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Colorado Edition: Pass It Along

KUNC File Photo

Today on Colorado Edition: We get the latest on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission's hearings this week over flowline rule changes. Plus, we speak with Erin Martinez, the survivor of the 2017 Firestone explosion. We also explore the story of the Blue Bear Ponzi scheme and learn how Ponzi schemes work.

The Latest On COGCC Rulemaking Hearings In Greeley

An oil and gas rig in Weld County, Colo.
Credit Photo by Kirk Siegler
An oil and gas rig in Weld County, Colo.

This week, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, or COGCC, is meeting to vote on new rules to regulate flowlines in our state. Yesterday, we spoke with the director of the Commission, Jeff Robbins, ahead of a public comment meeting in Greeley. KUNC’s Matt Bloom was at that meeting and joined us with the latest.

A Conversation With Erin Martinez

Credit Weld County (left photo) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (right photo).
The Firestone residence, before and after the accident.

Tomorrow, Erin Martinez will testify in front of the COGCC about the proposed rule changes to flowlines. Martinez is a survivor of the 2017 Firestone explosion, which federal investigators determined was caused by a severed pipeline near her home. It resulted in the death of her husband and her brother. We spoke with her to learn more about her journey.

The Story Of The Blue Bear Ponzi Scheme

Credit 401(K) Calculator / FLICKR - CREATIVE COMMONS
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FLICKR - CREATIVE COMMONS

In 2009, a trust was established for victims of a massive financial scam which took place right here in Northern Colorado. That scam is known as the Blue Bear Ponzi scheme, named for the Windsor financial firm that defrauded investors out of millions of dollars. Now, 10 years later, that trust is running out, and those victims have received very little financial retribution. Meanwhile, no convictions have occurred as a result of the scheme.

What exactly happened? And what can this teach us about how Ponzi schemes work?  To learn more, we spoke with Dan Mika and Lucas High of BizWest.

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:

  • “LaBranche” by Bayou Birds

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 iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Stories written by KUNC newsroom staff.