Victor 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.

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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.