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In The NOCOArt, music and theatre programs are dwindling in Colorado classrooms. But some schools offer glimmers of hopeMany students in Colorado schools don’t have much of a chance to act onstage, play an instrument or hone their craft at painting. Arts programs in most public schools have been cut severely due to tight budgets and to make room for classes that help schools get higher scores on standardized tests. So a team of KUNC reporters recently wondered: What does this look like in Colorado schools? And where are kids learning about the arts? In this special episode of In The NoCo, we’re sharing stories from Loveland, Brighton and St...2025-06-2115 min

In The NOCOHow Colorado shed the 'Hate State' label in a legal fight that went before the U.S. Supreme CourtMore than three decades ago Colorado was known as the Hate State. In 1992 Colorado voters passed Amendment 2, which banned anti-discrimination laws meant to protect gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. But the Amendment never went into effect because there was immediate backlash. It was challenged again and again for being unconstitutional, bringing it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Season 4 of KUNC’s Colorado Dream podcast retraces Colorado’s tumultuous history and evolving relationship with its queer and transgender population. Stephanie Daniel is the executive producer and host for The Col...2025-06-2009 min

In The NOCODrought continues to plague the Colorado River basin. Could cloud seeding be a helpful solution?Manipulating the clouds to make it rain or snow sounds like something straight out of science fiction. But in reality, the technology behind cloud seeding is decades old, going back to the 1940s. The science of cloud seeding got some new attention recently after lawmakers ordered the Government Accountability Office to look into the technology as water becomes a more precious resource in the U.S. That report says cloud seeding shows promise, but more research is probably needed before we make it part of any serious federal policies. So, as drought co...2025-05-2609 min

In The NOCOWhat would federal funding cuts mean for local public media stations like KUNC?It's a precarious moment for public media. The Trump administration has declared it wants to end federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – which supports stations that carry programs from NPR and PBS. If you’re wondering where all of that leaves a local station like KUNC or The Colorado Sound, we’re actually trying to figure that out too. So today, we’re sharing what we know so far. In The NoCo’s Brad Turner spoke with Mike Arnold, the Chief Audience and Content Officer for KUNC and The Colorado Sound. Last week, h...2025-05-2209 min

In The NOCONuclear power is now considered clean energy in Colorado under a new law. Here's whyNuclear energy is now clean energy in Colorado. That’s according to a new law recently signed by Gov. Jared Polis. The law adds nuclear power to a list of clean energies like wind and solar. Colorado leaders have set a goal of using only clean energy to power the state by 2040. The law didn’t pass without pushback from critics who point out that nuclear energy produces radioactive waste. But in the end, the Democratic-controlled state legislature approved it. So, what’s behind these shifting attitudes toward nuclear power in Co...2025-04-1409 min

In The NOCOIt’s a tough time to run a restaurant in Colorado. Can state lawmakers do anything to help?Colorado is a tough state to be a restaurant manager in right now. Every day seems to bring news that another local favorite is closing. It's expensive to run a restaurant. Costs for food and real estate have been on the rise. And for restaurants along Colorado’s Front Range, there’s one especially thorny issue: – employee pay. For the last few years, Colorado’s minimum wage has been $14.81 an hour for non-tipped employees – more than double the federal minimum wage of $7.25. And the local minimum wage in cities like Denver and Boulder is ev...2025-03-2509 min

In The NOCOA proposal to supply enough water for a half-million new Colorado residents just cleared a major hurdle. Here’s what’s nextA massive reservoir project that will eventually clear the way for a half-million new residents in Northern Colorado is now a step closer to breaking ground. The $2 billion water project will create two new reservoirs that will feed 15 towns and water districts in Northern Colorado. Advocates for NISP, the Northern Integrated Supply Project, say it’s essential to ensure that these fast-growing communities in Larimer and Weld counties have the water they need as development booms. The project has been tied up in planning, permitting and opposition for more than two decades. But...2025-03-2009 min

In The NOCOA proposed law would help Colorado churches turn their properties into housing developments. Here’s how that might workA bill under consideration at the state capitol would allow religious organizations to use their properties to build housing developments. It's an idea some state lawmakers see as an opportunity. Supporters say it would help alleviate Colorado's housing shortage, using thousands of acres of available church-owned property around the state. KUNC's Stephanie Daniel has been reporting on this issue. She spent time visiting a church in Fort Collins that created a version of this idea – a development that they hope will foster a sense of community for future residents and church members. ...2025-03-1909 min

In The NOCONative plants save water and can look great in your yard. Here’s your spring planting primerSpring is approaching, and the garden beckons. Which means it’s not too early to start making gardening and landscaping plans for the year. And if you’re like a lot of homeowners in Colorado, you might be thinking about adding some native plants. Experts say it’s a great way to save water. Native plants also support bees, birds and other pollinators. And native vegetation can require less pruning than more traditional plantings. In the episode of In the NoCo, we've got great recommendations on what native plants to choose...2025-03-1409 min

In The NOCOWolves killed their livestock, so Colorado wildlife officials cut these ranchers a checkState wildlife officials will pay nearly $350,000 to reimburse ranchers in Colorado’s high country who saw their livestock killed or harmed by wolves last year. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to approve those claims recently. It’s a key part of the state’s program to reintroduce wolves. And it gets less attention than photos of newly released wolves turned loose by wildlife officials. It’s an acknowledgment that while voters support wolf reintroduction, actual wolves make life harder for ranchers. We wanted to look at these reimbursements, so we reached ou...2025-03-1209 min

In The NOCOMany Democrats oppose federal immigration sweeps. Can state lawmakers do much about it?Democrats in Colorado control the governor’s office and both houses of the state legislature. Many of them openly oppose the Republican Trump administration’s actions to ramp up arrests and deportation of immigrants without legal status in the state. And those Democratic lawmakers have heard from many constituents in recent weeks who also oppose immigration raids. But more than a month after Trump took office and sweeps began in places like Denver and Aurora, Colorado Democrats still haven’t determined how they plan to push back. KUNC politics and legislature reporter Lu...2025-02-2809 min

In The NOCOA proposed law would let Coloradans freeze their own access to buy a gun. Advocates say it could save livesA note: Today’s episode deals with issues around suicide and firearm violence. Over the past decade, Colorado has seen more than 7,000 deaths by suicide that involved a firearm. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, guns are involved in more than half of Colorado’s deaths by suicide. A bill making its way through the state legislature could help reduce those numbers. The proposal would allow Coloradans to place a voluntary freeze on their own access to buy a gun. Someone who’s concerned about their mental health cou...2025-02-1909 min

In The NOCOHow cloud seeding could make it rain (and snow) in the drought-stricken Colorado River BasinManipulating the clouds to make it rain or snow sounds like the stuff of science fiction. But the technology behind cloud seeding is nothing new: It dates back to the 1940s. That science got a new look recently when lawmakers ordered the Government Accountability Office to re-examine the possibilities of cloud seeding as water becomes a more precious resource in the U.S. The newly published report calls cloud seeding promising, but also says more research is needed. That got Alex Hager – KUNC's in-house water reporter -- thinking about how cloud seeding migh...2025-02-0309 min

