Oct. 18, 2023: Economic reinvention in Yampa Valley; The ‘Return of the Buffalo’
The Yampa Valley is doing some economic soul-searching, as Colorado weans itself from fossil fuels. We’ll visit a historic granary that’s been reimagined. There’s also a push for a commuter train from Craig to Steamboat. Also, CPR’s Caitlyn Kim talks with Rep. Ken Buck about his position on the House Speaker vote. And the new RMPBS documentary, “Return of the Buffalo.”
Oct. 16, 2023: High turnover among county clerks; Aurora NAACP head wants independent monitor
County clerks across Colorado are leaving office – many because of pressure from election skeptics. Then, Mesa County voters will decide whether to extend term limits for jobs including county clerk. And, Aurora NAACP head Omar Montgomery calls for an independent police monitor. Plus, an authentic Indian restaurant in Colorado Springs.
Oct. 11, 2023: Gov. Jared Polis on Proposition HH, housing, and Indian boarding schools
In our regular interview, Gov. Jared Polis says he’ll revive a landmark proposal to give the state more control over land use. The measure, designed to increase the stock of affordable housing, died in the 2023 legislative session. Then, documentarian Ken Burns on “The American Buffalo.”
Oct. 9, 2023: The town lost to uranium; Expanding compensation for atomic workers
During World War II, uranium workers across The West sacrificed their health so The Allies would win. In the small town of Uravan, Colorado, people sacrificed more than their health. We’ll get insight into the community’s history from a former resident as Congress considers broadening compensation for uranium workers. Later, people read from their teenage diaries on stage for “Mortified.”
Don’t be too ‘Mortified’ by this lesbian pirate poetry
Whitney Gaines, of Denver, took up the challenge: to read from her adolescent diaries in front of a live audience. Walk the plank with her as she shares her lesbian pirate poetry.
Oct. 6, 2023: Chef Dana Rodriguez’s culinary challenge; Making musical connections!
It might be the ultimate challenge for a chef: revamp the menu for a beloved restaurant that, oddly, was known for its bad food. We talk with Casa Bonita’s new executive chef Dana Rodriguez. Then, understanding RTD’s budgets to keep buses and trains running. And “Music Blocks” third season celebrates how the instruments themselves can create connection and community.
This chef’s challenge: Revamp the menu at a beloved restaurant (whose food people hated)
Casa Bonita’s new owners chose Chef Dana Rodriguez to revamp the menu at the Lakewood restaurant/amusement park.
Oct. 4, 2023: Colorado’s Indian boarding schools were places of hard labor and indoctrination
For the last year, Colorado’s state archaeologist Holly Norton has investigated Indian boarding schools here. From roughly 1880 to 1920, these dehumanizing, sometimes deadly, institutions were part of a broader campaign to erase native identity.
Oct. 2, 2023: How Colorado’s delegation voted to avoid shutdown; Former sheriff faces charges
Most of Colorado’s congressional delegation voted for a last-minute measure that avoided a government shutdown. Then, a former Adams County sheriff and two deputies face felony charges for allegedly falsifying training records. Also, “Vanished Denver Landmarks.”
Remembering an unforgettable Denver chef
Chef Matt Selby helped put Denver’s culinary scene on the map. He died in September at age 49. We listen back to Selby’s saucy kitchen interview, with Ryan Warner, from 2011. They met at Vesta Dipping Grill, which has since closed.
Sept. 29, 2023: Colorado braces for shutdown; At CU, Coach Prime creates a ‘movement’
We explore what a federal government shutdown would mean for Colorado, where the only thing more vast than the federal workforce are federal lands. CPR’s Washington, D.C.-based reporter Caitlyn Kim joins us. Then, ‘a movement.’ That’s how Osei Appiah, a leading scholar on race and communication, sees the energy Coach Prime, Deion Sanders, brings well beyond Folsom Field.
Sept. 27, 2023: How to see the ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse; Elevating ‘The Middle’ of the country
It’s called a “ring of fire” eclipse, or an annular eclipse. It’s coming soon, and astronomer Doug Duncan has all you need to know. Then, a new public radio call-in show, “The Middle,” explores the middle of the country, the middle class, and the middle ground of politics.
Public radio veteran Jeremy Hobson brings the conversation to ‘The Middle’ of the country
A new public radio call-in show airs Thursday nights at 9 on CPR and KRCC. “The Middle” is about the country’s geographic middle, the middle class, and the political middle.
A ‘ring of fire’ eclipse is coming Oct. 14. Here’s what you need to know
Colorado will experience an annular eclipse Saturday October 14. Astronomer Doug Duncan gives Ryan Warner all the details.
Sept, 25, 2023: Rep. Crow on Trump’s eligibility for Colorado’s 2024 ballot; A possible Kaiser strike
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow on a suit claiming Donald Trump is ineligible for Colorado’s 2024 ballot. Then, some Kaiser health care workers may strike soon. And, testimony starts in the trial of Aurora police officers charged in the death of Elijah McClain. Also, Denver begins to house its homeless, but do the numbers add up? Plus, scientists bring part an asteroid down to Earth.
Why Weld County has more tornadoes than anywhere else in the U.S.
There were two category EF-3 or stronger tornadoes this year in Colorado — the first time that happened in 30 years.
