Good Morning, Colorado, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up. It’s Tuesday November 17th, and we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Join us daily for an in-depth look at one of our top stories. Today, we’re sharing the story of Lisa Merck, one of the first people in Colorado to receive a positive coronavirus diagnosis. 

 

We’ve also released another bonus episode today, featuring insight from one of our readers on what they’ve learned while living through a global pandemic in Colorado. 

 

Before we begin, let’s take a look at what happened on this day in Colorado history - adapted from Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

 

Today, we take you back to November 17th, 1926 when hundreds of residents of northeastern Colorado gathered as the Great Western Sugar Company dedicated a towering factory where workers refined beets into sugar. This was the 22nd, and the last beet sugar factory erected in Colorado.

 

Now, our feature story. 

 

Colorado Sun reporter Jesse Paul recently followed up with 51 year old Lisa Merck. Lisa lives in Crested Butte. She's a nurse practitioner and was one of the first people in the state with a confirmed COVID-19 infection. She also happens to be the deputy Gunnison County coroner. 

 

Finally, here are a few other stories you should know about today:

 

The Colorado General Assembly is preparing for a special session that will provide more relief to those impacted by the pandemic. The move — which is expected to be announced as soon as Tuesday — comes as Gov. Jared Polis pushes a $1.3 billion stimulus package that includes relief for restaurant owners and other small businesses.

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More than 40% of Coloradans with diabetes responding to a survey said their insulin costs are so high that they dangerously ration their own use of the lifesaving drug at least once a year, according to a state attorney general’s report. 

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The White River National Forest’s request for Land and Water Conservation Fund money to permanently protect Garfield County’s Sweetwater Lake — a pristine oasis surrounded by public lands —  has been granted.

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Colorado schools are trying to embrace technology’s leading role during the pandemic while also trying to create a level playing field.

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Federal court weighs whether Colorado law can require web designer to make websites for same-sex couples. The case is reminiscent of the Masterpiece Cakeshop challenge that went to the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. 

 

The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.

 

Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you’ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up. It&rsquo;s Tuesday November 17th, and we&rsquo;re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Join us daily for an in-depth look at one of our top stories. Today, we&rsquo;re sharing the story of Lisa Merck, one of the first people in Colorado to receive a positive coronavirus diagnosis.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ve also released another bonus episode today, featuring insight from one of our readers on what they&rsquo;ve learned while living through a global pandemic in Colorado.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Before we begin, let&rsquo;s take a look at what happened on this day in Colorado history - adapted from Derek R Everett&rsquo;s book &ldquo;Colorado Day by Day&rdquo;:
&nbsp;
Today, we take you back to November 17th, 1926 when hundreds of residents of northeastern Colorado gathered as the Great Western Sugar Company dedicated a towering factory where workers refined beets into sugar. This was the 22nd, and the last beet sugar factory erected in Colorado.
&nbsp;
Now, our feature story.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Colorado Sun reporter Jesse Paul recently followed up with 51 year old Lisa Merck. Lisa lives in Crested Butte. She's a nurse practitioner and was one of the first people in the state with a confirmed COVID-19 infection. She also happens to be the deputy Gunnison County coroner.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Finally, here are a few other stories you should know about today:
&nbsp;
The Colorado General Assembly is preparing for a special session that will provide more relief to those impacted by the pandemic. The move &mdash; which is expected to be announced as soon as Tuesday &mdash; comes as Gov. Jared Polis pushes <a href="https://coloradosun.com/2020/11/12/colorado-governor-jared-polis-1-3-billion-stimulus-plan/">a $1.3 billion stimulus package</a> that includes relief for restaurant owners and other small businesses.
-
More than 40% of Coloradans with diabetes responding to a survey said their insulin costs are so high that they dangerously ration their own use of the lifesaving drug at least once a year, according to a state attorney general&rsquo;s report.&nbsp;
-
The White River National Forest&rsquo;s request for Land and Water Conservation Fund money to permanently protect <a href="https://coloradosun.com/2020/05/18/sweetwater-lake-colorado-forest-service-funding/">Garfield County&rsquo;s Sweetwater Lake</a> &mdash; a pristine oasis surrounded by public lands &mdash;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/FY2021-GAOA-LWCF-Projects-110920.pdf">has been granted</a>.
-
Colorado schools are trying to embrace technology&rsquo;s leading role during the pandemic while also trying to create a level playing field.
-
Federal court weighs whether Colorado law can require web designer to make websites for same-sex couples. The case is reminiscent of the Masterpiece Cakeshop challenge that went to the U.S. Supreme Court.
&nbsp;
For more information on all of these stories, visit our website,<a href="http://www.coloradosun.com/"> www.coloradosun.com</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.
&nbsp;
Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you&rsquo;ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again tomorrow.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

The Daily Sun-Up

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

Our intro music is by Matt Skellenger Group: https://mattskellenger.bandcamp.com/album/subspace-transmission 

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we&rsquo;re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at <a href="https://coloradosun.com/">https://coloradosun.com/</a>.
Our intro music is by Matt Skellenger Group: <a href="https://mattskellenger.bandcamp.com/album/subspace-transmission">https://mattskellenger.bandcamp.com/album/subspace-transmission</a>&nbsp;