In The NOCOA new report examines the lives of workers at a Greeley meatpacking plantJBS is one of the largest meat producers in the world. The company – which is headquartered in Greeley – reportedly earned $76 billion last year. And the company relies on immigrant labor to keep their meatpacking plants, like the one in Greeley, operating. A new story from the Food and Environment Reporting Network and the investigative journalism show Reveal offers a look at the community of immigrant workers at the Greeley plant. Many of them are Haitian, and many of them are here legally under what’s called TPS, or temporary protected status. Now, their future is uncertain...2025-01-3109 min

In The NOCOHow Erie residents pushed back against a drilling project that would have reached 5 miles beneath the townOne of the most unusual stories in recent memory about Colorado’s oil and gas industry popped up in the town of Erie. It was actually about what happens underneath Erie. A company wanted to access some underground oil and gas located beneath the town. But Erie has more than 30,000 residents. So putting a fracking operation in the middle of neighborhoods and schools wasn’t going to be very popular. Instead, the company, called Extraction Oil and Gas, proposed a plan to do what’s called horizontal drilling. They would set up their equipment...2024-11-2609 min

In The NOCOHow Coloradans voted on big cat hunting, ranked-choice voting, and a firearms taxTired of hearing about the election? And thinking about the election? We get it. But before we move on, let’s walk through a few notable decisions that Colorado voters considered this week. Like whether we should ban the hunting of mountain lions and other big cats. And whether sales of guns and ammunition should help pay for mental health services. And a measure that would have transformed how Coloradans vote for candidates. ITN’s Erin O’Toole spoke with Lucas Brady Woods, KUNC’s politics and elections reporter, to analyze what passed, what failed...2024-11-0709 min

In The NOCOColorado election roundup: Abortion, same-sex marriage, Lauren Boebert and that slaughterhouse banAll eyes were on the Presidential election Tuesday night: Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris. But there were plenty of important Colorado issues on the ballot, too. Like what the state constitution says about same sex marriage, who should review judges in ethics cases and whether the right to an abortion should be protected. KUNC’s politics and elections reporter Lucas Brady Woods spoke with ITN’s Erin O’Toole to discuss some of the most noteworthy issues decided by Colorado voters. Votes in some ballot measures and races – including the 8th Con...2024-11-0609 min

In The NOCOHow Colorado moved forward after being labeled ‘The Hate State’Nearly three decades ago Colorado was known as The Hate State. In 1992 Colorado voters passed Amendment 2, which banned anti-discrimination laws meant to protect gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. But the Amendment never went into effect because there was immediate backlash. It was challenged again and again for being unconstitutional, bringing it all the way to the supreme court. Season 4 of KUNC’s Colorado Dream podcast retraces Colorado’s tumultuous history and evolving relationship with its queer and transgender population. Stephanie Daniel is the Executive Producer and host for the Colorado Dream. Erin O’...2024-10-1109 min

In The NOCOA proposed tax on guns and ammo could fund millions in aid for victims of violent crimes. Will voters back it?A new tax on sales of guns and ammunition could be used to fund services that help crime victims. That’s the idea behind a proposal Colorado voters will consider on the November ballot. Proposition KK would add a 6.5 percent excise tax on guns, some parts and accessories, and ammunition. Buyers in Colorado already pay state and local sales taxes on the purchase of firearms and ammunition, and a federal tax of around 10 percent. It’s a novel approach that its backers say will generate about $39 million dollars a year to fund progra...2024-10-1009 min

In The NOCOColorado cities are growing in population while shrinking their water use. Here’s how they make it workIn 2002, Colorado saw a turning point for water use. It was the year Front Range cities got serious about how they use water and how to waste less of it. Luke Runyon is a reporter who specializes in covering water issues for the University of Colorado Boulder’s Water Desk. (You might remember him as the host of KUNC’s Colorado River podcast Thirst Gap.) In a new story, Runyon looked at how many Colorado cities grew dramatically since 2002 but also shrank their water usage. Host Erin O’Toole talked with...2024-10-0209 min

In The NOCOAfter guilty verdicts – and 10 life sentences – in Boulder’s mass shooting trial, a victim’s daughter looks backA Boulder County jury reached a verdict Monday afternoon: They found the man who killed ten people in a mass shooting at a Boulder King Soopers guilty on all counts. That includes 10 counts of first-degree murder and 45 additional charges. At sentencing later that day, the judge overseeing the trial issued 10 consecutive life sentences, among other penalties. The verdict comes three and a half years after the shooting on March 22, 2021. And it followed long debates over whether the shooter was mentally competent to stand trial. For the victims’ families, Monday was a mile...2024-09-2409 min

In The NOCOAspen trees could be a colorful addition to your yard – but experts say you’ll probably regret itFall begins Sunday – which means leaf-peeping season is here in Colorado. Soon the mountains will fill with people looking to drink in the glorious sight of all those orange and gold aspen leaves that cover the hillsides. And you can bet that quite a few of those tourists will look at those vibrant aspen trees and wonder why they can't just plant one in their own yard. Experts with Colorado State University Extension say “how to plant an aspen at home” is one of the most commonly asked questions they get from the public. "I thi...2024-09-2009 min

In The NOCONearly 1 in 4 college students have limited access to nutritious food. Colorado schools have ideas to fix thatThe college experience can seem like a carefree time, filled with social activities, weekend football games... and, of course, the occasional visit to the library or an all-night study session. But reality paints a very different picture for many students. Federal data shows that nearly a quarter of the nation’s college students struggle with getting enough nutritious food. That’s 3.8 million students, including thousands in Colorado. And being hungry makes it harder to focus on academics. In response, most of Colorado’s colleges and universities maintain food pantries, mobile markets, a...2024-09-1909 min

In The NOCOArmando Silva’s vibrant murals adorn walls across Colorado. He hopes a new festival will inspire more outdoor artGreeley artist Armando Silva paints some of the most prominent artwork along Colorado’s Front Range. His vibrant, expressive murals depict sugar beet workers who helped establish Fort Collins ... or a steer to honor the Greeley Stampede. And he’s working to create a space for more artists to create more murals. He’s part of the team launching WeldWalls, a brand-new mural festival in Greeley that launches next week. That got us curious about how he hopes to grow the public arts scene in Colorado – and how he got started painting murals in the first pla...2024-09-1309 min

In The NOCOAurora, gangs and immigration: The facts are more nuanced than you may have heardIf you follow national news, you might think the biggest story in Colorado right now is centered on an Aurora apartment complex that was reportedly overtaken by an armed group of Venezuelan gang members. If you watched the presidential debate this week, you likely heard former president Donald Trump mention that gangs had “taken over” the city. Many right-leaning media outlets across the country have reported, without proof, that armed members of the Tren de Aragua gang had driven out the apartments’ property managers and were running the community through intimidation and violence. Conflicting statements from city of...2024-09-1209 min

In The NOCOThink wildfires and hailstorms are raising the cost of home insurance? Technology may be the bigger culpritHomeowners in Colorado have been watching their insurance costs increase at rates faster than the national average. On average, they pay more to insure their homes than homeowners in other states – about $1,700 more, according to recent figures. You might hear that and assume it’s because wildfires and hailstorms cause more destruction in Colorado, and climate change seems to be making it worse. But that’s only part of the story. The Denver Post reported recently that insurance companies are changing the way they decide how risky it is to insure a home – and to determine what its...2024-09-1109 min

