In The NOCO

Today on Colorado Edition: We look at some of the unique factors influencing gun culture and violence in the Mountain West region, which has a higher per capita rate of gun violence that other regions in the U.S. We’ll also get a look at the response to Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s recent killing of a wolf in Yellowstone National Park. Plus, we hear about uncertainty in the lives of Colorado families with immunocompromised children who can’t yet receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and what progress is being made toward getting them safely vaccinated. Lastly, we’ll hear a review of a new film showing the work being done on the James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled to launch in October.

On today’s episode of Colorado Edition, we hear from residents in the Boulder community, who are mourning the deaths of 10 people who died in Monday’s mass shooting at a Boulder King Soopers. We speak with a woman who lost her daughter in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, about how she is helping to support the survivors of Monday’s deadly attack. We’ll also learn about the history of anti-Asian discrimination in the West and look at the ways it continues today. Lastly, we’ll get a look at Arizona’s effort to set its own water quality standards, following the Trump administrations rollback on part of the Clean Water Act last summer.

Today on Colorado Edition: We talk about the national spike in reported incidents of domestic violence during the pandemic. Plus, we get an update on unemployment and job opportunities in Colorado. We also hear why efforts to repeal the death penalty in Wyoming have become more bipartisan despite lawmakers defeating the most recent repeal proposal. And, we learn about a new app called “Write On” that helps you collaborate on stories with loved ones and strangers.

Today on Colorado Edition: We get an update on the state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as more doses are set to arrive and the number of ways to get an appointment is increasing. We also explore a looming showdown for states that rely on drinking and irrigation water from the Colorado River. And, we hear from two agricultural producers about the backlash to the governor’s declaration of March 20 as a meat-free holiday.

Today on Colorado Edition: We speak with researchers at Children’s Hospital Colorado, who recently published a study looking at how marijuana use in breastfeeding parents can affect breastmilk. We also hear about updates to federal flood plain maps, which impact flood insurance rates. Plus, we learn more about a women’s basketball team in Wyoming making history, and we hear from listeners around the state about what they think of American football and the dangers of traumatic brain injuries.

Today on Colorado Edition: We hear a story of an unexpected upside to the pandemic: an improved and tightened bond between parents and teachers at an elementary school in Denver. We’ll also check in on the world of college basketball, and speak to a CU Boulder men’s basketball coach ahead of the team's appearance in this week’s NCAA March Madness tournament. Plus, we hear the story of two Colorado women making history through their podcast, one of whom may be the first non-verbal podcaster in the world. And, we hear a conversation with the author of a new book about the history of drive-in theaters here in the state.

Today on Colorado Edition: We look at how the recent snowstorm could impact the region’s snowpack and drought conditions around the state. Plus, we hear about a new bill moving through the legislature that would make it easier for cities to adopt ranked choice voting. We’ll also explore the ethical arguments for and against cloning animals to save them from extinction, and we’ll hear a review of Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland.

Today on Colorado Edition: We look at the declining rates of COVID-19 found in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Next, we learn about how Special Olympics Colorado is navigating the pandemic to provide safe events. Then, we talk to a Special Olympics athlete about what the community has meant to him over the years.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn what childhood immunization rates can and can't tell us about COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. We’ll also hear how Loveland is trying to spruce up its downtown, and we’ll explore a pop-up museum in Denver for Black girls. Plus, we get insight to the emerging profession of end-of-life doulas.

On today’s episode of Colorado Edition, we speak to Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse about his initiatives to protect public lands and grow the outdoor recreation economy. Then, we’ll learn about a new bill that would provide in-state tuition at higher education institutions for Indigenous people with historical connections to Colorado. Plus, we’ll discuss the impact of last year’s budget cuts to Colorado public colleges and universities, and the new cost-saving proposals on the table. And finally, we'll dive into upcoming negotiations over the management of the Colorado River.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore how funding cuts related to the pandemic are affecting programs designed to keep people with unmet mental health needs out of the criminal justice system. We’ll also learn about a new software upgrade to a long-neglected state website that allows you to follow the more than $30 billion Colorado’s government spends each year. Plus, we’ll learn more about how COVID-19 can affect our senses of hearing and smell, and we get the latest on the state’s efforts to secure more resources for fighting wildfires, such as water- and retardant-dropping planes and helicopters.

This week marks one year since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Colorado. On today's episode of Colorado Edition, we reflect on the ways the pandemic has changed our lives in the past year and consider what lies ahead. We hear how a Spanish music radio station transformed into a center for community resources. We also check in with an emergency room doctor about an incredibly difficult year for health care workers, and we get advice on how to grieve the losses we’ve experienced, both large and small. Finally, we get insight into how plans were made to ensure the most equitable distribution of the coronavirus vaccine.

