Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up. It’s Thursday April 14th, and even though there’s a lot of turmoil right now we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

 

Today - Despite rising cases and hospitalizations, the state is starting to give control over the coronavirus back to local jurisdictions. So how exactly will it work?

 

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 April 1882 when Henry M Teller, one of Colorado’s first two voices in the US Senate, resigned from his post to join president Chester A. Arthur’s cabinet as the secretary of the interior. He became the first Coloradan to serve in the cabinet, and he enjoyed a long and prominent public career.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

Colorado is beginning to hand coronavirus control back to local jurisdictions, starting with the coronavirus dial. The mandate will become a recommendation Friday, even as cases and hospitalizations have been rising once again. Reporter Jesse Paul talks with Lucy Haggard about the upcoming patchwork of restrictions.

 

To read more about the varying coronavirus restrictions across the state, go to coloradosun.com.

 

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

 

A bipartisan partnership is pushing to designate the Amache (ah-MAH-chee) internment camp in eastern Colorado as a National Historic Site. Democratic Representative Joe Neguse and Republican Representative Ken Buck are leading a bill in Congress to fast-track the designation process. More than 7,000 Japanese Americans were held at Amache during World War II. The bill sponsors noted increased anti-Asian hate and violence in recent months makes the designation all the more urgent.

 

Nearly 4,000 people who were vaccinated against coronavirus at Dr. Moma Health and Wellness Clinic are now being advised to get another shot. State health officials say they haven’t been able to verify the Colorado Springs medical spa stored the vaccines at cold enough temperatures, potentially degrading their efficacy. About 3,000 doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were confiscated, and the clinic is no longer allowed to administer doses.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/14/moma-spa-coronavirus-vaccine-guidance-colorado/ 

 

Thousands more Coloradans will be able to get health insurance through the state exchange starting Thursday. The American Rescue Plan, the federal stimulus bill signed in March, extends the enrollment period for the state exchange system through mid-August. The bill also expands the number of people eligible for subsidized policies and increases the dollar amount of those subsidies for more people. Before the eligibility expansion, hundreds of thousands of Coloradans were qualified but not enrolled in either the state marketplace, CHP Plus (CHIP-Plus) child health insurance program, or Health First Colorado Medicaid plans.

 

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. It’s Wednesday April 14th, and even though there’s a lot of turmoil right now we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

 

Today - Bills are still rolling in following February’s storm that affected the southwest. Now, even more Coloradans are finding that their energy bills are much higher because of it. 

 

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 April 14th, 1935 when, after enduring years of the great depression, one of the worst dust storms ever recorded beset the Great Plains. The cause of the Dust Bowl was, oddly, prosperity. There was an agricultural boom that had field settlement and broke up native grasses and soils.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

Energy systems went haywire in February when a frigid storm settled over much of the southwest. Yet even in places that didn’t experience the cold, people and organizations are finding their energy bills are much higher than they anticipated. Reporter Michael Booth talks with Lucy Haggard about the latest organization to get sticker shock from the cold snap.

 

To read more about the energy industry, go to coloradosun.com. 

 

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

 

The state health department stopped distributing Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines Tuesday as federal regulators investigate reports of rare blood clots. More than 120,000 Coloradans have already received the one-dose vaccine, and most have experienced mild side effects or none at all. The J&J formula has been considered a potentially powerful tool to pull the state and country out of the pandemic faster, especially by reaching disadvantaged populations. 

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/13/johnson-and-johnson-vaccine-colorado-3/ 

 

A bill in the state legislature would expand Colorado's early release program for some juvenile offenders to include people who were under age 21 when they committed serious crimes. Current law offers a pathway for people jailed for crimes committed before they turned 18 to return to society after serving 20 to 30 years of their sentence. House Bill 1209 would expand the program, which is available to people who committed serious felonies other than sex crimes and first-degree murder. The bill passed the house judiciary committee with bipartisan support and will head now to appropriations.

 

Colorado has $800 million in coronavirus stimulus money that will be distributed through a number of bills working their way through the legislature. The money became available after last year’s tax revenue ended up better than expected and severe state budget cuts turned out to not be as needed. Industries expected to receive a financial boost include education, agriculture, transportation, mental health services and more. To track the bills, go to coloradosun.com. 

