Today on Colorado Edition: We’ll learn more about the friction between city-level and county-level public health measures by taking a look at how the city of Greeley is managing the pandemic. Plus, we’ll hear about what it’s like living in Logan County, a COVID-19 hot spot. We’ll also get a preview of the state legislature’s special session, which starts Nov. 30, and we’ll get some ideas for making this Thanksgiving special.
City Of Greeley Charts Its Own Course Through Pandemic
On Sunday, Weld County moved to ‘Level Red: Severe Risk’ on the state’s COVID-19 restriction dial. Level Red is the second most restrictive level on that dial and the shift means a ban on personal gatherings and indoor dining at restaurants, and lower capacity limits in gyms, grocery stores and places of worship.
The county’s commissioners say they will not enforce these new restrictions, but the city of Greeley has been charting a different course, even going so far as to voluntarily impose tighter restrictions on city facilities earlier this month. This all comes as Gov. Jared Polis announced Friday that there are only three hospital beds left in Weld County.
Kelly Ragan, from the NoCo Optimist joined us to explain what’s going on in the county. You can find more of Kelly’s reporting here.
Living In A COVID-19 Hotspot: Scary, Stressful, Divisive
In some ways, Logan County in the northeastern part of the state has been Colorado’s canary in the COVID-19 coal mine. It was home to one of the earliest, large-scale outbreaks, and months later, it was the first to move to stricter restrictions on the state’s coronavirus dial. Now, in addition to Weld County, it's one of the 20 counties moved to the state’s new pre-lockdown level: ‘Level Red: Severe Risk.’ KUNC’s Adam Rayes recently spoke to several residents in the area about the change and they told him that living in a hot spot can be scary, stressful and divisive.
A Look Ahead To Next Week’s Special Legislative Session
Lawmakers will return to the state Capitol on Monday, Nov. 30 for a special legislative session, called by Gov. Polis, to discuss coronavirus relief funding. Jesse Paul, a reporter for the Colorado Sun, joined us now to explain what's in store for this special session.
How To Make This Thanksgiving Special
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is discouraging Thanksgiving travel this year, as COVID-19 cases are rising across the country. Similarly, the state health department is advising Coloradans to only celebrate the holidays with those in their household. To get some ideas for making the holiday special, even though it may seem like just any other meal, we spoke with Denise Mickelsen, food editor for 5280 Magazine.
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:
- "Winter Theme"
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.
