Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Underground Music Showcase Announces 2026 Lineup for First Festival in the RiNo Art District

More than 200 performances and one of the festival’s largest local lineups to date will take over 12+ venues and creative spaces across RiNo July 24–26

DENVER — (May 14, 2026) — The Underground Music Showcase (UMS), Denver’s longest-running independent music festival, in partnership with the RiNo Business Improvement District (BID) and experiential agency Two Parts, today unveiled the lineup for its 2026 festival in the River North (RiNo) Art District July 24–26. The three-day festival brings together nationally touring artists, breakout acts, and one of the festival’s largest local lineups to date, featuring more than 200 performances across main stages, independent venues, and creative spaces throughout RiNo.

Headlining artists span a wide range of sounds, from 54 Ultra’s nostalgic blend of Latin soul, disco, and synth-driven rock to slenderbodies’ dreamy indie electronic textures and Goldie Boutilier’s cinematic mix of noir-pop, Americana, and alt-country storytelling. Other artists include Kaash Paige, Tommy Newport, Charlotte Sands, MAVI, Twin Shadow, King Mala, Deb Never, The Droptines, and BAD NERVES, alongside more than 160 local artists performing.

“This year’s lineup really reflects what UMS has always been about — putting local artists and nationally touring acts in conversation with each other,” said Keanan Stoner, UMS Festival Director. “We have artists coming through Denver appearing at festivals like Coachella, Outside Lands, and Lollapalooza this year, but what makes UMS special is getting to experience them in a more intimate, discovery-driven setting alongside the artists shaping Denver’s music scene. We’re excited to bring that experience into RiNo in a way that still feels unmistakably UMS.”

At this year’s UMS, fans can expect to hear a wide range of genres and sounds, ranging from moody alternative R&B, dreamy indie electronic, and synth-driven indie rock to jazz-influenced experimental hip-hop, cinematic alt-pop, modern Americana, and high-energy punk rock. Fans can explore the lineup through an interactive page where attendees can learn more about artists and “favorite” acts ahead of the scheduled release, making discovery part of the experience well before festival weekend.

RiNo’s dense, walkable layout allows festivalgoers to move easily between shows while exploring one of the nation’s top art districts. Home to more than 100 small businesses and 200 colorful murals from global and local artists, the neighborhood is filled with independent restaurants, bars, galleries, breweries, and creative spaces, making it easy for attendees to grab a meal, enjoy a beverage, or spend time exploring the district between sets.

“Discovering new artists and experiencing them in unexpected venues is central to the UMS experience, and RiNo creates the perfect environment for that spirit to keep growing,” said Terry Madeksza, Executive Director of the RiNo BID. “Throughout the weekend, music will spill out across venues, bars, galleries, creative studios, and other spaces, giving people new ways to explore RiNo, discover new artists, and support the more than 100 businesses that make the district so special. UMS is exactly the kind of district-wide experience RiNo was built for.”

With weekend passes starting at $95, UMS continues its commitment to accessibility through approachable pricing and community-centered programming that welcomes longtime attendees and first-time fans alike.

Additional programming details, venue announcements, and schedule information will be released in the coming weeks. Weekend passes are available at www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com.

About UMS

Founded in 2001, the Underground Music Showcase (UMS) is Denver’s longest-running independent music festival, built around music discovery and supporting the local community, shaping Denver’s music scene. Each summer, UMS brings together local artists, breakout acts, and nationally touring musicians across stages, independent venues, and unexpected creative spaces in Denver. UMS is committed to supporting artists at every level through fair compensation and creating spaces where their work can be heard, celebrated, and sustained. Through a new partnership with the RiNo Business Improvement District and experiential agency Two Parts, UMS remains locally owned and powered by RiNo businesses, helping reinvest in local artists and support venues while keeping the festival grounded in the community that shapes it. Learn more about UMS at www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com

About the RiNo Business Improvement District (BID)

Established in 2015, the RiNo Business Improvement District (BID) works to support a vibrant, inclusive, and economically strong River North community by championing local artists, creatives, and businesses. Funded by commercial property owners within the district, the RiNo BID invests in programs and services prioritized by the community to strengthen the creative economy, enhance the public realm, and support the long-term vitality of the district. For more information, please visit: www.rinoartdistrict.org/about/rino-bid/about

About Two Parts

Founded in 2012, Two Parts is a Denver-based experiential and creative agency specializing in the design and execution of festivals and events and the brands behind them. Drawing inspiration from art, design, entertainment, food, music, and culture, Two Parts brings bold ideas to life through strategic creativity, meticulous production, and collaborative partnerships. With end-to-end capabilities spanning creative strategy, event management, and experiential marketing, Two Parts creates memorable moments that foster engagement and build community. Learn more at www.twoparts.com.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Friday, May 15, 2026

Media Contacts:

Lyndsy Morse-Casillas, City of Boulder Media Relations, 720-610-7524

Natalie Miller, City of Lafayette Media Relations, 303-661-1250

Homeownership Program, 303-441-3157

www.bouldercolorado.gov

City of Boulder partners with City of Lafayette to expand Affordable Homeownership Program to a regional model

Two Lafayette homes have been added to the program and will be sold at below market-rate prices to income-eligible buyers.

BOULDER, Colo. – The Boulder Regional Affordable Homeownership Program, a City of Boulder homeownership program, has expanded to a regional model. Thanks to a partnership with the City of Lafayette, two Lafayette homes are now listed and accepting applications from certified applicants.

“This collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to ensuring that residents across Boulder County have access to stable, attainable homeownership opportunities,” said Lafayette Mayor Tapia Vega. “By joining the regional program, we’re advancing Lafayette’s goal of promoting long?term affordability that supports families, local workers, and the overall health of our community.”

Homes in the Boulder Regional Affordable Homeownership Program are sold at below market-rate prices to income-eligible buyers who intend to occupy the homes. Homes are permanently affordable and governed by an Affordability Covenant that limits the resale price and places other restrictions on the home. While most homes in the program are in the city of Boulder, the program will continue to expand throughout Boulder County.

“Through the Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership, established in 2018, municipalities are collectively tackling the region’s affordable housing challenges,” said Jay Sugnet, housing senior manager with the City of Boulder. “The Regional Housing Partnership’s Boulder Regional Affordable Homeownership Program is a unique opportunity to create and preserve affordable homeownership opportunities for community members throughout Boulder County who otherwise would not be able to afford to purchase a market-rate home.”

The marketing period for these Lafayette homes has been increased from 30 to 60 days to give interested buyers time to gather the required documentation and apply to the program. The new homes are:

• 775 Bedivere Cir – Lafayette – 4 Bed, 2 Bath – $402,200
• 1585 Sagrimore Cir – Lafayette – 3 Bed, 1 Bath – $262,100

Who Qualifies?

This program offers opportunities for homeownership to those with low, moderate, and middle incomes. To qualify, households must:

• Be under certain income and asset maximums. Each home has its own income limit.
• Complete the city orientation and homebuyer education class.
• Have a minimum of $2,000 toward down payment/closing costs.
• Meet additional program requirements.

View all requirements on the city’s website.

How are buyers selected?

All homes in the Boulder Regional Affordable Homeownership Program go through a Fair Selection Process to identify a buyer.

Households that enter the Fair Selection Process are sorted into tiers based on where their job is located, how long they have worked there, and how long they have been continuously certified for the program. If there is more than one household in a tier, then a random drawing occurs.

All newly listed homes require a 30-day period, increased to 60 days for the new Lafayette homes, during which time certified applicants can submit a Fair Selection Process entry form. If a home does not have a buyer after this period, any certified and eligible buyer can submit an offer for the home.

Before entering the Fair Selection Process for a home, interested applicants must become program-certified. View all homes for sale and find more information about how to apply to the program on the city’s website.

–CITY–

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Monday, May 18, 2026

Media Contact: Antonia-Mia Gallegos, Media Relations, 303-413-7299

bouldercolorado.gov

City of Boulder closures for Memorial Day holiday, May 25

BOULDER, Colo. – All City of Boulder administrative facilities and Age Well Centers will be closed Monday, May 25, for the Memorial Day holiday. The following facilities and services will be open:

• Recreation centers
  • Due to street closures associated with the BOLDERBoulder, the North Boulder Recreation Center will be open from 1:30 to 6 p.m.
  • East Boulder Community Center and South Boulder Recreation Center will be closed.
• Scott Carpenter Pool lap lanes and leisure pool areas will be open from 1:30 to 6 p.m.
• Spruce Pool will be open from 1:30 to 6 p.m.
• Boulder Reservoir will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the swim area open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekday permits are not valid on Memorial Day.
• Flatirons Golf Course will be open from sunrise to sunset for tee times, depending on weather conditions.
• Open Space and Mountain Parks trails and trailheads will be open. Plan your visit to Boulder’s trails and open spaces.

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, parking is free on city streets and in all city-owned lots and downtown garages. Paid parking is in effect at/near Chautauqua Park on the holiday.

The free Park-to-Park shuttle to Chautauqua runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays beginning Saturday, May 23, through Labor Day, Sept. 7. For city parking information, visit the Parking Guide.

Community members should be aware that there will be heavy traffic impacts and road closures on Monday, May 25, due to the BOLDERBoulder. It is recommended to use alternative transportation and parking options during this time.

— CITY–

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Media Contact:

Sam Clusman, Media Relations, 303-441-4247

bouldercolorado.gov

City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks earns Leave No Trace Gold Standard site designation

In June, Leave No Trace and Boulder OSMP staff will team up to deliver community-based stewardship projects

BOULDER, Colo. – The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department has earned the Leave No Trace Gold Standard site designation from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, to recognize leadership in conservation, visitor education, and responsible outdoor recreation. At the same time, OSMP was named to the 2026 Spotlights program, joining 12 communities nationwide that are taking meaningful actions to protect outdoor spaces through onsite education and restoration efforts.

“This recognition reflects years of thoughtful, intentional work by our Open Space and Mountain Parks team to balance access to the outdoors with the responsibility to protect it,” said Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “Boulder’s open space is central to our community’s identity, and OSMP continues to lead in showing how recreation and conservation can go hand in hand when we all share in caring for these places.”

From June 4 to 7, Leave No Trace staff will partner with OSMP to host a series of community events focused on continued education, restoration, and stewardship. The city will formally celebrate its Gold Standard Designation with the community during an education event at Chautauqua Park on June 7.

“The goal with Gold Standard Sites and Spotlights recognition is to showcase the power of communities coming together to protect the outdoor spaces they care about,” said Dana Watts, the executive director of Leave No Trace. “It’s exciting to recognize OSMP’s ongoing commitment to conservation—they’re a fantastic example of how to implement Leave No Trace education effectively. It’s particularly rewarding for us because Leave No Trace is headquartered in Boulder—our staff gets to enjoy properties that OSMP oversees on a daily basis.”

Spotlight Events are free and open to all ages and abilities. More information can be found on the Leave No Trace webpage.

Thursday, June 4: Leave No Trace Trivia Night, 6 to 8 p.m. at Fjallraven Boulder.

Leave No Trace team will host a trivia night with questions about Leave No Trace practices and the Boulder area ecosystem. Attendees can test their knowledge, win prizes, and learn more about Leave No Trace ethics.

Saturday, June 6: National Trails Day Stewardship Project, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrate National Trails Day by volunteering to make the Hidden Valley trail accessible to all-terrain hand cycles. This work will support a larger mission of making an interconnected system of handcycle accessible trails at Boulder Valley Ranch. Lunch will be provided. Learn more and register.

Sunday, June 7: Gold Standard Designation Ceremony & Education Table, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Find OSMP and Leave No Trace staff at Chautauqua Park trailhead for family-friendly games and information about how you play a role in both enjoying and protecting our natural spaces. Join us in celebrating the official Gold Standard Designation with Leave No Trace at 10 a.m.

About Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the outdoors through science, education, and stewardship. By providing research-backed education and programs, Leave No Trace works to ensure a sustainable future for people and the natural world.

www.LNT.org

–CITY–

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Independent Journalism Starts With Independent Support

For 26 years, Yellow Scene has remained fiercely independent.

As Boulder County and the North Metro’s only independent, locally owned news platform, we have asked difficult questions, fact-checked powerful institutions, and covered the stories shaping our communities.

Because journalism matters. Whether the story is unfolding in Washington or at your local Town Hall.

Yellow Scene remains free from quid pro quo, free from corporate ownership, and free from outside boards shaping editorial direction. We answer to our readers. That independence matters now more than ever.

But independence is not free.

Reader-driven support keeps local journalism unbought and unbossed, and our journalists fed.

Our goal is ambitious: 1,000 Sustaining Supporters by the end of summer.

Monthly support of $8, $80, $800, or $8 million gets Yellow Scene delivered to your home and strengthens independent, local journalism.

The first 50 new Sustaining Supporters will receive either a complimentary pint from Cellar West Brewery or a free pass to The Spot.

Producing honest journalism has never been easy. But keeping it independent is worth protecting.

If Yellow Scene has informed you, challenged you, made you think, or helped you better understand your community, we hope you’ll stand with us. Become a supporter today.

Journalism That Answers to Readers

The post 2026 Summer Support Drive | Journalism That Answers to Readers appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Monday, May 18, 2026

Media Contacts:

Aisha Ozaslan, Media Relations, 303-501-2318

Sydney Schieffer, Senior Transportation Planner, 720-948-9347

bouldercolorado.gov

Free Park-to-Park shuttle to Chautauqua begins 2026 season on Saturday, May 23

Service runs weekends and summer holidays through Labor Day, Sept. 7

BOULDER, Colo. – On Saturday, May 23, the City of Boulder begins service for the free Park-to-Park shuttle service to and from Chautauqua Park via several stops around Boulder, including downtown Boulder, University Hill, and along Broadway. The service includes free shuttle parking and is a convenient, fast, and stress-free way to visit Chautauqua while reducing impacts to the park and the surrounding neighborhood.

The shuttle runs every weekend and on summer holidays from Saturday, May 23, through Monday, Sept. 7. Included city holidays are Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Details include:

• The shuttle runs every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and picks up passengers from 19 bus stops marked with Park-to-Park shuttle signage. For real-time shuttle schedule and information, download the Transit app.
• Visitors can park for free at downtown city parking garages, where parking is always free on weekends and holidays. Special events and summer maintenance work may impact parking availability. The 11th and Spruce parking garage will be closed for construction this season.
• For $2.50 per hour from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the shuttle season, visitors can park along the Chautauqua Park green parking areas, on Baseline Road near the park, at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage lot, and in the neighborhood north of Chautauqua Park. Download the ParkMobile app or pay at a nearby pay station. Paid parking during the peak season helps keep the shuttle service free to the public and reduces vehicular impacts to the area.
• Shuttles feature bike racks. Dogs, strollers, and hiking gear are also welcome aboard.
• City garage parking and shuttles are ADA-accessible for people using wheelchairs. Free accessible parking is also available in Chautauqua Park in the Ranger Cottage lot and around the Chautauqua Park green parking area.
• Visitors can speak to program ambassadors stationed near the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage for customer service support.
• The city also partners with BCycle and Lime to provide more travel choices to more people, including to support managing access to Chautauqua. The nearest Lime Grove, or mandatory parking corral, is located on Baseline Road, just west of Lincoln Place. A BCycle station is available on Baseline Road near the park. E-bikes and e-scooters are not allowed on any trails in Chautauqua Park, and these shared devices use location-based technology to manage operations and parking.

Park-to-Park is part of the city’s Chautauqua Access Management Plan (CAMP). With Chautauqua Park being one of Boulder’s most in-demand destinations, CAMP seeks to better manage access to the park while minimizing impacts to the neighborhood and the area’s natural and cultural resources. The shuttle is supported by the City of Boulder and Visit Boulder, the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau, and is operated by Via Mobility Services.

Boulder community members can also access many nearby outdoor destinations via bus or shuttle, including the free Eldo Shuttle to Eldorado Canyon State Park and the city’s Marshall Mesa, Doudy Draw, and South Mesa trailheads, the free Hessie Shuttle to the Hessie Trailhead, and the seasonal Bustang to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. The Park-2-Park also connects with the Eldo shuttle at the 27th Way Park-n-Ride stop.

For more information, visit ParktoPark.org.

— CITY —

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Media Contact: Chynna Roberts | chynna.roberts@state.co.us

DENVER, COLORADO (May 5, 2026) — The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Natriece Bryant as its new Deputy Executive Director and Chief Administrative Officer, effective May 18, 2026. Bryant brings more than two decades of leadership experience across state and local government and the private sector, with deep expertise in operations, budgeting, infrastructure planning, and strategic policy implementation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Natriece Bryant to CDEC’s executive leadership team,” said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. “Natriece brings a wealth of experience leading complex systems and delivering results that strengthen communities. Her strategic mindset, operational expertise, and commitment to public service will be instrumental as we continue building a strong, coordinated early childhood system for Colorado’s children, families, and early childhood professionals.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside an incredible team at CDEC. Together, we will continue to listen, innovate, and deliver solutions that meet the needs of Colorado’s children, families, and providers,” said Natrice Bryant, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.

Most recently, Bryant has served as a Strategic Advisor and Senior Director – Advisory and Planning with WSP, where she developed and implemented strategic plans for infrastructure projects nationwide. In this role, she analyzed market trends and regulatory environments to inform transportation, urban development, environmental, and asset management planning. She also provided budgetary guidance and financial modeling to assess project feasibility and return on investment, while navigating federal, state, and local policies to support large-scale project delivery and client procurement strategies. At the Denver Public Library, Bryant served as Chief Operations Officer and directed all operational functions for the system. She oversaw a $94 million operating budget and a $7 million capital budget tied to Denver bond programs.

Bryant has also held multiple senior leadership roles within the State of Colorado, where she has built a strong track record of operational, financial, and enterprise-wide leadership. She served as Deputy Chief Customer Officer for the Governor’s Office of Information Technology, where she led technology operations and service delivery for 17 state agencies, strengthening security compliance, regulatory adherence, and statewide system performance. Before that, she served as Deputy Executive Director for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, overseeing department-wide operations, financial management, strategic planning, and fiduciary compliance across housing, local government, taxation, and disaster recovery programs. Earlier in her state service, she was Consumer Education and Public Outreach Manager for the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, where she directed statewide communications and education strategies for the financial services and banking divisions, strengthening public engagement and consumer awareness across the state.

Bryant’s appointment reflects CDEC’s continued focus on strong operational leadership and strategic alignment as the department advances its mission to support young children, families, and early childhood professionals across Colorado.

Comunicado de prensa

El Departamento de Primera Infancia de Colorado anuncia a Natriece Bryant como nueva subdirectora ejecutiva y directora administrativa

DENVER, COLORADO (El 5 de mayo de 2026) — El Departamento de Primera Infancia de Colorado (CDEC) se complace en anunciar el nombramiento de Natriece Bryant como su nueva subdirectora ejecutiva y directora administrativa, con vigencia a partir del 18 de mayo de 2026. Bryant aporta más de dos décadas de experiencia en liderazgo en el gobierno estatal y local, así como en el sector privado, con una sólida trayectoria en operaciones, presupuestos, planificación de infraestructura e implementación de políticas estratégicas.

“Nos alegra dar la bienvenida a Natriece Bryant al equipo de liderazgo ejecutivo de CDEC”, dijo la Dra. Lisa Roy, directora ejecutiva del Departamento de Primera Infancia de Colorado. “Natriece aporta una amplia experiencia liderando sistemas complejos y logrando resultados que fortalecen a las comunidades. Su visión estratégica, su experiencia operativa y su compromiso con el servicio público serán fundamentales mientras seguimos construyendo un sistema de primera infancia sólido y coordinado para los niños, las familias y los profesionales de la primera infancia en Colorado.”

“Agradezco la oportunidad de servir junto a un equipo increíble en CDEC. Juntos, seguiremos escuchando, innovando y ofreciendo soluciones que respondan a las necesidades de los niños, las familias y los proveedores en Colorado”, dijo Natriece Bryant, subdirectora ejecutiva y directora administrativa del Departamento de Primera Infancia de Colorado.

