Snuffing Out Wildfires With ‘Wetter’ Water; Using A Soft Robot To Land On Asteroids; Papa Dia Leadership; Big Gigantic Sound
Aerial firefighting often stops at night because it’s dangerous to maneuver in the dark, although nighttime conditions can be really good for fighting wildfires. We hear about a center in Colorado that’s figuring out how to keep these aircraft flying safely. Then, spacecraft could refuel without returning to earth if they could mine asteroids — but landing on those bodies is hard, so a Colorado scientist dreamed up a squishy robot to make it easier. And, Papa Dia has helped countless African immigrants adjust to life in Colorado. He’s just been given an award for his courage. Plus, the big, gigantic music of the Boulder electronic band Big Gigantic.
Why Jails Are Overcrowded; Mining Asteroids; Drawing Dinosaurs
Today, what’s behind the overcrowding and what the state’s going to do about it. Then, a Colorado scientist trying to catch an asteroid in a net, and use it to fuel a spacecraft. Also, it may not be as common as postpartum depression, but new moms can also struggle with obsessive compulsive disorder. Plus, an artist from Grand Junction who draws dinosaurs, and is a giant in her field.
Four-Day School Weeks Common In Colorado; Remembering Author Kent Haruf
Three-day weekends are the new reality for students in nearly half of Colorado’s school districts. Tight budgets have led to shorter school weeks, and hourly staff having their hours cut. But there’s some evidence it hasn’t hurt student performance. Then, the late Colorado author Kent Haruf didn’t live to see it, but Robert Redford and Jane Fonda are playing characters he created. His last book, “Our Souls At Night,” is now a movie.
Politically Diverse Coloradans Take On Health Care, Climate Change, Race, And Find Common Ground
Lawmakers in Washington’s overheated political climate struggle to come to a consensus on issues like climate change, health care and racial tensions. We put the challenge to a politically divided group of seven Colorado citizens as part of a series of conversations we call “Breaking Bread.” We served dinner and fresh bread to the group, and listened to see if they could find political middle ground on difficult issues.
CO GOP Preps For 2018; How Hyperloop Could Get To Colorado; Search And Rescue On Public Lands
Colorado’s one of the few places in the country where Republicans don’t have political control right now. State GOP chairman Jeff Hays hopes to change that with the campaign for governor already underway. Then, there’s a lot of hype around the hyperloop. We talk with the head of Colorado’s transportation department about what the state is willing to do to get a high-speed train in a tube. And, if you go missing in the wilderness, what kind of search and rescue you can expect depends on where you go missing, writes journalist Jon Billman. Last, the story behind the teacher shortage in rural Colorado.
CO Dems Prep For ’18, Farming Drys Up Ogallala Aquifer, Mountain Climber Teaches Afgan Women To Summit Peaks
After a stinging defeat nationally, how are Democrats in Colorado gearing up for 2018? We’ll speak to state party chair Morgan Carroll about the crowded race for governor, and a change that means 1.2 million unaffiliated voters can take part in next June’s primary election. (Tomorrow we’ll talk to Republican state chair Jeff Hays.) Then, a major water source for the food supply in Colorado is drying up. In fact, the Ogallala Aquifer supports a sixth of the world’s grain, and countless farmers’ livelihoods. Plus, a Colorado mountain climber teaches Afghan women to summit their country’s tallest peaks.
The Post-Flood Re-Engineering Of A Creek; Could Amazon Be Denver-Bound; A Rodeo Superstar
Floods don’t just change lives — they change the land. Four years after Colorado’s costliest flood, a section of Left Hand Creek in Boulder County is still being re-engineered. Then, it’s sparked a lot of conversation. The New York Times picked a spot for Amazon’s new headquarters. Why they think Denver is best. Plus, cowboy Casey Tibbs was a teen when he turned the rodeo world on its head. But he fell on hard times. He’s the subject of a new film. Also, a production at Denver School of the Arts puts students of color in the spotlight. And, The Colorado Peaches, a senior softball team, prepare for an international competition. At 86, Madgalena McCloskey is the eldest member.
Opioid Sobriety In The Gym; Colorado Soccer Stars Aim For World Stage; A Dozen Colorado Floods; A Landscape Of Longing And Belonging
If you’ve been sober for 48 hours, you can join Phoenix Multisport, a network of gyms that just won praise from the Trump administration for fighting opioid addiction. Then, Mallory Pugh and Lindsey Horan were high school soccer stars in Colorado. Now they’re back as members of the U.S. national team who hope to compete in the 2019 World Cup. And, Colorado’s been devastated by flash floods in the past. An author who has chronicled that history says Colorado’s population boom could increase the loss of life and property next time. Plus, Colorado Springs poet Janice Gould’s father was transgender but couldn’t embrace it until late in life. Gould weaves that sadness into her new collection.
Supreme Court Hears Same-Sex Cake Case; Teaching In Finland; New Colorado Symphony Conductor; Pioneering Women In Art
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear what could be a pivotal case from Colorado — a baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. He’s fighting the appeals court order — that he had to either serve same-sex couples or stop making wedding cakes altogether. We’ll preview the arguments. Then, what Colorado’s Teacher Of The Year did on his summer vacation. Plus, how Colorado changed a pioneering artist named Helen Henderson Chain. And, the Colorado symphony’s new music director on his grunge-rock upbringing.
