Fleeing Economic Turmoil, Some Puerto Ricans Now Call Colorado Home

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Photo: Flags of Puerto Rico and USA
The U.S. and Puerto Rican flags

Puerto Rico is in crisis. The U.S. territory is tens of billions of dollars in debt, with a July 1 deadline to pay some creditors. Lawmakers in the U.S. House recently passed a bill to try to help the island recover, which the Senate will consider next. As a result of the crisis, Puerto Rico is experiencing a population drain, losing more than 200,000 people in the last five years. Many have come to the mainland U.S., including Luis Ponce, who recently settled in Denver. He spoke with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner.