Today on Colorado Edition: We'll discuss how Adams County voted on setbacks and truck curfews using Senate Bill 181. Plus, a look at what's getting in the way of bringing high-speed internet to rural parts of the state. We'll also discuss the latest with Space Command, and why it matters to Colorado, and we'll look at air conditioning, or the lack thereof, in schools.
News Of The Day:
- Mike Johnston Ends Campaign For Senate - A leading Democratic candidate in the race for U.S. Senate is ending his campaign. Mike Johnston has announced that he is dropping out of the race for Republican Cory Gardner's seat. This comes after former Gov. John Hickenlooper announced he would enter the race. The former state senator had led the crowded Democratic field earlier this year in fundraising. Eleven democratic candidates remain in the race. Many see Gardner as the nation's most vulnerable republican senator.
- Steve House Enters 6th Congressional District Race - The former chair of Colorado's GOP says he will challenge Democratic Congressman Jason Crow. The Colorado Sun reports that Steve House is the first prominent Republican to run for the 6th Congressional District seat. Crow defeated longtime Republican Mike Coffman in 2018. The Cook Political Report considers the district likely to stay Democratic in 2020.
- Hurricane Dorian - More than 20 members of the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming are traveling to Florida as part of a relief effort ahead of Hurricane Dorian. They'll join other relief workers and volunteers helping those affected by serving in shelters and providing meals, snacks and water. The storm is expected to make landfall over the next several days. And it's prompted more than a dozen flight cancellations today from Denver International Airport to Orlando.
- State Fair Attendance - Organizers of the Colorado State Fair say this year's event saw a jump in attendance and revenue. More than 466,000 turned out over the fair's 11-day run in Pueblo, which wrapped up yesterday. Organizers say the state fair generates $29 million of economic activity.
Senate Bill 181
Adams County commissioners passed sweeping new regulations on oil and gas development on Tuesday. They'll go into effect later this month.
It's one of the first communities to officially crack down on the industry in the wake of Senate Bill 181 - the state law that gives local governments more control over oil and gas.
KUNC's Matt Bloom joins us with an update.
Broadband Access
It's easy for residents living on the Front Range to take their access to high-speed internet for granted. Despite thousands of dollars in government grants, some rural parts of southwestern Colorado are still not connected to the world-wide web. In the first of three stories, KUNC's Scott Franzlooks at what's getting in the way.
Space Command
KUNC's Michael De Yoanna gives us the latest on space command, which is led by a general right here in Colorado.
Air Conditioning In Schools
In the midst of a hot Colorado summer, like the one we've seen this year, some students have to attend schools with no air conditioning. In Denver, more than 25 percent of the schools don't have air conditioning, an issue that Denver Public Schools is aware of. But for the students going through the heat this year, relief may be slow to come. Melanie Asmar has been coverign this story for Chalkbeat Colorado, and joins us to tell us more.
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:
- "Grey Leaf Willow" by Resolute
- "One Little Triumph" by Piano Mover
- "Hymns and Myths" by Dead Amps
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 Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.