AGP Executive Report

NIH Funding for Colorado Biotech: Numiera Therapeutics says it won a $2.3M NCI Direct-to-Phase II SBIR grant to test its CPT1 inhibitor etomoxir in recurrent glioblastoma, building on Phase I safety data. Local Manufacturing Investment: Anheuser-Busch is putting $23M into its Fort Collins brewery, adding production capacity for Michelob ULTRA, new 25-ounce can capability, and a technical training center. Media Merger Update: Paramount reached a settlement with a coalition of states led by California AG Rob Bonta, clearing a key antitrust hurdle for its Warner Bros. Discovery deal, with conditions tied to film output and editorial oversight. Colorado Housing Snapshot: Pueblo-area home sales fell in August (down 16.4%), with the median price dropping to $299,900 and homes taking longer to sell. Power Reliability: Castle Rock residents reported an outage after a squirrel sparked an explosion at a Core Electric Cooperative substation. Energy & Risk Watch: A national report highlights Utah’s sharp rise in nonrenewed homeowners policies, underscoring how Western weather risk is reshaping insurance markets. Business & Climate Finance: Vaulted Deep secured $35M in debt financing to expand bio-waste carbon removal operations, backed by long-term purchase contracts.

Teacher Housing Push: Colorado’s CHFA Schools To Home program is getting attention as a targeted fix for educators priced out of the communities where they teach, with coverage comparing it to traditional teacher home loans and framing it as a retention strategy. Climate & Water Research: CSU research says irrigation’s climate impact is net positive because it boosts yields and prevents land conversion—estimating avoided emissions far outweigh direct emissions. Voting & Governance: El Paso County clerk Steve Schleiker weighed in after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to advance Trump-backed mail-in voting changes, noting Colorado’s existing tracking and envelope practices. Surveillance Debate: A new look at Flock Safety highlights how rapidly solar-powered, AI-driven cameras are expanding across communities, renewing privacy concerns. Local Infrastructure: CDOT bridge repairs are set to disrupt I-70 traffic in Wheat Ridge, with detours expected to affect commutes and nearby businesses. Business & Supply Chains: A report warns U.S. businesses are facing disruption levels some compare to COVID, driven by shipping bottlenecks, higher costs, and planning uncertainty. Antitrust Watch: Paramount-Warner Bros. settlement talks remain unsettled as a “gang of four” AG group resists quick terms, keeping the legal fight in focus.

Energy & Capital Markets: California Resources (CRC) agreed to sell its Uinta Basin assets—about 100,000 net acres across Utah and Colorado—for $90 million in cash, saying the move is meant to sharpen focus on its California operations and improve capital flexibility as the deal is expected to close by year-end. Local Politics & Housing: Boulder Progressives announced its 2026 ballot positions and fully endorsed City Council candidate Jamillah Richmond, highlighting affordable housing and community engagement as key themes. Colorado Elections (West Slope): Rep. Jeff Hurd and challenger Dwayne Romero faced off at the Club 20 debate in Colorado’s 3rd District, with forest health and wildfire risk front and center. Statewide Politics (Governor Race): In another Club 20 debate, Phil Weiser and Greg Lopez sparred on issues including wolf reintroduction and Colorado’s business climate. Ski Industry Governance: Vail Resorts executives weighed in on a proxy fight over board control, as activist shareholders push for more public-benefit commitments and potential asset moves. Sports Betting & Tech: Multiple promos from Kalshi and Polymarket are driving new-user signups for NFL Week 2, underscoring how prediction markets are becoming a mainstream marketing channel.

Colorado Medicaid: Lawmakers debriefed a $443M Medicaid budget forecasting error, with frustration rising as Medicaid overspent by about $159M last year and future cuts loom. Federal disaster aid: FEMA approved parts of Colorado’s major disaster request tied to the Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires, but denied Individual Assistance and hazard mitigation funding. Local elections & policy: Club Twenty hosted candidate debates for Colorado’s midterm races, spotlighting Western Slope priorities like wildfire management, watersheds, agriculture, public lands and data center development. Data centers & AI backlash: A new poll finds most Coloradans view AI unfavorably and oppose new data centers statewide, even as many say they’ve used AI tools. Housing & growth: The LDS Church is expanding its real-estate footprint near Denver, including a planned “Tributary” community for 12,000+ people. Consumer scam warning: A Calhan-area farmer says he lost $20,000 after wiring money for a backhoe scam tied to a fake farm equipment site. Business & jobs: Intel CEO said the company is supplying only about half of customer demand because factories can’t keep up with AI-related CPU demand.

