.S. Energy Department renewed orders keeping two aging coal plants open after a federal appeals court limited its emergency power, a fight that also touches Colorado’s Craig Station. Agriculture: A USDA staffing crisis is leaving farmers and ranchers facing longer waits and program delays as local offices lose support staff, with Colorado’s Fort Collins among the hubs shifting resources. Public Health: Colorado regulators warned consumers to check marijuana vapes after products sold at 405 stores were found made with methylene chloride; no illnesses reported yet. Consumer Costs: Gas prices stayed volatile across Colorado in the week ending Sept. 19, with multiple counties reporting some of the lowest premium and diesel rates statewide. Community & Food Systems: Estes Park Farmers Market is inviting residents to shape its next chapter as it transitions to new management in 2027.

Data Centers & Land Use: Mesa County commissioners will consider a temporary moratorium on data centers for unincorporated areas, pausing applications and inducement talks while the county rewrites its Land Development Code and sets new rules for water, power, noise, and review steps. Power Grid Investment: The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Colorado and Xcel $250 million toward a $1.2 billion transmission upgrade linking Colorado to Texas, aimed at easing bottlenecks and boosting capacity to support more electricity demand. Public Health: The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate E. coli outbreak tied to Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese; 13 people in nine states are sick, including Colorado, with a recall underway. Local Community & Recreation: Grand Junction’s long-awaited $82.1 million Community Recreation Center opened after years of ballot fights and fundraising, with free admissions kicking off the launch. Business & Innovation: RefinedScience announced a major expansion of a pancreatic cancer dataset in partnership with CU Anschutz and others, targeting access to 2,000+ consented samples by end of 2026. Local Economy & Housing: A Mesa County ranch in Montrose County—1,360 acres—was placed under a conservation easement to protect ranching and wildlife habitat from future development.

Highway Upgrades: CDOT wrapped safety and capacity work on over two miles of CO 67 in Woodland Park, adding lanes, signals, crosswalks, and a new stormwater system. Rural Road Resurfacing: CDOT also finished resurfacing about 11 miles of US 160 west of Walsenburg, including milling, new asphalt, bridge deck repairs, and updated striping. Safety Data: A new CDOT Driving Behavior Report says 73% of Coloradans speed on main highways and 69% on local roads, with speeding tied to 234 deaths in 2025. Energy & Power: Weld County approved a $1.67B wind-and-solar project (805 MW) spanning 25,000 acres, with construction starting in 2027. Water Infrastructure: MISCOwater will serve as ClearStream Environmental’s exclusive channel partner across 12 western states, expanding municipal water and wastewater process equipment and engineering support. Workforce Pipeline: Denver International Airport hosted Project Takeoff for 500 students, connecting them with aviation careers from piloting to engineering. Legal/Consumer Protection: Colorado-based Crocs sued Five Below in federal court over copied clog designs and charm accessories.

Energy & Power Reliability: Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission is drafting new rules for Xcel Energy’s planned power shutoffs after last December’s PSPS fallout, with a Nov. 23 public hearing on how utilities must communicate criteria, timelines, and restoration plans. Renewables & Land Use: Weld County commissioners approved a $1.67B Chalk Bluffs wind-and-solar project, backing 805 megawatts from 79 turbines and 2,200 acres of solar. Water Policy: Colorado Parks and Wildlife proposed updated Arkansas River water-temperature standards below Pueblo Dam for July–December to better match conditions while protecting the cold-water fishery. AI & Regulation: A Colorado-focused guest column argues the state should turn AI skills into apprenticeships, as national debate heats up over guardrails and accountability. Elections & Ballots: Colorado’s 2026 midterm ballot guide highlights 14 ballot questions, including competing tax measures and an outdoors package.

