Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up. It’s Tuesday May 11th, and even though there’s a lot of turmoil right now we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

Today - The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, but some places like Colorado Springs have held up better than the city of Denver. So why was that the case, and what’s in store for the future?

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 May 11th, 1891 when President Benjamin Harrison, known as the Human Iceberg, defied expectations during a whirlwind visit through Colorado. The busiest day of his visit started in Leadville. He then proceeded down the Arkansas River valley to Buena Vista and Salida. He continued through the Royal Gorge, and emerged at Canon City. Later he was in Florence, Pueblo and ended the day in Colorado Springs where he made his 7th speech of the day.

Now, our feature story.

The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic as fewer people traveled. Yet Colorado Springs fared better than its bigger sister city Denver. Reporter Zach Bright looks into what happened and how one hotel is optimistic for what’s to come.

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

University of Colorado President Mark Kennedy announced Monday that he will be stepping down after less than two years in the position. The announcement comes soon after the faculty assembly and student government voted to censure Kennedy. The former Republican congressman was chosen as the sole finalist in 2019 when the Board of Regents had a Republican majority. But last year’s election flipped the board to the Democrats for the first time in 40 years.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/05/10/cu-president-mark-kennedy-resigns/ 

Two Colorado oil and gas companies merged Monday as pressure continues to build for consolidating drilling operations. Bonanza Creek Energy and Extraction Oil & Gas will now operate as Civitas Resources, with 425,000 acres of leases across nine counties in the Denver metro area. Executives said the company is pushing to be the first with net-zero emissions by mitigating on-site emissions and purchasing carbon offsets. But activists say the company’s intent to focus on the Denver-Julesburg Basin will probably mean continued drilling in and near residential neighborhoods.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/05/10/colorado-oil-company-merger/ 

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for children age 12-15. A federal advisory committee still has to issue formal recommendations for using the vaccine with the newly approved age group. The two-dose vaccine was already approved for people age 16 and older, compared with the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson approvals for those age 18 and older. Colorado’s school-age youths have seen significant increases in coronavirus cases in recent weeks compared with adults.

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. And don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.

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.