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Colorado paid $767M in Trump tariffs before SCOTUS ruling

The question now is whether businesses — or everyday Americans — will get refunds.

News

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court declared a large swath of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s tariffs illegal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="cf8904ab-5df9-477a-a8b6-4b0686605804" data-vars-headline="Colorado paid $767M in Trump tariffs before SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s tariffs illegal</a>, the question is whether businesses — or everyday Americans — will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="get refunds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" data-vars-content-id="cf8904ab-5df9-477a-a8b6-4b0686605804" data-vars-headline="Colorado paid $767M in Trump tariffs before SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-states-refunds" target="_self">get refunds</a>.

Community leaders rally, demand unity amid increased ICE activity

Immigrant advocates, community leaders, artists and a state lawmaker urged unity against what they characterize as aggressive immigration enforcement.

Parents are afraid to take their children to school. People are skipping important cultural celebrations. Others are hesitant to go to work.State of play: Those are some of the ripple effects described Friday by community leaders, who say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Immigration and Customs Enforcement&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/27/colorado-immigration-ice-state-lawmakers" data-vars-content-id="f559426e-8e44-47e6-8327-9fe1dce57448" data-vars-headline="Community leaders rally, demand unity amid increased ICE activity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/27/colorado-immigration-ice-state-lawmakers" target="_self">Immigration and Customs Enforcement&#x27;s</a> increased activity is affecting daily routines in parts of Denver&#x27;s Indigenous, Asian American, Black and Latino communities.

Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows

From President Trump's first term to his second, Westerners have become more intensely concerned about the rollback of environmental protections.

From President Trump&#x27;s first term to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his second" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/02/19/colorado-voters-oppose-trump-cuts-federal-public-lands-poll" data-vars-content-id="5468e355-c646-47d0-8cd9-1e88f8232d86" data-vars-headline="Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/02/19/colorado-voters-oppose-trump-cuts-federal-public-lands-poll" target="_self">his second</a>, Westerners have become more intensely concerned about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the rollback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/18/epa-endangerment-finding-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="5468e355-c646-47d0-8cd9-1e88f8232d86" data-vars-headline="Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/18/epa-endangerment-finding-lawsuit" target="_self">the rollback</a> of environmental protections, a new poll shows.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="numbers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026-poll-data/cc-national-press-release.pdf" data-vars-content-id="5468e355-c646-47d0-8cd9-1e88f8232d86" data-vars-headline="Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026-poll-data/cc-national-press-release.pdf" target="_blank">numbers</a> from the annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Conservation in the West poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026.html" data-vars-content-id="5468e355-c646-47d0-8cd9-1e88f8232d86" data-vars-headline="Environmental concerns among Westerners mount, new poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026.html" target="_blank">Conservation in the West poll</a> released Wednesday suggest conservation isn&#x27;t a niche issue — it&#x27;s political bedrock in eight Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.

Colorado group seeks new congressional maps to counter Trump-backed redistricting push

Coloradans for a Level Playing Field filed four potential ballot initiatives.

Election

A new Colorado ballot initiative set for introduction Wednesday would ask voters to temporarily suspend the state&#x27;s independent congressional redistricting system and approve new maps for the 2028 and 2030 elections, arguing the move is necessary to counter a GOP-led <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mid-decade redistricting drive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/redistricting-illinois-indiana-trump-jeffries" data-vars-content-id="7ba3aa77-f2dc-444a-bdc0-63fe74eb7ba5" data-vars-headline="Colorado group seeks new congressional maps to counter Trump-backed redistricting push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/redistricting-illinois-indiana-trump-jeffries" target="_self">mid-decade redistricting drive</a>.Why it matters: Colorado voters created an independent commission in 2018 as part of an effort to curb partisan gerrymandering. Now, Democratic-aligned organizers want to manipulate the drawing of congressional districts.

An Arctic blast is about to slap Colorado

The storm starts late Thursday with low temperatures falling into the teens overnight.

An Arctic blast arrives in Colorado today, delivering the coldest temperatures so far this season with wind chills reaching -20 for parts of the Eastern Plains.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" data-vars-content-id="cf88433a-eed2-451b-835a-b7f21edb56fe" data-vars-headline="An Arctic blast is about to slap Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/13/colorado-snowpack-drought-record-levels" target="_self">Winter</a> is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/20/denver-s-record-setting-winter-weather" data-vars-content-id="cf88433a-eed2-451b-835a-b7f21edb56fe" data-vars-headline="An Arctic blast is about to slap Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/11/20/denver-s-record-setting-winter-weather" target="_self">back</a>.

Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising

Colorado and much of the Southwest are experiencing warmer average fall temperatures, a new analysis finds.

Climate

Colorado and much of the Southwest are experiencing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warmer average fall temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/fall-warming-temperatures-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/fall-warming-temperatures-climate-change" target="_self">warmer average fall temperatures</a>, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: Warmer falls could increase cooling demand (and lead to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bigger bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/29/electric-power-bill-costs-ai-grid-reasons" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/29/electric-power-bill-costs-ai-grid-reasons" target="_self">bigger bills</a> and more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strain on the electric grid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/electricity-demand-projection-2050-icf" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/electricity-demand-projection-2050-icf" target="_self">strain on the electric grid</a>), affect growing and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allergy seasons," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/allergy-season-longer-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/allergy-season-longer-climate-change" target="_self">allergy seasons,</a> and have health impacts for vulnerable groups.By the numbers: Fall temperatures increased 3.7°F in Denver, 4.7°F in Colorado Springs and 1.1°F in Grand Junction between 1970 and 2024, according to a new report from Climate Central, a climate research group.The big picture: Average <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/daylight-loss-fall-equinox-us" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/daylight-loss-fall-equinox-us" target="_self">fall</a> temperatures are rising almost universally nationwide, a new analysis finds.<ul><li>Temps rose in 98% of the 243 cities analyzed in the report.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: The Climate Prediction Center&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest seasonal outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" data-vars-content-id="daffd0fe-bff6-4e66-93f4-5c9a674fd06a" data-vars-headline="Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" target="_blank">latest seasonal outlook</a> for fall forecasts above-normal temperatures for Colorado, particularly in the southwestern, drought-ridden part of the state.

