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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Primary election results; fire updates
3d ago00:17:27Tap to summarizeAn upset in Denver’s Congressional race is sending shockwaves through Colorado’s political establishment and adding more fuel to the debates over the future of the Democratic party. Plus, where the primaries for Governor and other statewide offices stand. And, the latest from the devastating Aspen Acres fire in southern Colorado.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Find election results and CPR’s political coverage here Find all of CPR’s wildfire coverage here This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Mateo Schimpf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Wildfires rage around state; Primary Day arrives; controversial oil and gas project moves forward
4d ago00:18:00Tap to summarizeRural communities around Colorado are on edge, as fire crews try to stop the spread of multiple wildfires, with dangerous conditions expected to continue through the week. Then, we take you door to door with the last-ditch efforts from campaigns. And we hear how the Draco development, a large oil and gas project on the border between Weld and Boulder counties, cleared its final major hurdle to development. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Find all of CPR’s wildfire coverage here Still haven’t voted yet? Consider checking out CPR’s 2026 Primary Voter Guide Keep an eye on CPR’s Politics page for election updates CPR’s Caitlyn Kim on the campaigns’ final get-out-the-vote efforts Rae Solomon on the Draco Well Pad moving forward This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel & Bazi Kanani. 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 →Three firefighters die fighting Western Slope blaze; Aurora homeless shelter guests claim underpay; leaving no trace
5d ago00:13:42Tap to summarizeTragedy as crews fight a massive wildfire near the Utah border where multiple firefighters died after the blaze got out of control. Then, residents at an Aurora homeless shelter make less than the federal minimum wage to clean it. They think they should be paid more. And, we’ve all heard the reminder to ‘leave no trace’ when we camp and hike … but it’s so much more than that.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Find all of CPR’s wildfire coverage here. CPR’s Stina Sieg on the three firefighters who died fighting a fire on the Utah border CPR’s Jenny Brundin on the ongoing Title IX feud between Jefferson County Public Schools and the Federal Government. Denverite’s Kyle Harris on the homeless shelter pay dispute in Aurora This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel & Bazi Kanani. 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 →Lawsuit over election timing; eating disorder clinic treating younger patients; get paid to find a climate-friendly job
1w ago00:15:31Tap to summarizeA coalition of voting rights organizations wants Colorado cities to re-schedule their local elections to match statewide and federal ones. The organization says it disenfranchises non-white voters. Then, a rise in children and tweens with eating disorders has one clinic changing its approach. Plus, the city of Denver is trying to encourage the next generation of climate workers by offering them cash.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Denver Botanic Gardens' heavy metal send off to its blooming (and dying) agave KRCC’s Briana Heaney on the lawsuit over Colorado Springs’ local elections CPR’s Andrea Dukakis on Denver Eating Recovery Center’s new clinic CPR’s Sam Brasch on Denver’s climate job rebate program This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee, Jack Armstrong, and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Massive hailstorms on the Plains; FEMA funding delays; Aurora teen stars in a Netflix film
1w ago00:14:09Tap to summarizeColorado’s summer weather is ramping up, and with that, so is the damage from Colorado’s most expensive type of natural disaster: hail. Then, hear about how federal changes are making it harder for communities and utilities to prepare before natural disasters do strike. And, a movie starring an Aurora teen with Down Syndrome is now in global release.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 and Molly Cruse on fire conditions in Garfield and Mesa counties CPR’s Tony Gorman on this week’s damaging hailstorms CPR’s Ishan Thakore on the changing relationship between FEMA and Colorado emergency management. (Coming soon) Colorado Matters’ Chandra Thomas Whitfield talks with Jeremiah Daniel and his parents about his role in ‘Color Book’ This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Primary races go negative, DNA scientist plea deal, sorbet pop-up shut down