Más recientemente, Bryant se ha desempeñado como asesora estratégica y directora sénior de asesoría y planificación en WSP, donde desarrolló e implementó planes estratégicos para proyectos de infraestructura a nivel nacional. En este rol, analizó tendencias del mercado y entornos regulatorios para informar la planificación en transporte, desarrollo urbano, medio ambiente y gestión de activos. También brindó orientación presupuestaria y modelos financieros para evaluar la viabilidad de proyectos y el retorno de inversión, mientras navegaba políticas federales, estatales y locales para apoyar la ejecución de proyectos de gran escala y estrategias de adquisición de clientes. En la Biblioteca Pública de Denver, Bryant se desempeñó como directora de operaciones, liderando todas las funciones operativas del sistema. Supervisó un presupuesto operativo de 94 millones de dólares y un presupuesto de capital de 7 millones de dólares vinculado a programas de bonos de la ciudad de Denver.

Bryant también ha ocupado múltiples puestos de liderazgo en el Estado de Colorado, donde ha construido una sólida trayectoria en liderazgo operativo, financiero y a nivel institucional. Fue subdirectora de atención al cliente en la Oficina de Tecnología de la Información del Gobernador, donde lideró las operaciones tecnológicas y la prestación de servicios para 17 agencias estatales, fortaleciendo el cumplimiento de seguridad, la adherencia regulatoria y el desempeño de los sistemas a nivel estatal. Antes de eso, se desempeñó como subdirectora ejecutiva del Departamento de Asuntos Locales de Colorado, supervisando las operaciones del departamento, la gestión financiera, la planificación estratégica y el cumplimiento fiduciario en programas de vivienda, gobierno local, impuestos y recuperación ante desastres. En una etapa anterior de su servicio estatal, fue gerente de educación al consumidor y divulgación pública en el Departamento de Agencias Reguladoras de Colorado, donde dirigió estrategias estatales de comunicación y educación para las divisiones de servicios financieros y banca, fortaleciendo la participación pública y la conciencia del consumidor en todo el estado.

El nombramiento de Bryant refleja el enfoque continuo de CDEC en un liderazgo operativo sólido y la alineación estratégica, mientras el departamento avanza en su misión de apoyar a los niños pequeños, las familias y los profesionales de la primera infancia en todo Colorado.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

May 21, 2026

Matt Inzeo, Communications Director | 303-909-9615 | matthew.inzeo@state.co.us

CDOT Unveils Transportation Plan for Next 10 Years

Plan is a Comprehensive Roadmap to Fix Roads, Advance Safety and Increase Transportation Choice

Statewide — The Colorado Department of Transportation has formally approved its comprehensive 10-Year Plan for over 250 projects across the state. This comprehensive plan serves as an action-oriented investment strategy roadmap, designed to enhance the state’s economy, preserve the quality of life for all residents, and ensure a more connected and efficient transportation network for the next decade.

“This 10-Year Plan is part of our firm commitment to a safer, more connected future for every Coloradan,“ said Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “This plan was developed through countless conversations with Colorado residents, local elected officials, technical experts, and many others dedicated to improving Colorado’s roads. Even in a time of limited financial resources, this plan reflects the unique landscape of our state, helps to maintain and enhance our roads and bridges, and improves safety for every member of the traveling public. We can make a meaningful improvement to fix our roads, make them safer, and give people more and better choices for getting around.”

CDOT’s most recent 10-Year Plan has already delivered measurable progress in improving pavement conditions across the state. Recent performance trends show steady gains in the percentage of roadways in good condition and continued reductions in those in poor condition. These results demonstrate that sustained, strategic investment is moving the needle today, and will continue to drive improvements for Colorado’s transportation system in the decade ahead. This focus is evident as approximately 55% of all 10-Year Plan projects include pavement work.

The 10-Year Plan is a targeted subset of the broader Statewide Transportation Plan, helping translate the long-term vision of the recently updated Statewide Transportation Plan into a clear, measurable pipeline of priority projects throughout Colorado. Focusing on near- and mid-term implementation, the 10-Year Plan provides transparency into how state funds are allocated and how each project aligns with the evolving transportation needs of the state.

The strategy of the 10-Year Plan is built around the Colorado Department of Transportation’s three core pillars that will guide investment decisions for the next decade:

• Fix our roads: Prioritizing significantly improving infrastructure conditions through the repair or replacement of aging bridges and miles of roadway across every region.
• Advance transportation safety: Implementing critical safety projects to help ensure that every traveler arrives at their destination securely, regardless of their mode of travel.
• Sustainably increase transportation choices: Expanding multimodal connections and providing viable alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle travel.

Key initiatives within this 10-Year Plan include the Colorado Mountain Rail and Front Range Passenger Rail projects, which are designed to sustainably enhance transportation options by developing a passenger rail network that connects mountain towns and Front Range communities with Denver. These rail initiatives leverage existing infrastructure to meet increasing demand for efficient and safe travel alternatives in Colorado.

Additionally, the Federal Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit project will implement 18 miles of dedicated infrastructure and stations from 120th Avenue to Dartmouth Avenue, providing high-frequency transit while supporting essential pedestrian and bicycle facilities in a busy urban commuting environment.

On the eastern plains, the I-70 Concrete Reconstruction project from Genoa to Arriba will improve safety and long-term highway durability by reconstructing several miles of poorly rated pavement on one of the state’s most critical freight corridors, resulting in a more reliable and smoother ride for travelers.

In the mountains, the I-70 Glenwood Canyon Critical Asset Repair project will focus on the most deteriorated sections of the corridor, replacing guardrails with modern systems that meet current crash testing standards to help ensure the long-term reliability of this vital interstate link. These are just some examples of a large portfolio of over 250 projects that represent CDOT’s commitment to fixing our roads, advancing transportation safety, and sustainably expanding multimodal investments across the state.

“Our investment strategy allows us to continue our commitment to serve all Coloradans, from new rail networks along the front range to vital pavement reconstruction projects on eastern I-70,” said Darius Pakbaz, director of CDOT’s Division of Transportation Development. “These over 250 projects reflect a truly statewide vision and directly address the diverse transportation needs we heard from communities across Colorado.”

The creation of this 10-Year Plan is deeply rooted in public collaboration and is a direct reflection of the people it serves. Its development was informed by an extensive and robust public outreach process that engaged local governments, transportation partners, community organizations, and thousands of individual residents. CDOT extends its deepest gratitude to every Coloradan who took the time to submit comments, participate in town hall meetings, and share their priorities. This collaborative feedback from across the state helped ensure that this 10-Year Plan reflects the diverse needs of all of Colorado’s communities, making it a truly statewide vision.

For more information on the 10-Year Plan and to view the complete project list, please visit the official CDOT 10-Year Plan website.

About CDOT

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide the best multi-modal transportation system that most effectively and safely moves people, goods and information. CDOT maintains more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,400 bridges and 35 mountain passes. Our team of employees works tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. CDOT leverages partnerships with a range of private and public organizations and operates Bustang, an interregional express bus service. Find more details at codot.gov.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

May 19, 2026

Stacia Sellers

CDOT Maintenance & Operations Communications Lead

720-280-5291 | stacia.sellers@state.co.us

CDOT launches emergency tree cutting project to reduce wildfire risk along state highways

Work underway on five high-risk corridors along the Front Range and foothills

Front Range – The Colorado Department of Transportation began a $4 million emergency tree cutting project targeting state highway corridors determined to be at the highest risk for wildfires this summer. Work is expected to continue through the end of June.

The project is being performed by two contractors, VM West and Asplundh, and covers five highway corridors:

• Colorado Highway 119 from Mile Point 0 to 40 (from US 6 in Clear Creek Canyon north to the Nederland area)
• Colorado Highway 72 from MP 10 to 53 (from Coal Creek Canyon through Pinecliffe and Nederland to near Allenspark)
• Colorado Highway 93 from MP 7 to 10 (between Golden and Boulder)
• Colorado Highway 128 from MP 1 to 3 (near the junction with CO 93, west of Broomfield)
• Colorado Highway 67 from MP 77 to 100 (from the Woodland Park area north toward Westcreek)

Crews will work Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., advancing approximately three miles per day.

“Reducing fuel loads along our highway corridors is a critical step in protecting both our infrastructure and the communities these roads serve,” said Jim Fox, CDOT’s deputy director of maintenance. “This emergency project allows us to address the highest-risk areas quickly and aggressively before fire season peaks.”

Motorists traveling through active work areas should expect alternating one-lane traffic controlled by flaggers. Signage is in place along affected corridors to alert drivers of upcoming tree-cutting activities. Drivers are urged to slow down, follow flagger instructions, and remain alert when passing through work zones.

Additional highway corridors may be added to the project scope if funding allows. Once the project funds are exhausted, work will conclude. Motorists can check current road conditions and project updates at COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app.

About CDOT’s Division of Maintenance and Operations

The vision of the Division of Maintenance & Operations (DMO) is to create one integrated division. The division’s focus is on real-time maintenance and operations services, as well as near-term improvement projects. We can best support the crucial work of our five CDOT regions. Our support helps to provide the optimal service and safety for the traveling public in Colorado. CDOT’s DMO – we do more than you think.

Download the COtrip Planner App!

The free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!

About CDOT

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide the best multi-modal transportation system that most effectively and safely moves people, goods, and information. CDOT maintains more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,400 bridges, and 35 mountain passes. Our team of employees works tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. CDOT leverages partnerships with a range of private and public organizations and operates Bustang, an interregional express bus service. Find more details at codot.gov.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Media Contacts

Firearms Dealer Division: dor_edo@state.co.us

Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Travis Duncan, Travis.Duncan@state.co.us

Colorado Bureau of Investigations: Rob Low, Rob.Low@state.co.us

Today, the Department of Revenue, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are requesting feedback from Coloradans, stakeholders, and industry experts to help inform final guidance on SB25-003 that will be issued in July.

Signed by Governor Jared Polis in April 2025, Senate Bill 25-003 promotes public safety by requiring firearm safety training and an eligibility card issued by a sheriff to purchase and/or transfer specified semiautomatic firearms. SB25-003 also prohibits the purchase and sale of all rapid-fire conversion devices, like bump stocks and binary triggers.

The Firearms Dealer Division (FDD) within the Department of Revenue, CPW, and CBI are actively working with stakeholders, industry experts, and advocates to ensure different perspectives are captured and considered as they implement the new law.

Proposed Specified Semiautomatic Firearm Guidance

On May 15, the FDD published and made available draft guidance about specific models of firearms, as required by SB25-003.

As part of its commitment to an open and transparent process, the FDD shared a form for anyone to submit feedback and comments on the proposed firearms guidance. This form will remain open until midnight on June 5, 2026. The FDD will release the official guidance on July 1, 2026, and the new law will take effect on August 1, 2026.

Firearms Safety Program

As part of the legislation, starting August 1, 2026, individuals must obtain an eligibility card from their sheriff and complete a firearms safety course before purchasing or transferring a Specified Semiautomatic Firearm (SSF). This law only affects those who will purchase and transfer SSFs after August 1, 2026. Those who are in possession of an SSF prior to August 1, 2026, are not affected by this new legislation.

For updated information from CPW on how to purchase or transfer an SSF beginning August 1, visit CPW’s Firearms Safety Program page.

Background Checks

The CBI InstaCheck Unit has prepared and trained an additional 20 reserve staff members from various sections within the CBI to prepare for the implementation of SB25-003.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

For Immediate Release

May 20, 2026

Media Contact: Natalie Springett, nspringett@bouldercounty.gov

Email the Commissioners: commissioners@bouldercounty.gov

Jana Petersen Resigns as County Administrator

Commissioners thank Petersen for her years of service and exceptional leadership

• County Administrator Jana Petersen’s last day at Boulder County will be Aug. 11.
• The Boulder County Commissioners will begin a recruitment process and appoint an interim County Administrator.
• To receive this information in another language, please email colist@bouldercounty.gov.

Boulder County, Colo. -The Boulder County Commissioners announced today (May 20) that County Administrator Jana Petersen has resigned, effective Aug. 11. She and her family are relocating to Santa Barbara County, CA, where Petersen has accepted a position as County Executive.

“Jana’s years of dedicated public service and exceptional leadership have had a lasting impact on Boulder County,” Commissioner Claire Levy said. “As the county’s first and only County Administrator, she has played a critical role in shaping the organization and advancing many of the county’s accomplishments. While her departure is a significant loss for our leadership team, we are grateful for the strong foundation she leaves behind and look forward to the next chapter for this position and for Boulder County. Santa Barbara County is lucky to have Jana’s talent and commitment to public service.”

“Boulder County has been my home for nearly three decades,” Petersen said. “Everything I’ve learned in my public service career has come from the people and places here. It’s bittersweet for that to end, because I love this community. At the same time, I’m looking forward to learning and leading in a new community when I move to Santa Barbara later this summer.”

Petersen’s career at Boulder County began in 1996 as a public information officer. Starting in 1999, she worked for six years at the city of Boulder in different executive roles, including assistant city manager. She returned to Boulder County as deputy to the Board of County Commissioners in 2005. She was promoted later to Administrative Services Director and was appointed as the first-ever Boulder County Administrator in 2020, when the commissioners decided to reorganize county government.

During Petersen’s tenure as County Administrator, Boulder County reshaped its services to be more accessible and virtual in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, the county team responded to support victims of the devastating Marshall Wildfire and Wind Event, earning praise from state and federal officials for the speed and effectiveness of recovery work. County staff also completed several critical infrastructure projects, including construction and opening of the Joe Pelle Center, as well as opening of the Southeast Community Hub in Lafayette and design of a Boulder Community Hub, scheduled to open later this year at 2525 28th Street. The new Hubs are modeled after the St. Vrain Community Hub in Longmont, as a one-stop shop for residents needing county services.

“The collaboration and teamwork at Boulder County have made such a positive impact during my time here,” Petersen said. “As I leave this role, I know the Boulder County community is in good hands for whatever challenges lie ahead, with such strong leadership and staff.”

The commissioners will begin a recruitment effort to identify the strongest candidate for Boulder County’s next County Administrator. The Board of County Commissioners will appoint an interim County Administrator before Petersen’s departure in August to ensure a smooth transition.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Media Contacts:

Shannon Aulabaugh, City of Boulder Media Relations, 720-494-9903

Jeff Stahla, Northern Water Public Information Officer, 970-622-2331

www.bouldercolorado.gov

City Expands Effort to Remove Eurasian Watermilfoil from Boulder Reservoir

BOULDER, Colo. – Despite the presence of Eurasian Watermilfoil, Boulder Reservoir remains one of the Front Range’s premier destinations for swimming, boating, paddling, and outdoor recreation — and the City of Boulder wants to make sure it stays that way. This week, the City of Boulder and Northern Water launched new management efforts to help remove Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM), an invasive aquatic plant species, at the Boulder Reservoir.

EWM was initially detected at the Boulder Reservoir in summer 2022 by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Since then, the city and Northern Water have worked together to remove the invasive plant in shallow areas and have now expanded to more intensive mechanical and manual removal efforts.

Now through October, reservoir visitors can expect to see the following removal methods taking place on the water:

• Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH Program): an operation where divers use suction tubes underwater to remove EWM at the roots, reducing the plant population over time. Divers plan to operate in the water Mondays through Thursdays.
• Mechanical Harvesting: an approach that removes EWM biomass by cutting the plants underwater, similar to mowing, and collecting the material for removal. Contracted mechanical harvesting dates are scheduled now through June 9 and from Sept. 21 through Oct. 9.
• Shoreline Cleanup: The Mile High Youth Corps will support city staff with shoreline cleanup by manually removing near-shore EWM and collecting plant fragments and other shoreline debris.

The majority of these operations will take place within the no-wake zone of the reservoir. Signage will be posted at the reservoir entrance gate and boat ramps to serve as a reminder for boaters to exercise caution when removal operations are actively in progress. Additionally, diver locations will be indicated with “diver-down flags.”

In partnership with Eco-Cycle, the city launched an on-site composting program in 2025 to support sustainable invasive species management. As part of this effort, harvested EWM will be combined with goose waste to reduce landfill disposal and create nutrient-rich compost for future use on turfgrass areas at the reservoir.

While removal efforts help contain the plant, preventing the spread to and from the reservoir remains critical. “Preventing the spread of invasive aquatic plant species is a shared responsibility,” said Reservoir Recreation Manager Stacy Cole. “We encourage all reservoir visitors to continue practicing the ‘Clean, Drain, Dry’ approach by cleaning all watercraft and gear, draining all water, and allowing equipment to fully dry before entering another waterway.”

Boulder Reservoir remains open and welcoming to visitors throughout the removal process. The water is beautiful, the recreation is world-class, and the community’s commitment to protecting this resource makes it even more special. Whether you’re planning a morning paddle, an afternoon swim, or a day on the water with family and friends, now is a great time to come out and enjoy everything the Reservoir has to offer. Visitors are encouraged to check the Boulder Reservoir recreation page for current conditions, hours, and registration information before heading out.

Boulder Reservoir also serves as a water supply for the city of Boulder, as well as communities and water users downstream of the facility. More information on the city and Northern Water’s EWM management plan can be found on the FAQ webpage.

–CITY —

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Bands on the Bricks Returns to Downtown Boulder for 30th Season of Free Live Music on Pearl Street

Eight weeks of high-energy concerts, dancing under the Flatirons, and unforgettable community nights kick off June 10 on the Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder.

Boulder, CO [May 20, 2026] – Downtown Boulder’s beloved summer concert series, Bands on the Bricks, returns to the Pearl Street Mall for its 30th season every Wednesday from June 10 through July 29, 2026, bringing eight weeks of free live music, dancing, and community celebration to the heart of downtown Boulder. (A rain date is scheduled for August 6.)

From bluegrass and psychedelic rock to funk, cumbia, indie rock, and classic tribute performances, the 2026 lineup highlights an eclectic mix of local and regional artists set against the backdrop of the iconic Pearl Street Mall.

This year’s lineup includes:

• June 10: North Fork Crossing (Opening Act: Elle Michelle’s Grateful Holler) – Pride Night, sponsored by Bob & Katy Yates
• June 17: The Velvet Daydream (Opening Act: School of Rock Boulder) – CU Night
• June 24: Hazel Miller & The Collective (Opening Act: Coming Soon!) – FNBO Night
• July 1: The Long Run (Opening Act: Dylan Kishner – Solo Set) – FNBO Night
• July 8: The Dirty Turkeys (Opening Act: Derek & Co) – Sponsored by Martha Piper
• July 15: The Saint Cecilia (Opening Act: Eramis Fontenot) – Downtown Boulder Partnership Members Night, sponsored by Lindsay’s Boulder Deli and Organic Sandwich Company
• July 22: Ritmo Cascabel (Opening Act: Coming Soon!) – Sponsored by Japango
• July 29: Sempar (Opening Act: Coming Soon!)

The beer garden opens each Wednesday at 5:30 PM, with happy-hour specials from 5:30-6:30 PM, featuring $2 off beverages. Opening acts begin at 6:00 PM, followed by headlining performances from 7:00-9:00 PM.

“Bands on the Bricks continues to bring the community together through music, energy, and unforgettable summer nights downtown,” said Anna Salim, VP of Operations and Programming at Downtown Boulder Partnership. “This year’s lineup features an incredible variety of artists that reflect the spirit and creativity of Boulder’s live music scene.”

Following each concert, attendees are invited to continue the celebration at the official Bands on the Bricks afterparty hosted by Velvet Elk Lounge. The afterparty runs every Wednesday from 8-11 PM and features Velvet Vinyl tunes, All Night Happy Hour, and rotating food and beverage specials.