 

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. It’s Tuesday April 13th, and even though there’s a lot of turmoil right now we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

 

Today - State lawmakers are trying to make it less expensive for incarcerated individuals to make phone calls to loved ones. So, what exactly is being proposed?

 

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 April 13th, 1877 when State legislator Alva Adams gave voice to the frustration of silver miners in the booming San Juan Mountains. The Silver miners felt ignored as they were far removed from the political and economic power of the eastern slope. Adams suggested that if they seceded from Colorado they would find the respect and influence that they desired.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

A bill in the Colorado state house seeks to make it less expensive for incarcerated people to make phone calls to family and friends. Reporter Thy Vo talks with Lucy Haggard about why the Federal Communications Commission is asking states to regulate the telecoms industry in ways it can’t.

 

To read more about this legislative session, go to coloradosun.com.  

 

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

 

Colorado lawmakers have given final approval to two bills tightening gun regulations, which now await Governor Jared Polis’ signature. Senate Bill 78 requires people to report a lost or stolen firearm within five days of realizing it’s missing. And House Bill 1106 requires gun owners to store their firearms either with a trigger lock or in a gun safe when it’s likely that someone who can’t own a gun would have access to them otherwise. Both bills were introduced prior to the shooting in Boulder last month. Lawmakers are expected to debut a bill soon to mandate a waiting period between when someone purchases a gun and when they can access it.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/12/colorado-gun-bills-jared-polis/ 

 

3,000 vaccine doses have been seized from a Colorado Springs medical spa. Health officials say they found inadequate storage methods at Dr. Moma Health and Wellness Clinic. About 150 syringes of vaccine will be destroyed because the state can’t verify the vaccines are still effective. The state health department is investigating to learn whether the remaining vaccine still is effective. Thousands of vaccine appointments through the clinic have been cancelled as a result of the investigation.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/12/moma-health-and-wellness-coronavirus-vaccine-seized/ 

 

Xcel Energy customers will almost exclusively bear the cost of closing the rest of the company’s coal-fired power plants in Colorado. The company recently submitted its $7 billion electric resource and clean energy plan to the state Public Utilities Commission detailing its switch away from coal. Environmental groups are pushing Xcel to shutter its coal plants by 2030, nine years earlier than planned. But the company’s calculations say earlier closures would raise rates for customers even further.

 

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, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up from the Colorado Sun. It’s Monday April 12th, and we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Join us daily for an in-depth look at one of our top stories. 

 

Today -- When it comes to public gun violence, Colorado is one of the worst states in the nation… but where are the guns actually coming from? 

 

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 April 12th, 2005 when Rodolfo Gonzales, also known as Corky, died in Denver. Corky described himself as an agitator and a troublemaker. He was also one of Colorado’s most influential social and political actors. Gonzales helped unify Latinos during the tumultuous 1960’s, and spoke out for those at the bottom of the economic ladder.

 

 Now, our feature story. 

 

Colorado is one of the worst states in the nation for public gun violence, but there’s no one source for the guns used in these tragedies. Reporter Jennifer Brown spoke with Lucy Haggard about where the guns came from in many of the state’s instances of public gun violence, and what lawmakers are considering weeks after the Boulder King Soopers shooting.

To read more about guns in Colorado, go to coloradosun.com. 

 

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

 

Colorado is in its fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic. State health officials attribute increased case numbers and hospitalizations to more contagious coronavirus variants. But increasing vaccinations are still helping stem the spread, especially among Coloradans age 50 and older, and mitigates the impact if someone does get infected. The state is set to do away with its coronavirus dial system this week but will still track case metrics.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/09/colorado-fourth-coronavirus-wave/ 

 

State lawmakers are proposing a rail line to run along the Interstate 25 corridor in Colorado, from Wyoming to New Mexico. Senate Bill 238 would create a special tax district adjacent to the highway. The board supervising the district would be able to ask voters to raise sales taxes by as much as eight cents per every ten dollar purchase to fund the work. The bill comes shortly after President Joe Biden unfurled an ambitious infrastructure bill that could send significant money to Colorado.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/09/front-range-rail-district-proposal-colorado/ 

 

Colorado is banking on converting drivers to electric vehicles as one way to achieve state climate goals. But there’s a major roadblock: consumer demand. Nearly 1 million electric vehicles need to be on Colorado’s roads in less than nine years. Yet a fraction of the 220,000 vehicles Coloradans purchased in 2020 were electric or hybrid. The discussion now is whether car companies and dealers will change as fast as they say they will, or if the state needs to step in and move the process along quicker.