1w ago00:16:42Tap to summarizeColorado’s airwaves are starting to fill up with negative ads, as Democrats in particular duke it out in some bitter primaries. What do the attacks say about the state of those races, and how are voters making up their minds? Then, former CBI forensic scientist Missy Woods has taken a plea deal that could put her in prison for several years. And the story of how a popular free sorbet pop-up in Englewood ran afoul of regulators and found itself iced out. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Find primary election coverage from CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn KimCPR’s Primary Voter Guide CPR’s Ava Kian on Missy Woods’ plea deal. Colorado Matters’ Chandra Thomas Whitfield talks with Jeremiah Daniel and his parents about his role in ‘Color Book’ This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Stephanie Wolf, Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Aurora mayor sleeping at homeless shelter; the San Luis Valley’s unlikely DA, Denver Pride preview
2w ago00:15:28Tap to summarizeEvery Friday, when the official work is done, Aurora mayor Mike Coffman heads to the city’s 600-bed homeless shelter, where he volunteers and sleeps in order to keep a closer eye on one of his administration’s signature efforts. Then, after complaints forced out the San Luis Valley’s last district attorney, his replacement on the job is someone no one saw coming. And, from location to length, this weekend’s Denver Pride festival is a break from the past.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 primary election guideListen to interviews with the candidates for top primary races on our series: Who’s Gonna Govern? Denverite’s Kyle Harris on Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman’s weekly stays at a homeless shelter. CPR’s Ava Kian on San Luis Valley DA, Ann Kelly. Denverite’s Kiara DeMare on the changes to Denver Pride this year.Details on Sunday’s Pride events here. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Arlo Pérez Esquivel, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Doctors fear resuming gender care, Mesa County clerk primary, mile high marker on the move
2w ago00:15:18Tap to summarizeThe legal fight over the gender-affirming care clinic at Children’s Hospital has taken another twist; the hospital says it’s ready to follow a court order and resume care, but its doctors are afraid they’ll face federal sanctions. Then, in Mesa County, the Republican primary for clerk could put an election denier in the office once filled by Tina Peters. And detailed new elevation calculations mean the official mile-high mark in Denver is about to move, again.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: The Colorado Sun’s Jennifer Brown reports on the latest legal developments with Children’s Hospital Colorado’s gender-affirming care clinic. CPR's Tom Hesse on the Republican clerk's primary in Mesa County. Denverite’s Sandy Battulga on the Capitol’s mile high marker move. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Hazel Feldstein, Jack Armstrong, Stephanie Wolf, and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →Xcel can't quit coal plant, Cargill lockout drags on, relocating cremains, Juneteenth celebrations
2w ago00:15:14Tap to summarizeRising demand and troubles with other power plants have Xcel asking regulators to keep the Comanche II plant open in Pueblo longer, and to approve other fossil fuel projects, all of which could end up on customers' bills. Then, it's been more than a month since Cargill locked workers out of its plant in Fort Morgan, and the picketers are losing patience. And, when a congregation in Denver sold its church building, it ran into an unusual dilemma: what to do with the cremains in its columbarium. Plus, Juneteenth celebrations around the state this weekend. 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 birth announcement for its as-yet unnamed baby orangutan. CPR’s Ishan Thakore on Xcel Energy asking Colorado regulators to extend an aging coal plant. Denverite’s Kiara DeMare on what’s happening with the cremains from St. Paul Lutheran Church. Denverite’s Kyle Harris on Juneteenth in Denver.Plus Juneteenth events in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Hazel Feldstein, Arlo Pérez Esquivel, Stephanie Wolf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
Transcribe →New rules when cities 'buy and dry'; clinic serves female genital cutting survivors; quirky store thrives in Del Norte
2w ago00:16:21Tap to summarizeWhen Colorado’s growing cities look to farms along the Arkansas River to meet their thirst, they'll now have to leave that in better shape for the future. Then, we learn about a clinic that’s trying to help women from East Africa and parts of Asia with a taboo health topic: female genital mutilation and cutting. Plus, in the tiny San Luis Valley town of Del Norte, a quirky store offers everything from vinyl records, to tinned fish, to touring musical acts.Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Colorado Matters goes inside the Yuan Wonton kitchen, with chef Penelope Wong KRCC’s Shanna Lewis on “Buy and Dry” in the Arkansas River Basin. CPR’s Elaine Tassy on the clinic supporting female genital cutting survivors. CPR's Dan Boyce with the story behind Trade & Post in Del Norte. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Hazel Feldstein, Stephanie Wolf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.
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