AI Infrastructure & Software Push: Cisco is rolling out a Splunk “AI POD” at its Denver Splunk conference, aiming to monetize enterprise AI needs beyond hardware by bundling on-prem and air-gapped AI with Splunk observability and security. Native Rights & Data Centers: A new report argues Big Tech is trampling Indigenous treaty rights while building data centers, using ESG language to sidestep consultation. Colorado Cost Pressure: A survey finds nearly two-thirds of Colorado families say rising costs are making traditional fall activities unaffordable, with many seeking free events and willing to travel farther for them. Colorado Budget Crunch: State economists warn Colorado could face a nearly $1.6B deficit next year, driven largely by Medicaid overspending. Data Centers vs. Water: Arizona researchers say data centers aren’t the main cause of Colorado River cuts, but they’re growing fast and use significant water—fueling local backlash. Local Philanthropy: Weld County’s Latino-led LIFT fund awarded its first grants to support Latino youth, small-business and community-led projects. Colorado Community Events: RMDSA’s 30th annual Denver Step Up walk is set for Sept. 27, and four Team Summit moguls athletes were named to the Rocky Mountain Freestyle All-Star team.

Diesel shock hits Colorado small business: AAA puts diesel at $6.12 a gallon in Colorado, up from $3.56 a year ago, squeezing trucking-dependent firms and food-aid providers as fuel surcharges and inflation ripple through prices. Campaign finance fight in Colorado: Republican gubernatorial candidate Victor Marx faces a possible $420,000 fine tied to campaign finance violations, while a key ballot measure is tied up in court. Housing affordability pressure: Colorado home sales are slowing and listings are taking longer as mortgage rates climb above 7%, cooling buyer demand. Colorado River water strain: A monthlong Colorado River run by Australian water advocate Mina Guli highlighted worsening reservoir levels and looming federal cut expectations for lower-basin states. Education and workforce pipeline: Colorado School of Mines launches a “Golden Guarantee” for qualifying Colorado high school grads, pairing guaranteed admission with merit aid. Cybersecurity training grows locally: MSU Denver’s cybersecurity center is placing students into real-world monitoring work supporting small municipalities. Data center politics: Colorado Springs continues to delay Project Taurus decisions after public pushback, keeping the power-cost debate alive.

State Budget Crunch: Colorado lawmakers are bracing for another $1B-plus shortfall, with forecasts pointing to a roughly $1.5B gap in 2027-28 if the general fund reserve target is kept at 15%, raising the stakes for TABOR reform and more service cuts. Fed Watch: Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid backed the latest rate hike, saying inflation is “broad-based” beyond energy—an issue that could ripple into Denver-area borrowing and housing affordability. Healthcare & Policy: Modivcare named Matt Williams chief corporate affairs officer, signaling continued focus on navigating healthcare policy and stakeholder engagement as the company positions for growth. Broadband Buildout Strain: State broadband officers implementing BEAD say they’re exhausted by shifting maps, guidance, and rising costs, even as legislatures move on—highlighting execution risk for Colorado’s connectivity timeline. Consumer Finance Enforcement: DC and 40 states reached a $694M settlement with Credit Acceptance over predatory auto lending, requiring disclosures and dealer add-on protections. Local Business: A Broomfield vape shop is offering a $1,000 reward after a car smashed into the store, with about $5,000 in merchandise stolen and $10,000 in damage. Defense Tech: The Pentagon’s Drone Dominance “Gauntlet 2” results put Perennial Autonomy and Neros on top in separate mission categories, advancing a push toward large-scale low-cost drone procurement.

Medicaid Budget Crunch: Colorado’s Medicaid program is projected to overspend by $700M this year and more than $1B next year, driven by long-term care, behavioral health, and drug costs—raising pressure for cuts as the program consumes a growing share of the General Fund. AI Data Center Politics: Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-2 to delay its decision on the controversial Project Taurus AI data center until April 13, 2027 after a chaotic hearing and noise concerns. Tenant Screening Compliance: LeaseRunner argues that portable tenant screening report laws standardize formats, but the underlying data model still drives screening outcomes—an issue as more states regulate PTSRs. Healthcare Exec Move: Modivcare named Matt Williams chief corporate affairs officer, adding deep healthcare government affairs experience as it positions for growth. Auto Lending Settlement: Colorado’s AG joined a multistate $694M settlement with Credit Acceptance over predatory auto loans, including cash and debt relief plus stronger consumer protections. Local Business & Growth: Diamond Certified expands to Denver-area roofing contractors, offering a quality-rated marketplace for hail-prone homeowners. Cyber Scam Warning: Researchers say airline impersonation accounts on social media are accelerating, pushing victims into direct messages and stolen card details.

