Changing the meaning of “harm”

Trump goes after the Endangered Species Act, plus preparing for Colorado River water cuts, Aurora immigrant center tries to hold on and more

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Apr 17, 2025 - 09:10
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Changing the meaning of “harm”
A tan-colored ferret with black feet, a dark brown mask and black whiskers pokes its head up through a hole in the base of a wire enclosure
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Good morning, Colorado.

In college, I had a professor who used to start every class by instructing all of us students to take a deep breath and then “blow out all the bullshit.” It’s something I still practice to this day. I nabbed a seat in this course about the psychology of death and dying because students raved about this professor and, well, death seemed like a fascinating and harmless topic to my invincible 21-year-old self — something I, at that time, was fortunate enough to know almost nothing about.

I stashed most of what I learned in that class back into the furthest reaches of my mind until this week, when I read my colleague Jennifer Brown’s thoughtful Colorado Sunday piece on the growing number of people flocking to death cafes to lift the lid on a conversation most of us would rather keep tightly shut.

If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll read her story, too. It was one I needed, especially as I’ve seen more of my friends lose their parents and grandparents lately. I lost both my grandmas a few years ago but was lucky to have them for almost 30 years of my life. Somewhere along the way, I started busying myself to stem the flow of emotion, but Jennifer’s story put me back in touch with my grief. And it strangely comforted me. I saw myself in so many of her sources — people who are openly curious about death, folks who are downright afraid and those who simply want to feel less alone in their questions and their fear about how this life ends. That’s one of the things good journalism does, helping you relate to other people, understand them through their life experiences and feel a little more connected.

Now since life is short, I won’t take another minute of yours. So let’s “blow out all the bullshit” (together!) and turn the page to today’s news, shall we?

A black-footed ferret looks out from a prairie dog burrow after its release in 2021. (Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun via Report for America)

A proposal by the Trump administration to roll back protections of endangered species to only prohibit the direct killing or collecting of animals — but not indirect harm through pollution, habitat destruction or mining — could undo decades of conservation work in Colorado. Michael Booth looks at the potential impacts.

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Lake Mead backs up behind the Hoover Dam, as seen April 12. Visitors can drive and walk across the dam, which straddles the Nevada-Arizona state line. (David Krause, The Colorado Sun)

Colorado River negotiations are heating up as officials try to reach a basinwide agreement by May. But how would their competing proposals play out if they were managing the basin this year? Shannon Mullane gives some real-world examples of what could be coming.

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Grocery bags are organized for distribution at Village Exchange Center on April 9, in Aurora. (Jeremy Sparig, Special to The Colorado Sun)

The Village Exchange Center in Aurora has been feeding 4,000 people from more than 40 nations each week through its Wednesday food pantry. But with broad cuts from the Trump administration targeting social services — including the center’s vaccine clinics — Jennifer Brown reports that the center could lose up to $5.4 million in grants.

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Administrative and Merchandise Manager Amanda Stamm wipes down a table Feb. 28 at Ratio Beerworks. (Alyte Katilius, Special to The Colorado Sun)

After labor advocates and workers pushed back on the effort to lower the state’s tipped minimum wage — resulting in a wave of negative feedback for restaurateurs who spoke out in support of the bill — lawmakers passed a bill that would allow local governments to decide the question for themselves. Tamara Chuang explains.

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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 opinion@coloradosun.com.

Still from “Shadow People at the Falls,” one of 19 short films playing at the 2025 Fly Fishing Film Tour. (Photo provided by the Fly Fishing Film Tour)

Fly Fishing Film Tour. Anglers have an earned reputation for being the best storytellers among friends, and there are plenty of tales to be told at the 19th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour, happening tonight in Basalt.

The international lineup includes 19 short films shot in Nunavik, Guyana, Slovenia and Japan; the Deschutes, the Mississippi, and “The Fishing Capital of the World” — according to at least one local captain — Florida.

Tonight’s event in Basalt will include a panel discussion of local anglers and outfitters with the Roaring Fork Fishing Guide Alliance. A simultaneous screening in Gunnison at Western Colorado University begins at 6:30 p.m., and doubles as a fundraiser for clean water conservation in the Gunnison Valley. Future Colorado screenings can be found at this link.

Expect inspiring films about perseverance and second chances, ecological preservation and cultural exploration, and, of course, about catching some really big fish.

$20-30; 7:30 p.m., April 17; TACAW, 400 Robinson St., Basalt

We have made it to the end of yet another Sunriser, which means you can now begin the rest of your day. Thanks for hanging on until the last word. We’ll see you back here tomorrow!

— Erica & the whole staff of The Sun

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Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.

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