Supreme Court Hears Same-Sex Cake Case; Teaching In Finland; New Colorado Symphony Conductor; Pioneering Women In Art
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear what could be a pivotal case from Colorado — a baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. He’s fighting the appeals court order — that he had to either serve same-sex couples or stop making wedding cakes altogether. We’ll preview the arguments. Then, what Colorado’s Teacher Of The Year did on his summer vacation. Plus, how Colorado changed a pioneering artist named Helen Henderson Chain. And, the Colorado symphony’s new music director on his grunge-rock upbringing.
Touring A Mock Refugee Camp; High School Sports Controversies; What’s A Forensic Sculptor? Art That Blends Mexican Heritage, American Identity
Refugees face split-second decisions, life-threatening situations and long stints in crowded camps. For a sense of their experience, Colorado Matters toured a mock refugee camp set up in Boulder by international aid group Doctors Without Borders. Then, one local high school coach was fired for forcing a student to do splits, another is accused of moving a student’s car off campus to avoid a drug search. The head of Colorado’s high school athletic association talks about what can be done to avoid problems like that. Plus, a sculptor helps identify unidentified dead people by modeling their skulls to reconstruct what they might have looked like. And, American and Mexican pop culture often appear in the work of artist Tony Ortega, whose work is featured in a new show.
Wildfires: ‘A Deadly Epidemic Of Flame’; Sanctioned Camp For The Homeless; Thornton’s Jurassic Discovery
You can’t help but think of wildfires with the eerie haze that’s enveloped much of Colorado — a byproduct of fires burning in the West. Boulder environmental journalist Michael Kodas says we’re experiencing “a deadly epidemic of flame.” His new book is called “Megafire.” Kodas has fought fires himself in the past and one was raging in his own back yard as he wrote the book. Then, Durango may set up a sanctioned camp for the homeless. They’re following the lead of a similar project in New Mexico. And, the latest on the Jurassic surprise in Thornton. Crews were moving dirt for a new police station and found a triceratops.
Rep. Mike Coffman On His DACA Plan; Paying For DPS Lunches; Charitable ‘Change Gangs’; Frustration With Black Hills Energy; ESPN Announcer Makes History
The Trump administration has announced the end of DACA, the policy that protects immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children, and given Congress six months to figure out what’s next; we speak with Republican Rep. Mike Coffman. Then, it used to be if a Denver student entered a passcode to pay for a school lunch and the account didn’t have any money, they’d get a barebones meal. Why Denver has stopped that. Plus, they’re kind of like book clubs, except they make charitable donations. “Giving circles” have gone virtual. Next, the Pueblo city council is so frustrated with the local power company, Black Hills Energy, that it may end the city’s agreement with the utility. And, history will be made at the Broncos opener, not on the field but in the announcer’s booth.
DUI Testing For Pot; Metro State Prepares For DACA Action; Bacteria Have Feeling Too
Pot is legal in Colorado but driving under its influence isn’t. Still, there’s really no fast, reliable and readily available test for marijuana DUI. We’ll hear about researchers trying to crack that nut, and take you into a top DUI training program for law enforcement. Then, if the Trump administration eliminates a program to protects people brought illegally into the country as children, Metropolitan State University of Denver could be hit hard. The school has hundreds of DACA students. And who knew? Bacteria have a sense of touch. If scientists can block it, they may make a lot of headway in fighting disease. Plus, author Erik Storey has a second book out featuring his signature character, Clyde Barr. We spoke to him last year about the first book in the series.
The Design of Hiking Trails; Empowering Women in Rwanda; Colorado’s ‘Woolgrower of the Year’
Veering off a trail can put a hiker’s life in jeopardy, and threaten wildlife. So, with more people hiking Colorado’s mountains, trail design is as important as ever. Then, after focusing on improving the lives of women in Colorado, Swanee Hunt went to Rwanda to learn how women there have rebuilt a ravaged society. Also, sheep have been a part of Connie Theos’ life from day one, and now she’s been named “Colorado Woolgrower of the Year.”
Denver Council’s New Immigration Policy; Coloradans Rescue Pets In Texas; Solar-Roasted Coffee; Making Music For Mongolia
Denver won’t join the federal government in a crackdown on illegal immigration. On Monday, the city council passed an ordinance it says will build trust between immigrants and police. Critics, though, say it means Denver’s becoming a sanctuary city. Then, Coloradans are headed to Texas to help with animal rescues — a task that one worker says can save human lives as well. And, a coffee roaster in Pueblo uses power from the sun to finish the beans. Also, a Denver composer traveled to Mongolia to conduct the premiere of a piece he wrote for a musical ensemble there. Plus, Colorado Springs sculptor Senga Nengudi is one of 17 American artists headed to the Venice Biennale. Her work features everyday objects like pantyhose.
Posing As An Online Right Wing Provocateur; A New Alert System For Those In Danger; Is There Hope For An Aurora Cold Case?
A black man in Denver wanted to understand white nationalists, so Theo Wilson changed up his newsfeed and adopted an alter-ego. “I became Lucius 25, white supremacist lurker, and digitally I began to infiltrate the infamous alt-right movement.” His video about the experience went viral after Charlottesville. Then, a new accessory, invented in Colorado, alerts friends and family if you’re in trouble. And, could a new novel based on the 30-year-old murder of an Aurora family help thaw a cold case? Also, the girl with the I-70 tattoo. Plus, at a Greeley school, kids eat veggies for lunch — and like them.