As part of Colorado’s America 250 – Colorado 150 celebration, Bands on the Bricks is proud to participate in the statewide Colorado Passport Program’s Live Music Pass presented by the Colorado Tourism Office. Attendees who check in through the mobile passport at the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center during event hours can redeem one free canned cocktail, glass of wine, or non-alcoholic beverage at Bands on the Bricks (restrictions apply). The free passport encourages residents and visitors to explore live music experiences and destinations across Colorado throughout the summer season. More information can be found at www.colorado.com/passport.

Bands on the Bricks is produced by Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives, co-presented by FNBO and W.W. Reynolds Companies, and sponsored by the City of Boulder, Eldorado Natural Spring Water, and Daily Camera.

Additional details, artist information, and event updates can be found at BandsOnTheBricks.com.

For more information:

General public: 303-449-3774 | events@downtownboulder.org

Press: Tana Benitez, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

303-449-3774 | info@downtownboulder.org

About Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives:

Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives (DBCI) (formerly known as the Downtown Boulder Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in 2017. The organization’s mission is to engage visitors and locals alike through arts, culture, innovation, and inclusive, community-driven experiences in downtown Boulder. (DBCIBoulder.org) DBCI, along with the Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District, falls under the umbrella of the parent organization, the Downtown Boulder Partnership.

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The post Bands on the Bricks Returns to Downtown Boulder for 30th Season of Free Live Music on Pearl Street appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

Guest Contributor: Bernard Douthit

I wanted to thank Mike Broemmel for posting a thoughtful commentary about Governor Jared Polis and the broader question of political leadership in Colorado. I took some time to underscore Mike’s argument with some important details.

Like John Hickenlooper before him, Jared Polis has remained personally popular for much of his time in office. But popularity and branding are not the same as transformational leadership.

On some of Colorado’s most pressing challenges — healthcare costs, tax policy, housing affordability, and environmental justice — Polis often governed like a cautious purple-state technocrat rather than the leader of a state that has repeatedly shown a willingness to embrace ambitious public policy.

Colorado is not Mississippi or Alabama. This is a state that:

• Put single-payer healthcare on the ballot — 150,000+ signatures
• Repeatedly approved large transit expansions
• Legalized marijuana early
• Rejected hosting the Olympics
• Regularly supports local tax increases for schools, parks, and infrastructure

Yet Polis governed as though bold structural reform was politically impossible.

Healthcare is perhaps the clearest example.

Colorado Democrats repeatedly described healthcare affordability as an emergency, yet avoided the kind of political confrontation that real cost containment would require.

Instead of aggressively confronting hospital monopolies and market concentration, the state often relied on commissions, task forces, transparency measures, and heavily branded “public option” reforms that produced incremental change while leaving the underlying system largely intact.

According to multiple studies, including research from the RAND Corporation, Colorado still has some of the highest hospital prices and some of the most profitable hospital systems in the country. Polis governed more like a manager of the healthcare marketplace than a reformer willing to challenge entrenched economic power.

And contrary to the claim that Colorado is too moderate for ambitious healthcare reform, more than 150,000 Coloradans signed petitions to place single-payer healthcare on the ballot through Amendment 69. The measure ultimately failed, but it was also outspent by the healthcare industry by roughly 8-to-1. That history matters.

Tax policy presents a similar story.

Polis consistently opposed more progressive approaches to taxation and largely embraced Colorado’s libertarian tax culture rather than challenging it. Yet during the same period, homeowners across Colorado experienced dramatic increases in property taxes following the repeal of the Gallagher Amendment and the rapid rise in home values.

While Polis and legislators eventually passed relief measures, many homeowners still saw property tax increases far beyond what those policies offset. The response often felt technocratic and incremental rather than structural. And many Coloradans are still asking a simple question: with property values and tax collections rising so dramatically over the last decade, where exactly did all of that additional revenue go?

The same pattern appears with Suncor.

Colorado markets itself as environmentally conscious and climate-forward, yet one of the metro area’s largest and most controversial industrial polluters continues operating near densely populated communities. For decades, residents of north Denver and Commerce City have raised concerns about emissions, odors, and public health impacts, while Suncor has repeatedly faced fines and violations.

Why was there never a truly ambitious long-term plan to relocate, phase down, or fundamentally transform one of the region’s most problematic industrial facilities?

Important things are worth fighting for. Clean air for millions of residents should have been one of them.

The contrast between Polis and other Democratic governors is striking.

Tim Walz pushed universal school meals and labor protections in Minnesota. Gavin Newsom moved California toward state-supported insulin manufacturing and aggressive climate initiatives. Gretchen Whitmer repealed right-to-work laws and advanced major infrastructure investments in Michigan. Jay Inslee built one of the country’s most ambitious state climate agendas in Washington.

Compared with many Democratic peers in similar political conditions, Polis often appeared more focused on political positioning, branding, and technocratic moderation than on pursuing defining structural reforms.

I voted for Jared Polis twice. Like many Coloradans, I hoped he would govern with more courage and ambition than he ultimately did.

Competence matters. But at a time when healthcare affordability, housing costs, environmental risks, and economic inequality are worsening, competence alone is not enough. Colorado needed leadership willing to confront entrenched interests and pursue solutions equal to the scale of the problems we face.

Jared Polis Once Sold Colorado (and the Nation) a Shimmering Emerald City

Original article by Mike Broemmel

He was the libertarian-minded tech governor. The “different kind” of Democrat. The wealthy entrepreneur who promised efficiency over ideology, innovation over inertia, and a fresh political vocabulary that supposedly transcended the stale battles of the past. For a time, many bought the performance. The curtain stayed firmly closed.

But eventually, in politics as in The Wizard of Oz, the machinery begins to sputter. The smoke thins. The booming voice loses resonance. And somewhere in the back of the chamber, Toto pulls at the curtain.

What remains is not the great and powerful wizard. What remains is merely a man frantically working levers.

The Leader Who Never Was

History is crowded with political figures who mistook branding for leadership.

There was Ron DeSantis, once marketed as the inevitable heir to Trumpism before collapsing beneath the weight of his own synthetic persona. There was Michael Dukakis, whose technocratic competence could never ignite genuine public trust. There was British Prime Minister Liz Truss, whose ideological theater imploded in real time before the world’s financial markets.

And now there is Jared Polis.

The tragedy — or perhaps the farce — of Polis is not simply that his governorship appears to be collapsing. It is that the collapse reveals something darker: there may never have been much substance there to begin with.

Polis governed like a man permanently auditioning for a future role. A presidential run. A national media identity. A carefully focus-grouped brand called “reasonable futurism.” He floated above conflict, avoided moral clarity whenever possible, and cultivated the image of being smarter than the room without ever proving capable of leading it.

Colorado increasingly became a state managed through vibes, branding campaigns, and social media aesthetics rather than coherent civic vision. And eventually, voters notice.

The Emerald City Illusion

For years, Polis benefited from Colorado’s broader economic and demographic momentum. The state grew. Wealth poured in. Tech money expanded. Denver transformed into a glossy urban postcard marketed to affluent transplants.

But underneath the emerald glow sat worsening affordability, deepening housing crises, visible urban deterioration, and growing public frustration about safety, infrastructure, and basic governmental competence. The contradiction became impossible to ignore.

Polis often seemed less interested in governing Colorado than in narrating Colorado — endlessly promoting an image of innovation while ordinary residents confronted a state increasingly unaffordable to live in.

The Wizard projected grandeur on the giant screen. Behind the curtain? Panic. Improvisation. Hollow performance. The problem with governing as branding is that eventually reality insists on participating.

The Politics of Evasion

Great leaders absorb political risk when principle demands it. Polis perfected the opposite instinct.

Again and again, he positioned himself slightly outside the emotional center of consequential debates, forever triangulating, forever calculating. During moments requiring moral force, he often defaulted to managerial language and carefully sterilized ambiguity.

That instinct has now reached its grotesque culmination in the Tina Peters clemency debacle.

The decision to commute the sentence of the former Mesa County clerk convicted in an election security breach tied to 2020 election conspiracy theories detonated across Colorado’s political landscape. Even members of Polis’s own party reacted with fury and disbelief. Critics argued the move rewarded election denialism while signaling weakness in the face of pressure from Donald Trump and his allies.

Polis defended the clemency as a response to sentencing disparity concerns after an appeals court questioned aspects of Peters’s sentencing. But politically — symbolically — the damage may already be irreversible.

Because the issue is no longer merely Tina Peters. The issue is collapse.

The Final Flame in the Inferno

Every failed governing regime has its final defining image:

For Richard Nixon, it was the helicopter departure from the White House lawn.
For Rudy Giuliani, it was Four Seasons Total Landscaping.

For Jared Polis, it may well be the moment he chose clemency for Tina Peters.

Not because the legal arguments are entirely frivolous. Reasonable debate exists over sentencing severity. But leadership is not merely legal interpretation. Leadership is moral comprehension. It is understanding the symbolic weight of decisions within historical context.

And this decision landed like gasoline on an already raging fire.

At precisely the moment democratic institutions remain under sustained assault by election conspiracists, Polis handed one of the movement’s most celebrated figures a political victory. Trumpworld rejoiced. Election deniers claimed vindication. Colorado Democrats openly revolted. The wizard’s machinery exploded in plain view.

Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain

That line from The Wizard of Oz endures because it captures an eternal political truth: power often depends upon performance more than substance.

Jared Polis mastered performance politics. But performances cannot govern forever.

Eventually citizens ask harder questions. What did this administration actually build? What moral vision did it defend? What crises did it truly solve? What courage did it display when courage became expensive?

And increasingly, the answers feel uncomfortably thin.

The great irony is that Polis spent years cultivating the image of the pragmatic adult in the room — the sophisticated governor above partisan hysteria. Yet his governorship may ultimately be remembered for collapsing into exactly the kind of muddled opportunism he once implied he transcended.

The Emerald City flickers. The smoke machine dies. And standing behind the curtain is not a visionary statesman. Just another politician desperately pulling levers while the audience finally sees the truth.

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From: Politix INK
https://mikebroemmel.com/politix-ink

The post Guest Opinion: Why Jared Polis has disappointed us. appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Step into a Timeless Love Story at the 2026 1940s Ball: “Victory Through the Airwaves” with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra.  

June 20th, 2026 | Boulder Airport | Boulder, Colorado

BOULDER, CO – Boulder’s beloved tradition, the 1940s Ball, returns to the Boulder Municipal Airport this summer, inviting guests to relive the golden era of swing, jazz, and World War II history. This one-night-only celebration brings together vintage aircraft, authentic 1940s performers, big band music, and period dress, transforming the airport into a time machine of nostalgia and community spirit.

Now in its 18th year, the 1940s Ball has become one of Boulder’s most unique cultural events—part festival, part immersive theater, and part history lesson wrapped in glamour. Guests dance under the stars to the sounds of swing orchestras, enjoy classic cars and exhilarating WWII-era planes, and connect with a community that spans generations.

“We don’t just host an event—we bring history to life,” says Khyentse George, founder and producer of the Ball. “It’s about honoring the past, celebrating music and culture, and giving people a chance to step away from the ordinary and experience something truly unforgettable.”

 NEW THEME FOR 2026: “Victory Through the Airwaves” with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

Celebrate the golden age of radio with live 1940s commercial breaks between big band sets, featuring sponsors like Ovaltine and Pepsodent. Step into a real 1940s radio broadcast, perform in a vintage radio drama, or hear your own voice played back over antique broadcasting equipment. You’ll even spot iconic moments from beloved 1940s films like Casablanca, reenacted live throughout the evening.

 Live on Three Stages: World-Class Big Bands and Iconic Talent
Dance to the irresistible rhythms of:
• The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra (direct from NYC!)

• The Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra

• Frank Sinatra Tribute by Derek Evilsizor

• Happy Days star Donny Most (“Ralph Malph”)

• Bob Hope tribute by Vegas star, Bill Johnson

• Flatirons Jazz Orchestra, Bianca & the Flyboys, Jeremy Mohney Swing, The Denver Dolls, The King Penny 1940s Radio Show, Kalama Polynesian Dancers, and more!

 Set Among WWII Planes, Vintage Cars & a Lantern-Lit Outdoor Dance Floor

Dance beneath a canopy of glowing Vietnamese lanterns on a massive open-air wooden dance floor surrounded by:

• Authentic WWII aircraft including the famed DC-3 and TBM Avenger
• Vintage cars & photo ops galore
• A WWII base camp and Victory Street full of immersive sets, living history re-enactors and historic exhibits
• The Casablanca Hangar with real movie props, foggy, moody lighting, and even a roulette table
• 1940s reenactors, cigarette girls, swing dance lessons, and a group conga line finale with Bob Hope & a dramatic confetti drop

 Inspired Immersion…

• Vintage Aircraft Tours and flyovers from historic WWII planes.
• Shop the 1940s Ball Vintage Fair
• Watch iconic characters like Lucille Ball, Carmen Miranda & Edward R. Murrow come to life
• Voice-act in vintage news bulletins
• Join the Best Dressed Contest and show off your vintage flair
• Visit the WWII Veteran Family Tribute Board to honor your loved ones
• And don’t miss the Homefront Craft Tent, scavenger hunt, and historical educator exhibits from Colorado’s 10th Mountain Division

 More Than a Party—A Celebration with Purpose
This event isn’t just about the past—it’s about giving back. A portion of ticket sales supports non-profits that serve historic preservation, and education. Over $120,000 has been donated to date.

 Tickets Sell Out Fast
Every year, tickets sell out weeks in advance—so don’t wait! Experience what the LA Times called “A Trip Back in Time.”

 Location: Historic Boulder Airport, Boulder, CO (est 1928)

 Date: June 20th, 2026

 Website: www.1940sBall.org

 Media Contact: Khyentse George 303-946-9227, kgeorge@1940sball.org

 Tickets: Available at www.1940sball.org

About the 1940s Ball

The 1940s Ball is a nonprofit organization and community-driven celebration of vintage culture, history, and music. Over the years it has grown into one of Colorado’s signature summer events, drawing thousands of attendees, performers, and history lovers from across the country. The mission of the 1940s Ball is to create community and cultural connections that cross generations, genres, and borders through celebrating the music, dance, and culture of the 1940s and 50s. The Boulder, CO.-based nonprofit aims to provide quality performances and educational opportunities which will not only inspire those who already love “The Greatest Generation,” but will also introduce others to it. A portion of ticket sales is donated to select nonprofits including The Colorado 10th Mountain Division Foundation and the Commemorative Air Force Rocky Mountain Wing.  Since being founded, the 1940sBall has donated $120,000 to charity partners.

Interested in seeing what it’s all about firsthand?  Just shoot us an email or call:

Media Contact: Khyentse George  720-924-1945  Kgeorge@1940sball.org  Note to Editor:  Visit this Drive folder to download high-resolution images and video from the Ball, 1940s Ball approved for press use.

Top 10 Things Not to Miss at the 2026 1940s Summer Ball!

See the best national big bands, regional swing bands and vintage touring acts, including @theglennmillerorchestra

There will be at least a dozen WWII aircraft on-site, including the DC3, C45, and Stearman. You can even climb aboard the Commemorative Air Force’s TBM Avenger for a “wing walk” and photo at sunset. Plus, there will be a thrilling flyover, weather contingent!

Visit the new KBDU 1940s radio station! Get your photo taken as a presenter and try radio broadcasting with WWII broadcaster, Edward Murrow!

Follow and watch actors perform famous scenes from “Casablanca” sets throughout the event!

VICTORY STREET is Airwaves & Radio themed! See spectacular sets, historic exhibits, multimedia displays, and international foods! Take a peek into the Homefront and WII craft-making techniques. Also, visit the South Sea Stage for a tropical bar, Polynesian dancers and more photo ops!

Pick up a game card at merchandize booth and join the scavenger hunt! Meet Carmen Miranda, Lucille Ball, Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable, Peggy Carter, Indiana Jones and more. Follow clues, solve puzzles and win prizes!

At 9:45 we will have a very special confetti drop and conga line celebration that you won’t want to miss!

Enter Casablanca’s Rick’s Café Americain in our hangar: play roulette, take pictures with vintage cameras, lights and props and join a swing dance lesson! Several swing dancing groups will teach lessons and demonstrate moves.

Take part in a 1940s themed contest! Ten event attendees will be selected to compete on-stage for the “Best Dressed Contest!” or join the “1940s Cosplay Contest!”

Wander the WWII base camp and talk to living history re-enactors! Solve the puzzle on your map to enter the hidden briefing room, with special sound and lighting effects and hear briefings!

***BONUS: Explore the 1940s and 50s car show with authentic vintage concessions! And don’t miss the Vintage Fair where you can shop for vintage and vintage-inspired gifts and clothing!

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This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

As a person with a disability, my personal experiences with job employment have been poor. Nearly every summer I suffer the pain of not getting personal work or job opportunities. I remember on one particular occasion when I tried to get a job as a lifeguard, I was dismissed from the position even though I proved that I am an extraordinary swimmer and treader in water. It made me wonder whether they chose to focus on me only as a person with a disability. 

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities sits at 7.8%, nearly double the 4.6% rate of those without. Likewise, the labor force participation rate for men with a disability is 43.0%, compared to 40.8% for women. This stat is significant because it measures the percentage of the population that is either actively working or looking for work. A lower rate highlights that a large portion of disabled individuals face systemic barriers to entry, effectively excluding them from the economic workforce entirely before unemployment numbers are even counted. This means roughly 60% of disabled individuals are neither working nor looking for work. This high inactivity rate is often due to severe barriers like a lack of workplace accommodations, inaccessible transportation, and the fear of losing essential disability benefits.

There are programs in place to help those with disabilities find employment. However, there should be a greater focus on programs that help individuals gain specific experience for the career paths they actually want to pursue. Furthermore, the interview process itself must be structured with built-in accommodations to ensure candidates with disabilities have the resources they need to succeed from day one.

While some individuals navigate this system successfully, experiences vary wildly. My friend Andrew, a Colorado Springs resident with a disability, has had a remarkably positive journey with his career aspirations.

“Right now I work for the RMAC for Colorado Springs, however my dream is to be a commissioner there,” Andrew said. “I feel like I can achieve a lot of things and face no challenges.”

While I am incredibly happy for Andrew and inspired by his optimism, his smooth experience is unfortunately not the reality for the vast majority of people with disabilities. Financial and work conditions are not the only challenges that disabled people face, because navigating daily life also means dealing with major health barriers.

People with disabilities risk developing more health issues in their lives. According to the World Health Organization, some persons with disabilities die up to 20 years earlier than those without disabilities.

Luckily, there are services in place to help people overcome these health barriers. For example, Colorado has programs to help those in need. People who are blind or deaf can receive services to help them safely navigate and communicate. The Colorado Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Communities has a direct goal to help people connect, participate, and thrive. Their program opens up access to technology, mentorship, and legal support.  Another great solution to these health issues would be creating more workout and personal training programs specifically for people with disabilities. This would give everyone the opportunity to stay active, be healthy, and prevent future health issues.

At the same time, staying safe and healthy is hard to do when the people who are supposed to protect you are the ones causing harm.

Law enforcement is helpful in many ways, but sometimes officers abuse their power due to prejudices they hold against people with disabilities. The actions taken by police and the government often raise more problems than solutions because of false claims and profiling of innocent people.

For instance, an article published by CBS highlighted a case where a thirteen year old boy was mistaken for bringing a bomb into school, only for officials to find out it was actually a toy bunny. Even more recently, an article on Courthouse News Service from March 2026 detailed how Special Olympics athlete Shawn Nicholas, who has an intellectual disability, was arrested and unlawfully thrown to the ground with excessive force.

To solve this serious problem, law enforcement officers must learn about people with disabilities through required training and government funded classes. But the issues do not just stop with the police; they are deeply rooted in how everyday people view us.

My personal experience with ableism from society is very widespread. What impacts and hurts me the most is how much society spreads the belief that there are only certain jobs people with intellectual disabilities can do, like working at a grocery store, retail, or janitorial work. The society I have grown up with has often made me feel like an alien and unnatural. Ableism is the discrimination against people with dyslexia, language disorders, Tourette syndrome, autism, and other disabilities. Ableist people believe their actions are fair, and they are quick to be unwelcoming to anyone who has a disability.