Today on Colorado Edition: We’ll learn about a unique program at the University of Northern Colorado that’s helping college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities prepare for life after graduation. We'll hear about the third major retail center along the Front Range to face foreclosure in just the last few months. And, we look at how pandemic-induced revenue shortfalls are renewing conversations about whether states should exempt menstrual products from sales tax.

Today on Colorado Edition: We look at how transportation has and hasn’t been factored into states’ vaccine distribution plans, and what transit options exist for residents of rural areas to access far-away vaccination sites. We’ll also take a look at how the vaccine rollout is going for educators. Plus, we’ll hear from a local high school leader on racial equity and the importance of recruiting more teachers of color, and we learn more about CTE, a degenerative brain disease commonly found in athletes.

Today on Colorado Edition: We’ll get the latest on how Colorado’s congressional districts are set to change as an independent commission redraws districts based on numbers from the 2020 census. We’ll also remember the life and legacy of former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson, and look back at his time as a football player in his home state of Colorado. Plus, we hear about an annual art exhibit involving Lakewood’s internationally-known Casa Bonita restaurant.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore the history and contributions of Black cowboys in the West, and how Black cowboy culture lives on in rodeos today. We’ll also revisit a conversation with Denver-based artist Narkita Gold about her project Black In Denver, and we get the story behind a historic baseball tournament in Colorado, later dubbed “The Little World Series of the West.”

Today on Colorado Edition: We speak with Elijah McClain’s mother, Sheneen, about her son and the recent independent investigation into his death in Aurora. We’ll also get more details about an investigation into coronavirus safety measures in the country’s largest meatpacking plants, including JBS USA in Greeley, which was launched this week by federal lawmakers. Lastly, we check in on basketball at the University of Northern Colorado, which is back to playing games following a recent COVID-19 outbreak.

On today’s Colorado Edition: Whether students should take standardized tests or not during a pandemic is a thorny issue. We explore how state lawmakers are handling that and other education-related matters. We also look back in time to see how the state legislature handled the 1918 flu pandemic at the Capitol building. We’ll learn how the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library documents and displays Black history of Colorado and the American West. And, we hear from a Burmese community organizer in Colorado about his hopes and fears around the political situation in Myanmar.

Today on Colorado Edition: We examine Colorado’s existing power grid and winter contingency plans to see whether a large-scale failure could be possible here. We’ll also hear how Larimer County’s reserve officers training program is addressing growing mental health issues among its ranks. Plus, we hear from Front Range Community College’s new executive director of equity and inclusion about the issues in the current system and what it will take to change them. And we hear a report on food insecurity in the Mountain West region.

Today on Colorado Edition: We hear more about one lawmaker’s push to ban or rein-in paramedic’s use of ketamine, following the death of Elijah McClain, and more than 900 other ketamine sedations in the state. We’ll also visit a church in Aurora that’s trying to close the gaps in vaccine distribution. We’ll also speak with a local activist about the last year of protests, where she occasionally tended to protesters in Denver as a street medic, and we’ll hear a review of the new film Minari.

Today on Colorado Edition: We get the latest from Wednesday’s state of the state address by Gov. Jared Polis. We’ll also take a look at where the state is at in its economic recovery. Plus, we’ll learn more about how Colorado is moving forward in helping victims of recent unemployment fraud, and we hear about the Equal Justice Initiative, which works with community organizations throughout the country to help resurface the lost stories of lynchings.

On today’s Colorado Edition: We’ll learn about the state’s efforts to boost the number of adults pursuing higher education to help meet modern workforce demands. And we’ll hear from the president of Metropolitan State University of Denver, who’s working to close a funding shortfall for some higher education institutions. We’ll explore how one Colorado school district is using Indigenous identity and culture to stop drug use among teenagers. And, we’ll meet Time Magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year, Gitanjali Rao.

Today on Colorado Edition: As we approach a year of COVID-19 in Colorado, we explore the ins and outs of pandemic fatigue. We’ll also learn more about recent drug overdose data, which shows overdose deaths in Colorado more than doubled in 2020 from the year before. Plus, we’ll look into Greeley’s interest in – and the opposition to – the Terry Ranch project, which would provide a new water source for the city. And we get a lesson in baseball history from the president of the Negro League Baseball Museum.

