Today on Colorado Edition: we'll discuss why you may not be able to watch Nuggets or Avalanche games this season. Plus, how a new privately-funded national park might help save the bison. And, we'll learn about an initiative to help middle-income home buyers in Boulder. We'll also look back at past efforts to create a border wall in Colorado. Finally, we'll talk about Neil Young's new album, "Colorado."
News of the day:
- Park County Strike - Park County School District teachers are back in the classroom, but without a new contract. And though they want the state to investigate the district's finances, the district has yet to agree. Chalkbeat reports union members are looking forward to November when new school board members will be appointed. Teachers are also seeking an independent investigation from the Department of Labor into the school district's ability to pay teachers more. However, both the union and the school district would have to approve before state intervention can occur. The strike started earlier this month for a new professional agreement with higher wages and more financial transparency from the district.
- Drug Take Back Day - Saturday, Oct26, is National Drug Take Back Day, and this year, people can also securely dispose of certain e-cigarette devices. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a way to dispose of old or expired prescription medications or over the counter drugs, to avoid sending them to landfills or the local water supply. This year, for the first time, people can drop off vaping devices and cartridges. The move comes as public officials have issued warnings about a mysterious lung disease related to vaping. Colorado's marijuana regulators have stiffened rules on THC vaping. The state has one of the highest youth vaping rates in the country. At least nine cases of vaping-related illnesses have been reported in Colorado so far.
- Winter Driving - As winter storms arrive, it appears a new traction law passed by state lawmakers this year may not be sticking with some drivers. I-70 saw multiple closures this week, and CDOT is blaming that in part on drivers who didn't have the right tires for the snowy conditions. The new law says drivers must carry chains or have adequate tires on the mountain stretch of I-70 from September through the end of May. The Colorado State Patrol says this week, they focused on reopening the road, not on writing tickets. But violators who cause a lane closure during a storm can be fined as much as 650 dollars.
Why You Might Not Be Able To Watch The Avalanche This Season
Did you catch the Denver Nuggets opener on Wednesday night? They beat the Portland Trail Blazers 108 to 100. The Nuggets home opener is Friday against the Phoenix Suns. But unless you're attending that game, you may not be able to watch it because of a dispute among local cable companies and the network that carries the Nuggets. Avalanche fans have already been experiencing this issue as well.
KUNC's Desmond O'Boyle joins us to explain.
The Next Yellowstone: Part Four
Almost 200 years ago, the U.S. government and hunters began slaughtering bison on the Great Plains. The animals were close to extinction. But now a wealthy nonprofit is trying to bring them back by stitching together a privately funded national park in Montana.
With support from the Pulitzer Center, Mountiain West News Bureau reporter Nate Hegyi has more.
Boulder Housing
The city of Boulder is exploring a new program which would offer additional funding to middle-income earners looking to purchase a home in Boulder. Though the program is still in its infancy, Boulder voters have the power to stop the plan in its tracks this November.
Sam Lounsberry, a reporter with The Boulder Daily Camera, joins us to explain.
The History Of The Colorado Wall
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump gave a speech in Pittsburgh, saying, "We're building a wall in Colorado."
It's not the first time this idea has come up. A few years ago, KUNC's Erin O'Toole spoke with Patty Limerick, who was Colorado's state historian at the time, about a politician who wanted to build a wall between Colorado and New Mexico. We listen back on that conversation.
Neil Young's New Album
Neil Young's new album, "Colorado," will be released on Friday. Ron Bostwick, from The Colorado Sound, joins us to discuss the album, and the documentary that goes along with it.
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:
- “Wingspan" 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 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.