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Aug. 25, 2021: On The Road In Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek, And Pueblo

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50min 42sec
210824-CMOTR-MARTIN-DRAKE-POWER-COLORADO-SPRINGS
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
The Martin Drake Power Station in Colorado Springs on Monday, August 23, 2021. The facility will burn through its final load of coal this week and begin the process of shutting down ahead of demolition to make way for a natural gas-fired facility that will generate far less climate-damaging emissions.

The Martin-Drake power plant in Colorado Springs burns its last coal this week after nearly a century, then transitions to natural gas. We talk with plant manager Somer Mese about the change, and a panel of guests on the bigger picture. Then, a teaching shift in Cripple Creek. And remembering Luis Ibarra, who brought Tejano music to southern Colorado.