Today on Colorado Edition: we’ll hear about a proposed housing development in Fort Collins. Plus, a new bill would allow for more options for after-death care in Colorado. We will also learn about a nonprofit ski area in our state, and visit a museum exhibit dedicated to ‘unmentionable’ objects.
Montava Development
It’s pretty common to see new neighborhoods and buildings pop up around Northern Colorado. But a proposed development in Fort Collins called Montava is breaking all sorts of records for size and scale — and some residents are raising the alarm about its potential impacts.
KUNC’s Matt Bloom has been following the development’s progress and joined us with more.
After-Death Options
Currently, the state of Colorado allows for three options for after-death care: burial, cremation or a process called "alkaline hydrolysis."
A new bill under consideration this session in Colorado’s statehouse would allow for a fourth option: the "natural reduction" or "biological decomposition" of human remains. It’s an option that is considered more environmentally friendly than traditional burials or cremation, but one that is currently only legal in one state: Washington.
State Rep. Brianna Titone, a co-sponsor of the bill and a Democrat from Jefferson County, joined us with more on why the bill has been introduced and what it would mean for Coloradans.
What We Can Learn From A NonProfit Ski Area
If you’re an avid skier, or even if you’re not, you’ve probably heard of the Ikon and Epic passes. These multi-resort season passes allow the holder to ski at resorts across the state, the U.S. and in other countries.
At a time when the ski industry is increasingly being consolidated, the story of a small nonprofit ski area that is thriving — and actually growing — caught our eye.
The area is called Ski Cooper, and it’s right outside of Leadville, Colorado.
Jason Blevins from The Colorado Sun joined us with more on their growth and what other ski areas can learn from it.
Exhibit Displays The 'Unmentionable'
Museums are a vital part of a society. In a traditional sense, a museum collects and preserves items of artistic, historical, cultural or scientific importance, often putting them on display for the public to learn from and enjoy. But what about things that are deemed “unsuitable” for public display? Do they have a place in history, too?
An exhibit at the Greeley History Museum is taking some of those odd, uncomfortable, or just plain icky objects out of the basement collection and putting them out for all to see. It’s called "Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts."
Holly Berg is curator of exhibits for the museum. We asked her to give us a tour of the bad, the gross and the ugly.
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:
- “Hundred Mile” by K2
- "Waterbourne" by Algea Fields
- "Mineral Still" by Cholate
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.