Colorado braces for heightened threats after strikes on Iran
Why it matters: Colorado is home to some of the U.S. military's most critical infrastructure, including Space Force bases, satellite command centers and missile warning systems — all of which could be viewed as strategic targets if tensions escalate.
What they're saying: The state "has not been made aware of any Colorado-specific threats" but is working with local and federal agencies to monitor for "suspicious activity" to the state's infrastructure and military assets, Gov. Jared Polis' spokesperson Shelby Wieman told Axios Denver on Monday.
State of play: On Sunday, Polis and other U.S. governors were briefed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the release of a National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin outlining a heightened national threat environment.
As of Monday, Denver International Airport remains in business-as-usual mode, a spokesperson told Axios Denver, with no changes to operations or security protocol.
Context: That's because the U.S. State Department's new " Worldwide Caution" alert issued in the wake of Saturday's strikes is focused on potential threats to Americans and U.S. interests abroad, not domestic travel.
DIA said it "will adhere to federal guidance should conditions change."
Meanwhile, Denver's Office of Emergency Management is "actively monitoring the situation," spokesperson Loa Esquilin-Garcia told Axios, and encouraging the public "to be prepared, vigilant [and] aware of their surroundings, and to report suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement."
Threat level: U.S. officials have warned of cyber attacks, travel disruptions, demonstrations and heightened security following the strikes.
Zoom in: Colorado is a hub for national security assets, including:
Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, which houses the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) — the eyes and ears of the U.S. missile warning system.
Schriever and Peterson Space Force Bases near Colorado Springs, which manage satellite operations, global communications and defense tracking.
The Cheyenne Mountain Complex, a Cold War-era bunker that's still active as a secure backup for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Between the lines: Colorado's high-value military footprint makes it a strategic asset — but also a potential vulnerability — in any conflict where space-based systems and communications infrastructure may be in the crosshairs.
What we're watching: Any signals of increased security in sensitive areas, including places of worship, and growing protest activity. Already, at least one rally denouncing the U.S. strikes took place Sunday outside the state Capitol in Denver.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
7 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Ukraine tries to understand why Trump suddenly abandoned idea of cease-fire
Trump called on social media for a direct peace agreement without securing a cease-fire first, claiming that Zelenskyy and European leaders had agreed on the point. His statement was a stark shift from the 'principles' agreed upon earlier in the week by Trump, Zelenskyy and his European allies, which called for refusing to discuss peace terms until a cease-fire was in place. Advertisement Russia has long pushed for a direct peace deal that would address a broad range of issues and impose onerous demands on Ukraine, including territorial concessions. Avoiding a cease-fire would allow Russia to continue pressing its advantage on the battlefield in the meantime. Advertisement An official briefed on the call between Trump and Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian leader's trip to Washington would aim to seek clarity from Trump. Kyiv does not understand why the American president suddenly dropped the demand that a cease-fire precede negotiations. In a statement, Zelenskyy seemed to tread carefully, trying not to openly contradict Trump. 'We need to achieve a real peace that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions,' Zelenskyy said. But he added that 'the killings must stop as soon as possible, and the fire must cease both on the battlefield and in the air, as well as against our port infrastructure,' suggesting that he was still prioritizing a cease-fire. In statements of their own, European leaders made no mention of having agreed to abandon their demand for a cease-fire. At the same time, the fact that the statements did not include a demand for a cease-fire, as in previous remarks, suggests at the very least an attempt not to antagonize Trump. Trump's move to aim for a direct peace deal could bring to failure a week of frantic diplomacy in which Kyiv, with European support, had lobbied the U.S. administration to insist that a cease-fire should come first and that Ukraine should not be undercut in the negotiations. Trump's social media post caused a feeling of whiplash among some Ukrainians, who quickly reversed their early assessments of the Alaska summit. Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the foreign affairs committee in the Ukrainian parliament, had initially expressed some relief, saying that 'the situation could have been worse' if Trump and Putin had struck a deal behind Ukraine's back. Advertisement He said that a scenario in which 'Trump and Putin started together to pressure Ukraine into surrender' could not have been ruled out given Trump's history of deference to Putin. But after Trump's post on Truth Social, Merezhko changed his view. 'In fact, Putin and Trump are starting to force us into surrender,' he said. Trump also proposed security guarantees for Ukraine inspired by the collective defense agreement between NATO member countries, which states that any attack on a member is an attack against all, according to Giorgia Meloni, Italy's prime minister. Under such guarantees, Ukraine's NATO allies would be 'ready to take action' if Russia attacked again. But Merezhko and other Ukrainian allies said such a formulation was too vague. 'Which countries will agree to consider an attack against Ukraine as an attack against themselves?' Merezhko asked. 