Colorado Today

Every Friday, when the official work is done, Aurora mayor Mike Coffman heads to the city’s 600-bed homeless shelter, where he volunteers and sleeps in order to keep a closer eye on one of his administration’s signature efforts. Then, after complaints forced out the San Luis Valley’s last district attorney, his replacement on the job is someone no one saw coming. And, from location to length, this...

The legal fight over the gender-affirming care clinic at Children’s Hospital has taken another twist; the hospital says it’s ready to follow a court order and resume care, but its doctors are afraid they’ll face federal sanctions. Then, in Mesa County, the Republican primary for clerk could put an election denier in the office once filled by Tina Peters. And detailed new elevation calculations mea...

Rising demand and troubles with other power plants have Xcel asking regulators to keep the Comanche II plant open in Pueblo longer, and to approve other fossil fuel projects, all of which could end up on customers' bills. Then, it's been more than a month since Cargill locked workers out of its plant in Fort Morgan, and the picketers are losing patience. And, when a congregation in Denver sold its...

When Colorado’s growing cities look to farms along the Arkansas River to meet their thirst, they'll now have to leave that in better shape for the future. Then, we learn about a clinic that’s trying to help women from East Africa and parts of Asia with a taboo health topic: female genital mutilation and cutting. Plus, in the tiny San Luis Valley town of Del Norte, a quirky store offers everything...

The federal government has given Colorado permission to import certain pharmaceutical drugs directly from Canada; what that could mean for prices. Then, as school districts around the state start implementing cell phone policies, we look at what’s changed for districts that have completely banned devices. Then, why some of the top hurricane forecasters in the country do their work a mile above sea...

The latest on the Democratic primary in Colorado’s hotly-contested 8th Congressional district. Then, the underground tunnels at Denver International Airport are for moving baggage, but, in a few more years, travelers will be able to walk through them too. Plus, there’s a new art museum in Pueblo dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci, and his works that few have ever seen.  Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.o...

Denver’s longtime representative in Congress faces two primary challengers arguing it’s time for a change. Then, Xcel Energy wants to bump up their rates, but that proposal is getting a cold reception from consumers. Plus, a Colorado Author wins a prestigious award shared by some of the greatest fiction writers of all time. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org . Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s m...

Two new reports try to quantify how the youngest Coloradans are fairing, when it comes to everything from their mental and physical health, to their family’s economic situations. Then, Boulder is trying out a high tech type of paint that may be able to cool buildings, without warming the surrounding area. And we revisit the Colorado group, May Be Fern, and their song about moving beyond trauma. Em...

The company behind the Aurora ICE Detention Center is suing to stop a new law that would open it to more inspections, and potentially, new penalties. Then, when it comes to paying their teachers, Colorado's child care centers face a nearly impossible math problem. The state is trying to help, but will it make a difference? Plus, we hear from a former US Soccer and Colorado Rapids player about what...

A damaging parasitic fly is back in the U.S., and officials  are working to keep it out of Colorado. Then, it’s a duel of the gates as a suburb southwest of Denver contemplates restricting access to their public roads. Plus, a children’s author in Colorado Springs is honored for her decades of work. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org . Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members . Read more on the...

More electric vehicles on roads is good for the climate, but it could also be a future headache for junk lots. Then, rental scooters are proving a little too tempting to underage riders in Denver. And, Colorado’s cafeteria workers could finally see a little extra cheddar in their paychecks, years after voters approved it. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org . Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s mem...

The Colorado Court of Appeals has reopened the case of the two paramedics convicted of criminally negligent homicide in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain. But the state says it will fight the decision. Then, Gov. Polis signs a new law to increase the likelihood that drivers involved in significant crashes take sobriety tests. Plus, we get an inside look at the art of modern clowning in Denver — mor...

From tailored prices to takeout condiments, Governor Polis has been giving his veto pen a workout. Then, Denver plays host to the Sapphire Golf Tour, which aims to increase the sport’s diversity. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org . Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members . Read more on the stories in today’s show: CPR’s Molly Cruse on the turtle racing backlash at Charlie’s Denver CPR’s Rae S...

