The Daily Sun-Up

Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about why two of three people appointed by the governor to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife commission didn’t keep their seats and how the state agency is coming under more and more scrutiny. https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/one-colorado-parks-wildlife-commissioner-confirmed-two-resign/  https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/did-polis-stack-cpw-commission-with-anti-hunting-interests/ 

Today, Sun reporter Jennifer Brown discusses how a leader of a nonprofit who was being investigated for theft but the attorney general's office got hired as a deputy commissioner for the state’s Behavioral Health Administration. https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/24/behavioral-health-deputy-commissioner-hiring-theft-scheme/  https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/casa-nonprofit-scheme-du-tuition/ 

Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looks into the continuing drop in average rent in Denver and why it’s trending that way. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/25/denver-renters-market-average-rents/

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at how a change in Telluride’s affordable housing rules has riled a folks in town. As housing continues to challenge mountain town workers, was it an overcorrect? https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/19/telluride-rent-regulations-renters-affordability-shandoka-sunnyside-voodoo-apartments/  https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/31/colorado-sunfest-2026-panel-housing-crisis-in-high-country/ 

Today, Colorado Sun events specialist Kristina Pritchett previews our fourth annual Colorado SunFest, which is May 1 at the University of Denver, and how it’s evolved from an idea to a day of conversations and ways to make Colorado even better. https://coloradosun.com/colorado-sunfest/  

\Today, Colorado Sun arts and culture reporter Parker Yamasaki talks about our new Colorado 150 project to commemorate the Colorado 150th statehood celebration this year and what readers and listeners can expect with our series leading up to Aug. 1. https://coloradosun.com/colorado-150/  https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/22/colorado-150-scenic-drives-and-roadside-attractions/  https://coloradosun.com/2022/08/01/how-colorado-are-you-quiz/ 

Ballots for Colorado's June 30 primary are just about set. Colorado Sun political reporter Jesse Paul joined Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim of CPR News on the latest edition of the Purplish podcast to break down who's on it.  Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/11/scott-bottoms-gop-primary-ballot-colorado-governor/

Today, Colorado Sun business and tech reporter Tamara Chuang looks at the surprising business filing numbers in Colorado for the first quarter, layoffs coming after the First Bank merger and her Colorado SunFest panel, which will include an AI robot demonstration. Panel: https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/09/colorado-sunfest-2026-panel-ai-in-our-lives/

Today, we revisit our Dec. 15 episode when outdoors reporter Jason Blevins reviewed millions of dollars of high country housing projects coming to fruition and how Colorado mountain towns are focusing on short-term and long-term needs. Jason will host a Colorado SunFest conversation May 1 on high country housing solutions starting to take shape.  Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/12/15/steamboat-springs-billioniare-housing/

G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to put the just completed tax season to music.

Today, we're interviewing Ann Schimke of Chalkbeat Colorado about a public Christian school in Pueblo County that has created a legal battle in the state, one that could escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court. Photo: Mark Reis, Special to The Colorado Sun

Lawmakers finish drafting Colorado’s budget with final round of major cuts to address roughly $1.5 billion shortfall. Medicaid took the brunt of the final reductions, include a reimbursement rate cut for providers and a cap on Cover All Coloradans, which provides health care to immigrants who are children or pregnant. https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/01/colorado-budget-draft-billion-shortfall-2026/

New York Times editor Dean Baquet will be the keynote speaker at our fourth annual Colorado SunFest, which is May 1st at the University of Denver. He joins Colorado Sun publisher and co-founder Larry Ryckman to preview their SunFest conversation and talk about the state of media in America. https://coloradosun.com/colorado-sunfest/ https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/13/colorado-sunfest-2026-keynote-speaker-new-york-times-dean-baquet/ Photo: Dean Baquet, former New York Times editor. (Courtesy)

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at the growing mental health concerns in Colorado’s mountain towns as communities come off the worst snow season in state history and the stresses that come with it. Drew Petersen 2024 SunFest conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF-_J3rPWtc

Former Denver judge Jacqueline St. Joan joins the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss her upcoming memoir, Your Verdict, and reflect on a life shaped by the law and personal loss.

Devaki Murch survived Operation Babylift, when President Gerald Ford transported hundreds of Vietnamese children to America in 1975. This week, she's bringing adoptees, caregivers, veterans, and community members together in Boulder, to explore their shared past and reflect on what it means to be a refugee 50 years later

Today - our Temperature newsletter reporters Michael Booth and John Ingold talk about a survey on how people are using legal psilocybin, and some shocking numbers showing how bad the Colorado drought really is.

Finding a job in Colorado is difficult right now for a lot of folks, as employers are hiring but more cautiously. Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down the latest job numbers and what those who are hiring and those who are looking for work are saying. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/04/colorado-job-openings/  https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/01/colorado-business-leaders-negative-future-economy/ 

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at the ongoing battle between landowners and those who want to wade and float through the land on Colorado waterways. Is the state legislature ready to get involved?

Author Mark Stevens talks with the Sun's Kevin Simpson about serial killers and his new thriller, "Two Truths and a Lie"

Today, Colorado Sun arts and culture reporter Parker Yamasaki discusses the big changes coming at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science as they prepare to close the popular gem and mineral hall for a major renovation. 

