Good Morning, Colorado, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up from the Colorado Sun. It’s Monday April 5th, 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 -- A federal judge ruled that Colorado Parks and Wildlife couldn’t use federal funds for their project that aims to bring back declining mule deer population without an environmental review first. So, what’s next? 

 

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 April 5th, 1851 when a party of Hispano settlers who were intent on staking their claim to land gifted by the Mexican government, started work on Culebra Creek in modern day Costilla County. They laid the foundation for what is now Colorado’s oldest permanent settlement - San Luis De La Culebra.

 

 Now, our feature story. 

 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife had a plan to cull mountain lions in the Upper Arkansas River Basin, in an attempt to bring back declining mule deer. Then a federal judge ruled the agency could not use necessary federal funds for the project without an environmental review. Reporter Jason Blevins talks with Lucy Haggard to unpack the court ruling and see what’s next.

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

 

Thanks for listening. Finally, here are a few stories you should know about today:

 

Governor Jared Polis announced Friday that counties at the lowest coronavirus restriction level can ease their mask restrictions. Some indoor places will still require patrons to wear masks, such as schools, healthcare settings and state government facilities. Almost half of the state’s 64 counties are designated as Level Green, but only a fraction of the state’s population lives there.

https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/02/colorado-mask-mandate-eased-details/ 

 

Coloradans who were previously convicted for possessing less than two ounces of marijuana could soon have their records sealed. House Bill 1090 doubles the legal possession limit of recreational marijuana from the current one ounce threshold. Marijuana convictions disproportionately affect people of color, and the house bill is the latest state effort to address the consequences of historic marijuana laws.

 

Colorado’s long-term drought is persisting despite significant snowstorms in March. Snowpack, the state’s natural moisture reservoir, is highly variable across river basins. The Arkansas and Upper Rio Grande basins have exceeded their average snowpack levels. But basins on the western slope are still well below their averages. Scientists say the state will need multiple years of above-average snowfall to fully emerge from drought.

 

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 from the Colorado Sun. It&rsquo;s Monday April 5th, 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.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Today -- A federal judge ruled that Colorado Parks and Wildlife couldn&rsquo;t use federal funds for their project that aims to bring back declining mule deer population without an environmental review first. So, what&rsquo;s next?&nbsp;
&nbsp;
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;:
&nbsp;
Today we take you back to April 5th, 1851 when a party of Hispano settlers who were intent on staking their claim to land gifted by the Mexican government, started work on Culebra Creek in modern day Costilla County. They laid the foundation for what is now Colorado&rsquo;s oldest permanent settlement - San Luis De La Culebra.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;Now, our feature story.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Colorado Parks and Wildlife had a plan to cull mountain lions in the Upper Arkansas River Basin, in an attempt to bring back declining mule deer. Then a federal judge ruled the agency could not use necessary federal funds for the project without an environmental review. Reporter Jason Blevins talks with Lucy Haggard to unpack the court ruling and see what&rsquo;s next.
To read more about wildlife in Colorado, go to coloradosun.com.
&nbsp;
Thanks for listening. Finally, here are a few stories you should know about today:
&nbsp;
Governor Jared Polis announced Friday that counties at the lowest coronavirus restriction level can ease their mask restrictions. Some indoor places will still require patrons to wear masks, such as schools, healthcare settings and state government facilities. Almost half of the state&rsquo;s 64 counties are designated as Level Green, but only a fraction of the state&rsquo;s population lives there.
https://coloradosun.com/2021/04/02/colorado-mask-mandate-eased-details/&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Coloradans who were previously convicted for possessing less than two ounces of marijuana could soon have their records sealed. House Bill 1090 doubles the legal possession limit of recreational marijuana from the current one ounce threshold. Marijuana convictions disproportionately affect people of color, and the house bill is the latest state effort to address the consequences of historic marijuana laws.
&nbsp;
Colorado&rsquo;s long-term drought is persisting despite significant snowstorms in March. Snowpack, the state&rsquo;s natural moisture reservoir, is highly variable across river basins. The Arkansas and Upper Rio Grande basins have exceeded their average snowpack levels. But basins on the western slope are still well below their averages. Scientists say the state will need multiple years of above-average snowfall to fully emerge from drought.
&nbsp;
For more information on all of these stories, visit our website,<a href="http://www.coloradosun.com/"> www.coloradosun.com</a>.&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/.

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