Colorado Springs leaders are preparing to formally oppose the state's lawsuit over the relocation of U.S. Space Command, Axios Denver has learned.

Why it matters: As Colorado wages legal war on the White House over everything from disaster funding to research center closures, the state's second-largest city and conservative military bastion is taking the opposite approach.

State of play: The Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corp. is planning to file an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

• A copy of the draft brief, obtained by Axios Denver, backs the Trump administration's motion to dismiss Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser's lawsuit challenging the decision to move Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama.
• It argues that Weiser's lawsuit risks politicizing national security and weakening the city's standing with federal defense leaders.
• The Colorado Springs City Council and the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners are formally endorsing the filing through their own resolutions, per documents shared with Axios Denver.

Zoom in: The draft brief contends that military basing decisions are the president's call and warns that allowing states to sue over decisions "specifically vested in the president" is a disservice to the communities and service members caught in the crosshairs.

• It calls Colorado's lawsuit part of a "wasteful trend" of governments suing each other — and cautions that courtroom fights risk damaging the city's credibility as a "constructive, respected, and reliable" U.S. defense partner.

The intrigue: Notably absent from the draft brief is formal backing from Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade.

• In an op-ed last November, he expressed disappointment in the relocation decision, adding that he respects both the president's authority to make the decision and the state's right to push back.

What's next

A super PAC supporting Michael Bennet set a new bar in the Colorado governor's race with the largest campaign contribution to date: $750,000 from billionaire Michael Bloomberg.

Why it matters: The big checks are crucial as Bennet and his allies look to close the fundraising gap built by rival Phil Weiser and prepare a campaign blitz in the six months before the all-important Democratic primary in June.

State of play: The former New York mayor and presidential candidate's largesse allowed the pro-Bennet Rocky Mountain Way committee to raise $1.4 million in the final three months of 2025, the most of any player in the fourth quarter. The committee entered this year with $3.3 million in the bank, new campaign finance reports show.

• Bennet, a three-term U.S. senator, raised $789,200 in the same period but spent nearly all of it. He had $1.6 million cash on hand to start the year.

The intrigue: Rocky Mountain Way also received $150,000 more from Brighter Future for Colorado, a dark-money organization that doesn't disclose its donors. Brighter Future's total investment in Bennet is now $450,000.

The other side: Weiser, the state's attorney general, raised more money for his campaign than Bennet. He posted $840,200 in the same period and began 2026 with far more in the bank at $3.5 million.

• The super PAC supporting Weiser, Fighting for Colorado, lags after raising just $348,200 in the fourth quarter and finishing with $527,200 left.

What they're saying

The Denver Broncos will host the New England Patriots on Sunday with a Super Bowl bid on the line.

Yes, but: Denver will play in the AFC championship game without its quarterback Bo Nix.

• Nix fractured his right ankle during the team's 33-30 overtime win against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, ending his season. He's scheduled to have surgery on the ankle today.

The latest: Head coach Sean Payton has tapped Nix's backup Jarrett Stidham to lead the franchise to what would be its ninth Super Bowl appearance.

• Stidham's limited play — just four starts with one win in six NFL seasons — has tanked Denver's odds; the Patriots are favored by 4.5 points.

What's next: The game airs at 1pm Sunday on CBS.

🚬 With Denver's flavored tobacco ban now in effect, city health officials are planning undercover visits to bust retailers selling the prohibited products and potentially fine them up to $5,000. (Colorado Politics)

👀 Video footage shows convicted former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters was involved in a prison altercation with another inmate over the weekend. She was moved to a different part of the facility, and no one was injured, a prison spokesperson said. (9News)

🚓 Newly elected Aurora City Councilmember Rob Andrews was charged with a DUI over the weekend. He chairs the council's Public Safety Committee. (Sentinel)

🛢️ U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former Denver-based energy company exec, is looking to secure oil and critical minerals deals with Venezuela in the next few weeks, he told Axios in an exclusive interview. (Axios)

🎓 The Democratic-controlled University of Colorado Board of Regents elected a Republican chair last week — with decisive help from a Democratic regent. (Axios Boulder)

🚩 Local health officials are investigating ICE's detention center in Aurora over allegations of widespread, untreated illness afflicting detainees. A facility spokesperson denied any outbreak. (Denver Post 🔑)

If you're having farmers market withdrawal, you can now get your fix on South Broadway.

The big picture: A new indoor winter farmers market on Denver's south side is keeping fresh, local food flowing in a season where it's usually hardest to find.

Zoom in: A Tavola Winter Market, now in its second week, brings together dozens of local growers and makers selling everything from fresh-baked bread and pastries to gourmet mushrooms, kimchi and jam.

• Non-edible goods like flowers, handwoven baskets and Turkish towels are for sale, too.

🍻 Shoppers also can grab drinks from the bar and listen to live music while they browse.

If you go: A Tavola Winter Market runs 4pm-7pm every Tuesday through March 31 in the Denver Design District (575 S. Broadway).

Tell your market mate