Colorado Housing & Rates: The Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike is expected to further squeeze Denver-area homebuyers already facing high prices, with realtors noting slower sales and more cautious buyers. Predatory Lending Fallout: Colorado is among states participating in a multistate $694M settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, aimed at delivering cash and debt relief and requiring stronger loan-risk disclosures and consumer protections. Local Government & Construction: Leadville City Council kept working through its budget, including next steps for the Tabor Opera House’s historic rehabilitation and an RFQ process for architectural services. Community Giving: The Life Time Foundation is directing $167,000 to Leadville-area groups, including trail access, environmental education, youth nutrition, and wildfire recovery/forest restoration. Federal Research Policy: Sen. John Hickenlooper and others introduced a bill to codify NOAA’s Cooperative Institutes, locking in the agency’s university research network that supports forecasting and coastal resilience. Healthcare Business: Modivcare named Matt Williams chief corporate affairs officer, bringing nearly 30 years of healthcare government affairs and communications experience.

Healthcare & Fraud Enforcement: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced a $384M Abbott settlement over alleged Medicaid fraud tied to infant formula manufacturing compliance failures, with restitution to the state. Retail Expansion: Scheels won a major step toward opening in the Denver metro area after Littleton approved a 30-year tax incentive package tied to the Mineral Place development. Housing Policy & Eligibility: A mother and daughter were evicted from Low-Income Housing Tax Credit apartments in Douglas County after federal “student status” rules were applied, raising questions about how education eligibility intersects with affordability. Data Centers & Power Costs: The U.S. House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, pushing data centers to cover the full incremental cost of grid upgrades—an issue Colorado communities are watching closely as AI demand grows. Local Business & Growth: Colorado Springs is weighing Project Taurus, with a city council vote set after debate over the economic upside versus impacts on infrastructure. Public Safety & Postal Workers: A Denver-area postal carrier robbery is prompting a federal investigation and renewed attention to assaults on mail workers. Banking/Corporate Moves: Modivcare named Matt Williams as chief corporate affairs officer, signaling a push to strengthen government and stakeholder relations.

Data Centers & Local Politics: Colorado Springs City Council is set to vote Thursday on Project Taurus, a proposed data center that would repurpose a former Intel site, as residents pack the Pikes Peak Center meeting over noise and electricity concerns. Housing Affordability: A new national housing-rights debate is gaining traction in Colorado, with reporting highlighting how renters are increasingly priced out and stuck in “renter forever” conditions. Insurance & Wildfire Fallout: Coverage pullbacks after the Aspen Acres fire are leaving homeowners scrambling for non-renewals, underscoring how wildfire risk is reshaping the Colorado insurance market. Courts & Transparency: The Colorado Supreme Court ordered a 90-day pause on livestreaming court proceedings after illegal reuploads and disruptive “bad actor” behavior. Energy & Tech Investment: Intel shares jumped on reports of SK hynix talks to use Intel’s Ohio capacity, while Colorado’s data-center buildout continues to collide with power and water constraints. Business Moves: Modivcare named Matt Williams chief corporate affairs officer, adding a healthcare-government affairs veteran to its leadership team.

Water & Local Policy: Aurora is moving beyond emergency drought rules, with City Council advancing permanent measures like seasonal irrigation bans, limits on new lawns, and restrictions on water-intensive cooling systems as reservoirs sit at about 43% capacity. Energy & AI Costs: The U.S. House is fast-tracking the Ratepayer Protection Act to stop AI data centers from pushing infrastructure costs onto local communities, letting states require big users to fund their own grid upgrades. Tech & Security: Splunk’s AI security leadership is urging enterprises to defend autonomously, improve visibility, and reduce critical exposures as AI-driven threats and high-profile incidents reshape risk planning. Govt Ethics: CBS Colorado reports internal emails and texts suggesting Denver’s city attorney pushed for her former law firm after airport insurance initially rejected it, prompting an ethics board investigation. Higher Ed & Immigration: CU Boulder enrollment fell for the first time since 2020, driven by a sharp drop in international graduate students amid visa and research funding uncertainty. Consumer & Food Safety: Danone USA recalled So Delicious non-dairy frozen dessert pints after complaints about possible small stones or hard foreign objects. Arts & Downtown Economy: Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver is set for a $122M renovation, with the Colorado Symphony funding part via naming-rights strategy. Home Insurance Pressure: New data shows home insurance costs rising in many counties, with severe weather risk driving premium spikes. Colorado Business Climate: Fall foliage is arriving early in parts of the state, boosting tourism and retail traffic.