I experienced this firsthand while scrolling on social media, where I found a creator who makes supportive content for the disability community. In one video, she talked about a horrible post from a woman online who wrote, “If you rely on someone for care constantly, you are a burden on them, get used to it, and learn to be more thankful.” The creator and I both reacted in shock at how discriminatory that is.

When discussing this with others, one interviewee told me, “Discrimination against people with disabilities is wrong and not good, it makes us feel very upset.” Overall, ableism in today’s society is harming people in all parts of the world, and it is absolutely crucial that society changes.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

CONTACT: Kailee Stiles, 507-250-1896

press@seligmanforag.com

Denver, CO – Tonight, David Seligman, candidate for Attorney General, released the following statement following the Colorado Democratic Party’s vote to censure Governor Polis:

“I support the Colorado Democratic Party’s censure of Governor Polis. But that’s not enough. The General Assembly should reconvene to investigate and hold him accountable. And if he commuted Tina Peters’ sentence at the behest of Donald Trump, surrendering the sovereign authority of Colorado, he should be impeached. We have to be done with performative politics and wield the tools of public power for real accountability for abuses of power.”

Seligman released an open letter to the members of the General Assembly outlining the legal rationale for the General Assembly to reconvene for an impeachment or formal censure of the Governor. See Seligman’s open letter to the legislature here.

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The Boulder Chamber Orchestra will perform its annual season finale concert at Macky Auditorium on Saturday, May 23rd. The concert, “A Toast To Music: 21 Years of Musical Excellence,” closes the 2025-2026 season. The primary highlight is the premiere of The Sibelius Project: Symphony to Save the Planet, a film experience created by Chamber Orchestra conductor and music director Bahman Saless in collaboration with Academy-Award-nominated filmmaker David McGowan. The program also includes the Colorado premiere of “Ode to the Rockies,” a composition by Saless, and a performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Recently, we jumped on the phone with Saless to talk about the project’s premiere and his connection with composer Jean Sibelius.

Photo by Keith Bobo

Jamie Lammers: Can you talk a little bit about this performance?
Bahman Saless: About five years ago, during COVID, I dedicated most of my time to studying Sibelius’ symphonies, mostly because there was nothing else to do. The Sibelius Project kind of came during one of those days, when I was in the Rocky Mountain National Park. During this stormy hike, I realized that Sibelius’s 7th could potentially be presented in an alternative way if we could put together a visual story to it. The story turned out to be about conservation of habitats and environmental conservation. The symphony is untouched, but the imagery is fit to the symphony.

Jamie: Can you share how this project came to be?
Bahman: I knew David McGowan from 25 years ago, when we did a lot of nature documentaries together. He’s a good friend of mine, so I called him up right after that hike. It took us about five years to grab all the video clips from YouTube, find who the owners and distributors are, and acquire licenses for all the clips to put together this final product. In a way, it’s like a musical Trojan horse.

Jamie: I’m curious how long you’ve been involved with the Chamber Orchestra and other projects you’ve worked on.
Bahman: I used to play the violin for the Boulder Philharmonic when I was in graduate school here at the University of Colorado. When I was in Los Angeles, working as a scientist at the Jet Propulsion Lab, I started taking film scoring classes, and that got me involved with the whole world of scoring background music for movies. I worked as a composer for Hollywood, for Universal Studios, about 25, 30 years ago. When I moved back to Colorado in 2004, I created the Boulder Chamber Orchestra. The Boulder Philharmonic was a semi-professional orchestra before, but it turned into a fully professional orchestra, so a lot of these musicians were looking for a new gig. It has been under my direction since then.

Jamie: What has connected with you about Sibelius specifically?
Bahman: In the world of classical music, we have the big three Bs – [Ludwig van] Beethoven, [Johann Sebastian] Bach, and [Johannes] Brahms. In terms of symphonic writers, after Beethoven, you have a few other composers like Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and [Dmitri] Shostakovich. Rarely, at least in the United States, is the name of Sibelius coming up. [Gustav] Mahler’s a big icon in the US, but Sibelius is not, and I think some of it has to do with the nature of his music. It’s very Finnish and Eastern European, but it doesn’t have the salt-and-pepper flavor of Tchaikovsky. It’s a little dry and very nationalistic, and our country here is not very versed with Finland. One of the reasons I want to push him into the world is because he really deserves to be known more. I thought this would be one way – a typical person can go to the theater, watch this movie, and be affected by the visuals. It would hopefully create a call to action to think about saving our environment, but at the same time, they would walk out of the theater and go, “My gosh, that music was incredible. I didn’t know who Sibelius was.”

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The post Spotlight: The Sibelius Project from Boulder Chamber Orchestra appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

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Coal Creek Meals on Wheels (CCMOW) has expanded its Grab & Go meal program into Broomfield through a new partnership with Broomfield FISH, increasing access to nutritious prepared meals for community members experiencing food insecurity and other hardships.

CCMOW began providing 20 refrigerated meals per week to Broomfield FISH in March 2026. As of May 1, the organization now delivers 50 refrigerated meals each week across two distribution days — once during senior shopping day and again during a time dedicated to helping seniors access additional community resources.

This project was designed to increase access to nutritious meals for individuals and families who may not qualify for or choose not to enroll in CCMOW’s traditional home-delivered meals program. Grab & Go sites allow anyone in need of a fresh, ready-to-eat meal to participate without requirements for proof of residency, age, or income. Target demographics include older adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income families, and people experiencing food and/or housing insecurity.

“The Broomfield Community Foundation believes strong communities are built through collaboration. Coal Creek Meals on Wheels is creating a compassionate, low-barrier solution that helps ensure neighbors experiencing food insecurity, isolation, or hardship can access nutritious meals with dignity and care,” said Dion West, Executive Director of the Broomfield Community Foundation.

The new Broomfield location complements Coal Creek Meals on Wheels’ existing Grab & Go sites at the Lafayette Public Library, Sister Carmen Community Center, and the Erie Food Bank, expanding CCMOW’s proven model into another neighboring community.

“For more than 50 years, Coal Creek Meals on Wheels has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting community members through nutritious meals and meaningful social connection. Their proven track record and strong volunteer network position them well to successfully expand this impactful model into Broomfield,” said Dion West, Executive Director of the Broomfield Community Foundation.

“FISH Participants are very grateful for this new partnership and are looking forward to the variety of new food options,” said Tangi Lancaster, Bilingual Participant Programs Advocate at Broomfield FISH.

Coal Creek Meals on Wheels continues to explore innovative ways to address food insecurity and social isolation across Boulder and Broomfield counties, ensuring that more community members have access to healthy meals and supportive services.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 7 PM MT, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026

CONTACT: Ira Arlook, ira@iraarlook.com, c: 202 258 5437

At AARP/Colorado Sun Event this evening, addressed by Colorado’s governor via video…

CLIMATE DEFIANCE ACTIVISTS CONFRONT JARED POLIS OVER HIS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE OIL & GAS POLLUTION OF COLORADO

Despite 2018 Campaign Pledge to End Fossil Fuel Use in the State by 2040, Polis Has Consistently Undermined that Goal

His Appointees Just Approved Fracking at a Drill Site Near Aurora Reservoir, Endangering 400,000 Residents’ Drinking Water

Calling on Colorado’s governor, Jared Polis, to end his support of fracking and other oil and gas pollution of Colorado or resign, activists from Climate Defiance disrupted his video/virtual talk at a 2026 Legislative Recap Session presented by AARP and hosted by Colorado Sun’s elections editor, Jesse Paul, at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Policy. A dozen activists locked arms in front of the room, holding a banner that read “Eat S—t Polis.”

Despite Polis’ 2018 campaign commitment to end fossil fuel use in Colorado by 2040, Climate Defiance points to his consistent violation of that pledge:

• In 2024, he brokered a backroom deal designed to halt all legislation aimed at reducing fossil fuel production until 2028.
• He appointed pro-fossil fuel commissioners to the state’s Energy and Carbon Management Commission (EDMC) that is tasked with regulating oil and gas development.
• In April, those commissioners approved the Sunlight-Long fracking pad, an industrial drill site just a half mile from the Aurora Reservoir, the water source for 400,000 area residents. Even a small spill threatens to poison this vital water source, not to mention that each of the 24 wells will use millions of gallons of water as the state descends deeper into a historic drought. Thousands of residents live near Sunlight-Long, within the danger zone of a slew of toxic air pollutants, including benzene. A month earlier, Polis announced the reappointment of two of the three commissioners who voted to approve Sunlight-Long. The third, ECMC Chair Jeff Robbins, was appointed by Polis to a term ending in 2028.

Polis signed a law in 2019 mandating ECMC commissioners to regulate oil and gas in a manner that protects “public health, safety and welfare, and the environment.” Yet despite evidence that fracking multiplies blood cancer rates in children, exacerbates Colorado’s toxic ozone crisis, uses millions of gallons of water as Colorado descends into drought, threatens vital water sources, and contributes to catastrophic climate collapse, the ECMC continues to approve new fracking projects year after year.

“We are in a climate emergency,“ said James Wooldridge, Distributed Organizing Director with Climate Defiance and a Denver resident. “Polis’ failure to protect Coloradans from the worst impacts of climate change will become more and more evident in our daily lives as Colorado descends deeper into drought, fueling wildfires and severe water restrictions.”

“We are decades past the time for slow, incremental change,” Wooldridge said. “Increasingly, activists feel they have no other option but to put their bodies on the line to get through to politicians like Polis.”

“In the climate change fight, every day is the difference between thousands of lives,” Wooldridge said. “We need leaders who will fight tooth and nail for a rapid energy transition—not bought-out Democrats like Polis who stand in the way of progress. He should step aside.”

“The notion that the ECMC has any intent to protect public health and welfare is absurd. Approving fracking projects in 2026 is downright suicidal, and any serious leader of the state of Colorado should recognize that.”

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

For Immediate Release

May 20, 2026

Shannon Carbone

303-441-3804

scarbone@bouldercounty.gov

Boulder County, Colo. – District Attorney Michael Dougherty is responding and pushing back on a congressional inquiry from House Republicans targeting Colorado communities (including Boulder, Colo.) over state immigration laws, calling the effort political theater that ignores serious failures within the federal immigration system. Dougherty believes that this country needs secure borders and that immigrants convicted of a crime should be subject to deportation with due process.

Dougherty emphasized that his office prosecutes violent criminals regardless of immigration status and follows Colorado law while prioritizing public safety. Our office also fights for the rights of immigrants. Victims of domestic violence and sex assault should be able to call 911 without fear that they will be deported as a result of calling the police. And prosecutors should be able to prosecute cases to completion before ICE swoops in, deports a defendant, and denies justice for our community.

“Local district attorneys do not write federal immigration law. Congress does,” Dougherty said. “If Washington politicians are serious about immigration enforcement and public safety, they should focus on fixing the broken federal system instead of attacking Colorado prosecutors who are doing the real work of protecting communities.”

The inquiry comes just weeks after Dougherty’s office secured a guilty plea to all charges and a Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) sentence against the perpetrator of the deadly Boulder firebombing and antisemitic hate crime attack that injured numerous victims and killed 82-year-old Karen Diamond.

The defendant in that attack was reportedly in the United States illegally after overstaying a visa.

“I am committed to fighting for public safety, supporting victims, and doing justice. Congress, on the other hand, has been accomplishing remarkably little. Also, federal systems failed to stop the firebomber before innocent people were harmed, even when his attempted purchase of a firearm was denied due to his immigration status,” Dougherty said. “After the attack, I worked with our law enforcement partners, fought for the victims, and secured justice.”

Dougherty said the case highlights the disconnect between political rhetoric coming from Washington and the real work being done by prosecutors on the ground.

“Congressional politicians can send letters and hold press conferences,” Dougherty said. “My office is the one that prosecuted this violent offender, secured a life sentence without parole, and stood with victims throughout this horrific case.”

The District Attorney’s Office will continue focusing on violent crime prosecution, victim advocacy, and community safety.

Our office is committed to our public safety efforts for all people in Boulder County, and we will continue to fight for all community members, regardless of immigration status.

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A Message of Support from the Boulder County Commissioners

To receive this information in another language, please email colist@bouldercounty.gov.

In Boulder County, election integrity and security are the responsibility of Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick, who has been entrusted with this responsibility by Boulder County voters and who has the full support of the Boulder County Commissioners. As a member of the Colorado County Clerks Association (CCCA), Clerk Fitzpatrick and her colleagues from across the political spectrum issued a statement expressing deep concern about Governor Polis’ decision to commute Tina Peters sentence for multiple charges related to election equipment tampering. Peters, the former Mesa County Clerk, was found guilty of seven total charges, including four felonies and three misdemeanors. As of June 1, she will be released from prison and her sentence commuted.

We are amplifying CCCA’s statement today in full because it clearly expresses the profound impact this decision has on trust in the electoral process.

• Commissioner Claire Levy
• Commissioner Marta Loachamin
• Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann

Colorado County Clerks Association Statement on Governor Polis’ Commutation of Tina Peters

We are furious, disgusted, and deeply disappointed by the Governor’s decision. We have met with him privately to make our position unmistakably clear: Tina Peters deserves the accountability imposed through Colorado’s judicial system, and the Governor should, at the very least, respect that process and allow it to fully play out before intervening.

This case was thoroughly investigated, prosecuted, and adjudicated through the rule of law. Undermining that process before it has fully concluded sends a reckless and dangerous message to the public, to election officials, and to anyone entrusted with safeguarding our democratic institutions.

Election officials across Colorado, Republicans and Democrats alike, have stood up at every turn to tell the truth about our elections, even while facing harassment, intimidation, threats, and relentless political attacks. They have defended the rule of law, protected voters, and continued serving the public despite enormous personal and professional costs.

Rather than standing with those public servants and defending one of our nation’s most cherished rights, the right to vote, Governor Polis is bending the knee to the same political forces and conspiracy movements that are actively undermining confidence in our democratic institutions. That choice carries consequences far beyond this single case.

Tina Peters’ actions have made life harder not only for election officials in Colorado, but for election officials across the country. Her conduct became a rallying point for election conspiracy movements that fueled hostility and distrust toward the very people responsible for administering free and fair elections.

Last year, an election office in Colorado was firebombed. While the suspect is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the case must proceed through the legal process, public reporting indicates the individual appeared influenced by the same stolen-election conspiracy narratives that Tina Peters helped amplify and legitimize. Election officials are not speaking in hypotheticals anymore. The threats, fear, and escalation are real.

At a time when election officials need strong support, this decision abandons them and supports the attack on the legitimacy of American elections.

There is no escaping the significance of this moment. This is now Governor Polis’s legacy. He will not be able to run from it or redefine it later. When given the opportunity to stand firmly for the rule of law, for the integrity of Colorado’s elections, and for the public servants who defend them, he chose a different path.

This decision is shameful. It rewards criminal conduct connected to attacks on our election system, weakens confidence in accountability, and undermines the very institutions that protect the freedom to vote. Colorado voters deserve leaders who defend democracy, not leaders who legitimize efforts to damage it.

The Colorado County Clerks Association (CCCA) is a non-governmental entity and includes in its membership the 64 County Clerks of Colorado and their designees.

To find out more about Ballot Processing and Election Security in Boulder County, visit the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s website.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

CONTACT: Kailee Stiles, press@seligmanforag.com

Seligman Releases Open Letter Regarding Special Session to Hold the Governor Accountable

“The people of Colorado are not helpless, and neither is this legislature.”

Denver, CO – Today, David Seligman, candidate for Attorney General, released an open letter to the General Assembly, detailing the constitutional rationale for calling a special session in order to hold Governor Polis accountable for his recent actions.

What Seligman is calling for is unprecedented, and it will be difficult. But Seligman said, “We need to be done with the cynical politics that says we shouldn’t try hard things, and the performative politics that says accountability can only come in a strongly worded letter.” The American system of checks and balances only works if another branch of government acts when another has overstepped. The letter explains:

“At this point, Governor Polis has twice betrayed his constitutional obligation to faithfully administer Colorado’s laws and defend Colorado’s sovereignty from the Trump Administration’s efforts to harm our marginalized communities and hijack our election system . . . But what should not be on the table is nothing. The absence of accountability is not neutrality. It is permission for those in power to trample our rights, surrender our sovereignty, and face no consequence for doing so.

The failure to hold abuses of power accountable is precisely what has gotten us into the mess we are currently in. The people of Colorado are not helpless, and neither is this legislature. You are a co-equal branch of government, vested with the authority and the obligation to check an executive who has abandoned his oath. The people you represent are demanding accountability. It is your job to provide it.”

Read the full letter here.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Media Contacts:

Aisha Ozaslan, Media Relations, 303-501-3218

Dan Kvasnicka, Construction Project Analyst, 303-441-3201

bouldercolorado.gov

63rd Street and Jay Road intersection will temporarily close to all travel on May 26

Single-lane closures to follow into mid-June as city repaves road following waterline project

BOULDER, Colo. – The City of Boulder is repaving 63rd Street from Twin Lakes Road to just north of Valmont Road at Boulder Creek. Construction will require a full, 1-day closure of the 63rd Street and Jay Road intersection on Tuesday, May 26, for bicycle and vehicle traffic.

Work is expected to take place between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Following the full closure, travelers can expect single-lane closures into mid-June. Work schedules are dependent on weather conditions. For updates and detours, visit Cone Zones.

This planned road repaving follows the arrival of warmer nighttime temperatures and the completion of the 63rd Street Waterline Replacement, one of the largest water infrastructure investments in the city’s recent history. The project replaced and upgraded a critical segment of Boulder’s drinking water system to protect public health and safety, improve water distribution resilience, and strengthen drinking water service to the community. Learn more on the project webpage.

— CITY —

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cate Stanek, City of Boulder Media Relations, 303-775-0984

Richard Hackett, Boulder County Media Relations, 720-564-2605

bouldercolorado.gov

City of Boulder and Boulder County share recommended Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan

The recommended plan was updated from the draft based on community input in March. This plan is being recommended for adoption by the City Council, City Planning Board, Boulder County Board of Commissioners, and the County Planning Commission.

BOULDER, CO –The City of Boulder and Boulder County have released the recommended Major Update to the?Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. The recommended plan reflects revisions based on community feedback to the draft plan received earlier this spring. Staff reviewed hundreds of comments on the draft plan and incorporated much of that input into the recommended version. This plan, which will be recommended by city and county staff for adoption, will be considered by the four decision-making bodies throughout June.

The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan guides long-term decisions about growth, sustainability, and services in Boulder and the surrounding area. First adopted in 1977, the plan undergoes a major update every 10 years to reflect evolving community values, priorities, and challenges. This plan was shaped by over 18 months of community engagement, including over 70 community engagement opportunities and consultations and collaborations with partners throughout the community. This major update of the plan was designed to be the most inclusive, diverse engagement process in the city to date, and aimed to bring in new and underrepresented voices.

These updates include:

• Updated language for clarity and consistency throughout the document
• Key revisions to policies that are aligned with community feedback and policymaker direction
• A reenvisioned Future Land Use Strategy and Map
• An expanded chapter on Implementation offering more insight into the next steps of how the plan moves from policy to action

The recommended plan honors the current plan’s core values while weaving in community input to reflect where we are today and where we want to go. The update is informed by extensive community engagement and has been reimagined to be more understandable, remove redundant or outdated policies, and provide clear direction. It integrates recommendations on 15-minute neighborhoods by Boulder’s first Community Assembly, a randomly selected and representative group of 43 community members.

It provides a policy and land use framework for how the city grows, maintains core values related to preserving open space in and around Boulder, and a commitment to a safe multi-modal environment with a variety of options for moving around town safely. New policies focus on the main themes heard throughout the engagement process, including safety, housing choice and availability, an inclusive economy, climate action and resilience, a stronger food system, and creating a more multicultural, multigenerational community.

