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

Today - A self proclaimed “Lakes Geek” makes satellite-view comparisons of lakes all over the world. But why is his work so important to Colorado? 

But first -- We’d like to thank our sponsor, Pinnacol Assurance. Pinnacol provides caring workers’ comp insurance. They were also named one of the most community-minded companies in Colorado. Pinnacol gives back through community investments, scholarships and apprenticeships. At Pinnacol, caring is more than kindness. It’s their powertool. See how they put care to work at Pinnacol.com

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 September 6th, 1920 when Jack Dempsey defended his world heavyweight title against Billy Miske in the first ever boxing match broadcast by radio. Dempsey hailed from Manassa, a Mormon farming colony in Conejos County though his childhood was fairly migratory going from one Colorado town to the next. They found their greatest success in Montrose when his mother took the family reins.

He’d return to Colorado to begin his boxing career and would spar in Aspen, Gunnison, Durango, Telluride, Victor, Leadville and more before he worked his way up to being heavyweight champion, a title he held from 1919 until 1926.

 Now, our feature story. 

A self-described “lakes geek” makes satellite-view comparisons of lakes all over the world as part of his hobby, a website that he calls “Lakepedia.” Why is that important to Colorado? As reporter Michael Booth explains, he’s offering us before-and-after satellite photos of Blue Mesa, Taylor Park and other major reservoirs, with a slider that lets the viewer see the changes to the shorelines from before the state’s prolonged drought to now. 

The Sun’s Kevin Simpson took a few minutes to chat with Michael about the images.

You can check out the time-lapse images of major lakes in the West today at coloradosun.com.

Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoy your day off this Labor Day! For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. Now, a quick message from our editor.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Friday, September 3rd.

 

Today - Some towns around Colorado Springs have come up with a project to cycle their water in a nearly endless loop to solve their water shortage problems. The cost is over $100 million and involves nearby Fountain Creek.

 

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 September 3rd, 1779 when a combined force of Spaniards, Puebloans, Utes, and Apaches battled with a band of Comanche for control over modern day Colorado. The battle ended the following morning with the death of Cuerno Verde - the leader of the Comanche.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

Some fast-growing exurbs north and east of Colorado Springs think they’ve found a possible solution to the ever growing Front Range water woes. Instead of constantly drilling wells into a  shrinking regional aquifer, they’ve devised a $134 million project to cycle their water in an almost endless loop through a complex process that involves nearby Fountain Creek. 

 

Colorado Sun reporter Michael Booth joined Sun colleague Kevin Simpson to talk about the new water strategy. 

 

You can read more from Michael Booth about this complex strategy for a sustainable water supply in the Colorado Springs suburbs at ColoradoSun.com.

 

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

 

In Colorado’s effort to get as many people as possible vaccinated against the coronavirus, the state will employ a secret weapon: the family doctor. On Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis announced a new grant program to make it easier for primary care clinics to become vaccine providers. Those clinics, where the majority of Coloradans receive their routine medical care, could be crucial in boosting COVID vaccination rates, as surveys repeatedly show the family doctor to be a trusted source of medical advice. 

 

After more than 100 hours of public testimony over the last two months, the two independent commissions redrawing Colorado’s congressional and legislative maps now will be using that feedback to inform the state’s new political boundaries. The first version of a new congressional map based on the comments is expected by Sunday but could be released as soon as today.

 

Like dozens of mayors before him, Steve Kudron smiled and waved at his constituents during Grand Lake’s annual Buffalo Days parade. But in a notable departure from the past, Kudron’s vehicle sported a sign urging townsfolk to stop his recall, a question that goes to voters Oct. 5. Kudron’s controversy highlights the small town’s division over the future of the community -- a future that hinges, as it does in many small communities, on how to provide affordable housing for workers and young families. Sun correspondent Vicky Uhland takes a closer look at what’s at stake.

