Colorado Daily News Brief - August 29, 2025

Denver, CO - Key developments unfolded across Colorado on Friday, August 29, 2025, affecting state governance, public health, and safety regulations.

Denver Citywide Furlough Shuts Non-Emergency Services Faced with a $250 million budget shortfall, Mayor Mike Johnston ordered the first of two citywide mandatory furlough days, closing most City and County offices, including the 3-1-1 information line, Denver Public Library branches, and the City Council (scheduled again on Nov. 28). With the Labor Day holiday extending the closure through Monday, constituents face a four-day service gap for routine municipal requests.

Colorado Legislature Delays AI Law Implementation During a six-day special session, lawmakers punted amendments to the 2024 Colorado AI Act into next year, agreeing only to postpone its enforcement from February to June 2026. Fierce lobbying by technology firms and consumer advocates failed to bridge Democratic divisions over the scope of high-risk AI oversight, leaving the landmark statute’s fate uncertain.

New Health Law Empowers Officials Beyond CDC Guidance Gov. Jared Polis signed legislation permitting Colorado health authorities to consult non-CDC experts when issuing vaccine recommendations. Proponents argue the change grants flexibility amid federal debates over vaccine policy, while critics warn it may sow public confusion on established safety guidelines.

Measles Outbreak in Colorado City Grows Three additional measles cases were confirmed in the ongoing Colorado City outbreak, raising the total to eight. Public health officials continue contact tracing and urge vaccinations, particularly after exposure linked to a local community center last week.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Reinstated Statewide As monsoonal rains wane, Chief Dillon Keystone Police Department rescinded Stage 2 fire bans and reinstated Stage 1 restrictions at 12:01 a.m. Friday, prohibiting campfires outside designated areas and restricting fireworks until further notice to mitigate wildfire risk across Colorado’s dry forests.