Can Colorado Become ‘Ground Zero’ For Electing Centrists? A Holocaust Survivor’s Story
Not a single state senator or representative in the Colorado legislature is independent, even though more than a million Coloradans are unaffiliated. A national group, which aims to get more independents elected to national and local office, recently moved to Colorado to focus its resources on the state. The Centrist Project says its goal is critical at a time when 70 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with the direction of the country. Then, Eric Cahn was separated from his parents at age 4. They were sent to Auschwitz while he hid in a family’s basement to avoid the Nazis. Cahn shares his story, as CPR News continues to document the lives of Holocaust survivors in Colorado. Cahn also reflects on the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, where there were anti-Semitic chants and Nazi symbols flying. Plus, Colorado’s pot growers are looking for ways to save energy and money.
Hickenlooper And Kasich Draft Health Care Plan; CU Dormitory History Lesson; Killing Off ‘Superbugs’
The governors of Colorado and Ohio say another one-party healthcare plan would be doomed to fail in Congress. So John Hickenlooper and John Kasich are crafting their own plan together. The Democrat and Republican say they hope to bring more stability to the health insurance market. Then, it’s not just statues. College dorms can honor controversial figures in history. That’s how it was decades ago at CU Boulder. The state historian has been thinking a lot lately about Colorado’s own struggles with names like Nichols, Stapleton and Chivington. And, a new weapon to fight antibiotic resistant superbugs.
Colorado Scientists And Climate Change; Photographing Colorado Ranches; Denver’s Skyline Park
When it’s hot out, or when it rains or floods, maybe you wonder “Is this climate change?” There’s a name for when researchers try to make that sort of direct link — it’s called attribution science. And a big, new climate report finds it’s possible to connect some extreme weather to global warming. But, look no further than Colorado to see how far attribution science has to go. Then… a man who spent a decade on family cattle ranches in Colorado collecting stories. Like how one rancher used to ship her fresh cream to Denver by train. And a look at Denver’s Skyline Park. Plus, keeping the Emerald Ash Borer out of Denver.
Denver Police Grant Aims To Preempt Violent Extremism; Colorado Scientists Await Eclipse; ‘Frozen’ In Denver; ‘Lonesome Days’ Bluegrass
The attack in Charlottesville is a reminder that violent extremism can be homegrown. How Denver Police will use a $500,000 grant to fight terrorist recruitment and radicalization. Then, Colorado scientists are focusing on the sun’s corona as they study Monday’s eclipse. Also, the smash movie “Frozen,” is headed to Broadway as a musical — after a first run in Denver that may help shape the show. Plus, it’s a debut album from bluegrass band “The Lonesome Days,” but the group’s already made a mark — it’s placed second twice at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition.
Where E-Bikes Can Go; Help For Troubled Farmers; New Thriller On Technology’s Effects
Bike sales in general are sluggish, but sales of electric bikes are booming. Host Ryan Warner went for a ride on one to see what the fuss is about. And, the state just passed a new law to regulate e-bikes, but it’s still not clear where you can ride them. Then, a new way for farmers with mental health troubles to get help. Also, a thriller set in Steamboat Springs asks whether technology like smartphones will save us or lead to our demise. Novelist Matt Richtel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning technology reporter for The New York Times.
Negotiating With North Korea; Denver Nuclear Fallout Shelters; Community Land Trusts
Ambassador Christopher Hill, who’s negotiated with the North Koreans in the past, says negotiating won’t get them to shut down their nuclear program. Then, all the talk of nuclear war lately got us wondering about those remaining fallout shelters around Denver. And, the northern neighborhoods of Globeville and Elyria-Swansea see potential in a community land trust to preserve affordable housing in the area. Plus, Elvis Presley — the King of Rock n’ Roll — died 40 years ago this month. August 16, 1977. We listen to a story about his Denver friendships.
Colorado Teacher Shortage, Remembering Don Baylor and Newsman Lowell Thomas, Fort Morgan Meatpacking Plant Discrimination
Colorado has a serious teacher shortage. One solution? Train people in other professions to jump into the classroom. Plus, a Colorado meatpacking plant is found to have discriminated against Muslim workers. Also, the Rockies will remember their first manager, Don Baylor, this evening. And, Lowell Thomas was one of the country’s most trusted voices, even though the Colorado-born newsman once played fast and loose with the truth.
Why Hate Crimes Go Unreported; Singer Dan Fogelberg Joins Colorado Music Hall of Fame; Poetry About Dodging the Draft
The U.S. Department of Justice reports more than half of hate-crime victims don’t call law enforcement. In Denver, the Matthew Shephard Foundation wants to understand why. Also, critics say Denver’s new data-driven policing strategy isn’t properly used. Then, ’70s singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg’s music was inspired by his time in Colorado. He’s about to be inducted into the state’s Music Hall of Fame. And, Denver poet Robert Cooperman dodged the Vietnam draft, and he’s not sorry. His new collection of poems reveals how and why he, and many others, avoided going to war. Plus, a mistake can shape the rest of your life, as it did for a Boulder climber whose misstep came high in the mountains of Myanmar.