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. 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, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up from the Colorado Sun. It’s Friday April 9th, and we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

 

Today - “NFT”, which stands for non-fungible token, has become a buzzword recently. But what actually is it and how are Coloradans getting involved? 

 

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 April 9th, 1993 - the opening home game for the Colorado Rockies at Denver’s Mile High Stadium. The Rockies later moved to Coors Field in 1995 as part of the revitalization of Denver’s Lower Downtown neighborhood. 

 

Now our feature story.

 

The non-fungible token, or NFT, has become a buzzword in recent months. But what is this blockchain-driven technology, and how are Coloradans getting involved? Reporter Kevin Simpson talks with Lucy Haggard about the digital collector’s market boon in our own backyard.

 

To read more about nonfungible tokens, go to coloradosun.com. 

 

Finally, here are a few stories that you should know about today:

 

President Joe Biden announced a number of measures Thursday to combat gun violence after a shooting in Boulder last month left ten people dead. One change will increase regulations around stabilizing braces for pistols, which can make the guns more accurate and rifle-like. There will also be stricter rules around homemade firearms. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice will publish model legislation for states looking to adopt red flag laws; Colorado already has one in effect.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/08/stabilizing-brace-regulation-boulder-shooting/ 

 

Scientists are warning that this year’s wildfires may rival those of 2020 due to persistent drought conditions and a concerning long-term forecast. But according to the latest Wildfire Preparedness Plan, Colorado fire officials are more ready than they were this time last year. Agencies are planning to take a fast, aggressive approach to keep potentially disastrous fires small. And the state legislature has channeled millions of dollars this session toward both fire mitigation and suppression efforts. 

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/08/2021-wildfire-preparedness-plan/ 

 

The owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers is quietly buying up iconic properties in downtown Crested Butte. Mark Walter has purchased six buildings, including the Almont Resort, the Princess building and the town’s first restaurant, the Wooden Nickel. The billionaire investor is keeping quiet on whatever plans he may have for the town, but many have a feeling he’s in it for the long haul.

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. It’s Thursday April 8th, and even though there’s a lot of turmoil right now we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

 

Today - Coloradans 16 or older are now eligible to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. So, what’s the best way to get an appointment?

 

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 April 8th, 1852 - the birthdate of Charles Boettcher. Boettcher was born in Germany and came to the U.S. 17 years later. He and his brother eventually opened a hardware store in Greeley, and soon expanded, opening more stores around the state. Then, with the silver boom he began investing in mines, banking and other industries. Eventually, he even helped found the Great Western Sugar Company and managed the Denver Tramway Company. Today the name endures through the Boettcher MAnsion in Jefferson County and the Boettcher Concert Hall.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

Every person in Colorado who is age 16 or older is now eligible to get vaccinated against coronavirus. But looking for an appointment can be chaotic and overwhelming. Reporter John Ingold shares with Lucy Haggard some tips on how people can find a time to get a shot.

 

To read more about coronavirus vaccinations and get resources on how to find an appointment, go to coloradosun.com. 

 

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

 

A new bill in the statehouse aims to give every Coloradan age 18 and younger a free mental health screening and up to three free visits with a therapist. House Bill 1258 would put $9 million toward the services, and to develop an online portal for scheduling them. The proposal combines ideas from Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Gov. Jared Polis’ office in an effort to help youth process the chaos of the past year.

 

When the coronavirus pandemic hit Colorado, mountain towns braced for the worst. But a new survey of sales tax reports from 20 resort communities found spending was down just three percent from 2019 to 2020. Some places saw worse outcomes than others, but none were as dire as projections from April 2020. Early reports from the current ski season indicate spending has tracked with pre-COVID seasons, despite capacity limits and a lack of events.