In The NOCOCities like Boulder may have too many parking spaces. Here’s why that's a problemOfficials in the city of Boulder say they have a problem: too many parking spaces. Some transportation experts believe having too many empty spots is a waste of space, especially considering some of that space could be used for housing, retail, or a park. By some estimates, Boulder has twice as many parking spots as it needs. Some city leaders say that’s a missed opportunity in a city that struggles to make space for attainable housing. In fact, several Colorado cities are wrestling with this issue now. Host Erin O’Too...2024-09-1009 min

In The NOCOA forgotten hero of Colorado barbecue history is about to get some overdue recognitionColumbus B. Hill was a pivotal figure in Colorado’s culinary history. He was a Black man originally from Missouri – and he was possibly the most popular barbecue chef in Denver in the late 1800s. His food was so good that it was served to thousands of people at official functions at the state Capitol. But even among hardcore barbecue fans, very few people know his name. And his legacy wasn’t always well cared for. In 1923, Hill was buried in Denver without a headstone... until now. Denver author and barbecue historian Adrian Miller is...2024-09-0609 min

In The NOCOHow a 100-mile run became a ‘lifeline’ for a Colorado athlete who struggles with depressionDrew Petersen’s career has been marked by extremes. As a professional skier, the Silverthorne native made a living carving turns on some of the toughest terrain in the world. But in recent years, he’s spoken openly, and made two films, about a different part of his life: his struggle with mental health and severe depression, which dates back to his childhood. In his new film, Feel It All, Drew takes on another daunting challenge: running the Leadville Trail 100 – a grueling, 100-mile ultramarathon in Colorado’s high country. Drew weaves his story of training for and completin...2024-09-0509 min

In The NOCOColorado’s GOP leadership is divided, and the timing couldn’t be worse. How did this happen?Colorado's Republican Party is torn between people claiming to be chairman at the state level. And it's splitting the party leadership into two factions at a critical time. It’s a presidential election year, and a moment when the party is working to regain some of the seats they’ve lost at the state level. The leadership of the state GOP recently voted out their chairman, Dave Williams, and installed a new chair named Eli Bremer. But Williams and his supporters says the vote was illegitimate, and he’s still chairman. Williams was reaffirmed at a second...2024-09-0409 min

In The NOCOFour-day school weeks are the norm in many parts of Colorado. But do they set up students for failure?Since the 1980s, a growing number of Colorado school districts have adopted a four-day schedule. Currently, about one in seven K-12 public school students in Colorado attends class four days a week rather than five – primarily those in smaller, rural school districts. These districts often have smaller budgets than schools along the Front Range and in mountain towns. And researchers say the four-day schedule is often used as an incentive to attract and retain teachers when the district can’t offer a more competitive salary. But a new report from the Keystone Policy Center says the four-day schoo...2024-09-0309 min

In The NOCOLove Palisade Peaches? Here's what makes them delicious, according to scienceThe Palisade peach might be one of Colorado's best-kept secrets. Those grocery store peaches from California or Georgia are perfectly fine. But a good peach from Western Colorado is often juicier, sweeter and bigger than its out-of-state competition. As peach season winds down for the year, the In The NoCo team wanted to find out: What makes the Palisade peach such a singular treat? It turns out, much of it has to do with the microclimate in Palisade and other fruit-growing areas of Colorado’s Western Slope. “Oftentimes we don’t ha...2024-08-3009 min

In The NOCOTourists are flocking to Colorado’s busiest national forest. Can this mountain ‘playground’ be protected from overuse?The Colorado Tourism Office recently published a report outlining the economic benefits of travel in different regions around Colorado. And the numbers show that tourism is growing. The report labeled one region the ‘Rockies Playground’ – that's an area that includes parts of Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin counties. And visitor spending in that region grew by about 50 percent between 2013 and 2023. But that surge in visitors -- and the ‘playground’ label from the tourism office -- caught the attention of Scott Fitzwilliams. He’s the supervisor of the White River National Forest, the most visited national forest in the c...2024-08-2909 min

In The NOCOIf deepfakes and other misinformation target Colorado voters, election officials have a plan to respondWeld County’s Clerk and Recorder Carly Koppes has a noticeable online presence. She posts lots of informational videos around election time telling voters how to cast a ballot or get ready for election day But here’s something that keeps Koppes -- and a lot of other election officials -- up at night. Artificial intelligence is developing so quickly that a bad actor could take one of those videos and convincingly alter her voice, so that it sounds like she’s saying something misleading... such as giving the wrong hours when polls are open. Ko...2024-08-2809 min

In The NOCOCan surviving a wildfire actually make a community stronger? This researcher says yesWildfires, like the ones that hit Colorado’s Front Range this summer, rip through communities. They torch homes and disrupt lives. But wildfires can also cause some surprising -- even uplifting -- things to happen. They strengthen the bonds between neighbors. They make people more resilient. And those stronger connections help people prepare for future emergencies. In fact, there’s a whole field of study that examines and documents those silver linings after a disaster. Lori Peek is a professor of sociology and the director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado Boulder...2024-08-2709 min

In The NOCOA new podcast unearths Colorado’s forgotten uranium ‘Boom Town’On Colorado’s Western Slope a single sign represents a mining town that was once there. The town helped provide the uranium in the first atomic bomb. The town was called Uravan. Journalist Alec Cowan has long been fascinated by stories of Uravan. Cowan grew up in nearby Grand Junction and remembers hearing urban legends about Uravan. Officials closed and buried the town in the 1980s due to radiation concerns. Cowan set out to record interviews with former residents of Uravan, and recently turned his research into a six-part podcast series. It's called Boom...2024-08-2309 min

In The NOCOA powerful new technology could transform search and rescue in Colorado’s mountains (Best of ITN)In Colorado, there are approximately 3,000 search and rescue incidents each year, according to the state's Search and Rescue Association. And when someone goes missing in the backcountry, every hour counts.Heat, dehydration and exposure to the elements make a person's survival less likely as time ticks by. Rescuers in our state also deal with rugged mountains, steep canyons, dense tree cover, and extreme temperatures at high elevations. All this makes it more difficult to locate someone quickly. But new technology could give search and rescue teams a powerful new tool. It's cal...2024-08-2209 min

In The NOCOThis technology could save bicyclists’ lives. So why isn’t it mandatory?A year ago last summer, a young bicyclist named Magnus White was struck and killed by a driver on Highway 119 near Boulder. A memorial ride for Magnus earlier this month drew more than 2,000 participants, with hundreds more joining virtually. His parents spoke to the crowd and called for measures that would make roads safer for cyclists – including better bike lanes and stiffer penalties for careless driving. And they also called for a more unusual measure: a federal requirement that all new vehicles be equipped by the year 2029 with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems that...2024-08-2109 min

