AM
Denver
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026
Good morning, Denver. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 22nd of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Authorities continue a search for 27-year-old Kaden Sites, missing since April 15 near Mount Shavano, after covering over 3,000 linear miles in Chaffee County; volunteers are now invited to join the effort from open fields near Blanks Cabin Trailhead (officials warn the backcountry is dangerous for the inexperienced). Denver7
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Pueblo artist Bonnie Waugh uncovered a haunting Holocaust painting among donated artwork from a church garage sale near Beulah and identified it as by survivor Jacob Barosin; his family arranged its transfer to the Museum of the Bible in Washington (where it will be preserved). Colorado Public Radio
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Colorado lawmakers moved forward Senate Bill 23 — the School Finance Act — to increase K-12 funding to $10.2B for the 2026-27 school year. The act, approved unanimously in the Senate Education Committee, will be heard next in Senate Appropriations before heading to the House and the governor. Colorado Public Radio
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ USGS scientists are using a new eDNA autosampler— a $29,595 robot— in the Colorado River near Glen Canyon Dam to detect invasive species that threaten native fish and local crops. State officials plan to deploy it soon in Grand Junction’s canals to monitor zebra mussels. Colorado Public Radio
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Colorado lawmakers removed a ban on prop bets from Senate Bill 131 Tuesday in an effort to ease budget losses, reducing revenue impact from $2.4 million to $800,000. The bill continues to ban credit card sports bets and now moves to the full Senate and House for a final vote. Colorado Public Radio
- ➤ Edited photos from a small plane incident at Centennial Airport on April 19 raised concerns about agency image practices to protect privacy and trust. South Metro Fire Rescue said it used Adobe Lightroom (solely to remove the tail number) and denied AI involvement, while experts noted the edits sparked debate. Denver7
- ➤ South-metro communities show mixed views on the new wildfire resiliency code; Littleton and Centennial adopted the rules for new builds while Greenwood Village delayed action—citing an inaccurate map—with compliance required by the end of July and a review set for September 30. Denver7
- ➤ Tuesday, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission approved a fracking plan near Aurora Reservoir in a close vote (3 to 2). Local groups remain disappointed and will meet later this week to decide whether to take further action. Sentinel Colorado
- ➤ Retired four-star Gen. Hyten warned at a Colorado Springs panel that Colorado must build AI data centers to support local Space Force bases, otherwise missions could move elsewhere — lawmakers and residents debate environmental costs. Bluestaq CEO Harvey said a study will assess nuclear power to supply these centers. Colorado Public Radio
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow.
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