Five stories. One commutation that split Colorado’s political class. A constitutional amendment that died without a fight. A federal grant program that fixes a symptom while ignoring the disease. And a virus most Coloradans thought they understood — until a cruise ship changed the conversation.
Governor Polis cut Tina Peters’ nine-year sentence in half, making the Gold Star mother parole-eligible June 1 — and drawing fire from two officials running statewide while managing their own accountability gaps. Colorado’s right-to-know constitutional amendment died quietly after proponents passed on a Supreme Court appeal. On the Western Slope, USDA opened $60 million in meat processing grants — real money for real capacity gaps, but not one dollar touches the federal inspection rules that drove small processors out of business. A companion piece puts Craig’s Fitch Ranch expansion in focus as the state’s best shot at regional relief. And hantavirus: 47 Coloradans dead since 1993, a cruise ship outbreak now triggering a global CDC response, and everything you need to know before spring cleaning season arrives.
Support Independent Local Journalism — High Country Advocate was created as a real alternative to regional media that too often silences dissenting voices while taking sides in the political struggle. Producing in-depth, unflinching reporting like this series and others is expensive: servers, editing, research time, and legal review all add up quickly. If these articles have informed you or given you new perspective, please consider supporting HCA with a paid subscription — every subscriber helps keep this reporting strong and independent. 