Colorado Today

Political newcomer — and self-described ‘high-risk humanitarian’ — Victor Marx will face Attorney General Phil Weiser in the governor’s race. Then, as wildfires continue to blaze around Colorado, officials say the state has the firefighting resources it needs. But if big fires start in other states, that could start to change. Plus, autonomous taxi startup Waymo is one step closer to rolling out t...

New drone footage reveals a patchwork of destruction in the community hardest hit by the Aspen Acres fire. Then, lawmakers want to hear from stakeholders about the state’s public healthcare system, as they look for ways to cut costs. Plus, Denver’s bike lanes have a trash problem. Could a cute little bike-powered sweeper be the answer? Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org . Colorado Today is supporte...

After pulling off a surprise upset in Denver’s Democratic congressional primary, Melat Kiros talked to CPR about how she’d approach the office, and her past comments about the war in Gaza. Then, the development of a ‘hyperscale’ data center project in Aurora has implications for metro air quality. And CPR’s congressional correspondent gives us a tour of the Colorado pavilion on the National Mall....

It’s sadly no surprise that Colorado’s historically dry, warm winter has led to such an intense wildfire season. But climate change is also driving other factors contributing to the many blazes around Colorado.  There is some good news though: the quirky Bishop Castle appears to have survived the Aspen Acres fire so far.  Then, an Aurora apartment building that went viral after claims it had been...

It was a fiery 4th of July weekend across the state, with major fires burning near numerous rural communities, including Colorado City, Wetmore, Leadville and Ouray. We catch you up on where things stand and hear from those affected. Then, the land where Buc-ee’s wants to build a travel plaza in northern El Paso County has been cleared, but the fight continues. And at the Denver Art Museum, contem...

Denver is poised to send a Democratic Socialist to Congress, what does that mean for the city, and the movement? Then, Colorado is getting two new gun laws this week. And even in our biggest cities, bats are a common sight at night, but where do they go when the sun comes out? Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org . Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members . Read more on the stories in today’s sho...

An upset in Denver’s Congressional race is sending shockwaves through Colorado’s political establishment and adding more fuel to the debates over the future of the Democratic party. Plus, where the primaries for Governor and other statewide offices stand. And, the latest from the devastating Aspen Acres fire in southern Colorado. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org . Colorado Today is supported by C...

Rural communities around Colorado are on edge, as fire crews try to stop the spread of multiple wildfires, with dangerous conditions expected to continue through the week. Then, we take you door to door with the last-ditch efforts from campaigns. And we hear how the Draco development, a large oil and gas project on the border between Weld and Boulder counties, cleared its final major hurdle to dev...

Tragedy as crews fight a massive wildfire near the Utah border where multiple firefighters died after the blaze got out of control. Then, residents at an Aurora homeless shelter make less than the federal minimum wage to clean it. They think they should be paid more. And, we’ve all heard the reminder to ‘leave no trace’ when we camp and hike … but it’s so much more than that. Email us at coloradot...

A coalition of voting rights organizations wants Colorado cities to re-schedule their local elections to match statewide and federal ones. The organization says it disenfranchises non-white voters. Then, a rise in children and tweens with eating disorders has one clinic changing its approach. Plus, the city of Denver is trying to encourage the next generation of climate workers by offering them ca...

Colorado’s summer weather is ramping up, and with that, so is the damage from Colorado’s most expensive type of natural disaster: hail. Then, hear about how federal changes are making it harder for communities and utilities to prepare before natural disasters do strike. And, a movie starring an Aurora teen with Down Syndrome is now in global release. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org . Colorado To...

Colorado’s airwaves are starting to fill up with negative ads, as Democrats in particular duke it out in some bitter primaries. What do the attacks say about the state of those races, and how are voters making up their minds? Then, former CBI forensic scientist Missy Woods has taken a plea deal that could put her in prison for several years. And the story of how a popular free sorbet pop-up in Eng...

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...