What’s Next For Colorado’s Coal Counties; A Blind Kayaker’s Journey; Watching Grass Grow
Colorado coal mines that are now being shuttered have high hopes for a new technology that turns methane — a gas that escapes from defunct mines — into electricity. It’s already happening at one mine in Western Colorado. Then, when Erik Weihenmayer went blind as a kid, his biggest fear wasn’t the darkness, it was the fear of missing out. But that clearly hasn’t happened. The Coloradan kayaked the Grand Canyon and writes about it in his new book. He also explains a device that helps him see with his tongue. And, a man in Boulder County has set up a webcam trained on his lawn 24 hours a day — and people are actually watching it.
GOP State Lawmaker Has A Change Of Heart; Lead Bullets On Public Lands; Child Brides
Budget-wise, the long-term outlook for roads, healthcare and schools in Colorado isn’t great. That means a leading Republican state senator now supports something he once opposed — and that Democrats have been clamoring for. Then, lead has been taken out of paint and gasoline. But why is it still in ammunition? And what do lead bullets, used in hunting, mean for human and environmental health? Plus, you might think child brides are a thing of the past, but a Colorado historian finds the custom continues in this country.
Debate Over Local Municipalities’ Bar Closing Times; Anonymous Boulder Street Artist
Lawmakers at the Capitol are debating whether to allow municipalities to decide when bars should close. We speak with a bar owner and a nightclub manager who have differing views on the legislation. Then, an anonymous street artist paints images of human faces and animals on mailboxes, buildings, and electrical boxes around Boulder. Business owners often like them so much, they keep them up, but legally, the paintings are vandalism. And, Judy Collins spent her formative years in Colorado and is in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. The Library of Congress has just honored Collins and we listen back to our 2011 interview with her. Plus, the Colorado Rockies’ home opener is Friday and just steps away from Coors Field is a museum that’s a shrine to classic ballparks, with wooden seats from the old Tiger Stadium in Detroit and the Polo Grounds in New York.
A San Luis Valley Physician Determined To Help New Moms Kick Addiction; Is Cyberpunk Making A Comeback?
Patient by patient, Dr. Barbara Troy is on a mission to transform her community. She’s the lone physician in Colorado’s San Luis Valley who can prescribe a special drug. It helps pregnant women and new mothers kick heroin addiction. Next, Cyberpunk brings to mind a dystopian 1980s vision of tomorrow — think of the movie “Blade Runner.” A new cyberpunk anthology refreshes the genre and is up for a “Colorado Book Award.” Then, unearthing the names of migrant workers, immortalized in the folk song “Plane Wreck at Los Gatos.” And, 14 cottages — and years of precious memories — in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Using Art Therapy To Treat Mental Illness In Colorado
In prisons, hospitals and schools, therapists use art to treat mental health problems, and their work is becoming higher profile. Karen Pence, the nation’s second lady, has made art therapy her cause, and there’s mixed reaction to that. Then, President Trump issued a sweeping directive that seeks to wipe out the Clean Power Plan, which limits emissions on coal-fired power plants. CPR’s environment reporter Grace Hood reports on her trip to Colorado’s coal country of North Fork Valley. Next, Iceland has managed to reduce its drug and alcohol consumption, and a Denver man gets some of the credit. And, 75 years ago it was ordered that people of Japanese descent could not voluntarily leave the West Coast. More than a hundred thousand ended up in internment camps. We’ll hear about the prisoners who eventually settled in Colorado. Plus, you’ll find an array of organisms if you dig in your backyard. Not so in Antarctica, says a CSU scientist.
A ‘Forgotten’ Murder: Four Years Later, Denver Family Still Wants Answers
Colorado’s head of prisons was murdered four years ago when he opened the door to someone dressed as a pizza delivery man. The killer stole the uniform from a man he’d gunned down earlier — Nathan Leon, a father of three from Commerce City. Today, Leon’s family is still seeking answers about the case, like if it was part of a larger conspiracy. Then, Teddy Roosevelt and the exceptional band of Westerners known as “The Rough Riders,” who helped win the Spanish-American war. And, history, hiking, and beer blend in a guidebook that’s up for a Colorado Book Award. It includes a hike to a waterfall near Great Sand Dunes National Park.
