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Colorado Edition: A new congressional district; one year of the COVID-19 vaccine; preparing Coloradans for STEM jobs

A photo shows a series of work spaces in a lab at Colorado State University.
Jessica McDonald
/
KUNC
A lab at Colorado State University.

For the first time in 20 years, Colorado is getting a new seat in Congress. Population data from the 2020 census led to the addition, but it will be a year before voters elect who they want to represent the new 8th Congressional District. The buzz is building, and as KUNC’s Scott Franz reports, some are already predicting this seat could dramatically change public policy in Colorado and the nation.

Tuesday marks one year since the first COVID-19 vaccines became available in Colorado. A lot has changed in that year, but despite the progress made, the virus and its variants are still spreading, and case numbers and hospitalizations remain at high levels. We spoke with Dr. Mark Wallace, a public health expert who was there from the start, on the front line of the pandemic and vaccine rollout. He currently serves as chief clinical officer for Sunrise Community Health, executive officer for the North Colorado Health Alliance, and member of the Banner Health Board of Directors.

Science, technology, engineering and math jobs are booming in Colorado. Last year, the state had the fourth-highest concentration of STEM workers in the country. To help prepare more homegrown talent, including women and people of color, the state is increasing access to bachelor’s degrees in engineering. KUNC’s Stephanie Daniel has that story.

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and edited by Henry Zimmerman (@kombuchacowboy). Our production team includes Tess Novotny (@tess_novotny). KUNC news director Brian Larson is our executive producer. Web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai.

The mission of Colorado Edition is to deepen understanding of life in Northern Colorado through authentic conversation and storytelling. It's available as a podcast on iTunesSpotifyGoogle PlayStitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC, Monday through Friday at 2:30 and at 6:30 p.m.
 
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.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a daily look at the stories, news, people and issues important to you. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains.