July 21, 2025: Public media at a crossroads; How ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ could impact Colorado
Public media across the country and here in Colorado are figuring out what their existence looks like without federal funding. Then, before rescission, Congress passed the mega tax and spending package known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” We get perspective on what it could mean in Colorado with “Purplish.”
Colorado’s Johnson Tunnel on I-70 isn’t named for LBJ, y’all
In Colorado Wonders, we debunk a common assumption about the eastbound tunnel at the Continental Divide.
July 18, 2025: Colorado’s split vote on the rescission bill; Overcoming trauma with music; Celebrate 719 Day!
Congress has slashed foreign aid and funds for public media. We talk through how Colorado’s delegation voted, the politics and ramifications with our Washington, D.C. correspondent Caitlyn Kim. Then, he survived the Aurora movie theater shooting at age 12; now he’s sharing his recovery story through music with “Youth on Record.” Plus, would a boycott help Colorado Rockies? And, celebrate 719 Day with us!
July 17, 2025: Gov. Polis on insurance price hikes, wildfires; Shooting survivor on moving forward
An estimated 100,000 Coloradans stand to lose health coverage next year amid a 28 percent hike in premiums; Governor Polis holds Congress responsible. We ask about that along with wildfire resources, immigration, and the proposed bridge outside the State Capitol. Then, for Marcus Weaver, surviving the mass shooting inside an Aurora movie theater 13 years ago, was life-changing in ways he never expected. Also, Indie 102.3 host and local music director Alisha Sweeney joins us to spotlight musicians on Colorado’s indie scene ahead of the Underground Music Festival.
July 14, 2025: Pettersen braces for impact of ‘Big Beautiful Bill;’ Decoding ancient sign language
Colorado Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen sees little value in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ and is bracing for the impact on everything from healthcare to immigration. Plus, the “skinny’ Farm Bill continues to leave farmers and ranchers in limbo. Then, a Metro State anthropologist has discovered what may be the world’s oldest sign language. And finding harmony in the workplace.
One Big Beautiful Bill a ‘catastrophe’ for local communities, says Colorado Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen
Pettersen represents Colorado’s 7th Congressional District, including the western Denver metro area and central counties south and southwest of the metro area.
Acclaimed Colorado sci-fi author: Future stupider than I imagined
Paonia writer Paolo Bacigalupi reflects on 10 years since the publication of his climate thriller “The Water Knife.”
July 11, 2025: Hurd on ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ from rural hospitals to immigration; ‘The Water Knife’ proves prophetic
Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd answers questions about how the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” now federal law, will affect people in Grand Junction, Pueblo, and more rural parts of his district. Plus, his high hopes for new drilling and border security under ICE. Then, author Paolo Bacigalupi marks a 10-year milestone with “The Water Knife” which has proven more accurate than he hoped. Plus, drought and demand are tapping aquifers in Southeastern Colorado, where tens of thousands of people rely on well water. And a Grand Junction baseball team adopts a rare alter ego.
Rep. Jeff Hurd on Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill: ‘It’s not perfect’ but positives win out
The freshman Republican Congressman discussed impacts on energy, healthcare and immigration enforcement.
‘Miracle’ small-town theater company marks 60th summer season as federal cuts hit
In an out-of-the-way former silver mining town, Creede Repertory Theatre has proven itself gritty enough to thrive.
July 9, 2025: 60 years of theater in Creede amid funding cuts; Healthcare impact of ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
As the Creede Repertory Theatre celebrates a milestone — 60 years of performances — it grapples with federal funding cuts to the arts. We also breakdown how the “One Big Beautiful Bill” may impact healthcare in Colorado including Medicaid. Then, what to do about the Emerald Ash Borer, a tiny green beetle that’s killing trees along the Front Range. And, an arctic adventurer from Carbondale shares his first-hand view of climate change at the top of the world.
July 7, 2025: Leaving light pollution in the dark to discover the stars in the sky
Eighty percent of the world’s population can’t see the Milky Way. Light pollution interferes. Author and adventurer Craig Childs, of Norwood, Colorado, writes about a trek from light to dark in his new book. “The Wild Dark” takes readers from the incandescence of Las Vegas to the spangled skies of rural Nevada. Childs spoke with Sr. Host Ryan Warner at the Mountain Words Festival in Crested Butte in May.
Look inside Creede, Colorado’s ‘underground fire department’
It’s the world’s only — built out of necessity.
July 4, 2025: For the Fourth of July, bald eagles, buffalo, Johnny Appleseed, and America the Beautiful
Happy Fourth of July! Today, how the bald eagle finally became the nation’s bird after nearly 250 years and the return of the bison to Colorado. Plus, a Fort Collins horticulturalist is preserving the legacy tree of Johnny Appleseed, and the Colorado inspiration for “America the Beautiful.”
A whiskey that tastes like the San Luis Valley and benefits the Rio Grande
We take you to church… whiskey church at Law’s Whiskey House. The Denver distillery, co-founded by Al Laws, has released a special edition made with San Luis Valley rye and Rio Grande river water. Meet brothers Jason and Joshua Cody who grow and malt the grain. Proceeds from Rio Grande Rye benefit river conservation.
July 2, 2025: Traffic and history collide at this Colorado Springs intersection; Whiskey with a purpose
At the most recognizable intersection in Colorado Springs, where crashes have been frequent, a statue of a man on a horse will remain. So will people’s strong feelings. Then, two brothers who never imagined they’d be farming rye for whiskey. Plus, the Sky Sox are back in Colorado Springs, at least for now. Later, a meaningful hike along Fountain Creek with author Jim O’Donnell. Also, Colorado College’s new president, a callout to federal workers and potential new spots for immigrant detention.
