Good morning, Denver.

A Denver nonprofit is hosting a donation drive at the Staenberg-Loup JCC lobby to collect snacks, beverages and cards for fire departments that controlled an apartment fire near S.

Leetsdale Drive and S. Forest Street. Preschoolers and local business owners join the drive to thank first responders for round-the-clock efforts.

Today at noon a kickoff parade featuring horses, performers + longhorn cattle will start at Union Station and continue down 17th St. to Glenarm Place, and the 120th National Western Stock Show will open Saturday with rodeos, horse shows, and a vendor hall downtown.

The Colorado Fiddle Championships take place at the National Western Stock Show opening weekend, adding rich local tradition to the event.

Linnea Kenney (president of the Colorado Old Time Fiddler’s Association) began playing the fiddle to honor her daughter Kaitlin and keep the music alive.

Nederland trustees approved a $120 million deal to buy Eldora Mountain Resort Tuesday night, moving the town closer to owning and operating its ski area.

The deal awaits final steps, including issuing revenue bonds + legal approvals.

CPB, the agency that funded local public media, dissolved on Monday after its board voted to shut it down following federal funding cuts in May.

Rocky Mountain PBS said the agency had provided about $3 million a year—roughly 10% of its operating budget.

After a record 831 flu hospitalizations were reported two days after Christmas, numbers dipped to 740 for the week ending Jan.

3, according to Colorado health officials. They warn that low vaccination rates and a new Influenza A strain mean the flu season remains severe.

Warm weather has delayed the Ouray Ice Park opening, leaving more rocks than ice and forcing ski resorts to limit available terrain, while the All In Ice Fest will run this weekend as operators adjust plans for safe winter recreation.

Crested Butte athlete Cam Smith won World Cup gold in December and will compete in ski mountaineering (skimo) at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy on Feb.

19 and 21. He will race in both relay and individual sprint events after returning to work at the adaptive sports center.