Colorado is putting new restrictions on online sports bets, in the hopes of heading off problem gambling. Then, a Christian public school in Pueblo that aimed to challenge education funding laws has closed, but the fight will go on elsewhere. Plus, a legal battle to keep a climate research hub in Boulder open got a big boost from a federal judge. And learn about an opportunity to send a message in...

Tina Peters is officially free, more than half a decade before the end of her full original sentence. You’ll hear her first public remarks, and reactions from Coloradans. Then, housing prices have long run amok. Can Congress come together and do something about it? Or will a division that runs even deeper than party lines derail it? Plus, an exhibit at the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs cele...

Find out which new bills have been rejected by Gov. Jared Polis. His vetoes include a bill supported by Evergreen families after the shooting at their school. Then, a company in Denver is getting millions in federal funding to track what psychedelics do to your biometrics. Plus, we look at an effort to get doctors through medical school and into practice faster. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org ....

Homicides are way up in Denver this year so far, compared to last year, and that has community members asking whether the city is doing enough to prevent youth violence in particular. Then, the Cargill meatpacking plant in Fort Morgan is sitting idle, while workers picket outside. Plus, NASA has picked a Colorado-built rover as part of its future lunar base. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org . Col...

From a visiting V.P. to aquatic accusations, we hit some of the top stories from around the state. Then, former leaders of the Cherry Creek School District are accused of some ethically dubious conduct, in a situation that reveals the limits of school district oversight. And, young aspiring farmers and ranchers get the chance to learn some tough financial and physical lessons through a new governm...

Denver International Airport’s infamously dysfunctional baggage tunnels will finally see use under a new proposal. The airport plans to use them to create walkable connections between the various terminals, offering an alternative when the trains go down. Then, the city of Denver has an ambitious plan for a more climate-friendly approach to heating and cooling downtown buildings — and it hinges on...

The number of people experiencing homelessness last year held steady, but digging into the numbers reveals a potentially concerning trend, when it comes to youth living on the streets. Then, on Denver’s western border, officials in the tiny town of Mountain View have been filing complaints against each other at a furious clip. And we meet Lauren Frihauf, a Colorado musician who caught the judges’...

We look into childcare, why it’s becoming unaffordable for a growing number of Coloradans, and how it could get worse. Then, Colorado’s Congressional delegation wants answers about hundreds of Colorado Air National Guard members' jobs. Plus, we celebrate and remember the life of an essential part of Pueblo's spicy history.  A Correction: The original audio of this show included an incorrect number...

Less than a week after Gov. Jared Polis granted clemency to former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, Polis’ own party has made its displeasure known with a censure vote Wednesday night. Then, a bill on Polis’ desk would prevent companies from using your personal data to determine how much you pay for their products, but will he sign it? And, beer production is down nationwide, but Colorado breweries...

Victor Marx is a new name in Colorado politics, but he arrives with a big backstory, and the potential to shake up the Republican primary for governor. Then, it's a tree two-fer. First, the hunt is on for trees that can endure the Denver of the future, as climate change makes conditions on the Front Range even more extreme. And then, meet the tree that's too resilient -- the invasive, and nearly-u...

Children’s Hospital Colorado must start offering gender-affirming care again, according to the state Supreme Court. But it could face federal consequences if it does. Then, Governor Polis is under fire for commuting an inmate’s sentence – and it’s not Tina Peters. And, public health officials say a recent hantavirus death in the state is a reminder to be cautious, but not afraid.  Email us at colo...

Colorado hasn’t elected a Republican governor in more than 20 years, but the Republicans competing to be their party’s nominee each believes they could be the one to break that streak. Then, Governor Polis explains his controversial decision to let Tina Peters get out of prison years early. Plus, hear how a Colorado man is helping develop technology that lets people control computers with their br...