• Streaming services may have mastered on-demand content, but they keep having trouble with high-profile live events. Four months ago, Netflix botched the Mike Tyson–Jake Paul boxing match when demand overwhelmed its capacity, and last weekend Hulu‘s stream of The Oscars was plagued with technical glitches, including prematurely ending the feed before the Best Actress and Best Picture awards were announced.
• Colorado Community Media is shutting down two of its newspapers – the Washington Park Profile and Life on Capitol Hill.
• Data shows that ridership on RTD failed to grow in 2024. New RTD board member Chris Nicholson put it succinctly: “We’ve lost customers who used to trust us with their travel.”
• More than 25 people were injured in South Korea when fighter jets participating in a live-fire drill accidentally dropped bombs on a civilian area.
• The entire staff of the Michelin-recommended AJ’s Pit Barb-B-Q walked out after allegations that management hasn’t been paying payroll taxes or contributing to their healthcare insurance,
• Mark Botnick, crypto-fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried‘s high-profile crisis PR representative, quit after his client went on Tucker Carlson‘s podcast without telling him.
• There has been a second death associated with the measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. These are the first measles deaths in the U.S. in a decade. As federal officials worked around the clock to aid the response in Texas, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was vacationing in Coachella, Instagramming his hike.
• The early-bird price for the unrestricted adult Epic Pass for next season has crossed the $1,000 barrier. Next year’s pass is $1,051, compared to $982 a year ago. 
• It was a tough week for Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, who were widely assumed to be the two most viable candidates for Colorado governor when Jared Polis‘ term ends in 2026. But in a surprise move, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet moved to freeze the field by announcing that he is “very, very seriously” considering a run.
• A SpaceX spacecraft disrupted air traffic in Florida when it exploded mid-flight. A previous attempt in January also resulted in an explosion.
• Well, it’s official. Former Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson no longer has any ties to Denver. He and his wife Ciara have shut down the last House of LR&C clothing store location that was at DIA.
• If you are wondering what the 2025 version of “Freedom Fries” would be, wonder no longer. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has proposed renaming the New York strip steak the Texas strip steak.

Who won the week?

• The Denver Public Library is hiring a marketing specialist.
• Jane Dvorak is accepting applications for her summer class of PR interns.
• Denver’s Dumb Friends League has rebranded as Humane Colorado.
• After 25 years with the Denver Business Journal, Deborah Sadinsky announced she will retire next month.
• Sports talk show host Stephen A. Smith signed a five-year, $100-million contract with ESPN.
• China’s Mixue Ice Cream and Tea is now the world’s largest food-and-beverage chain, surpassing McDonald’s and Starbucks in terms of number of locations.