Today - State officials are backing down from plans to loosen vaccine mandates for health care workers, now saying they’ll wait for federal guidance. Faced with concerns from rural hospitals about staff shortages, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment briefly considered allowing religious exemptions to count toward a facility’s compliance rate. Colorado Sun reporter John Ingold spoke with David Gilbert, and unraveled the will-they-or-won’t-they questions surrounding the mandate.

Learn more about this story at coloradosun.com

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Today - When restaurants faced indoor dining restrictions early in the pandemic, many cities allowed them to expand seating areas onto sidewalks and streets. The so-called parklets have proven so popular that many towns are hoping to keep them. Urban planners say they can be a great way to revitalize downtowns, but some experts say they eat up public space to the benefit of private companies. Colorado Sun reporter Shannon Najmabadi spoke with David Gilbert about the future of al fresco dining on Colorado’s main streets. 

Learn more at coloradosun.com

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With the return of snow to the mountains comes the return of another Colorado winter tradition: gridlocked traffic on I-70, as weekend warriors make their way to ski areas in the high country. But how much of that gridlock is composed of people driving solo? Colorado Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins found some enterprising Coloradans are hoping to boost the practice of carpooling to the slopes with a slate of new apps. But getting them up and rolling has proved to be a bumpy ride. 

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com.

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Today - News stories don’t happen in a vacuum. Every story exists within a larger framework of the systems and structures of society. New Colorado Sun reporter Tatiana Flowers will cover the news with a focus on inequality, taking a look at how power imbalances come to bear in the lives of individuals. Tatiana spoke with reporter David Gilbert about the deeper understanding she hopes to bring to the news.

Learn more at coloradosun.com.

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Today - Ella Nayabir lives in Colorado, but many of her family members were in Afghanistan during the US’s tumultuous exit. And three of them were killed during the bombing at Kabul airport in August. Now, Nayabir and her family are doing everything they can to help those that still haven’t been able to leave.

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com.

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In November, Colorado voters will get a chance to raise taxes on recreational marijuana and divert as much as $87 million a year to support education programs outside the classroom for low-income students. 

Read more at ColoradoSun.com

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Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Thursday October 7th. 

 

Today - In the latest drafts of Colorado’s new legislative districts Democrats will likely maintain control of the House and Senate, but there’s a chance the maps will end up in the hands of the Colorado Supreme Court first.

 

But before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

 

Today, we’re going back to October 7th, 1863 when prominent Utes signed a treaty in Conejos County - one that intended to prevent conflict before it started by renouncing Ute claims to Colorado Territory east of the Continental Divide. To some Utes, the notion of ceding their easternmost claims to protect the Rocky Mountains’ western slope seemed sensible.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

The latest drafts of maps dividing Colorado’s legislative districts favors leaving Democrats in control of both the Colorado House and Senate, but if the Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission cannot reach agreement on the proposed redistricting, the maps will head to the Colorado Supreme Court.

 

Make sure and read Thy's reporting at coloradosun dot com. 

 

And Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:

 

Colorado is fighting to keep teachers in the classroom as job stress builds in the face of outbreaks, quarantines and mask mandates. And the longer the pandemic drags on, the more state and school district officials worry about retaining young teachers. 

 

A new Colorado water year began October first and while drought conditions are slightly better than last time last year, there’s a lot riding on this winter to pull the state and really the entire West away from the precipice of extreme drought. Colorado is starting the winter with exceptionally dry soils and reservoirs well below normal, and the La Nina weather pattern taking shape increases chances for more snow in Colorado’s northern mountains but tilts toward less snow in the south. 

 

A surge of complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Education argues that twenty-nine Colorado charter schools could be violating federal law by asking prospective students in the application process about their special education needs. Advocates who filed the complaints say those screening questions could be the reason behind lower enrollment of students with disabilities at Colorado’s charter schools.

 

The federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Program offers low-income Americans 50-dollar credits on their monthly internet bill as a way to help folks who are struggling through the pandemic. But five months after the $3.2 billion program launched, only 63,000 households in Colorado have taken advantage of the credit, a fraction of the number who are eligible. 

 

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. And don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow for a special holiday episode. Now, a quick message from our editor.

 

The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.

 

Right  now you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member starting at $5 per month and if you bump it up to $20 per month you'll get access to our politics newsletter, 'The Unaffiliated,' as well as our outdoors newsletter, 'The Outsider,' and our new health and environment newsletter 'The Temperature,' -- All three exclusive newsletters delivered to your inbox every week.

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Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Wednesday October 6th

 

Today - A wildfire mitigation project taking place at the top of Monarch Pass looks like it’ll be a model for timber harvesting in steep terrain - which is often extremely challenging.

 

But before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

 

Today, we take you back to October 6th, 1838, during the height of the fur trade. On this day one of the trade’s casualties, Fort Jackson, met its end when its largest competitor bought it out, removed its goods, and closed it down. The company, Fort Jackson, had been named after the recently retired President Andrew Jackson.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

When foresters and loggers harvest beetle kill in Colorado, they tend to stick to the flatlands. The steep stuff, which Colorado has a lot of, can be tricky … usually involving lots of on-the-ground manpower and helicopters. A wildfire mitigation project at the top of Monarch Pass is proving to be a model for timber harvesting in steep terrain and it’s also a model for local, regional and federal support for wildfire mitigation across an entire watershed. 

