Today on Colorado Edition: A report released today details sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Colorado. We explore the report's findings. Plus, we continue our series, "The Next Yellowstone," with a look at the support and opposition to the plan. We also learn about women in the conservation field and the challenges they face, and check in on an auction for old ski slope signs.
News Of The Day:
- Dual Sentences - The state’s highest court has ruled the sentences of hundreds of criminal defendants are illegal. The Colorado Supreme Court says a court cannot sentence someone to both imprisonment and probation for different counts in the same case. These types of dual sentences are often used in striking plea deals. The Denver Post reports this means some people serving prison sentences, including for violent sexual crimes, could have a shot at freedom. It’s unclear exactly how many people this will affect. The state Attorney General has until Oct. 28 to appeal.
- Boulder Mobile Home Park - A newly annexed mobile home park in Boulder will become fixed-foundation, affordable housing. City Council unanimously approved the more than decade-long plan for the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park Tuesday night. The project will gradually replace the park's mobile homes with the new units. Current residents can stay in their homes or move into one of the new houses, which will be built in collaboration with Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. City officials say they are offering fair rates for mobile homes but can’t offer lot leases to new buyers because of safety concerns.
- Mental Health Line - Sen. Cory Gardner says the country should have a three-digit number for mental health emergencies. He has joined with a bipartisan group of U.S. senators to call for the creation of 988, a national number that would link to the National Suicide Hotline and a hotline for military veterans. In a statement, Gardner said a memorable three-digit number would help save the lives of people in a crisis. His push for legislation follows the Federal Communications Commission’s recent recommendation for the creation of such a line.
Catholic Abuse Report
Today, a report was released that details the results of a seven-month independent investigation into the extent of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Colorado.
To learn more, we spoke with Jennifer Brown of the Colorado Sun, who has been following this story since the investigation began earlier this year. You can read her latest on the story here.
The Next Yellowstone: Part Three
In northeastern Montana, a group of millionaires and billionaires known as American Prairie Reserve is trying to build a privately funded national park. As we’ve heard, the effort to create the next Yellowstone is opposed by most long-time locals. But there are supporters.
With support from the Pulitzer Center, Mountain West News Bureau reporter Nate Hegyi brings us more.
The Future Of 5G In Colorado
On Monday, state officials announced that Colorado is dropping out of a multi-state lawsuit that was aimed at blocking a merger between wireless giants T-Mobile and Sprint. In return, Dish Network, which is acquiring some of Sprint’s assets, has promised to relocate its wireless headquarters to Littleton, and T-Mobile has promised to ramp up the deployment of its 5G network in Colorado.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Natalie Hanlon Leh told KUNC that the deal is good for Coloradans, but we wanted to go deeper, so we spoke with BizWest’s Dan Mika about what all of this could mean for Littleton and the rest of the state.
Women In Conservation
There are more women entering the field of conservation, but despite the growing ranks, women still face harassment in the field. That’s why the Center for Protected Area Management at Colorado State University is starting a new initiative to work on gender equity. The first seminar began Monday at CSU and will bring together 17 women from across Latin America for exchange and training.
To learn more, we spoke with Megan Jones, who is a Ph.D. Candidate in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. She has been studying women in conservation leadership and the #MeToo movement in conservation.
Steamboat Springs Ski Signs
Yesterday, a bid of $18,000 dollars for an old trail sign from the Steamboat Ski Resort made headlines. And though it turned out to be a rather large typo, people are still bidding hundreds of dollars to own a piece of the resort. To learn more about the ongoing auction for mountain memorabilia, we spoke with Loryn Duke of the Steamboat Ski Resort.
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:
- “Turning on the Lights” by Speakeasy
- "Great Great Lengths" by The Balloonist
- "Inessential" by Bayou Birds
- "Rabbit Hole" by Love and Weasel
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.