 

Colorado’s unemployment rate is back down to 6.6%, from its peak of 12.1% in April 2020. Yet as hundreds of thousands still look for work, many are struggling with the state-run job board. Connecting Colorado is run by the department of labor as part of a federal requirement to support people on unemployment. The board had more than 70,000 positions listed on Wednesday. But many workers find the board often duplicates positions, or doesn’t include high-profile hiring sprees from companies like Amazon. The board’s jobs are vetted through DirectEmployers Association, a nonprofit that manually posts each position.

 

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. It’s Wednesday April 7th, and even though there’s a lot of turmoil right now we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

 

Today - Months after a winter storm paralyzed the southern U.S. and caused major utility issues, some Coloradans who are customers of electricity co-ops are now being charged more to help foot the bill.

 

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 April 7th, 1903 when prohibitionist Carrie Nation came to the tourist town of Glenwood Springs. Nation was motivated by a fiery determination to eradicate alcohol from American life and rallied against spirits to an interested crowd.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

It’s been almost two months since a deep freeze paralyzed much of the southern U.S. and spiked energy prices. Yet energy customers of Grand Valley Power in Grand Junction, as well as other electricity co-ops, are helping foot the bill even though it didn’t get very cold in their regions. Reporter Michael Booth talks with Lucy Haggard to untangle what’s happening in Colorado’s energy world.

 

To read more about energy in Colorado, go to coloradosun.com. 

 

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

 

Colorado lawmakers have unveiled the upcoming fiscal year’s budget to the tune of $34.1 billion. The budget has roughly $1.8 billion more available than the current fiscal year, due in large part to money left over from pandemic-induced budget cuts that turned out to be unnecessary. About $1.3 billion will be set aside for reserve savings, a significantly higher portion than in previous years. State employees will also get a 3% raise to help their wages match the market. 

 

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game will happen this July at Denver’s Coors Field, instead of at Truist Park in Atlanta as previously planned. The league moved the game in protest of Georgia’s new voting laws, which many critics argue will increase voter suppression. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Tuesday that the city expects more than $100 million in economic benefit from the game. The Colorado Rockies opened their season at Coors Field on Thursday, winning against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/06/mlb-all-star-game-colorado/  

 

Angel of SHAV-ano Recycling, a family-run operation in CHAY-fee County, will shut down on Thursday because of slim profits and bad customer behavior. The company picked up roughly 4 million pounds of recyclables last year through its free community recycling sites, but owner Mickey Barry says it’s become more work than it’s worth. County officials were surprised by the announcement but say residents still can pay to have their recycling picked up at home by two private trash companies. 

 

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. It’s Tuesday April 6th, and even though there’s a lot of turmoil right now we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

 

Today - As commissioners redraw legislative districts, Colorado’s recent population growth comes into play.

 

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 April 6th, 1897 when William Masterson, also known as Bat fired his gun on the line of duty for the very last time. He served as a deputy sheriff in Denver during a disputed election. He faced down corrupt poll officials, and at one point felt threatened enough to shoot. One official was injured. The episode demonstrated Colorado’s often fraudulent politics at that time.

 

Now, our feature story.

 

Colorado’s population has grown significantly in the past ten years, and that has implications for commissions tasked with redrawing state legislative districts. Sun Contributor Sandra Fish talks with Lucy Haggard about what the new districts might look like and what challenges the commissions are up against.

 

To read more about redistricting, go to coloradosun.com. 

 

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

 

Fort Lewis College students must be vaccinated against coronavirus to enroll for the fall 2021 semester. The public school in Durango is the first college in Colorado, and one of the first in the nation, to make such a requirement. School leaders argue this is the safest way to ensure an in-person college experience, especially for first-year students.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/05/fort-lewis-college-requires-coronavirus-vaccine/ 

 

Three Denverites are featured in National Geographic’s adventure reality show “Race to the Center of the Earth.” Dave Bacon, Mindy Murphy and Paul Montague Jr. weren’t allowed to tell anyone about their expeditions in 2019 until the show’s first episode premiered last week. Now the trio is staying mum on whether or not they won the million-dollar prize, but they say the experience was worth it regardless.

 

Snow across western North America is melting significantly earlier each year than it did in the mid-20th century. A new study from the University of Colorado found that of more than a thousand snow telemetry sites, snow runoff began significantly earlier at a third of them. Snowmelt runoff is a critical source of water in the west, and earlier runoff could have major implications for the availability of water throughout the year.

