Today on Colorado Edition: we get the perspective of a climate scientist on the fire season we’re having, and learn about the impact of the Cameron Peak Fire on Fort Collins’ water supply. We’ll also hear about how Jeffco Public School’s reading curriculum holds up, and get tips for how to talk with friends and family about conspiracy theories.
Climate Scientists Reflects On Wildfires
On Saturday, climate scientist Daniel Swain tweeted out a series of photos and videos of the Cal-Wood Fire, and the large amount of smoke it generated, as it moved through Boulder County.
Swain joined us to explain what he saw, and to give us the perspective of a climate scientist on this fire season we’re having.
I ended up having an incredible, if horrifying, view of the #CalwoodFire as it roared out of the mountains and down the Front Range foothills on Saturday. These photos are from three separate vantage points as I successively moved farther from fire as it advanced. #COwx pic.twitter.com/aGUpBNKZQ3
— Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) October 18, 2020
Fire And Water: Fort Collins, Colorado
Water supplies in many western communities originate from melting snow, high up in the mountains. But this summer’s record-breaking wildfires have reduced some headwater forests to burnt trees and heaps of ash. Our series on where water and fire intersect in the continues today with KUNC’s Luke Runyon – he has more the Cameron Peak Fire and the impact on Fort Collins.
Jeffco’s Reading Curriculum
Earlier this month, Colorado’s second largest school district, Jeffco Public Schools, released a list of reading curriculums used across four different grade levels in most of the districts’ 109 schools.
Now why is that news, you may ask? Well, the list revealed that one-third of the district’s schools uses a core reading program that has not only been rejected by the state, but has been panned by researchers who criticize the program for popularizing teaching strategies that run counter to science.
Ann Schimke, a senior reporter with Chalkbeat Colorado, joined us to explain what’s going on.
How To Talk About Conspiracy Theories
Here's a scenario you may have found yourself in recently: you open up Facebook or Twitter, and someone you know is posting about a conspiracy theory. You wonder, "Do I say something? Is there any convincing them otherwise?"
Mountain West Bureau’s Maggie Mullen went in search of advice.
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:
- “Lupi" by Orange Cat
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., with a rebroadcast of the previous evening's show Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 a.m.
