In The NOCO

On today’s episode of Colorado Edition, we hear how an Idaho town’s history of racism in the early 1900s still impacts the lives of people of color in the community today. We also learn about the annual elk mating season in our region. And, we hear how local restaurants are handling staffing shortages.

Today on Colorado Edition: we learn about the legacy of sundown towns in the West that once discriminated against or pushed out people of color. We also learn about allegations of wrongdoing at the state's Air Pollution Control Division.

On today’s episode of Colorado Edition, we hear about efforts to increase Hispanic and Latinx participation and representation in the outdoors. We also learn how the work of beavers helped to spare some watershed areas from wildfire damage.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn about efforts to rebuild land damaged from last year’s Cameron Peak wildfire. We also talk to an author about restoring voices of Black Americans in barbecue culture.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn about the University of Northern Colorado’s pursuit to become a Hispanic-serving institution. We hear how Colorado State University is incorporating Indigenous perspectives into the classroom. And we talk to the first executive director of equity and inclusion at Front Range Community College.

Today on Colorado Edition: We discuss the Colorado Republican Party’s vote on a proposal to pull out of the 2022 primary elections. We also hear about new laws to mitigate some of the financial burden of college for undocumented students. And, we learn what the renovation of a Colorado Springs building is revealing about the state's history.

On today’s episode of Colorado Edition, we hear about a recent investigation on police and paramedics in Aurora, and learn the latest on carbon policies in Colorado.

On this episode of Colorado Edition, we learn reforms to policing in Boulder, due in large part to pushes for reform from the community.

Today on Colorado Edition: we learn what's being done to address the skyrocketing demand for COVID-19 testing, and get details on the state's plans for a booster shot rollout. We also hear about a public health initiative in Boulder that gives people experiencing homelessness a place to recover from COVID-19. And we learn how a formerly incarcerated individual is advocating for prison reform through artwork.

Today on Colorado Edition: Texans are already traveling to Colorado and other Western states for abortions. We hear how local clinics are handling the wave of new patients. And, a Lakewood Paralympian silver medalist talks about his athletic journey.

Today on Colorado Edition: we learn more about the science behind booster shots for the COVID-19 vaccine. We also hear how fentanyl testing might reduce the risks of overdosing on the deadly opioid, and look back at KUNC’s early coverage of some of the first 9/11 anniversaries.

Today on Colorado Edition: we look at the emerging market for law enforcement liability insurance in our state, hear how the legal system is responding to the growing use of the deadly opioid fentanyl, and learn about an annual event to honor the firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11.

Today on Colorado Edition: We look at the end of unemployment aid, learn about an increase in fentanyl use in the Mountain West, look back at past coverage of the 9/11 attacks, and get some updates on a mobile home park in Fort Collins.

Today on Colorado Edition: Bees are dying worldwide from disease, pesticide use, and habitat loss. We hear about an organization that’s managing hives and tracking honey to help bees form healthier colonies. We also hear about a resolution the town board of Nederland passed to recognize the rights of the nearby Boulder Creek watershed. And in light of the Rosh Hashana holiday, we look back at an early chapter of Colorado’s Jewish history.

Today on Colorado Edition: As the 20-year war in Afghanistan came to a close this week, American troops weren’t the only ones leaving the nation from the Kabul airport. We hear about evacuations for Afghans who are escaping the ever-growing Taliban presence – specifically the effort to bring one Colorado State University graduate back to the US. Then, we hear about the excess of patients filing into Colorado hospitals, and how doctors are navigating the Delta variant surge.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn about the recent indictment of Aurora police officers and paramedics involved in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, an unarmed Black man who was placed in a chokehold and injected with ketamine. Then, we hear how students, teachers and administrators are adjusting to the latest COVID-19 protocols as they embark on the new school year. And, we wrap up our series on policing with a look at why so many officers are leaving the force, and what the Boulder Police Department is trying to do about it.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn about the push for changes in policing — everything from sweeping reforms to the system, new ways officers can address their mental health, and steps residents are taking to feel safer in their communities. Then, we hear how Colorado renters and landlords are preparing for the first month in almost a year without a federal moratorium on evictions. Plus, we learn how the regional Anti-Defamation League is addressing an increase in hate crimes across the state.

