Today on Colorado Edition: We look at Colorado's extreme weather records and how they become official. We also explore a new report on the state of local news across the state, and take a look at some of the issues on ballots all over Colorado.
News Of The Day:
- Aurora Ballots - The Aurora City Clerk says around 17,000 residents received ballots containing an error. The ballots, distributed by Adams County, instruct voters to pick one candidate for an at-large city council seat. The problem is there are two seats up for election this year. The city and county are working with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office to resolve the issue.
- Boulder City Council Update - A temporary development ban in Boulder’s federal opportunity zone has been lifted. Boulder’s city council voted 6-1 at their meeting Tuesday to lift the ban that has been in place since December, according to the Boulder Daily Camera.
- Vail Town Council Update - A workforce housing development in East Vail is moving forward. The Town Council upheld the Booth Heights proposal by the City’s Planning and Environmental Commission in a 4 to 3 vote. The Vail Daily reports this was the last chance opponents had to stop the project, which will build 30 apartments, 19 townhomes, and 12-free market townhomes. The project is on the north side of the Interstate 70 Interchange. Residents were concerned about construction traffic, impacts to wildlife, and congested roads. Triumph Development is expected to start construction in the spring.
- Lindsey Vonn - Colorado fan favorite and Olympian Lindsey Vonn will be among 6 people inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. The selection committee recently announced their new inductees to be honored at a banquet in April. Vonn, a longtime Vail resident, four-time World Ski Champion, and Olympic Medalist is considered the winningest women’s skier of all time. The Denver Post reports Vonn retired from competitive skiing earlier this year, citing injuries. She will join former Colorado Rockies General Manager Bob Gebhard, track and field Olympian Alonzo Babers, Denver Pioneers coach George Gwozdeck, high school athlete Terry Miller, and Paralympian Erin Popovich.
Colorado Climate Records
The Colorado Climate Center confirmed earlier this month that a 115 degree temperature from July is now the hottest temperature on record in the state. A new record for the state’s largest hailstone was set in August, and a record for lowest pressure reading was set in March during the bomb cyclone.
We spoke to Russ Schumacher, director of the Colorado Climate Center at CSU and the Colorado State Climatologist, who told us more about these records and how they are officially confirmed.
Colorado Media Project
Between 2004 and 2019, 33 newspapers have ceased publication in Colorado, according to the Colorado Media Project’s new report, “Local News is a Public Good.” The report was released earlier this week.
The premise of the report is that local news is important and “vital to democracy.” And it takes a critical look at the status of local news here in Colorado and proposes solutions for how to ensure its continued success and support.
To learn more about the findings of this report, we spoke with Melissa Milios Davis, a member of the Colorado Media Project public policy working group.
Local Election Issues
This week we’ve been looking at the issues on Colorado ballots this year. Today, we dive into some of those issues through the lens of business and education.
We talk through local issues as they relate to business with Chris Wood, managing editor of BizWest, education issues with Erica Meltzer, bureau chief of Chalkbeat Colorado, and statewide issues with Kevin Bommer, executive director of the Colorado Municipal League.
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:
- "Take a Tiny Train" by Ray Catcher
- "Peacoat" by Studio J
- "Gaena" by Azalia"
- "Great Great Lengths" by the Balloonist
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.