Energy & Data Centers: TransAlta will buy two Blackstone-backed Colorado gas-fired peaking plants near Denver for about $1 billion, adding 318 MW of long-term contracted capacity as power demand rises with data centers. Water & Agriculture: A new Colorado River water exchange framework signed this week is raising questions for Imperial Valley agriculture, while Colorado farmers face record-low snowpack impacts as Gunnison Tunnel flows are cut in half. Local Industry & Permitting: More details emerged on a proposed $6 billion data center near Pumpkin Center, including plans to use reclaimed wastewater—plus uncertainty over the end user. Retail & Consumer Costs: Gov. Polis vetoed bills that would have cut credit card swipe fees tied to sales tax, keeping pressure on restaurants and small businesses. Workforce & Tech: Boise State was named lead for a regional semiconductor workforce pipeline (PINES), linking universities and industry partners across nine states including Colorado. Local Governance: Mesa County commissioners plan to join an amicus brief in a Supreme Court climate accountability case targeting oil and gas companies. Business Operations: Erie reached a tentative mineral-rights deal tied to the Draco oil and gas project, drawing resident concerns about property values and health. Public Space & Mobility: Denver’s car-free Wynkoop Street pilot outside Union Station boosted foot traffic and drew support for more people-first downtown planning.