Grid & Power: The U.S. Department of Energy will award Colorado’s Energy Office and Xcel Energy $250 million to strengthen the electricity grid, part of a larger $1.2 billion transmission upgrade aimed at handling rising demand from data centers and electrification. Water Rights: The Colorado River Conservation Water District’s bid to buy historic Shoshone water rights is moving through Colorado Water Court, with West Slope counties pushing for a collaborative process without giving up local priorities. Air Quality: Metro Denver and the northern Front Range logged 66 days of ozone above federal standards this summer, raising the risk of tougher EPA oversight and higher costs for industrial polluters. Local Business & Consumer Watch: A new investigation says major convenience-store chains repeatedly fail price-accuracy checks, including high failure rates reported in Colorado. Education & Research: The University of Kansas is merging geology, environmental studies, and geography/atmospheric science into a new Department of Earth, Energy & Environment. Clean Tech: Boulder’s Green Steel Environmental is previewing full-scale wastewater and biogas performance results at WEFTEC. Local Governance/Legal: A Castle Rock lawsuit tied to a Minnesota data center rezoning was dismissed with prejudice. Sports & Economy: UFL is bringing a Colorado Springs team for 2027, with home games at Weidner Field. Retail Real Estate: Denver-area retail sales rose 20% over 12 months, even as vacancy climbed to 5%.

Water & Infrastructure: Peoria approved a long-term water deal with Vidler Water Company, securing 173,672.7 acre-feet of storage credits over 100 years as Colorado River drought pressures local supplies. Energy & Grid: A proposed 86-mile, 500-kilovolt Ironwood Transmission Line is moving into environmental review after public comment closed, with the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe pushing for an alternate route tied to cultural and spiritual concerns. Healthcare Expansion: AdventHealth opened its Aurora Highlands campus phase one, adding a 24-hour freestanding emergency room, imaging, and clinics, with geothermal wells built in for heating and cooling. Mining & Capital Markets: Fortuna Mining will present at Mining Forum Americas 2026 in Colorado Springs, while Viscount Mining reported results from a 10-hole drilling program at its Silver Cliff Project in Custer County. Local Business & Jobs: Atlantic Tech launched Wyco Builders, a Cheyenne-based heavy equipment rental yard serving construction, mining, manufacturing, and logistics across Wyoming and Colorado. Policy & Courts: A guest column argues Colorado should turn AI skills into apprenticeships, while another piece spotlights Boulder’s climate-related Supreme Court case over whether federal law blocks state liability claims. Community & Safety: Boulder County residents can now sign up for the Switch Together heat pump group-buy program, offering about 20% off installs.

Colorado Agriculture Funding: The Colorado Department of Agriculture secured $13.7M from the NRCS to help farmers and ranchers expand markets for commodities grown with conservation practices, with direct-to-producer grants ranging from $20,000 to $300,000. Health Insurance Costs: Colorado’s individual-market premiums are expected to rise about 10% next year, with regional swings from 5.9% on the Eastern Plains to 15.5% around Grand Junction, as enhanced premium tax credits remain in limbo. Energy & Fuel Markets: US diesel futures slid after a report of a potential 90-day diesel export ban; the White House denied it, while officials warned any ban could ripple into gasoline and jet fuel prices. Infrastructure & Transportation: CDOT finished the I-70 resurfacing from Rulison to West Rifle, adding roadway life, guardrail upgrades, and smoother travel for about five miles. Real Estate: RREEF Property Trust approved a plan to fully liquidate and dissolve its CRE holdings, including Colorado’s 306-unit The Glenn in Centennial. Tech/AI Policy: Colorado repealed its earlier AI act and replaced it with a narrower automated-decision-making law taking effect Jan. 1, 2027. Defense/Manufacturing: The US military ordered 4,000 one-way attack UAVs with single-operator drone swarm control, signaling continued scale-up in drone procurement.

Colorado River Water & Corporate Action: Amazon is pledging $20M toward a Colorado River Basin Collaborative aimed at conservation and watershed restoration, as federal plans tighten cuts and local utilities plan around reduced allocations. Water Security & Cyber Risk: Colorado officials warn of foreign actors targeting water systems, adding to the pressure on already stressed river operations. Energy Policy in Court: Colorado and other states face a major Supreme Court fight over who controls energy policy, with climate-linked lawsuits targeting energy companies. Construction & Infrastructure: Colorado Pacific Railroad started concrete repairs to crossings in Eads, beginning with Maine Street and shifting traffic during weekend work. Oil & Gas Emissions Regulation: Colorado regulators approved stronger methane rules for oil and gas production. Local Governance & Preparedness: Denver published an updated emergency evacuation plan, expanding threat scenarios from wildfires to cyberattacks. Business & Growth: Angi named Michael Steib CEO, signaling a push for efficiency as AI reshapes home services. Retail Expansion: 85°C Bakery Cafe opened its 100th U.S. store in Aurora, reflecting continued growth in bakery-café chains.

