🌬️ More power outages on the horizon

🏔️ Palantir CEO Plans Aspen Mansion

Alex Karp, CEO of the controversial Denver-based AI software company Palantir, purchased a 70-year-old monastery in Old Snowmass for $120 million. The billionaire reportedly plans to convert the 3,700-acre ranch that once housed Trappist monks into a personal home. [Denver Business Journal 🔒]

• What does Palantir do anyway? We took a deep dive on the local tech company making millions from ICE and Israel.

🌬️ Windy Conditions, Power Outages Continue

Xcel Energy turned off power for more than 120,000 Front Range customers on Wednesday in response to extreme winds reaching 100 mph. The utility company warned those impacted that it could be several days before power is restored. Xcel also said there could be additional public safety power shutoffs today if weather conditions continue as they are. [CO Sun]

• The latest: Follow along with this live weather blog from Denver7. You can also check Xcel’s live outage map and its other online resources for the latest info.

⚡ Why There’s No Easy Answer For Xcel

This isn’t the first time Xcel has preemptively shut down power lines to mitigate wildfire risk, but the political debate this time is way different. We break down the controversies and the facts on today’s podcast. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

• We still want to hear from you! What should Denver’s word of the year for 2025 be? Send your suggestions 📧

⚖️ Jeanette Vizguerra Could Get Her Freedom Today

The local immigrant rights activist is scheduled to go before an immigration judge today. It’s been nine months since she was detained by ICE on her lunch break. A federal judge has ordered that immigration officials must be able to prove Vizguerra is a flight risk or danger to the community in order to keep her locked up. [CO Sun]

• Who is Jeanette Vizguerra? Here’s a breakdown of her last three decades in the U.S.

🌿 Trump Reclassified Cannabis. What Does that Mean for CO?

Cannabis remains illegal to buy and sell for recreational use under federal law. But President Trump’s new executive order reclassifies it from a Schedule I narcotic to a Schedule III drug. That will allow local cannabis businesses to operate much like any other business, deducting operating expenses on their federal taxes and avoiding the steeper tax rates — a huge win for an industry that’s faced a tough last two years. [CPR]

Last week’s answer: These hot pink ice cream aesthetics can be found at High Point Creamery in Berkeley. This local fan-fave is celebrated for its unique flavors, ice cream flights, and signature bombe cakes. See what other local parlors rank alongside it in our roundup of Denver’s best ice cream 🍦

📣 A very special shoutout for this week’s correct guessers:

• Keith S. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
• But Megan K., Ariel, Nicole P., Gina R., Jenny D., Joe C., Kelsey J., Madeline O., Tammy P., Lora Z., AJ G., Michael F., Ashley N., and Jamie W. weren’t far behind!

This Week’s Photo:

🕵️ Do you recognize the shiny black bar booths at this local haunt? 💡 Hint: They’ve got the best prime rib in town 🤤 Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!

📸 Want to submit a photo? Send me a snapshot of somewhere in Denver, and I’ll consider it for an upcoming photo trivia segment!