The Sunriser | How cows became a vital part of wildfire prevention
Good morning, Sunriser readers!
Checking in from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I’ve spent the past week in the company of journalists from all over the West. It’s been an incredibly generative week, hearing how they think about and report in their communities — from Buffalo restoration on the Wind River Reservation to migrant shelters in northern Mexico.
At times our meetings can feel really dark, talking through stories of people and issues intentionally cast aside, thrown into shadow, often by people and policies those affected have no say in. But there’s a hopefulness that comes from knowing these stories won’t go untold.
Some of you may have left last night’s screening of “Stripped for Parts” with similarly conflicting feelings, and though I couldn’t be there, I heard it was a great event. Huge thanks to everyone who showed up, to those who stay engaged and who help us do the work we do.
Now before I can get sickeningly earnest, let’s dive into today’s stories.
WILDFIRE
It’s been a long time since Mrs. O’Leary’s cow was blamed for starting the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. Long enough that a herd of cows in Boulder is being used to prevent fast-moving grass fires by doing what they do best: eat and eat and eat some more. Tracy Ross has more.
OUTDOORS
Attendees at this year’s Outside Festival, nearly doubling last year’s number
The combination of an outdoor industry gathering (the Outside Summit) and a two-day music festival (the titular Outside Festival) is adding up to a weeklong destination for thousands — and has the potential to keep growing, Jason Blevins reports.
WATER
The unexpected discovery of uranium in rocks that had been quarried out of the Chimney Hollow Reservoir site has increased the need for monitoring by Northern Water, Jerd Smith reports, but there is no immediate threat to drinking water.
IMMIGRATION
Scott Moss, the director of the state’s Division of Labor Standards and Statistics, filed a whistleblower case alleging that Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered the department to turn over personal information to ICE about people who were providing homes for unaccompanied minor immigrant children, including insurance and employment records. Jennifer Brown has more on the allegations and why Moss argues such a turnover would violate state law.
MORE NEWS
THE COLORADO REPORT
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CARTOONS
In “What’d I Miss?” Myra and Ossie wonder how anyone could respond to a political opponent’s cancer diagnosis with snide remarks and fake conspiracy theories.
Jim Morrissey has found evidence confirming the demographic data that shows Colorado is, in fact, aging rapidly.
Drew Litton teases that Colorado’s women’s pro soccer team added a new investor in football star Peyton Manning, who knows exactly what he’s doing. Right?
The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.
CONVERSATION
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Hope you enjoy the weekend everyone, see you back here Monday.
— Parker & the whole staff of The Sun
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