Colorado
Colorado lawmakers light up state agencies opposed to paying for weight loss drugs: ‘Perhaps it’s time they go on a diet’
A bill that would require state-regulated insurers and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs for people who are obese or prediabetic cleared a major hurdle at the Colorado State Capitol. The bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee despite opposition from the Division of Insurance and Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Both insist the measure is cost-prohibitive.
According to legislative fiscal analysts it would cost the state Medicaid system $86 million the first year alone. An actuarial analysis by the Division of Insurance found it could also raise insurance premiums by as much as $30 million a year.
But neither study looked at potential cost savings, and that didn’t sit so well with some members of the Appropriations Committee, including the Chair, state Sen. Jeff Bridges.
“I can’t believe an actuarial study that was performed by state at the direction of a bill passed by general assembly, didn’t include cost savings,” he said.
Bridges stopped short of accusing the Division of Insurance of violating state law, which requires actuarial reviews include both the potential costs and cost savings.
“Unfortunately we don’t have the facts about potential savings because they just decided not to look into that. I’m extraordinarily upset about that,” he said.
So are state Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet and state Sen. Joanne Ginal, sponsors of the bill.
“Utilizing these drugs can help in long run with chronic kidney disease, with heart disease, to prevent stroke, cancers, so many other diseases,” said Ginal.
Michaelson Jenet says the analyses were inflated to kill the bill.
“I got the fiscal note and said, ‘Okay, there’s something fishy here,’” she said.
The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing insists insurers should only have to cover lifestyle therapy like diet and exercise.
Michaelson Jenet noted there is no other disease for which lifestyle therapy only — and not medication — is covered.
“If we want look at the definition of insanity — doing something over and over again and expecting different results — that’s what that is,” she said.
The Department also argued coverage for medication would interfere with its equity plan.
State Sen. Julie Gonzales said that makes no sense.
“Allowing people to live healthier and fuller lives is somehow going to interfere with their equity plan? I invite the Department to figure it out and try harder.”
State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer noted the state gives the Department $5 billion a year, more than it spends.
“The reality is they will also be having underutilized general fund monies that will be able cover this in January of 2025,” she said.
Gonzalez had a better idea.
“Perhaps it’s time they go on a diet,” she said.
The bill was amended to take effect in January of 2025 and passed the committee with only vote in opposition. It needs to pass the full Senate before going to the House.
DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward Adam Beckman to a two-year contract through the 2027-28 season.
Beckman, 25, played for the American Hockey League’s Bridgeport Islanders in 2025-26, recording 51 points (30g/21a) in 68 contests. The forward’s 30 tallies paced the Bridgeport club and marked a professional career-high. Beckman also ranked among Bridgeport-leaders in points (2nd) and assists (T-5th), and landed tied for sixth in goals among all AHL skaters. He picked up one point (0g/1a) in two Calder Cup Playoff Contests this season.
Originally drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the third round (75th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, Beckman’s professional career has included 23 regular-season NHL appearances with the Wild where he registered three points (0g/3a) between 2020-21 and 2023-24. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 30, 2021 at Colorado and notched his first NHL point less than a week later on Nov. 6 at Pittsburgh with an assist (0g/1a).
A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Beckman has collected 199 points (104g/95a) through 304 regular-season AHL games with Bridgeport (2024-26), Utica Comets (2024-25) and Iowa Wild (2020-2024). Additionally, he has picked up two points (1g/1a) in four Calder Cup Playoff contests.
Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-2, 192-pound left wing played parts of four seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs, amassing 196 points (97g/99a) across 153 regular-season games. He collected 12 points (8g/4a) in 15 games in the Chiefs’ 2018-19 playoff run. In the 2019-20 campaign, Beckman received the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s top scorer with 107 points (48g/59a) over 63 regular-season contests, and also earned the Four Broncos Trophy as WHL player of the year. Additionally, he paced the circuit in goals and was named to the 2019-20 Western Conference First All-Star Team for his performance.
Colorado
Where to watch Miami Marlins vs Colorado Rockies: TV channel, start time, streaming for July 1
What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.
Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.
The MLB action continues on Wednesday as the Miami Marlins visit the Colorado Rockies.
Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Miami Marlins vs Colorado Rockies?
First pitch between the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, July 1.
How to watch Miami Marlins vs Colorado Rockies on Wednesday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 6:34 a.m.
- Matchup: MIA at COL
- Date: Wednesday, July 1
- Time: 8:40 p.m. (ET)
- Venue: Coors Field
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- TV: Rockies.TV and Marlins.TV
- Streaming: MLB.TV on Fubo
Watch MLB all season long with Fubo
MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for July 1 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
- Very hot and dry ahead
- Fire weather highlights issued
- Fire danger continues into Independence Day
TUESDAY NIGHT: Winds will slow down a little bit into the overnight hours letting elevated fire conditions ease slightly. Overnight lows will be in the 50s and 60s.
WEDNESDAY: The morning will be less hazy, but that will quickly change with more smoke being dragged across the I-25 corridor with gusts up the 45 MPH. Hot temperatures in the 80s and 90s are expected with very low humidity too. Red flag warnings are active from 10 AM until 10 PM.
Download the KKTV 11 Alert Weather App here:
THURSDAY: Fire weather watches are active for now, but I think those will be upgraded to red flag warnings. Gusty winds, low humidity and temperatures in the 90s and triple digits are expected for some.
FRIDAY: Very similar conditions are expected for Friday compared to Thursday. Very hot temperatures still stick around with gusty winds and low humidity.
THE WEEKEND: The Fourth of July will be hot, windy and dry. Sunday will be the first day that southern Colorado sees any sort of chance for moisture on the horizon.
Copyright 2026 KKTV. All rights reserved.
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