 

Colorado taxpayers can look forward to a break on their income taxes -- and a refund check -- because the state exceeded its cap on government growth and spending under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. The income tax rate will drop to 4.5% in 2021, down from 4.55%, and individual taxpayers will get an average sales tax refund payment of $70, with joint filers receiving about $166.

 

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

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Thursday September 2nd.

 

Today - A few days ago the national eviction moratorium was overturned. And on top of that funds to provide rent assistance were slowly deployed. But now, some local programs are picking up some of the slack and helping renters in their communities who are in a tough spot.

 

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 September 2nd, 1853 when 30 soldiers and scholars crested Cochetopa Pass in present day Saguache County. They were led by Captain John W Gunnison. Their mission was to chart a transcontinental railroad route through Colorado and link the US from coast to coast. 

 

Now, our feature story.

 

When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a national eviction moratorium a few days ago, it put many renters whose incomes have been affected by the pandemic in a tough spot. Federal funds channeled to Colorado to provide rent assistance were slow to flow through the bureaucratic pipeline. But local programs picked up some of the slack until the state’s distribution system could start paying benefits more effectively.

 

Colorado Sun reporter Tamara Chuang has been following the pandemic’s impacts on renters from the very beginning, and in today’s story she examined what went wrong with the flow of millions in federal funding to Colorado, how local efforts provided relief and where the state might go from here to ensure housing security. She joined Sun colleague Kevin Simpson to talk about the ongoing issues for renters. 

 

You can read more about the state and local rent assistance programs and how they have played out in Colorado and also get some helpful tips from Tarama Chuang at ColoradoSun.com.

 

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

 

A statewide grand jury indicted five people -- three Aurora police officers and two paramedics -- for actions that preceded the death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain two years ago. Each was charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of criminally negligent homicide. Police stopped McClain, who had committed no crime but had been reported as suspicious, as he walked home from a convenience store. He was placed in a neck hold, injected with the powerful sedative ketamine and later suffered cardiac arrest and died in the hospital.

 

McClain’s death also inspired a wave of new laws from the Colorado legislature and Gov. Jared Polis aimed at preventing similar fatalities. New rules on how and when ketamine can be administered in situations involving law enforcement as well as a ban on carotid and choke holds have been enacted over the last two years, which proponents of police reform hope will prevent unnecessary deaths and make law enforcement more accountable.

 

A longtime state watchdog has a new name and more clout. Colorado’s Office of Consumer Counsel now will be known as the Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate. It’s hiring more attorneys for the first time in 16 years to help intervene on the public’s behalf against utilities in areas like climate change and environmental justice for pollution-impacted communities. One of its immediate battles will be over the $750 million in surcharges Colorado utilities have sought after a February storm spiked energy rates.

 

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 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Wednesday September 1st.

 

Today - Colorado has launched a multimillion-dollar campaign to urge people to get vaccinated. And the campaign includes social media influencers - so how were they selected and what’s the bigger plan?

 

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 September 1st, 1927 when the most popular man in the country concluded a visit to Colorado. It was Colonel Charles A Lindbergh and he was leaving Denver’s airfield after having flown his famous “Spirit of St Louis” airplane there.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

The state of Colorado has launched a multimillion-dollar campaign that includes social media “influencers” to help make the case to the public for vaccination to slow the COVID-19 surge. It’s a strategy to specifically target people overwhelmed by the confusing deluge of information -- and disinformation -- and who so far have been what’s called “vaccine hesitant” for one reason or another. But who are these influencers, how were they selected and what’s the broader plan behind their recruitment for the cause?

 

Colorado Sun reporter John Ingold took a close look at the people behind this effort, why the state went in this direction and what these individuals’ participation tells us about the state’s strategy for improving vaccination rates. He talked to Sun colleague Kevin Simpson about what he learned. 

 

You can read more about the vaccine influencers and what they mean for Colorado’s vaccination efforts from John Ingold at ColoradoSun.com.

