In The NOCO

Welcome to a special preview of KUNC’s new podcast In the NoCo – a daily slice of Northern Colorado news and happenings.  The Front Range is home to some of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, but bicyclists and pedestrians are facing increasing danger on many Colorado roads . In today's episode, we talk with KUNC investigative reporter Scott Franz about what's being done to try and chan...

On this episode of Colorado Edition, affordable housing is even more elusive for Coloradans with disabilities and KUNC’s investigative reporter Robyn Vincent looks at the challenges many are facing. Plus a conversation with officials from Aurora’s Police Department about how they plan to increase female recruitment.

On this episode of Colorado Edition, we hear from a Northern Colorado couple who have not been able to return to their home in Haiti due to ongoing violence there. Plus, a review of the film “No Bears,” directed by an Iranian filmmaker who is currently imprisoned and banned from making films.

On this episode of Colorado Edition, we learn about the battle over a secret ballot system that many Colorado lawmakers continue to defend. We also journey to Rocky Mountain High School with reporter Leigh Paterson to examine the state of childhood mental health.

Featured Segments Updates on the office to prevent gun violence: Colorado lawmakers are growing increasingly frustrated with an office they created a year and a half ago to prevent gun violence. They’re demanding answers and vowing to create a new oversight panel because they say the office has made little progress. KUNC Investigative reporter Scott Franz has been covering the ongoing story and ha...

Featured Segments An EV charger in a place where there aren’t a lot of electric vehicles? Policymakers in Colorado envision a future with close to a million electric cars on the road by 2030. But before all those electric cars can hit the roadways, we’ll need a way to charge them. That includes in rural areas, not typically electric vehicle hotbeds. KUNC’s Rae Solomon spent the day at an EV fast c...

Intro: You’re listening to Colorado Edition from KUNC. I’m Yoselin Meza Miranda. It’s Friday January 6th. In our first episode of 2023 we are looking at the legacy of the Marshall Fire. The fire destroyed more than one thousand homes and damaged at least 150 more. The cost of the fire is estimated to top 2 billion dollars. In December, just before the Marshall Fire anniversary, KUNC Reporter Leigh...

Featured Segments Recovery residence: Early in the year, KUNC’s Stephanie Daniel visited a Greeley home where a small group of women are supporting each other to stay substance-free. They call it a “recovery residence.” And as Stephanie reported, they’re growing in numbers as more people choose to live in substance-free environments. This story was produced in February. Grand Canyon norovirus: KUN...

Featured Segments Slowdown at the Office of Gun Violence and Prevention: Some Colorado lawmakers are upset with the state’s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Legislators created the office almost two years ago in an effort to save lives by focusing on firearm safety and using the state’s new red flag law to take guns away from those flagged as dangerous. KUNC reporter Scott Franz has found th...

Glen Canyon Dam: New forecasts for the Colorado River paint a grim picture. Climate change and steady demand are shrinking the water supply for 40 million people. At the nation's largest dams, that means the ability to generate hydropower could soon be under threat. KUNC's Alex Hager introduces us to the Glen Canyon Dam. What was once a mighty piece of Western infrastructure is now possibly unable...

Featured Segments Psilocybin's next steps: Proposition 122 was one of the ballot measures approved by voters last month. It decriminalizes the psychedelic substance psilocybin for personal use and mental health treatment. But as KUNC's Lucas Brady Woods reports, Coloradans won't see clinics offering psychedelics quite yet. No return for some Marshall Fire survivors: It's been nearly one year since...

Featured segments Wind repair: While the Marshall Fire was burning down over 1,000 houses last December, the 100-mile-an-hour winds that day were also damaging nearby mobile homes. Roofs, siding, windows and doors were blown off and smashed. In the freezing days that followed, pipes burst. KUNC's Leigh Paterson reports on the rush to finish repairs almost a year after the fire and before winter ar...

On this episode of Colorado Edition, we focus on water. We have two stories from our ongoing coverage of the Colorado River: Checking in with the people who have a front row seat to the crisis, and seeing if the Colorado River Compact is still working. Front row seats to the Colorado River crisis: The Colorado River is drying up, and the communities that rely on it are already feeling the pinch. W...

