Today on Colorado Edition: we look at how Colorado's Senate delegation voted during President Trump's impeachment trial. Plus, a new bill would ban hair discrimination in our state. We'll also learn about an attempt at breaking a world record for the largest firework, and peek behind the curtain of the Oscars.
Mayor To President?
Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, performed well in the Iowa caucus earlier this week. Nevertheless, critics have been quick to point out a lack of experience in politics at the state or federal level.
To get a better perspective on whether a mayor of a city the size of South Bend could make a good president, Charlie Brennan, a senior reporter with The Boulder Daily Camera, interviewed a handful of current and former Colorado mayors, and joined us to discuss what he found.
Bill Would Ban Hair Discrimination In The State
A bill introduced in the Colorado legislature would ban discrimination based on physical traits historically associated with race, such as hairstyle, type or texture.
State Rep. Leslie Herod is a co-sponsor of the legislation, “Race Trait Hairstyle Anti-Discrimination Protect,” and she joined us to explain why it is necessary in our state.
Enforcing Red Flag Laws
On Monday, we looked at how Colorado’s new extreme risk protection order — or red flag — law has been used since it went into effect on Jan. 1. Eight cases were filed last month across the state. The new law allows law enforcement to temporarily seize firearms from someone deemed to be an immediate threat to themselves or others, but doesn't lay out a process for actually seizing the guns, leaving local agencies to figure it out on their own.
Alycin Becketchreports for KUNC.
Steamboat Fireworks
The annual Steamboat Winter Carnival began on Wednesday and runs through Sunday in Steamboat Springs. And this year, if all goes as planned, the carnival could feature a world-record-setting firework.
On Saturday evening, Steamboat Fireworks will make their second attempt at setting the record for the world’s largest firework. Tim Borden, project manager for Steamboat Fireworks, joined us with more.
The Oscars
The 92nd annual Academy Awards are on Sunday night. Many of us have been trying to catch up on at least the nominees for Best Picture. But how films get to be nominated in the first place is something of a mystery for most of us.
So, for some insight, we turned KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz, who teaches film and television at CU Denver.
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.
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.