In The NOCOIt’s a brutal year for grasshoppers in Colorado. Here’s why – and how to deal with themGrasshoppers are everywhere along Colorado's Front Range right now. They blanket the sidewalks and lawns – which makes them a pest. But they also devastate crops, which makes them a real problem for farmers. Our friends at the Colorado State University Extension run a sort of hotline for folks with questions about gardening and lawncare. They confirmed that this is an extraordinary summer: They say grasshopper-related calls are up 600 percent in recent weeks as dozens of people call in with their hopper-related concerns. Host Erin O’Toole got some explanation about why grasshoppers are so bad this y...2024-08-2009 min

In The NOCOWhat this CSU scientist found beneath Antarctica could offer new clues about climate changeA team of scientists, including a CSU seismologist, recently spent years peering beneath the largest mass of ice on Earth. The unique study yielded fascinating insights about the relationship between the massive glaciers that cover much of Antarctica’s surface, and the ground underneath the ice. And the findings may help scientists better predict how climate change will affect sea level in the decades ahead. Researchers discovered that the rock beneath Antarctica’s ice sheets actually rises and sinks under the weight of the continent’s glaciers. That geologic movement will likely affect how much...2024-08-1609 min

In The NOCOHow artist R. Alan Brooks uses comics and graphic novels to dissect culture and politicsIf you read the Colorado Sun, you might be familiar with the comic strip called ‘What’d I Miss?’ It follows conversations between Ossie – a young Black man – and Myra – an older white woman – who has awakened from a long coma. Together they struggle to understand modern day politics and culture. Ossie and Myra talk about issues like artificial intelligence, disinformation on social media and more recently, the attempted assassination of Former President Donald Trump. ‘What’d I Miss?’ is written by Denver resident R. Alan Brooks. He also writes graphic novels and teaches graphic novel w...2024-08-1509 min

In The NOCODivorce and single motherhood are funnier than you think. Just ask comedian Stephanie SprengerComedian and writer Stephanie Sprenger bares all in her comedy. Through her standup, the Arvada resident broaches subjects that might make people blush -- but are very real portrayals of life as a middle-aged single mom. She jokes about topics like menopause, potty breaks and divorce. Stephanie is part of a group of four comedians and four storytellers performing this Thursday in Lafayette at an event called “Reclamation: The Fempire Strikes Back.” She spoke with host Erin O’Toole about what inspires her comedy and how she came to standup relativel...2024-08-1409 min

In The NOCOCould a tax on empty homes help solve housing shortages in Colorado’s mountain towns?As much as 40 percent of the homes in some Colorado mountain resorts sit unoccupied for much of the year. And housing is in such short supply in communities like Breckenridge or Steamboat Springs that many workers find themselves living in hotels, rather than a house or apartment.Leaders in a coalition of ski towns called the Colorado Association of Ski Towns, or CAST, are asking lawmakers for a new tool to address the housing shortage. They want the ability to discourage those homeowners, who let their properties sit empty, from doing so.And...2024-08-1309 min

In The NOCOBreaking is about to make its Olympic debut. This CU instructor is watching with prideThe 2024 Olympics are underway in Paris. And for the first time, breaking is an official part of the Games. Breaking (or breakdancing as it’s sometimes called) originated in the Bronx during the 1970s, growing within the larger spectrum of hip-hop culture. But it’s more than just the music, the rhythms, and the athletic, visually stunning moves. There's a deep history and culture that surrounds the art - and sport - of breaking. Rennie Harris is an artist-in-residence at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he’s the co-director of Hip-hop Studies. He spoke...2024-08-0909 min

In The NOCOFive days battling a wildfire in Lyons: A fire chief's perspectiveColoradans in recent weeks have seen a barrage of evacuation notices and news updates about four major wildfires along the Front Range. Beyond the ever–changing tallies of acres burned or the latest containment numbers, we wanted to see a wildfire from a fire chief’s perspective – from the first visible plumes of smoke, to when evacuees return home. Rob Stumpf leads the Lyons Fire Protection District. He and more than 200 firefighters spent days working to contain the Stone Canyon fire near Lyons. That blaze, which sparked on July 30, triggered evacuations, burned five structures and is linked...2024-08-0809 min

In The NOCOColorado is investing in geothermal. Here’s whyGeothermal is having a moment in the spotlight. It hasn’t gotten the attention that wind and solar have as the ‘powerhouses’ of Colorado’s electric grid. But energy officials say it’s time for the state to start building up other sources – including tapping the heat that’s under our feet. The state is offering grants and tax credits to support research into new geothermal projects, with the goal of bringing some small- and large-scale projects online in the coming years. Some projects already underway, such as the geothermal system at Colorado Mesa University, are expanding. ...2024-08-0709 min

In The NOCOUrban fires do more than burn structures. They leave a mark in our waterwaysFour major wildfires burned along the front range in the last week. One person reportedly died in the Stone Canyon Fire. Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes and dozens of structures were lost in the four fires. While fire is a normal part of the ecosystem of the mountain west, fires that push into urban areas are destructive to those landscapes. The effects of urban fires, known as urban conflagrations, can have long-term effects on our waterways' local ecology. Host Stephanie Daniel speaks with Dr Lauren Magliozzi, PhD candidate in the Un...2024-08-0609 min

In The NOCOCould an exclusive new development near Steamboat Springs open the door to more private skiing in Colorado?Colorado is home to world class skiing, with dozens of public resorts open to skiers of all levels -- and incomes. Private ski resorts – which tend to cater to the ultra-wealthy – are practically nonexistent here. But a newly proposed private resort could add to Colorado’s short list. Stagecoach Mountain Ranch would create an exclusive enclave of multi-million dollar luxury homes in Routt County. The area, near Steamboat Springs, was once home to a small ski area back in the 1970s. Now, an Arizona-based developer wants to turn those 6,600 acres into a private ski area...2024-08-0109 min

In The NOCOArchitects used ‘trauma-informed design’ to reimagine a Denver youth shelterArchitecture can provoke a powerful emotional response in us. Perhaps you've stopped on a sidewalk to stare up in wonder at a massive skyscraper... or stepped inside a beautifully designed building and felt a sense of peace or inspiration. But the reaction to a building isn’t always positive -- particularly for people who have experienced trauma. Buildings that resemble schools, hospitals, or jails – can make a person feel helpless or anxious. A relatively new movement in architecture considers this throughout the creation process. ‘Trauma-informed’ design thoughtfully incorporates elements that help people feel welcomed a...2024-07-3109 min

In The NOCOWhy “mortgage handcuffs” are hurting Colorado’s housing marketMany people in Colorado bought homes or refinanced during the pandemic, when interest rates were at historic lows. Now, they feel trapped by that low mortgage rate. They might want to sell and move, but can’t afford to buy elsewhere, with interest rates at much higher levels than four years ago. The problem has been dubbed 'mortgage handcuffs.' This dilemma isn’t unique to Colorado, but it appears the problem is worse here than in any other state in the country, according to a recent article in the Denver Post. Hos...2024-07-3009 min

In The NOCOThis beetle is a voracious, unwelcome invader – and its range is growingOf all the insects that could turn up in your yard, the Japanese beetle is one of the nastiest. Its larvae chew up the roots of your grass, while the mature version of the beetle eats just about every plant in your yard. And worst of all, it’s tough to eradicate. Japanese beetles are an invasive species that turned up across Colorado’s Front Range in the early 2000s. Recently, a new infestation appeared in the Grand Valley, which has peach growers in Palisade worried. Host Erin O’Toole talks with...2024-07-2609 min