 

And Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:

 

Denver voters approved a green building ordinance -- the so-called “green roofs” law in 2017 -- but the Mile High City has not seen a sweeping renaissance of green construction. Builders say COVID-19 adaptations and rising construction costs have forced owners to delay renovations that could trigger the environmentally friendly construction regulation.

 

The University of Colorado health system has fired one hundred and nineteen employees for not getting a COVID-19 vaccine. UCHealth employees had until October first to be vaccinated or apply for a medical or religious exemption. Those fired employees can re-apply for positions once they receive their vaccination. 

 

A class action lawsuit filed in Denver District Court says one of Colorado’s largest landlords has failed to fix serious issues at its five-hundred and sixty one -unit Mint Urban Infinity apartment complex. The class-action lawsuit argues Cardinal Group Management has ignored many l tenant complaints that include broken air conditioning, no hot water, insect infestations and sewage backing up into units. The Denver-based Cardinal Group, which manages 20,000 units in 28 apartment complexes in Colorado, received a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan for its 319 employees and had that three-point-seven million dollar loan forgiven earlier this summer. 

 

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. 

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Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Tuesday October 5th,

 

Today - State health officials are proposing changes to the recent COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.

 

But before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

 

Today, we take you back to October 5th, 1879 when a bugle call pierced the sky along Milk Creek in today’s Rio Blanco County. It was a welcome signal to a party of besieged soldiers that help had arrived. The conflict, which was between the White River Agency and the Utes. eventually led to Ute removal from most of western Colorado. 

 

Now, our feature story.

 

Colorado health officials are proposing changes to the recent mandate that requires all health care workers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Reporter John Ingold spoke with health care administrators about the proposed adjustment to the vaccine mandate.

 

CLIP

 

To read John’s story use the link in our show notes.

 

And Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:

 

Colorado voters in November could reduce property tax rates for apartment complexes and lodging properties. Supporters of Proposition 120 argue the property tax reduction could reduce rents and encourage investment in multi-family housing, which could ease the state’s housing shortage. Opponents, however, fear the reduced tax revenue could hurt local governments, schools and fire departments that depend on property taxes. 

 

Xcel Energy is studying new power-generation technologies like molten salt, biomass and hydrogen to replace coal-burning at the company’s soon-to-close power plant in Hayden. Coal-fired power plants are shuttering across the state as utilities cut greenhouse gas emissions and the proposed technology at Xcel plant in Hayden could be a model for communities transitioning from coal-dependent jobs.

 

Another measure on the November ballot asks Colorado voters to adjust how the state spends money from the federal government and other outside sources. Supporters say Amendment 78 would provide better transparency for state spending while opponents argue the measure is a partisan ploy to slow spending by a Democratic administration. 

 

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. And don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.

 

The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.

 

Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you’ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.

 

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Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Monday October 4th, 

 

Today - Countrywide many industries have been faced with worker shortages throughout the pandemic. Now, as federal unemployment benefits fade, Colorado employers are hoping to see an uptick in applicants for open roles. 

 

Before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

 

Today we’re going back to October 4th, 1982 when an estimated 200,000 people - roughly 40% of Denver’s population at the time - showed up along sixteenth street at lunchtime. They were there to celebrate the transformation of the former commercial hub - and the dedication of the Sixteenth Street Mall. The Sixteenth Street Mall offered the hope of real urban renewal.

 

 Now, our feature story. 

 

Colorado’s employers are locked in a battle for workers, with the service industry struggling to hire the same workers eyed by giants like Amazon, which needs one thousand more employees at its two-point-four million square-foot warehouse in Thornton and another twenty-two hundred workers at its Colorado Springs’ facility. As federal unemployment benefits fade, employers across the state are hoping to see more applicants. 

 

And Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:

 

The legal wrangling over Colorado’s new district-tweaking congressional map has begun. After months of contentious debate, the Colorado Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission has sent its new congressional map to the Colorado Supreme Court, where a host of political candidates, political parties and advocacy groups will challenge the proposed redistricting. 

 

San Juan County in southwest Colorado boasts an impressive ninety-nine point nine percent vaccination rate, yet the one-town county is struggling with the spread of COVID-19 and the highly contagious delta variant. The recent death of a resident -- and the hospitalization of others -- has caused the county to backtrack with new regulations that limit indoor events and require masks indoors.  

 

When search and rescue teams must delay recovery of a fallen adventurer, sometimes friends step-in. In the last year, when two skiers, a hiker and a kayaker did not returned home from the mountains, their friends have conducted ad hoc, and often complicated, recovery efforts. Colorado’s search and rescue teams rarely condone civilian rescues or recovery missions, but sometimes the lost or fallen’s friends are uniquely skilled and qualified to step up when others are unable.

 

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. Now, a quick message from our editor.

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