Colorado Matters

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 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.

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.

Nearly 200,000 Coloradans buy coverage on the state’s health exchange, but that system could be disrupted by what happens in Washington with Obamacare. The CEO of the exchange tell Colorado Matters about navigating the uncertainty and offers advice in the face of big premium hikes. Then, a new state law provides more legal protection for people who break into hot cars to rescue pets, but they have to make sure the pet is really in trouble. Plus, a look at other new laws taking effect today. And, a new pro bike race starts tomorrow. Can it survive where similar races have failed? Also, Spanish explorer Juan Rivera set out in 1765 to find riches and a tribe of bearded men in Colorado. Montrose archaeologist Steven Baker has written a book about that unusual and little-known journey.

Colorado is about to end a requirement that medical professionals report possible cases of domestic violence to police, except in cases of serious bodily injury or for victims under the age of 18. Then, legendary mountain bike racer Dave Wiens hits a new trail — leading the sport’s international association. He hopes both to grow mountain biking and to limit its impact on natural places. And, the new novel “Girl In Snow” opens at a high school assembly with the principal announcing a student has been murdered. The story is set on the Front Range, where the author grew up. And, uncovering secrets of Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel on its 125th birthday.

The “Worst Internet in America” is in a rural part of Southern Colorado, according to an analysis by the website fivethirtyeight.com. The governor wants to improve internet speeds across the rural parts of the state by 2020, but the man he’s put in charge thinks that goal may not be realistic. Then, listeners are asked to make some of the toughest decisions doctors face in a new podcast co-hosted by a University of Colorado bioethicist. And, the Libertarian Party started in a living room in Colorado; a new project documents its history. Finally, after a deadly home explosion, local governments explore what new levels of control they can legally exert over oil and gas operations.

Denver International Airport never planned for long security lines that now exist on the main terminal. Those came about when new security measures were put into place after 9/11. Now, as part of a $1.8 billion renovation, the airport wants to reclaim the space. But, the airlines that would help foot the bill aren’t on board yet. Then, when she was just 16, Pueblo’s Alison Jervis wrote a novel and posted it online. After more than 24 million reads, it’s now in print. The book is about teen suicide and Death is a main character. Plus, the rock n’ roll history made at Caribou Ranch.

GOP Rep. Mike Coffman, of Aurora, got an earful from conservative and liberal constituents at a town hall Tuesday night focused on health care and immigration. Then, cyclist Taylor Phinney, of Boulder, is the kind of guy who walks naked on the team bus joking with his teammates. Fresh off his first Tour de France, he’ll compete in next week’s Colorado Classic. Also, as the population of wild horses grows, Congress is debating whether to authorize euthanasia. Scientists in Colorado say they’ve improved birth control to keep the population down. Plus, with legal marijuana, dogs taught to detect pot can complicate police work. And, Colorado-born singer Arum Rae on growing up in church and her unique style.