Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up. It’s Thursday February 18th, and even though there’s a lot of turmoil right now we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

Today - We’re looking at the different coronavirus variants that have been found in Colorado, and how the state is handling them.

But before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

Today, we take you back to February 18th, 1861 when Arapaho and Southern Cheyenne leaders signed The Treaty of Fort Wise. The treaty reinforced peaceful relations in the wake of the Pike’s Peak gold rush. It was also a sign of the end of Native American authority east of the Rocky Mountains.

Now, our feature story.

Fewer than 100 cases of coronavirus variants have been identified in Colorado as of Wednesday, and case numbers in general have been improving in recent weeks. Health reporter John Ingold spoke with staff writer Lucy Haggard to unpack what exactly a coronavirus variant is and how the state is handling them.

To read more about coronavirus variants in Colorado, go to coloradosun.com.

And Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:

Jackson County Search and Rescue is looking for a missing snowmobiler following an avalanche Tuesday afternoon. The rider’s group notified authorities after the slide happened on a northeast facing slope near Ruby Mountain. At least ten people have died in Colorado avalanches this winter.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/02/17/snowmobiler-missing-after-avalanche-in-jackson-county/ 

Colorado’s hospitals have the highest profit margins of any state in the country. Those are the findings of a financial analysis that was presented Wednesday in concert with the state’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. It found the state’s hospitals also charge more and have higher costs. Experts say this is likely due to consolidation into a handful of large networks. But hospital industry representatives argue the data used in the analysis, which is from 2018, is no longer relevant, especially in the time of coronavirus.

Governor Jared Polis delivered the annual State of the State address from the capitol on Wednesday, his first since the pandemic began. The governor’s main proposals center around taxes, including removing a state tax on Social Security benefits and expanding tax credits for families with kids. Polis also spoke about more criminal justice reform and ensuring health care is affordable. The Colorado Sun staff analyzed the governor’s speech and produced an annotated version. You can find it at coloradosun.com. 

https://coloradosun.com/2021/02/17/jared-polis-third-state-of-state-annotated/ 

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. And don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow for a special holiday episode. Now, a quick message from our editor.

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, you&rsquo;re listening to the Daily Sun-Up. It&rsquo;s Thursday February 18th, and even though there&rsquo;s a lot of turmoil right now we&rsquo;re feeling lucky to start the day with you.
Today - We&rsquo;re looking at the different coronavirus variants that have been found in Colorado, and how the state is handling them.
But before we begin, let&rsquo;s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett&rsquo;s book &ldquo;Colorado Day by Day&rdquo;:
Today, we take you back to February 18th, 1861 when Arapaho and Southern Cheyenne leaders signed The Treaty of Fort Wise. The treaty reinforced peaceful relations in the wake of the Pike&rsquo;s Peak gold rush. It was also a sign of the end of Native American authority east of the Rocky Mountains.
Now, our feature story.
Fewer than 100 cases of coronavirus variants have been identified in Colorado as of Wednesday, and case numbers in general have been improving in recent weeks. Health reporter John Ingold spoke with staff writer Lucy Haggard to unpack what exactly a coronavirus variant is and how the state is handling them.
To read more about coronavirus variants in Colorado, go to coloradosun.com.
And Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:
Jackson County Search and Rescue is looking for a missing snowmobiler following an avalanche Tuesday afternoon. The rider&rsquo;s group notified authorities after the slide happened on a northeast facing slope near Ruby Mountain. At least ten people have died in Colorado avalanches this winter.
<a href="https://coloradosun.com/2021/02/17/snowmobiler-missing-after-avalanche-in-jackson-county/">https://coloradosun.com/2021/02/17/snowmobiler-missing-after-avalanche-in-jackson-county/</a>&nbsp;
Colorado&rsquo;s hospitals have the highest profit margins of any state in the country. Those are the findings of a financial analysis that was presented Wednesday in concert with the state&rsquo;s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. It found the state&rsquo;s hospitals also charge more and have higher costs. Experts say this is likely due to consolidation into a handful of large networks. But hospital industry representatives argue the data used in the analysis, which is from 2018, is no longer relevant, especially in the time of coronavirus.
Governor Jared Polis delivered the annual State of the State address from the capitol on Wednesday, his first since the pandemic began. The governor&rsquo;s main proposals center around taxes, including removing a state tax on Social Security benefits and expanding tax credits for families with kids. Polis also spoke about more criminal justice reform and ensuring health care is affordable. The Colorado Sun staff analyzed the governor&rsquo;s speech and produced an annotated version. You can find it at coloradosun.com.&nbsp;
<a href="https://coloradosun.com/2021/02/17/jared-polis-third-state-of-state-annotated/">https://coloradosun.com/2021/02/17/jared-polis-third-state-of-state-annotated/</a>&nbsp;
For more information on all of these stories, visit our website,<a href="http://www.coloradosun.com/"> www.coloradosun.com</a>. And don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again tomorrow for a special holiday episode. Now, a quick message from our editor.
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&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/.

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