An extraordinary bloom looms at Denver Botanic Gardens
Clippings from a rose bush at Colorado’s Camp Amache are now in the ground at Denver Botanic Gardens. Buds and blooms could come soon. Kelly Takaya King, whose father was incarcerated at Amache, visited the Gardens’ Steppe Collection all the way from Maui. We were there for her moving meeting with horticulurist Mike Bone.
May 5, 2023: How to communicate on the moon; Denver’s ‘great fire’ reshaped the city
As the pandemic emergency officially ends, the state is sending notices to people whose Medicaid benefits could end. Then, a new space race ushers in new types of businesses, like a communications provider on the moon. Also, how the “great fire” of 1863 reshaped Denver. And Denver singer/songwriter Travis McNamara’s debut album is full of surprises.
May 2, 2023: Denver mayoral candidate Mike Johnston on homelessness, housing and policing
Candidate Mike Johnston wants to ensure that Denver’s teachers, nurses and firefighters can afford to live in the city where they work. In an interview with Ryan Warner, Johnston outlines his solutions for renters and homebuyers, and explains how he’d approach public safety. Then, Colorado Wonders digs into the numbers assigned to political districts.
May 1, 2023: Denver mayoral candidate Kelly Brough on housing and reviving downtown
Kelly Brough, former CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, faces former state lawmaker Michael Johnston in the June 6 runoff. In an interview with Ryan Warner, Brough outlines her plans for dealing with housing, homelessness and a downtown revival.
April 28, 2023: Polis vows to limit impact of property tax increases; Supreme Court ethics
Governor Jared Polis says he’ll work to limit the impact of property tax increases, and will continue to push for housing density across Colorado to increase affordability. Then, a Supreme Court justice from Colorado sold a mountain property to a prominent lawyer. We speak with the investigative reporter at Politico who broke this story about ethics on the nation’s highest court. And “My Story So Far” reflects on life after the Marshall Fire.
April 26, 2023: Debate over trains carrying crude oil; Indigenous tribes face water crisis
Colorado politicians want to halt a plan that would transport oil by train along the Colorado River from Utah’s Uinta Basin. They say an oil spill would endanger local communities. Then, years ago, settlers took control of the Colorado River from Indigenous tribes. Now, as the river dries up, Indigenous tribes are working to back their rights.
April 24, 2023: In Trinidad and at the Capitol, efforts to deal with the housing crisis
In Trinidad, a month-long program allows people to train in construction while they work to rehabilitate long-vacant homes. Then, our Purplish podcast tackles the state’s housing woes by re-envisioning land use.
April 21, 2023: eTown’s mission of music and eco-mindedness; Mosquitoes are our deadliest predator
From a converted church in Boulder, a radio show and podcast beams out live music and eco-conscious conversation. Nick Forster is co-host of eTown. For Earth Day, we’ll talk musical legends, climate change and everyday environmental heroes. Then, Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson on fire danger and spring runoff. Plus, what to know about mosquitos. And new music from “Kathleen.”
Fires and floods. It’s spring in Colorado
In our regular weather & climate chat with Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson, we discuss how red flag fire warnings pop up at the same time as floods.
April 19, 2023: Snowmelt spells sandbags in Dolores, CO; Winery adjusts to a changing climate
Spring runoff is the lifeblood of Colorado’s rivers. It’s also sandbag season in the town of Dolores, in the southwestern part of the state. Today: snowpack, snowmelt, flooding, and climate change. Then, winemakers in Palisade confront climate change.
April 17, 2023: Online stalking or free speech?; Dominion v. Fox News
Where’s the line between stalking, as defined by state law, and protected speech under the First Amendment? The U.S. Supreme Court this week takes up a Colorado case. Then, the case of Dominion Voting Systems, based in Denver, against Fox News. Plus, the pending grocery store merger. And answering a Colorado Wonders question about “The Dry.”
April 14, 2023: Where is the war in Ukraine headed? We ask foreign policy experts in Colorado Springs
When Russia invaded Ukraine, many thought the war would only last a few days. Now, just over a year later, there’s no end in sight, and the role of outside influencers, like China, is evolving. This week, the World Affairs Council in Colorado Springs gathered experts to offer context. CPR’s Southern Colorado Reporter Dan Boyce moderated the discussion.
April 12, 2023: Congressman on ‘failures’ in Afghanistan; Art therapy for medical workers
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, who served in Afghanistan, says presidents, Congress and the military should have ended U.S. involvement earlier. Crow also said recent document leaks show the U.S. should reevaluate its relationship with Egypt. Then, new research on how art could help reduce medical workers’ stress. And, a tribute to Maj. Gen. Maurice Rose.
April 10, 2023: Investigating Aurora Police recruitment; Is compromise a lost cause?
Prospective police officers in Aurora take a written assessment and a video test. An investigation by Sentinel Colorado in Aurora finds the city is accepting recruits who score the equivalent of a D, which would be disqualifying in neighboring communities. Then, Purplish takes on the waning art of compromise at the state Capitol.
April 7, 2023: Former Oath Keeper on dangers of extremism; Bears Ears is an outdoor history museum
The Oath Keepers were central to the January 6th storming of the US Capitol. We talk with an Estes Park man who used to churn out the militia group’s propaganda. Then, the layered history of Bears Ears National Monument, which is, in many ways, like an outdoor museum.
April 5, 2023: How ranked voting could reshape elections; Total solar eclipse promises to astound
Voters in Denver and Colorado Springs, your work is not done! Mayors’ races in Colorado’s two biggest cities are headed to runoffs. Then, those crowded mayoral contests got us wondering about ranked-choice voting. Plus, it’s not too early to play for the next total solar eclipse. And the evolving sounds of nature and a unique message to not feed wildlife.
