Today on Colorado Edition: we'll speak with the director of Colorado's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission about the debate surrounding the mapping of flowlines. Plus, a look at why a scholarship application is drawing controversy. And, remembering the life of pioneering Denver teacher, Marie Greenwood.
Colorado Oil And Gas Conservation Commission Debates Flowlines
This week, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, or COGCC, is voting on new rules to regulate flowlines. Those are the underground pipelines that connect oil and gas wells to storage tanks. It's the second wave of changes since a 2017 flowline leak caused a deadly home explosion, and after lawmakers passed Senate Bill 181, which changed the Commission's priority from fostering the industry to protecting public health and safety.
We spoke with COGCC Director Jeff Robbins to learn more about what's being considered.
Scholarship Application Draws Controversy
A longstanding Denver-based scholarship fund is drawing criticism after making changes to the application. Applicants to this year's Daniels Scholarship Program were asked to respond to prompts like "I don't feel an attachment to the USA" and "Government should decide how business profits are distributed."
Critics of the new application say the changes are xenophobic. The Daniels Fund, which administers the scholarship, say they have always aligned with the values of Bill Daniels, who started the fund, and that this year, they sought to "put a finer point on it."
All of this has raised questions in the education community about what should and shouldn't be on scholarship applications, and what role the community at large plays in the disbursement of private funds.
Erica Meltzer, bureau chief at Chalkbeat Colorado, has been following the story, and joined us to discuss it.
Remembering the Life of Marie Greenwood
A pioneering Colorado teacher who spent decades fighting segregation in city institutions has died at the age of 106. Marie Greenwood made history as the first black teacher to receive tenure in Denver Public Schools.
In the 1940s, Greenwood was part of an interracial group that used lawsuits and other means to force restaurants and shops to serve black customers. And in the 1960s, she served on a Denver Public Schools committee that studied racial inequalities in school funding and staffing in the district.
KUNC's Brian Larson spoke with her in 2007, as part of a series profiling notable figures in Colorado.
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Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs.
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.