The Daily Sun-Up

Progressives surprised many in Colorado’s primary elections in late June, including a shocking upset for a democratic socialist candidate who ousted a longtime incumbent in Denver in a race that grabbed national headlines. Did Colorado get hit with an anti-incumbent wave on primary night? Colorado Sun Elections Editor Jesse Paul and Colorado Public Radio Public Affairs reporters Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim discuss what the shakeups say about politics in Colorado in this conversation first broadcast on Purplish. The Purplish podcast is produced by CPR News and the Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS and The Colorado Sun.

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Colorado continues to have some of the highest homeowners insurance in the country. Today, business reporter Tamara Chuang talks about why that is, the sharp increases in the past five years and how homeowners are coping.

https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/10/wildfires-insurance-homeowners-regulations/ 

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Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins talks about how those who enjoy the outdoors are flexing their collective muscle to have a say in politics related to the trillion-dollar industry, from the local level to D.C.

https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/08/boulder-open-space-limit-mountain-bikes/

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Introducing our new podcast, Can Colorado Do More With Less Water? Join The Colorado Sun to explore what may or may not be possible in creating water solutions across the state.

In this episode we focus on Colorado’s resilient, adaptable farmers who can raise just about anything and use less water doing it. But will enough people buy what they produce?

Learn more: https://coloradosun.com/more-with-less-water-series/
Music: namebackwards.live/

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James Ellroy, legendary crime fiction author, chats with the Sun's Kevin Simpson about his latest novel, the L.A.-centered "Red Sheet".

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Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about how ranchers are dealing with the wildfires burning across Colorado and what might be in store after they return and survey the damage.

https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/08/colorado-wildfires-ranchers-cattle-livestock-aspen-acres/

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On Today's Sun-Up, John Ingold and Michael Booth offer some air quality tips for an unhealthy wildfire season, and introduce a surprising study of exactly how long moose have roamed Colorado.

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Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looks into the expanding role of private AI programs and how a southern Colorado hospital is jumping into the artificial intelligence world to help with billing issues.

https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/06/huerfano-county-health-facility-iterate-ai-trial-recover-insurance-payments/

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Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at the record number of people getting out to enjoy nature but has warnings from local officials as wildfires rage in Colorado and fire restrictions are sweeping across the state.

https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/02/recreating-during-drought-wildfires/ 
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/01/mesa-county-search-and-rescue-ruby-horsethief/

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Colorado Sun Public Policy Editor Justin George, is joined by political reporter Colleen Slevin to discuss the surprising results of Tuesday’s races.

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