The draft plan also updates the Future Land Use Strategy and Map based on community input to promote mixed-use, transit-supported areas, balance growth with environmental protection, and expand housing options while ensuring flexibility and adaptability. Community members shared a strong desire to increase our connection to each other and create community spaces that offer multiple services, shops, and housing types that can be accessed without a car.

As part of the update, artists were embedded in the planning process at different stages through the city’s Experiments in Public Art program. These unique projects helped broaden community participation and humanize aspects of the plan. Community members are invited to Experiments in Public Art: A Boulder Future Exhibition, a series that will celebrate the artworks and performances integrated into the comprehensive plan. The exhibition will be on display in the Canyon Gallery at the Main Library from June to July 2026. Community members are invited to the opening reception on June 17 from 5 to 7 p.m.

City Council, City Planning Board, Boulder County Board of Commissioners, and the County Planning Commission will review the plan at hearings in June.

More information is available at ABoulderFuture.org.

–CITY—

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The Erie Town Council is discussing a proposal for a north-south connector road near Erie Municipal Airport. The proposal became controversial following the release of feasibility study on May 5 that found the project would cost roughly $50 million, face major environmental and regulatory hurdles, and save drivers only about 2 minutes of travel time.

The plan l, known as the Airpark North-South Connectivity Study, would connect County Line Road to Colorado Highway 7 through or near airport property south of Vista Parkway. 

At Erie’s April 2 State of the Town event, Mayor Andrew Moore described the proposal as an exploratory effort intended to relieve congestion on Vista Parkway while potentially unlocking economic development opportunities near the airport.

“This is a thought and I just want to stress this is a thought,” Moore said during the event. “This is not a done deal. We’re waiting for the feasibility study to come back.”

Mayor Moore explaining the project to residents at the State of the Town Meeting, April 2.

Moore argued that a new connection to Highway 7 could divert traffic away from Vista Parkway, which experienced increased traffic after County Line Road was rerouted westward as part of Erie’s settlement with Lafayette. He also emphasized the possibility of future commercial growth.

“If you can get the road there, all of a sudden land on both sides of that road becomes economically viable where it isn’t as viable today for economic reasons,” Moore said. “Businesses that could come in there.”

But the feasibility study presented to council May 5 painted a far more complicated picture.

According to town staff and consultants, both proposed roadway alternatives would cost between $49 million and $50 million before right-of-way acquisition costs. 

Alternate routes of the Airpark North-South Connectivity project, presented by town staff on May 5.The study found the routes would provide only about two minutes of travel-time savings compared to existing routes via Coal Creek Boulevard.

The report also concluded that both alternatives scored below 0.50 on benefit-cost analysis metrics commonly used for federal transportation funding competitiveness, making outside funding uncertain.

Staff presentations identified several “high risk” barriers to the project, including floodplain impacts, complications involving a Highway 7 signalized connection requiring Colorado Department of Transportation approval, and impacts to already entitled land uses. Environmental approvals were labeled a “moderate risk.”

Jason Neumeyer Director of Survey Research speaks about feasibility study

The project corridor crosses Coal Creek floodplain areas that would require FEMA review and approval, according to the presentation.

Perhaps most notably, the study’s feasibility findings showed that the staff did not recommend moving forward with either major connector alternative. Instead, staff recommended continued buildout of Coal Creek Boulevard, improvements to Vista Parkway, and developer-funded Airport Drive signal enhancements.

Those conclusions fueled sharp disagreement during the May 5 study session.

Councilmember Dan Hoback argued the project should end immediately, calling the proposal “a solution to nothing.” He also criticized the design concept as unsafe and inconsistent with Erie’s standards. “That’s not a gateway. That’s an alleyway and it’s unsafe for pedestrians and bikes at a horrific cost.” 

Another point of contention centered on whether the road would meaningfully reduce traffic congestion at all. The feasibility study’s traffic redistribution estimates showed only modest reductions in traffic volumes on Vista Parkway and surrounding roads.

Still, Moore resisted fully abandoning the concept, instead advocating for keeping future options open while gathering additional traffic data and exploring whether alternate alignments or developer participation could reduce costs.

During the meeting, developers connected to nearby projects warned that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the roadway could affect planning timelines and investments already underway. Councilmembers also discussed whether continued staff work on the project would take resources away from existing priorities.

At one point, officials acknowledged the connector project is not currently part of Erie’s active work plan.

The contrast between the State of the Town presentation and the May feasibility study discussion shows gaps in public discussion of issues. While the April presentation emphasized congestion relief and economic potential, the May study session focused heavily on floodplain permitting, multimillion-dollar bridge costs, weak funding potential and uncertainty over whether the road would substantially improve traffic conditions at all.

For now,the council  has given no formal direction to proceed or terminate the proposal. Instead, officials appeared split between those who see the concept as a long-term economic and transportation opportunity and those who view it as an expensive, high-risk project searching for a problem to solve.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

The new destination, located between Denver and Boulder, blends immersive attractions, cinematic gameplay, nightlife-quality production and cutting-edge robotics into a first-of-its-kind social entertainment experience, bringing the best attractions from around the world to Colorado.

Anna Hearth, Junior Publicist, Prim + Co, hello@primtheagency.com

Lafayette, Colo. (May 14, 2026) – Launching on June 5, 2026, Immersive Empire is the newest concept from the founders of Colorado’s largest inflatable amusement park, Bounce Empire. Designed to feel more like a social entertainment destination than a traditional arcade or amusement venue, Immersive Empire blends cutting-edge technology with cinematic attractions, exceptional hospitality, an elevated atmosphere and nightlife-quality production.

Located at 1380 S. Public Road, Suite B in Lafayette, Immersive Empire features six fully immersive attractions designed to engage a broad audience. While family-friendly, the concept was thoughtfully created to resonate with teens, adults, corporate groups and nightlife audiences alike.

Attractions include:

• Motion Madness: Step inside a 270-degree immersive motion attraction where cinematic visuals and synchronized movement transport up to eight players through 10 themed adventures, offering guests a chance to experience some of the most high-definition technology the Asian market has to offer.
• Playbox: A high-energy interactive throwing gaming arena where speed and teamwork control the gameplay across nine different games.
• Gold Rush Saloon: A Wild West-inspired immersive shootout experience combining interactive gameplay and advanced projection technology inside a richly detailed 1800s-style saloon.
• Action: A live-action interactive gaming showdown where players compete inside a reactive challenge room combining speed, teamwork, lights and physical playability.
• Mulligan’s Challenge: Inspired by Pebble Beach’s iconic Hole 7, guests step inside Colorado’s largest and completely immersive golf simulator. Also features a la carte mode as well, where guests can win a $5,000 cash prize for a hole-in-one.
• The Dome: A 42-foot-wide immersive LED environment and visual centerpiece inspired by large-scale festival production.

Guests can also enjoy robotic concessions, including a customizable cotton candy robot that creates 16 unique designs and a robotic café serving more than 100 specialty beverage combinations. The offering expands even further with multiple 3D toy printers creating custom keepsakes on-site.

The idea was inspired by Founder and Owner James Hay-Arthur’s international travels, where he encountered cutting-edge robotic concessions and experiential attractions that seamlessly blended technology with entertainment. Drawing from experiences in Asia and Europe, Hay-Arthur envisioned a space that would bring that same level of innovation and immersion to Colorado.

“We set out to design what the future of entertainment could look and feel like,” Hay-Arthur said. “It became a creative pursuit, shaping an entirely new kind of world where imagination leads the experience. With Immersive Empire, every detail was intentionally crafted to transport guests somewhere unexpected, creating an environment that sparks curiosity and a sense of discovery at every turn.”

Admission for Immersive Empire is $24 and includes the ability to access each core attraction once, including Playbox, Gold Rush Saloon, Action, Motion Madness and Mulligan’s Challenge. Mulligan’s Challenge is available for guests 16 and older; those under 16 receive two Playbox passes in its place.

For guests looking to customize their visit, Immersive Empire also offers à la carte pricing: Playbox and Gold Rush Saloon are $4 per gameplay, Action and Motion Madness are $8 per gameplay and Mulligan’s Hole-in-One Challenge is $20 for five balls for the chance to win $5,000.

“Immersive Empire is a natural evolution of what we started with Bounce Empire,” Head of Expansion and Chief Entertainment Officer Bradley Roulier said. “Today, people are craving experiences they simply can’t get at home or online. We saw an opportunity to go beyond inflatables and design something that feels social, transportive, interactive and energetic all at once. An all-encompassing environment that brings people together and delivers that same sense of excitement we’re known for, in a completely new way.”

Thoughtfully integrated within Bounce Empire, Immersive Empire allows guests to seamlessly explore both concepts within a shared footprint while maintaining distinct environments and ticketing for each. Immersive Empire guests can enjoy Bounce Empire’s 21+ ultra lounge and cocktail bar, sports theater with a 128-inch screen, terrace overlooking the Flatirons, luxurious lounge seating, seven-star massage pods and elevated, farm-fresh fast casual dining.

Immersive Empire opens to the public on June 5, 2026. Open daily over the summer, with late-night hours on Fridays and Saturdays. For additional information, reservations, pricing and more, visit ImmersiveEmpire.io.

About Immersive Empire

Immersive Empire is a next-generation entertainment destination in Lafayette, Colorado founded by the team behind Bounce Empire, the world’s largest inflatable amusement park. Located at 1380 S. Public Road, Suite B, the venue redefines social entertainment through immersive attractions, cinematic-style gameplay, cutting-edge robotics and nightlife-inspired production, all within a first-of-its-kind interactive experience. Integrated within Bounce Empire, Immersive Empire also features the 21+ Rubbish Cocktail Bar, locally sourced dining at Bounce Bistro, luxurious lounge spaces designed for connection and breathtaking views overlooking the Flatirons. From elevated food and beverage offerings to highly interactive entertainment, every element is built around atmosphere, creating a destination for nights out, group gatherings, corporate experiences, milestone celebrations and more. For additional information, visit ImmersiveEmpire.io.

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Published on Fri, May 15, 2026

Public Information Officer

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office

(970)980-2501 | sheriff-press-release@co.larimer.co.us

Larimer County investigators arrested two men for trying to buy sex from children.

On May 14, 2026, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office conducted an operation targeting child predators. Investigators posed as minors selling sexual acts on local websites and forums. Several dozen people responded to the listings, and two men arrived at an agreed-upon location to buy sex. They were met by deputies who arrested and booked the men into the Larimer County Jail. These suspects face the following charges:

Hunter Rivera (DOB 03/30/02) of Windsor. Rivera was issued a $6,500 cash-only bond by the Larimer County Court.

• Soliciting a Child Prostitute (F3)
• Internet Luring of a Child (F4)
• Cybercrime – Soliciting to Arrange a Minor Prostitute (F5)
• Attempted Sexual Assault on a Child (F5)

Ismaaeel Abdur-Rahmaan (06/24/03) of Fort Collins. Rahmaan was issued a $7,500 cash-only bond by the Larimer County Court.

• Soliciting a Child Prostitute (F3)
• Internet Luring of a Child (F4)
• Cybercrime – Soliciting to Arrange a Minor Prostitute (F5)
• Attempted Sexual Assault on a Child (F5)

“Children are not property to be bought or sold,” said Sheriff John Feyen. “Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, and we won’t tolerate it in Larimer County. I hope this operation sends a strong message. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you try to hurt kids in our community, you will be held accountable.”

Booking photos are attached. These charges are merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

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The punk band Hayley and the Crushers, hailing from Detroit, Michigan, will be coming to the Oriental Theater in Denver on May 23rd, opening for long-running punk groups Screeching Weasel and The Dwarves. We sat down virtually with Hayley Crusher herself (Hayley Cain, joined by her chihuahua Gidget, the band’s “tour manager”) to talk about the band and their return to Denver.

Jamie Lammers: How did you guys get started as a group?
Hayley Cain: I’ve been on and off in bands since I was a teenager, and all sorts of genres, from punk to rock, bluegrass, country. Haley and the Crushers was my attempt to start a band with my name on it, so I could not chicken out, and it worked out that way. We started in 2016 in San Luis Obispo, California, which is sort of a sleepy beach town. Even when we try to be edgy or hardcore, we’re a sunny California band. We say our genre is “poolside glitter trash,” and we combine the grit and glitter elements of rock, punk, pop, melody, and oldies, putting it all together.

Jamie: Is there a primary songwriter in the group?
Hayley: The band started with my songs. It’s always come from a place of desire from my heart to write these songs, so I would say I’m definitely at the forefront of songwriting. My husband [band member Reid Cain/Dr. Cain ESQ] and I, since we met about 13 years ago, we’ve pretty much put out at least an album every year, or some sort of release. Part of what I love about our creative partnership is that we do get to write songs together. I may come up with a lyric concept and a couple chords, and he may come up with the whole verse, and it allows me to play to what he’s bringing to the band, too. We’re both songwriters, but I feel like the trajectory of the band has always been from a woman’s perspective.

Jamie: What’s it been like for you being able to write songs and bring them to a group like this?
Hayley: I think it’s cool. It’s like collecting tattoos. You can look back and see where you were in certain places. I think for every songwriter, there’s this evolution; a lot of songwriters, and artists in general, when they start, that’s the only way they can metabolize the world. That’s great, and that’s an outlet, but to step up into creating music and art from a universal place takes time and maturity. I think I’m at a place now where when I think about what I’m trying to say with songs, it’s not a bodily function as much as it was when I was in my 20s. I try to construct from a place of something beyond myself that isn’t purely a diary entry, but something that people can connect to. I think, in general, we have a joyful vibe about us, and that’s what keeps people interested in the band. Not everyone’s going to a show to smile, but I think we attract people that are looking for joy, freedom, to not take themselves too seriously.

Jamie: Is that a favorite aspect of being able to perform live in general?
Hayley: Yeah. I think as a female performer, just the act of getting on stage is its own rebellion and message. We don’t think about how rare it is to see women on stage expressing their emotions and points of view while backed by a band and a loud, amplified instrument. That’s an incredibly liberating and important experience for women and girls to see. It’s not what I set out to do, but I know that’s change I’m affecting. We talk as a band about how it’s not about being cool, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about the Crusher-verse, a place where everybody can belong. It’s playful and fun, and we get to be that portal for people, just the way bands like The Clash or X or Ramones were portals for me as a young kid. Now, our audiences are punk dads and their creative daughters, and it’s the best demographic I could have asked for.

Jamie: Is that something you hope people take away, that inspiration, that drive?
Hayley: Sure, I mean, we all bring something to the stage. The way we look at it is, it’s our personalities cranked to 11. I’m an awkward person; I like to have fun, laugh at myself, and the world. I think we need that, I need that, to survive in this world, so I bring that fully and amp it up. We all just bring who we are authentically, and I think that resonates.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Monday, May 18, 2026

CONTACT: Kailee Stiles, 507-250-1896

press@seligmanforag.com

“The People of Colorado are Demanding Accountability”: Seligman Calls for Special Session to Impeach or Censure Gov. Polis After Peters Commutation

Denver, CO – Following Governor Polis’ announcement that he commuted the prison sentence of prominent election denier Tina Peters last Friday, David Seligman was the first candidate in the Attorney General’s race to call on the General Assembly to exercise its constitutional authority to reconvene and hold the Governor accountable for the corrupt use of his clemency authority.

In his statement Sunday, Seligman also pointed out that the Governor’s announcement came after the legislative session had already concluded, what Seligman called a “likely effort to avoid accountability for misconduct.” But people across Colorado are demanding accountability.

Peters was convicted in October 2024 of seven felonies related to her attempts in 2021 to prove that the 2020 general election was “stolen” while she was Mesa County Clerk and Recorder, a direct result of President Trump’s conspiracies and fearmongering. The failed, illegal effort cost Mesa County over $1.4 million in replacement equipment, increased security from local law enforcement, and hiring a designated election official to replace Peters.

Since the start of his second term, Trump has repeatedly pressured the governor to release Peters, illegally attempting to grant her a federal pardon in his capacity as President, threatening state officials, moving Space Command out of Colorado, and revoking federal funding from other state projects — including from a critical southern Colorado water pipeline for rural ranchers and the National Center for Atmospheric Research facility in Boulder.

Earlier this year, every Democrat in the General Assembly signed a letter urging Polis not to pardon Peters. Since Friday, nearly every statewide elected Democrat has voiced their incredible disappointment in the Governor’s action.

Full statement from David Seligman on Sunday, May 17, below:

I’m calling on the General Assembly of Colorado to vote to reconvene for a special session for the purpose of impeaching or censuring the Governor of Colorado. The Governor commuted Tina Peters’ sentence after the legislative session, likely in an effort to avoid accountability for misconduct. The people of Colorado are demanding accountability.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

MEDIA RELEASE

May 18, 2026

Contact: Jenny Davies, 720-296-9545, jenny@progressive-promotions.com

Sarah McAfee, (720) 301-2918, smcafee@co.jefferson.co.us

Curbside Service To Be Available for Disability Plates and Placards in Jeffco

Jefferson County Clerk’s office will offer appointments for people with disabilities

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLO. – In celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 21st, the Jefferson County Clerk’s office will launch a new curbside option for accessibility-related DMV services at their Golden office. Customers with a disability can now get new license plates or placards, or renew them, without leaving their vehicle.

“People with disabilities, injuries, and other mobility conditions depend on transportation options that let them be mobile, independent, and active. Making the DMV more accessible is critical to that,” said Amanda Gonzalez, Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder. “Government should welcome and work for all its people, and we’ll continue to innovate in how we deliver our services to the community to meet those needs.”

Appointments for curbside service are required and should be made online at DriveJeffcoCO.gov or by calling 303-271-8100. Since most of the accessible services require documentation from a medical provider, customers will need to send completed forms ahead of their appointment and follow instructions in the confirmation email about where to park and how to initiate the appointment on-site.

The service will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., only at the DMV location at 100 Jefferson Parkway in Golden. Only Jefferson County residents can use Jeffco DMV services.

“We’re proud to prioritize access and inclusion in all our departments, from motor vehicles to elections,” said Gonzalez. “We work hard every day to make sure that every resident is able to fully participate in our lively Jeffco community.”

The Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder’s Office is dedicated to making government and the democratic process work for all of Jeffco. From providing friendly vehicle registration services to issuing marriage licenses to administering free and fair elections, the Jeffco clerk’s staff is building a community that welcomes and works for everyone.

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This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Satire and Opinion section. It employs parody, irony, and fictionalized scenarios for comedic effect; as such, it should not be interpreted as a factual news report. At Yellow Scene, our opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud (sometimes with a dose of irony).

Americans breathed a collective sigh of relief last Tuesday after the latest CPI report showed inflation was increasing only because of soaring energy prices, war in the Middle East, collapsing supply chains, and a slowly unraveling global economy.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer prices rose 0.6% in April and 3.8% year over year, marking the highest inflation reading since 2023 as gasoline prices, airfare, shelter costs, and basic consumer goods continued climbing.

“Honestly, this is the best-case scenario,” said one visibly exhausted Federal Reserve economist while pouring lighter fluid directly onto a stack of economic forecasts. “At least inflation isn’t being driven by something scary like strong consumer demand or wage growth. This is just geopolitical instability, oil shocks, and broad-based pricing pressure spreading through the entire economy.”

Markets initially fell following the report before rebounding slightly after investors remembered there is no alternative to pretending everything is fine.

Economists noted that gasoline prices surged more than 28% year over year as oil prices remained elevated amid continued tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

“This is temporary,” explained one Wall Street strategist. “And by temporary, I mean until the next temporary inflation event happens.”

Meanwhile, Americans reported adapting to higher prices through a variety of practical measures, including canceling vacations, driving 11 fewer miles per week, replacing beef with despair, and pretending eggs are now a luxury item similar to caviar.

At press time, the Federal Reserve was reportedly debating whether to hold interest rates steady, raise rates again, or simply walk into the ocean.