 

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

Triple-A road service is looking to hydrogen power in Denver as a way to demonstrate its potential as a viable vehicle fuel. New Day Hydrogen will build a fueling station at the Triple-A operations center, and Triple-A itself will use the fuel in dozens of light duty repair vans and eventually big towing rigs as well. Hydrogen is being advanced as an option alongside rapidly developing electric vehicles. 

 

A federal operation that plans to remove more than 700 mustangs from rangeland in far northwest Colorado is scheduled to begin Wednesday. The helicopter roundup of the horses, aimed at thinning the wild herd, comes despite pleas from animal rights activists, including First Gentleman Marlon Reis. The Bureau of Land Management says the rangeland where the mustangs roam has been badly damaged by drought and has turned to “moon dust” in some areas shared by the horses, elk, deer and sage grouse.

 

It’s been nearly four years since the Outdoor Retailer trade show left Salt Lake City, its headquarters for 22 years. The massive event set up shop in Denver as a political statement that the outdoor industry strongly opposed Utah leaders pushing to overturn the designation of Bears Ears National Monument. Now Utah appears to be trying to reclaim its place as the hub of major outdoor industry trade events. Two new outdoor trade shows have set up camp there, including one that broke its deal with Denver to make the move and tourism officials say they’d love to have Outdoor Retailer back at the Salt Palace.

 

Dick Lamm, a three-term Colorado governor, was remembered Tuesday afternoon at a public memorial. Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb eulogized the longtime fixture in Colorado politics who, among his notable achievements, rebuffed efforts to bring the 1976 Winter Olympics to Colorado. Lamm died July 29 at the age of 85.

 

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 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Tuesday August 31st.

 

Today - The coal-fired Martin Drake power plant in Colorado Springs has shut down coal operations. So what lies ahead for workers whose careers are becoming increasingly obsolete?

 

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 taking you back to August 31st, 1885 when Elijah Myers’ plan for the Colorado State Capitol was adopted. Both practical and aesthetic needs inspired the statehouse. It would consolidate offices - making government more efficient and cheaper - while also providing a showplace for a rich young state. Construction began in 1886 and lasted 15 years.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

The coal-fired Martin Drake power plant in Colorado Springs has been both a testament to American engineering and a symbol of coal’s decline in the United States. The plant just recently shut down coal operations after decades, though natural gas operations continue. Two stories mark both coal’s departure and how the plant’s workers -- people like Chris Cox -- will move forward in the transition toward cleaner energy.

 

Sun reporter Michael Booth spent time with Cox and, in a companion piece to his unique obituary for coal-fired generation, explains what lies ahead for workers like him who had carved out a career tending to a process now increasingly obsolete. Michael sat down to talk about his reporting with Sun colleague Kevin Simpson.

 

You can read more on the shutdown of coal operations at Martin Drake power plant and employees like Chris Cox from Michael Booth at ColoradoSun.com.

 

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

 

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold has filed a lawsuit to prevent embattled Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters from being involved in the upcoming November election. Peters has cast unfounded doubt on the results of the 2020 election and has been in hiding and under investigation since she allegedly allowed improper access to Mesa County’s election system computer hardware.

 

Health care workers at thousands of facilities in Colorado must get their first dose of coronavirus vaccine no later than Sept. 30. The state board of health voted to enact the rule in response to spike in COVID-19 cases caused by an explosion of the more contagious delta variant. The state estimates that about 30% of the health care workforce in the facilities and agencies that will be subject to the new rule remain unvaccinated. 

 

A new law that provides in-state tuition status to members of 48 tribes with historical ties to Colorado will immediately knock about $15,000 off the sticker price of the state’s colleges and universities. But the long-term impact could open up a new higher education option for many more students -- particularly in states bordering Colorado like Wyoming, where many tribes  have that historical connection. The number of Native American students enrolled in Colorado institutions has been in decline in recent years, and the in-state tuition law provides a tool to help reverse that trend. 

 

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Monday August 30th.