When fall colors peak in Colorado

Colorado's golden aspens and red gambel oaks are emerging earlier this year.

Things to Do

Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="golden aspens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/04/colorado-fall-colors-leaves-photos-2023" data-vars-content-id="e7ce462f-8f44-4525-9abe-aa6ac580964a" data-vars-headline="When fall colors peak in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/04/colorado-fall-colors-leaves-photos-2023" target="_self">golden aspens</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red gambel oaks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/29/colorado-fall-colors-gambel-oak-red-leaves" data-vars-content-id="e7ce462f-8f44-4525-9abe-aa6ac580964a" data-vars-headline="When fall colors peak in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/29/colorado-fall-colors-gambel-oak-red-leaves" target="_self">red gambel oaks</a> are emerging earlier this year, thanks to drought conditions throughout much of the state.Why it matters: Fall is arguably Colorado&#x27;s prettiest season, and the foliage draws tourists from far and wide.

A clean energy future is possible in Colorado

Western Resource Advocates is helping Colorado retire coal plants and cut emissions by 2030.

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) are the watchdogs keeping Colorado&#x27;s climate progress on track as political winds shift and threaten progress.Why it&#x27;s important: Pollution from power plants, gas-powered vehicles, buildings, and homes drives climate change and threatens the health and livelihoods of our communities.<ul><li>Cutting fossil fuel use protects both people and landscapes across the West.</li></ul>

Fireflies are flourishing in Colorado

The luminous insects often emerge near wetlands.

You&#x27;re not imagining it. Fireflies are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="having a good year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/07/01/fireflies-good-summer-mild-spring" data-vars-content-id="8692d5e6-3fb6-462b-9e8d-16706dee7210" data-vars-headline="Fireflies are flourishing in Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/07/01/fireflies-good-summer-mild-spring" target="_self">having a good year</a>.Why it matters: Firefly populations have declined over the last 100 years.

CU's storm chasers are studying hailstorms

Frew and his small team of students are part of the largest hail study in decades, dubbed ICECHIP.

University of Colorado Boulder&#x27;s Eric Frew is eager to get a drone in the air. It&#x27;s June in the Plains, and that means hailstorm season.Why it matters: Hail causes billions of dollars in damage every year and leads to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="higher insurance rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/03/colorado-insurance-rates-extreme-weather-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="b0cc1675-87b2-41a2-a341-2018a37a7001" data-vars-headline="CU&#x27;s storm chasers are studying hailstorms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/10/03/colorado-insurance-rates-extreme-weather-climate-change" target="_self">higher insurance rates</a> nationwide. Yet, we know little about how it forms, says Frew.

How your summer habits can help cut ozone pollution in the Front Range

Ozone pollution builds on picture-perfect afternoons — but small shifts can help keep levels down.

Partners

Ground-level ozone is the Front Range&#x27;s most pressing air quality issue — and as summer arrives, pollution levels have the potential to spike.What you need to know: In the upper atmosphere, ozone (O₃) forms a protective layer that shields us from the sun&#x27;s ultraviolet radiation.

Colorado forecast: Prepare for a long and hot summer

Below-average snowpack and rapid snow melt will contribute to an early and hot summer across the West.

Below-average snowpack and rapid snow melt will contribute to an early and hot summer across the West, the latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer forecast" data-vars-click-url="https://opensnow.com/news/post/western-u-s-summer-2025-outlook" data-vars-content-id="d702d0bc-1a32-4182-9c15-a889fd1e8bfc" data-vars-headline="Colorado forecast: Prepare for a long and hot summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://opensnow.com/news/post/western-u-s-summer-2025-outlook" target="_blank">summer forecast</a> shows.Why it matters: Dryer and warmer conditions raise the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chances for wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/24/colorado-normal-fire-season-report" data-vars-content-id="d702d0bc-1a32-4182-9c15-a889fd1e8bfc" data-vars-headline="Colorado forecast: Prepare for a long and hot summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/04/24/colorado-normal-fire-season-report" target="_self">chances for wildfires</a> and drought conditions.

Colorado expects "normal" fire season, new report shows

A normal fire season equates to approximately 6,000 wildfires with 150,000 acres burned.

Colorado can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="anticipate" data-vars-click-url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aCxP6RTpqePVRNsvMws2yKIgZVsGkY3o/view" data-vars-content-id="37a1e4b7-8aef-4701-8530-d259a22e104b" data-vars-headline="Colorado expects &quot;normal&quot; fire season, new report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aCxP6RTpqePVRNsvMws2yKIgZVsGkY3o/view" target="_blank">anticipate</a> a &quot;normal&quot; wildfire season, but authorities cautioned not to be complacent.Reality check: A normal fire season equates to approximately 6,000 wildfires with 150,000 acres burned.

Metro Denver springs are getting slightly warmer

The increase, however, is much lower than the national average.

Denver springs are heating up — with more unusually hot days — but at a significantly lower rate than the national average, a new analysis finds.Why it matters: Warming springs can elevate drought conditions because they can lead to snow melting sooner, leaving less water during summer months and beyond, University of Colorado associate professor Pedro DiNezio tells us.

Climate 🌿

An Arctic blast is about to slap Colorado

Fall temperatures in Colorado are rising

When fall colors peak in Colorado

A clean energy future is possible in Colorado

Fireflies are flourishing in Colorado