- Nine percent of newborns in Colorado, or about 118 each week, are underweight. That often means they’re unhealthy, so it costs more to care for them at birth and later in life. The state has one of the worst track records in the country for low birth weight babies.
- Colorado’s congressional Democrats are poised to experience something new to them in Washington. In the House for sure, and probably the Senate, they’ll take power when Congress is sworn in January 3rd. Ryan Warner talks with two newly empowered Democrats, Senator Ken Salazar and Congressman Mark Udall.
- With one week left for holiday shopping, Ryan Warner talks with two Colorado independent booksellers about gift ideas. Cathy Langer is a buyer at the Tattered Cover in Denver. Jeffrey Riggenbach is a buyer at Explore Booksellers in Aspen. Here are their picks: The Tender Bar#eI#, by J.R.
- It was a good year for Colorado’s hospitals and insurance companies – good, meaning profitable. But, that may be bad for consumers. According to a new study, that profitability has a lot to do with the high premiums people are paying.
- Blood from umbilical cords can save the lives of people who suffer from leukemia and other diseases. A million-dollar federal grant will allow the cord blood bank at the University of Colorado to increase its supply – and treat more patients. Ryan Warner talks to Brian Freed, executive director of CU’s bank.
- One in six Coloradans lacks health insurance. A new commission, created by the legislature, is charged with finding ways to improve that statistic. The group will send its recommendations to state lawmakers by the end of 2007.
- A renovated building in Denver’s lower downtown is receiving kudos as one of the most energy efficient in the state and the country. Ryan Warner talks to Aaron Nelson, project director for the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, a non-profit group that manages the building.
- Colorado lawmakers are asking federal officials to improve security at the state’s Supermax prison, home to some of the nation’s most dangerous criminals. Ryan Warner talks to Democratic state representative Buffie McFayden, whose district, near Pueblo, includes Supermax.
- Ryan Warner talks to Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, about an effort to make sure Colorado has enough homegrown talent to fill shortages in high-tech jobs.
- Colorado is embarking on an ambitious effort to expand healthcare coverage to the state’s uninsured. A commission, created by the legislature, will spend 18 months looking for solutions. Members may well look to other states for ideas. Ryan Warner talks to Alan Weil, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy.
- Colorado is getting a four-fold increase in the money it can spend on attracting tourists. A recent change in state law means at least $19 million in gaming revenue will flow to the state’s tourism budget each year.
- In the upcoming election, Coloradans will consider a constitutional amendment that establishes marriage as the union of a man and a woman—it is already in statute. Another ballot measure creates domestic partnerships.
- As part of our continuing series on the uninsured in Colorado, we hear from business owners, who say they struggle to afford and provide health insurance for their employees.
- As part of our ongoing series on the uninsured in Colorado, Ryan Warner speaks with Dr. Mark Earnest and Dr. John Sbarbaro from the University of Colorado about the challenges doctors face when treating uninsured patients.
- Ryan Warner speaks with Democratic candidate Bill Ritter on how he would spend the over six billion dollars of taxpayers’ money in the state’s general fund.
- Ryan Warner speaks with Republican candidate Bob Beauprez on how he would spend the over six billion dollars of taxpayers’ money in the state’s general fund.