Today - Hear from the Sun’s politics team as they discuss the 2022 election, redistricting and COVID-19.

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 August 30th, 1931 - the birthday of Jack Swigert. No Coloradan has ever had a better perspective of their state than Swigert. Granted, as the command module pilot of the Apollo XIII mission, he had little time to enjoy the view. Swigert graduated from the University of Colorado and went on to serve in the Air Force. Then, In 1966 NASA chose him as an astronaut for the Apollo missions. 

 Now, our feature story. 

Welcome to a special edition of the Daily Sun Up podcast with a roundup of recent political news. 

Colorado Sun politics reporter Daniel Ducassi hosts his colleagues on the Sun’s politics team Jesse Paul, Thy Vo and Sandra Fish as they talk about the 2022 election, redistricting and COVID-19.

 

To keep up with the latest from the Colorado Sun’s politics team go to coloradosun.com

 

Thanks for listening. Finally, here are a few stories you should know about today:

 

The Martin Drake power plant in downtown Colorado Springs burned its last coal on Saturday, with natural gas fired turbines continuing to meet the electricity demands of the state’s second largest city. Colorado Springs Utilities has been under pressure to transition to cleaner fuels, especially as the city contemplates redevelopment in neighborhoods near the plant, which is close to America the Beautiful Park and the new U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. The utility’s other coal-fired plant, Ray D. Nixon, near Fort Carson, is expected to transition to cleaner fuel in 2029.

 

There are 705 people in Colorado hospitalized because of COVID-19 at the end of last week, the highest level since January 21. Confirmed coronavirus cases have been spiking as the delta variant spreads, with about 99 percent of all case caused by the variant that is thought to be as contagious as chickenpox. COVID hospitalizations in Colorado still remain well below their peak of 1,847 reached on December 1, but the trend of increasing admissions is not showing signs of slowing. On Thursday, Colorado reported that its seven-day average of new daily cases was 1,490. Colorado’s highest seven-day average of new daily cases was about 5,400 in November.

 

Jobs that disappeared during the pandemic are coming back in Colorado at a faster pace than in most other states. But even with only about 80 percent of the 362,000 jobs lost when Colorado shut down in 2020 back, employers say they are having a hard time filling openings. That may change when federal pandemic unemployment benefits end on Saturday. Colorado’s unemployment rate is around 6.1 percent.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Friday, August 27th.

 

Today - Some school districts in Routt County are using a state grant to incorporate agriculture into the school curriculum. 

 

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 August 27th, 1942 when the first group of Japanese Americans arrived in the Prowers County town of Granada. They were coming from Southern California, and their involuntary migration to Colorado reflected the nation’s paranoia during WWII. Colorado’s camp, called Amache, held more than 7,500 people as prisoners.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

Two school districts in Routt County are using a state grant to incorporate agriculture into every grade, pre-K through high school.

 

Colorado Sun reporter Jennifer Brown recently spoke with district officials about the program.

 

Brown speaks with fellow Sun reporter Daniel Ducassi about what she learned.

 

To read Jennifer’s story go to coloradosun.com

 

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

 

Colorado likely will receive about $400 million from the massive national OxyContin settlement and on Thursday, Attorney General Phil Weiser began laying the groundwork for how it may be spent. About 60% of the money will be spread between 19 geographic regions that will have local governing councils to oversee how their share is spent. Local governments would receive 20% of the money and 10% would flow into projects including building drug treatment centers. The remaining 10% would be spent by Weiser’s office on strategies to deal with the opioid crisis. The plan still needs the blessing of local governments, though it is backed by officials in Denver, Adams, Logan and Pueblo counties.

Mesa County officials want their clerk to come home. The commissioners on Tuesday sent the message to embattled GOP clerk Tina Peters, whose whereabouts have been unknown since she became the focus of a criminal election security investigation. “Call Tina, tell her to come out of hiding and come home,” Republican Mesa County Commissioner Scott McInnis told the audience. During the two hour meeting, the commissioners also approved a contract for new elections equipment from Dominion Voting Systems. The county’s gear was ordered to be trashed after images containing passwords to the system as well as copies of its hard drive were posted online, allegedly with assistance of Peters.

