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Colorado Edition: A Confusing Journey

face mask
Anna Shvets

Today on Colorado Edition: We speak with the head of Larimer County’s health department about its coronavirus response. We also check in on the state of the oil and gas industry and we learn about mask-wearing norms. Plus, with federal unemployment benefits ending, we explore what impact it will have on Coloradans.

Larimer County Public Health

The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment has sent a COVID-19 mitigation plan to the state health department. The plan is in response to Colorado health officials alerting the county that their variance, which allowed the county to reopen faster than the state, is at risk of being revoked if coronavirus cases continue to rise. Tom Gonzales, director of Larimer County Public Health, joined us to discuss the mitigation plan and other details of the local coronavirus response.

Mask Norms

According to a survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, three out of four Americans favor requiring people to wear face coverings in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus. More people are wearing masks than ever before, but it’s been a confusing journey. How do we make these decisions? What influences people to wear a mask or not? As KUNC’s Sere Williams reports, it may have a lot to do with the behavior of our friends.

Oil And Gas Drilling

The price of oil has been hovering at $40 a barrel for several weeks now. It’s much higher than it was earlier this year, when prices briefly went negative for the first time ever. But it’s still not profitable for most Colorado drillers. KUNC’s Matt Bloom has been following the price slump’s effects on Northern Colorado and he joined us to discuss his reporting.

Extra Federal Unemployment Assist Ends

Over the weekend, the extra $600 in weekly pandemic unemployment assistance going out in addition to regular unemployment benefits ran out – as unemployment continues in the state. Recent reporting from Tamara Chuang at the Colorado Sun looks at the impact of that federal assistance ending, along with reporting about thieves targeting that unemployment relief program. Tamara joined us to discuss both topics.

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 in the show by Blue Dot Sessions:

  • "Charcoal Lines" by Sketchbook

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. We get production help from Rae Solomon.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a 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.

Stories written by KUNC newsroom staff.