Today on Colorado Edition: we’ll hear the latest on school closures around the state because of COVID-19. Plus, we'll meet the man who takes care of Nederland’s frozen dead guy year-round. We will also learn about efforts to create affordable housing in Fort Collins, and why private prisons are moving towards rehabilitation and reentry.
COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, continues to spread around Colorado. And, as it does, it’s raising questions about what that means for schools in our state.
As of Thursday afternoon, two schools in Denver have closed, child care workers are getting paid leave, and a teacher rally has been cancelled. Erica Meltzer, bureau chief of Chalkbeat Colorado, joined us to walk us through this week’s education news.
And KUNC’s Stephanie Daniel brought us the latest in the world of higher education.
FDGD Festival On Ice
Nederland’s annual Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival was also cancelled this year due to the coronavirus. In its honor, we listen back to a piece that KUNC’s Stacy Nick reported last year about the man who takes care of the frozen dead guy year-round.
Affordable Housing In Fort Collins
In the city of Fort Collins, the median rent is almost $1,400, and the median home price is $430,000. The city has a goal of making 15% of the city’s housing “affordable” by 2035, but how are they going to get there?
Pat Ferrier, senior reporter with The Coloradoan, has been looking into that question and joined us to discuss some of the tools that are being debated.
Private Prisons
In the final part of our series on the private prison industry, we look at how these large corporations are moving into a new sector – rehab and reentry services. The shift towards privatization of mental health counseling, drug treatment, electronic monitoring and halfway houses is at the crux of a recent conflict in Colorado. With support from the Pulitzer Center, AliBudner reports.
Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!
Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs.
Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.
KUNC's Colorado Edition is a news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.