Housing Affordability: Colorado launched the Schools to Home program for first-time homebuyers among teachers and other public school employees, aiming to boost retention and ease shortages; the state Housing and Finance Authority says 85 people have used it so far, with initial funding projected to support about 125 purchases averaging roughly $80,000 in help. Corporate Moves: Modivcare named Matt Williams chief corporate affairs officer, adding a healthcare-government affairs veteran from McKesson to strengthen policy and stakeholder work. Telecom/Consumer Protection: AG Lynn Fitch and 48 other attorneys general urged the FCC to tighten “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to curb robocall scams by improving how providers vet upstream partners. Local Business & Growth: Denver-based Clearwave and Visionary Broadband signed a deal to combine, building an independent fiber platform across 17 states serving about 700,000 homes and businesses. Water & Resilience Funding: FEMA approved more than $90 million in Colorado disaster recovery funding, including $28 million for public assistance and $62 million for hazard mitigation projects. Agribusiness: Corteva’s spinoff Vylor says it will launch hybrid wheat technology in North America in 2027 after multi-state trials, targeting major wheat revenue growth. Workplace Safety: Mesa County Public Health released its 2025 suicide report, highlighting higher risk for men and young workers and noting increased emergency-room strain after local resource losses.

Geothermal Push: The U.S. Department of Energy launched a Geothermal Center of Excellence in Golden to speed up cost-competitive, gigawatt-scale geothermal power, partnering with national labs to move tech from research to deployment. Space & Defense Tech: Auria won a contract with Mitsubishi Electric to provide mission management software for next-gen software-defined satellite communications, aiming for autonomous resource orchestration. Local Water Stress: La Veta is tightening water restrictions after the Cucharas River dried up, with reservoirs drawn down and wells going dry—raising near-term public health and firefighting concerns. Denver Parking Scrutiny: A Denver driver says an early-bird downtown parking deal didn’t match the app’s exit time and led to a ticket, prompting questions about how enforcement works. Consumer Finance: A guide on freezing your credit highlights how to lock down access to your credit file quickly and for free across major bureaus. Healthcare Leadership: Modivcare named Matt Williams chief corporate affairs officer, bringing nearly 30 years of healthcare policy and government affairs experience. Business Climate Perception: A report says extreme weather is rising in frequency and intensity, but many people still don’t connect events like floods and wildfires to climate change. Sports Business: Monday Night Football in Colorado Springs is expected to drive major bar and restaurant traffic as Broncos fans pack downtown for the Chiefs matchup.

Healthcare & Policy: Colorado’s Chad Rusthoven says a MAVERICK trial supports skipping prophylactic cranial irradiation in small-cell lung cancer when brain MRI surveillance is used, cutting cognitive failure/death risk and reducing side effects. Local Governance: A Douglas County judge denied a bid to block changes tied to the “3 to 5” ballot measure, keeping the dispute alive as ballots head out. Business Expansion: Loenbro bought Texas/Oklahoma electrical contractor Prism Electric to expand electrical and specialty services tied to data centers and mission-critical projects. Space & Tech: Auria won a contract with Mitsubishi Electric to supply satellite software for next-gen communications, including interference management. Energy & Infrastructure: Moffat County commissioners delayed a data center moratorium decision to gather more public input before revisiting it Oct. 13. Water & Risk: Arizona is set to take larger Colorado River cuts in 2027-28, intensifying pressure on already stressed Central Arizona users. Wildfire Funding: Senators including Colorado’s Bennet and Hickenlooper warned federal wildfire agencies may be ill-prepared and could run out of money. Sports Economy: Kalshi updated Broncos-Chiefs prediction markets ahead of Monday Night Football, with multiple promo codes circulating.

Energy & Grid Policy: A new push to speed up electricity delivery is colliding with a shortage of high-voltage transmission lines, with Colorado cited among states opening highway rights of way to move power faster and cut congestion costs. Local Cost of Living: Westminster approved a sales tax exemption starting Nov. 22, 2026 for diapers, infant formula and feminine hygiene, projecting up to $600,000 in annual savings for families. Housing & Data Accuracy: A Denver-area tenant-screening report problem is getting attention as landlords say payment and eviction data can be wrong or incomplete, risking unfair denials. Business Leadership: Modivcare, based in Denver, named Matt Williams chief corporate affairs officer, tapping nearly 30 years of healthcare and government affairs experience. Energy Infrastructure & Permitting: Colorado municipalities are weighing data-center growth against power and permitting realities, as the state’s grid strain becomes a business issue. Local Economy Watch: Sadboy Creamery set an opening date for its Denver storefront, while Montrose County gas prices hit a weekly low of $4.49. Public Safety & Scams: Baca County warned of a traveling paving scam targeting elderly homeowners, urging residents to verify contractors before paying.