Axios Boulder

February 24, 2026
πΊ Happy Tuesday, and happy World Bartender Day to all the drink slingers and dive bar therapists out there.
- π΅ Sounds like: "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" by Gary Portnoy
Today's weather: Partly sunny skies with highs in the 60s.
- Situational awareness: There is a red flag warning in place through 5pm due to high winds and dangerous fire conditions.
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Today's newsletter is 889 words β a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: SCOTUS takes up Boulder climate lawsuit
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the city of Boulder's climate change-related lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Suncore Energy, seeking billions in damages from oil companies alleged to have "intentionally misled the public" on the impacts of their fossil fuel products.
Why it matters: The case could determine whether state and local climate lawsuits stay in state court or shift to federal court, where similar claims have faltered β shaping the future of comparable cases nationwide.
The latest: The justices agreed yesterday to hear the case.
The city and county of Boulder say they are seeing "significant and rising costs" to address climate change impacts.
- The other side: The companies argue that claims involving greenhouse gas emissions are governed by federal law and therefore belong in federal court, not state court.
- "Climate policy shouldn't be set through fragmented stateβcourt actions, and we look forward to making that case before the court," Exxon Mobil officials said in a statement.
The big picture: Local governments in California, Hawai'i and New Jersey have filed similar lawsuits, but Boulder's is the first of its kind to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
- A ruling could set precedent for local governments seeking billions to help pay for rebuilding after wildfires, rising sea levels and severe storms linked to climate change.
Catch up quick: Boulder County, San Miguel County and the city of Boulder sued Suncor entities and Exxon in April 2018.
- San Miguel County's case was separated and is being handled in Denver District Court.
What they're saying: "Local communities are living with the mounting costs of climate change," said Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett in a statement. "The Supreme Court should affirm Colorado's right to hold these companies accountable for the harm they have caused in Colorado."
- Boulder County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann added, "We must hold oil companies accountable for the significant harm they've caused our communities."
2. βͺ Mapped: Christian nationalism

Christian nationalism is now deeply entrenched inside today's Republican Party, according to a sweeping 50-state survey.
Why it matters: The once-fringe ideology holds that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed according to strict Christian values, even as the country becomes less religious and more racially diverse.
- The divide reflects a broader clash over whether America's future is pluralistic or rooted in a singular religious-national identity.
Zoom in: In Colorado, about 7% of residents align with Christian nationalism as "adherents" and another 22% qualify as "sympathizers," a new survey by the Public Religion Research Institute finds.
Yes, but: A plurality at 32% are "skeptics," and another 31% are "rejectors."
The big picture: Colorado is one of the states least aligned with Christian nationalism, which is largely entrenched among Republicans.
3. The Bubble: Erie to launch ride-share service
π The town of Erie is preparing to launch an on-demand microtransit service that will function similarly to ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft. (Daily Camera π)
βοΈ Boulder Municipal Airport could begin offering unleaded aviation fuel by the end of the year under a state-required transition to move away from leaded gas. (Boulder Reporting Lab)
π° The Polis administration wants to allow lottery ticket purchases with credit cards, but state lawmakers are trying to quash the plan. (Denver Gazette π)
βοΈ Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser joined other Democratic states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding $2.7 billion in cuts for renewable energy and reducing pollution from oil and gas wells. (CPR)
4. π Slice House brings pizza party to town
Can't decide on your favorite style of pizza? Why choose when you can get a variety of pies at Boulder's new Slice House.
Why it matters: Pizza is life.
Driving the news: Slice House, a fast-casual pizza franchise created by 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani, is making its foray into the Boulder area with two locations.
- The chain opened a location on the Twenty Ninth Street Mall at the end of January, and a Longmont location is coming this summer.
What to expect: Slice House offers a full lineup of regional styles, including thin-crust New York, Detroit's signature thick squares, Sicilian and Grandma pies, a thin, rectangular sheet-pan pie that originated in New York.
- You can order most specialty topping combos on any style, or you can make your own pie.
- Eating solo or in a rush? There are pre-made slices available for a quick toss in the oven.
- There's also a variety of pastas, salads, wings and desserts.
π My thought bubble: As a Detroit-style fan, I had to try Slice House's version. It was thick but fluffy and light, with those yummy crispy edges.
If you go: Slice House Boulder, 1805 29th Street, is open 11am-8pm Monday-Thursday and 11am-9pm Friday-Sunday.
- The Longmont location will be at 725 Harvest Moon Drive, and could open at the end of May or early June.
π― Mitchell is not sure when hot honey became a thing, but it's been on everything he's ordered lately.
Thanks to Gigi Sukin for editing.
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