Today on Colorado Edition: We take a look at the mental health struggles often faced by law enforcement officers in Boulder County, and learn how the pandemic has exacerbated these problems. Then, we hear from Larimer County’s public heath director about the latest push to encourage residents to get vaccinated in light of a recent resurgence in COVID-19 cases.

Today on Colorado Edition: After a months-long delay, Colorado finally has the local Census population data needed to draw electoral districts. We’ll dive into what the new data means for the redistricting process. We’ll also hear about a recent push to name a Colorado Veterans Affairs clinic after an anti-racist trailblazer. Plus, we hear about a slate of new laws that aim to address issues of discrimination and accessibility for Coloradans with disabilities. And, we explore how methane leaks impact our changing climate and the multiple efforts underway to locate and fix them.

Today on Colorado Edition: In the wake of a newly released United Nations report on climate change, we explore how technology and policy can help turn climate challenges into opportunities. We learn about efforts to solve lingering racial disparities in postsecondary education attainment, and the long-term impact those disparities can have on students’ economic future. We hear about how the loss of caregivers to COVID-19, including parents and grandparents, is impacting Colorado children. And, with athlete mental health at the forefront now that the 2020 Olympics have wrapped up, we talk with a sports psychologist about the unique pressures and challenges that come with competition.

Today on Colorado Edition: A report from the United Nations out this week catalogues the physical science behind human-driven changes to our climate and paints a grim picture of what could lie ahead if significant changes aren’t made. We’ll explore the report’s findings, and how our changing climate could shape the inhabitability of the Front Range. We’ll also hear from artists who have used time away from performing to examine the safety and equity of their art. And, we speak with teachers from different school districts about how their schools are approaching the return to in-person classes this month.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn how the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is taking action against a Weld County company accused of oil spills and gas leaks. Then, we shift our gaze towards the sky and learn about the annual Perseid meteor shower. Next, a climate reporter tells us what she’s learned from two different journeys down a dam just upstream of the Grand Canyon, 30 years apart. Plus, we hear how hiking 14ers can sometimes harm the very trails we rely on — and what one group is doing to mitigate the damage.

Today on Colorado Edition: As the concert scene heats back up, some Front Range clubs will require concertgoers to show proof of vaccination. We’ll explore what that will entail and how venues hope it will help them recover from last year’s pandemic slump. We talk with an Olympic gymnast from Colorado about his road to Tokyo, and how COVID-19 has impacted the games. We hear how the rafting industry has made a comeback, despite this summer’s mudslides and wildfires. And, we meet bumblebee-sniffing dog Darwin, trained to work with conservation experts to help increase our understanding of bees and other pollinators.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore the latest COVID-19 health and safety guidance and its influence on how school districts are envisioning the year ahead. We also hear about a team of homebuilders in Northern Colorado that's exploring shipping containers as an affordable housing solution. We’ll visit a class in Denver that’s teaching children about a newly popular, cutting-edge technology. And we investigate the consequences of how crime is reported, both by police departments and news organizations.

Today on Colorado Edition: We get the latest on rising cases of COVID-19 and learn how Colorado officials are trying to mitigate the spread. Then, we hear from a runner who is blind and his sighted guide as they embark on their longest trail race to date -- and learn what message they are trying to send with the ambitious feat. Plus, we hear about a “pulse flow” that reconnected the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean as we say a temporary farewell to KUNC’s resident water reporter, Luke Runyon.

Today on Colorado Edition: After a federal moratorium on evictions expired over the weekend, we get an update on what will happen next with Colorado renters and landlords. We also hear about the Olympic debut of sport climbing, and the Colorado climbers who will be competing. Plus, we learn how the Americans with Disabilities Act has shaped outdoor places in the last 31 years. And, we visit the Wilderness on Wheels camp in Park County that has focused on accessibility in nature since the mid-1980s.

Today on Colorado Edition: We look back on the history of Black cowboys in the American West and how they helped shape what our state would become. And, we travel back to a time before Colorado was a state to hear the story of a man who successfully lobbied to delay statehood until African Americans received the right to vote. We’ll also revisit our conversation with the artist behind the trail maps found at ski resorts across the state. And KUNC’s film critic reviews a movie about the intelligence and emotions of trees.

