In The NoCo

In September 2013, a large storm parked itself over the mountains and foothills of Northern Colorado – where it lingered for days, dropping a lot of rain that eventually made its way down into a number of Front Range communities, washing out roads, bridges, and dams - and forcing thousands to evacuate. 

The KUNC newsroom is marking the anniversary of those devastating floods in a special series, Ten Years Later: The Flood that Changed the Front Range. In today's episode, we talk with Luke Runyon, who was here covering the floods in 2013, and is following up on recovery efforts that, in some communities, are still ongoing.

And if you're looking for more of KUNC's past coverage of the flooding, Erin spoke with Pinewood Springs resident Kerry Grimes in 2013, just after he, his wife, and his dog had to be evacuated from their home via helicopter. We also checked in with him five years later to see how the recovery process was going for the tight-knit community near Estes Park.

Coloradans recently approved the legalization of certain plant-based psychedelic substances, including psilocybin and psylocin found in so-called magic mushrooms – paving the way for licensed healing centers where people can legally obtain these plant medicines in the coming years. Indigenous people have long been the historical facilitators of this kind of medicine, leading ceremonies in lesser-known locations. As this movement sprouts above ground, some Indigenous healers and activists say they should be at the forefront. In today's episode, we talk with Kuthoomi Castro, a Boulder-based clinical mental health counselor, and one of those calling for greater representation.

Northern Colorado is a fascinating and fast-growing part of the Front Range. It's a region brimming with its own history, culture, food and music; and opportunities abound in education, civic life, and outdoor recreation. Of course, life here isn't without its share of challenges - from health and safety to housing and the environment. 

KUNC's new podcast In The NoCo is a daily slice of stories, people, and issues important to the region. We help listeners lead better, more informed lives by providing context and clarity around the conversations shaping our communities, and highlighting the stories and voices of the real people who live here.

The show unravels the big issues of the day and the untold stories of the moment. And we also make the time to celebrate all the things that make Northern Colorado such an incredible place to live, work, and play.

Welcome to a special preview of KUNC’s new podcast In the NoCo – a daily slice of Northern Colorado news and happenings. 

The Front Range is home to some of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, but bicyclists and pedestrians are facing increasing danger on many Colorado roads. In today's episode, we talk with KUNC investigative reporter Scott Franz about what's being done to try and change that. And we talk with our film critic Howie Movshovitz about the Telluride Film Festival, which is celebrating its 50th year this weekend. 

On this episode of Colorado Edition, affordable housing is even more elusive for Coloradans with disabilities and KUNC’s investigative reporter Robyn Vincent looks at the challenges many are facing. Plus a conversation with officials from Aurora’s Police Department about how they plan to increase female recruitment.

On this episode of Colorado Edition, we hear from a Northern Colorado couple who have not been able to return to their home in Haiti due to ongoing violence there. Plus, a review of the film “No Bears,” directed by an Iranian filmmaker who is currently imprisoned and banned from making films.

On this episode of Colorado Edition, we learn about the battle over a secret ballot system that many Colorado lawmakers continue to defend. We also journey to Rocky Mountain High School with reporter Leigh Paterson to examine the state of childhood mental health.

Featured Segments

Updates 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 far this winter. That’s good news for the Colorado River, where snow could turn into a boost for major reservoirs that have shrunk to historic lows. But climate scientists say there’s a lot of winter left, and the 40 million people who use the river’s water should take the good news with a grain of salt. KUNC’s Alex Hager reports.

This story is part of ongoing coverage of the water in the West, produced by KUNC and supported by the Walton Family Foundation.

Film remake falls flat: The new movie Living, is a remake of a 70-year old masterpiece from Japan about the death of a minor bureaucrat. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz teaches film at CU-Denver and says that taking on the great film Ikiru is more than this new version can handle.

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!

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

Featured Segments

An 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 be able to distribute abortion pills. The Federal Drug Administration made changes to a rule last week that gives women access to the pill at retail pharmacies.

Kate Coleman is an expert on abortion access and teaches at the College of Nursing at the University of Colorado Anschutz and talks about what these changes mean.

Film review: Women Talking: As an actor, Sarah Polley’s films include The Sweet Hereafter, The Weight of Water and The Secret Life of Words. Then, as a writer and director, Polley made the challenging Stories We Tell. And now she has a new movie called Women Talking. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz says that what the women talk about is disturbing and important.

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!

Intro: 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 

INTRO: As part of her Marshall Fire series, Leigh also spoke to residents who lived through the disaster but are still dealing with the aftermath. 

SECOND FEATURE

INTRO: The Marshall Fire’s flames destroyed entire neighborhoods in Boulder County. But communities just outside the fire’s boundary were impacted too. Hundreds of mobile homes were damaged by high winds. In the third part of Leigh’s series, she reports from a mobile home park called Table Mesa [MAY_sah] Village. 

OUTRO:

That’s all for today on Colorado Edition. Thanks for listening. 

The Colorado Edition podcast is posted every Friday, just hit subscribe on your favorite podcast app.If there's a story you'd like to hear, send us an email at [email protected]

Our theme music is composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burr-ohs. Other music in the show by Blue Dot Sessions.

I’m Yoselin Meza Miranda.