Transportation & Safety: CDOT wrapped up an I-70 bridge rehabilitation and deck repair southeast of Byers ahead of schedule, with final seeding and punch-list work slated for late September. Rail Safety Campaign: During “See Tracks? Think Train® Week,” CDOT and partners urged Coloradans to obey crossing lights and gates—reminding that trains can’t swerve and crashes often happen when people try to beat warnings. Workforce & Education: Adams 12 broke ground on a 36,000-square-foot FutureForward at the Bollman expansion, adding new learning spaces and a public-facing salon. Local Governance: Englewood City Council will interview seven applicants tonight to fill the vacant District 3 seat. EV Charging Buildout: Colorado awarded $23.2M for 270 fast-charging ports across 35 sites, expanding corridor coverage. Energy Tech: ExoPower won a $1.25M NSF Phase II grant to advance in-motion wireless charging for industrial robots. Cybersecurity for Utilities: New reporting says credential-stealing malware has hit nearly 1,800 U.S. water and wastewater organizations, raising supply-chain risk for critical infrastructure. Healthcare & Finance: InnovAge launched an underwritten stock offering by selling stockholders.

Media & Antitrust: Paramount Skydance cleared a major hurdle after settling a states-led antitrust fight over its Warner Bros. Discovery merger, with commitments tied to more domestic film output, worker support, and safeguards for news editorial independence. Entertainment Labor: The Writers Guild also settled its own lawsuit, saying it opposed the deal but had to move forward to avoid fighting alone. Colorado Water Leadership: State Sen. Dylan Roberts was named co-chair of the Colorado River Forum’s Upper Basin, as the basin heads toward the Sept. 30 expiration of interim operating guidelines. Corporate Water Moves: Amazon pledged $20 million to a new Colorado River Basin conservation coalition, joining other firms targeting $100 million over two years. Infrastructure & Roads: CDOT scheduled two-week paving on CO 159 near San Luis with daytime one-lane alternating traffic and up to 15-minute delays. Tech & Industry: Inoapps launched a deterministic AI assistant for JD Edwards, aiming to deliver consistent, auditable answers for enterprise users. Aerospace/Engineering: AIAA named its Class of 2027 Associate Fellows, highlighting new leadership across aeronautics and astronautics.

AI & Data Centers: Colorado’s drought and power demand backdrop keeps fueling debate as a new report claims there are already 60 data centers operating in the state, while experts warn the water and energy footprint is getting underestimated. Water & Agriculture: CSU research says irrigation’s climate math can be net positive because it boosts yields and avoids massive land-use change emissions—while Colorado farmers still feel the pinch as diesel prices climb and silage harvest costs rise. Western Slope Water Planning: Colorado River District leaders urged cross-industry, cross-border cooperation during a Grand Junction seminar, arguing the 2026 drought can’t be “run from” and that water use must keep adapting. Local Infrastructure: CDOT bridge repairs are set to disrupt I-70 in Wheat Ridge with detours and lane closures, with impacts expected for commuters and nearby businesses. Housing for Teachers: Colorado’s CHFA Schools To Home program is being promoted as a practical fix for educator housing stress, aiming to help teachers buy where they work. Business & Finance: A Denver historic 1907 bank building remains vacant after a $22.4M renovation, with JLL pitching office, adaptive reuse, or residential conversion. Securities: A York Space Systems class action was filed in federal court in Colorado, with a lead plaintiff deadline of Oct. 30, 2026.

