Today on Colorado Edition: We learn about campaign advertising spending and dive deep into the world of business donations to political action committees, or PACs. We'll also talk about the U.S. Men's Whitewater Rafting team and proposed changes to The Ranch complex in Loveland.
Campaign Advertising Spending
The group Advertising Analytics estimates that over the course of the 2020 senate race here in Colorado, our state will see over $100 million spent on TV and digital ads. That’s on top of the over $50 million in projections for the money spent on advertising in Colorado for the presidential race.
To explain what this amount of ad spending means for our state and the upcoming election, we spoke with Mike Franz, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project and a professor of government and legal studies at Bowdoin College.
Business And Politics In Aspen
Over the weekend, The Aspen Times reported on political donations made by Aspen Skiing Company, which operates the Aspen Snowmass resort complex. They donated $60,000 in December to the group Protect Our Winters, a political action committee geared toward getting people who do not support action on climate change out of Congress. And it’s not the company’s only involvement in politics.
In 2018, they launched a campaign called “Give a Flake” that was aimed at getting skiers more politically active, and supporting candidates who have taken a stance on taking action on climate change.
To tell us more about the company’s political involvement, we spoke with Auden Schendler, vice president of sustainability for Aspen Skiing Company.
Could 'The Ranch' Be The Site Of Colorado's Next Theme Park?
If you’ve ever driven on I-25 between Fort Collins and Loveland, you’re probably familiar with the Budweiser Events Center. It sits just off the interstate and provides a place for concerts, conventions and minor league hockey games. It’s part of a complex called The Ranch, which has plans for expansion in the coming years. Part of the expansion could be a theme park.
Lucas High, a reporter with BizWest, has been following the story and joined us to explain what we know and what we can expect about the proposed expansion.
Whitewater Rafting
Tomorrow, the U.S. Men’s Whitewater Rafting team, based in Colorado, will begin its second attempt at breaking the speed record for a ride down the Grand Canyon.
To tell us about what that entails, we spoke to John Anicito, president of the U.S. Raft Association and a member of the U.S. Men’s team.
Review of Little Women
The new film Little Women is now the fourth version of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel, and the movie is gathering awards around the world for its directing and acting. For KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz, who teaches film and television at CU-Denver, the movie shows that Alcott’s book is still alive and very flexible.
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:
- “Rafter” by Speakeasy
- "Manele" by Cloud Harbor
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.