Boulder, Colorado

Mohamed Soliman pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Denver to 12 hate-crime counts stemming from the June 2025 firebombing attack on a pro-Israel walk at Boulder's Pearl Street Mall. Soliman, 47, is already serving a life sentence on state charges after the attack killed Karen Diamond, 82, and injured more than a dozen others, including a Holocaust survivor. Prosecutors are seeking an additional federal life sentence; sentencing is set for January 2. Soliman and his family, Egyptian nationals who entered the U.S. on tourist visas in 2022, had pending asylum claims at the time of the attack. His wife and children remain in a legal fight against deportation.

Colorado, once a reliable Republican state, has leaned decidedly Democratic in recent cycles, and 2026 looks similar. Gov. Phil Weiser and Sen. John Hickenlooper are favored for easy wins over underfunded Republican opponents Victor Marx and Mark Baisley, with some GOP figures, including former Rep. Ken Buck, crossing over to back Weiser. The closest races are in the U.S. House: Democrat Manny Rutinel is seen as favored over Republican incumbent Gabe Evans in District 8, while Republican incumbent Jeff Crank is expected to hold District 5 against well-funded Democrat Jessica Killin despite backlash over the Space Command relocation. Analysts attribute the overall Democratic advantage to anti-Trump sentiment and weak Republican statewide recruitment.

A House Judiciary Committee report released Oct. 9 by Chairman Jim Jordan accuses Denver and Boulder of "sanctuary" policies that undermine immigration enforcement, alleging local authorities have ignored detainers for people accused of serious crimes and that prosecutors have given immigration-related leniency in charging and plea decisions. The report singles out Denver District Attorney John Walsh and Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty, and notes Jordan previously subpoenaed Dougherty after he allegedly failed to turn over requested records. The committee is pushing for passage of the "Shutdown Sanctuary Policies Act" and estimates Denver has spent over $356 million on services for migrants.

Dougherty called the report a "political stunt" tied to the midterms, saying his office prioritizes justice and public safety. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston rejected the report's framing, saying Denver remains both a "safe city" and a "welcoming city" with falling crime and homelessness. Gov. Jared Polis maintains Colorado is not a sanctuary state, even as Denver and Boulder continue legal fights with the Trump administration over immigration-linked federal funding restrictions.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case brought by Boulder, Colorado, seeking damages from ExxonMobil and Suncor over claims the companies deceived the public for decades about fossil fuels' role in climate change. The justices are deciding only whether the lawsuit can proceed in state court, not whether the companies are liable, but the outcome could shape dozens of similar suits filed by municipalities nationwide.

The court's three liberal justices appeared sympathetic to Boulder, while Justice Brett Kavanaugh was the most vocal supporter of the energy companies' position. Chief Justice John Roberts raised concerns that a win for Boulder could trigger a wave of copycat lawsuits, but also pushed back on the companies' argument that such claims are governed solely by federal law. Justice Samuel Alito, who holds fossil fuel stock, recused himself, meaning a tie would leave the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling intact and let the case move forward. A decision is expected by late June or early July.