KUNC | Community Radio for Northern Colorado

Colorado's Vices And Changing Population Are Starting To Take A Toll On Our Healthy Rep

Colorado is, overall, one of the healthiest states in the country – but things are starting to change as the population grows and ages. One of the unintended side effects is a widening disparity between the healthiest and least healthy counties. New data indicates disparities across geographic regions; with people living in the mountain communities generally ranking as the healthiest in Colorado. In part due to the things that attract people to the state to begin with. "The amount of sunshine, the world class skiing, hiking, fly fishing, the ability to go right outside your backyard and experience nature," said Democratic Summit County commissioner Dan Gibbs.

Will Coal's Slump Leave States Like Wyoming On The Hook For Cleanup?

Puerto Rico Races To Stop Zika's Mosquitoes Before Rains Begin

Colorado Rain Barrel Bill Inches Forward, Earns House GOP Support

By Bente Birkeland • 15 hours ago

Colorado is on the road to becoming the final state in the country to legalize rain barrels, after Democrats reached an agreement with several Republicans who opposed previous versions of the measure.

"It is a water right and what you have done with this, you have protected that water right," said Rep. Don Coram (R-Montrose), who had voted against a rain barrel bill last session.

Now he said he can back it – and other Republicans are also on board with HB 16-1005 [.pdf].

From Neil Best's Desk: Two Stations And More Choices

By Neil Best • 22 hours ago

For over 49 years, KUNC has served the community with a blend of news and music programming. Today marks a watershed moment in that service.

This Super Tuesday Is Highly Anticipated, So Why's There No Colorado GOP Straw Poll?

By Bente Birkeland • 23 hours ago

Colorado's Republican and Democratic caucuses will be held on Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016. There's a difference this year though. Colorado's Republican Party leaders canceled their traditional presidential preference poll at the precinct caucuses. The state's Democrats will conduct a poll.

2016 has brought record turnout and excitement to GOP presidential primary events – especially with the emergence of Donald Trump as the party's frontrunner. Why would the state's Republicans pass on that? We asked Steve House, the chairman of the Colorado Republican Party.

In Boulder County And Beyond, GMOs Are A Pawn In A Much Larger Food Fight

By Luke Runyon & Harvest Public Media • Feb 29, 2016

Luke Runyon / KUNC, Harvest Public Media

If you want a front row seat to the fight over GMOs head to Boulder County, Colorado.

GMOs, or more precisely, genetically-engineered crops, are lightning rods in discussions of our food. For the farmers who grow them and the scientists who create them, they’re a wonder of technology. For those opposed, the plants represent all that’s wrong with modern agriculture.

That theater is playing out in Boulder County, where an elected board of commissioners is considering whether to pull the plants off large swathes of publicly-owned land.

And This Puzzle's Winner Is ...

By Will Shortz • Feb 28, 2016

On-air challenge: Every answer is the name of a movie that has won in one of the top four categories at the Oscars: best picture, best director, best actor or best actress. Every answer is a solid word or name. Identify the movies from their anagrams.

For example: Go Asunder --> Dangerous (1935, for which Bette Davis won best actress)

'I'm A Female And I'm A Veteran ... Those 2 Things Are Not Mutually Exclusive'

By NPR Staff • Feb 27, 2016

When the military opens front-line combat roles to women soldiers — across all branches — in April, it will mark the culmination of a years-long process, which was often subject both to consternation and controversy. It will also mark a historic first for a female service members, many of whom enlisted decades ago in a very different kind of military.

Among those women is Capt. Margie Finlay, who first enlisted in 1973.

What's Next For The Push For A Colorado End-Of-Life Options Law?

By Bente Birkeland • Feb 26, 2016

Another attempt in Colorado to allow terminally ill patients to take medication to end their own lives recently failed for the second straight year in the Democratic controlled House.

With strong words for opponents and members of their own party, the sponsors of the End-of-Life Options Bill, known as House Bill 16-1054 [.pdf], pulled it before debate could begin on the floor. The reason behind the withdrawal was a lack of votes and proposed amendments for the bill.

'Race' Follows The Core Of Owens' Story, But Misses Out On The Full Tale

By Howie Movshovitz • Feb 26, 2016

In 1936, the great African-American athlete Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Olympics held in Berlin, Germany. The new movie Race, a biopic about that time, shows the obvious, but ignores the rest of Owen's story.

For 2 Black Stuntmen Breaking Into Hollywood, 'You Were Subject To Get Hurt'

By NPR Staff • Feb 26, 2016

Just days away from the Oscars, Hollywood continues to face down questions over its lack of diversity — particularly among the nominees for its top prize. The controversy has helped prompt a viral hashtag, #OscarsSoWhite, and has led the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to pledge to diversify in years to come.