Today on Colorado Edition: we'll learn about the recommendations from the state's school safety committee. Plus, a conversation with a member of the Denver-based band DeVotchKa about scoring films. We'll also learn about anti-Semitic incidents at Colorado State University, and hear the history of the Colorado cannibal.
News of the day:
- CORE Act - The Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy or CORE Act has been passed by the U.S. House. The bill would preserve 400,000 acres in Colorado from future development in the White River National Forest, the San Juan Mountains, and the Thompson Divide. It also would create a historic landscape at Camp Hale. The bill passed largely along party lines. Conservation groups and the outdoor industry praised its passage, while the energy sector expressed concerns the CORE Act will hinder oil and gas development. It now heads to the Senate.
- Fresh Start - The Boulder District Attorney is offering people with outstanding warrants for low-level misdemeanor offenses a chance to reach a resolution at an event in Longmont tomorrow. The Fresh Start program allows individuals with qualifying cases to have their warrants resolved and set new court dates. District Attorney Michael Dougherty says the goal is to increase community safety and stop the jail cycle for minor offenses. The event will be held at the Boulder County Combined Court.
- Justina Ford House - The home of Denver's first black female doctor will receive a $150,000 grant for preservation and to raise awareness about the site. The Dr. Justina Ford House is among the winners of the 2019 Partners in Preservation campaign from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America. This year the campaign focused on the contributions of women to American history. Dr. Ford was barred from practicing at local hospitals because of segregation, so she treated patients and delivered thousands of babies at her home. The Justina Ford house will share $1.8 million in grants with a dozen other historical sites around the country.
School Safety Committee's Recommendations
Earlier this year, a bipartisan interim legislative committee was formed to look at school safety legislation. They've been meeting throughout the last few months and their final meeting took place earlier today.
KUNC's Scott Franz was at the meeting and joins us to bring us the latest on what came out of today's session.
DeVotchKa Band Member On Scoring Films
On Sunday, as part of the Denver Film Festival, Denver-based indie band DeVotchKa will play the music they've composed for the experimental Soviet film, Man with a Movie Camera.
It's not the first film the band has scored. Others include Little Miss Sunshine and Paddington.
Nick Urata, DeVotchKa's front man, joins us to talk about what it's like to score a film.
DeVotchKa will live-score Man With A Movie Camera on Sunday, November 3 at 8:30 p.m. at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. You can find more information about the event here.
Anti-Semitic Incidents At Colorado State University
Colorado State University has been in the news over the last few months due to a series of bias incidents, including a photo of CSU students wearing blackface, and reports of dorm hall residents shouting racial slurs.
In September, CSU president Joyce McConnell announced a Race, Bias, and Equity Initiative, aimed at addressing some of these concerns. But some in the Jewish community on campus have voiced concerns that little is being done regarding recent anti-Semitic incidents.
Sady Swanson has been following this story for The Coloradoan and joins us to tell us more.
The History of Colorado's Cannibal
In winter of 1874, six people attempted to cross the San Juan mountains in Southern Colorado. Only one survived.
The survivor's name was Alferd Packer, and he is known as the "Colorado Cannibal," because he is said to have eaten his companions along the way.
Erin Baxter, lecturer in the Classics Department at the University of Colorado Boulder, joins us to tell us about the history and the legacy of Alferd Packer.
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 this week by Blue Dot Sessions:
- "Bling Bong" by Robbie Reverb
- "Neil Takes Two" by Studio J
- "Grey Alley" by Castro
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 daily 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.