In The NOCOCave crawl leads to a Colorado family’s discovery of a tiny, new scorpion-like speciesThe Denver Museum of Nature and Science recently made an exciting announcement: A new species of cave-dwelling pseudoscorpion had been discovered in the foothills outside Boulder. Researchers named it Larca boulderica – a nod to the city of Boulder – and say the only place on the planet where you’ll find it is in just two caves near the Boulder Flatirons. We reached out to David Steinmann, the research associate with the Museum of Nature and Science who found the new species. We thought he’d want to talk about his once-in-a- lifetime discovery. Instead, he told us that for hi...2024-07-2509 min

In The NOCOCities across the Front Range have a secret weapon to prevent wildfires: A herd of 300 goatsTwo years ago, Jordan Sarazen lived a comfortable, perhaps even mundane life, working in an office as a financial planner. Then one day, he decided to make a change. He set out to fulfill a dream of managing a goat herd and renting their services to landowners. Today, Jordan and his wife Toni own 300 goats, and a company called Goat Bros. They travel around the Front Range and let the herd graze on vegetation for cities like Longmont, Northglenn, and Superior. And the goats provide a form of wildfire prevention by clea...2024-07-1909 min

In The NOCOThe 1955 bombing of a Denver flight has gone largely forgotten. A Colorado group wants a memorialOn November 1, 1955, a man planted a bomb aboard a United Airlines plane shortly before it departed from Denver. The plane exploded in midflight over beet fields in Weld County, killing all 44 people aboard. It was a mass murder that grabbed headlines across the country. And viewers saw footage of the trial on TV – which was unusual then. If you've never heard of this crime, though, you're hardly alone. There's no marker at the site of the crash, near what is now Firestone. A local nonprofit group hopes to change that. The Flight 629 Memorial Committee wants to c...2024-07-1709 min

In The NOCOWhy a Boulder group wants to turn the city’s airport into an affordable neighborhoodBoulder, like many cities in Colorado, has an ongoing shortage of housing for the middle class – which means many people who work in Boulder can’t afford to live there. One local group is proposing an unconventional solution: They want to decommission Boulder’s municipal airport and turn that city-owned land into a neighborhood with around 2,000 homes. At least half of those homes would be designated affordable. That group, the Airport Neighborhood Campaign, organized the two initiatives that, if approved, would put this plan into action. They’ve collected enough signatures to place them on the Novemb...2024-07-1609 min

In The NOCOHop on board with the quirky history of the Fort Collins trolleySummer in Northern Colorado means the return of an old-school mode of transportation -- in the form of a ride on the Fort Collins Trolley. Electric streetcars were once a common sight in the streets of Fort Collins, at least until the early 1950s, when car ownership rose and fewer people relied on public transportation. In the late 1970s, a group of dedicated volunteers began to restore the aged trolley cars and to reinstall the track. This season marks 40 years since the restored trolley began once again to take passengers on a leisurely journey along Mountain Avenue i...2024-07-1209 min

In The NOCOWhy more Colorado communities are prioritizing the night skyAdjusting streetlamps and other exterior lights to allow the stars to shine more brilliantly – that's part of the process for becoming a certified Dark Sky community. More than 200 places in 22 countries around the world have this designation. Advocates say limiting light pollution helps preserve expansive views of the night sky, and helps nocturnal creatures thrive. And the Colorado Tourism Office believes the Dark Sky designation helps attract visitors. Town leaders in Grand Lake recently took the first steps toward becoming an official Dark Sky community. They would join five other towns in Colorado that already have that des...2024-07-1109 min

In The NOCOWhy a CU Denver professor thinks the people who design our roads need a wake-up callNot that long ago, some doctors would use lobotomies as a treatment for mental illness... or insomnia... or severe headaches. That wouldn’t happen now. But modern medicine has taken some weird, often tragic turns to get to where it is now. Author Wesley Marshall argues that there’s a similarity between the science behind our transportation systems and these outdated practices in medicine and psychiatry. And, he says it’s time for a wakeup call. Marshall, who teaches civil engineering at the University of Colorado Denver, thinks the way our streets and highways are designed...2024-07-0909 min

In The NOCOFor the owner of Estes Park's award-winning Taffy Shop, success means making memoriesPeople who come to Estes Park marvel at the sights they see... Longs Peak on the horizon... the Stanley Hotel above town... herds of elk just about everywhere. And on Elkhorn Avenue in the heart of downtown, curious onlookers gather on the sidewalk to watch the hypnotic movements of the mechanical taffy puller in the window of The Taffy Shop. Now, more people are checking out the iconic shop after it was named Best Candy Store in the country by USA Today in June. The independent, family-owned store has essentially made one type of...2024-07-0509 min

In The NOCOHeading to your first rodeo? Here’s how to cowboy up with confidenceRodeo is a popular sport all summer long across Colorado and the West. There are large events like the Greeley Stampede or Cheyenne Frontier Days in June and July. And lots of other towns have their own rodeos, from Estes Park to Granby to Steamboat Springs. Of course, anyone can buy a ticket and head to the rodeo – but what else should you know if you’re new to this world? To help answer that question, we reached out to Abe Morris. Abe is a former professional bull rider who lives in Denver. He also spent ni...2024-07-0409 min

In The NOCOBoulder leaders think ‘embodied carbon’ is a key concept in fighting climate change. Here’s whyLimiting the carbon emissions of a new home or office, long before anyone lives or works in it -- that’s the goal of a key piece of Boulder’s new energy code that will take effect later this year. Typically, people looking to reduce the carbon footprint of their home might install a heat pump or add solar panels. But those improvements could take years to substantially reduce a building’s carbon output. That’s why Boulder officials looking to fight climate change are embracing a concept called ‘embodied carbon.’ Embodied carbon looks at the components...2024-07-0209 min

In The NOCOOn this Super Tuesday, we check the pulse of young voters in ColoradoToday is Super Tuesday — traditionally the biggest day for primary elections and caucuses across the nation. In Colorado, unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot for either the Republican or Democratic candidates.For more on the election and how KUNC is working to engage Coloradans in the democratic process, KUNC statehouse reporter Lucas Brady Woods joined In The NoCo’s Erin O’Toole. In today’s episode, we also hear from Nick DeSalvo, student body president at Colorado State University. DeSalvo is studying political science at CSU and already has experience running for local office. When DeSalvo was 17...2024-03-0509 min

In The NOCONorthern Colorado students increasingly face housing insecurity. A KUNC series investigates whyOne in 27 students in Poudre School District is experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. That’s a statistic that KUNC senior editor and reporter Leigh Paterson recently stumbled on. Her reporting on youth mental health had suggested there was a problem, but this number told her the issue was more urgent than she’d thought.“It is on the radar of all of the school districts that I interact with and it is just a very difficult problem to solve because it involves so many overlapping social and systemic issues,” Paterson said.She directed the new...2024-02-2309 min

