Ali Budner

Many families struggle to afford diapers on a daily basis…and the pandemic only made things worse. Some families take desperate measures like using trash bags and paper towels when they run out of disposable diapers. A new state law sponsored by Sen. Brittany Pettersen aims to address the problem.

The U.S. committed to destroying all its chemical munitions in the Nineties, but it’s taking a while. The Pueblo Chemical Depot is one of two remaining sites in the U.S. with chemical munitions. Last month, officials announced that they’ve neutralized nearly 2000 tons of mustard agent in Pueblo, but they have about 650 tons to go. The Department of Defense aims to destroy the depot’s whole stockpile by 2023. Walton Levi is the Site Project Manager. He works for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program — that’s the government entity overseeing the destruction of mustard agent in Pueblo.

Juan Gallegos of Arvada submitted a question through Colorado Wonders. He asked, “I’m a fifth generation Coloradan. I’m talking with folks along the Front Range, and none of us have really seen any pollinators. I’m kind of curious, what’s going on.”

Dr. Leon Kelly runs the busiest coroner’s office in the state, covering much of Southern Colorado. His annual report tracks trends like suicide and domestic violence, helping to identify some of the community’s biggest problems. He says the solutions include a stronger focus on mental health.

After a man walked into a birthday party in Colorado Springs last month and shot and killed six people and then himself, the police chief said domestic violence was “at the core” of what happened. After the incident, advocates said the stresses and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic have made it even more challenging for victims of domestic violence to seek help.

A new book explores the history and modern-day complications of camping.

Young immigrants have sought a pathway to citizenship in the U.S. for decades. April marked the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the DREAM Act into Congress. Since that bill was proposed, DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, took effect, but it’s still in limbo.

Post traumatic stress disorder and suicide rocked Bailey Francisco’s and Kalia Hunter’s worlds. But in high school, they didn’t know how to talk about it. So they made films. They’re both graduates of the Colorado Springs-based Youth Documentary Academy. And they recently won awards for their work at the 2021 Short Circuit Film Festival.

The cost of diapers can add up quickly, and they aren’t covered by food stamps or Medicaid. Some Colorado lawmakers are calling diapers a hidden need, and it’s one many Coloradans are feeling acutely during the pandemic.