Podcast
Colorado Today
Hosted by Colorado Public Radio · EN
The Colorado news you need in 15 minutes a day, from Colorado Public Radio’s newsrooms. Get connected with your community and understand how the biggest stories in Colorado impact your life. Available each weekday morning at 6:00 a.m. with hosts Bazi Kanani and Arlo Pérez Esquivel. Follow this show, and consider donating to support future episodes at cpr.org.
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New restrictions on sports betting; public Christian school closes; judge pauses NCAR dismantling
1w ago00:14:56Tap to summarizeColorado is putting new restrictions on online sports bets, in the hopes of heading off problem gambling. Then, a Christian public school in Pueblo that aimed to challenge education funding laws has closed, but the fight will go on elsewhere. Plus, a legal battle to keep a climate research hub in Boulder open got a big boost from a federal judge. And learn about an opportunity to send a message into the future.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: CPR’s Ben Markus on the new changes to sports bettingFind Ben’s previous coverage here Chalkbeat’s Ann Schimke on the closure of Riverstone AcademyFind Ann’s previous coverage here CPR’s Sam Brasch on the order blocking the Trump Administration from dismantling NCARFind Sam’s previous coverage here Details on how to submit material for Loveland’s Colorado time capsule. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Hazel Feldstein, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Tina Peters released; CO representatives weigh in on housing reform; celebrating yard art in Colorado Springs
1w ago00:13:28Tap to summarizeTina Peters is officially free, more than half a decade before the end of her full original sentence. You’ll hear her first public remarks, and reactions from Coloradans. Then, housing prices have long run amok. Can Congress come together and do something about it? Or will a division that runs even deeper than party lines derail it? Plus, an exhibit at the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs celebrates the freedom and expression of yard art.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: More details on Boulder’s 30th annual Jewish Community Festival, Sunday June 7. CPR’s Bente Birkeland with reactions to Tina Peters’ release from prison. CPR’s Ryan Warner interviews the head of the Clerks Association about Peters’ release. CPR’s Hayley Sanchez on the ‘Art From the Yard’ show in Colorado Springs. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Polis vetoes video game and social media bills; measuring psychedelic-assisted therapy; accelerated medical school
1w ago00:14:45Tap to summarizeFind out which new bills have been rejected by Gov. Jared Polis. His vetoes include a bill supported by Evergreen families after the shooting at their school. Then, a company in Denver is getting millions in federal funding to track what psychedelics do to your biometrics. Plus, we look at an effort to get doctors through medical school and into practice faster.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Ava Kian on Gov. Polis’s first vetoes from the 2026 session. CPR’s John Daley on CU Anschutz’s accelerated med school program This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Bazi Kanani. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Stephanie Wolf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Denver homicides up; meatpackers locked out in Fort Morgan; a Colorado rover on the moon?
2w ago00:14:46Tap to summarizeHomicides are way up in Denver this year so far, compared to last year, and that has community members asking whether the city is doing enough to prevent youth violence in particular. Then, the Cargill meatpacking plant in Fort Morgan is sitting idle, while workers picket outside. Plus, NASA has picked a Colorado-built rover as part of its future lunar base.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Check out CPR’s primary election voter guide Denverite’s Kyle Harris on the shooting inside the Montbello Rec Center Colorado Sun’s Tracy Ross on the situation at the Cargill meatpacking plant CPR’s Dan Boyce got a ride in Lunar Outpost’s earlier rover prototype This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Madilyn Rose. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Vice President in CO; ethics concerns at Cherry Creek Schools; seed money for future farmers
2w ago00:13:43Tap to summarizeFrom a visiting V.P. to aquatic accusations, we hit some of the top stories from around the state. Then, former leaders of the Cherry Creek School District are accused of some ethically dubious conduct, in a situation that reveals the limits of school district oversight. And, young aspiring farmers and ranchers get the chance to learn some tough financial and physical lessons through a new government loan program.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Denverite’s guide to Fan Expo 2026. Report Denver watering violations here The Denver Post’s Jessica Seaman on the ethical concerns at Cherry Creek Schools CPR’s Haylee May on the USDA loans for young farmers This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Madilyn Rose and Mateo Schimpf. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →An alternative to the DIA trains; using wastewater to heat and cool buildings; Denver’s (goose) poopy parks
