Today on Colorado Edition: we'll listen to an excerpt of a live event with NPR's public editor. Plus, how one man escaped a cycle of gang violence. We'll also discuss why a company in Colorado is facing scrutiny for its drug production, and learn about a writing program for veterans at a local university.
News Of The Day:
- Water Auction - A water auction in Loveland today set a new high price for a key northern Colorado water supply. The sale of land and water rights of the Sekich family’s farm brought in close to $15 million. Roughly $10 million of that spent on water rights. One unit of water from the Colorado Big Thompson project went for $60,000, a new record for the project. It was built in the 1930s to irrigate eastern Colorado farmland, but its water has increasingly been transferred to Front Range cities.
- Steamboat Springs Tax - Steamboat Springs residents will see a citywide property tax question on the local ballot this November. The city council unanimously approved the measure at their meeting last night. The tax revenue would fund expansion of the city's fire and emergency medical services department. It would also be the first time the city has collected property taxes in 40 years.
- Gun Map - A statewide map published this week shows temporary storage locations for firearms. The Colorado School of Public Health and other partners identified 15 law enforcement agencies and 47 gun shops around Colorado that offer out-of-home storage at varying costs. The map is intended to be a resource not only in times of crisis but also for people looking to store their guns while traveling or hosting visitors.
A Conversation With Elizabeth Jensen
This past weekend, Erin O'Toole hosted a discussion about media bias in Boulder. It featured Elizabeth Jensen, the public editor for NPR. She explained how NPR thinks about bias and its news coverage. We listen to an excerpt from the event.
Tomorrow, we'll bring you another view of media bias from our event, this time from Vanessa Otero, who is behind the media bias chart.
We also wanted to add a quick note about how we do corrections at Colorado Edition. We will update listeners on the show, as well as on the web, about any corrections we have.
Ending The Cycle Of Violence
In some communities, gangs, drugs and gun violence are all part of a cycle of intergenerational trauma that is made worse by poor education. And while mass shootings are what grab headlines, gun violence happens in communities all over the country. In 2018, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, there were more than 6,000 violent crimes involving a gun.
Guns and America's Jonathan Levinson has the story of one man who decided the cycle ends with him.
AveXis Faces Scrutiny
A pharmaceutical company, AveXis has bought the former AstraZeneca plant in Longmont, and plans to begin production of its flagship drug, the most expensive in the world, by the end of the year.
But the company is currently in the midst of a federal investigation due to the approval process of that same drug, which could interfere with production plans.
We’re joined by Dan Mika, reporter for Bizwest, to learn more.
Veteran Writing Program
Colorado State University’s fall semester began this week. And this year, the campus will see a new initiative, thanks to Ryan Lanham.
Lanham was wounded when he returned from the war in Afghanistan. His wounds weren’t to his arms or his legs, but to his soul. Writing about it, he says, is helping him heal, and he wants other veterans to try it too. KUNC’s Michael de Yoanna has more. Find more info about the workshop here.
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 Bird
- "Waltz for Zacaria" by Cholate
- "Plaque" by Darby
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. News director Catherine Welch and 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, beginning Sept. 2, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.