This week’s Colorado Inside Out acknowledges how the 2026 election season is entering a new phase with ballots now heading to voters. The race for governor takes center stage, along with the growing challenge of housing affordability. The panel looks at a changing drug landscape, from contaminated vape cartridges to a new synthetic opioid and the growing scrutiny of kratom. And the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear Boulder’s climate case against ExxonMobil and Suncor.

With Colorado ballots heading out next week, election security is in focus, and a last-minute lawsuit is challenging the proposed graduated income tax measure. Immigration detention is back in the spotlight, with a new legal fight over a planned facility in Hudson and continued concerns about the Aurora facility. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is talking affordability with New York’s mayor, while Denver Health funding is in dispute and a new campaign is promoting the city. Colorado schools are preparing for the "October Count," while Denver Public Schools is asking voters to approve $44 million in property-tax revenue and facing questions about leadership, spending and the cost of outside legal help.

All systems are go after this week’s Supreme Court ruling — voting by mail will continue as planned, with Colorado ballots heading to voters in two weeks. Also in two weeks, a major change is coming to the Colorado River as the federal government takes over management. Washington and Colorado are moving in different directions on energy and the environment, while data centers are heating up the debate. And what will it take for office attendance in Denver to rebound? Our Insiders weigh in on Colorado Inside Out.

Colorado’s November election is heating up, with a crowded ballot and growing concerns about voter participation, campaign spending and trust in the democratic process. We examine the debate over Colorado’s public lands, federal disaster aid following devastating wildfires and floods, and the controversy surrounding the state’s wolf reintroduction program. Plus, a look at several high-profile legal cases, including the fallout from the Missy Woods investigation and the Colorado Supreme Court’s review of the Kendrick Castillo case.

Colorado’s November election is set, but questions remain about how smoothly it will be administered — from mail delivery to protecting voters’ private information. We examine the growing debate over campaign money, legal challenges surrounding ICE enforcement, and the disappearance of maternity care in rural Colorado. Plus, a lighter look at Denver’s newest reality: driverless Waymo cars on our streets — and our Insiders’ highs and lows of the week.

Plans for Colorado’s midterm election are moving forward, as new federal efforts regarding mail ballots create some confusion. Election officials everything will go as planned. On Colorado Inside Out, we look at the latest measures to make the ballot as the deadline to qualify appraoches. In Denver, could a rising Democratic Socialist movement give mayoral challenger Shontel Lewis a real shot against Mike Johnston? And with devastating wildfires prompting Colorado to seek federal disaster aid, will the federal government provide some help?