In this podcast exclusive, we feature an extended interview with Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, one of nine African American students who in 1957, integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Beals discusses how her life has been shaped by her experiences as one of the Little Rock Nine, the role of youth activism in addressing racial issues in the U.S., and the current age of misinformation. Our conversation with Dr. Beals first aired on February 9, 2021.

As districts work to get educators vaccinated, schools across northern Colorado are slowly welcoming back students for full-time, in-person instruction. We’ll talk with two teachers about what it’s like getting back to the classroom during the pandemic. We’ll hear about the unexpected flood of betting on an unlikely sport: table tennis. We talk with artist Narkita Gold about her project highlighting Denver’s growing Black community. And we’ll hear a review of the new movie Supernova.

Today on Colorado Edition: We speak to a professor who is using the second impeachment of Donald Trump as a learning opportunity about American democracy. We’ll also hear about the successes and shortcomings of co-responder models in law enforcement, which entails sending mental health professionals on emergency calls along with police officers. Plus we’ll check in on the wolf reintroduction process, which Coloradans voted in favor of last November. And we hear about a new comedy club opening in Fort Collins.

On today’s Colorado Edition: As COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out across the state, health experts are noting disparities in communities of color. We’ll hear about the work of a statewide vaccine equity task force, and a group in the Roaring Fork Valley, working to change that by broadening the message around the safety of the vaccines. And we’ll hear from Dr. Melba Patillo Beals, one of the members of the Little Rock Nine, about her experience integrating Central High School in 1957 and the ongoing fight against racism today.

Today on Colorado Edition: At least two variants of COVID-19 have been discovered in Colorado, originating from the United Kingdom and South Africa respectively. We speak to the state’s leading disease expert about the variants and what it means for our state’s fight against the virus. We also learn about the regional origins of right-wing group federal officials says took part in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Plus, we get the latest on avalanche danger following the deadliest week for avalanche deaths in the U.S. in more than a century. We’ll also hear the story of one of Colorado’s most famous dinosaurs.

Today on Colorado Edition: Because of the pandemic, an annual survey of people experiencing homelessness has been called off. We get a closer look at what that means for advocates who rely on the data. We'll also hear from former members of law enforcement about how they are approaching the issue of police violence. We dig into the recent trade of Rockies star player Nolan Arenado, and what it means for fans of the team. And we get a glimpse into life in the Yampa Valley from our My Colorado essay collection.

Today on Colorado Edition: With COVID-19 cases on the rise in Routt County, we hear from their public health director about what’s leading to the increase in cases. We’ll also hear about the COVID-19 research that could be used in the future to help fight other diseases. Plus, we visit a Western town where some activists say police are getting things right, and we hear about a new museum here in the state that lets you get close with things that go bump in the night.

On today’s Colorado Edition: We look at the long, bumpy road to getting essential workers, such as those in grocery stores, factories and food production plants vaccinated against COVID-19. We explore data that shows Indigenous people in the Mountain West are much more likely than whites to be killed in encounters with police. We analyze current drought conditions in the Colorado River basin, and we’ll hear how the pandemic may be spurring school districts across the state to finally update their aging ventilation systems.

Today on Colorado Edition: We get an update from the mass vaccine drive held over the weekend and look at how the model might be expanded to other parts of the state. We’ll also learn about the creative solutions local health officials are coming up with in rural communities in order to get around vaccine distribution bottlenecks. Plus, we’ll get an update on a program in Longmont that provides safe parking for people who live in their car, and we’ll hear the first part in a series on police violence across our region.

Today on Colorado Edition: We hear about vaccine distribution among Colorado nursing home and assisted living facility staff, some of whom are choosing to skip the vaccine. We’ll also explore the mental health challenges facing first responders in northern Colorado. And, KUNC’s film critic reviews Simon Stone’s 2021 film The Dig.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore what impact the Biden administration’s recent executive actions will have on Colorado’s energy industry. Plus, we learn more about a map that highlights pollution disparities in our state. We’ll also hear from a team of recent MBA graduates who are taking a different approach to banking, and we’ll look at how some businesses are viewing the year ahead.

Today on Colorado Edition: Coronavirus vaccine efforts are underway, but data suggests the doses aren’t quite reaching rural communities and people of color. We’ll hear from the head of a large community health provider about how they’re working to change that. As Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert wraps up her first few weeks in office, we’ll explore whether there’s a place in the post-Trump era for her divisive political style. We’ll also check in on how the return to in-person learning is going for students in the Greeley-Evans school district, and for Denver Public Schools.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore President Joe Biden’s reversal of the ban that kept transgender people from joining the military. We’ll also hear about Colorado’s shrinking middle class and the state budget’s role in it. We’ll also meet grocery workers who are turning to their union for help as they face the risk of contracting COVID-19, and we’ll check in with the Loveland valentine remailing program to see how it’s keeping things moving during the pandemic.