Today on Colorado Edition: we learn about the uptick in health organizations requiring their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and why these mandates are coming months after the onset of widespread vaccine availability. Then, we check in with Colorado local Flora Duffy, who recently won the first Olympic gold medal for her home country of Bermuda. Plus, with Colorado Day on the horizon, we meet the newest state historian and learn about her goals for the year ahead.

Today on Colorado Edition: We hear how the pandemic has changed some students' college paths. We ride along with a co-responder team in Summit County to learn how they’re changing the way they respond to people in mental health crises. We talk with the head of the state’s new environmental justice unit about the work they’ll be doing. And, we hear how the wedding business is bouncing back in America’s wedding capital, Las Vegas.

Today on Colorado Edition: We hear how monsoon patterns and thunderstorms contribute to flash floods, like the ones last week in Glenwood and Poudre Canyon. We also get an update on unidentified aerial phenomena spotted in Eastern Colorado last year. Plus, we explore how Colorado mountain towns are weathering a “perfect storm” of a housing crisis, worker shortages and waves of tourists. And, we learn the results of a study on a Denver program that gave people experiencing homelessness a permanent place to live and access to extensive social services.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn how ozone pollution and wildfire smoke are impacting air quality throughout the state. We also hear about a recent report that examines how Colorado has changed since legalizing recreational marijuana. And we revisit a conversation with Dr. Melba Patillo Beals, a former journalist, author and one of the Little Rock Nine.

Today on Colorado Edition: We examine the connection between floods and landslides and burn scars left by previous wildfires, and we hear how the Poudre Canyon community is dealing with recent flooding. Then, we head up to Grand Lake to hear how residents are recovering from last year's wildfires. Plus, we hear about a recent assault on a journalist at our state Capitol, and how it fits into a trend of increasing violence toward journalists. Lastly, we learn more about a voluntary state program designed to increase carpooling and reduce air pollution.

Today on Colorado Edition: As parents, students, and staff get ready for the upcoming school year, some COVID-19 guidance for classrooms is yet to be determined. We hear the latest, and we explore how getting back to our favorite pre-pandemic activities is more difficult for those who are immunocompromised. We hear about the rise in non-police crisis response teams across the state, including in Denver, which just approved more funding for their program. And, we discuss the response to a new state law which bans the use of American Indian imagery in school mascots.

Today on Colorado Edition: We hear how drought is pressuring the massive plumbing systems that divert water from the Colorado River to faraway communities. We also explore the results of a recent survey that asked 150 people experiencing homelessness in Denver to share their lived experiences and recommendations for more helpful policies. Plus, we learn how inflation across the country is impacting Coloradans, and we revisit a conversation with a record-breaking professional mountaineer.

Today on Colorado Edition: We hear what new research reveals about the path for Colorado’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040. We also look back on the legacy of a public television music video showcase that first aired in Colorado in the 1980s. And, we learn how a Nederland town board agreement to recognize the rights of a body of water could allow for fewer legal battles, and more neighbor-to-neighbor conversations.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore how drought conditions in the West are affecting hydropower production at the county’s biggest dams – and how it could lead to increased electric bills. We also hear more about a Colorado program that’s screening babies for a rare and deadly genetic disease. We learn about Colorado Rockies star player Trevor Story, whose time with the team may be drawing to a close. And, we hear tips from Colorado business executives for finding the perfect camping site.

Today on Colorado Edition: We head to the mountains for a look at tensions over housing in Steamboat Springs, where a temporary halt on short-term rentals is causing friction between business owners and those who want to free up housing to locals. We also speak with Boulder’s first independent police monitor about how his role in police oversight works. And, we explore how Denver Public Schools is reinvesting funds after cancelling its contract with Denver Police for school resource officers.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore the political spending of some of Colorado’s professional sports leaders and the connection between sports and politics. Plus, we hear how climate change is impacting the high mountain habitat of the American pika. We also speak with a woman living in Walden, Colorado where residents are banding together to pick up medications, and with a reporter covering the decline of rural pharmacies. And we hear about the return of a silent film series at Boulder’s Chautauqua Auditorium.