Midterm Election Debrief: The midterm elections were held just last week. KUNC’s Statehouse Reporter Lucas Brady Woods talks about the results and how things shook out post-election. Pobre Pancho’s: One of Fort Collins’ oldest Mexican restaurants — Pobre Pancho’s — closed last spring. The owner wants to sell the property to a fast food change planning to knock the building down. But reporter Micke...

Green Rooves: A researcher in our region is looking at a new way to grow vegetables and flowers at home, but as KUNC’s Emma VandenEinde reports, it might be more difficult than anticipated. Tap Water Taste Test: There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a cold glass of water straight from the tap — but it takes a lot of work to make your water clean and tasty. City water providers from all over the M...

Voting is underway in Colorado, and ballots are due on Election Day by 7 pm. As a reminder, Election Day is Nov. 8, which is less than two weeks away. Proposition FF: If approved, Proposition FF would raise the money needed to provide free school lunches at all public schools in Colorado. Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General Incumbent: Colorado voters are deciding this election whether to keep i...

What to expect on your ballots: Ballots for the November election are hitting mailboxes this week, and there’s a lot at stake. Not only will Coloradans decide who will represent them in Congress and at the state House, but there are also 11 statewide questions that could affect everything from how much people pay in taxes to where they can buy wine. Colorado’s gubernatorial race — Heidi Ganahl: Co...

On this Colorado Edition election special, we speak with the U.S. Senate candidates Joe O’Dea and incumbent Michael Bennet. Then we head to Yuma to hear about a charismatic music teacher uniting his community through music. Featured Segments Interview with Joe O’Dea: State capitol reporter Lucas Brady Woods spoke with Republican Senate candidate Joe O’Dea about his platform, which includes shrinki...

On this episode of Colorado Edition, we listen to KUNC's three-part series "Fire Risk", which examines how the Marshall Fire prompted changes in building homes and how people are evacuated. Also, how can homeowners protect their existing homes? We meet a first-generation college student helping others like her through social media. Finally, John Denver's iconic "Rocky Mountain High" turns 50. Feat...

Climate change and the economy: Climate change and the economy are becoming more and more inseparable. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, climate-related disasters have caused an average of $3 billion in damage in Colorado over the last several years. Some view transitioning to a greener economy as meeting climate priorities and saving money. KUNC’s Beau Baker spoke...

On this week’s Colorado Edition, we hear updates on the police shooting of a young man in Clear Creek County. Then, we travel to Nevada to hear how water scarcity is affecting one ranching community in a real way. Finally, we check in with the Colorado Sun and discuss what news they’re following. Featured Segments   Updates on Clear Creek County police shooting: The parents of a young man shot and...

On this episode of Colorado Edition, we check out a group of citizen scientists who are passionate about studying mushrooms in the mountains and find new species. We examine how cities in the West are trying to reuse water as the Colorado River dries up. We hear about concerns that elected officials, law enforcement officers, and military members are on the Oath Keepers roster. Finally, a recap of...

On this special episode of Colorado Edition, we highlight the new season of The Colorado Dream podcast called “Newcomers Welcome.” The series explores the Black immigrant experience in Colorado as told through the eyes of one African immigrant and Aurora, as the city - and its residents - strive to become an inclusive home for all. Featured Segment - Episode five of The Colorado Dream: Newcomers W...

On this episode of Colorado Edition, we check out how a river guide is turning information about the Colorado River drought into digestible TikToks. We speak with the new president of the University of Colorado. From Chalkbeat Colorado, we hear how one school district is trying to get students back in the classroom. Finally, we hear about this year’s Telluride Film Festival and what keeps the fest...

Featured Segment - Episode four of The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome. Episode Four - Newcomers Welcome: Identity The Black immigrant population in Colorado is growing faster than anywhere else in the U.S. They come from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond and many settle in Aurora, where about one in five residents is foreign born. What does it mean for these immigrants, and their kids, to be Bla...