2w ago00:14:57Tap to summarizeDenver International Airport’s infamously dysfunctional baggage tunnels will finally see use under a new proposal. The airport plans to use them to create walkable connections between the various terminals, offering an alternative when the trains go down. Then, the city of Denver has an ambitious plan for a more climate-friendly approach to heating and cooling downtown buildings — and it hinges on wastewater. Plus, Denver’s parks are full of geese, and their poop. We look at how the city tries to manage both.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Denver Zoo and Conservation Alliance remembers Rudy, the black rhino Denverite’s Andrew Kenney on DIA’s plan to connect the terminals with tunnels CPR’s Ishan Thakore on Denver’s plans to use sewage for energy CPR’s Haylee May on how Denver deals with goose poop
Transcribe →The good and the bad in new homelessness numbers; municipal drama in Mountain View; a Tiny Desk finalist from Colorado
2w ago00:15:17Tap to summarizeThe number of people experiencing homelessness last year held steady, but digging into the numbers reveals a potentially concerning trend, when it comes to youth living on the streets. Then, on Denver’s western border, officials in the tiny town of Mountain View have been filing complaints against each other at a furious clip. And we meet Lauren Frihauf, a Colorado musician who caught the judges’ ears during NPR’s annual Tiny Desk contest.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Information about Documents That Forged A Nation at History Colorado. Denverite’s Kyle Harris on what new numbers tell us about homelessness in Colorado. Denverite’s Kiara DeMare on political conflicts in the town of Mountain View. 2026 Tiny Desk Finalist Lauren Frihauf. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Stephanie Wolf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Colorado’s broken child care system; Air National Guard members in limbo; remembering a chile-growing legend
3w ago00:14:28Tap to summarizeWe look into childcare, why it’s becoming unaffordable for a growing number of Coloradans, and how it could get worse. Then, Colorado’s Congressional delegation wants answers about hundreds of Colorado Air National Guard members' jobs. Plus, we celebrate and remember the life of an essential part of Pueblo's spicy history. A Correction: The original audio of this show included an incorrect number for how many Air National Guard members have lost their positions in Colorado; the total is 393, not 339. The show has been updated.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: CPR’s Jenny Brundin’s series on Colorado’s child care system, Raising Colorado CPR’s Caitlyn Kim on Colorado’s congressional delegation pushing for answers on 100s of state Air National Guard jobs. CPR’s Bente Birkeland’s story on the chile-growing Pueblo family This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Stephanie Wolf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →CO Dems punish Polis for Peters clemency; will Colorado ban surveillance pricing; breweries see a boost
3w ago00:15:34Tap to summarizeLess than a week after Gov. Jared Polis granted clemency to former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, Polis’ own party has made its displeasure known with a censure vote Wednesday night. Then, a bill on Polis’ desk would prevent companies from using your personal data to determine how much you pay for their products, but will he sign it? And, beer production is down nationwide, but Colorado breweries are largely bucking the trend.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: CPR's Stina Sieg on the reopening of Independence Pass, and the NPS on the status of Trail Ridge Road. CPR’s Bente Birkeland on Colorado Democrats censuring Gov. Polis Denver Post’s Seth Klamann on the bill to limit surveillance pricing CPR’s Haylee May on Colorado breweries bucking the national trends This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Stephanie Wolf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Political unknown shakes up GOP primary for gov.; climate-proofing Denver's urban trees; fighting the 'tree of heaven'
3w ago00:15:10Tap to summarizeVictor Marx is a new name in Colorado politics, but he arrives with a big backstory, and the potential to shake up the Republican primary for governor. Then, it's a tree two-fer. First, the hunt is on for trees that can endure the Denver of the future, as climate change makes conditions on the Front Range even more extreme. And then, meet the tree that's too resilient -- the invasive, and nearly-unstoppable tree of heaven. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Details on this year’s commencement ceremony at the Air Force Academy. CPR’s Ben Markus on Victor Marx and the other Republicans in the governor’s race. CPR’s Sam Brasch on the search for Denver’s next great shade tree. Denverite’s Paolo Zialcita on efforts to eradicate the tree of heaven. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
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