Energy & Courts: Michigan’s “Campbell” coal plant fight escalates as the U.S. Energy Department used emergency powers to keep it running, while the state AG and environmental groups challenge the move in federal court—at a reported cost of about $1M a day to ratepayers. Colorado Water Policy: The Colorado Water Conservation Board approved a one-year, state-run conservation program for 2027, using $100M from the Bureau of Reclamation to pay Upper Basin users for voluntary cutbacks, with rules aimed at avoiding harm to local systems and tribes. Data Centers & Water Use: A new report spotlights data centers’ “biggest and least visible” water use, adding fuel to Colorado’s ongoing debate over whether the sector is driving river cuts. Local Finance Partnerships: Douglas County School District renamed its Halftime Help Stadium to Canvas Credit Union Stadium under a partnership focused on student financial literacy. Health & Accountability: A former Intermountain Health employee in Colorado was sentenced to 18 months for stealing 100+ prescriptions from patients in severe pain. Outdoor & Tourism: Golden Gate Canyon State Park earned Colorado’s first Urban Night Sky Place designation from DarkSky International after retrofitting 96 light fixtures to cut light pollution.

Agriculture & Water Policy: Rep. Jeff Hurd and Sen. Michael Bennet introduced companion bills to keep Colorado farmers eligible for USDA “prevented planting” help when drought-driven irrigation shortfalls stop them from planting. Public Health & Consumer Safety: Colorado will receive nearly $2 million from Abbott Laboratories after a settlement over alleged misrepresentations about powdered infant formula safety, with state and federal claims tied to contamination risk. Western Slope Politics: Mesa County officials met with AG nominee Phil Weiser ahead of Club 20 debates, focusing on Western Slope visibility, unfunded mandates, and local concerns including wolves and water. Local Governance & Housing/Development: A new apartment-style hotel concept, StayAPT Suites, is moving into Yuma—an example of how lodging models are expanding to serve business and military travelers. Rural Fraud Watch: A Calhan-area farmer says he lost $20,000 after wiring money for a backhoe scam that used a fake-looking equipment listing. Environment & Land Use: Butterfly Pavilion wrapped up field surveys for a Broomfield pollinator corridor along Northwest Parkway, guiding habitat planting and long-term management.

Data Centers & Water: Arizona water experts say data centers aren’t the main driver of Colorado River cuts, but they are growing fast and do use a lot of water—raising local pressure as reservoirs hit record lows. Local Land-Use Fight: Los Angeles County paused new hyperscale AI data centers in unincorporated areas while it drafts a permanent ban, with a permanent ordinance expected to move through the Board of Supervisors. Colorado Industry Watch: In Rangely, residents are questioning a geothermal plan that could be funded by modular data centers, pushing for transparency, oversight, and possible moratoriums over water and community impacts. Critical Minerals Push: USA Rare Earth partnered with Pasqal and Riven Systems to use quantum machine learning and lab automation to speed rare-earth separation and cut energy use. Retail Expansion: Littleton is set for a 159,000-square-foot Costco warehouse opening in 2027, part of the Mineral Place redevelopment. Workforce & Privacy: Michigan’s upcoming pilot to track drivers’ miles via GPS and phones faces privacy concerns, with participation framed as voluntary.

FDA & Health: FDA specialists warned at a public workshop that testosterone prescriptions for menopausal women are rising, but key long-term safety questions remain unanswered since there’s no FDA-approved product for women. Cartel & Courts: A senior Sinaloa Cartel leader pleaded guilty in federal court to decades of cocaine trafficking and money laundering tied to the “Los Rusos” faction. Colorado Economy: Colorado’s cost-of-living pressure stayed front and center as lawmakers pointed to inflation, rising household strain, and Medicaid growth in the latest state economic outlook. Water & Power: At the Colorado River District seminar, leaders highlighted the $99 million Shoshone Power Plant water-rights purchase effort, citing progress and ongoing negotiations. Housing: Grand Junction approved terms for 48 affordable homes in the Salt Flats subdivision, moving a long-awaited project forward despite debate over pricing. Energy Costs for Industry: Diesel hit a new Colorado high around $6.12 a gallon, pushing trucking and small businesses toward a “tipping point” as costs flow into food and everyday prices. Public Health: Pueblo County reported two separate rabies-positive bats and urged pet vaccination and avoiding wildlife. Tech & Infrastructure: A Senate Democrat blocked a bill aimed at shielding Americans from data-center power-cost hikes.