In The NOCOMany Colorado students are chronically absent. KUNC’s Leigh Paterson hit the hallways to study solutionsColorado kids are missing a lot of school. This past academic year, nearly one in three was chronically absent – that is more than 250,000 students.“If you’re missing 10% or more of school days you are considered chronically absent,” Leigh Paterson told In The NoCo’s Erin O’Toole. Both excused and unexcused absences count, and while the percentage of chronically absent students improved a bit last academic year compared to the year before, generally, this is a growing problem in Colorado, Paterson said. The KUNC senior editor and reporter visited schools in two Northern Colorado districts to speak wit...2024-01-0909 min

In The NOCOIn its third season, The Colorado Dream hits home with the state's housing crisisKUNC’s The Colorado Dream podcast captures the struggles and successes of residents determined to make a life in Colorado. They are striving for the so-called American Dream – and overcoming huge hurdles in the process. Their stories also reflect host and creator Stephanie Daniel’s longtime focus in the KUNC newsroom. Her work often unravels the barriers to thriving in America."I grew up in Denver and Colorado is my home," Daniel says. "I’ve been working at KUNC for nearly six years and during that time I’ve gravitated toward covering issues that really imp...2023-10-0409 min

In The NOCOColorado Edition: Lawmakers vs. the Office of Gun Violence Protection, a wet start to winter, and a remake of a Japanese filmFeatured SegmentsUpdates on the office to prevent gun violence: Colorado lawmakers are growing increasingly frustrated with an office they created a year and a half ago to prevent gun violence. They’re demanding answers and vowing to create a new oversight panel because they say the office has made little progress. KUNC Investigative reporter Scott Franz has been covering the ongoing story and has more on how lawmakers are trying to turn things around.Is snow news is good news? The Western U.S. has been slammed by wet weather so fa...2023-01-2015 min

In The NOCOColorado Edition: EV chargers in rural areas, access to abortion pills, and the film 'Women Talking'Featured SegmentsAn EV charger in a place where there aren’t a lot of electric vehicles? Policymakers in Colorado envision a future with close to a million electric cars on the road by 2030. But before all those electric cars can hit the roadways, we’ll need a way to charge them. That includes in rural areas, not typically electric vehicle hotbeds.KUNC’s Rae Solomon spent the day at an EV fast charging station in rural Colorado to learn more.Expanded access to abortion pills: Major drug stores will soon b...2023-01-1315 min

In The NOCOColorado Edition: The Marshall Fire one year laterIntro: You’re listening to Colorado Edition from KUNC. I’m Yoselin Meza Miranda. It’s Friday January 6th. In our first episode of 2023 we are looking at the legacy of the Marshall Fire. The fire destroyed more than one thousand homes and damaged at least 150 more. The cost of the fire is estimated to top 2 billion dollars. In December, just before the Marshall Fire anniversary, KUNC Reporter Leigh Paterson produced a three-part series that featured personal stories about the fire. In this first installment, Leigh checks in with a firefighter who was on scene. FIRST FEATURE ...2023-01-0613 min

In The NOCOColorado Edition 2022 Highlights: Recovery residence, norovirus in the Grand Canyon and John DenverFeatured SegmentsRecovery residence: Early in the year, KUNC’s Stephanie Daniel visited a Greeley home where a small group of women are supporting each other to stay substance-free. They call it a “recovery residence.”And as Stephanie reported, they’re growing in numbers as more people choose to live in substance-free environments.This story was produced in February.Grand Canyon norovirus: KUNC’s Luke Runyon leads our Water Desk coverage. In September, he brought us this story about a nasty stomach bug usually associated with cruise ships and buffets — the norovirus.The virus can si...2022-12-3115 min

In The NOCOColorado Edition: Questions about the Office of Gun Violence and Prevention, and the shrinking Ogallala AquiferFeatured SegmentsSlowdown at the Office of Gun Violence and Prevention: Some Colorado lawmakers are upset with the state’s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Legislators created the office almost two years ago in an effort to save lives by focusing on firearm safety and using the state’s new red flag law to take guns away from those flagged as dangerous.KUNC reporter Scott Franz has found the office has done little of that work, leaving lawmakers with questions.The Ogallala Aquifer drying up: The Ogallala Aquifer is a vast, underground water supply that...2022-12-2311 min

In The NOCOColorado Edition: Grim news for Glen Canyon Dam and dealing with grief and loss during the holidaysGlen Canyon Dam: New forecasts for the Colorado River paint a grim picture. Climate change and steady demand are shrinking the water supply for 40 million people.At the nation's largest dams, that means the ability to generate hydropower could soon be under threat. KUNC's Alex Hager introduces us to the Glen Canyon Dam. What was once a mighty piece of Western infrastructure is now possibly unable to function.This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Colorado River, produced by KUNC and supported by the Walton Family Foundation.Holiday grief: The holiday...2022-12-1613 min

In The NOCONext steps for 'magic mushrooms', and no return home for some Marshall Fire survivorsFeatured SegmentsPsilocybin's next steps: Proposition 122 was one of the ballot measures approved by voters last month. It decriminalizes the psychedelic substance psilocybin for personal use and mental health treatment. But as KUNC's Lucas Brady Woods reports, Coloradans won't see clinics offering psychedelics quite yet.No return for some Marshall Fire survivors: It's been nearly one year since the Marshall Fire destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Boulder County.However, there's another group of affected homeowners — their houses are still standing, yet they don't feel safe returning home due to issues such as smoke damage.The st...2022-12-0912 min

In The NOCOHome repairs one year after the Marshall Fire and Colorado forcing farmers to reduce irrigationFeatured segmentsWind repair: While the Marshall Fire was burning down over 1,000 houses last December, the 100-mile-an-hour winds that day were also damaging nearby mobile homes.Roofs, siding, windows and doors were blown off and smashed. In the freezing days that followed, pipes burst. KUNC's Leigh Paterson reports on the rush to finish repairs almost a year after the fire and before winter arrives.Eliminating acres of irrigated land: Colorado Parks and Wildlife has pledged to eliminate thousands of acres of irrigated agriculture in a focused region on the eastern plains as a...2022-12-0211 min

In The NOCOFront row seats to the Colorado River crisis, and the Colorado River Compact turns 100On this episode of Colorado Edition, we focus on water. We have two stories from our ongoing coverage of the Colorado River: Checking in with the people who have a front row seat to the crisis, and seeing if the Colorado River Compact is still working.Front row seats to the Colorado River crisis: The Colorado River is drying up, and the communities that rely on it are already feeling the pinch.While many large cities throughout the Southwest are well-positioned to weather the coming crisis, the threat of losing their water supply is no longer hypothetical...2022-11-2811 min

The Colorado DreamColorado Edition: Midterm election debrief and the fight to preserve one of Fort Collins’ oldest Mexican restaurantsMidterm Election Debrief: The midterm elections were held just last week. KUNC’s Statehouse Reporter Lucas Brady Woods talks about the results and how things shook out post-election.Pobre Pancho’s: One of Fort Collins’ oldest Mexican restaurants — Pobre Pancho’s — closed last spring. The owner wants to sell the property to a fast food change planning to knock the building down.But reporter Mickey Capper says the family who ran the restaurant for decades is now fighting to preserve the building and its history.CreditsColorado Edition is hosted by Yoselin Meza Miranda and produced by the KUNC...2022-11-1814 min

