Good morning, Sunriser readers!
The weekend forecast calls for a nice, heavy shake of snow in the Denver area, which I’m reading as museum weather.
If you’re near the metro, the Denver Art Museum is opening its new Kent Monkman exhibition, “History is Painted by the Victors,” on Sunday. I was lucky to preview the show earlier this week and, oof, it’s a force.
Monkman spent 12 years as an abstract painter trying to figure out how to make his mark, so to speak, but felt hindered by the inability to paint a clear message. So he turned to the greats and learned the Western canon by recreating it himself, developing his version of the Hudson River School, with a twist. The massive paintings on display at the DAM — some nearly 10 feet tall — integrate Native histories into the classically styled pieces. The paintings are funny at times, disturbing at others, most often they’re both.
There are artsy Easter eggs throughout — a Picasso nod here, a Rothko reference there, some classical Greek and Roman sculpture in the corner. The biggest Easter egg, if you can call her that, hiding in such plain sight, is Monkman’s narrative guide through the exhibition: a stiletto heeled, Two Spirit shapeshifter that he calls Miss Chief.
A warning: The content can be violent at times, and nudity abounds (but hey, we’re talking 19th-century art here, good luck finding a gallery without a little violence and nudity).
The exhibition pairs incredibly well with a visit to the seventh floor of the Martin building, where the DAM’s display of Western art lives, including some original Catlans, Bierstadts and other painters referenced in the Monkman rooms. (It’s also one of my favorite places in the city).
But before you go exploring deep Western history, let’s take a look at its first draft. On to the news.
Parker Yamasaki
Reporter
THE NEWS
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
John Hickenlooper’s Western Slope tour reveals growing frustration over Trump’s public lands policy
Colorado’s U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper toured the Western Slope this week, including a stop Tuesday in Eagle to talk about cuts to public land agencies. (Jason Blevins, The Colorado Sun)“It’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a war. And the only real leverage that we have … in a constitutional democracy is to have people rise up.”
— U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper
Colorado’s junior senator is getting an earful. Jason Blevins followed along as Sen. John Hickenlooper toured Eagle County, hearing the boiled-over frustrations in a region that sits in the crosshairs of some of the Trump administration’s most aggressive moves to reshape the government.
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TRANSPORTATION
A dip in Colorado electric vehicle sales doesn’t have car dealers panicking — yet
Both fully electric (battery electric vehicles or BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles qualify as clean emissions cars under California standards. Hybrids have gasoline engine emissions but are highly efficient and considered an “alternative drive train.” (Colorado Auto Dealers 1Q 2025 report)Between a wave of anti-Tesla sentiment and the timing of a scheduled cut in the state’s generous electric vehicle subsidy, car dealers were bracing for a drop. But as Michael Booth reports, a pre-tariff rush kept sales of clean vehicles afloat — for now.
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EDUCATION
If Trump ends Head Start, 11,000 of Colorado’s most vulnerable kids could lose vital early learning
Preschoolers Wynter, left, Naomi and Evalyn build towers before knocking them down during open play time in class Feb. 12 at Clayton Early Learning in Denver. (Erica Breunlin, The Colorado Sun)“These families are already economically challenged and trying to find their way in the world. So from an economic mobility perspective, suddenly eliminating the ability for them to find good quality care for their child will impact their ability to hold a job, to be able to pursue education, to be able to find better footing.”
— William Browning, president and CEO of Clayton Early Learning
For six decades and counting, the Head Start program has been providing vital early education for vulnerable kids — often creating a lifeline of child care and community that allows parents stability for their jobs. But as Erica Breunlin reports, President Trump’s proposal to strike the program from the federal budget would cause disruptions that go far beyond the classroom.
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WATER
Colorado lawmakers send Jared Polis bill aimed at reining in water connection fees for new construction
Tractors work around new model homes April 9 to dig room for another project at Hidden Valley Farm Neighborhood in Severance. The fast-growing town is in the North Weld County Water District, which has been lobbying on a controversial bill dealing with water tap fees. (Tri Duong, Special to The Colorado Sun)A bill calling on water districts to reduce tap fees — the fee paid to connect a new building to an existing water system — when conservation efforts are included in new developments is headed to the governor’s desk. Shannon Mullane reports on why water districts pushed back and what’s next if the bill becomes law.
