With hearings for nine of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks already scheduled for this week, progressive leaders across the state called on Senator Cory Gardner today to block nominees that they say are troubling, dangerous and out of step with Colorado’s values. Colorado lawmakers return to the Capitol Wednesday to get to work on setting policy and spending priorities for education. But, as Chalkbeat reports, state officials face significant budget challenges, an uncertain transition in Washington and a growing chorus of educators fatigued by change. In environmental news, ski areas throughout Colorado– and the West – have been ramping up their warm-weather attractions. A bill sponsored in 2011 by then U.S. Sen. Mark Udall prompted the U.S. Forest Service to allow resorts to add features such as bungee trampolines, climbing walls, disc golf, rope courses, zipline tours and even alpine coasters.