‘Trump Bump’ In Western Colorado; Marijuana Industry On Edge
There are signs of a “Trump bump” in the energy sector in Western Colorado. During an economic slump that’s included low natural gas prices, the Grand Valley has worked to diversify, relying more on tourism and recreation. Then, the marijuana industry in Colorado and across the country is on edge. The new administration says it may intervene on recreational pot. And, how do you measure pain in a creature that can’t talk to you? Renowned animal scientist Temple Grandin, of Colorado State University has some ideas. She’ll be inducted this year in the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Traveling Nurses In The San Luis Valley; Mental Healthcare For More Veterans; Boulder Blues Man Otis Taylor
We ride along with a nurse in Colorado’s San Luis Valley who visits new and expectant mothers. For 40 years the program has delivered healthcare to help mothers and children break the cycle of poverty. Then, soldiers discharged from the military other than honorably may get more access to mental health care. And a new blues album called “Fantasizing About Being Black.” Boulder’s Otis Taylor sings about slaves, soldiers and civil rights.
Governor Hickenlooper On Tough Budgets; Honoring Forgotten Vietnam War Era Veterans; Peter Heller’s Newest Book ‘Celine’
Rural voters catapulted Donald Trump to the White House but Governor John Hickenlooper has a message for them: He thinks they could suffer under the president’s budget and trade policies. Hickenlooper also talks about the current budget challenges for Colorado at the state level in our regular conversation at the state Capitol. Then, long overdue celebrations in Colorado for veterans of the Vietnam war era. We’ll hear from some of those veterans who often feel forgotten. And, bestselling Denver author Peter Heller has a new suspense novel. It’s about an elegant older detective who’s based on his late mother.
Read The First Chapter Of Denver Novelist Peter Heller’s Latest
The adventure writer-turned-novelist says the main character in his new suspense novel “Celine” is based on his late mother.
Why Taking A Cold Shower Might Be The Key To A Healthy Life
Wim Hof, aptly named ” The Iceman,” told Denver author Scott Carney he could control his body’s reactions to extreme cold — and teach others to do the same. Scientific tests proved Hof correct and, in time Carney, who has previously exposed other so-called gurus as charlatans, became a believer himself. Then, a lab in Denver stores records on the atmosphere going back hundreds of thousands of years — in tubes of ice. And, a music program in a small Colorado town — which is also associated with a rare bird.
Colorado Springs Mayor On Military Spending; Colorado Skier Wins World Cup; National Parks Inspire Composer
President Trump wants a $54 billion boost in defense spending, which he’d come up with by slashing other programs from ranging from diplomacy to the arts. We speak with Mayor John Suthers of Colorado Springs on what this means for the military town. Then, it was a great weekend for skier Michaela Shiffrin of Eagle Vail at the World Cup finals in Aspen. We talk with John Meyer of the Denver Post who covered her win. Plus, music inspired by the National Parks. And, a chef, an entire restaurant and an animal scientist– each from Colorado– are up for top food awards.
Immigrants Train For Federal Crackdown; GOP Health Plan’s Impact In Colorado; Holocaust Memories
Community groups are training immigrants on how to interact with federal agents and plan for their families’ futures at a time when President Trump has promised increased deportations. Then, a new study says hundreds of thousands of Coloradans would lose coverage and the state would lose billions of dollars in federal funding under the Republican healthcare plan. And, Holocaust survivor Fannie Starr sees spring differently than many people; because she was liberated from a concentration camp in April 1945, this is a season of reflection for her. Plus, on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, Denver band Avourneen has a love affair with Celtic music. Also, last week’s “Saturday Night Live” featured a cool (fake) job alert: “pornographer” at the Denver Zoo.
The Price Of Higher Education: Public Commodity or Personal Expense?
State funding for colleges and universities could disappear in less than a decade according to several forecasts. That means students and families would pay more. So, what does that mean for the future? Today we hear from the presidents of Metropolitan State University of Denver, The University of Colorado, Colorado State University, community colleges, and the largest state college on the Western Slope. In addition, we hear from the governor’s former right-hand man on higher education.
Mid-Session Legislative Check-In; Trauma Faces Sudanese In Refugee Camps; Rodeo Announcer Dies
Some of the thorniest issues affecting Colorado still have to be worked out at the state legislature and one of the key issues is transportation funding. CPR’s Vic Vela, who covers the Capitol, has a mid-session check-in. Then, explaining why Coloradans pay wildly different local taxes for schools. And, millions have fled their homes during South Sudan’s civil war, moving to refugee camps where sexual assault is rampant. We speak with a Denver attorney who has witnessed the devastation and will report this week to the United Nations. Plus, we remember an iconic voice in rodeo announcing. Also, photographer Joseph Collier became famous in the late 1800s for his images of Colorado. Now, his great-great-grandson has photographed the exact same spots for a book.
