AM
Denver
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
Good morning, Denver. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ High school seniors from Rock Canyon High School in Ken Caryl now visit older adult Jacquie Cupich as part of the ongoing A Little Help program, which assists with chores & builds lasting relationships; the local nonprofit is seeking more volunteers to ease loneliness. Denver7
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Aurora Fox Arts Center offers a summer training program for grades 7–12 that runs July 6–25 and ends with performances of 'She Kills Monsters' at 9900 E. Colfax Ave, with auditions on June 20 and registration until June 15. Sentinel Colorado
- ➤ At Centennial's Holly Creek Retirement Community, internment camp survivors Carol Furuta and Ruth Kawamura recalled the harsh living conditions at Amache and urged Americans to speak up against immigration policies that echo past injustices. Their reflections stress the importance of remembering history to guide future actions. Sentinel Colorado
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Buckley Space Force Base posted a $2.4 billion economic impact (a $200 million decrease from last year) at an event held at Aurora City Hall on March 12. Base leaders detailed new projects including a power substation and AI data center to boost local economic growth. Sentinel Colorado
- ➤ Denver7's Shannon Ogden spoke with Michael Orlando (executive director of the J.P. Morgan Center for Commodities & Energy Management at the University of Colorado Denver) to explain that global shipping disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz are pushing local gasoline prices higher. Denver7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Parents, teachers, and school leaders testified Monday for Senate Bill 68 to lower the testing hours for 3-8 graders, who currently spend 8-11 hours on CMAS assessments; the Senate Education Committee approved the bill 4-3 and sent it to Appropriations for further review. Colorado Public Radio
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ At Spano Greenhouse (in North Denver), growers will begin planting early amid unusually warm, dry weather, though experts warn that low snowpack levels may lead to water shortages as Denver Water advises residents to keep automatic irrigation off until later May. Denver7
- ➤ Colorado sports betting generated record tax revenue in January + revenue now exceeds $5 million monthly and funds water conservation projects statewide such as the Lower North Fork Sediment Stabilization near Denver, which is expected to finish by the end of April. Denver7
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Colorado lawmakers are proposing harm reduction rules for sports betting apps that will limit deposits, push notifications + ad broadcasts during live games, and ban credit use for bets. A local health expert warns rising concerns about gambling addiction call for these measures. Denver7
- ➤ Governor Polis activated the Colorado Drought Task Force Tuesday after a warm, dry winter left most of the state in drought; state agencies will track low snowpack, soil moisture, and water levels as some municipalities already plan restrictions (Thornton and Durango) while forecasts call for ongoing dry conditions through June. Colorado Public Radio
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Colorado has nearly 1 million drivers over age 65 and experts advise families to plan for safe driving evaluations as seniors adjust to changes. The DMV requires an eye exam for drivers 80 and older — evaluations and conversations about driving skills can help preserve independence while ensuring safety. Colorado Public Radio
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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