Today on Colorado Edition: We’ll get the latest on pandemic relief for unemployed Coloradans and small businesses, including how fraud has mired the process for some. We explore why the pandemic-induced recession has been particularly hard on women. We’ll hear about efforts in Lamar to rethink a racially insensitive school mascot. And we’ll learn about the life and legacy of Denver’s first Black woman physician, Dr. Justina Ford.

Today on Colorado Edition: We learn more about a recent grant the Colorado Community College System is using to rework their police training programs. We’ll also hear about the fight against extremist radicalization and explore what experts have to say about the next possible pandemic. And we'll learn about the city of Greeley’s plan to acquire water rights on a property called Terry Ranch, located in northwest Weld County.

On today’s Colorado Edition: We explore why our politics are so polarized, and what can be done to bridge the divide. We examine how the state’s Extreme Risk Protection Order law has been used in its first year. We look into what’s driving the recent surge in home prices across the state. And, we listen back to a conversation with a former state lawmaker about her work to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a recognized holiday in Colorado.

Today on a special episode of Colorado Edition: We feature reporting from the KUNC newsroom that focuses on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Weld County's Latino communities. The series was produced by KUNC's Stephanie Daniel, Leigh Paterson, and Adam Rayes. You can find more on the series, "Over-Infected, Under-Resourced," including versions of the story in Spanish, by clicking here.

Today on Colorado Edition: We explore newly released climate data that shows the last seven years have been the seven warmest years on record. We learn about the unexpected bond some people have formed with their pets – of the feathered kind. We talk with the hosts of NPR’s narrative history show Throughline about how we can understand today’s news by journeying back in time. And our film critic reviews a new movie about a young woman coping with grief.

Today on Colorado Edition: We speak to an expert about how extremist groups gain traction and what can be done to help minimize the harm. Plus, we’ll get a picture of the mental health situation in Colorado in the new year. We’ll also learn more about legal challenges involving the rights of second home owners in Gunnison County, and get the latest on the state of the oil and gas industry.

Today on Colorado Edition: As state lawmakers return to the Capitol for the start of the 2021 session, we’ll explore how the pandemic, and last week’s violence at the U.S. Capitol, will impact opening day. We’ll also get a preview of education-related bills lawmakers are expected to take up in the coming year. We’ll learn how large wildfires may impact water supplies. And finally, we check in with folks in Colorado’s restaurant industry to hear how the recently relaxed pandemic restrictions have affected business.

Today on Colorado Edition: We get the latest on vaccine rollout disparities across Colorado. Plus, we explore the challenges of bilingual contact tracing, speak with Colorado’s insurance commissioner, and learn why convalescent plasma isn’t the coronavirus miracle treatment some thought it could have been.

Today on a special episode of Colorado Edition: We feature reporting from the KUNC newsroom that focuses on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Weld County's Latino communities. The series was produced by KUNC's Stephanie Daniel, Leigh Paterson, and Adam Rayes.

Today on Colorado Edition: Following the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. by a pro-Trump mob, we hear reactions from members of Colorado’s delegation, and we look at how the attack could impact security at the Colorado state Capitol building. Plus, we hear from a pastoral couple in Weld County, who are seeing firsthand how hard COVID-19 is hitting Latino communities there. We also look back at the ebbs and flows of the state economy in 2020, and we break down recent federal and state pandemic stimulus bills.

Today on Colorado Edition: We take a look through a Colorado angle at the news of armed insurrectionists forcing their way into the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. In today’s show, we hear from: Colorado representatives Lauren Boebert (R), Ken Buck (R) and Joe Neguse (D). We also hear from Lisa Cohen, chief of staff for Rep. Diana DeGette (D).

Today on Colorado Edition: As schools begin their spring semester, essential workers in education have been moved higher on the state’s vaccine priority list. We’ll have more on that, plus a conversation with the 2021 Colorado teacher of the year. We learn about the role of the state Supreme Court, which welcomed its newest justice this week. And we examine the communication barriers that can keep Latino communities from getting vital information about COVID-19 – and those working to close that gap.

Today on Colorado Edition: We speak with Larimer County’s public health director about the county’s new variance from state COVID-19 restrictions. We’ll also hear the first part in a series focusing on the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on Weld County’s Hispanic communities. Plus, we’ll learn about a newly developed COVID test that uses modern scratch-and-sniff technology, and we’ll get some winter book recommendations.