Anthony Cotton

With about 3,000 students, Western Colorado University in Gunnison may not be top of mind for those with visions of Buffaloes and Rams dancing in their heads.  Western’s new president Brad Baca wants to change that. As a first-generation Hispanic college student, one of his passions is who can access higher education.

The University of Colorado is currently part of the Pac-12 Conference. But soon, the Buffs could move to the Big 12. Or the Big 10. Or they might just stay put. Recent moves by UCLA and USC have disrupted college sports, leaving CU — and its athletic director Rick George — in the wake.  He spoke recently about how the program will proceed.

An ownership group led by Rob Walton is poised to buy the Denver Broncos for a reported $4.65 billion. We get perspective from Eben Novy-Williams, a sports business reporter for Sportico, who’s closely following the sale, and from former Denver Bronco, Super Bowl champion, author, and broadcaster Ryan Harris.

In women’s sports, prize money has lagged behind men’s — but that’s changing at this week’s Colorado Women’s Open. With a new sponsor, Inspirato, a Denver-based luxury travel broker, on board, the winner of the event will receive $100,000, the same as the men’s champion. The highest-paying State Open in the country, the tournament is part of a recent trend welcomed by female athletes.

During the Vietnam War, a group of fighter pilots volunteered for what was largely seen as an impossible mission – preventing the delivery of weapons and supplies from the North into the South. These pilots were known by their radio call sign: Misty. Close to a dozen of them were from Colorado. A new documentary, “The Misty Experiment: The Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail,” is airing on PBS.

Don’t let the recent snow fool you. It is NOT football season. Yet the Denver Broncos are involved in a high-stakes contest: the sale of the franchise.

After Governor Jared Polis signed it into law, four-year-olds in Colorado will be able to attend preschool for free beginning in 2023. However, families will be limited to 10 hours — which could hamper the schedules of working families. There are also other questions about how the program will actually work, according to Chalkbeat senior reporter Ann Schimke.

John Babiak’s parents were displaced from Ukraine during World War II, eventually settling in upstate New York and teaching their children the value of helping others. It’s one reason why the photographer from Denver recently made a trip to Eastern Europe to assist those displaced by the war with Russia. Babiak is working with World Central Kitchen, a global humanitarian group, and has shared some of the photos he’s taken on his journey with Colorado Public Radio.

Arvada City Councilwoman Lisa Smith has years of experience volunteering at disaster sites, but nothing quite prepared her for having to decide who could flee Ukraine in a vehicle parked nearby, and who would have to wait.

Colorado lost an important voice this week with the passing of Tom Robinson. In 2001, Robinson became the first Black administrator hired by the Colorado High School Activities Association. Robinson worked as a teacher, coach and referee. He was even the replay official for the 2017 NCAA college football national championship game. The husband of Cleo Parker Robinson, Tom also helped found the iconic Denver dance company. Rashaan Davis is an assistant commissioner with CHSAA who worked with Robinson for years.

It’s fair to say that college professors tend to lean liberal. So, almost 10 years ago, the University of Colorado Boulder embarked on an effort to counter that. It created the position of Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy. Since then, a number of conservatives have taught on campus, including John Eastman. Now, a House committee is looking into Eastman’s role in the JIt’s fair to say that college professors tend to lean liberal. So, almost 10 years ago, the University of Colorado Boulder embarked on an effort to counter that. It created the position of Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy. Since then, a number of conservatives have taught on campus, including John Eastman. Now, a House committee is looking into Eastman’s role in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Robert Pasnau is a philosophy professor at CU Boulder. He directed the conservative scholars program for eight years.

When the pandemic hit, many businesses took a step back. But Skye Barker Maa took a step, actually several steps, forward. She’d already started a music school in Aurora, and last year, Barker Maa started a new fashion school as well as schools for photography, theater and film. And that’s not all.

John Babiak, of Denver, feels a compunction to help people who struggle. It’s a quality his parents instilled in him. In the 1940s, they were displaced from Ukraine. Which is why, despite a congenital heart condition, Babiak soon leaves for Poland to help Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. The 62-year-old might also cross over into his family’s homeland.