Touring A Mock Refugee Camp; High School Sports Controversies; What’s A Forensic Sculptor? Art That Blends Mexican Heritage, American Identity
Refugees face split-second decisions, life-threatening situations and long stints in crowded camps. For a sense of their experience, Colorado Matters toured a mock refugee camp set up in Boulder by international aid group Doctors Without Borders. Then, one local high school coach was fired for forcing a student to do splits, another is accused of moving a student’s car off campus to avoid a drug search. The head of Colorado’s high school athletic association talks about what can be done to avoid problems like that. Plus, a sculptor helps identify unidentified dead people by modeling their skulls to reconstruct what they might have looked like. And, American and Mexican pop culture often appear in the work of artist Tony Ortega, whose work is featured in a new show.
Wildfires: ‘A Deadly Epidemic Of Flame’; Sanctioned Camp For The Homeless; Thornton’s Jurassic Discovery
You can’t help but think of wildfires with the eerie haze that’s enveloped much of Colorado — a byproduct of fires burning in the West. Boulder environmental journalist Michael Kodas says we’re experiencing “a deadly epidemic of flame.” His new book is called “Megafire.” Kodas has fought fires himself in the past and one was raging in his own back yard as he wrote the book. Then, Durango may set up a sanctioned camp for the homeless. They’re following the lead of a similar project in New Mexico. And, the latest on the Jurassic surprise in Thornton. Crews were moving dirt for a new police station and found a triceratops.
Rep. Mike Coffman On His DACA Plan; Paying For DPS Lunches; Charitable ‘Change Gangs’; Frustration With Black Hills Energy; ESPN Announcer Makes History
The Trump administration has announced the end of DACA, the policy that protects immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children, and given Congress six months to figure out what’s next; we speak with Republican Rep. Mike Coffman. Then, it used to be if a Denver student entered a passcode to pay for a school lunch and the account didn’t have any money, they’d get a barebones meal. Why Denver has stopped that. Plus, they’re kind of like book clubs, except they make charitable donations. “Giving circles” have gone virtual. Next, the Pueblo city council is so frustrated with the local power company, Black Hills Energy, that it may end the city’s agreement with the utility. And, history will be made at the Broncos opener, not on the field but in the announcer’s booth.
DUI Testing For Pot; Metro State Prepares For DACA Action; Bacteria Have Feeling Too
Pot is legal in Colorado but driving under its influence isn’t. Still, there’s really no fast, reliable and readily available test for marijuana DUI. We’ll hear about researchers trying to crack that nut, and take you into a top DUI training program for law enforcement. Then, if the Trump administration eliminates a program to protects people brought illegally into the country as children, Metropolitan State University of Denver could be hit hard. The school has hundreds of DACA students. And who knew? Bacteria have a sense of touch. If scientists can block it, they may make a lot of headway in fighting disease. Plus, author Erik Storey has a second book out featuring his signature character, Clyde Barr. We spoke to him last year about the first book in the series.
The Design of Hiking Trails; Empowering Women in Rwanda; Colorado’s ‘Woolgrower of the Year’
Veering off a trail can put a hiker’s life in jeopardy, and threaten wildlife. So, with more people hiking Colorado’s mountains, trail design is as important as ever. Then, after focusing on improving the lives of women in Colorado, Swanee Hunt went to Rwanda to learn how women there have rebuilt a ravaged society. Also, sheep have been a part of Connie Theos’ life from day one, and now she’s been named “Colorado Woolgrower of the Year.”
Denver Council’s New Immigration Policy; Coloradans Rescue Pets In Texas; Solar-Roasted Coffee; Making Music For Mongolia
Denver won’t join the federal government in a crackdown on illegal immigration. On Monday, the city council passed an ordinance it says will build trust between immigrants and police. Critics, though, say it means Denver’s becoming a sanctuary city. Then, Coloradans are headed to Texas to help with animal rescues — a task that one worker says can save human lives as well. And, a coffee roaster in Pueblo uses power from the sun to finish the beans. Also, a Denver composer traveled to Mongolia to conduct the premiere of a piece he wrote for a musical ensemble there. Plus, Colorado Springs sculptor Senga Nengudi is one of 17 American artists headed to the Venice Biennale. Her work features everyday objects like pantyhose.
Posing As An Online Right Wing Provocateur; A New Alert System For Those In Danger; Is There Hope For An Aurora Cold Case?
A black man in Denver wanted to understand white nationalists, so Theo Wilson changed up his newsfeed and adopted an alter-ego. “I became Lucius 25, white supremacist lurker, and digitally I began to infiltrate the infamous alt-right movement.” His video about the experience went viral after Charlottesville. Then, a new accessory, invented in Colorado, alerts friends and family if you’re in trouble. And, could a new novel based on the 30-year-old murder of an Aurora family help thaw a cold case? Also, the girl with the I-70 tattoo. Plus, at a Greeley school, kids eat veggies for lunch — and like them.