 

People curious about emissions from the Suncor refinery in Commerce City now can view data online. The Canadian company on Wednesday began posting data from its voluntary air pollution monitoring at ccnd-air.com and will add reports from mobile vans next week. Suncor, which manufactures gasoline and jet fuel, was fined $9 million in 2020 for emissions violations in prior years. The company says the monitors are not part of that settlement, but were added in response to community concerns that same year.

 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Thursday August 26th.

 

Today - Between rising housing costs and a lack of affordable child care many rural school districts are struggling to hire new teachers, and keep existing ones. One approach to addressing this problem is by opening up child care centers of their own.

 

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 August 26th, 1776 when a Spanish expedition consisting of two priests, a cartographer, two aristocrats, and five other men arrived at an area on the Uncompahgre River. They named their campsite “La Cienega de San Francisco”. It still stands today on the south side of Montrose near History Colorado’s Ute Indian Museum.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

Some rural school districts in Colorado are struggling to hire and retain teachers because of a double-whammy of soaring housing costs and a lack of affordable child care. 

 

Faced with chronic staffing shortages, some have decided to open up child care centers of their own in an effort to attract more teachers. Colorado Sun reporter Shannon Najmabadi and Erica Breunlin recently spoke with staff and administrators at local schools to find out more.

 

Najmabadi and Breunlin talk with fellow Sun reporter Daniel Ducassi about what they learned.

 

To read Shannon and Erica’s article, go to coloradosun.com

 

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

 

Beloved Hanging Lake may be mostly off limits to hikers for the next year, but Forest Service managers see opportunity in the hiatus created by massive mudslides in Glenwood Canyon. During a walk up the trail ruined by mudslides the managers said they expect to create a more sustainable trail to the travertine lake that will be better able to handle the crowds of hikers that visit this year. About 15,000 reservations to hike the trail were canceled when the trail was closed earlier this month. The company that manages them said many people are opting to contribute their $12 fee to the trail rehab work.

 

Colorado voters will decide in November whether to raise marijuana taxes to boost out-of-school learning. The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office ruled Wednesday that supporters of Initiative 25 gathered enough signatures to secure a spot on the upcoming ballot. Backers of the Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program Initiative, also known as LEAP, easily met the 124,632-signature threshold to qualify for the 2021 statewide election. The initiative would impose a new 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana starting on Jan. 1 and increasing to 5% by Jan. 1, 2024. That's in addition to the existing 15% state sales tax on recreational marijuana.

 

Colorado has only paid out about 7.4% of the $444 million in federal rental assistance funds it had available. The amount of money being paid out is increasing monthly, but the state has hired a new payment vendor to get the money out to tenants and landlords who have been waiting for months for help. Including the $246 million local governments had to hand out, the state started with almost $700 million in federal aid available to people at risk of eviction. 

 

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 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.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Wednesday August 25th.

 

Today - A new study shows that most of the water Denverites see in city creeks during the summer months isn’t actually coming from the mountains or rainfall. It’s coming from city tap water. 

 

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 August 25th, 1888 when a shootout happened in Stonewall... But the story actually starts earlier. The Maxwell Grant and Railway Company had purchased the land in 1869 and then defied the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo by attempting to evict the people already living there. By 1887, the Supreme Court sided with the new corporate owners. When Las Animas County officials arrived to evict the residents of Stonewall the following year, violence broke out. Even though the locals won the skirmish, three settlers were killed in the violence.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

A new study from Colorado State University shows most of the water Denverites see in city creeks in the summer isn’t coming from the mountains or rainfall. It’s coming from city tap water. 

 

Historically, most of these streams should be bone dry during the hottest months of the year. Colorado Sun reporter Michael Booth recently dug into what the study means for the city.

