😎 Hello Thursday — we already have an eye on that holiday weekend.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, with a high of 88.

Today's newsletter is 933 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Colorado voters will decide more than a dozen ballot measures this November, from remaking the state's tax system to banning gender-affirming surgery for minors.

Why it matters: Beyond the candidates, voters will have a real say on major changes to taxes, immigration, criminal justice and other hot-button issues.

State of play: The marquee measure would scrap Colorado's flat 4.4% income tax in favor of a graduated system that would raise taxes on those making $500,000 or more a year.

• Legislative fiscal analysts estimate the Democratic-led measure would generate an additional $2 billion a year, with the money reserved for education, health care and early child care.

The other side: A countermeasure backed by conservatives would cap the income tax at its current level.

• "The tax cap is the better answer for anyone who believes Colorado should be more affordable for everyone," Michael Fields, president of conservative group Advance Colorado, said.

Between the lines: Many of this year's initiatives came from conservative advocacy groups using the ballot-box route to advance policies unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Zoom in: Other ballot measures would:

🚨 Increase the criminal penalties for the possession and sale of fentanyl and other opioids.

👮‍♂️ Require that state law enforcement officers report to federal authorities when an immigrant in the country illegally is charged with a crime or has a prior felony conviction.

⚖ Elevate human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude to a first-degree felony and impose life in prison without parole if convicted.

⚽️ Prohibit transgender youth from joining sports teams that don't align with their biological sex.

🏥 Ban gender-affirming surgery for minors.

🍳 Create a constitutional right to use natural gas for heating and cooking.

🤓 Require ballot measures be written at an eighth-grade level.

📍Forbid congressional redistricting in between decades.

🎣 Add the right to hunt and fish to the state constitution.

🌲 Divert sales taxes on sporting goods to conservation efforts.

🗳️ Require voters who submit mail ballots to include the last four digits of their Social Security number or driver's license number.

🤑 Increase the cap in the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights to allow the state to retain more money, rather than issue refunds for excess revenue.

What's next: Tomorrow is the deadline for advocates to remove measures from the ballot.

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Colorado Springs just sweated through its fourth-hottest August on record, with an average temperature of 73.8° — 3.7° above normal, the National Weather Service reports.

• It was also one of the driest Augusts on record, with just 1.09 inches of rain — 1.87 inches below normal.

Why it matters: The persistent heat and lack of rain, propelled in part by climate change, worsened drought conditions across south-central and southeastern Colorado and raised the prospect of wildfires and heat-related risks.

State of play: Alamosa and Pueblo endured some of the region's worst heat.

• Alamosa logged 10 consecutive days of 90°-plus temperatures, its second-longest streak on record, and its hottest summer ever.
• Pueblo hit 107° on Aug. 3 — a new August record — on its way to its second-warmest summer on record.

The big picture: The August extremes capped a hot, dry summer across the region, an NWS analysis found

• Colorado Springs recorded its third-warmest summer, with 33 days over 90°.
• In those three months, the city received 3.24 inches of precipitation — 5.11 inches below normal and the seventh-driest on record.

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👀 The Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating one of its officers after a video posted online appeared to show him asleep in his patrol vehicle. (News5)

🚍 Mountain Metropolitan Transit is considering increasing its weekday daytime frequency on Route 24 and reducing Friday and Saturday evening service on Route 13 THE ZEB Downtown Ride, as part of other changes.

☀️ Colorado Springs Utilities is reducing the credits its users get from solar power, a move that'll cost customers an extra $500 a year. (KRCC)

⛑️ The Springs Rescue Mission is launching the Pathway Partner program, allowing residents to offer support to people experiencing homelessness. (News5)

🚩 The Polis administration is warning nearly 400,000 residents about work requirements to receive Medicaid health coverage. New federal rules require participants to work at least 80 hours a month. (Colorado Sun)

If you're sticking in town this LDW, expect music, art and hot air balloons.

Even better? Much of it is free.

🎶 Bring a lawn chair or blanket for the Downtown Summer Music series, 6-8pm today in Acacia Park. Free to attend.

🎈 The Labor Day Lift Off hot air balloon festival — the largest in the state — takes place Saturday through Monday at Memorial Park with morning and afternoon sessions. This year's event celebrates 50 years with 45-minute rides and breathtaking views. Free to attend.

🎨 Old Colorado City holds its First Friday celebration from 5–9pm downtown. The art walk includes galleries and entertainment. Free to attend.

🖼️ The Commonwheel Art Festival takes over Manitou Springs starting Saturday through Monday, featuring local artists, live music and kids' activities. Free to attend.

🏃 The Golden Harvest half marathon takes place at El Pomar Youth Sports Park on Sunday. Other options include a kid's dash, 5K and 10K runs. Race fees start at $21.

🌽 It's the final weekend of the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. Festivities finish Monday with a drone show celebrating Colorado's 150th and America's 250th anniversaries. Tickets start at $15.

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🍅 John is harvesting the last of his summer garden.

Thanks to our editor, Gigi Sukin.