Medicaid is driving the $1.5 billion state budget shortfall Colorado lawmakers are trying to address this year. Colorado Sun reporter Jesse Paul joined Bente Birkeland of CPR News and Seth Klamann of The Denver Post on the latest episode of Purplish to explore why and what's being done to try to rein in spending on the health care program for low income Coloradans. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/12/01/colorado-medicaid-spending-state-budget/

Today we’re checking in with Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang about Colorado companies are navigating the Supreme Court decision that the Trump administration’s tariffs are illegal. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/30/colorado-importers-tariff-refunds/

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins puts a bow on a challenging ski season with a check-in on the ever-changing closing dates for Colorado resorts, plus a new lawsuit challenging the Ikon and Epic mega passes.

Author Derek Lowstuter talks to the Sun's Kevin Simpson about his book "Fiddler on the Roof of Africa", detailing his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Indigenous people have had serious health issues since forced assimilation onto reservations in the 1800s changed their food sources. Today, Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about a program the Navajo tribe and doctors are using to change eating habits to address those health concerns.

Today, reporters John Ingold and Michael Booth talk about the signs of climate change already visible in Colorado, as well as some new research by CU Boulder on pythons. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/22/10-signs-of-climate-change-in-colorado/  https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/19/weight-loss-drugs-pythons-study/

Sun reporter Jennifer Brown has been covering the federal government’s roundup of wild horses in Colorado and across the West for years. Today, Jennifer breaks down the BLM plan for corralling more than 1,100 horses this summer in Colorado and 14,000 across the West. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/23/wild-horses-blm-roundups-2026/

As e-bikes continue to rise in popularity, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at how communities and agencies that manage forest land are opening up more trails and working on awareness instead of banning the pedal-assisted bikes.

G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, and the Sun's Kevin Simpson talk Irish music.

Today, Sun water reporter Shannon Mullane takes a look at what state water officials are bracing for as drought conditions across Colorado worsen and a March heat waves come on top of a historically low snow season.

Colorado Sun political reporter Jesse Paul appeared on the Colorado Today podcast recently to discuss with host Haylee May a bill that would add regulations for AI chatbots accessible in Colorado. The podcast is produced by Colorado Public Radio. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/25/colorado-chatgpt-chatbot-regulations/

Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down legislation going through the Colorado Capitol that would take sales tax out of the equation for swipe fees.

As we limp into the final weeks of winter, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins has insights on the latest Vail Resorts earnings, a change at Alterra and the world’s most social hermit citizen scientist who has been collecting snow data for more than 50 years above Crested Butte.

Author Cynthia Swanson sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss her collection stories focused on women's challenges over the last century.

Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross puts perspective on the recent Colorado Parks and Wildlife meetings where talk of possible hunting limits and commercial sales of furbearers became heated and confusing for many. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/06/parks-and-wildlife-commission-accepts-petition-to-ban-colorado-fur-sales-in-embarrassing-out-of-control-meeting/ 

Today Colorado Sun reporters Michael Booth and John Ingold talk about a grouping of measles cases in Broomfield and big swings in fossil fuel policies and prices.

From unauthorized subscriptions and rental agreements to debt collector abuse and cable bills, overall consumer complaints were up 10% last year to the Colorado attorney general’s office. Today, Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down the recently released annual report. https://riverside.com/dashboard/studios/daily-sun-up-podcast/projects?redirect_num=1

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins breaks down what a major $7 million BLM land acquisition in western Colorado means for outdoor enthusiasts as it gets added to the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/06/blm-acquires-escalante-ranch/

Author Hillary Rosner talks to the Sun's Kevin Simpson about her new book "Roam" and the issue of wildlife corridors.

Today we're talking with Laura Clellan, the newly confirmed director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife about some of her background and goals in her new position. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/23/laura-clellan-named-colorado-parks-and-wildlife-director-cpw/ 

Democrats are debating dueling data center bills in the Colorado legislature this year. One focuses on tax incentives for businesses that build the sprawling buildings. The other seeks to address their environmental impacts. Colorado Sun political reporter Taylor Dolven talked about the measures on the latest edition of Purplish with CPR News reporter Sam Brasch and KUNC's Lucas Brady Woods.  Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/01/23/colorado-data-center-bills-incentives-regulations/  Photo by Kathryn Scott, Special to The Colorado Sun

Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang gets into a new report that looks at the state of Denver restaurant scene and possible suggestions to help out restaurateurs and service industry workers. Photo by Corey Robinson, Special to The Colorado Trust

Today we're talking with Laura Clellan, the newly confirmed director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife about some of her background and goals in her new position. This is part of a longer conversation, the rest of which we'll share soon. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/23/laura-clellan-named-colorado-parks-and-wildlife-director-cpw/ 

Author Aaron Simmons sits down with The Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss the book he co-authored with his late wife, Polly, titled "widow- widower- widowest-: a grief mosaic".

Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross has updates on the pile of rubble still in the parking lot of the Nederland shopping center that burned down in early October. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/23/nederland-closer-to-removing-fire-debris-future-uncertain/

Today, Sun reporters John Ingold and Michael Booth talk about a big fight over data centers, plus questions around the search for a new CSU chancellor.

Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looks at how Colorado small businesses and big companies are responding to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the Trump administration’s tariffs are illegal. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/20/supreme-court-trump-tariff-colorado-implications/

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins gets us caught up on the Colorado ski season, from the latest backcountry conditions after last week’s storm cycles, to wondering if the resorts can recover from a tough year and his favorite moments for the Colorado Olympians. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/18/avalanche-danger-spikes/ 

G. Brown of the Colorado Music Experience and the Sun's Kevin Simpson talk breakup songs. https://cossa.co/conference https://coloradosun.com/outsider