 

Fellow Sun reporter Daniel Ducassi speaks with Booth about the details of the study.

 

To read more of Michael Booth’s reporting on water in Colorado, go to coloradosun.com

 

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

 

Unite for Colorado, which was fined $40,000 for not disclosing its donors after spending $4 million on 2020 ballot initiatives, is in a war to keep those donors secret. Progressive activists have fired two complaints alleging that the organization has spent so much money directly campaigning for conservative causes that it should lose its status as a political nonprofit and begin functioning as an issue committee. Political nonprofits don’t have to disclose their donors as long as their primary purpose isn’t to support or oppose causes and candidates. They’re often called dark money groups, and they are some of the biggest spenders in Colorado elections for both Democrats and Republicans. 

 

For long stretches of the summer Colorado has been bathed in smoke traveling hundreds of miles from wildfires in California and Oregon. That long-range smoke could be more dangerous than homegrown forest fire fumes, it turns out. Some initial studies have shown that long-range smoke may be more toxic. It’s also harder to notice since its smoky smell disappears. One study from the Colorado School of Public Health showed increased incidence of premature births, gestational diabetes and hospitalizations for cardiovascular problems during long-range smoke events.

 

A psychiatrist has recommended that a mentally ill Danish man accused of starting a wildfire in 2018 that burned 149 homes should be forcibly medicated. The decision could pave the way to him being able to stand trial. The finding of the doctor at the state mental hospital was revealed Monday during a court hearing. A judge must approve the recommendation before any medication can be given to Jesper Joergensen, who has been repeatedly found unable to go on trial after being diagnosed with delusional disorder following the Spring Creek fire near LaVeta.

 

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 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up with the Colorado Sun. It’s Tuesday August 24th.

 

Today - Homelessness has long been an issue in downtown Denver, but now there’s a growing number of homeless living in the state’s national forests.

 

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 taking you back to August 24th, 1873 when Photographer William H. Jackson went out in hopes of capturing the Mount of Holy Cross - a natural cross of snow that lay high in the mountains. Lucky for him, and a brief break in the clouds allowed him to make eight negatives of the peak and its snow-formed icon. It’s since been reproduced widely - offering religious inspiration to some and proof of the nation’s manifest destiny to others.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

Homelessness has been a visible issue in downtown Denver, but during the pandemic, an increased number of homeless camps have been popping up in Colorado’s national forests. 

 

Sun reporter Jennifer Brown followed a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer recently as he went to clear out illegal campers. That gave her the chance to speak with people who have been living in Pike National Forest for weeks, or longer, and to learn how forest rangers try to help when people must move on.

 

The Sun’s Daniel Ducassi talks with Brown about the growing number of homeless living in the state’s national forests.

 

To read more of Jennifer Brown’s reporting on homelessness in Colorado, go to coloradosun.com

 

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

 

A family-owned oil and gas company has been slapped with $1.6 million in fines for a string of violations ranging from improper storage of waste to failing to report and address spills. The fine against KP Kauffman is one of the largest ever handed down by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. The company faces another hearing in September to determine whether it will be allowed to continue doing business in Colorado, where it runs 1,200 low-producing oil and gas wells on the Front Range. Earlier this year K.P.K. was ordered to close 87 wells and clean up 29 sites.

 

The 2020 Paralympic Games open today in Tokyo with 32 Colorado athletes competing. They include Robert Tanaka, who has been working toward competing in judo in the Paralympic games since he was 5 years old. Now 21, the legally blind athlete who trains at dojos in Colorado Springs and Denver, will compete in the 60 kilogram bracket starting on Friday.

 

Two weeks into the school year in Grand Junction, thirty classrooms already have reports of exposure to COVID-positive students and three others were quarantined because at least three students in them tested positive. But masks are not universally required in schools. This has set off debate in Mesa County Valley School District 51 about masks and vaccination that is so fierce that school board members needed a police escort to their cars after their meeting last week.

 

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