Good morning, Denver.

A barn near Pueblo is now a donation center for families displaced by the Aspen Acres wildfire as over 2,000 firefighters battle multiple blazes amid 100-degree heat and dry conditions statewide; officials say a $165 million investment helped prepare Colorado for a tough fire year.

Aurora and Denver offer diverse arts events this weekend and beyond (a colonial musical and comedy play at Vintage Theatre through July 19, live music at Stanley Marketplace on Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m., and interactive exhibits at local museums); check venues for tickets and times.

Governor Jared Polis announced on Friday that Colorado Pavilion was named Best in Show at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

The pavilion, developed by state and local partners (including the Colorado Tourism Office and state commissions), showcased Colorado’s outdoor and cowboy heritage.

A recent analysis found that 1,753 federal public lands jobs were cut in Colorado in 2025, the highest among six western states.

Park workers worry these cuts may hamper park safety and maintenance during the busy summer fire season.