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 Segments

Evacuating 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 the first part of KUNC’s new series Fire Risk, Brittany Cronin reports on how the Marshall Fire has prompted changes to how these communities evacuate.

Building fire-resistant homes: Homeowners in Boulder County are finally starting to rebuild, nine months after the Marshall Fire devastated the area. Many residents are constructing their new homes using fire-resistant techniques. In the second installment of our three-part series, Fire Risk, which focuses on how Northern Colorado communities are adapting to the threat, KUNC’s Leigh Paterson reports on the effort to build fire-safe homes.

Making existing homes less fire-prone: While some fire-impacted communities in Northern Colorado rebuild their homes, other residents are thinking about how they can make their existing homes more fire resistant. In the final installment of our series Fire Risk, Leigh Paterson joins KUNC’s Desmond O’Boyle to talk about low-cost improvements.

Helping first-generation college students: Being a first-generation college student can be challenging. For a lot of them, the main concerns are not having enough money for tuition, lack of support and even language barriers. Yahaira Hernandez, a senior at the University of Colorado Denver, is a first-generation student who is using social media to help other students like her succeed.

John Denver's Rocky Mountain anthem: It started as a song about the beauty of the mountains – and became an anthem for our region. John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” turns 50 years old in October. KUNC’s Emma VandenEinde explains the legacy of his life and his music.

Many organizations are holding tributes to Denver, as it is also 25 years since he passed away. A John Denver Celebration will be held in Aspen from October 5-12.

Credits

Colorado Edition is hosted by Yoselin Meza Miranda and produced by the KUNC newsroom, led by news director Sean Corcoran. Web was edited by digital editor Jenn de la Fuente. 

The mission of Colorado Edition is to deepen understanding of life in Northern Colorado through authentic conversation and storytelling. It's available as a podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!

If there's a story you'd like to hear, send us an email at [email protected].

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs. Other music in the show by Blue Dot Sessions.