 

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, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up from the Colorado Sun. It’s Monday April 5th, and we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Join us daily for an in-depth look at one of our top stories. 

 

Today -- A federal judge ruled that Colorado Parks and Wildlife couldn’t use federal funds for their project that aims to bring back declining mule deer population without an environmental review first. So, what’s next? 

 

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 April 5th, 1851 when a party of Hispano settlers who were intent on staking their claim to land gifted by the Mexican government, started work on Culebra Creek in modern day Costilla County. They laid the foundation for what is now Colorado’s oldest permanent settlement - San Luis De La Culebra.

 

 Now, our feature story. 

 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife had a plan to cull mountain lions in the Upper Arkansas River Basin, in an attempt to bring back declining mule deer. Then a federal judge ruled the agency could not use necessary federal funds for the project without an environmental review. Reporter Jason Blevins talks with Lucy Haggard to unpack the court ruling and see what’s next.

To read more about wildlife in Colorado, go to coloradosun.com.

 

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

 

Governor Jared Polis announced Friday that counties at the lowest coronavirus restriction level can ease their mask restrictions. Some indoor places will still require patrons to wear masks, such as schools, healthcare settings and state government facilities. Almost half of the state’s 64 counties are designated as Level Green, but only a fraction of the state’s population lives there.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/02/colorado-mask-mandate-eased-details/ 

 

Coloradans who were previously convicted for possessing less than two ounces of marijuana could soon have their records sealed. House Bill 1090 doubles the legal possession limit of recreational marijuana from the current one ounce threshold. Marijuana convictions disproportionately affect people of color, and the house bill is the latest state effort to address the consequences of historic marijuana laws.

 

Colorado’s long-term drought is persisting despite significant snowstorms in March. Snowpack, the state’s natural moisture reservoir, is highly variable across river basins. The Arkansas and Upper Rio Grande basins have exceeded their average snowpack levels. But basins on the western slope are still well below their averages. Scientists say the state will need multiple years of above-average snowfall to fully emerge from drought.

 

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

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, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up from the Colorado Sun. It’s Friday April 2nd, and we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

 

In the wake of last week’s shooting in Boulder many students from a nearby high school are traumatized. Today - how are they coping with the aftermath of the tragedy.

 

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 April 2nd, 2007 when US representative Tom Tancredo announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Born and raised in Denver, Tancredo attended UNC in Greeley, and later taught history at public schools in Jefferson County. Then, after moving to politics, He won a seat in Congress from a district encompassing Denver’s southwestern suburbs. 

 

Now our feature story.

 

When a gunman shot ten people dead last week at a King Soopers in Boulder, students at a nearby high school were luckily on spring break. Yet many are traumatized by the tragedy in their backyard, the death of a recent graduate and the destruction of a popular hangout. Reporter Erica Breunlin talks with Lucy Haggard about how these kids are coping in the aftermath of violence.

 

To read more about the Boulder shooting, visit us at coloradosun.com.

 

Finally, here are a few stories that you should know about today:

 

Environmentalists are demanding that Governor Jared Polis fire the Air Pollution Control Division director following a whistleblower complaint filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday. A coalition of environmental groups also asked the state attorney general’s office to investigate. The complaint from three division staffers alleges Director Garry Kaufman and other air pollution managers oversaw illegally expedited permits for polluters, including potentially falsifying data. 

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/01/environmental-groups-demand-polis-remove-air-pollution-control-head-call-for-independent-investigation/ 

 

Many unemployed Coloradans are waiting hours or days to verify their identities before they can access benefits. State officials are blaming the delays on software Colorado uses to prevent unemployment fraud. More states are using IDme following a new federal requirement for labor departments to verify that applicants are who they say they are. Just 10 percent of the almost one million people making claims in Colorado who were asked to verify their identity have done so. State officials say some claims are likely fraudulent, but they’re also trying to figure out why so many legitimate ones are still in limbo.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/01/colorado-id-verification-idme-fraud-unemployment/ 

 

Six river drainages around Crested Butte will transition to designated campsites for this season. Camping as an activity became exponentially more popular as people sought pandemic-friendly ways to get out of the house. But experts say the bacchanal of recreators camping anywhere and everywhere last summer is not sustainable. By 2022, reservations will likely be required at the anticipated 211 sites near Crested Butte.

 

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.