'I'd like to believe that we will find such countries, but I'm not sure.' Trump, in an interview with Fox News after the meeting with Putin, also addressed the idea of territorial swaps, saying they were among the points 'that we largely have agreed on.' Trump had said several times over the past week that territorial concessions would be part of a peace agreement, drawing pushback from Zelenskyy. Zelensky, however, has not entirely ruled out possible land swaps, telling reporters this past week that this is 'a very complex issue that cannot be separated from security guarantees for Ukraine.' Merezhko, who like many Ukrainian officials was left on tenterhooks by the Alaska meeting, watched the post-meeting news conference live from Kyiv at around 2 a.m. local time. As both Trump and Putin offered only vague statements, Merezhko said it had become clear that no concrete deal had been reached. Advertisement He noted that Putin had again said that any end to the fighting must address the 'root causes' of the war, which is Kremlin parlance for a range of issues that include the existence of Ukraine as a fully independent and sovereign nation aligned with the West. 'I think it's a failure because Putin was again talking about security concerns and used his usual rhetoric,' Merezhko said as the press conference came to an end. 'I don't see any changes.' In Kyiv, some emerged Saturday morning from a sleepless night following the news with the sense that the war was likely to continue unabated. After the Alaska summit wrapped up, the Ukrainian air force said Russia had continued its assault on Ukraine, launching 85 drones and one ballistic missile overnight. These figures could not be independently verified. Tetiana Chamlai, a 66-year-old retiree in Kyiv, said the situation with the war would change only if Ukraine was given more military support, to push Russian forces back enough to force Moscow to the negotiating table. 'That's the only way everything will stop,' she said. 'I personally do not see any other way out.' But Vice President JD Vance made clear this past week that the United States was 'done' funding Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. The Trump administration, however, is fine with Ukraine buying American weapons from U.S. companies, and Zelenskyy announced this past week that Kyiv had secured $1.5 billion in European funding to purchase U.S. arms. This article originally appeared in
New York Post
7 minutes ago
- New York Post
These three ‘golden' visa destinations have become hotspots for wealthy Americans
America's elite are increasingly seeking 'golden' visas. Canada-based Mohamed Bennis, an associate vice president at Arton Capital, told Fox News Digital that many are realizing 'true wealth' is measured by 'freedom of movement.' Advertisement 'Many Americans are realizing that a second residency or citizenship is the ultimate insurance policy against uncertainty,' said Bennis. 'It provides them with almost unmatched mobility, flexibility and security in a world that is becoming increasingly unpredictable.' He added, 'Just as gold has historically been a best-in-class investment as a store of value, these visas are also premium assets that provide their holders — and their families — with both tangible and intangible benefits for the long term.' Arton Capital advises high-net-worth individuals on the process of investing in citizenship or residency all around the world. Political divisions, said Bennis, have influenced wealthy Americans to weigh their options. They're not necessarily moving their primary residences — but they might be acquiring the freedom to have another option. Advertisement 4 'Many Americans are realizing that a second residency or citizenship is the ultimate insurance policy against uncertainty,' Mohamed Bennis, associate vice president at Arton Capital, said about people pursuing 'golden' visas. acnaleksy – '[Golden visas] can open doors to privileges that money just can't buy: freedom of movement, security for your family and access to opportunities around the world,' he said. He said that Malta, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Portugal are becoming increasingly popular for Americans seeking residency or citizenship through investment. 'Each option offers its own distinct benefits. All three open the door to new cultures, safer environments and the ability to live life on your own terms.' Advertisement 4 'Malta has recently transitioned from a citizenship-by-investment model to a citizenship-by-merit framework,' he said, making visas to this area more accessible. aapsky – 'Malta and Portugal offer access to world-class healthcare and education within the EU, often at lower costs than in the U.S. — while the UAE offers a high standard of living, zero income tax and a thriving international community,' he said. Portugal's investment program requires prospective visa holders to invest about $500,000 in qualifying investment, venture capital funds, and scientific or technological research. 'Approval is granted to applicants based on their skills and innovation.' Advertisement About $250,000 can be invested in cultural heritage preservation, or in creating at least 10 full-time jobs in Portugal, according to the country's site. 4 According to Portugal's website, about $250,000 can be invested in cultural heritage preservation, or in creating at least 10 full-time jobs in the country. SeanPavonePhoto – Bennis said Malta's program enables more people to access the visas by lowering the barriers. 'Malta has recently transitioned from a citizenship-by-investment model to a citizenship-by-merit framework,' he said. 4 Bennis said the United Arab Emirates offers a 'modern crossroads' between the East and the West that draws in the wealthy. marekkijevsky – 'This has meant that approval is granted to applicants based on their skills and innovation, rather than just the size of their economic contribution,' he said. The UAE has remained a top destination for American clients. Bennis said the emirates offer a 'modern crossroads' between the East and the West that's particularly attractive. 'Its golden visa popularized the 'citizenship by merit' trend that countries such as Malta are now adopting,' he said. Advertisement 'It grants long-term residency rights, typically 5 or 10 years, and is available to investors, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, even outstanding students.' Bennis added, 'The countries with the most smooth and streamlined processes are often the most popular.'
Buzz Feed
7 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Best Political Tweets 8-16-2025
American politics — well, frankly, global politics — is chaos right now, but I find it comforting to know I'm not alone in thinking the world has gone bananas. So, here are 27 of the best, most relatable, and sometimes funny political tweets from the last week: Note: The images in the original tweet were replaced due to photo rights. Note: The images in the original tweet were replaced due to photo rights. See you next week!