On today’s Colorado Edition: We talk with a public health expert about the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of the delta variant. We hear about the impacts of a new bill aiming to rein in paramedics’ ability to sedate people using ketamine. We learn about two upcoming NASA missions to Venus, and the Colorado scientists involved. And, as baseball fans descend on Denver ahead of the All-Star Game on Tuesday, we explore the economic impact expected from hosting the event.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore the impact of the prolonged warming and drying trend across the Southwest that has left the nation’s two largest reservoirs at record lows. We hear about a foreclosure auction for a large outdoor retail center that drew no bidders. Then, we learn about a new effort at the Denver Zoo to vaccinate many of its animals against COVID-19. And finally, we discuss how Colorado’s historic wildfires last year are impacting water quality this year.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn about the work of a new coalition of early childhood stakeholders that’s forming to help educators earn their degrees. Plus, we hear about the comeback of a silent film festival here in Colorado, and we’ll visit the Shambhala Mountain Center, one of a growing number of places trying to shore up their defenses against future fire. We’ll also hear a listener essay about preserving the area between Denver and Colorado Springs.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn about a tool that can predict how lawmakers will vote on certain bills - and find out how a friendly wager between two reporters turned out. Then, we hear about a surge of Colorado entrepreneurs who started businesses during the pandemic. And, we learn about the global history of the avocado.

Today on Colorado Edition: We head to the Greeley Stampede to get an inside look at the Miss Rodeo Colorado pageant. We also hear the story of recent eagle drama at Standley Lake that brought global attention to the park last year. Plus, we explore a course at Colorado State University that’s weaving Indigenous perspectives into natural resource management, and we speak with the food editor of 5280 Magazine.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn why vaccination rates in rural communities are lagging behind more populated areas. Plus, we hear the latest on an effort by Colorado State University and the NASA SnowEx campaign to figure out how much water comes from mountain snowpack. We also get an inside scoop on how the sale of the Boulder chocolate company Lily’s fits into a larger trend in the candy industry. And, we talk with residents of Hickory Village, a Fort Collins mobile home community, who are trying to gain ownership of their park.

Today on Colorado Edition: We hear about a recently passed bill that will do away with most court fees and costs in the state’s juvenile court system. We also explore the work of the state board tasked with reviewing requests to change geographic place names. Plus, we get the latest on two ongoing investigations into the decision to move U.S. Space Command headquarters to Alabama from Colorado, and we hear a review of the Macedonian film God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya.

On today’s episode of Colorado Edition, we learn how a changing climate and other natural hazards can make buildings susceptible to damage. Then, we discover how small towns on the Front Range are trying to conserve water supply to support their booming communities. We hear why a state law is unintentionally making it harder for Coloradans to find remote work. And, we learn how arguments over critical race theory made their way to a Colorado school board meeting.

On today’s episode of Colorado Edition, we hear more about the recent wave of wildfires burning though the northwestern part of the state, including the Sylvan Fire near Eagle. Then, we dive into wildfire restoration and recovery efforts at some of last year's worst0hit areas. And, we celebrate the legacy of Barney Ford, a prominent Black businessman in Denver whose life was largely shaped by the Underground Railroad.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore why health experts have been sounding the alarm over the state of children’s mental health, even as the recovery from the pandemic continues. We hear from Grand Junction residents about whether the Bureau of Land Management headquarters should remain in Colorado or shift back to D.C. We’ll get an update on summer construction along I-25 in Northern Colorado. And, we discuss a new body image disorder borne out of the pandemic surge in video conference calls.

On today’s episode of Colorado Edition, we learn how the federal moratorium on evictions that’s soon to expire might impact tenants and landlords across the state. Then, we examine how the racial and ethnic diversity of faculty at Colorado’s universities impacts students. Next, we learn how Colorado towns are working to preserve their starry night skies. And, we hear about a new documentary series on Rocky Mountain PBS that shines a light on “environmentally harmonious” buildings.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore the ongoing housing crisis in Colorado’s mountain communities, and how emergency declarations are opening up short-term solutions in the high country. We also hear about an unusual ceremony that took place in Denver recently in which a 102-year-old World War II veteran received medals he had earned, but never received. Plus, the world’s largest meat processing company recently settled a federal lawsuit over claims of discrimination against Muslim workers at its Greeley plant. We’ll speak to a lawyer and a former worker involved in the case.