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The post Americans Relieved Inflation Rising Due to Civilizational Collapse appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Leah Brenner Clack

Executive Director and Founder, Street Wise Arts

hello@streetwisearts.org  

720-352-8194

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 5, 2026

Superior, Colorado –  Street Wise Arts and the Town of Superior will co-produce the Superior Mural Festival, celebrating the Town’s growing community through public art installations and events on October 4, 2026. Street Wise Arts has produced seven successful mural festivals and installed more than 170 murals in Boulder County. This partnership with the Town of Superior creates a new and impactful mural festival uniquely designed for the Superior community.

“Superior’s vibrant community and active public spaces represent everything we look for in a partner,” says Leah Brenner Clack, Founder and Executive Director of Street Wise Arts. “We look forward to working alongside the Town to celebrate its unique character through world-class public art that neighbors can enjoy for years to come.”

The Superior Mural Festival presented by Street Wise Arts aims to activate the Town of Superior’s public spaces, foster community pride, and support local artists. Street Wise Arts collaborated with Superior’s Cultural Arts and Public Spaces Advisory Committee (CAPS) to select a variety of walls for the festival. The walls vary in size from small to large, which will contribute to a robust and impactful first year mural festival and provide opportunities for artists from a variety of career stages. 

The Town and CAPS selected a theme of nature and regrowth, encouraging artists to consider contemporary, unique, and creative approaches to the theme within their mural designs. The theme celebrates the Town’s unparalleled connections with nature through its 630 acres of parks, green space, and open space and 35 miles of trails. Additionally, it offers opportunities for reflection as the Town continues to expand and define its cultural identity. 

“Downtown Superior is evolving, and this is exactly the kind of energy we want to build—creative, public, and something people can be part of,” says Mark Lacis, Mayor of the Town of Superior. The Superior Mural Festival presented by Street Wise Arts will headquarter itself at the Superior Civic Space, located in the heart of Downtown Superior and surrounded by the festival walls. 

In addition to the live mural installation, the festival will offer free public programming, including an exhibition of artworks by the artist lineup, artist panel discussion, mural walking tours, and art education workshops. These programs offer community members the ability to connect with and get to know their neighbors as well as the local artists creating murals during the festival. The Superior Mural Festival will take place in conjunction with the annual Fall Festival, which brings a variety of vendors and live music to Downtown Superior.

“Superior residents have been asking for more murals in town,” says Andrew Vaughan, chair of CAPS. “The 2026 Superior Mural Festival is the beginning of a beautiful tradition of answering that call.”

The call for artists opens May 1-31. Street Wise Arts will work with the Town of Superior to review applications and invite a diverse group of local artists to participate in the festival.

Visit superiormuralfestival.com for more information, ways to get involved, and to sponsor or donate to the Superior Mural Festival.    

About Street Wise Arts

Street Wise Arts is a 501c3 nonprofit arts organization based in Colorado. Our mission is to uplift artists and to build vibrant, resilient communities through public art projects, creative events, and hands-on education programs that beautify spaces and amplify cultural diversity and social justice. Our core values include ensuring equitable access to the arts, supporting diverse artists of all ages and skill levels, and providing opportunities for the community to participate in public art programs.

About Town of Superior

The Town of Superior is a vibrant small town of 14,000 nestled in between Boulder and Denver. With its roots in agriculture and coal mining, the four-square mile town has an ample amount of open space and number of parks, with unparalleled views of the Flatirons and Rocky Mountains. The Town recently achieved a Bird City Colorado designation in 2025 and has also been recognized as a Tree City USA for 26 years.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 18, 2026

Rep. Junie Joseph Statement on the Commutation of Tina Peters

Boulder, CO — The commutation of Tina Peters by Governor Polis has been difficult and confusing for many Coloradans, not only because of the decision itself, but because of the conversations surrounding it.

The decision raises important considerations about how clemency actions are understood in the broader context of public trust in our elections. As the prime sponsor of SB 25-001, legislation designed to strengthen and protect voting rights in Colorado, and as a Colorado legislator committed to safeguarding democratic participation, I remain focused on preserving confidence in free, fair, and secure elections.

At the same time, the power to commute or pardon is a constitutional authority vested solely in the Governor. Governors of both parties have exercised clemency powers in difficult and controversial cases throughout American history. While people may strongly disagree with this particular decision, disagreement alone is not grounds for impeachment.

I was struck by Tina Peters’ public statement expressing remorse, acknowledging wrongdoing, and condemning threats and violence against election officials and public servants. Accountability matters. So does public trust. But Americans have also long believed in the possibility of growth, redemption, and second chances, even in difficult and imperfect circumstances.

That belief in redemption is part of our national story. We live in a country that has repeatedly placed faith in the possibility of reinvention and second chances. Whether one looks at moments of historic political change or deeply polarizing elections, it reflects a broader truth about the American people: many continue to believe in the capacity for change, forgiveness, and new beginnings. That belief in redemption, while powerful and reflective of our highest ideals, can also produce dangerous outcomes, and democracy requires us to wrestle honestly with both the promise and the risks of that reality.

For me, however, this moment is ultimately bigger than any one individual. At a time when voting rights and democratic institutions remain under strain across this country, particularly in ways that disproportionately impact BIPOC communities, Colorado must continue making clear that free, fair, and secure elections are foundational to public trust in our democracy.

We should be able to defend democratic institutions while also respecting constitutional processes. We should be able to disagree strongly without abandoning fairness or turning every constitutional disagreement into a call for political destruction. Democracy requires accountability, but it also requires restraint, consistency, and respect for the rule of law.

Media Contact:

Office of Representative Junie Joseph

720-432-6009

junie.joseph.house@coleg.gov

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For years, Colorado’s Front Range passenger rail proposal, a long-running effort to create a rail alternative along the heavily congested Interstate 25 corridor, has existed as one of the state’s most persistent transportation ambitions. Now branded the Colorado Connector, or “CoCo,” the project is shifting from concept to early-stage development, bringing renewed scrutiny over cost, funding structure, environmental claims, and long-term viability.

Supporters describe the proposed system as a long-overdue investment in regional mobility that could reduce traffic congestion, improve transportation access, and support economic growth across one of the fastest-growing corridors in the western United States. Critics, however, argue the project carries financial risks and operational uncertainties that could leave taxpayers absorbing long-term subsidies without guaranteed ridership returns.

At the center of the debate is a core question: can Colorado build a passenger rail system that is both functional and financially sustainable?

The Front Range Passenger Rail District envisions a phased rail system connecting Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, and eventually Pueblo.,The current focus is an initial starter service between Fort Collins and Denver, which planners describe as the most viable first step due to existing infrastructure and population density along the northern Front Range. Recent regional funding actions include approximately $332 million in approved support through RTD and the Colorado Infrastructure Office for early-stage development tied to the starter corridor.

Sal Pace pictured

According to Sal Pace, General Manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District, the starter service is designed to begin operations in 2029, with three daily round trips between Fort Collins and Denver.

“The initial starter service for the Colorado Connector is estimated at approximately $330 million and will deliver round-trip service between Fort Collins and Denver three times daily beginning in 2029,” Pace said in a statement provided to Yellow Scene. “What makes this approach different is that Colorado is leveraging existing rail infrastructure and partnering directly with freight rail operators, rather than building an entirely new rail corridor from scratch.”

Pace added that the long-term vision includes expansion southward toward Colorado Springs and Pueblo, with potential service extensions targeted around 2032. The phased approach is central to the project’s funding and political strategy, allowing officials to demonstrate early service viability before committing to full corridor buildout. However, the broader financial structure of the project continues to generate debate. Depending on infrastructure requirements, service frequency, station development, and long-term corridor improvements, publicly discussed estimates for the Colorado Connector range from hundreds of millions for initial service to multi-billion-dollar projections for full Front Range expansion. Transportation infrastructure projects of this scale routinely require long-term public investment, but critics argue passenger rail presents unique financial exposure because operating costs continue indefinitely after construction is complete. These costs include staffing, maintenance, fuel or power supply, equipment replacement, insurance, and ongoing infrastructure upkeep.

Drafted path for proposed Railway.

One of the most contested concerns is the potential long-term subsidy required per rider. Some critics have pointed to analyses suggesting costs could approach or exceed $1 per passenger mile depending on final ridership performance and operational conditions. While not an official projection from the district, the figure has become a focal point in broader public debate about rail efficiency compared to other transportation modes. Critics argue that when full lifecycle costs are considered — including infrastructure, operations, and maintenance — passenger rail systems can become significantly more expensive per traveler than driving or commercial air travel on a per-mile basis, particularly if ridership falls below projections. Supporters counter that such comparisons often ignore the broader context of transportation funding in the United States. Highways, airports, and roadway systems also rely heavily on public investment and ongoing subsidies, even if those costs are less visible in fare structures.

According to Pace, the Colorado Connector is designed as a cost-conscious model that prioritizes existing infrastructure to reduce upfront construction costs and accelerate delivery timelines.

“What makes the Colorado Connector notable is that we have intentionally structured it as a cost-conscious public-private partnership that leverages existing infrastructure rather than pursuing far more expensive new rail construction,” Pace said.

He added that all major transportation systems require sustained public investment and that passenger rail should not be evaluated differently in that regard.

The debate ultimately reflects a broader policy question: whether transportation systems should be evaluated by direct cost recovery or by broader impacts such as congestion relief, mobility access, environmental benefit, and long-term economic development.

Colorado’s Front Range corridor continues to experience significant population growth, placing increasing pressure on Interstate 25 and surrounding road networks. Commuters regularly experience variable travel times between Fort Collins, Denver, and Colorado Springs, with congestion driven by population growth, tourism, construction, and accident-related delays. Rail supporters argue that highway expansion alone cannot sustainably accommodate future demand. However, operational challenges remain central to skepticism towards the Colorado Connector as a solution.

The Colorado Connector is expected to rely heavily on existing freight rail corridors during its initial phases, rather than constructing dedicated passenger rail lines. While this approach reduces construction costs significantly, it also introduces limitations related to scheduling coordination, freight priority, travel speeds, and service frequency. Passenger trains operating on shared freight corridors must often navigate dispatch constraints that can affect reliability and consistency compared to dedicated passenger systems Critics argue these constraints may reduce the system’s competitiveness against driving, particularly if service frequency or travel times do not meet public expectations.

Environmental considerations are also a major part of the project’s public messaging. Passenger rail is generally promoted as a lower-emission alternative to single-occupancy vehicle travel, and Colorado Connector has been framed as aligned with broader state efforts to reduce transportation emissions. However, the planned use of diesel or diesel-hybrid equipment during early operations has drawn scrutiny. At the time of publication, the Front Range Passenger Rail District had not provided additional comment from Tara Trujillo regarding the diesel implementation phase. District leadership has stated that diesel-hybrid equipment is intended to provide operational flexibility across existing freight infrastructure while reducing startup costs and allowing service to launch more quickly.

Though Pace noted, that future technological improvements in rail propulsion may allow for cleaner operating systems down the line. 

The tension between long-term environmental goals and near-term operational realities remains one of the most closely watched aspects of the project.

As Colorado moves toward potential implementation, the success of the Colorado Connector will likely depend less on initial branding and more on execution — including ridership levels, service reliability, and long-term financial performance. For now, the project remains suspended between vision and verification, with its ultimate outcome still uncertain. Whether it becomes a defining transportation investment or a costly lesson in infrastructure ambition will depend on whether projected benefits align with real-world performance once service begins.

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The post The Colorado Connector: Visionary Transit or Costly Gamble? appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Monday May 14th, 2026

Media Contact:

Alfonso Espino – GES Coalition

alfonso@ges-coalition.org

DENVER, CO — On Monday, May 18, residents, community organizations, environmental justice advocates, labor partners, and allies will hold a press conference outside the  ahead of Denver City Council’s expected vote on a one-year data center moratorium.

Speakers will call on the City Council to make the moratorium more than a temporary pause. Community members are urging Denver to use the moratorium year to write and pass a strong, enforceable data center ordinance that protects public health, water, air quality, utility affordability, grid reliability, civil liberties, and disproportionately impacted neighborhoods.

On Monday, GES Coalition and partners will also release the full Make the Moratorium Mean Something platform, a community-backed set of demands calling for Denver to end by-right approvals for large data centers, close loopholes during the moratorium, require full public disclosure of energy and water use, prevent cost-shifting onto residents and ratepayers, limit diesel generators, protect communities during drought and grid stress, and create a real community-led process for writing enforceable rules.

WHAT: Press conference ahead of Denver City Council’s data center moratorium vote

WHEN: Monday, May 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM

WHERE: Denver City and County Building, 1437 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80202

WHO: Residents of Globeville and Elyria-Swansea, GES Coalition, partner organizations, and community allies

WHY: To call on Denver City Council to use the proposed one-year data center moratorium to pass strong community protections before the next approval, expansion, permit, or utility agreement moves forward

Community members will also attend public comment later that evening to urge the City Council to stand with impacted neighborhoods and ensure the moratorium leads to binding protections, not vague recommendations shaped by corporations and lobbyists.

Visuals and interview opportunities: Community members, signs, organizational leaders, impacted residents, and speakers available for interviews in English and Spanish.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Media Contact:

Kate Hernandez, Media Relations, 720-450-7554

www.bouldercolorado.gov

City of Boulder Celebrates 6th Annual Arts in the Park Series

Boulder Ballet kicks off the summer series on Saturday, May 30, with tickets on sale now.

BOULDER, Colo. – The City of Boulder’s Arts in the Park event series returns to the Glen Huntington Bandshell for a vibrant blend of art and cultural events.

“Arts in the Park events are great opportunities for summer fun while supporting the local and independent artists who help shape Boulder’s creative spirit,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Ali Rhodes. “Through these free and low-cost events, we welcome people to Boulder’s downtown parks in meaningful ways and make arts experiences accessible for all.”

This year’s signature performances by Boulder Ballet, Boulder Symphony, and Arts Hub, alongside additional free community spotlight events throughout the season:

Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31: Boulder Ballet (ticketed)

Sunday, June 7: Dizzy with a Dame (free)

Sunday, June 21: Pepe Cetina (free)

Saturday, July 4: Boulder Symphony (ticketed)

Saturday, July 11: Prana in the Park (free)

Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18: Shared Atmospheres (free)

Sunday, Aug. 2: Beyond Academia Free Skool (free)

Sunday, Aug. 23: Arts Hub (tickets available at a later date)

Ticketed events are $10 per person (with a $2.51 service fee), proceeds support each local performing arts group. Tickets and additional event participation details can be found at boulderartsinthepark.com. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the summer. Please reach out to Program Supervisor, Rosa Wright (WrightR@bouldercolorado.gov).

— CITY —

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Update to include the Democratic Party of Denver statement.

Former Mesa County clerk and prominent election denier to be released after months of pressure from Trump and allies.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has commuted the prison sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, ordering her release on parole effective June 1.

Peters, a former Mesa County clerk who became one of the nation’s most prominent election deniers, was convicted in 2024 for allowing unauthorized access to election equipment after promoting false claims that the 2020 election had been stolen from Donald Trump. She was sentenced to nearly nine years in prison.

Polis said Friday that Peters committed a crime and deserved prison time, but argued her sentence was too harsh and may have improperly considered her protected speech. The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld Peters’ conviction in April but ordered that she be resentenced, finding concerns with how the original sentence was reached.

However, the decision also comes after months of sustained pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies, who repeatedly called for Peters’ release and portrayed her as a political prisoner. Trump publicly praised Peters and launched a barrage of criticism and political pressure directed at Colorado and Gov. Jared Polis over her imprisonment. Polis’ commutation effectively cuts her sentence to four years and four and a half months.

Polis repeatedly emphasized that the action was not a pardon.

“She’s a convicted felon. She deserves to be a convicted felon. She will remain a convicted felon,” Polis said.

Trump’s push for Peters’ release extended far beyond social media posts. Following his return to office, Colorado officials increasingly argued that Peters’ case had become intertwined with broader political retaliation against the state. State leaders pointed to disputes involving federal funding, proposed cuts and policy actions affecting Colorado, including fights over disaster aid, environmental transportation grants, efforts to dismantle NCAR in Boulder, SNAP requirements and the relocation of U.S. Space Command. Critics argued Peters had become a recurring flashpoint in broader political battles between Trump and Colorado.

Peters’ case also unfolded amid years of attacks on Colorado’s election system from Trump and election denial advocates. Trump repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Colorado’s mail-in voting system and election process were vulnerable to widespread fraud or manipulation. Election officials across the political spectrum have pushed back on those claims, noting that Colorado’s system has long been regarded as one of the nation’s strongest and most secure. The state’s election process includes paper ballots, signature verification, ballot tracking and post-election audits, and repeated reviews have found no evidence of widespread election fraud.

The reaction across Colorado was immediate. Election officials, Democratic leaders and many residents flooded social media and political channels with criticism, with some calling the decision reckless and others accusing Polis of capitulating to pressure from Trump allies. The controversy places the governor at odds with many within his own political coalition during the final year of his administration.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called the commutation “mind-boggling and wrong,” arguing that Peters was convicted by a jury for tampering with election equipment and undermining public trust in elections. Weiser warned that “caving to this president will only lead to more abuse from the bullying Trump administration.”

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold also sharply criticized the decision, calling the commutation “an affront to our democracy, the people of Colorado, and election officials across the country.” Griswold warned the move could “validate and embolden the election denial movement” and leave “a dark, dangerous imprint on American democracy for years to come.”

Griswold also pointed to the real-world impact of Peters’ actions. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the Mesa County voting equipment breach forced the county to replace nearly $1 million in election equipment and led Colorado to adopt new protections against insider threats involving election systems.

Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association and a Republican, warned that the decision sends a dangerous message to election workers. The organization accused Polis of “bending the knee” to political forces undermining confidence in elections and said county clerks felt abandoned by the governor’s decision.

Polis said Peters privately admitted wrongdoing in her clemency application, writing: “I made mistakes four years ago. I misled the Secretary of State when allowing a person to gain access to county voting equipment. That was wrong.”

Peters later thanked Polis publicly and said she plans to continue supporting what she describes as election integrity efforts and prison reform after her release.

A larger question may now follow the commutation: if months of pressure surrounding Tina Peters included threats, funding disputes and public attacks directed at Colorado, what happens next? Critics repeatedly argued that granting clemency would not halt broader political pressure from Trump or his administration. If those pressures continue after Peters’ release, the debate around Polis’ decision may shift from whether it was politically costly to whether it changed anything at all.

Democratic Party of Denver Statement:

The post Polis Commutes Election Denier Tina Peters’ Sentence, Orders June 1 Parole appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Andrew O’Neill, Indivisible’s National Advocacy Director, released the following statement in response to Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s decision to commute Tina Peters’ sentence:

“By commuting the sentence of someone convicted of tampering with election systems to fuel Trump’s lies about 2020, Governor Polis is sending a dangerous message: if you attack our democracy and have enough political backing, accountability is optional.

“The fact that this decision comes as new details emerge about Trump’s attempt to create a slush fund to pay January 6 insurrectionists makes it even more indefensible. Tina Peters was convicted by a jury of her peers for abusing her office and compromising election security. The absolute worst thing Democrats can do right now is to validate the same election denialism and impunity we’ve spent years fighting against. Authoritarians do not stop their quest to erode democracy just because you kiss the ring. On this decision, Jared Polis has failed the people of Colorado and our democracy.”

ABOUT THE INDIVISIBLE PROJECT

The Indivisible Project is a registered 501(c)(4) nonprofit. Our mission is to cultivate and lift up a grassroots movement of local groups to defeat the Trump agenda, elect progressive leaders, and realize bold progressive policies. Across the nation, thousands of local groups are using the Indivisible Guide to hold their members of Congress accountable.

# # #

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

BOULDER, CO | May 14, 2026 – The Museum of Boulder officially announced the winning design in its Unofficial Boulder Flag competition during a public reception held Wednesday evening at the Museum of Boulder, concluding a months-long community initiative that invited residents, artists, and designers to imagine a new visual symbol for the city.