In The NOCOMidterm election debrief and the fight to preserve one of Fort Collins’ oldest Mexican restaurantsMidterm Election Debrief: The midterm elections were held just last week. KUNC’s Statehouse Reporter Lucas Brady Woods talks about the results and how things shook out post-election.Pobre Pancho’s: One of Fort Collins’ oldest Mexican restaurants — Pobre Pancho’s — closed last spring. The owner wants to sell the property to a fast food change planning to knock the building down.But reporter Mickey Capper says the family who ran the restaurant for decades is now fighting to preserve the building and its history.CreditsColorado Edition is hosted by Yoselin Meza Miranda and produced by the KUNC...2022-11-1814 min

The Colorado DreamColorado Edition: Green roofs, a tap water taste test and pedometers on dairy cowsGreen Rooves: A researcher in our region is looking at a new way to grow vegetables and flowers at home, but as KUNC’s Emma VandenEinde reports, it might be more difficult than anticipated.Tap Water Taste Test: There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a cold glass of water straight from the tap — but it takes a lot of work to make your water clean and tasty.City water providers from all over the Mountain West put their supplies to the test at a recent event in Colorado. KUNC’s Alex Hager was invited to judge.This story is...2022-11-1416 min

In The NOCOGreen roofs, a tap water taste test and pedometers on dairy cowsGreen Rooves: A researcher in our region is looking at a new way to grow vegetables and flowers at home, but as KUNC’s Emma VandenEinde reports, it might be more difficult than anticipated.Tap Water Taste Test: There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a cold glass of water straight from the tap — but it takes a lot of work to make your water clean and tasty.City water providers from all over the Mountain West put their supplies to the test at a recent event in Colorado. KUNC’s Alex Hager was invited to judge.This sto...2022-11-1417 min

In The NOCOExplaining Proposition FF; and an interview with State Attorney General Phil WeisnerVoting is underway in Colorado, and ballots are due on Election Day by 7 pm. As a reminder, Election Day is Nov. 8, which is less than two weeks away.Proposition FF: If approved, Proposition FF would raise the money needed to provide free school lunches at all public schools in Colorado.Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General Incumbent: Colorado voters are deciding this election whether to keep incumbent candidate Phil Weisner in the State Attorney General seat or bring in challenger John Kellner. KUNC's Beau Baker spoke with Weiser about what he's been doing on the job...2022-10-2814 min

In The NOCOAssessing wildfire risk; helping first-generation college students; 'Rocky Mountain High'On this episode of Colorado Edition, we listen to KUNC's three-part series "Fire Risk", which examines how the Marshall Fire prompted changes in building homes and how people are evacuated. Also, how can homeowners protect their existing homes? We meet a first-generation college student helping others like her through social media. Finally, John Denver's iconic "Rocky Mountain High" turns 50. Featured SegmentsEvacuating in an emergency: As the threat of wildfire grows in Colorado, so does the likelihood of mass evacuations. Perhaps no one knows this better than the survivors of last year’s Marshall Fire. In...2022-10-0828 min

In The NOCOClimate change and the economy; the norovirus outbreak in the Grand Canyon; and a Colorado Sun recapClimate change and the economy: Climate change and the economy are becoming more and more inseparable. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, climate-related disasters have caused an average of $3 billion in damage in Colorado over the last several years.Some view transitioning to a greener economy as meeting climate priorities and saving money. KUNC’s Beau Baker spoke with Bob Keefe, executive director of the advocacy group, Environmental Entrepreneurs and author of Climatenomics: Washington, Wall Street and the Economic Battle to Save Our Planet.Norovirus outbreak in the Grand Canyon: Norovirus is a na...2022-09-3014 min

In The NOCOUpdates on the Clear Creek County police shooting; water scarcity in the Mountain WestOn this week’s Colorado Edition, we hear updates on the police shooting of a young man in Clear Creek County. Then, we travel to Nevada to hear how water scarcity is affecting one ranching community in a real way. Finally, we check in with the Colorado Sun and discuss what news they’re following.Featured Segments Updates on Clear Creek County police shooting: The parents of a young man shot and killed by police in Clear Creek County in June are demanding answers and accountability. Boulder resident Christian Glass, a 22-year-old white man...2022-09-2418 min

In The NOCOMushroom scientists, recycling wastewater, Oath Keepers, and a Telluride Film Festival recapOn this episode of Colorado Edition, we check out a group of citizen scientists who are passionate about studying mushrooms in the mountains and find new species. We examine how cities in the West are trying to reuse water as the Colorado River dries up. We hear about concerns that elected officials, law enforcement officers, and military members are on the Oath Keepers roster. Finally, a recap of the Telluride Film Festival and its respect for both old and new films.Featured SegmentsMushroom science: Despite ongoing drought in parts of Colorado, it...2022-09-1724 min

In The NOCOColorado River gets popular on TikTok; tackling truancy; new CU president; Telluride Film FestivalOn this episode of Colorado Edition, we check out how a river guide is turning information about the Colorado River drought into digestible TikToks. We speak with the new president of the University of Colorado. From Chalkbeat Colorado, we hear how one school district is trying to get students back in the classroom. Finally, we hear about this year’s Telluride Film Festival and what keeps the festival great.Featured SegmentsTikToking through the Colorado River drought: A 25-year-old river guide from Colorado is racking up hundreds of thousands of views on Ti...2022-09-0917 min

In The NOCOVeteran outreach; bear encounters; student loan forgiveness; Ethiopian coffee ceremoniesOn this week’s Colorado Edition, we learn about a new mobile outreach unit to connect veterans experiencing homelessness with resources. As bear encounters get more common, we hear how one community is looking to reduce bear-human interactions. We get a breakdown of how the student loan forgiveness plan will affect Coloradans. Finally, we learn about Ethiopian coffee ceremonies happening in Aurora.Featured SegmentsThis week, the Veterans Community Project of Longmont launched a brand new mobile outreach unit. The van will connect veterans experiencing homelessness in rural parts of northern Colorado with resources li...2022-09-0223 min

The Colorado DreamNewcomers Welcome: HomeAurora is home to immigrants and refugees from around the world. To help them succeed, the city created an integration plan, one of the first local governments in the country to do so. Aurora has made a conscious decision to welcome foriegn-born residents but should the city get all the credit for embracing newcomers? “I think it just happens to be the city that people were relocated to,” said Mathew Mengesha, a policy advocate who works on city and state level policies that support the successful integration of immigrant and refugee communities. “Like it more so...2022-09-0227 min

In The NOCOIndigenous water management; deep rattlesnake lore; ‘Spin Me Round’ reviewOn this week’s Colorado Edition, we hear about efforts to elevate indigenous approaches to water management to conserve Colorado River water. We set out into the brush to learn more about rattlesnakes. We also check in with our colleagues at the Colorado Sun, and hear a review for Spin Me Round from our resident critic.Featured SegmentsThe seven western states in the Colorado River Basin are still looking for a way to conserve an unprecedented amount of water after failing to meet a federal deadline for a plan. The river’s two...2022-08-2621 min

