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Colorado Edition: Subbed Out

A multicolored wooden abacus sits on a desk in a brightly lit room.
Pixabay
File photo taken May 2016 of an abacus in a classroom.

Today on Colorado Edition: We look ahead to Tuesday night’s presidential debate in Ohio. We’ll also learn about two upcoming ballot measures in Colorado: one about reintroducing gray wolves to our state, and the other about the ever-complicated Gallagher Amendment. Lastly, we’ll hear about a critical shortage of substitute teachers around our state.

What To Expect From Tuesday’s Presidential Debate

The first presidential debate of this election cycle is scheduled for Tuesday evening in Ohio. Ahead of that debate, we got a look at what we can expect with Seth Masket, a professor of political science and director of the center on American Politics at the University of Denver, and the author of the new book, Learning from Loss: The Democrats 2016 – 2020.

A Look At The Gray Wolf Reintroduction Ballot Measure

Gray wolves were eradicated from Colorado’s Western Slope 80 years ago with the help of $20 bounties. Ranchers and early settlers viewed the predators as a threat, and the last one was killed in Conejos County in 1943. This November, voters will decide whether or not to bring them back. To see what that could look like, KUNC’s Scott Franz takes us to a place where wolves have already made a comeback.

The Gallagher Amendment: ‘The Most Confusing Ballot Measure’

In the weeks leading up to the election, we have been covering some of the 11 ballot questions Colorado voters will face in November. Today, we’re turning to one that has been called “the most confusing ballot measure” by one of our listeners. That’s right — we’re going to explain what the Gallagher Amendment is, and what exactly we’re voting on. We spoke with Phyllis Resnick, executive director and lead economist of the Colorado Futures Center.

A Critical Shortage Of Substitutes

School districts across Colorado are facing substitute teacher shortages. It's an issue the state has faced for years, but one that is exacerbated by the pandemic, when subs may be more important than ever. We spoke with Erica Breunlin, who has been reporting on this for the Colorado Sun. You can read her reporting here.

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.

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman, and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. KUNC news director Brian Larson is our executive producer. 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.

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  • Today on a special episode of Colorado Edition: we've teamed up with 1A Across America for a series exploring election issues leading up to November. Today we look at two of the ballot questions that Colorado voters will have a say on in November — Propositions 113 and 118.
  • Today on Colorado Edition: ahead of a global youth climate strike, we’ll hear from a local activist. Plus, who gets to have crowds in the time of coronavirus? We’ll also learn about cloud seeding, and hear our film critic’s latest review.
  • Today on Colorado Edition: We get an update on the migratory bird deaths across the Southwest. We’ll also learn more about metropolitan districts in Northern Colorado and we’ll hear the latest on a new state plan to transform Colorado’s behavioral health system. Plus, we look at new COVID-19 modeling.