The winning design, titled Flatiron Sunrise Flourish, was created by designer Michael Stuart Trimmer and selected following multiple rounds of blind review, discussion, and refinement led by a diverse community Review Panel.

The winning designer will receive a $500 award, and merchandise featuring the final flag design will launch Memorial Day weekend. All submitted designs, including finalists, will also be displayed in an installation at the Museum of Boulder.

After receiving nearly 200 submissions from professional designers, students, artists, and community members, the Review Panel selected 10 finalist designs through a blind evaluation process before choosing the winning flag following a final round of review and refinement.

Finalist designers included Todd Pitman, Michael Stuart Trimmer, Mel Rose, Steven Chester of Narrative Designs, Joey Major, Carolyn McHale of Boldface Design Group, Berger & Föhr (Lucian Föhr and Todd Berger), Ethan Thomasset, and Guillermo Tirado. More information on the final designs HERE.

The competition was developed as an opportunity to spark conversation around Boulder’s shared identity, history, landscape, and future through the language of civic design.

“This is an opportunity for dialogue about Boulder’s identity, heritage, and history,” said Emily Zinn, the Museum of Boulder’s newly appointed Deputy Director for Community Engagement.

The final phase of the process included a live design forum hosted by volunteers from the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA), where finalist concepts were discussed and refined. The selected design was further refined in collaboration with NAVA volunteers with the artist’s permission and participation, before the Review Panel reached consensus on the final version.

Reviewers cited the flag’s bold geometry, dynamic movement, and distinctive use of color as key strengths, describing the design as reflective of Boulder’s innovative spirit, natural beauty, and energetic identity.

Reviewers also noted the design’s intentionally unconventional structure and strong visual distinctiveness. Unlike many traditional municipal flags, the composition uses angular movement and asymmetrical forms to create a sense of forward momentum and emergence.

“Like the country, Boulder has felt a little divided lately. My hope is that a clear, community-made flag becomes a rallying point that reminds us what we share,” said reviewer Katie Daniels. “Boulder has been my home for many years, and I look forward to many more years with a new shared way to show city pride.”

“A city flag can be a strong visual unifying symbol reflecting pride and shared identity and belonging in a place,” said reviewer Bob Morehouse. “The timing is right for Boulder to adopt a flag that captures the resilience, innovation, and natural beauty of our community.”

The Review Panel acknowledged that no single design would reflect every individual perspective on Boulder, but emphasized that successful civic flags often become meaningful symbols over time through shared public connection and use.

“The introduction of a city flag — official or unofficial — represents a milestone for the Boulder community,” said Christopher R. Taylor, Executive Director of the Museum of Boulder. “This flag encapsulates the spirit of who we are as a community, and I am eager to see it waving proudly, representing our collective aspirations and values for generations to come. Thank you to those who submitted designs and to our committee of designers and community leaders who came together to aid in the selection process.”

The winning design draws inspiration from Boulder’s defining landscapes, culture, and history, with many finalist submissions throughout the competition incorporating elements such as the Flatirons, Boulder Creek, open space, bluebird skies, mining heritage, the Boulder Star, and the city’s strong connection to the outdoors.

About the Museum of Boulder:

Founded in 1944 as the Boulder Historical Society, the Museum of Boulder is an arts and cultural institution that showcases the remarkable accomplishments of Boulder through innovative exhibits, programs, and social engagement. Located on the corner of Pine and Broadway at 2205 Broadway, the institution serves as a private nonprofit holding over 44,000 objects in its collection of Boulder’s history. The Museum features the AASLH National award-winning gallery, The Boulder Experience, highlighting the area’s innovators, scientists, athletes, artists, natural foods, and high-tech interactives. The venue offers event spaces throughout the building and on its scenic view rooftop, making the Museum a unique community hub and resource venue.

Museum of Boulder Hours of Operation:

Wednesday–Monday: 9 AM–5 PM

Closed Tuesdays

Museum of Boulder at Tebo Center

2205 Broadway

Boulder, CO 80302

303-449-3464

museumofboulder.org

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Curb Surfer with Liquid Chicken, HopeBound & Short Bus, May 15

This Friday, Fox Theatre hosts Curb Surfer, an exciting four-man rock band from right here in Boulder. Their show provides audiences with a high-intensity music experience filled with local Colorado flair. Liquid Chicken, HopeBound, and Short Bus all bring their unique rock-n-roll vibes to the show, making sure to keep viewers constantly entertained. To witness one of Boulder’s most unique summer shows, book your tickets for the Fox Theatre this Friday.

Curb Surfer with Liquid Chicken, HopeBound & Short Bus | May 15 | Fox Theatre, Boulder

All Your Friends, HQ Denver, May 16

LCD Soundsystem, MGMT, and Crystal Castles are the post-punk revival of this house party. HQ Denver has the indie classics of the early 2010s that romanticized synths and high-energy to keep us dancing long into the night. DJ Eli dedicates a vinyl set to the nostalgia of these bands at All Your Friends (the title to perhaps one of the greatest songs to come out of this era) and all of its basement-floor classics.

All Your Friends | May 16 | HQ Denver, Denver

Plays With Fire 2026, May 16 and 17

The Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company brings its “Plays With Fire” event back for 2026 with two staged readings of comedies. The first is a ten-minute comedy, “Bonnet” by John Patrick Shanley, followed by a 70-minute memoir comedy, “The Wheelchair on My Face” by Sonya Kelly. This event will be shown in Denver on Saturday and in Boulder on Thursday and Sunday. Attendees will also have the chance to hear about BETC’s upcoming season from two of its directors.

Plays With Fire 2026 | May 16 and 17 | The Savoy Denver, Denver, and The Dairy Arts Center, Boulder

The Props, Skiimo, and Silver and Gold @ Lion’s Lair, May 18

Looking to make your Monday night a little louder? Head to Lion’s Lair on May 18 for a stacked lineup featuring The Props, Skiimo, and Silver and Gold. The show runs from 7 to 10 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. It is the perfect event to help you ease into the week with some live music. Whether you’re already familiar with the bands or just looking for a reason to get out, this 21+ show is a solid excuse to spend your Monday at one of Denver’s staple music spots.

The Props, Skiimo, and Silver and Gold | May 18 | Lion’s Lair, Denver

Boulder Creek Festival Returns Memorial Day Weekend, May 22–25

Downtown Boulder transforms into a four-day community celebration along the creek, with 30+ bands across three stages, 200+ artisan vendors, food trucks, and family programming — all free to attend. Kick things off Friday evening, then settle in for a full weekend of live music, local makers, and picnic-friendly afternoons in the sun. The Creekside Beer Fest offers ticketed tastings from 20+ Colorado breweries.

Boulder Creek Festival | May 22-25 | Boulder Creek, Boulder

Bloom and Glow, May 23

Come down to Brunner Farm House in Broomfield from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to connect with local vendors and your community on building healthy self-care habits. With features like a build-your-own-bouquet bar, wellness and self-care workshops, and chances to pamper yourself, this is a wonderful day out for friends looking to relax and build new self-care routines just in time for summer! All proceeds from this event also go to the Broomfield Council on the Arts and Humanities, which funds spaces for local artists to shine and grow year-round throughout the community. Show your support and spoil yourself a little!

Bloom and Glow | May 23 | Brunner Farmhouse, Broomfield

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

SustainEd Farms & Rotary Club of Denver

Matt Suprunowicz, Executive Director, or Vicki Brentin, Chair of Community Service

matt@sustainedfarms.org or vbrentin@gmail.com

Rotary Club of Denver and SustainEd Farms to Host “Epic Day of Service: Recycle for a Cause” on May 16, 2026

Denver, CO — May 2026 — The Rotary Club of Denver, in partnership with Denver Cherry Creek Rotary, Five Points RiNo Rotary Club, and additional community partners, invites the public to attend the first annual Epic Day of Service: Recycle for a Cause on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the West High School Garden.

This free, family-friendly Denver volunteer event brings together local nonprofits, service organizations, and community members for a one-stop day of sustainability, recycling, donations, and hands-on community impact. The event encourages residents to sustainably declutter while supporting organizations serving students, veterans, refugees, families, and first responders across Denver.

Community members are encouraged to bring donations, including:Dpoz

• Used garden tools
• Extra seeds and seedlings
• Opened bags of mulch or soil
• Old bicycles of all sizes
• Defunct electronics, charging cords, and accessories

Collected items will be reused, refurbished, redistributed, or responsibly recycled through local nonprofit and business partners.

Featured Community Partners

Blue Star Recyclers will provide free electronics recycling for laptops, tablets, cell phones, computers, charging cords, and accessories. Through ethical recycling practices and secure data destruction, Blue Star creates meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.

HopeCycle will accept bicycle donations of all sizes. Donated bikes will later be refurbished and redistributed to veterans, refugees, low-income households, and individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

SustainEd Farms will lead hands-on gardening projects at West High School’s school garden while collecting donated garden supplies and materials. SustainEd Farms works with schools across Denver to expand access to urban agriculture, sustainability education, and fresh local food for students and communities.

Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Foundation will support fundraising and wellness initiatives for first responders, and attendees will have the opportunity to explore a fire truck on-site during the event.

Haulden Removal Services will support responsible and sustainable disposal efforts while offering information about large-item hauling services.

In addition to donation drives and volunteer opportunities, attendees can enjoy coffee, snacks, educational tables, and opportunities to connect with Denver-area Rotary Clubs and community organizations.

Epic Day of Service: Recycle for a Cause

Saturday, May 16, 2026

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

West High School Garden

951 Elati St, Denver, CO 80204

Free and open to all ages.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or volunteer details, visit https://www.sustainedfarms.org/events.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 14, 2026

Colorado State Land Board Unanimously Approves New Five-Year Strategic Plan

Plan outlines path for resilient lands, enduring revenue, and stronger partnership for Colorado public schools

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners (State Land Board) today unanimously approved its new five-year strategic plan, establishing a clear direction for how the agency will manage state trust lands through 2031.

The plan reflects months of collaboration among State Land Board staff, Commissioners, and a broad range of partners across Colorado. The effort included extensive engagement with state agencies, lessees, industry groups, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and beneficiaries, as well as multiple opportunities for input from staff across the agency.

The State Land Board contracted Government Performance Solutions (GPS) to guide the process. GPS worked closely with staff, Board leadership, and external stakeholders to design and facilitate an inclusive, structured planning effort that helped translate diverse perspectives into a clear and actionable strategic framework.

“This plan reflects an exciting time of growth and evolution for the State Land Board,” said Nicole Rosmarino, Director of the Colorado State Land Board. “It charts a path for how we will continue generating reliable revenue for public schools while embracing new opportunities and adapting to a changing world.”

The plan is anchored by an updated mission, vision, and foundational principle that reaffirm the State Land Board’s constitutional responsibility to generate revenue for public schools while conserving trust lands to ensure their economic value for future generations.

It establishes three central strategic goals:

• Enduring Revenue: Distribute dependable and growing cash flows for current and future beneficiaries.
• Resilient Land: Advance the economic productivity of trust lands through sound stewardship, including protecting and enhancing the beauty, natural values, open space, and wildlife habitat for this and future generations.
• Connecting People: Ensure long-term organizational excellence by empowering staff and building trust among diverse networks.

Together, these goals reflect a balanced, portfolio-based approach to managing trust assets—one that recognizes both the importance of reliable revenue today and the need to adapt to changing environmental, economic, and social conditions over time.

A key feature of the plan is its emphasis on long-term thinking. In addition to outlining priorities for the next five years, the plan includes a 25-year vision that looks ahead to 2051—anticipating shifts in energy resources, water availability, land use, and population growth, and positioning the State Land Board to respond with foresight and discipline. Standing in 2051, it will be clear that taking the long view has ensured Colorado’s state trust lands remain productive, adaptable, healthy, resilient, thriving with wildlife, and beautiful—continuing to generate revenue for public schools while reflecting the values of each new generation.

“This plan illustrates our ambition and intent for moving the State Land Board forward,” said Deb Froeb, President of the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners. “We are excited to implement this strategy today and celebrate the outcomes it delivers tomorrow.”

The strategic plan includes an accountability framework to guide implementation, track progress, and ensure transparency over time. This framework is designed to keep the plan actively integrated into the agency’s day-to-day work and long-term decision-making.

The State Land Board will publish a final Strategic Plan Report in the coming months, providing a public-facing summary of the plan and opportunities for partners and lessees to engage in its implementation.

Learn more about the strategic plan at slb.colorado.gov/about-us/strategic-plan.

Contact:

Emily Barbo

Public Information Officer

Colorado State Land Board

emily.barbo@state.co.us

720-854-3330

About the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners:

The Colorado State Land Board is a constitutionally created agency that manages a $6 billion endowment of assets for the intergenerational benefit of Colorado’s K-12 schoolchildren and public institutions. The agency is the second-largest landowner in Colorado and generates revenue on behalf of beneficiaries by leasing three million surface acres and four million subsurface acres for agriculture, grazing, recreation, commercial real estate, rights-of-way, renewable energy, oil, gas, and solid minerals. The agency is entirely self-funded and receives no tax dollars.

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Oil hasn’t been in the news this much since Diddy’s trial last fall.

In another essay I ranted about the media’s obsession with gas prices. Children are slaughtered in Iranian schools and thousands have died elsewhere in the Mideast, but those damn gas prices!  If I see one more entitled American whining about the cost of filling the ravenous tank on the pickup they use only to drive to Starbucks…

Oil is in the news these days in my hometown of Erie. A political flare-up has been sparked by our Town Council’s rather sneaky negotiations to either sell or lease the town’s mineral rights. The process is driven by the conservative majority and their methods are Trumpesque: Highly secretive, probably self-dealing, and rife with obvious conflicts of interest.

A note on the euphemistic phrase “mineral rights.” In policy and public discourse this phrase is employed to wash a patina of innocence over the dirty business of the oil and gas industry. “Mineral” is a class of substances including diamonds, emeralds, gold. and quartz. 

Our no-longer-little town is not haggling over the rights to mine for gold or emeralds. It’s all about “Drill Baby Drill.” Most community chatter is about the comparative benefits of leasing vs. selling. The esoteric economic calculations should be of little interest. Whether in our town, the nation, or the withering planet the only calculation should be the toll on our communities or the planet’s health. 

The local quest for more oil and gas includes horizontal drilling of nearly five miles. This bit of trickery allows a greasy corporation to set up extraction businesses in a more sympathetic or stupid jurisdiction and then access the “minerals” from beneath homes like mine. Health and environmental concerns be damned. The oil and gas companies assure us that there are no health and environmental risks. Ummmm…yeah, sure. The risks are significant and quantifiable.

As with bitching about gas prices, the earnest capitalists in our community are focused on money, not ethics. “The sale or lease of “mineral rights” will benefit the town!” “Imagine the tax savings!”

Should the odd conservative or oil baron accidentally land on this essay, I will acknowledge that the topic of the world’s energy resources is complex, perhaps beyond my progressive educator ken. I know that a windmill in every backyard or a sudden total switch to so-called “renewables” is not possible.

But it is undeniable that burning fossil fuels is bad—inarguably catastrophic—for the planet and our survival as a species. But despite that inevitability, ya know – those gas prices! We’ve gotta keep that oil swooshing through the vulnerable pipes beneath my grandchildren and through the Strait of Hormuz.

The enormous, and enormously complex, global economy largely runs on fossil fuels. Starving that beast can have dire consequences. The world, at least the privileged world, is gluttonous. A gastric band—pardon the pun—might reverberate through the world economy in ways that would also cause great harm. But as with gluttons everywhere, a little diet wouldn’t hurt. 

In a chat with one of my many doctors this morning, we commiserated over the broad abdication of our collective responsibilities for the future of our children and (my) grandchildren. I used to claim, with empirical justification, that my environmental conscience was selfless, that I would not be alive to see the devastation being wrought by our greed and ignorance. Now, through the years gifted by my medical treatments and by way of several decades of flaccid environmental activism, the effects of global warming are bearing down on my retirement years like a freight train of oil cars.

Pushing back on powerful corporate interests, climate change denialists, and oil-slick local politicians is like trying to stop that freight train. It takes every set of hands we can muster.

The answer to Erie’s “sell or lease” question is “none of the above.” We should hold on to  “mineral rights” as if they are the diamonds and gold they are not. Will saying “no thanks” have economic consequences? Perhaps. Can it even stop them? Perhaps not.

The struggle to save the planet requires all world citizens to do what they can. Conserve energy, use alternatives when feasible and point out the gas and oil industry’s greed and dishonesty to your family, friends, neighbors, enemies and Town Council members.

And don’t whine about oil prices. The higher they are, the less we burn.

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The post Nelson’s Corner: Don’t Whine About Gas Prices appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Contact: Katie Farnan, press@thebighorncompany.com

Broomfield, CO – May 14, 2026 – Yesterday, the Northwest Parkway hosted its annual Open Tour, giving invited community guests an inside look at the operations behind a key connection in the Denver metro area beltway.

The Parkway’s Open Tour is one of many happening across the globe this month, sponsored by its parent company, VINCI Highways. Beyond Broomfield, Open Tour events took place from Greece to Colombia.

During the tour on May 13, guests moved through several areas of operations: a behind-the-scenes look at how Northwest Parkway maintains safe roadways, a live demonstration by the North Metro Fire Rescue District, and a tour of the Parkway’s underground museum.

In the maintenance yard, the Parkway crew discussed snowplows, road safety, and protocols for handling maintenance, obstacles, and tolling.

Located right next door, North Metro Fire’s team gave visitors an overview of their process for putting out electric vehicle fires. They led a live demonstration utilizing a specially designed fire blanket donated by the Northwest Parkway. Finally, the group moved to the administrative building alongside the Parkway to meet customer service staff for a behind-the-scenes view of the technology they use to assist customers with their toll accounts, before the group went underground to visit the tollway museum, located in a tunnel directly underneath the Parkway’s well-known gantry. The museum boasts a variety of memorabilia spanning decades from toll operations across the country, and includes hidden gems from the Parkway’s own history since its groundbreaking in 2001.

“We are proud to call Broomfield home, and events like this one give us the opportunity to show what that commitment looks like in practice. The Northwest Parkway has a long-term agreement to serve this region, and the partnerships we’ve built with our neighbors, from emergency services to local organizations, are a big part of how we deliver on that every day,” said Mathieu Lisbonis, CEO of Northwest Parkway.

“This partnership between our department and the parkway is incredibly important for responding quickly and appropriately to roadway incidents,” said Harold Osborn, Captain and Program Manager for the North Metro Technical Rescue Team. “We’re always happy to be able to demonstrate our electric vehicle fire response, answer questions, and show community members how we operate to keep residents safe every day.”

Open Tour is an annual event organized by VINCI Highways across its global network of roads and infrastructure. This year marked only the second time the initiative has taken place, and the first time Northwest Parkway has opened its doors as part of it. The team at the Parkway looks forward to making it an annual tradition.

Photo credits: J. Shields Photography

About Northwest Parkway

The Northwest Parkway links Broomfield to surrounding communities, including Lafayette, Superior, Boulder, Erie, Thornton, and Northglenn. Serving about 20,000 daily trips, it eases congestion and supports smart regional growth while respecting planned open space. The Parkway is operated under a concession agreement between the Northwest Parkway Public Highway Authority, composed of the municipalities of Broomfield and Lafayette, and VINCI Highways.

About VINCI Highways

VINCI Highways is a leading international roadway concessionaire and mobility services provider, managing a 2,330-mile network across 13 countries. By integrating design, financing, construction, operations, and tolling, we give public authorities the assurance of a single industrial partner able to deliver strong operational performance throughout the full life cycle of highway projects. As a long-term partner to the regions we serve, we are committed to safety, environmental progress, and economic development.

