Today on Colorado Edition: We speak to the state health department’s chief medical officer about COVID-19 outbreak data. We also hear from the state’s division of homeland security about personal protective equipment shortages. Plus, we hear the next piece in our series on water investment in the West, and we learn about a local utility provider’s goal to transition their energy to be non-carbon generated by 2030.
COVID-19 Outbreak Data
There are currently COVID-19 outbreaks at facilities across Colorado, including jails, prisons, nursing and long-term care facilities, restaurants and retail businesses. To discuss that outbreak data, we spoke with Dr. Eric France, chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Personal Protective Equipment Shortages
Throughout this pandemic, shortages of personal protective equipment, or PPE, have been a concern for medical workers across our state. To get an update on how Colorado is acquiring PPE, we spoke with Kevin Klein, director of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Water Investment In The West
Many cities around the West are on the hunt for water to fuel new growth. And it’s created a business opportunity for private investors. They buy up rural land with water rights, hoping to eventually sell those rights to thirsty cities. In the second story in our series on water investment in the West, Bret Jaspers from KJZZ has the story of a water rights fight in Arizona.
Northern Colorado Utility Seeks To Add More Green Power
Next month, the Platte River Power Authority, which supplies electricity to several Northern Colorado communities like Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park and Longmont, will vote on how they will implement their years-long goal of transitioning to 100% non-carbon generated power by the year 2030. Ken Amundson, managing editor of Bizwest, has been following this story and joined us to discuss. You can read Ken’s reporting here.
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. Other music in the show by Blue Dot Sessions:
- “Rabbit Hole” by Love and Weasel
- "Rapids" by Grey River
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., with a rebroadcast of the previous evening's show Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 a.m.