The Colorado DreamNewcomers Welcome: IdentityThe Black immigrant population in Colorado is growing faster than anywhere else in the U.S. They come from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond and many settle in Aurora, where about one in five residents is foreign born. What does it mean for these immigrants, and their kids, to be Black in America? “There's a tension between the African immigrant and the Black community. Why? Because of misconception and assumption from both (parties).” said Papa Dai, founder and president of African Leadership Group. “So for me, coming together, being united as Black, as African immigrant, as African in the...2022-08-2626 min

In The NOCOCreating a more diverse outdoors; Colorado River cuts; state of evictionsOn this week’s Colorado Edition, we learn about grants aimed at helping people of color feel more comfortable in Colorado’s outdoors. Also, the Colorado River has hit an important deadline and cuts are impending. We hear more about the future of water in the states affected. Finally, we learn more about evictions in Colorado and what some are doing to protect people from them.Featured SegmentsColorado’s trails, campgrounds and parks are getting more crowded, but surveys show the droves of visitors are overwhelmingly white and wealthy. A new initiative launching this s...2022-08-1916 min

The Colorado DreamNewcomers Welcome: EducationEnglish is the “language of opportunity.” That’s a line from Aurora’s 10-year Immigrant Integration Plan. Before creating this plan, the city conducted focus groups in 2019 with community members and found the two top priorities for immigrants and refugees were learning English and finding employment.Research shows that immigrants who are proficient in English have higher paying jobs. Not only can they better support their families but the city of Aurora benefits too. The more money residents make, the more they can spend, and the more the city prospers.To help foreign-born resident...2022-08-1926 min

In The NOCODesalination to water the West; Yuma County Fair’s focus on farmersOn this week’s Colorado Edition, we look into the potential of turning the ocean into drinking water for the ever-drying West. We also visit the Yuma County Fair and what it’s doing to promote farms and farmers. We also hear from our colleagues at the Colorado Sun, and get a look at the latest episode of The Colorado Dream.Featured SegmentsFor users of the Colorado River, all signs are pointing to a future where they get less water. But cutting back is hard work. That makes finding a new source for the...2022-08-1216 min

The Colorado DreamNewcomers Welcome: IntegrationAurora is one of the most diverse cities in Colorado. In fact, about one in five residents is foriegn born. Over half came from the Americas, mainly Mexico. After that the largest groups hail from Ethiopia, Vietnam, Korea, El Salvador and India. To help immigrants and refugees succeed, the city created an integration plan. It was among the first in the country to do so.“Our city leaders at the time, intentionally they (made) a very important decision,” said Ricardo Gambetta, manager of Aurora’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs. “They realize that in the last 20...2022-08-1226 min

In The NOCO5K’s first nonbinary winner; Lake Powell’s historic low; wheat farmer’s pest problemSports are often divided by gender: women or girls on one team, men or boys on another. Trans people face barriers to joining the team that matches their gender, and there are few options for people that aren’t one of the binary genders. This year, the FireKracker 5K in Fort Collins decided to do things differently. They offered participants the options to sign up as male, female, or nonbinary. KUNC’s Yoselin Meza Miranda spoke with FireKracker 5K’s first nonbinary winner, Steph Campbell. For decades the Colorado River filled Glen Canyon to the brim. T...2022-08-0621 min

The Colorado DreamNewcomers Welcome: ArrivalThe Black immigrant population in Colorado is growing faster than anywhere else in the U.S. They come from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond, and many settle in Aurora, where about one in five residents is foreign born. A lot of them have overcome great challenges to emigrate here, including Salwa Mourtada Bamba. Salwa was born in Liberia, West Africa and endured the country’s brutal civil war. She was displaced, her sister was murdered and she literally fled for her life, moving to Ghana for four years. But during moments of relative calm she would daydream abo...2022-08-0526 min

In The NOCOAbortion attitudes in Weld; fixing smoke damage; queer people’s impact in NoCoOne month ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion.Some in Colorado are working to expand access, while others are trying to push back. KUNC’s Beau Baker spoke to reporter Leigh Paterson about efforts and attitudes in Weld County. A wildfire tore through Superior in December, destroying hundreds of homes before the fires were extinguished the next day. But the fire left its fingerprints on homes all over town. Months later, residents whose homes were unscathed by the fire had a smoky taste and smell in thei...2022-07-2918 min

In The NOCOAbortion demand rises; urgent need to cut water; safe spaces for LGBTQ+ teensMany in Colorado are working to protect reproductive rights in a post Roe America. Providers in Mountain West states are juggling a sharp rise in demand from out-of-state patients. KUNC’s Robyn Vincent reports some are facing desperate circumstances.The seven Colorado River basin states have until mid-August to drastically cut their water use. Federal officials say it’s necessary to keep the river’s giant reservoirs from going empty. If state leaders fail to come up with a plan, they could be facing a federal crackdown. KUNC’s Luke Runyon has more on what tha...2022-07-2217 min

In The NOCOMonkeypox; Roe v. Wade reactions; mental health response programsThousands gathered in Boulder on Saturday to protest the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Moments of sadness, anger and hope filled Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall. KUNC’s Robyn Vincent was there. Colorado has recorded 9 monkeypox cases over the last three months, but health officials are worried the virus could spread fast if unchecked. To learn more, KUNC’s Beau Baker spoke with Dr. Michelle Barron. Barron is the senior medical director of infection prevention and control with UC Health. You can find vaccine clinics, resources and the latest information from the state on m...2022-07-1516 min

In The NOCOMarshall Fire memories and destruction; first all-Black team climbs Mount EverestWhen the Marshall Fire burned over 1,000 homes in Boulder County in December, it also destroyed possessions: couches, children’s toys and family heirlooms. Since then, many fire victims have dug through the rubble to find anything that might be salvageable. In the final part of our series From The Ashes, Leigh Paterson brings us a story about salvaged objects that contain memories. Hundreds of people summit Mount Everest each year. But before this year, fewer than 10 of them were Black. In May, the first all-Black team of climbers successfully reached the summit as part of the...2022-07-0815 min

In The NOCORoe v. Wade in Colorado; salvaging memories from the Marshall Fire; the Greeley Stampede's 100th yearColoradans are still processing the Supreme Court’s historic decision to end federal abortion rights. Some residents are joining together to protest, while others are making plans to protect — or challenge — access to abortion here. KUNC’s Scott Franz has more on the early reactions to the ruling, and what it might mean going forward.KUNC's Beau Baker spoke to Dr. Warren Hern, director of the Boulder Abortion Clinic. He's been providing access to care since 1975, and says that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade could impact abortion services in Colorado.In the mont...2022-07-0118 min

In The NOCORecovering from the Marshall Fire; how beavers are reshaping rivers and streams; 10 years of DACAThe Marshall Fire ripped through Boulder County at the end of last year. Many fire victims took almost nothing with them that day. But they went back to sift through the debris in the months that followed. In the KUNC series From The Ashes, Leigh Paterson brings us the stories of how they salvaged objects to help families process what they lost.Climate change is reshaping the natural world, but one animal is doing its part to fight back. A new study lays out all the ways that beavers are helping reshape rivers and streams. As Alex...2022-06-2420 min