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MORE NEWS
Jared Polis signs bill adding gender to Colorado death certificates. House Bill 1109 establishes three options for gender: male, female or nonbinary. Coroners, funeral directors and others who fill out death certificates will be required to use the gender identity of the deceased. Fact Brief ☀️ Are carpool lanes in Denver actually enforced? Yes. Denver police issue tickets for high-occupancy vehicle lane violations, though it’s a small number compared with overall traffic stops.Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler
THE COLORADO REPORT
Colorado’s experiment with crypto tax payments shows limited adoption | Digital Watch Observatory. Only 0.0005% of Colorado’s $11 billion in tax revenue has been paid using cryptocurrency since the state introduced the option in 2022.— Digital Watch Observatory 3 international students in Colorado sue Trump administration over termination of immigration status. One of the “Student Does” from Colorado Springs has been studying in the United States for “several years” and has not “engaged in any significant political activity,” according to the lawsuit. — The Denver Post Alleged ICE arrest outside Douglas County courthouse captured on video. A group of masked individuals believed to be Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents was allegedly involved in arrests outside the Robert A. Christensen Courthouse in Douglas County around 1 p.m. Thursday, according to a video shared with Colorado Community Media. “This is not right,” a community advocate can be heard saying on the video. “They had a gun to this man’s head for no reason.”— Douglas County News Press Struggling Rockies fire hitting coach, replace him with former manager Clint Hurdle. I mean, he did manage the only World Series season the Rockies ever had, so I guess the league-worst Rockies are trying something, at least. — Sentinel Colorado Wall St. giant sells part of VF Corp. stake as tariffs hit Denver apparel giant. BlackRock, one of the largest asset managers in the world, sold more than $142 million of its holdings of VF Corp., reducing its stake in the company to 7.4% from 10.8%.— Denver Business Journal ?? = source has article meter or paywall
Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler
THE OPINION PAGE
COMMUNITY
The Colorado way is letting the energy market lead to save consumers money. Focusing on low-cost, abundant energy resources is saving Coloradans money, and the federal government needs to start paying attention.— Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy OfficeCARTOONS
Drew Litton illustrates fans’ sentiments around the inspiring return from severe injury of Colorado Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog.
CARTOON
In “What’d I Miss?” Ossie and Myra explore the growth of hypocrisy as consequences disappear — with particularly egregious instances around elections.
CARTOON
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].
Podcast Playlist
CONVERSATION
Each weekday The Daily Sun-Up podcast brings you a thoughtful conversation and headlines of the day. We keep it tight so you can listen on the go, or stack up a few and tune in at your leisure. Download the Sun-Up for free on your favorite podcasting app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or RSS to plug into your app. Check out this week’s lineup from The Sun team:
How are Colorado schools responding to federal funding changes? Colorado gets $800 million from the feds annually for schooling. Education reporter Erica Breunlin talks with Chalkbeat Colorado reporters Melanie Asmar and Jason Gonzales about the trickle down to Colorado districts.LISTEN What does the 2025 CO housing market look like? The spring real estate buying season is upon us, and Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang checks in on what the local markets are looking like — for buyers and sellers.LISTEN Getting your dose of environment and health. Our Temperature team — John Ingold and Michael Booth — chats through a couple of recent stories, including the ongoing ozone issues in Colorado and the first confirmed measles cases in our state.LISTEN Music lessons. Colorado Music Experience boss (and snappy dresser) G. Brown recounts to our Kevin Simpson how Emmylou Harris’ song “Boulder to Birmingham” grew from her first-ever gig with Gram Parsons as the Fallen Angels … in Boulder. Yep, G. was there.LISTEN Colorado teen is quickly conquering the backcountry. A 13-year-old skier is turning heads in southwestern Colorado. Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins caught up with Griff Pinto recently and talks about how the family manages the passion and risks.LISTEN?️ Remember, you can ask Siri, Alexa or Google to “play the Daily Sun-Up podcast” and we’ll play right on your smart speaker. As always we appreciate your feedback and comments at [email protected].
Section by David Krause | Editor
Happy Easter weekend, everyone! See you back here next week.
— Parker & 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].
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Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Hickenlooper: “It’s going to be a battle” )
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