In the United States, VINCI Highways is active in six states with Northwest Parkway in Colorado, the Ohio River Bridges connecting Indiana and Kentucky, and tolling services in California, Texas, and Georgia through ViaPlus.

www.vinci-highways.com

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Families, Community Leaders, and Legislators to Hold Press Conference Following Passage of Transparency Legislation Through the Colorado General Assembly

Denver, CO — Following the successful passage of landmark legislation (SB26-190) through both the Colorado Senate and House of Representatives, impacted families, community leaders, advocates, and legislators will gather for a press conference centered on the voices of the families whose lived experiences helped shape this work from the very beginning.

The legislation, focused on transparency, communication, and public trust in incidents involving police use of force resulting in death, was built through an extensive stakeholder process that brought together families, community organizations, legislators, legal advocates, law enforcement stakeholders, and policy experts. The bill now advances toward final procedural steps following House third reading.

This press conference will provide space for families to speak directly about:

• How lived experience helped shape the legislation;
• How meaningful it is when the community is included in policymaking processes;
• The collaborative stakeholder process that centered impacted voices in the development of the bill;
• And why community-informed policymaking creates stronger outcomes for families and communities across Colorado.

Legislators and stakeholders will stand alongside the families in recognition that this process was strongest when community voices were centered rather than sidelined.

Speakers will also reflect on the significance of a legislative process that included robust community engagement, difficult conversations across perspectives, and continued collaboration toward a shared goal of greater clarity, transparency, and trust.

The event will additionally serve as an opportunity to acknowledge and thank the many individuals and organizations who contributed time, expertise, perspective, and emotional labor throughout this process.

WHO:

• Impacted families
• Community advocates and stakeholders
• Legislative sponsors and supporters
• The Epitome of Black Excellence and Partnership
• Supporting organizations and coalition partners

WHAT:

Press Conference on the Passage of Transparency Legislation

WHEN:

05/13/2026, 12:30 PM

WHERE:

Colorado State Capitol – West Foyer

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

• Family testimony and remarks
• Legislator remarks
• Community stakeholder perspectives
• Interview availability following the event

“This legislation was not created in isolation. It was shaped by families willing to live their grief out loud in pursuit of something better for the people who come after them. This moment belongs to them.” ~ MiDian Shofner, CEO, Epitome of Black Excellence and Partnership

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

Media contacts:

Direct: MiDian Shofner (303) 525-6461 / Office of Senate President, Senator James Coleman / Office of Assistant Majority Leader Representative Jennifer Bacon

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The post From Pain to Policy SB26-190 – Families to Speak Following Legislative Victory appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Sherpa Kitchen taught us something; in Nepalese culture “the guest is God.” Owner Ombo Sherpa surprised his regulars, the mayor of Boulder, and members of the Yellow Scene Magazine Staff with gifts in honor of their 7th anniversary. 

The Sherpa Family with Boulder Mayor, Aaron Brockett

Rasoj Shrestha, nicknamed RJ, led the invited group to a community table in the center of the restaurant. Guests were greeted with appetizers and drinks while sitting with genuine Sherpas that had guided countless tourists along the Nepalese mountains including Mt. Everest. Seated with Aaron Brockett, the mayor of Boulder, were neighbors of the kitchen including a resident of Gunbarrel that traveled to indulge in Sherpa Kitchen’s cuisine frequently. 

Nima, a niece of Ombo, led the festivities showing a video of Pasang Tendi Sherpa climbing Mt. Everest with the Sherpa Kitchen flag in hand. Afterwards the Sherpa Kitchen family gifted hand-made plaques engraved with their regulars’ names to each of the guests invited. To our surprise the Yellow Scene Magazine Publisher, Shavonne Blades, was gifted a shawl made in Nepal. Yellow Scene’s Business Development Manager, Peter Constas was gifted a sash with the Nepalese flag and American flag. 

Akriti Rai, the president of the Rocky Mountain Friends of Nepal, demonstrated a donated collection of mountain-climbing gear used by Sherpas, still climbing to this day. The night was filled with celebration as Nima thanked the loyal customers who helped them endure the pandemic. She reminded the crowd of another celebration; The Nepal Day Parade scheduled on May 16th. 

Beautiful table placement for Sherpa Kitchen’s 7th Anniversary

It was beautiful to see the looks on the unsuspecting faces of everyone as each one was announced and given a sincere gift of gratitude. The food was incredible as Ombo handed out curry and naan, showering the community table with generosity.

The night was a beautiful cultural exchange, and gave everyone in the room a chance to feel grateful. No one invited was expecting a gift, much more, a custom engraved plaque of their name commemorating their contribution to Sherpa Kitchen’s success. 

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The post At Sherpa Kitchen’s 7th Anniversary, the Guests Received the Gifts appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Adrienne Baxter

Recruitment and Retention Communications Specialist, Colorado Department of Human Services

Phone: 720-202-5923

adrienne.baxter@state.co.us

For National Foster Month, CDHS highlights statewide need for more foster families

Featured photo: A diverse group of five women and two men pose for a photo on a balcony overlooking a park and downtown Denver.

Pictured from left to right: Wendy Screen, Brianna and Bobby Ryan, Sandra Macias, Jeff Bland, Annie Nicely, and Michelle Barnes. (Not pictured: Amber and Alicia Johnson.)

Denver (May 4, 2026) — To highlight the need for more foster parents in Colorado, this National Foster Care Month, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) honored five foster families at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on Saturday, May 2. Many of these families support teens, as well as those with behavioral or mental health needs.

“We have a great need for foster families of all types, especially those who can open their hearts to teens, sibling groups, and youth with behavioral and mental health needs,” said Joe Homlar, director of the Division of Child Welfare at CDHS. “When caring individuals step up, they can provide a safe, stable, and loving home that is critical to reducing the impact of trauma and helping children work toward reunification with their families when possible. This kind of dedication changes lives.”

Every day in Colorado, an average of eight children and youth enter foster care. As of April 3, there were 3,590 children and youth in foster care living in a family-like setting, and of those, 2,567 are with certified kinship and foster families. Foster care gives children a safe, stable, and caring home while their parents work to overcome challenges that affect their ability to care for them.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

The five families being recognized this year are:

Jeff Bland and Sandra Macias from Commerce City

Jeff Bland and Sandra Macias started fostering in 2022, focusing on teenagers because they recognized their critical need for a stable, loving home. They currently care for three teenage girls in a supportive, trauma-informed environment that encourages the teens to be active in family life, develop independence, and learn self-advocacy. Sandra is bilingual in Spanish, which is vital for supporting Spanish-speaking youth. She helps maintain cultural connections and celebrate educational success: they helped two young women graduate high school, and a third will graduate this year.

Amber and Alicia Johnson from Grand Junction

Amber and Alicia, along with their 15-year-old daughter Taylen, created a diverse family in a safe and loving home, including a six-year-old boy, his 11-month-old sister, and a 19-year-old youth in transition. Driven to give children the security they deserve, they approach every challenge with a “how can we?” mindset, finding creative solutions. Their approach has led to success, and the six-year-old is now excelling as a top learner in school, and they championed their youth in transition who graduated and found a job. They advise prospective foster parents to “take the leap” to experience the profound reward of watching a child grow and feel safe through patience and kindness.

Annie and Max Nicely from Pagosa Springs

Annie and Max, along with their children and adopted granddaughter Aspen, are deeply dedicated to providing a stable and loving environment for all children. They currently care for two teen boys, prioritizing consistent safety and unwavering support —a mission Annie, with a degree in human services, holds dear. The family runs a custom hot rod shop, and their busy, large household focuses on teaching life skills and offering apprenticeships, holistically preparing teens for successful futures.

Bobby and Brianna Ryan from Frisco

Bobby and Brianna Ryan run a vibrant, committed household in Frisco, which currently includes their six biological children and an infant in foster care. Since becoming certified in 2020 to serve a critical community need, they have opened their home to 12 children in foster care. As a competitive, athletic, and musical family, they actively participate in their bilingual church, and Brianna’s fluency in Spanish helps them connect with Spanish-speaking children and biological parents, fostering compassionate relationships. Although fostering is challenging, they state that making a positive, long-term impact on a child’s life is worth the emotional journey.

Wendy Screen from Aurora

Proud veteran Wendy Screen became a foster parent in 2012 and now holds a therapeutic level certification. Inspired by her own experience of being fostered and adopted, Wendy specializes in caring for “tougher kids” with high needs. She uses her military background to provide the necessary structure, guidance, and supervision these young people need in a committed, loving environment. Wendy fosters a true sense of family, maintaining lifelong connections with the youth in her care, and prepares them for adulthood through practical life skills while also supporting reunification. She emphasizes that “changing one life is worth it”.

“We know Coloradans are interested in learning more about foster care, and these families’ stories show the profound, life-changing impact a temporary safe home provides,” said CDHS Deputy Executive Director of Community Partnerships, Minna Castillo. “The need is urgent, especially for teens and children with higher needs. We hope these inspiring examples will move Coloradans from interest to action.”

When parents need additional support to provide safety and care for their children, county human and social service agencies work to meet those needs. They focus on keeping families together. In instances where that is not possible, caseworkers first look for kin — adults who have an established, trusted relationship with the child — to step in. When there is no kinship possibility, foster families provide safety, stability, and care.

“Foster care is an essential foundation that strengthens Colorado families and communities,” said Thom Miller, director of the Office of Children, Aging and Community Services at CDHS. “It provides a crucial period of safety and stability for children and youth, allowing their birth families the space to work toward a successful reunion. To meet the unique needs of all our youth—especially teens and those requiring specialized support—we urgently need diverse, dedicated families across all backgrounds to step up.”

Being a foster parent, while challenging, can be extremely rewarding. In Colorado, foster parents must be at least 21+ years old and can be:

• Single, married, or in a committed relationship
• All races and ethnicities
• Homeowners or renters
• An experienced parent or a first-time parent

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, go to CO4kids.org. To meet children and teens currently waiting to be adopted, visit coheartgallery.org.

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The post CDHS Honors Colorado Foster Families Highlighting the Ongoing Need to Support Nearly 3,600 Children and Youth appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

May 7, 2026

Marya Washburn, CDOT Policy and Programs Communications Manager

720-378-4587 | marya.washburn@state.co.us

Kiernan Maletsky. RTD Director of Long-Range Planning

719-440-8370 | kiernan.maletsky@rtd-denver.com

CTE and RTD Announce Milestone $9.3 Million in Funding to Increase Frequency of Certain Bus Routes

Agreement marks first funding through SB24-230 transit formula grant program.

Statewide — The Colorado Clean Transit Enterprise and RTD announced a $9.3 million grant to increase frequency and launch new service on key bus routes as well as restore service on some routes, while providing extra capacity for high-volume events.

This funding, authorized under Senate Bill 24-230, marks the first award under the new formula grant program created by the legislature and signed by Gov. Jared Polis, representing the largest single investment CTE, a state-owned business housed within the Colorado Department of Transportation, will make for Fiscal Year 2026.

“I signed SB24-230 to protect our clean air and increase transportation options for Coloradans, and now Coloradans are seeing the benefits,” the governor said. “Coloradans want more transportation options that get us where we want to go, saving time and money, while reducing traffic and pollution. Thanks to this important law, Coloradans along busy bus routes will see increased service.”

The agreement signals an expanded partnership between the state and RTD. In a move to directly support RTD’s June 7, 2026, service changes, CTE and CDOT expedited the execution of this grant at RTD’s request. This rapid turnaround underscores a shared commitment to addressing RTD’s current fiscal challenges by providing immediate, tangible financial support to Colorado’s transportation system.

“Providing public transit services is more costly per revenue mile than it ever has been, and that fact is not unique to RTD,” said RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “The agency recognizes the limits that are inherent in its existing funding sources, and I am appreciative of the continued collaboration with the state that has brought us to this point. Collaborations like these will only be more important as RTD partners with the communities it serves to provide the services that customers need.”

CDOT Executive Director and CTE Board Member Shoshana Lew said the agreement was a testament to agencies cooperating across different levels of government.

“We know that frequency and reliability are critically important factors when people choose how to get to where they need to go,” Lew said. “Investing in transit running more often can help riders have more choices as they navigate their lives, and can make transit a viable option for more Coloradans.”

By law, the SB24-230 funding is dedicated to the expansion and restoration of transit services. RTD has identified several high-priority areas where these funds will be immediately applied to increase frequency, launch new routes, and restore services that have been dormant for several years. Key service improvements funded by this grant include:

• Frequency Increases and Pattern Revisions: Routes 1E/44 (ART Shuttle), 37, LD3/287, the 16th Street FreeRide, and 21E.
• Service Extensions: Expansion of Route 19 to serve more destinations.
• Reinstatement of Service: Bringing back Routes 53 and 80 to restore vital neighborhood connections.
• New Regional Connectivity: A brand-new route connecting Longmont directly to Denver International Airport.
• High Volume Event Support: Dedicated resources for high-volume events in order to help manage congestion during major stadium and city events.

The SB24-230 Formula Program is a centerpiece of Colorado’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program is funded by revenues generated by the state’s Oil and Gas Production Fee, specifically designed to reinvest in sustainable transportation and rail infrastructure. Allocations for transit agencies across the state are determined by a data-driven formula that considers factors such as service area population, ridership levels, transit service statistics, and other local zoning policies that support transit-oriented development. In record time, CTE and CDOT worked collaboratively with RTD and the broader Colorado transit community to establish the program’s framework, ensuring funds could be deployed effectively and efficiently to support increased service levels.

“This is a great example of how our state and regional partners are working together to deliver results for Coloradans,” said Craig Seacrest, director of the Clean Transit Enterprise. “By collaborating on important infrastructure and transit projects, CTE and RTD are helping to improve multimodal access, reduce traffic, and help meet our state’s climate goals.”

This collaboration between CTE and RTD serves as a concrete example of Colorado’s strategic investment in the future of public transit. By working in tandem, CTE and RTD are not only addressing immediate service needs but also laying the groundwork for a more robust transportation network. CTE and RTD are poised to help maximize the impact of state resources and create a more integrated and accessible transit network for all Colorado residents and visitors.

About CTE

The Clean Transit Enterprise was established by the Colorado General Assembly in 2021 as part of Senate Bill 21-260 and gained expanded resources and responsibilities through the passage of Senate Bill 24-230. Housed within CDOT’s Office of Innovative Mobility, the CTE is tasked with supporting the efforts of public transit agencies to replace existing gas and diesel vehicles with electric or other zero-emission options and to support increased transit and rail services throughout the state. Through grants, loans, and rebates, the enterprise funds zero-emission vehicle planning, vehicle acquisition, and the specialized infrastructure and facility modifications necessary to support a zero-emission fleet, and provides funding for increased transit services, creation or improvement of multimodal facilities, and development of passenger rail.

About RTD

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) was created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly to develop, operate, and maintain a mass transportation system that now benefits more than 3.1 million people in the Denver metro area. The transportation agency is governed by a 15-member publicly elected Board of Directors and has a service area of 2,345 square miles. RTD provides transit services via 126 local and regional bus routes, six light rail lines, four commuter rail lines, and paratransit and demand-response mobility options.

About CDOT

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide the best multi-modal transportation system that most effectively and safely moves people, goods, and information. CDOT maintains more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,400 bridges, and 35 mountain passes. Our team of employees works tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. CDOT leverages partnerships with a range of private and public organizations and operates Bustang, an interregional express bus service. Find more details at codot.gov.

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The post CTE and RTD Announce Milestone $9.3 Million in Funding To Increase Frequency of Certain Bus Routes appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

This piece is part of Yellow Scene Magazine’s Opinion section. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent a reported news position. At Yellow Scene, opinion pieces speak freely, challenge assumptions, and say the quiet parts out loud.

Protecting our Public Lands

Alex Kelloff for Congress | Colorado’s 3rd District

Western and Southern Colorado (CD3) contains some of our country’s most prestigious public lands. The scenic landscapes provide some of the greatest opportunities for recreation, including hiking, rafting, biking, fishing, hunting, skiing, and much more. These lands are also home to over 900 species of wildlife, including the largest elk herd in the country. Public lands in Western and Southern Colorado not only provide enrichment but are also vital for our economy, providing over $30 billion in revenue annually. This comes from recreation, tourism, and hospitality, driving Western and Southern Colorado’s job market.

I am running to represent one of the most significant public land districts in the country because the increasing threats from the Trump administration are putting at risk the accessibility and existence of these public spaces. Pressures from development, natural resource extraction, and climate change are tremendous risks. More than 20 million acres of national forests, Bureau of Land Management lands, and national parks define our economy, our way of life, and our future. These lands are not just scenic; they are essential. And once they are gone, we will never get them back.

A survey conducted in Colorado by Southwick Associates in partnership with Teel and Bruyere found that economic output in relation to outdoor recreation by Colorado residents amounted to $65.8 billion in 2023, which contributed $36.5 billion to the state’s GDP and $11.2 billion in tax revenue. The outdoor recreation industry also supported more than 404,000 jobs in the state, representing 12% of Colorado’s labor force, and producing $22.2 billion in salaries and wages.

The public lands in our district are the headwaters of 25 major rivers, providing water to more than 40 million people across seven Western states. That water supports families and communities, ranchers and agricultural producers, and countless cities and industries in the Western United States. Protecting these lands means protecting the water that millions depend on every day.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Recent federal actions have created uncertainty and put pressure on public lands, risking access to recreation and hunting, the stability for ranchers and water users, long-term economic growth, and the future of our outdoor economy. The political extremes have intensified under the Trump administration, which has led to rapid resource extraction, aggressive regulatory rollbacks, and neglected public participation. We cannot implement long-term plans needed to sustain our lands and water if we have major policy swings under every new administration. My goal is to move away from policies that ignore the voices of the communities that live and work on this land. I will seek to strengthen local participation and input, while legislating to provide greater regulatory certainty and transparency.

How will we do this?
We need a new approach to protecting our public lands while supporting the people who depend on them. Decisions about our lands should not come from Washington alone. We must ensure local voices are included in federal decision-making. We also need to work directly with ranchers, sportsmen, small businesses, and community leaders to build policies that reflect real- world needs in CD3.

Water is our most critical resource. We will protect our water by safeguarding watersheds and headwaters. We will support sustainable agriculture and responsible land use, and ensure long-term water security for rural and urban communities.

Public lands should drive opportunity. I will support small businesses tied to outdoor recreation and agriculture. We will do this by building and maintaining critical infrastructure like housing, water, energy, telecommunications, and transportation to enable responsible growth and lower the cost of living. This will help fortify our communities against the risk of wildfire and drought, and create and support good local jobs in the process. We will invest in areas that allow people to live and work locally, and keep more value in our communities, like rancher-owned meat processing facilities, farming co-ops, creative arts centers, and local business incubators.

We don’t have to choose between protecting land and using it responsibly. We need to maintain access for recreation, hunting, and grazing, and protect critical habitats and ecosystems. Also, promoting responsible stewardship for future generations.

My family’s roots in this region go back generations. I understand what these lands mean, not just economically, but personally. This campaign is about making sure our public lands are protected, and our communities are heard. That our local economies remain strong and vibrant, and our way of life is preserved.

Public lands are not just a national asset; they are the foundation of life in Colorado’s Third District. With the right leadership, we will protect our natural resources, strengthen our economy, lower living costs for families, and ensure future generations can enjoy the same opportunities we have today.

Alex Kelloff for Congress

Protecting our land. Strengthening our communities. Building our future.

Congressional Public Lands Score – click to see how members of Congress vote on America’s national parks, national forests, monuments, wilderness areas, and wildlife refuges

Like journalism like this? Consider becoming a sustaining supporter — and get our print edition delivered to your home each month.

Democracy needs journalism more than ever. For 25 years, we’ve told the truth — your support helps us keep doing it for the next four and beyond. Administrations come and go. Our team stays ready to lead, no matter who’s in charge.

The post Op-Ed: Congressional Candidate Alex Kelloff on Protecting Our Public Lands appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.