Aspen Public Radio Podcasts

Some of the water from the Roaring Fork watershed follows the usual route, from high peaks down to the Colorado River. But much of the snowmelt and rain from this basin is redirected to water-starved cities on the Front Range. Aspen Public Radio’s Elizabeth Stewart-Severy joined a rare tour of the tunnels that move water to the other side of Independence Pass.

A recent split in a citizen’s group in Pitkin County is a bad sign for local democracy, according to one of the founders of the caucus system.

The Colorado End of Life Options Act, Proposition 106, is discussed this week on Cross Currents. Guests include proponent Randi Lowenthal and opponent Carrie Ann Lucas, along with Rabbi David Segal.

After the city took a rare step in seeking public input, staff is rejecting the overwhelming suggestion to abandon the rights. David Hornbacher, who is heading up the project for the city, wrote in a memo to city council that staff recommends keeping those rights.

Fire officials are keeping a close eye on a fire burning about a mile northwest of Highland Bowl. The Maroon Fire was ignited by lightning last Tuesday, and smoke was visible yesterday. Firefighters are not on the ground because of potential dangers.

The Snowmass Wine Festival is continuing to gain attendees. This year the Friday night wine dinner sold out, and the Saturday grand tasting had a record high in ticket sales. The number of online sales doubled from 2015.

Debra Spark is the author of five books of fiction, including Unknown Caller, The Pretty Girl, and Good for the Jews. Other books include Curious Attractions: Essays on Fiction Writing, the anthology Twenty Under Thirty, and the recently reissued novel, Coconuts for the Saint.

Joe Seo is an Asian-American actor whose latest role in “Spa Night”, as David — a gay man growing up in a conservative, Korean household — has won him multiple awards. It’s his big break in the North American film market after years of working in Asia. He spoke with Aspen Public Radio’s Patrick Fort about his experience before the film is screened this week as part of AspenFilm’s Filmfest.

Welcome to Valley Roundup - an analysis and commentary of the week’s news with writers and editors in the valley. Hosted this week by Alycin Bektesh, sitting in for Carolyn Sackariason.

City of Aspen staff is directing council to keep water rights for reservoirs on Castle and Maroon Creeks. As Elizabeth Stewart-Severy reports, this goes against public sentiment.