Why doesn't fire mitigation work lower your insurance bill?

Today is a lot. We're getting a new president of the United States while remembering the nation's greatest civil rights leader of all time. Here in Colorado, there are 20 more wolves roaming the wilderness, as voters requested, but the most in-your-face news of all is that it's so cold outside that staying out there too long could kill you.

I'm applauding the people going out in the deep freeze later for Denver's annual MLK Marade (though delayed and shortened). I'll offer up my favorite of Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic quotes: "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality." He was speaking in favor of peaceful protests, but I like to think he was also talking about the words we choose when trying to make a point in a world filled with combative opinions.

Stay warm out there, Colorado. Great day to grab a hot mug, watch the inauguration and catch up on the statewide news.

Jennifer Brown

Reporter

THE NEWS

CLIMATE CHANGE

Nonrenewals are fueling Colorado's growing homeowners insurance crisis

There's nothing worse than finding out that your homeowners insurance premiums are doubling next year. Unless, as many Coloradans are finding out, your insurer is leaving the market altogether and you've been dropped. Tamara Chuang and Olivia Prentzel take a deep dive into the crisis to look at how extreme weather events made more common by climate change are pulling the rug out from under some homeowners — and how unprofitable the industry can be.

READ MORE

Teller County investigators say Lacey Tillitt had been fighting with her insurance company for more than a year about her coverage being dropped.

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WILDLIFE

20 gray wolves released in Pitkin, Eagle counties, Colorado Parks and Wildlife says

15

Canadian gray wolves brought to Colorado

5

Remaining members of the Copper Creek pack, which have been captive since September

It's official: There are now 20 more wolves roaming the high country after Colorado Parks and Wildlife completed three controlled releases last week. Click through to read more, including why CPW says the relocation of the Copper Creek pack "is by no means a precedent for how CPW will resolve wolf-livestock conflict moving forward."

READ MORE

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NEWS

Jared Polis reveals his stance on the gun, labor and housing bills before the Colorado legislature this year

If you missed The Colorado Sun's conversation with Gov. Jared Polis about the 2025 legislative session, don't worry. Jesse Paul and Brian Eason break down the governor's positions on a swath of hot-button topics that will be driving this year's session and the state's relationship with the incoming Trump administration.

READ MORE, WATCH THE DISCUSSION

ENVIRONMENT

Colorado identifies its top five toxic air contaminants. Next comes rules to regulate them.

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission named five pollutants — formaldehyde, benzene, hexavalent chromium compounds, ethylene oxide and hydrogen sulfide — as "priority air toxics," Parker Yamasaki reports. The identification is a key step in a process to ratchet down air pollution in neighborhoods.

READ MORE

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MORE NEWS

Western Slope cities and water agencies want to buy the small Shoshone Power Plant's mighty water rights, and the new federal funds put the effort within range of its funding goal.

Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

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THE COLORADO REPORT

— The Denver Post

— Aspen Journalism

— Sentinel Colorado

— The Denver Post

= source has article meter or paywall

Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

THE OPINION PAGE

COLUMNS

— Mike Littwin

— Mario Nicolais

— Diane Carman

— Trish Zornio

COMMUNITY

— Fredrick D. Redmond

CARTOONS

— Peter Moore

The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun's opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at [email protected].

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Thanks for starting out your week — and your experience under the Trump administration round two — with us. Things are going to be moving fast, so if you'd like to stay on top of the most important stories in Colorado without waiting for the next edition of The Sunriser, now's a great time to install The Colorado Sun app! It's free, fast and the best way to read news in Colorado, with curated reminders to read stories you may have missed.

Stay safe, stay warm, stay strong and we'll see you back here tomorrow morning!

— Jen and the whole staff of The Sun

The Colorado Sun is part of The Trust Project. Read our policies.

Corrections & Clarifications

Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing [email protected].